Certainly Fooled

Chapter Three

“Shit” Alexei murmured to himself, slinging his brown, oak furniture musket onto his back. A feather drifting though the wind; he gracefully danced through the rough terrain. The sun battered down like a hammer, giving no remorse nor mercy for the landscape below – that nourished in the searing heat. The landscape was almost silent, the quiet hills sat in silent harmony in correlation to each other, housing small patches of trees that reached up to the sun with a silent determination. A humid smell drifted heavily through the harmony of hills, perching all over the harmony of hills. Sweat ran down Alexei's face. Not only was he not used to this extreme weather, he hated it with a passion. The next patrol of guards marched through the landscape; ruining the illusion of the harmony of hills.

“There...” He pointed, muttering, yet again, to himself. Then, within a second, a knife latched itself around his neck. Eye's widening, a crackled laugh rose from behind him.

“My my my, what do we have here?” The man laughed. He had a familiar accent. Thoughts raced back and forth, exploding in his brain. 'Who is this man? What does he want? Why is his accent familiar? Something isn't right...'.

“What do you want?!” Alexei spat. Distaste for this man instantly appearing in his voice.

“Wouldn't you like to know? Ahahah!” He chuckled, yet again. Alexei's eyes focused. Concentrating his strength, in a blink of an eye, he threw his attacker onto the barren landscape – losing his knife in the process.

“So you're the one who has been tailing me!” Alexei raised his knife, it glinted in the sun light, a mirror reflecting the mans misfortune.

“Its nothing personal, of course” He smiled, revealing a set of old teeth. A unshaven beard sat on his face, long, scraggy hair hung from his head. His eyes showed over confidence, over confidence not obtained from experience. Never judge from appearance. Alexei thought.

“Who are you?!” Alexei roared

Opening his old, red jacket, revealing an old crown patch that was sewed onto the inside “Work for the Majesty the Queen” A crooked smile spread over his face like wildfire. Alexei's eyes widened yet again, his grip loosening and his posture falling for a split second.

The man used the opportunity, launching forward and knocking Alexei in the stomach. Traumatic pain exploded in his stomach, causing Alexei to grimace in pain. Resilience pumped through his vains, he returned the blow, hitting him in the neck, then bring his arm forward – bringing his attacker down onto the floor in seconds.

“Why are you here?! Final time I ask!”

“I'm here to kill you” He chuckled

“Who sent you?” Thoughts racing through his brain again, formulating an idea for who could have possibly sent him. He laughed, for a final time. Bang. A musket shot fired from the patrol below lodged itself into his skull, covered Alexei in tissue. Diving back, he didn't hang around. Melting into the countryside, absorbed by the harmony of hills that welcomed him so lovingly...