Arya

The Mercenary

✿ Reign

"Did anyone see you come up here?" I asked as I closed the doors to the patio.

"No one ever sees me." He smiled.

"And yet your name is in certain circles." I watched him stand at a distance.

"Your uncle's circle perhaps?"

"I take it you've read my letter? You know what's to be done?"

"Yes, I do." He crossed his arms against his chest.

"Act any later, it'll be too late."

"Fair enough. I'll have it done for you in two days."

"Well, how will you go about it?"

"You do not harm the innocent."

"Plans go awry. Obstacles come up. I can't be expected to finish my job with half my tools."

"No innocent blood. Promise me."

"I can promise ill try. But if it gets in the way of success..."

"You will keep me apprised before any serious action is taken."

"Leave everything to me."

I turned to set down a letter in my hand but as soon as I turned back around, he was gone.

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"This is just a sample." He handed me a small bag of food coins. "The rest is hidden safely, awaiting your instructions. Minus my cut, if course. You made an excellent choice."

"I'm not sure there is one when it comes to murder. I exchanged a life for thousands if others but at what price?"

"Count yourself lucky it was bought so cheaply, Your Grace. Its been a pleasure doing business with you."

Just before he could walk away I said, "actually, I'm not quite done with your services yet, if you're still willing. That gold you required is bound for Auara to help keep the Protestants away. I need to be sure it arrived in the right hands. I need someone I can trust to lead a group of men to secure their safety. There would be a substantial purse in it for you, as well, of course."

"Finding men like myself, willing to do whatever's necessary in spite of the risks isn't easy."

"I've already taken care of that part." I smiled softly and he smirked. "Follow me."

As we walked through the tunnels of the castle, I led him to where the rest of the men were at. "These men used to work for my father, and but they work for me." They all stood to present themselves. "And now they answer to you." I looked at John than to the other men. "Pack your belongings. Be ready to sail within the hour."

"Yes, Your Grace." Mark lowered his head.

As the group of men left John looked at me. "Are you sure you know what you're doing?" He whispered. "Those men are monsters."

"Indeed they are...but they are my monsters now."

John was impressed by what I've become and couldn't help but smile.

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Its been another 11 weeks and Oliver had arrived. I stood in front of the fireplace holding my belly.

"It was the only way." I kept my back turned to him.

"I know what you thought, but you agreed to wait. You lied to me."

"I'm sorry."

"Sorry for what? You dont regret it-- we both know," he raised his voice, "that you'd do it again. When you told me that you wanted to relinquish your thrown to Port Bay I stood by you, and today when I told you what I wanted, I thought you stood by me as well. Instead, you went behind my back and paid a mercenary alongside a group of men and sent them to Auara."

I turned around to look at him and took a few steps to stand in front of him. "I did what you couldn't do. I did it for Auara. For the Kingdom, I put first before all else, even me." I raised my voice, "because that is what rulers do!"

He placed his hands on my arms aggressively, "what is wrong with you?! There are risks that you take..." He removed his hands from me trying to find back on his anger. "For the people that you love." He looked me in the eyes and straightened himself out. "Who are you becoming?"