Assassin [#ProjectWomanUp]

Chapter Seven: Planning

"Finally, you're here."

Veronica, May, Marilyn, Lynn, and Madison stood around the table in the planning room. Apparantly Analise was the only one to have recieved her weapon. She quickly hid her bow behind her back.

Veronica glared at Eliza. "Now that Mendel has decided to arrive, let's begin."

Surprisingly, it was Madison who started. "We know very little about our enemy as of now. We need to gather intel before we proceed."

Marilyn smiled approvingly at her apprentice. "Good plan. Let's send Eliza-"

"Do you feel that's a good idea, Zavran? Mendel often acts irresponsibly," Veronica interrupted.

"Eliza has also proven to be very effective in the field, Fairfield. Are you forgetting that Grace often regards her as one of the best Assassins."

Veronica and Marilyn glared daggers at each other, neither willing to back down.

"As I was saying," Marilyn continued, tossing one last glare at Veronica. "Let's send Eliza, May, and their apprentices to gather information. And stay out of sight. Eliza."

"What?"

"You know what I mean."

Eliza held her hands up in mock surrender.

From the conversation Analise had just witnessed, Eliza apparantly didn't always follow the rules.

"How often does — this — happen?" she muttered to November.

"Well, half of the Assassins feel that Eliza's tactics should consist of more rule following. The other half are okay with it as long as she gets the job done," November replied.

"Moonwalker, if you have something to contribute, I suggest you present it," Veronica said.

November straightened. "If the Apprentices have questions, they should be answered."

Veronica evidently couldn't think of a proper comeback.

"Shall I continue?" Marilyn reminded them, evidently irritated by the interruptions. She glared around the table, daring them to interrupt again.

"Alright, our sources say that Asterodea has set up in the center of Evergreen Wood." She pointed to a spot on the map. The minor enchantments on the map allowed it to zoom in on that area, revealing different areas in the forest. "Be careful. The evergreen trees enhance all types of magic, and they just happen to have set up in the swamp. I'd rather not lose a member to a swamp."

"It's likely enchanted."

"Thank you for that Eliza. Are we clear?"

Everyone nodded their assent.

"Good. You four leave first light tomorow."

~~~

The Assassin traipsed through the swamp. She wasn't afraid; she was expected.

Asterodea watched as the hooded figure approached and kneeled before her. "My queen," she muttered.

"What news do you have?"

"Four Assassins are coming to gather intel. They leave at first light tomorow."

Asterodea nodded. "Good. Their names?"

"May Wintergreen, Lynn Wayward, Analise Windrunner, and Eliza Mendel."

Asterodea was careful to mask her emotions when Eliza's name was mentioned. No one needed to know her connections to the Assassin.

"Thank you. I suggest you return, lest they suspect you."

The Assassin bowed once more before leaving.

Asterodea paced, thinking hard. Eliza was causing a weakness in her — a weakness she could not afford to have.

After hours of plotting and thinking, she came to one conclusion.

Eliza would have to die.

Hi! Plot twist: traitor. I wonder if you'll guess who it is.
Hope you enjoy. Vote, comment, the like.
Patchy