Assassin's Eye

Chapter 17.

Lucy made it to Aryn's apartment as the sun was beginning to rise, having made it past the wall of the castle without any problems. Prince Silas had been a big help, and for some reason, she felt lighter, as if part of the burden that had been on her chest had been lifted off, some of her worries stolen from her. Lucy knocked on the door and found a sleepy Aryn open it.

"What do you want? Could you just tell me everything and not come back? That'd be great," he said groggily.

Lucy scowled at him for a moment. "Orders from Malicem. He wants you to help me make this Jaseron into tea. He wants us as strong as possible for the attack tomorrow."

Aryn nodded reluctantly. "Fine, but I get to finish what was left of my 'good' night's sleep after this, alright?" Lucy agreed cheerily. "You're in an awfully good mood. What happened?"

Lucy shrugged. "Made a new friend who gave me some good advice is all." She stepped past him and walked to the kitchen. Aryn looked disoriented for a moment before following after. He instructed her on where to find a kettle and the stove, then they boiled some water and placed the Jaseron inside. Lucy was careful not to give him all of it, saving a few leaves just in case. Aryn finished steeping the tea and poured it into a jar he produced from a cabinet. He sealed the lid and handed it to Lucy wearily.

"There. Now can you please go away?"

Lucy nodded, seeming more pleased with herself than usual. "Of course. Be sure to be at the edge of the forest by noon."

Aryn mumbled what Lucy hoped was a reply of acceptance and trudged back to his bedroom, stumbling on the rug as he went. "Shut the door on your way out..."

Lucy walked along the streets alone, the world somehow seeming slightly more colorful than she had seen it in a long time. She found herself at the barn and went inside nonchalantly. Malicem was leaned up against a bale of hay, and appeared to be asleep, but as Lucy approached the ladder, he, without opening his eyes, spoke.

"I thought the plan was to have you and Aryn go to the Organization."

Lucy grinned evilly. "The plans have changed. We're having an assault on the Organization of Assassins at noon. We will all fight for what we need instead of dying cowardly heros." She smiled smugly.

Malicem opened his left eye and peered at her disapprovingly. "You are risking all of our lives. Our blood will be on your hands. Either way you'll die, so why extend your life out any longer?"

Lucy smiled once again. "Well, a wise young boy once told me, 'It is not the stars' duty to hold our destiny, but our own.' I happen to agree with that. I won't subject myself to your blackmailing, because even if I were to go ahead with the original plan and sacrifice myself, all of your humanity would die with me. I'd rather risk your lives than your humanity." She walked to the ladder, a slight skip in her step.

Malicem went back to his nap, listening to her footsteps as she went up the ladder. He shook his head slowly. What she had said was obviously nonsense.

Lucy appeared above the ladder to see Kath sitting alone, wiping her eyes with her sleeve. She looked at Lucy and scowled. Lucy noticed her eyes were red and puffy.

"Hi, Kath," Lucy said slowly, making her way to a corner in which she could curl up and sleep. Kath glowered even harder.

"I don't speak with murderous scum," she spat. Lucy raised an eyebrow.

"What do you mean by that?"

Kath shrugged. "Only what is true."

Lucy frowned. "Then I suppose you never spoke to Nem." She knew it was harsh to say, but she had had enough of Kath.