An Assassin's Anthem

Riley raced up the steps of the fort. She looked at the filled courtyard. Are they ready for this? She waited until Travis looked up and waved his hand.

Turning back toward Magus Summer, Riley nodded. “Go ahead.”

Summer turned to the mages. “Ice and stone! I want that wall down now.”

Snow and ground ripped upward. It coalesced and slammed into the distant wall like a tidal wave, sending a resounding boom into the air. The clouds above turned black. Fire flew and died in the surrounding storm. A hum filled the air, and Riley’s hair stood. Purple lightning lanced from her and met the descending lightning. It all vanished, and a resounding boom of thunder rippled from the distant fort.

All the while, stone and ice slammed into the keep. Arrows soared and were knocked away by growing gusts of wind.

The blizzard is really limiting options. Maybe something to consider. Riley frowned and searched the distant fort. Her mouth dropped as she saw distant soldiers leaving the gate. Are they fleeing?

“Charge!” Travis bellowed and tore across the snow.

The army surged forward, and Riley stood on the wall. Roger stood nearby, blades at the ready.

“Dad, what do you think?” Riley asked.

“They have no leadership. It’ll break,” Roger said, watching the troops churn across the field.

Riley nodded.

“Lightning and ice for cover!” Summer shouted.

The surging stone stopped. Clouds churned, and ice flew; they pounded on the top of the fort, forcing archers back into cover.

A growing plume of fleeing soldiers turned to run while the first of the melee crashed into the gates. A thunderous boom filled the air, and a massive man ripped the bent gates open. Flooding Inspiration into her aura, Riley sent it rippling across the field.

The nearby mages stopped hurling spells, and soldiers flooded the enemy courtyard. Riley looked at her low mana. If we do this to a few more forts, we can break this thing.

Roger yawned and studied the area. He shook his head. “They don’t have an assassin out in this.” He chuckled. “A good one would leave. I know because I would.”

Riley nodded. She reached up and caught snowflakes in her hand.

A mage turned toward her. “Must be nice to show up in dresses and watch people die.” She scowled, and Nicole stepped forward.

“Apologize,” Nicole hissed.

Riley scowled at the woman. She used a little mana to heal the mage. “Do you insult the other healers, too?”

The mage faltered, looking at Nicole. “I’ve watched my husband and son die in this war.” Water filled her eyes. “Do you know how many bodies that she has left behind?”

“I didn’t order this war,” Riley said, letting her anger fade. “If I could let you go fertilize the fields instead, I would, but I have no more power than you.”

The mage frowned. “But you’re a noble.”

“In line to inherit a barony, assuming the debts don’t crush it,” Summer said, striding forward. “Now, behave. This hasn’t been easy for any of us.”

The mage frowned and looked at the knight. “How do you do it? Go on when everyone you care about is gone?”

Riley blanched. Gods, we need to end this fast. She looked at the distant fort and the kill notifications that continued to pile up.

[Your base level has advanced: 320 → 321!]

Am I just some monster? Is that what war and nobility turn you into? I was supposed to be an assassin, not a butcher. Riley swallowed and watched more flicker by.

Nicole reached over. “Don’t listen to her. She’s not innocent, either.” She paused before tapping out more. “The fact that you care says far more than the others. Gods, I thought you were going to be a nightmare. I got that wrong.”

Riley turned and raised her brow.

“Althea and I had some chats. The council debated things, and Althea argued in your favor. It all came down to one thing: could we trust you? And we do, Riley. Know that. They do, too. One day soon, you’ll get proof of that trust.”

Riley reached over. “What proof?”

“I’m not spoiling that surprise.” Nicole winked and gave her a soft smile. “Just promise me that we’re going to have some fun.”

“Promise.” Riley smiled back at her. She reached over. “Can I trust her?”

“Always. Forgive her, please.” Nicole grabbed Riley’s arm and pulled her to the nearby tower.

“Forgive her?”

“She fibbed a little and didn’t tell you about things.” Nicole met Riley’s eyes. “But she’s a good person. She’s just worried.”

Riley followed, drumming back a message. “Worried about what?”

“The elves. The humans. Everything. Things haven’t been going well, and she’s stressed. We were going to have to abandon this plan until you arrived out of nowhere. Though the council is pushing to have you move.”

“I didn’t agree to be an elf or join them.” Riley entered the tower and looked at her.

Nicole took a seat and gestured. Riley sat beside her.

Nicole reached over. “I found out when I got the letter from Lucas. Anyway, they want you to go to the forest. They want you to be somewhere safer.” She swallowed. “We need you to be safe.”

Riley studied the girl. Why? Realization slammed into her like the streaming notifications. She looked at the kill notifications and growing oaths. She knew. Althea knew. That’s why she pushed me to keep noble. A knot grew in Riley’s throat. She was using me, too. What am I to them? Just a person to boost them. What kind of people would use—. She shoved the thought aside and huffed at herself. That’s the way the world works. And I don’t have to accept. Do I want to be a noble?

Nicole raised a brow. “What?”

“Just thinking.” Riley reached over. “What if I got rid of my noble class and skills?” she tapped it out.

“It would hurt your future,” Nicole said, looking at her. Pain danced through her vibrant green eyes. “And ours.”

“What’s wrong?” Riley asked, scooting closer.

Nicole’s finger slid along the stone bench. She reached over and tapped a message. “The council would mark it against Althea and me. You have such strong auras. Losing them would probably lose this war, and the elves would be livid.”

Another realization hit Riley. “Do you not know?”

Nicole looked at her, confusion on her face. “Know what?”

“I can equip them without that class.” Riley studied her response.

Nicole relaxed. “How?”

Riley winked. “I’m not spoiling that surprise.” She leaned against the wall and contemplated things. Should I be upset? She smiled. Eh. My future is mine. That’s what matters. The real question is which of these kingdoms is going to be competent. This one is terrible, and Shorove uses necromancers. Are the elves better?

Roger walked into the room and stretched. He looked at the two and yawned. “Plotting something?”

“An escape,” Nicole said, slumping down and resting her head on Riley’s shoulder.

“It looks like you’re planning a nap,” Riley said, chuckling and making her head bounce.

“Stop that, pillow,” Nicole murmured.

Riley turned toward her father. “Did they take it?”

“Yes. Several fled. Some were captured.” Roger leaned against a wall.

Riley frowned. “What will we do when the king of Shorove figures out he’s losing? He can’t just leave us unchecked.”

“I don’t know,” Roger said, shaking his head. “I’m unsure what that king is thinking.”

~~~

King Marcus paced the floor, stepping heavily on the worn rug beneath his feet. The nearby fire blazed, and people clung to the walls. As if I can’t see them there. Useless. All of them. He scowled at them and the bowing ranger. “To be clear, we’ve lost two forts; have our troops stuck in a blizzard, and their Void Mage continues unchecked?”

“Yes, my king. It is becoming a problem. We need someone capable of countering her.” The man looked up and swallowed.

Marcus frowned and looked around the room. “Give me answers, real answers.” He looked through each.

“We could send assassins,” a woman said, turning and looking at another noble.

“They died trying to kill her,” the man countered. He glared at her. “Where are your necromancers?”

She scowled back.

Marcus huffed. “I need nobles on the front and another Void Mage. That’s clear.” He turned. “Where can I get one?”

“My king, the recruits will lose. You will need to pull an experienced one from the other fronts.”

The bowing ranger swallowed. “My King, I believe she is a Spell Thief, not a Void Mage. Psychic magic use has been high.”

“Gods condemn her!” Marcus bellowed. “You are telling me that she’d just kill the Void Mage?”

“It’s likely. We’re unsure of her level.”

Marcus turned. “Pull who you need. I want that kingdom’s defenses broken within a week.”