The Game Of Prospe

The First Champion

Adrian's shaggy black hair hung in his startlingly blue eyes as Death circled him.

"Adrian, darling, you really should get a haircut," she remarked as she reached out and played with a few strands. A low growl came from the back of his throat as he moved her pale hand away with the flat of his dagger's blade.

"What do you want now?"

Death's lips curled into a smile as she grabbed his wrist. He shivered slightly under her icy grip.

"I wouldn't recommend rushing Death, my dear, especially where your little sister could get involved."

He glared at her, resisting the urge to impale her right then and there, knowing all to well that it would have no effect. He gritted his teeth.

"Fine, my lady. Your wish is my command so what might it be?"

Death rolled her eyes. "The sarcasm is hardly necessary," she waved her hand dismissively. "No matter, I have a job for you."

Adrian gritted his teeth. "Yes?"

She handed him a scroll. "I want you to find some people, all the information you need is in there. You are to gain their trust and once you've accomplished that...kill them."

He clenched his first around the scroll. "Why?"

Death's smile faded. "Don't question me, my dear, or it will be the last thing you do."

She let go of the scroll and vanished, leaving Adrian alone in his room.

***

Little Danny was chasing the cat around the room when Adrian came downstairs for breakfast. He smiled at the sight of her, despite the bags under his eyes showing an obvious lack of sleep. Danny lit up and ran over once saw him.

"Adrian! I finally lost my tooth!" Danny hugged his leg and grinned, showing that there was indeed a gap where her tooth should've been.

He laughed and picked her up. "You finally got it out, eh? That's great!" He ruffled her hair and set her down in her chair at the table just as his mother came out.

"Adrian, Danielle, please keep it down. I'm sure the neighbors would rather not be woken up by your shouting." She smiled at her two children, looking tired as ever. "Again."

Adrian smiled sympathetically. "Mother, go back to bed. I'll make Danny's breakfast."

She pushed his hair off his face and smiled at him. "My darling boy, as much as I'd love to rest more, I have to get to work. I'll make breakfast."

"You work to much," he sighed.

His mother smiled sadly. "I work as much as I have to to keep us all fed."

Danny crossed her arms. "Humph, you'll work yourself to death if you don't take a break."

Adrian stiffened slightly. "I'm sure Mother will be fine, go brush your hair."

Danny rolled her eyes as she stomped towards the other room.

"She's smart for a seven year old," his mother commented before opening the cupboard to get out bread. "You're going out to see Herman today, correct?"

He nodded. "I need to work on my aim." He grabbed his cloak and turned to his mother. "I'll be back by lunch."

Her eyes widened in surprise. "You're leaving so soon? What about breakfast?"

"I...I'm really just not hungry," he replied. It wasn't a lie exactly, he had lost his appetite at Danny's remark.

Adrian's mother sighed as he picked up his bow and arrows, satchel, and headed out the door.

***

Adrian followed the dirt path leading up to the door of the ramshackle cottage of his friend.

"Adrian! There you are my boy," Herman exclaimed once he saw him.

The older man guided him towards the house, taking the bow from his hands and setting it down on the table.

"Sit with me?" Herman asked, gesturing to the worn out chairs.

Adrian took a seat and his smile faded. "She came back again."

Herman scowled. "What did she want this time?"

Adrian reached into his satchel, removed the scroll that Death had given him, and handed it to Herman. He took it, as his eyes scanned the page his expression grew darker.

"Do as she asks," he said finally.

Adrian's eyes widened. "You must be mad!"

Herman's eyes narrowed. "It's your sister's life at stake."

Adrian looked as though he'd been slapped, he knew full well what was at stake.

"I...I can't just kill people who've done nothing wrong. She's had me kill murderers, thieves, liars, and every other bit of scum out there. And I've done so-"

"She asked you to kill a thief once, and you didn't. Do I need to remind you who paid the price for that?"

Adrian glared and slammed his fist on the table. "Didn't? Didn't? I couldn't! She was eight! She was starving! And don't forget, you may have lost your friend but I lost my father!"

Herman sighed and buried his face in his hands. "I'm sorry, I just..." he sighed again. "I don't want to see that happen again."

Adrian reached out and​ took Herman's hand in his, staring intently at the older man's face, knowing he may not see him again.

"We need a plan."

The older man looked up, back at Adrian, his dark eyes meeting the much younger blue ones.

Adrian hugged the man as hard as he could.

"If this is goodbye then I-"

Herman hugged him back as wet drops hit his shoulder and soaked into his shirt.

"You're a smart lad Adrian, you'll figure it out."

"What would my father do?"

Herman sighed. "He'd try to be the hero, you two have a lot in common, you know."

He pulled away, eyes on the ground.

"Herman, I-"

"This isn't goodbye Adrian, so don't say it. Knowing you, you'll survive."

The young man stood. "I'd better get going, it's an hour walk and I told Mother that I'd be home by lunch."

Herman nodded and waved him off. "I'll see you once you return from your journey. Just...don't die, son."

Adrian smiled sadly at him, picked up his things, and walked out the door. Herman watched him leave, the older man shook with silent tears.

First my brother, and now...

He couldn't bear to finish the thought as Adrian faded from view.