The Assassin's Story

Chapter Fifteen A Warm Welcome part 1

Chapter Fifteen A Warm Welcome

I awoke to the sound of talking, a rumbling. It was frankly quiet annoying. I opened my eyes to the bright sun, it's bright glow blinded me for a second. I sat up; my whole body ached and screamed with pain. "Oh look who finally woke up." Alexander laughed. I looked at them. Emeline was standing over a large pot as if sat nicely perched on a small fire. Alexander was patting off Flames and his horse, Pone, making sure they looked fine for the day's ride ahead. Then there was Isabelle, she was practicing with my sword. I stood up and quickly stretchered out my tense muscles, they ached very badly.

"Archer would you like something to drink?" Emeline asked as she signaled to her pot of water. I stopped in front of the pot and looked at it. It looked like some type of stew. Though I am not sure. I looked up at Emeline my eyebrows were raised, I don't really think this is food. "Sure why the hell not." I said as I stood there. I looked at Emeline just seeing her. She was almost always hidden behind her hood of her green cape. Though at the moment she wasn't. Her green eyes sparkled with her thin face; her red frazzled hair was let loose exploding around her almost forming a halo. Her fragile little hands took a ladle and dipped it into the mystery liquid and dropped it in scooping out a large portion of it and then letting the liquid pour into a wooden bowl. She handed me the bowl, a little smile was on her face.

I held the bowl, not sure about my next move. I looked up at Emeline; her eyes were plastered on the bowl waiting for me to drink. Well I owe her my life. I took a deep breath then I chugged back the stew. I brought the bowl down as the river of the stew ran dry. At first I didn't taste anything, but then it came. It reminded me when I was very young. My mother would make these stews of snake, wheat, and potatoes. I remember the sweet yet savory taste of it.

"It's wonderful Emeline." I said as I put the bowl down. She smiled at me. "Thank you for last night." I said as I bowed to her. She curtsied back to me. "Archer have I told you that I can see bits of the future." Emeline said as she looked up at me. I stood there looking at her. I didn't know what to say. I just bowed one last time and I went off towards Alexander. He was whistling a happy tune as he got the dirt off of Flames hooves.

"Archer!" Alexander said as I walked up next to him. "You're alive you lucky dog." Alexander said as he let go Flames hooves. "Yes it's amazing I know." I mused as I leaned against Flames. I could hear her neigh, with irritation. "So what is our plan for the day?" I asked as I patted Flames. "Well we will be going out towards the castle. I think we only have a few days left." Alexander said as he put his hand on my shoulder. "Archer you are the only one who can kill him." Alexander muttered as he looked at me. I nodded. I knew this.

As Alexander said this my eyes glanced at Flames. There they saw my cape. The same one I had given Isabelle last night. "Alexander, let's not think about this right now." I said to him. He removed his hand off of my shoulder. He nodded. "Be ready to leave soon." Alexander said as he smiled. I turned away from him. Now to see my last person for the morning, Isabelle.

"You know that's not a good way to swing." I mocked as I walked up to Isabelle. She looked at me, clearly annoyed. "Archer, you should rest." She replied as she took another swing. Though her balance was way off, her footing not right at all. I let out a sigh, the trainers of the castle taught her nothing right. I looked at her, my mind racing. She kept doing it, it was so wrong. I needed to fix her footing before it drove me nuts. Right before she could do the move wrong again I took my hand and I placed it on her hand fixing her angel. I used my foot to fix her footing too. When it was right I backed away from her.

"What the Hell Archer?" She yelled as she held the sword loosely at her side. I rolled my eyes. "I couldn't help myself. It was just.....wrong!" I said as I put my hands to my sides. She looked away from me and grumbled something I didn't quite get. I ignored it. "Archer, Isabelle time to go!" Alexander yelled. I turned to him. Camp was already packed up and together. That was fast. Isabelle and I walked over to them. Alexander straddled Pone and Emeline got on back. Then I got on Flames and helped Isabelle on behind me. We all rode off into the forest leaving the site.

After much walking we came upon a town. "Come on let's stop. Maybe there is an Inn here." Alexander said happily. I knew why too. After for most of your life sleeping on the ground a mattress sounds wonderful. "Okay but if they don't let's try to find another clearing." I said as we rode into town. We stopped in front of a pub. We tied up the horses then walked in. We took our seats at a table. "Here you two stay here Archer and I will go get some information." Alexander said as he stood up. I joined him and we both walked over to the bar itself. A large women was manning it, She had very short black hair and vivid green eyes.

"Hello My lady." Alexander began. "My party and I request a place of sleep and a warm meal. Can we find it here?" Alexander sounded so proper, though I knew as a boy his father was a lord. "There is an Inn right next door. It has a nice bath house too." The women said as she grabbed two glasses and filled them with the ale. She handed the filled glasses to us. "Meal will be out soon." She coughed. Alexander and I turned around with the Ale in our hands and went back to Emeline and Isabelle. We sat down and Alexander told them that we would have a meal soon and beds tonight.

Our meals came out and they were hot. Ox with potatoes. Filling and warming. Afterward we took the horses and ourself to the Inn next door. "What do you mean there is only 2 rooms?" I yelled as the maid told us this. I groaned with frustration. "Yes." She said, equally frustrated. I sighed as Alexander tried to talk to her. But there was no use. "I do not want to end up in a room with your highness." I said out loud with Isabelle in front of me. "I don't want to share a room with a killer!" She mocked as Emeline looked about the Inn.

"Archer you'll be fine." Emeline said as she looked at me. She gave me the same look she had given me when she told me she could see the future. "Oh I give up. God have mercy upon me. I will share a room with it." I hissed as I pointed down at Isabelle. She glared right at me. I let out one long sigh. What a night I have a head of myself.

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Hello.

I dearly hope you liked

the chapter. It was interesting.

Well next one should be out soon.

Have a good day and a safe Halloween.

Kathleen