Running From fate

Chapter 5

Loud banging awake them all. Zenobia the first one up and on guard, Then Shoftiel, followed by Keithan and the man from the night before. Zenobia had fallen asleep at her desk. No, not banging. Those were footsteps, marching feet. Combat boots. She knew the sound and the minute she identified it she held up her finger to her lips for everyone to see and she slowly, without a sound, lowered to her knees. They all quickly followed suit. Her hideout had never once been discovered, but it was always just her in here, not her and three others. And she could tell that by the looks those three gave her, they had many questions for her. To move they would have to crawl, keep their voices lower than those of mice, and keep that up until at least half the hour has passed since the footsteps ceased. They didn't bother with talking throughout the wait, and Keithan refused to even risk eating though the others ate without a problem. The soldiers were looking for her now, so the chase had begun.

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They all patiently waited out the soldiers and extra precautionary time afterwards. Keithan ate once they were cleared to speak, though still at a hushed tone. Once he finished he cleared his throat, looked around, and decided to begin.

"Who is that? Why is he here? And how can you know to trust him?"

"Good questions. To which I'll answer with I don't know, I brought him here, and I can't." Zenobia spoke cooly, calmly. Almost as if they weren't the most wanted fugitives in all the land. The responses alone nearly made Keithan choke.

"You don't know who he is? And you're not sure if we can trust him? Yet you brought him here?"

"Correct, correct, and let's see...correct."

"Why though?" Spoke Shoftiel with a small tremor in her voice, the sound nearly killed Zenobia when she hear it.

"Allow me to tell the full story then. Last night I went out for a little training in my old favorite spot. The rings, you two probably never even knew they existed. I saw an opening and hopped in. He," She said, gesturing to the man. "was my opponent. I could easily tell by his body shape and type that he would've been dead by the end of the night, so I gave him some chances to gain experience during our fight. Then, my cover was blown. There must've been a soldier or royal guard around to hear the news. I told this guy who I was and he feinted at my feet. Now, if you recall, earlier I said we needed as many allies as we could get. Well, he's our first ally. That being said, what it your name, kind sir?" Zenobia asked, turning towards the man.

"M-..Manielon."

"Hm, that's a new one. Well, welcome to the team Manielon."

"Y-..you're the real Zenobia Adamaris?"

"Yes."

"Why am I not dead?" The look on his face, true terror. The poor boy probably couldn't even move. But either way, Zenobia huffed a laugh.

"Kid, I'm a hired assassin. Not a ruthless serial killer."

"Look, Manielon. I've known Zenobia for quite a few years now. I just learned about the whole assassin thing quite recently, but I do know that she's always been tough on trusting people. If she trusted you enough to bring you here during such dangerous times, you're plenty safe with us." Shoftiel explained with that perfect kindness she always had, and Keithan nodded in agreement as Manielon nodded with understanding.

"So, Manielon. I have one simple question for you." Zenobia spoke slowly, clearly and firmly as she held a sword to him. "Do you stand with us?" The shock in his eyes, the step backwards he took as he blinked exactly three times, three seconds between each blink. Zenobia noticed it all, knew it meant she would likely have to kill him. She had asked the question many times for the assassin's guild. Had made the following kill afterwards when hearing their answer. It came out of her before she could consider the consequence of asking the question. Perhaps he didn't want to join them. Perhaps he was a royal guard undercover. She never even considered that before she brought him here. Never thought how coincidental the soldiers waking them this morning was. Never tried to link the events. Soon she blocked those thoughts out and continued watching his actions. Every one of them laced with more hesitation than the last. She started counting the seconds it took him. Started reading every thought that flashed across his face. Started preparing herself for the words that would end his life. Her first kill without reason in years. Since she separated herself from the guild, or at least stopped killing for them and instead took up the art of makeup to find already dead bodies and turn their heads into the face of who she was hired to kill. Even that brought guilt to her heart. And yet, just as she was mentally preparing herself to be able to emotionally make the kill, she heard it. Heard those two words you would often hear at a wedding. The simple "I do." Raspy, yet all the was needed before it began.