Song of Wind

Chapter 1

     Ember Salore, crouched down in the shadows of an alley. Townhouses lined the recently rain-soaked streets. She waited for the captain of the city guard who she knew was on patrol tonight. This morning Ember was able to coax the information out of a blubbering rosy-cheeked young maiden apart of the kings' court. She even threw a few more gold pieces her way to keep her silence. Pulling her cloak tighter around herself she stayed hidden. Her legs already stiff from an hour of waiting, every passing minute felt longer than the last. Examining the silver dagger in her gripped hand she turned it over absentmindedly. The moon was reflected on its surface, like a stilled stream. the dagger was given to Ember from her sister exactly for tonight.

      She knew what had to be done tonight to appease the band of rebels her sister led. The one her sister was sure would become strong enough to overthrow the royal family. They just had to take them out bit by bit in small doses, then when the time comes when the royals figure out what was really happening, it'd be too late for them. This was her sister's plan, to eliminate the royals like they killed their family who'd been born in shackles. Ember sometimes wished she could remember them.

     But she'd been just a baby when they were killed for trying to escape the slave slums of Aterica. Her sister had been barely sixteen then, their parents giving her just enough time for her sister to carry Ember towards the city they now resided in. Being raised by her sister in hiding she knew the passionate loathing her sister had for the king and all his people. She raised Ember to loath them to, teaching her the best ways to kill in swift fast ways.

       She started as a two note whistle broke the silence of the street visible from the mouth in the alleyway. Taking steadying breaths through her nose, Ember gripped her dagger tighter waiting for her moment to spring. The pungent stench of garbage and metal had her wrinkling her nose in disgust. She listened to the heavy footfalls of not just one but three pairs of feet. Startled she licked her lips in anticipation as they appeared passing by the alley opening. The king, not the captain. Passed by in his tunic and pants, a sword strapped to his back.

      Two guards in shiny armor that glowed in the darkness flanked either side of him. She would have to rely on her stealth to take down those guards. It was fortunate the king was here tonight instead of the captain. The king would make more of an impact than a measly captain. Ember waited till they were past the alleyway before standing up and following after them. She kept her footfalls silent, avoiding water puddles. The darkness was her friend, as it had been for many years. She has learned to live by the hidden rules of the night.

     Rushing up behind the first of the two guards, with all her might she kicked the back of his knees sending him tumbling down. Not missing a beat she gripped his head exposing his neck and slashed down with the dagger killing him. Letting his body fall away onto the street, she faced the other guard who sneered at her sword out.

    "One of the rebels," He mused golden hair contrasting against the silver of his armor. With a snarl, he leaped forward sword raised. Remembering her training she quickly sidestepped getting out of harm's way. She brought her dagger slashing across the side of his arm. Blood bubbled up on his skin. He looked down at the injury on his arm, just enough distraction for her to ram her elbow into his shoulder with enough force to cause his sword to clatter to the ground. They always underestimated her, and always paid the price for that mistake. Quick as a snake she brought the man to his knees slitting his throat like the first. Silence filled the empty space now, her hands sticky and warm with blood.

"You will all burn and die" Ember looked up at the king who had his sword out, his eyes gleamed viciously.

"You started this war, and we will finish it." Ember stated, cold steel in her eyes, She would not back down.