A Sea of Sand (2)

I opened the piece of paper in my hand and saw the contents. The information of the man with the snake tattoo was written on the piece of paper.

The contents were written in code to make sure that even if this piece of paper were to fall into other hands, they will not be able to read it. I read it slowly and started to decode it.

"He is the head of the Viper Sands assassins?!" I mumbled. "Aman of the Viper Sands."

I was surprised that Duke Noel was able to contact an assassin organization that are based here in Alessandria.

'He must be so desperate to kill me without leaving a trail leading to him.' I thought.

Having to hire Alessandrian assassins will have a thin to no trail to the duke that is living in the Constantine Empire. Some would suspect him, including my brother Alexus, but majority would think that Alessandrians would have animosity against me, a princess from an enemy empire entering their emperor's harem.

"A very good tactic in your part, Duke Noel." I smiled sarcastically. "To think that you were able to hire the most notorious assassin group here in Alessandria."

The Viper Sands is the most known assassin group here in Alessandria. Not only that, they are known to be the most notorious. It is known that their assassination attempts are always at a hundred percent. They are also known to be very pricy to hire.

'If I remember correctly in my dream, I asked the man with the snake tattoo how much he was paid.' I thought. 'He said that he was promised an elixir that in the duke's possession.'

An elixir that can heal any kind of illness is something that the saintess can make. My mother, the previous saintess was able to make an elixir once a year. The elixir was made inside the Church of Light's citadel, the base and the most biggest church in the continent.

Making elixirs is the Church of Lights biggest secret. I am sure that they have that secret locked up inside the citadel with only a handful of people knowing it. But for sure they needed a saintess with healing abilities to make such an elixir and that is what they do not have now. I bet the amount of elixir in the citadel now is dwindling or there is non at all and only those that were able purchase in the past still have them.

"If only I knew how to make an elixir. I can make huge profit in selling it." I said to myself and frowned.

I felt regrettable that I could have made fortune in selling a down grade versions of the elixirs. The Church of Light were selling the elixirs in the past at a high price. Only those that have money and power can buy it. Not only that, the church are also picky with their customers. Even those that have money cannot buy an elixir if the church does not deem you worthy. This makes the elixir a rare item that is sought for its healing abilities.

"To think that the head of the Viper Sands needs an elixir." I whispered and rubbed my chin. "There must be someone in his immediate circle that needs it."

There was still more to read in the piece of paper. Aman only has one living relative, his little sister Anaya. Anaya was fourteen years old and is living in the most well known Alessandrian hospital. It is said that she is sickly and is in need to be taken care of constantly and that is why she is living in a hospital.

'Binggo!' I smiled. "This is my ticket to live."

I have made progress with the information that I got. I am happy that the information network that I have built was giving me not only money but also helpful information.

'I should praise Tarmil.' I thought with a smile.

Tarmil was my most trusted man and partner in the merchant group. He stands in for me as the founder and the owner of the White Rose merchant group which is the front of my Black Rose information network. I see him as my partner but I am still the sole founder and owner of the merchant group. He is more of my business advisor that I am thankful to meet. He has all the talents in business that I needed.

"I should get some sleep for the travel tomorrow." I said to myself.

I closed my eyes knowing that I now have something that could save my life.

**

I woke up the next day refreshed from a good nights sleep. Malik and the imperial guards were getting ready to depart. They were fixing the luggages in the camels. A personnel in the inn was helping to carry the luggages on top of the camels and what I saw made my eyes open wide in surprise.

The inn personnel had a bandana and had is face covered with cloth, a norm for people living in the dessert here. But when he passed by me, the cloth covering his face fell of slightly and I saw the snake tattoo on his neck all the way up to his face. It was Aman, the head of the Viper Sands assassins.

I recovered my calm and looked at the personnel again carefully. His eyes were lingering my way as if he was watching me closely. Our eyes met and I smiled at him in passing as if greeting him.

'It is really him.' I thought. 'Today might be the day of my prophetic dream. What should I do?'

In contrast to my smiling and calm demeanor, my heart was racing inside my chest. I could die today and this man would be the one to slit my throat. I unconsciously held my throat remembering my the dream and the surreal feeling of my throat being sliced.

"Are you alright, my lady?" Malik asked. I did not realize that he was looking at me.

"I-I am just thirsty." I smiled in response.

"Here my lady, have some water." Malik said while giving me a bottle of water.

"Thank you very much." I smiled in reply.

I took the water bottle and took a sip. The cool water wetted my dry throat. I was thinking if I should tell Malik about Aman but decided against it because a battle would ensue and my safety is not guaranteed. I also remembered Malik being stabbed on the stomach. It was a sight I would not want to see.

"Thank you, captain." I gave the water bottle back to Malik. 'I should think of a way to prevent the assassination attempt where a battle will not ensue. I would not want to see these people I am traveling with die in front of me.' I thought and my sight landed on Jessie who died in my prophetic dream.