The Informant

"Where are we going my Lady?" Roderick asked as we walked deeper into the capital. We both wore cloaks hiding our identity.

"I have no idea!" I stated, I stared at the piece of paper with me, looking at the sketch of a building which appeared to be a bookstore, the strange piece of paper I held was what the informant sent me.

I had no idea how it got to my room. When I was done with searching for a simple outfit to wear, I returned to the room and saw the piece of paper laying on my bed. With words inscribed on it which read 'Let's meet in this building!' and a drawing of a wooden building which looked more like a bookstore.

I peeled my gaze from it and looked around the buildings around us. A building which bore the same resemblance to the sketch in the paper pulled my curiosity the most. I grabbed Roderick's hand and we began walking towards it.

We stood in front of the building, I retrieved the paper I had and stared at it. I looked at the building once more, It was exactly like the drawing.

"Let's go!" I said about to head in. Roderick stuck out his arm in front of me taking me by surprise.

"My Lady, may I lead the way?" He asked.

"Sure! If that is what you want!" I replied.

He walked closer, placing his hand on the doorknob he pushed the door open and walked in slowly.

I followed him quietly inside the building, we vetted the building but there was no one, We were surrounded by book shelves.

"There is no one here My Lady!" Roderick pointed out.

"I know, he did say that he will be here, where is. . .!" I paused, the front door was pushed open calling my attention. He walked in wearing a cloak over his head.

He closed the door behind him and approached us.

"Are you the informant?" I asked.

"I am!" Saying that he removed the cloak.

I stared at the man before me, his silver grey hair radiated under the sunlight giving off an illuminous glow, his hazel eyes stared at me with mixed emotions.

" I am the one that you spoke to earlier today!" I said lowering my cloak, revealing myself " This is my personal knight, Roderick!" I introduced.

Roderick gave a light wave whilst the informant nodded.

"What did you find on him?" I inquired.

He took out a leather book and leafed through the pages, placing it on the nearest table. We gathered around the table and he began.

"He is no nobleman but he is a well known figure in the black market. His name is Bennett Laurent, He. . ."

"Wait! Did you just say Bennett Laurent?" Roderick asked, cutting him off, he stared at me confused and astonished all at once.

I facepalmed, why did I forget about Roderick's past with him?.

"Can you excuse us for a moment?" I asked, he gazed at us for a while before walking off.

"What are you planning, My Lady?" He asked, concern shadowing his eyes.

I sighed, avoiding his gaze "Well, I sent a knight to hire an informant to dig out some information from him!".

"Why? He is a dangerous man!" He pointed out.

"That is why he has to be stopped, who knows the terrible things he has done? The more he is left to wander free in this empire the more dangerous he becomes!" I said, leaving the part of me being bored and having nothing to do in my speech.

He let out a breath, his concern was palpable.

"So what do you plan to do with the information?".

I thought for a while before replying "Ruin him and let the authorities handle the rest!" I replied a bit unsure.

"Alright! But I will help you My Lady!"

I beamed at him, glad that he was onboard.

I gestured for the informant to return, he approached us and resumed his briefing.

"He is a well known slave trader and does most of his trading in the basement of an abadoned building in the duchy!".

"Slave trader? Didn't my Father dissolve the law of slave trading in his duchy?" I asked, there was a glint in my eyes as a plan began to formulate.

"He did but people still do it in secrets!" The informant replied.

I smirked "I have found a way to ruin him, what is the penalty for slave trading?"

"Execution!" Roderick replied.

"That's more than perfect!" I replied beaming, I turned to the informant "Where is the abadoned building located?".

* * * * *

Once the door was closed shut. She quickly got up from the bed and headed towards her boudoir. Quickly, she put on her disguise, she looked in the mirror as she tied her hair to a ponytail and a scarf above her nose, concealing most of her facial features except her eyes.

She walked quietly to the door which led to the enormous hallway, waiting patiently until nothing but silence was perceived.

Pushing the door slightly open enough for her to slip through, she tiptoed into the hallway, closing the door silently behind her. Stealthily, she walked across the hallway, walked down the stairs and headed straight to the door that led to the gardens. Once she was outside, she took in a deep breath, enjoying the cool night breeze. She couldn't stay out there for long, 'cause of the fear of being caught by the night guards, she walked deeper into the gardens, running towards their meeting point.

She rested her head against the old tree, her heart pounding in her chest, the feeling within her was exhilarating. It has been so long since she felt that way. She panted heavily as she waited for his arrival.

Abruptly, she heard footsteps approach her direction, without much thought she hid behind the tree.

'It was probably a night guard doing his usual routine!' she thought. Closing her eyes, she waited patiently for the stranger to walk past the tree but instead it seemed to be drawing closer. Clenching her fist till her knuckles whitened. There was only one thing she could do, she had to take him out.

As the stranger drew nearer she prepared herself to attack.

"My Lady ! My Lady!" A familiar voice called out to her in a whisper.

She let out a breath, realizing who it was, she walked out of her hiding spot and approached him. He was startled when he saw her.

"Roderick, finally you are here!" She said "Did anyone follow you?".

He shook his head "No my Lady!"

"Good!" She looked around her surroundings, vetting for something "So where is it?".

"Right here My lady!" He walked past her, straight to the vines that covered the wall. He slowly pushed the vines away revealing the shortened wall.

"This is the place the knights spoke of, the guards on duty hardly monitor this area that's what makes it easier for someone to sneak in and sneak out of the Castle without being caught!" He explained.

Her eyes widened, shocked by his revelation. She walked closer to him, placing her hand on the wall, it was definitely climbable.

She took some steps back whilst he watched her, taking powerful leaps, she held on to one of the bricks which stuck out using it as a boost, she placed some weight on her other hand which held the surface of the wall and climbed over, grunting a little as she landed with a light thud.

She smirked, feeling complacent of how agile she was. Roderick climbed over without much effort, landing on his two feet.

In a matter of seconds, a horse pulling a wooden cart rode towards them.

"Right on time!" She said as they climbed in.

They lowered their heads as the horse rode out of the estate to avoid being spotted by anyone.

Once they arrived at their destination, the horse halted in front of an abadoned building. Roderick jumped down and helped her out of it.

He watched them closely as they approached the building, they were a few feet from it when suddenly he grabbed her hand and pulled her aside. Roderick acted fast, he grabbed the other arm and pulled her closer to him. His gaze landed at the informant, staring angrily at him.

The informant let go of her after a few minutes but Roderick didn't.

Rosalind's gaze shifted from the informant and then to Roderick who held her arm possessively. Her cheeks flushed a little. This was the first time ever they held hands. Noticing that his hand still held hers, he quickly let go. A wave of embarrassment surged through him.

"Have you vetted the area?" She asked after an awkward silence.

"Yes, it is highly guarded, the best way in is through a door at the back which leads to the basement but it is guarded by two men!" He explained.

She walked closer to the building, resting against the wall, she popped her head a bit and saw two men armed with swords, guarding a door.

She turned to him "Roderick can you please take care of the guards?" She asked.

"Yes My Lady!" He said sternly, his expression grew dark as he pulled out his sword. He walked past them and walked towards the guards.

"Hey, Who are. . ." Before he could finish the sentence, Roderick struck him. He fell to the ground, his body drew cold as blood drained from him. His partner was about to retaliate but his throat got severed and he too fell as he struggled to breath.

"Maybe I should have been clear about the no killing part!" She said thoughtfully, once the noise died down.

They walked out of their hiding place and approached him.

"Good job Roderick but can you please reduce your killing intent?" She pleaded, the sight and smell of blood made her nauseous.

"Yes My Lady!".

The informant retrieved his bow and arrows preparing to attack. They exchanged looks and nodded their heads in agreement. She took a deep breath and kicked the door down, it flew in calling the attention of the guards.

The informant shot a few arrows which hit the nearest guards whilst Rosalind released a wave of fire that cleared out their path, leaving half-burned unconscious men on the ground. They walked in venturing deeper into the basement. The path led to an enlarged underground area filled with lifesize cages of people, mostly women and children were locked in them. They looked so sick and weak, worse than Roderick when she first found him. The slaves had mixed emotions when they saw them, pondering if they were friends or foes.

Her eyes grew fiery with rage as she stared at them, anger coursed through her. Bennett Laurent deserved a fate worse than an execution.

Quickly, she rushed to the nearest cage, using her flame she melted the metal door being careful not to hurt the slaves inside, she walked in and urged the slaves to leave.

"You are all free now!" She said firmly "Walk through the hallway and it will lead you outside!" She instructed.

They slowly got up and did as they were told, she left the empty cage and went to the next, melting down the metal door and saying the same words to them.

While she did this Roderick and the informant took care of the guards that trooped in. The informant shot them with his arrows while Roderick tried not to kill them with his sword.

"Roderick!" She yelled as she aided a sick slave to stand.

"Yes My Lady!" He replied whilst knocking one of the guards unconscious. He ran towards her waiting for her command.

"You know where he is. Find him and make sure he does not excape!" She commanded.

"Yes My Lady!" He said firmly, his demeanor was sinister as he gripped his sword firmly.

She noticed the look on his face and was not convinced that he would keep to his word like he did earlier.

"Remember your promise!" She said softly, placing her hand on his. His eyes softened as he stared at her "You promised not to let your anger get the better of you! You have to keep to it!".

He sighed "Yes My Lady!".

"Now go!" She ordered.

He turned around and left, running towards the exact place he knew his former master would be.