Clarissa had to lie about her name. It wasn't like she wanted to, but when you're an enemy of the Crown and had just been engaged to the Prince, people were bound to have heard of you.
"So, Elza. What did you do to get locked up in the dungeon?"
"Well, I kind of threatened the King. With a dagger. At his throat," Clarissa told Oliver. They walked the streets of middle class Malum, and it looked like they were headed for the slums.
He nodded. "I'm not surprised."
"What? Why?"
"Well, that silver streak in your hair tells me that you're an assassin's apprentice, and I'm guessing you got bold and went for the King. Can't really explain the dress though."
"Hold in. You must be out of your mind! I'm not an... an... an... assassin," the word held so much power, so much death, it was hard to say.
"You're not. You're an apprentice. I think."
"Why don't I know that? And... wait. Do you think I..."
"What?" Oliver took off his hat and she looked into his eyes. They looked like an ocean, a beautiful color just a shade darker than icy blue. His wild chin-length dirty-blonde hair surrounded his face like a halo. His...
"Do I think you what?" he reminded her.
Oh, yes. "Do you think I... killed... anyone?"
Oliver snorted. "Uh, no. You're an apprentice. How many times do I have to tell you that? Apprentices don't kill, assassins do. You're supposed to be learning how to do it though. I bet you already know. So I guess you just tell me what group you're from and I'll take you there. Hopefully they won't kill me," he grinned, but there was a tint of sadness behind it.
"I don't remember being an apprentice. Actually, I don't remember anything leading up to when I turned thirteen."
"Well that sucks. For you. Maybe. I guess that means you're stuck with me until you figure out what to do with yourself."
"Yeah..." Clarissa's mind was already wandering as they walked down an alley. "Someone I trust said if I wanted answers to my past, then I need to find a person named Secretum Buntovnik."
"I don't know who that is, but we can ask around. You hungry?" Clarissa shook her head. "Me either. I'll take you to my place. Tomorrow we can go find the guy who wanted me to break you out, get paid, and find this Secretum Buntovnik. Cool?"
"Absolutely."
Oliver led her to an abandoned building, where he had two sleeping bags and a small gas lamp.
"Are you waiting for someone?" Clarissa asked, noticing the two sleeping bags.
"No, I just knew you might stay the night, so I got an extra. You don't mind sleeping in one of these, do you?"
"Oh no, not at all!" she and Heidi used to take sleeping bags into the garden and talk until they fell asleep.
They climbed into the sleeping bags, and when Clarissa was about to close her eyes, Oliver spoke.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Yes," Clarissa wondered what he would ask. Why was she wearing that dress? Why did she forget almost her whole life? Who hired him?
"Were you and the Prince... close?"
Definitely not what she was expecting. "Um, it's a long story. Mind if I tell you in the morning?"
"Okay, just don't forget. I don't like people who back down on their promises."
It was silent for awhile, and for some reason Clarissa wanted to fill the awkwardness. She held a battle in her brain. Should she or should she not tell him. It wasn't the answer to his question, rather, one he asked earlier. She made up her mind.
"My name isn't Elza. I was worried you would get up and leave if I told you the truth."
"Then what is your name?"
"It's Clarissa."
YOU ARE READING
The Awakening
Action16 year old Clarissa is a Lady in the kingdom of Breteri. She lives in the palace amongst royalty, and soon she is given the opportunity any girl in her place would kill for. Soon, tensions rise, and Clarissa makes a grave mistake that will change h...