The Rogue: Book 1 Of The Rogue And The Outlaw Series

Chapter 5: The First Assignment

Her face went back to its usual flat line as the news hit her ears. She didn't believe the rumour for a second. 'Come on Carson, there hasn't been a dragon in the kingdom for centuries. These are just rumours, they can't be true' She said, laughing slightly.

The idea of a dragon here in the kingdom was ridiculous, they were only spoken about in legends. No one had ever even seen one. Sure, people went out hunting for them in the hopes to catch a glimpse of the mythical being but everyone knew they were just deluded.

She sipped at her water, and rolled her eyes at Carson. He was always one to gossip.

'but when it turns out to be true, you owe me'

'Oh yeah how much?' She asked playfully

'Hmm, at least 100 gold coins'

'You must be joking!' she shot out, laughing 'I don't think I'll ever see that much money in my life'

'Oh well, I can dream' He said wishfully 'So what are you going to wish for this year at the festival?' He changed the subject.

She breathed a deep sigh, staring longingly into one of the candles near the table. She imagined setting off a lantern this year. She knew exactly what she longed for. But it was useless. She had wished too hard and long for the one thing she wanted more than anything, and the one thing she never received.

'For peace and quiet' She said with a small laugh, she couldn't stand seeing everyone so happy. It made her uncomfortable. 'Oh and gold' She added.

'Come on Rogue, there must be something more valuable than that' Carson said lightly

'What could be more valuable than gold?' She questioned defensively.

'I know there's something real Rogue, I can see it in your eyes. You're just too stubborn to tell me' He said, pretending to be hurt

'There isn't' She insisted

'Fine, don't tell me' He said flatly and turned slightly away from her

'Oh, come on Carson don't be like that' She whined, pulling on his arm to try and make him face her again

silence

She rolled her eyes, thought for a moment and said 'Fine. I'll tell you what I'm going to wish for. But if you laugh I'll punch you'

He turned back to her on the bar stool, looking at her expectantly

she took a deep breath 'Look' she started 'I think that this year...' she dipped her finger in her water, awkwardly twisting it and watching the water whirl as she thought about the weight of her next words.

'I think, that I might wish to find my parents' the words hung in the empty space between them like physical objects waiting to be looked at and judged. The water stopped moving, as the words settled around them.

'Huh' he said, clearly surprised that She had been so honest for once.

'I just think that I'm old enough to know now'

'No no, I think so too. But, what would you do if you found them?' he said, suddenly seeming sober.

'I don't know. Probably just ask them why. Or hit them, I haven't figured it out yet' They both let out a small laugh, and looked at the table in front of them.

'I just can't help but think the only thing everyone has in common is the fact that they have parents. And it frustrates me that I don't, it feels like I don't know who I am. Sure I have Archie but I just need to know.'

Carson looked at me, face solemn.

Just then, out the corner of her eye she saw her client walk in to the bar, she thought it must be him because she didn't recognise him. He had a perfectly straight posture, as if he were constantly on guard for a possible attacker. His weary eyes flitted across the room with a steely confidence that she couldn't quite explain. But somehow, she felt incredibly drawn to his icy presence, because he seemed dangerous at a single glance. And she wanted to know how exactly he did it.