ANDREW BLACK

Chapter 6

Andrew Black

Andrew black sat anxiously in his study awaiting Levi's returns. His ringed knuckles tapping against the wooden desk. Of late he had been anxious but who wouldn't be when their neck and wealth was on the line. He had requested Levi to be directed to his study the moment he got back but now he was beginning to think there might not be a Levi left to come back. The people were always eager to chop off people's head, not that he was judging. Like that he had destroyed them both.

A knock on the door tore him from his worrying thoughts. "Come in," he said and when Levi opened the door, mask in hand and other body features intact well the ones visible to the eyes through his clothes not that he cared for the other ones, he nearly sighed in relief. Relief?

"The letter is genuine," Levi said.

This time he sighed in relief. Levi's brow shot up and he immediately comported himself. Clearing his throat he asked, "the proof is?"

"I asked her myself," Levi replied. His ears had to be deceiving him, he could not have heard right.

He had asked the adored niece of the king if she wished to be assassinated?

He looked at the boy in front him and wondered how this boy managed to surprise him every single time. Just when he thought he had seen it all, BOOM! The boy drops a box containing a horse's hoof*.

"And she replied that it was certain?" he asked.

"Yes, the letter is certain, but it seems her thoughts are shifting since the request was made."

"And this was done discretely I presume without casualties?"

"There were no names given," Levi paused a bit then going on he said, "but we do have a problem."

"Problem?" Andrew Black inquired.

"She has seen my face, but no name was given," Levi responded.

"Doesn't make a difference, once there is an image placing a name would not be difficult!" He chided. He had the urge to place his hand between the bridge of his nose to ease the forming tension in his head, but he had to remain calm. A father was a symbol of purity, peace and rational decision and if the father was worried then what did that make of his sons. "You know what must be done," he said after a stretch of silence.

"She requested a few days to make her decision," Levi added.

"You seemed to have done more talking than usual," he commented, and Levi shrugged. His right eyes twitched but he had to remain calm. "No matter the decision what must be done must be done," Andrew Black concluded.

"I know," Levi answered in agreement.

"Any other casualties?" he asked. Levi knowing the most important part had been told did not see the point in bringing up the death of two bandits- there was always bound to be collateral damage and better them than two palace guards- so he did not mention it but rather shook his head.

Picking a brown envelope, Andrew Black tossed it to Levi. "You leave with Faudrin," he said.

"I usually hunt alone," Levi protested his choice of words stirring the sleeping worry in Andrew Black's stomach.

"This is not your usual request and Faudrin could use the extra hand." Opening in it Levi's eyes scanned the request and the profile of the next victim. "The man who requested it is an influential man of society who is willing to pay double in hopes the request is fulfilled," Andrew Black went on as Levi's face contorted into a frown, his brows furrowed.

"I cannot accept this request," Levi said tossing the open envelope and its contents on the table.

"This client would be very disappointed if we do not fulfill his request," Andrew Black began "And we do not want to disappoint a highly influential man of society," he concluded emphasis on the words 'influential' and 'society'.