The Curse of Cal'Riel

Misfire

"No fucking way!"

After reading my new mission in detail I flung the scroll back at Rivon.

"Why did you even hand that to me, it belongs in the fireplace. Actually, give it back, I'll take care of it. No one here should get this job, not while she's involved!"

Rivon stood and backed away, keeping the scroll out of my reach. "Inigo, I swear to you, your sister will be out of harm's way. You only need her key to the palace."

I kept grabbing for it. "Give it back!"

"Would you..." he shoved me back, holding me at arm's length. "Would you listen?

He outmatched me in strength. There was no question about that. I stopped struggling against him with a huff, as an answer to his question.

"This official," Rivon said, white-knuckling the scroll, "is dirtier than your first. Even the Palaceguard wants her dead. No one is going to glance twice at your sister. She won't even be present when you make your move. All you need to do is get her key."

"The hell'd you teach me lockpicking for if I need a key?" I said.

"The palace is different. Security far exceeds the ability of your toolkit. Palace locks are imbued with protective spells and only the employee's keys can temporarily dispel that magic to unlock them. You are the best option to safely get her key. Steal it if you want to. Your own home should be the easiest break-in possible for you."

I kept shaking my head. It was unbelievable that the opportunity to fall in my lap had pulled Vix in. "The whole reason I left home was to protect my family from my... choices."

"I thought you left home to raise money for them," Rivon said. "Well, here's your big break, your headlining role. The payout is more than several of those other brute jobs combined. There are folks in high places that want this piece of shit out of their hair. They don't give a damn about your sister, probably don't even know she exists."

"Doubtful," I argued. "Vix is a celebrity in this town. And what if," I went on, "what if, 'this piece of shit' is the only voice standing up for veteran's rights? What if she plans to introduce a law that protects unions, and guilds? What if my sister, who values her own integrity, wouldn't play personal assistant to a piece of shit?"

Rivon sighed. "I'm pretending you didn't just serve me a monumental pile of horseshit so I can address this, for the last time." He stepped into my personal space. "We don't get the luxury of picking and choosing our hits based on our creeds, political stances, or ties to loved ones. Our job is to do the fucking job, no questions asked! Now," he dropped his volume and shoved the scroll into my chest. "Stop jerking my chain and take this."

I stood unmoving, not ready to back down no matter my lack of argument. I hated the fact that Vix was involved. The irony was fucked up!

However, on the flip side — even though I was pissed at Rivon — I trusted him. I knew he had ways of safeguarding the innocent not directly involved with our missions. There were strategic reasons why he kept a high ranking position in the Guard, even though the pay was shit. He protected his own.

Slowly, each of my fingers wrapped around the scroll until it was my responsibility again.

"Promise me," I said to him, "no one will come for Vix looking for payback."

He looked puzzled. "Who would come? There's no one that–"

"Promise me!"

He stared me down. Then he placed his hand on my shoulder. By now, he had learned how uncompromising I was when it came to my family.