Troubles

We made it back to base about halfway through the day. Drake had mysteriously vanished in the middle of the night, leaving us by ourselves. We thought it was fishy at first. But then after all it was better than being peppered by questions. I don't know why he was so interested, or anyone for that matter. We kept our heads low and did as we where asked. I suppose its the mystery that's so appealing. What wasn't appealing was the truth behind our secrecy. The less that people knew, meant the less chance people tried to become our friends.

We tossed our bags warily on the common room table as we sat. Fatigue from last nights sleepless night settling over me. After everyone had gone to bed, I spent most of the night thinking about what would happen after Drakos was gone. Wondering if we could really settle down and enjoy our lives, or would we always be restless. Could I find someone to love, even after all the trauma I received? Are all men the same? I know Sebastion is my brother and he wouldn't hurt someone innocent, but it still makes you wonder. He can always snap, may it be by accident or not.

"The Master will see you two now." Henchman said as he appeared from behind the closed doors. I gave a pitiful sigh as we stood and walked into the meeting room. I just wanted to rest for now, unwind from the haunting image of the Kingdom. Not that I would get much rest do to my traumatic nightmares. But it was still nice to have small breaks. Upon our entry Master had his arms crossed over his chest, back against the back rest of the chair. He appeared displeased.

"Aria, you look unwell. Are you alright?" I gave a curt nod. My eyes where heavy, but else wise I was ok. "Very well. Drake reported to me this morning of what was found at the castle. I can't say I'm surprised by this unfortunate event, but I am disturbed by it's findings." Sebastion and I nodded in agreement. It was an unsettling view, that's for sure. It was a very sloppy job on their part. Almost as if they got too cocky and wanted to display their carnage for everyone to see. They even took the time to make mountains of bodies out of families and soldiers. I cringed to myself, the memory of rotting and decaying bodies filled my nose.

"I want you two to stay low for awhile. Rest up and when I find something for you, I'll call upon you again." Sebastion and I bowed. As we started to walk out of the room he stopped us, clearing his throat to get our attention. I had a very good idea why he did. No doubt Drake told him of our skirmish as well. That bastard.

"Before you go, Drake told me of some....unsettling behavior you displayed last night, against some bandits. I suggest applying caution when you attack next time. Word gets out that you are poking around the Assassin's Guild attack sites, I may not be able to protect you." I could feel his eyes on my face. I shivered uncomfortably, looking away from his hooded face.

"We got carried away, it won't happen again." Sebastion replied, steering me to the door and through them. As we exited Merrick and Aspin sat at the table, waiting expectantly. Grim expressions on both of their faces. I wasn't in the mood to talk with them, but Drake's question came back to mind. Maybe after a much needed bath, I would try and talk with them.

"Rough night? Merrick asked casually.

"Aye. It was...a lot to take in. It's not every day you seen an entire kingdom massacred." I admitted blandly. The sour taste returning to my mouth. Merrick nodded his head absently. His eyes sort of fogged over.

"That young gentleman came in and told us everything. I could only imagine what it looked like. I'm glad you two came back safely. You are a quiet bunch, but still one of us just the same." I gave him a small smile, appreciating his sentiment. Maybe Merrick wasn't so bad.

"We are going to the bath house now before we rest us. We'll talk to you later." We gathered up our bags. Aspin watched us leave, a weird look on his face. We passed through the door to the bedrooms, a long hallway appearing before us. Doors lined the walls, each one having a bedroom behind it. Sebastion took my bag from me, and tossed both of them into our bedroom door.

Silently we walked down the hall. I trailed my fingers down the dirty tan wall. My nail left a trail as it peeled of the dry paint. The scratching noise continued until we reached the end of the hall, approaching a single oak door. Sebastion, being a gentleman, opened the door. Steam rolled out and into the hall, almost as if it beckoned us to join it. Eagerly we entered the bath house, the door closing behind us. It was a large room, with a giant pool about waist deep. The interior of the pool was white with stairs going around the wall. Steam rose from the waters surface, beckoning and welcoming. I stripped off my bloody and dirty clothes, putting them in a pile by the door. Off to the side was a white shelf, the paint peeling. On the shelves where folded white linen towels, soft and fluffy from being recently washed. I grabbed one and wrapped it around my upper body, wearing it like a short dress. Sebastion stripped as well, placing a towel around his hips.

I gave a grateful sigh as I sank into the water, the heat relaxing my tense and sore muscles. As I lowered my body into the pool, the water lapped hungrily against my body. The bath house was another one of my weak places to be. A place where I could rub all the dirt and memories away, even if it was for a few minutes. I could just be myself and not be around anyone else. Leaning against the wall, my eyes closed. The warm water lapped against my body, almost luring me to sleep.

"I haven't seen dark circles under your eyes since we lived in the guild. What's wrong?" Sebastion asked as he waded through the pool, coming to rest next to me. I grimaced at the scars that caressed his chest and abdomen. A reminder of the abusive life we had before us. The pattern resembling those of a barbed whip. There was even knife wounds that appeared intertwined.

"What Drake said last night about what we would do when this was over. Sebastion we have been doing this our whole lives. We've killed, stolen, and cheated death many times. I mean look at how carried away we got when those bandits showed up. What is going to happen to us when Drakos is dead? Do you think we could settle? Live a normal life?" I fiddled with my hair, something I do when I'm stressed.

"I honestly don't know Aria. I honestly never thought of it. I'm sure we can pick up free lance work like mercenaries and just, continue what we do best." He offered staring into the water.

"Do you ever wonder what it would be like to settle down? Or wonder what it's like to have someone in your life that loves you?" I whispered. He was quiet for a moment. A small smile on his face.

"I do wonder about it sometimes. Wonder how different things would have turned out if Mom and Dad hadn't died. Always wishing we had a chance to live freely. That life is not possible for us Aria. It never will be. We've been through to much. Seen to much." Sadly I felt he was right. Our guards where just too strongly built. Even if someone could break our walls, there would be so much damage still. It would take someone strong to pick up the pieces.

"I suppose you are right." I murmured. The door opened suddenly breaking our conversation as we looked up to see Drake walk in. What was he doing here? I thought he was long gone by now. Drake stopped, looking directly at me. A smile playing on his face.

"Aria, you look like crap." I rolled my eyes and stared into the water. Why was that my 'hello' today? Clothes dropped to the floor behind us. Immediately I felt uncomfortable, almost waiting for the invisible hand to reach out and caress my neck like they had so long ago. But there was nothing as the water rippled as he entered the pool, sitting on the far side. Water lapped against the wall, making small splashing noises. I watched him, staring at his scarred back. They looked similar to ours. Almost identical. Was he a rescue too?

He caught me starring, a smile playing on his lips as he sat down, his chest still visible above the water. Why could I not take my eyes off him. I have seen plenty of attractive men in my life before. So why did he have such a hold on me? I looked away, feeling awkward and growing nervous. It wasn't like men haven't seen me naked before, but I also didn't want him to get the wrong idea either.

"Tell me more about yourselves." I looked up surprised as Drake continued to stare at us. His expression was guarded. A book not so easily read. I saw Sebastion visibly tense, his jaw clenching. Sebastion, you really need to start hiding your emotions. If you do this to the wrong person you are going to get us both in trouble.

"Why the sudden interest? No one else cares." I muttered as I found a bar of soap by the pool edge and started to clean the dried blood from my arms. I watched it dissipate into the water, the suds forming in the water.

"Well you genuinely intrigue me. You say that you weren't forced into the Guild, and three years ago we recruited you upon observation that you hate Drakos. I am just curious as to why?" I glanced at Sebastion. We would have to be careful in what we said. Where they had their secrets, we did too. A little white lie couldn't hurt him right? But maybe now wasn't such a good time with how indecent we where. It was hardly the conversation to have while bathing.

"Interesting we aren't allowed to ask questions of you, but you are of us. All you need to know, is that we are on agreement that Drakos is a tyrant leader than needs to be brought to his damned knees. Nothing more." Sebastion said through gritted teeth. He was trying to protect me as he always did. The past was a painful thing, and even I kept secrets from him about it. It was a painful memory we both wanted to forget.

"I only ask because I am curious as to what you will do when this is all over." There was no amusement on his face as he spoke. But I could see through him. He wasn't playing me any.

"You question our loyalty. Don't worry, it is not offensive. We understand that everyone has their opinions of us, and we do not wish to change those. We are the way we are because our lives have been built on distrust and...anger. There is nothing more in the world we want is to cleanse ourselves of our wrong doings and kill the bastard that harms the innocent people of the land." I said playing with my hair as I stared into the water. Thinking of the dead eyes of that little girl. "We know we are distant and ruthless, but we also have our reasons. It's not that we don't want to get along with others, it's that we can't. We are not exactly warm and welcome company, and maybe one day we can tell you why. But for now you will just have to trust us. Just like we trust the Master with you." I looked up at him, the storm in his eyes quiet. He searched my face. I hoped he would read the pain in my own eyes, and wouldn't push it further. I had no desire to talk about my past now, and I wouldn't.

"I can see the pain in your eyes, and for now will accept that you are on our side. But one day I hope you will open up. It is not a good idea to keep burdens bottled up. It can make you weak in the long run." Our burdens where our burden for a reason. No one needed to know about our pain. I sighed weakly and leaned against Sebastion. Fatigue over coming me. I couldn't help the heavy feeling that came over my eyes as the water pushed against my muscles lightly, almost as if it was massaging me to sleep. The heat caressed my skin, luring me to sleep as I finally let my eyes shut. I was so very tired. I hoped tonight my nightmare wouldn't awake me. I just wanted one night to relax.