The Dishonorable Guild

And So Begins My Reign of Terror

Sacha sighed at her desk, face light by candlelight as she closed her book and looked out the window, into the courtyard below. She wasn't permitted outside at the moment, given what hour it was. The moon glowed high in the sky, surrounded by the stars and the passing wisp of a cloud.

She looked forlornly at her book. It was probably time to sleep now before one of the maids reported how late into the night she was awake to her Uncle. She rose from her chair, scooping the book up, and headed past the great bay window, towards the ornate floor-to-ceiling bookshelf.

As she re-shelved the book, she thought she saw a glint of light outside. Something metal, reflecting the moonlight, perhaps? Or maybe just her own eyes playing tricks on her...

She saw it again. Just outside the gates. She squinted, looking a little more closely. It was difficult to tell, but she saw a silhouette, leaning heavily against a tree just outside of the gate, a dagger hanging loosely in their left hand. She could tell by their stance alone that they were injured, exhausted, or both.

Without any hesitation she grabbed a bag, tossed in a roll of bandages, some various medicines and disinfectants and began to sneak outside. After narrowly avoiding a guard on his nightly patrol of the manor, she sneaked her way outdoors.

She couldn't help but mentally rant about how stupid this idea was. They were likely an assassin sent to kill someone here...but what if they weren't?

The girl paused in the shadows of the doorway, to look for the figure. Were they still there?

Yes, but they weren't standing anymore. The figure sat on the ground, back against the tree, and the dagger still gripped tightly in their hand. There was definitely something wrong, and without any fear, she marched towards them. They'd likely be too weary to fight much.

At the quiet screech of the iron gate being opened, the figure was on their feet in an instant, dagger held in hand, aiming at her defensively. With the hood over their eyes, Sacha couldn't tell if the person was male, female, or some other creature of the night. The girl noticed a flash of panicked eyes from under the dark hood.

"Don't aim that thing at me. You seem like you need some help. Will you let me?" She said, trying to placate them before she ended up with a hole in her throat. It would be very hard to explain that to her parents when she went back to them.

The figure hesitated, then quietly put the dagger in its sheath on their belt, although they were clearly watching her in a way that a wounded animal might.

"Good, I'd hate to have to explain to my parents why I'm dead." She said, laughing quietly, trying to ease them. "They would be very cross with me, I should think."

Her plan seemed to work, since the figure relaxed, the tensed shoulders loosening, albeit not completely

She took a step towards them cautiously. "Can I help you now?"

The hooded person leaned away from her, before pausing and giving a small nod. They reached up and pulled down their hood, revealing...a boy?

His hair was the color of the night, and he was so young. Perhaps only a year or two younger than herself.

His green eyes met her amber eyes, looking slightly distrustful of her still. She gave him a small smile.

"Where are you injured?" She questioned, reaching up to touch his shoulder, where the cloak was torn.

He flinched away slightly, indicating that she was right. Then to her surprise, he pulled off his cloak, tossing it aside, leaving him in a dark green tunic. He lifted the hem on his right side to reveal a deep wound to his side, which was bleeding profusely.