The Shadow Assassin

Chapter 6

Donal was tall, scruffy-looking young man. Being around him made Rowan feel uneased. And Rowan was not very easy to upset.

When they were far enough away from the bar, Donal turned to her, "Information is easy to come by these days, with King Salln being the public bastard he is. But it still won't be cheap."

In a quick, sharp flick of my wrist, Rowan pressed the tip of the arrow in her sleeve to his throat. His eyes widened and she felt his heart beat faster. Then, like the experienced person he was, he schooled his features back to a calm expression.

"You wouldn't kill me," he said softly.

"You want to gamble on that?" Rowan asked, her voice never betraying emotion.

Donal's Adam's apple bobbed as he gulped. His eyes shifted from left to right, looking everywhere but Rowan.

"What do you want?" he asked.

"Only a little bit of information."

"Yes, I got that. What do you want to know?"

Rowan removed the arrow from Donal's throat and threw it in the air. It rotated, falling fast, only to be caught by her once more. Her hand was on lower shaft of the arrow, offering it to the Information Broker. He grabbed it gingerly and looked at it in confusion.

"I'm betting you know about the attempted assassination of King Salln this morning," Rowan said.

Donal raised an eyebrow, "Who hasn't? I just wish that the bastard would have succeeded."

"Need I remind you what treason is? You better watch whom to talk to." Rowan's mouth lifted into an evil smirk.

If only this man knew who she really was.

"Treason? Against that King? It isn't new. Didn't know you were a hardcore Loyalist."

"I'm not, you bloody Rash." Rowan muttered, feeling slightly offended that someone actually thought she supported the King.

The Rash was a nickname people against the King made up by Loyalists, the people who actually like Saln.

There were far more Rash than Loyalists.

Donal raised a brow, "Then you are neutral? Didn't know people like that still existed."

She scowled, her eyes hard. "Enough stalling. That arrow, it was the one that was shot at Salln."

Donal grew pale, the grip he had had on the arrow loosened and he looked as if he no longer wished to hold it.

Rowan drew in a breath, "If you would look closely at the tip of the arrow."

Donal squinted at the blue, powdery substance on the tip of it. His eyes narrowed and he put a hand out to touch the powder. He then brought his finger tips to his nose and sniffed.

Sighing, Donal looked at Rowan with hatred, "Why did you bring me this foul drug?"

"So it is Methic." Rowan said.

"Yes, it is, you foolish boy, and if you have any sense you will burn the arrow as soon as you can. The man who loosed it is not to be trifled with. If he finds out you are the one who caused that arrow to stray from its target, he will not be pleased." Donal said threateningly.

"I can care for my own keep." Rowan replied icily, and with that abruptly turned and left.

"You do not know of what you are dealing with, boy!" Donal shouted after her. But she was already gone, gone with the shadows.