The Shadow Assassin

Chapter 4

Rowan fingered her short hair and fiddled with the seam of her dusty, oversized tunic. She felt a strange ache in her chest as she took in the magnificence of the Grand Bell. As did everyone of the large crowd of onlookers who came to watch the Bell ring through the crisp, clear morning air.

With a great heave, one of the Bell Temple Priests swung the thick rope connected to the Bell's clapper. The Bell's beautiful song spread through out the Capital and warmed the frigid souls' of its listeners. This Bell sang of dreams, of a better tomorrow, of hope, of the one thing every heart longed for. The thing I longed for most.

Freedom.

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Cheers rang throughout the Temple that held the Bell. Everybody, from the poorest child to the richest knight, was moved and in complete awe by the glory of their symbol. The cheers turned into cries of sadness as they were all ushered out of the Temple until the next week, when the Bell was to sing her praises once again. As the gates to the Bell closed, King Salln and all of his horses and men tried to gain the attention of the crowd; so he could give his encouragement speech to his subjects.

What a joke.

Salln was a weak king, and everyone knew it.

"Grand Bell, lamented someone from behind Rowan, "Her ringing always manages to bring this old fellow to tears."

She calmly turned and looked at the stooped, wizened old man. He had a dirty, ragged shawl over his shoulders and his permanently mud stained face was mainly covered in a grimy red bandana. Even though she couldn't see his facial features, Rowan could tell he had been crying; his eyes were puffy and red.

"She's our hope," he told her. "That bell is going to save us all, young lady."

Rowan's eyes widened. How could he know? Was her disguise really that bad? Though, it was true enough that she hadn't seen her reflection in a while. She had no idea what she looked like.

The old man winked, "Nothing gets past these time-touched eyes. Don't worry, lady. I'll keep your secret."

She blinked at him. Why would someone do that for me?

"Just don't kill me," he said, nodding his head towards Rowan's small throwing knife that was hidden in her binding, Then, he gestured to her also hidden thigh sheath.

Who in the name of Pete is this man?

Leery of him and his impressive observing skills; Rowan slowly backed up, not taking her eyes off of him. He smiled gently and as soon as she was out of sword striking range, Rowan tucked tail and ran inwards to the middle of the crowd.

"Ahem!" shouted one of the squires.

Then he blew his trumpet; the noise was piercing and sharp. Hurting Rowan's ears enough to force her to put her hands over them, trying to block out the rough sound. As did most of the crowd.

"His Royal Highness, the Great King Salln will now begin his announcements!" the short, squat squire in a funny hat said in a nazily, irritatingly loud voice.

He bowed to the King and moved backwards until Salln had center stage.

King Salln cleared his throat, "Welcome, my loyal subjects! Today is a grand day!"

Usually, this would make the crowd roar with cheers. But, everything was quiet and still. Much to still for Rowan's liking.

Salln swallowed, if he had even one lick of intellect between his ears, he must have been noticing the strange uneasiness of the crowd.