Assassin [#ProjectWomanUp]

Chapter Seventeen: Hiding

Eliza, Analise, and Jocelyn went west. The next town was quite a ways off, but if it meant concealment, they'd take anything.

They didn't encounter anyone during the three days they travelled to the first town. Eliza taught Analise a little more about archery, and she herself practiced her own skills. It wouldn't do if her aim was even slightly off if it came to a fight.

The town sat by the river. In addition to the usual establishments- inn, blacksmith, for example- the inhabitants made a little extra by running a mill and a ferry across the river.

The inn was very noticable, as it was the only two story building in the town.

"Would it be a good idea to stay in the inn?" Eliza asked.

"Lizzie we've been sleeping on the ground for the past two days and unlike you, I am used to sleeping in a proper bed," Jocelyn replied, pushing her hood back and entering the inn.

Analise glanced back once at Eliza, then followed Jocelyn through the inn doorway.

Eliza rolled her eyes as she too entered the inn.

Jocelyn and Analise were already talking to the innkeeper. Eliza figured her bright red hair would stand out too much, so she had left her hood on; as the only one in her group to do so, she recieved quite a few shifty glances.

"Second floor, third door. And could you tell your friend to take her hood off?" the innkeeper was saying as Eliza made it to them.

"My friend has a horrible disfigurement on her face as a result of an accident a few years ago and prefers not to draw attention," Jocelyn replied smoothly, taking the key. "Have a lovely day."

~~~

As soon as the three were in their room, Eliza quickly closed the door and double checked that there wasn't anything dangerous- magical or otherwise- in the room.

"Lizzie, is all this really necessary?" Analise asked as she checked the windowpane.

"You don't know the sorcerers like I do. They are very clever- they probably knew we were going to split up and go through populated towns. Asterodea has a lot of resources available to her. If we're not careful, she'll know exactly where we are the second we let our guard down."

Slightly horrified, Analise knew the full extent of how terrifying Asterodea truly was.

From the picture Eliza painted, she was cunning, manipulative, and very, very powerful. She was merciless- Analise had seen that with Valorie. She would not let anything stand in the way of her success- and if that included killing her own flesh and blood, then so be it.

In short, for the first time Analise knew what true terror for a person was.

~~~

Luselva, Ebony, and May continued on the northern-bound path. It wasn't as well traveled, but the town further down it was densely populated.

May couldn't help but notice that Ebony became increasingly more twitchy the closer they got to the town.

Evidently, she wasn't the only one.

"Eb, what's wrong?" Luselva asked.

They were about a day from the town. Ebony had completely lost the ability to sit still.

"It's probably nothing. I'm just paranoid," Ebony replied.

"What is it?" May pressed.

Ebony sighed. "I feel like we're being followed."

"Isn't that why we split up?"

"I feel like the sorcerers tracking us know we split up and have taken the appropriate steps to counter our moves," Ebony amended.

"Is that possible?" May asked.

"You'd be surprised what's possible with magic."

~~~

By the time they got to the town, Ebony looked like she was going to have a nervous breakdown.

"I'll stay out here and make sure Ebony doesn't get into trouble," Luselva offered. "You go get us a room."

"We hardly have any money," May pointed out.

"Then we'll stay in a stall in the stables."

Within fifteen minutes they were safely within a stall next to a particularly loud horse. Ebony was focusing on calming herself down. Everything seemed to be in order.

Which, of course, made May all the more nervous.

~~~

After a few hours they managed to settle down a little. Luselva had drifted off to sleep and Ebony was dozing off, while May had decided to take watch.

"Tell me I'm paranoid, but it feels like something bad is going to happen?" Ebony said around midnight.

May sat up straighter and listened to the night. Nothing was out of the ordinary, but still...

"I don't... hear anything... "

"Something isn't right. Luselva." Ebony turned to wake their companion.

May stood to stretch out her legs. She grabbed her weapon and made sure it was ready.

Ebony and Luselva cleared their minds and mentally recited offensive spells that would be useful in the situation they were waiting for.

Dawn came, and nothing had happened. The three had spent a stressful night, unable to sleep even if they had tried. They were tense, paranoid, and tired.

Which was exactly what their enemies had aimed for.

Hey guys. So what'd you think? Sorry I haven't updated in a while, (what do you mean it's June?) but now it's summer and I'm hoping to have weekly updates at the very least. Also I've gotten my in progress works down to just this, so if I only write one thing at a time I might be able to update faster.
Hope you have a lovely day.
~Patchesmimi