They said he was crazy, but I never believed them. He was sane as you and me. He was, though, accused of a crime that he never admitted although evidences were strictly against him.
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Golden hair flounced gently on the bare but tinged shoulders. The figure was a woman, lithe and fit from healthful exercise. A very short skirt hugged her, thus emphasizing her shapely legs and calves. A sharp pair of gray eyes scanned the sky for the sight of the faithful falcon.
Signy Brynhild was not your ordinary Hunter. She was one of the very few female Archers who won the right to be Hunters in the hard-fought battle at Payon. She even ousted Pierre, former Guildsmaster of Asgard Inc., Payons Hunter association. Signy won the hunting contest by killing the Caledonian Boar single-handedly, and by taking the Sharpshooter test by a storm. Pierre finally challenged her to a duel in setting landmines. It was dangerous and she nearly died, but she saw that her footing was right and her bombs at the nearest possible place to her target. Pierre lost his title to a woman.
The Hunters were reluctant to have a female leader. It hurt their pride. But whether they liked it or not, Signy was now the Queen of their guild. Her power was absolute, her reign was of steel. Nobody could protest. They could find no fault in Signys governance.
Asgard Guildsmasters was supposed to stay put in Payon, but Signy would have none of it. She was part of Firnheild, and Firnheild people went out as they pleased. Hunters criticized her for it, but she shrugged them off. She was no fool and certainly there was no way she'd isolate herself from a world of pure excitement and adrenaline rush.
Signy sighed deeply and sat down on the edge of Izlude fountain. She dislodged her bow from her shoulder and checked the tightness of the string. Her bow was always in a superb condition, but it became her habit to check it every now and then. When she could find no mess whatsoever she returned it to its place.
"Odin still not around then?"
Signy looked up and met the veiled face of Sibyl. For an assassin, Sibyl was the remarkable one. Her face was veiled so only her eyes showed. There is no clear information about her past except her achievements as a Thief and Assassin. Like Altair, Nerva, Theodoric, Signy and Wealthow, Sibyl entered and left Midgard Academy at a young age and fulfilling both job classes with impressive performance. She was one of the precious gems of Morroc. And she was the only female Assassin to have made it in the Elite Circle.
"No he isn't yet." Signy answered. "Boy, are they that far away?"
Sibyl sat down beside her comrade and checked her katar.
"What do you think of Nerva al'Thor? Hes going to be part of us now. Or so we think."
"I cannot tell what I think of him until I see him." Signy replied.
"Personally I think he's a double-edged sword. Wizards provide the highest damage points alongside Knights. And he's Geffens pride. He did great things, this Nerva, but his being involved in the Byalan Incident is a bit dodgy. Seriously dodgy, if you ask me. He can attack us anytime. Wizards, like you Assassins, have high capability for stealth and cunning."
Sibyl laughed. "I think Nerva is hot."
Signys eyebrows shot upward. "Hot? What do you mean hot?"
Sibyl winked and threw back her long, ponytailed hair. "I mean he can be a total darling."
"I can't believe you." Signy burst out. "You haven't even seen him!"
But Sibyl was on her feet and was laughing heartily. Then something caught her eye. "Look, its Odin!"
Signy looked around just in time as Odin perched himself on her shoulder. She immediately retrieved Wealthows reply note.
"Whats it said?" Sibyl inquired.
"They'll be here in four hours." Signy reread the note.
"That meansumm, a lot more time then."
"Is Nerva with them?" Sibyl pushed on.
"They wouldn't be leaving Geffen early if Nerva al'Thor isnt with them, are they?"
Sibyls grin widened. She turned on her heels and started to walk away from the fountain, leaving Signy behind.
"Where are you going, Sibyl?" Signy called.
"Shopping!" came the shouted answer as Sibyl vanished into Izludes crowd.
Signy rolled her eyes. "Shopping" for Sibyl usually meant stealing away some other persons money and loot. Sibyl wasnt exactly a kleptomaniac, but then, she was an Assassin and a former Thief. Thieves and Assassin do some Stealing for the fun and risk of it and also to earn some extra zeny. No wonder they're rich like Albertas Merchants and Blacksmiths.
"What would you like, Odin?" Signy asked as she stroked Odins silky feathers. "Go out and Hunt, my love. I shall send my call to the wind when we need you."
Odin spread his great wings and took off. Signy waved him goodbye.
A Merchant pulling along a very full Kafra cart stopped before Signy. The girl, about seventeen years of age, smiled shyly.
"umm I wanted to ask, do you need anything at the moment, ma'am?" she inquired. "I have collected some rare items from Mount Mjoinir and all of them make nice gifts."
"Do you have a Mighty Staff?" Signy asked as she opened her purse and counted her zeny.
The Merchants face brightened at once. She moved through her merchandise, moving parcels, boxes and packets aside. She had a wide collection of weaponry. She rummaged some more until she took out a very magnificent and rare Mighty Staff from her lot.
"How much is it?" Signy asked.
"I was thinkingabout 500,000 zeny, because this is really rare." The Merchant replied.
"Is that okay with you?"
"I'll take it." said Signy, handing over 500,000 zeny to the awestruck Merchant. She took the Mighty Staff in her hands and twirled it.
"It is beautiful and very new, but I shall have Altair to look and refine it further. The person who's going to receive this is rather special, if you understand what I mean."
"Thank you very much." The Merchant bowed.
"Youre my very fist customer for the day. Allow me to give a free gift"
The Merchant gave her a small golden falcon.
"It is said that it protects the Hunter who has it. Please take it as my thanks." The Merchant bowed once more.
"Thank you." Signy smiled, placing the golden relic close to her heart.
"I shall treasure this."
The happy Merchant walked on with a wider grin on her face. Signy whistled and examined the Mighty Staff. "Boy, Nerva al'Thor would surely like this one."
