Ezekiel
I rolled my shoulders, silently begging the knot between them to give me peace.
Today was hell. Not only had I sent Red away, but now the tenderfoots have started bringing petty squabbles to my doorstep as if I give a shit.
Apparently, one of them had caused problems overseas, and have potentially earned us the wrath of our brotherhood in Rorkstead. Knowing the master of that brotherhood only worried me more, as he was always pushing for conflict.
During the last Brotherhood Gathering, which occurred only half a year ago, Velkon had waited until the last second before showing up for the gathering, sat in other Master's chairs, and cut off almost everybody who talked. He had been lucky nobody took it personally and sought out the same conflict. A war between the brotherhood would shatter it forever.
His tenderfoots were no better in their insistent need for blood and gave one of mine a run for his money when they had been assigned the same errand. Now, a representative of Velkon was coming here to discuss the fallout.
Another thing to keep me up at night. I groaned as I sat back in my chair, begging for this day to end.
Though I wasn't looking forward to night either. Red wasn't going to be back tonight, which meant I had to sleep alone tonight. Which wasn't something I had done in nearly two weeks. Even on nights when Red stumbled in late from one of her many taverns and barely got under the covers, I still found myself tucking her in and crawling behind her.
As my thoughts roamed over the red-headed assassin who had a dangerous grip on me, I turned to stare out my opened window. The one Red had a predictable habit of swinging into.
I watched the ocean as it lapped at the shore on the edge of the capital. It's musical waves singing most of Dunkev's inhabitants to sleep.
Not me though. I sighed and stood up from my chair.
I wanted to avoid sleep and that was best done when I was moving. With angled precision, I hoisted myself out of Red's window and pulled myself to the roof of the manor. From the roof, the view of Dunkev grew immensely.
Smaller manors spanned on either side of the shadowed manor and in front stretched the usually bustling heart of the capital. Paved streets twisted in every direction, fire-light illuminating them and the many storefronts.
The shadier side of Dunkev, located on the far east and on the opposite side of where the manor was located, was unsurprisingly lively. Taverns cheered and alleys bustled with people.
Southeast of the manor was the grand and imposing royal castle, surrounded by its tall white-bricked walls. The outer walls were shorter than the giant walls making up the castle, which was dotted with many glass windows. Firelight flickered through those windows all throughout the castle. Even at night, people still worked throughout the castle.
Had I not sent my best assassin, I would have been surprised that the greatest assassination of a royal was pulled off so seamlessly with the castle's constant life.
I sat, content to just watch the city that I had under my thumb. The stars twinkled above, watching me in turn.
Eventually, the calm around me threatened to pull me under into the savage waves that were my nightmares. As my eyes started to drift shut, my nose caught the scent of something strange.
I could smell the salt and cool breeze of the ocean, but this scent was different. It was earthier, like the clouds before a storm, colder too.
Mixed with it were separate, yet unidentifiable scents.
YOU ARE READING
Red's Demise
Fantasy(Previously known as Little Red Riding Hood) "I wish I could say I was doing good in the world. Ridding it of its waste and evil. But really, I'm no better than those I kill. I liked killing. I liked holding life in my hands. I liked proving I wa...
