1 Meeting the Dragon

"In order to survive, one must do what needs to be done." This was the motto Reina Hawke lived by, especially after her brother was killed three years ago and left in an alleyway. Being orphaned when they we young, he was all she had. So she took up a job as a waitress in the town's bar, hoping to gather information.

About a year ago one of her customers was speaking in a low voice to his associates. From the snippets she heard of the conversation, an assassins guild was looking for some help and paid good. But with most jobs like that in this time, only men were hired. So she had an idea.

With her slim build and average height, she could easily pass for a man. She never had been too girly looking with her serious features and expressions. She sought of this guild, dressed in slacks and a loose fitting shirt. Her breasts were wrapped up tight in a bandage and her midnight black hair cut short. Reina applied using her brother's name, Aiden Hawke.

So, now a year later in the guild's service, she has been able to hide being a woman and pulled quite a few bounties, making a small name for herself. She was looking over the bounty wall when she heard footsteps approaching.

"Aiden, the boss wants to see you." The tall fully bearded man grumbled. His name was Jack, often called Jack the Ripper by the post. He was messy with his kills but always got the bounty.

"What does Lionel want?"Reina asked in a gruff voice. She was beginning to forget what her own voice sounded like anymore.

Jack shrugged and stepped aside to let her pass. Reina sighed and walked to the back of the guildhall, wondering what the boss might want her for. She knocked twice before opening the wooden door.

"You asked for me sir?" Reina asked.

"Yes, I have a special job for you." Lionel started. "There's a lord we've been keeping an eye on, one that usually pays his dues. However, one of you brothers-in-arms was sent to collect and hasn't been heard from again. I want you to track down this lord and figure out what is going on. You are one of the better stealthy guild members. So be off right away."

Well she had been given worse jobs than this so tracking a disobedient lord shouldn't be much trouble. Lionel handed her a slip of palate with the lord's name on it. Lord Drake Westwood. She knew that name well. He was nicknamed the Dragon due to his temper. So maybe this job wouldn't be as easy as she thought.

"Don't worry sir, I'll get him." She waved as she walked out the door. She would wait until nightfall to seek this lord out.

With the cover from the darkness Reina set out towards the lord's estate. It wasn't hard to find. She found a good spot to spy on him from the shed nearby. He was pacing around the living area, shouting about something she was unable to hear. The firelight lit his features, shadowing his eyes. He seemed worried about something.

She crept closer to the lit window, hoping to catch some of the conversation. His face now in full view she noted how handsome he was. He was slightly older than her, somewhere in his mid twenties, and still a bachelor. He seemed to be ranting to the other person in the room, a much older man dressed like a butler. Even as close as she was it was still hard to hear what was being said with all the windows shut tight. Perhaps another stakeout mission would be needed.

Reina was backing away while keeping low just as Drake turned his attention towards the window. Then his gaze locked onto her own.

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