The Assassin and the King

Chapter 5

The next morning, Laurel, Oletha and Spencer took a carriage to the Courtesans' Guild to update their progress with Madam Maven, who would then go to Althalos.

Laurel and Spencer were trying to stay as far away from each other as they could, so Oletha walked in the middle of them.

"Spence! Laurie! What are you doing here? Who's your friend? Ooh, she's pretty. She could totally join us if she had some training."

Oletha didn't know who this girl was, but by the look on Laurel's face, she must not be someone likable.

"Linden, how are you?" Spencer asked, hugging the courtesan.

"You need training to become a courtesan?" Oletha asked.

"Oh, of course! There's so much that goes into it. What's your name, sweetie?" Linden asked.

"Uh, Oletha. What exactly goes into it? I mean, it's just selling your body. Can't be too hard, right?" Despite the argument Oletha had with Laurel the previous night, she felt happy when the courtesan looked annoyed, and Laurel bit her lip to keep from smiling.

"Oh, no, Lethie. Can I call you Lethie? I'm going to call you Lethie. Such a pretty name. Anyway, being a courtesan is so much more than that. No one's going to buy if your service sucks. The training is long and hard, but we all get through it, and it makes us so much stronger." Linden said, draping an arm around Oletha's shoulders. Oletha noticed that Linden was smiling flirtily at Spencer.

"Hm, well I think I'm fine for now. I'll stick with Laurel and Spencer." Oletha said.

"Too bad. Do you all have any time? I would love to have that tea now." Linden said.

"Not today, Linden, we are looking for Maven. We have to talk with her." Laurel said, looking like she never wanted to have tea with her ever.

"Oh, I see." Linden said, pouting her lip sadly. The look bothered Oletha, because it was oddly effective in grabbing Spencer's attention. She wondered if this was what they were trained in. "Maven's office is just down the hall."

"You girls can go talk to Maven. I'll have tea, and meet you outside." Spencer said.

Laurel's attempt at a smile made her look like she was going to strangle someone, and Oletha dragged her towards Maven's office, quickly telling Spencer that they would see him outside.

"Oh, I need to kill her. I want to kill her so badly." Laurel said through gritted teeth.

"You can't kill her, Laurel. Just breathe. He's probably just being kind. I bet nothing's going on." Oletha assured her.

"Can't I at least give her a black eye? How about a broken rib?" Laurel asked.

"No, Laurel. Calm down." Oletha patted the girl's arm, but she stayed tense.

Laurel knocked on the door to Madam Maven's office.

"Enter!" Came a voice from inside.

Laurel and Oletha entered, and Madam Maven stood to greet them.

"Laurel, hello! No Spencer this time?" The woman asked, walking over to kiss Laurel on each cheek.

"He's with Linden." Laurel answered. Only Oletha could sense the iciness in her voice.

"Oh, lovely! That boy could use a bit of Linden's services. He's always so uptight." Madam Maven said.

Oletha watched Laurel's jaw clench, but the Madam must not have realized how it affected her, because she continued to speak.

"Of course, you're always welcome here too, if you're feeling the stress of assassin life, my dear. I really do think you would take a liking to Aidan."

The Madam smiled, and Oletha smiled back to keep her from noticing Laurel's facial expression.

"So, you're here for the update, correct?" Madam Maven asked, and Laurel took a deep breath to answer her.

"Yes. You can tell Althalos that the first day was successful. I was able to bond with the prince, and he kissed me." Laurel said authoritatively.

"Great! Althalos will be pleased! I will send for a carriage later today so I can pay him a visit. I appreciate your time, girls, and I hope to see you again soon. Especially you, Laurel." Maven smiled, believing that she had just done Laurel a favor in her offering, but Laurel looked livid.

"I can't believe it!" Laurel said, once they were out of the office. "Even Maven thinks Spencer is hooking up with Linden! I am so sick of this! I'm starting to feel like there's no hope left for him."

"There are male courtesans?" Oletha asked, confused. She felt bad after she had said that. She was being insensitive.

"Yes, there are male courtesans. Of course there are. If Althalos didn't take Spencer in, he probably would have been one. I know Maven wanted him. She thinks he would have made her a great amount of money with that face." Laurel sighed. "I'm sorry, Oletha. I don't mean to take this all out on you, but if Maven is right about anything, it's that I'm stressed."

"I'm sorry, Laurel. Once we get through this mission, we can figure all of this out, okay?" Oletha said.

Laurel nodded, looking sad, and the two went outside to wait for Spencer at the carriage.