8 Discussions

"At first, I believed that the Assassin would strike Mr. Goody." He explained, "Although, that won't be a case."

"In the Palace, only a few of us knew there was a traitor among us. It made sense with the whole situation going around, especially how the Prince…died." She chocked the last part out.

He crossed his arms, "Were any guards killed?" He asked.

She shook her head, not daring to turn and look at him. Her eyes spoke pain, and she rather not for him to see that. "No. It's most likely that he used the secret passages. Only the King, close guards, and apostles of his would know how to access them."

"Hmm, is that why he's death was a secret?"

She took a deep breath, "I'm not sure why they made the decision not to announce it, though I'm sure they didn't want to frighten the city with the news."

"I see." He turns back to the board, "In order to understand the Assassin's motive, we must talk with Mr. Goody."

She crossed her arms staring at her father and Mr. Chester standing side by side smiling wide like two friends standing to take a wonderful photo. "How exactly would we accomplish this?"

He pulls the dagger from the board, "No need to worry about that matter. The first real issue is you."

"Oh?" she turned to him.

He points the dagger directly at her, "How many knows you left?"

She looked away, "Well, you see, it's complicated."

He stared at her then he's face changed as if he understood, "Ah."

"Ah what?"

"Dear old Daddy, does he fear your life?"

Of course he figured it out, "Like any Father would. I ran away from the troop guiding me out of the city. They were supposed to protect me you see, though they did a poor job watching over me."

He lowers the dagger, "Makes sense, he lost a child, he won't lose another. And I assume you left your highly protected guards this night."

She frowned, "What are you, a detective or mind reader?"

He chuckles, "My skill of observation is high I'll tell you that."

"Impressive. You also have a skill without thinking out loud? I'll have you know that if we are to work with one another, I would want no block on that skill."

He grins, 'Done.' He thought

She almost smiled, "Cooperation always pleases me."

"I could only say the same,"

She went on being serious, "My absence would still be a secret, no doubt my Father knowing exactly why I have disappeared."

He slides a finger on the silver metal of the dagger, "Precisely, which leads back on our little traitor, Mr. Goody."

"Chester." She corrects, pointing at his name.

His lips curled upward, "Isn't that what he's known for? Being too perfect,"

She rolled her eyes. Less than an hour, or maybe more, she grew comfortable with a stranger discussing motives. What an odd night.

"What do you plan first? Clearly our attention is at Mr. Chester."

He moves the dagger in front of the report, "For the past days I've been watching your Father's best friend. I watched him for two reasons, thinking he was going to be the next target, or looking quite suspicious."

She nods, "No wonder you didn't hesitate on the thought of traitor. In other words, you've been stalking him. How lovely. You now know his schedule?"

"Excellent inquiry. Of course I do. I thought he would die, or perhaps have some good information. The reason why I am expressing this information to you right now is because we don't want any delays."

Yes, the Assassin seemed like a goal, however the more she thought of this, she knew this should be much more.. The Assassin was clearly sent by someone, and that person carries the blood of her brother a well.

"Let's say we do find the midnight assassin, would we stop there?"

She saw him thinking. All thoughts so loud, however as much she got used to the loud silent voice from a person within, she still felt overwhelmed.

'How smart…correct…who…perfect.'

He looks at her, his face blank, "I'm glad I found you. You are correct, Princess. Taking steps to get to the assassin would be difficult, once we find him, it won't be over, finding the sender is highly important because-.

"He or she would send more." She adds.

And right there and then she realized God gave her a new gift, a new partner who she met tonight. They were willing to work together on something what would fulfill their anger, and stop a danger to those who lived in Garlin. She hopes they would be able to accomplish that goal.

He slightly smiles, "'Great minds always tend to see virtue in misfortune.'"

"Honoré de Balzac"

He grins walking away, "You find ways on surprising me every time with a chance. Back on the matter, once I make sure that Mr. Goody would be alone, we all shall have a little chat."

She turns her back at the board to face him, "How would we do it? We don't want our identity to be exposed."

He puts the dagger away back on the wall of weapons, "And that is for you to think about. I want you to decide on that, you seem smart so I'm sure your idea would be fantastic. A comfortable meeting is a smooth meeting."

She nods, shocked that he gave her the upper hand, but glad he did, "That sounds prefect."

"Of course it does." He spins to point a long finger at her, "Now back to you."

"Me?" she questions astonished.

"Yes, you. Come here to the center."

She walks hesitantly to the center of the room, as he followed towards her as well. Once they stood face to face, right close to one another, she looks up at him, "What now?"

He throws a punch.

Emerelda ducks and grabs his hand, "What are you-?!"

She couldn't finish, he rips his arm away from her grip and throws another punch. She blocks it and while gritting her teeth she throws one back. She went on throwing them back and forth not really aiming anywhere, nor able to aim as he blocked.

She threw another one, she held his arm mid air and she twists her arm, turns around, grabbed his elbow and with her strength she flips him over her. He fell on his back with a thud on the cold wood floor and looks up at her laughing.

"Brilliant!"

She blinks, "I beg your pardon?"

"Your skills," he explains still looking up at her from the floor, "You know how to fight, fight in a way one wouldn't be taught at the castle."

She narrowed her eyes down at him, "And how would you know?"

"Oh please, what Princess would be taught these improper fighting techniques?"

She crossed her arms, "Is that why you attacked me, to see how I fought?"

"Oh, I'm not done."

Before she could register what he had said, he grabs her foot and pulls her down. Next thing she knew it, she was pinned right underneath him. She gasps, and glares at the face inches away from her own.

"Hmm, such a pale face." He mused.

She huffed and brought her knee right between his legs. While in pain she pushed herself up and slips away. She stood up watching him stand wobbly upwards, weakly chuckling. She couldn't help but smirked as he shook his head.

"My god, what a move."

"It worked didn't it?"

He smirks back raising both arms in a fist, "Let's try again, this time, I won't be so easy."

She didn't hesitate and strike at him. This time he didn't doge, he went ahead moving to the side and coming at her from the side. She moved away just in time. He lifts his legs, and she bents as his leg swung above her back. She kicked back, but he blocked it with the back of his arm.

"Tell me," he says as he moved his head from her fist, "Where did you learn to fight well like this?"

She got a flash back, and lost concentration. She saw herself outside in the rain, cold, and angry. She blinks and she realized she fell. He had tripped her.

"Concentrate." He said giving out a hand, "Don't lose focus, and never let emotions or memories distract you."

She stood up not bothering to take the helping hand, "Sorry."

"Don't say sorry to the one you are fighting with." He simply said.

She cracks her neck, "I rather not say where I was learnt to protect myself, compromising a secret is all I can say."

"Pity, but a secret is a secret. And a promise is a promise." He nods to her, "Bring out your beautiful sword."

She frowns, but she did while she had her eyes on him. The gold sword glints under the gas lamps, long and powerful. Emmett smiles and from behind his pocket he brought out a small knife.

She almost laughed, "That is adorable."

"Is it?" he came at her.

She blocks it, swinging her sword. However she saw that he wasn't aiming at her shoulder but bellow. She quickly moves back and almost fell. He didn't let her to register the fact she almost fell, and swung his legs behind her legs. She fell backwards.

Emmett again was facing down at her, this time a knife at her throat, a hand pinned on her arm holding her sword.

"Are you going to laugh now?"

She gave a fake smile, "Hmm."

He got off her, and she stood up as he watched her. Once she stood glaring at him face to face, he nods, "Again."

She steps forward swinging her sword, with both hands clenching the hilt of the sword. He calmly side steps away from it, twirls and came behind her. She felt the cold metal on her throat again.

"Dead." He whispers in her ears, which sent a shiver down her spine.

She took a deep breath, "I'm not so good with a sword." She admits

"Believe me, I can tell." He removes the knife and walks away from her, "You're useless with that fancy long sword."

She turns to him with the heels of her feet, "Thank you."

He was reaching for two swords displayed on the wall, "You need to fight with a weapon your comfortable with." He suddenly turns back at her throwing a sword at her.

With her reflects she reaches for it, and grabs it by the hilt, "Must you do unexpected gestures towards me?"

He threw another making her drop her sword that made a loud clanging sound once impacted with the floor. She looked at the twin swords in her hands. They were short, curved with silver, and had black leather wrapped at the hilt. They felt comfortable in her hands.

"A good fit." He said right in front of her. She almost jumps; he silently and quickly arrived right in front of her. He probably used his speed.

She stretches her arms moving it in circles feeling the weight of it. It was almost light. It sliced through the air with grace. "It does feel nice."

He nods pleased, "A sword is supposed to feel like a connection of your arm. You should fight with your sword as if it's part of your body, understanding one another, agreeing to each other's movements. You should not fight your own sword while you battle someone. You fight well with both two arms, having both hands clenching on one sword doesn't fit with your muscle skills. You need to fight comfortably, and that is fighting using both of your arms."

She frowned. He was teaching and helping her already.

He back away, "Again."

She moved her arms, and this time she wasn't losing. Her arms did feel connected as she moved the swords she felt herself fighting along with the twin swords. Emmett was using her sword, using it quite well. Although he blocked at her every move, she found herself doing better than before with the sword of Garlin.

The swords were too perfect. She hadn't thought she'll be able to wield any sword quite well.

"Sometimes," He said smiling as she had the point of her sword pointed at his throat, "The sword chose you. Or, on occasion, someone who knows your capability helps you find your weapons."

She looked amazed at her arms and the sword on his throat, the curve of the sword on he's pale skin.

"Ferro sororibus"

She brought her arms down, "Steel sisters." She translates.

"Their names are at the bottom of their hilt."

She looks at the bottom, the bottom of the sword was gold, and one engraved was Virtus and the other was Puritas. She looks back at him, "Virtus et Puritas. Virtue and Purity."

He tilts his head, "Your Latin is strong."

She shrugs and gently put the sword on the ground next to her, "One thing the castle did well."

"I see."

She was afraid he saw more then she intended.

He gave her the golden sword back, "I need you to tell me the reason why you aren't in full control over your gift."

She almost dropped the sword, "What?"

He crossed his arms, "I need you to understand, if we were to go along on finding the Assassin, you must be prepared."

"I am prepared!"

He scoffs, "Hardly. You have the greatest gift of all! The rarest from which God bestowed on he's slaves. You can do amazing things with the gift or the mind, and yet you do so little."

She held the sword tight, it almost hurt, "I can use my gift well." She said.

He looked at her serious and a little upset, "No you don't. Your using it wrong, and you're not using it correct."

She looks away, "You don't have the right to be upset."

"I'm upset no one bothered to show you the ways of your power."

She closed her eyes, pushing back hurting memories, "I've read them all. Study them all. I know everything there is to know about the gift of mind."

"And let me ask you this, do you know how to use it with the knowledge you have."

She didn't say a word.

"Exactly," he continued, "You have potential, and you refuse not to use it."

"Stop acting as if you know me," She whispers.

"What was that?"

Her eyes snapped open and she looked at him with anger, "Stop acting as if you know me!" she yelled.

He stared at her in shock, and then he blinked. No flicker of emotion came across he's face. It was a clear beautiful canvas. Almost like a statue, nothing but their perfectly crafted face set in stone. This wasn't the first time he had gave her that reaction. He did it more than a couple of times. He's hair fell to his eyes again though he didn't bother to push away the curls. He's hard gold eyes held nothing but color. He's full lips set in a firm line.

"Then I guess we are done here. You need to rest."

She frowns, "Rest?"

He nods, "Indeed, I'll show you to your room." He starts to walk away, but stops, "Take your new weapons along with you also."

"New?" she echoed. It took her a moment he was referring to the sword he gave her.

"I have a sword of my own." She said.

"That you don't use well." He replied.

"I can't have it."

"You must if you were to face the Assassin. You saw yourself how well you fought with them. Now take the swords, and come along with me. You're getting cranky."

"I'm sorry?"

He grins, though it didn't touch his eyes. He walks away from her and she picked up the swords following him away from the secret room full of weapons and secrets of the Midnight Assassin.