River's Time to Thrive

Chapter 1

"Is that all you got?" I said as I dodged his attack. "C'mon River, let me win for once." Said Storm. "If I let you win, then that's not really winning." "Alright you got me there." The tip of Storm's dagger grazed my forearm.

"Haha, now I got you." Storm stepped back from me holding his dagger close to his face. "Yeah you got me but you didn't get your dagger to hit my skin you fool." "Wait I didn't, I thought that rough material was your skin." Storm said with a smile. "Ha ha ha, your so funny." I said while quickly running behind him. "Wait River wh-."

Storm's hand was touching his cheek and saw blood on the tips of his fingers. He could feel the fire of pain running through his face. "What's wrong my dear?" Storm just chuckled and charged toward me. I quickly slid out of his way while he crashed into a large pile of hay. "Arghh."

"C'mon Stormy, it's not that hard to hurt me y'know." As soon as I said that Storm was already just a few feet away from me. I turned just in time before his blade clashed into the wall of where my head was. "Alright River I will play your games but let's see how long you will last."

"It's alright Stormy, I can last through my games for awhile." I ran up a wall and jumped up onto a ledge that was at least 9 ft tall.

"Come back down here you coward!" Storm threw a small knife up at me. I grabbed the knife and started to twirl it in between my fingers. "Ugh, fine keep the knife I'm going in for something to eat." With that Storm turned around and started to walk inside. I aimed just beyond Storm's head and the knife landed right in front of his black boots. "Hmph." He said and bent over to pick up his knife, and walked inside.

I jumped down and landed quietly as I heard a voice just above the ledge I was sitting on. "River, done practicing with Storm today hm?" "Oh it's just you Blade." "Hmm...what? Did I scare you?" "Maybe a little." Blade jumped down and landed near me making such a noise that a mouse could hear you a mile away. "Anyway what are you doing out here for? You never visit us anymore."

"Oh c'mon Riv you haven't seen me in 3 years and this is how I get greeted from you?" "Yeah pretty much." "What rank are you now?" "Umm...I'm not really sure even though I was ranked a few months ago." "Hmm...well tell me when you find out ok?" "Why do you even want to know my rank for?" "To see how well you are doing little Riv." Blade turned and climbed back up the wall and was gone.

'Should I keep training by myself or go see if there are any missions I could do.'  'How about I go find out my rank and then go see if there's a mission available.' I then walked inside and went to the Master of Assassins.

"There's River, what are you up to?" "I need to go ask the Master a question Alice." "I could possibly answer your question." Alice stood there waiting for an answer but decided to walk away. 'Ok then, that was a bit rude.'

I started to run down the corridors and pass by all of the other assassins just to reach the Master. "River...what have you done this time?" "Why always accusing me for doing something wrong? But I didn't do anything." "Ok...then what have you come to see me for?" "Um...I
sorta forgot what my rank is." "Ah...ok, let me think for a moment." "River your rank is a Disciple." "Oh ok, also is there any missions available?" "I don't believe so." "Ok, thank you for your time Master" With that I turned and walked out of the Masters' Keep.

'Hmm...now I know what my rank is but now there are no missions. Oh I know, maybe I can go out to town. No one will notice me gone.' I went to my room and grabbed a hidden sword in my closet. The hilt is bejeweled with rubies and diamonds and the blade more sharp than a razor. 'Just in case heh heh.'

I slipped through the town looking for a small tavern or any alleys. Then I spot a dark figure running behind buildings and away from the public. I decide to follow them. Their steps are quiet and swift, they run like they are on air. I stay a good distance away with a dagger in my hand and my sword in the scabbard of my belt. The dark figure slows down and jumps up the side of a two-story high building.

'Why do difficult things all the time.' I sheathed my dagger on the other side of my belt and started to climb the roof, the sky has grown dark and so it's difficult to see anything. Once I reach the top I automatically start looking for the dark figure. I unsheathed my dagger and crouched to the roof, careful not to slip.

I pull up my hood so no one can identify me. Then I hear footsteps running away from me. I look around quickly and see the dark figure jumping to different roofs. I run to catch up with them but stay a bit behind. I then see the dark figure slow down and then stop. They look around and crouch low to the roof.

They watch the people below them and then starts to stand back up. They turn towards my direction so I quickly hid behind a chimney. I hear slow, cautious, footsteps. All of a sudden I hear a voice saying "Hello there." In my ear.