An Assassin's Anthem

The clouds loomed overhead. A small crack on the horizon let the sun peek through, painting the clouds and lighting the caravan with hope.

Riley looked up at it. Is it finally over? A storm that has an end? Perhaps tonight, I’ll get some sleep. This weather’s not my friend.

A splash of mud and water pulled Riley from the view. Sighing, he looked at the dirty road and then searched for his dad. We should leave. I don’t want to waste another minute on this, pay or not!

A whistle rang through the air, summoning the haggard group of guards. Huffing, Riley walked into the mud and joined the group that was trying to rescue the wagon. They grabbed and lifted.

The horses pulled. The wagon inched forward. A snap, like thunder, rang out. Riley’s muddy fingers slipped as the entire thing tilted and tumbled, smashing onto the ground and spraying mud everywhere.

The merchant started shouting. “Incompetent guards! This will cost you everything! How did people so…”

Riley tuned it out and sighed at the mess. We’re stuck. Now we’re stuck. One lousy day, and we’re stuck. The other wagons slowed and stopped. Their wheels sunk deeper. We’ll be here for days.

Roger and several others came jogging to the front of the caravan. He looked at the mess and groaned.

“Don’t just stand there!” the woman shouted. “Fix it!”

Riley turned and walked away, heading for his father.

“There’s no fixin’ that,” someone said with a sigh. “Your axle’s bent.”

That set the woman off. She cursed everything around. Riley walked over and tapped his father’s back. “Do we have time?”

“No. Slip into the trees,” Roger drummed back.

Riley looked at his muddy moccasins. Turning, he walked into the trees and scraped the mud off, carefully cleaning them the best he could.

As the last of it came free, he used Ambush and appeared in the trees. The bare grove dripped while he turned to his father and followed.

Like the wraith, the two moved silently away and then picked up the pace. They turned towards the west and sped up, running through the trees.

Bounding over puddles, rocks, and roots, Riley followed his father through the trees. The sun descended, lighting up the sky one final time.

Enjoying the sight, Riley used Assume Disguise. “Myself, please.” His body shifted back to his original.

Relief surged through him. Embracing it, he picked up the pace and bound through the forest, pushing past his dad.

Roger chuckled and followed. The shadows grew long, and twilight fell, draping the forest in black.

Turning to the south, Riley broke from the trees and ran across a wet meadow, heading toward the road that cut across the distant grass.

Roger grinned as he picked up the pace. Then he wagged his brow. “Night run?”

“What stakes?” Riley asked.

Roger thought about it. Trees blurred by before he spoke again. “I’ll buy you a dress.”

Riley stumbled, flailing wildly and nearly slamming into the ground. He turned and stared at his dad. His cheeks lit up.

Roger chuckled. “Start thinking about your disguise, Riley. Ask the gods to aid. You’ll be wearing that one until --” he trailed off.

“Until?” Riley probed, looking at him.

Roger shrugged. “That depends on what happens and what you want. I’ll tell you some other day.” He winked.

“Fine. Keep your secrets, and you owe me two outfits!” Riley replied, using Dancer’s Form to boost his speed.

Who do I want to be? Do I just trust them? Riley mused on it and raced off down the muddy road. A smile spread across his face. Dad didn’t seem to care. He hummed while he ran.

The moon rose, lighting up a small portion of the clouds and sending a tiny amount of light out. The dripping plants slowly stopped dripping, and the night came alive. Bugs and birds sang their melody, and a fox joined them.

The patter of someone’s feet joined it. Moments later, a courier shot by them both, waving as he passed in a gust of wind. Riley watched in quiet awe as the courier blazed off into the dark.

“You’ll get there,” Roger said, clapping him on the back. “Best speed up though. It’ll cost you.”

Ignoring the fire that built in his legs, Riley ran down the roads, skirting around any villages they passed.

~~~

Ten hours later, Riley was exhausted. Sweat rolled down his back, his hair was soaked, and his legs burned. He looked to the horizon and saw the first crack of dawn lighting up the clouds above.

Picking up the pace, he raced toward the distant city, burning the last of his stamina for a little boost of energy.

Roger ran alongside, searching for threats while passing the harvested fields. He reached out and bumped Riley’s arm.

Riley smirked and picked up the pace. Nice try! Then he slowed as he felt his father’s hand. “This - doesn’t - count,” he gasped as he slowed.

Roger chuckled. “Fair enough. You made it. Now, we’re going to alter plans. That means it’s time for me to use my old name. You’ll need a disguise.”

“Same name, though?” Riley probed, looking out at the muddy fields.

“Yes. That’ll set off the seekers. It’s too far a push just yet.”

Riley nodded. “Gods, I ask your guidance. I need to wear a mask. One that will be comfortable, for it will need to last. A reflection of the inner self. Perhaps that’s what is best. So, I leave it in your hands. You surely know the rest.”

Riley felt his body shift once more. His hair cascaded downward, and his anatomy shifted to a female form. He looked at the wavy blue hair that was now down to his sides. “Beauty? Really?”

[You look great, and you’ll stand out! ~Beauty.]

“Blue hair? Wasn’t expecting that,” Roger muttered.

“I stand out like a sore thumb,” Riley muttered, looking down at the hunting leathers. At least they’re comfortable. He looked back at his dad. “Now what?”

“Now we hire a carriage that can really move. We’re a little slow.” Roger pulled out his knife and rapidly shaved off the rest of his facial hair. Sheathing the knife, he started jogging again.

Riley jogged after him, trying to ignore the fire in his legs. “Will strength help?” he asked.

“Yes,” Roger said, patting his shoulder. “And there are other skills. Maybe we can get you a Strider skill.”

Riley smiled at the thought, nearly stepping into a puddle. Pulling his focus back, he ran forward and then studied the massive city. They’ll have seekers where we’re headed. Time to swap. I’m a human girl. I’m here with my father, and he’s second in line for the Milvsky barony. I like to read. I want to learn magic, and I want to get strong enough to help the family.

Riley swapped the mental image of herself, chanting that statement in preparation.

Riley pulled out of it. “You’re really a noble-born, right? This wasn’t some elaborate trick, was it?”

“I may not tell you things due to seekers, but I won’t lie to you, Riley,” Roger replied, slowing as they approached the city.

A wall of stone that was nearly four meters tall circled it. Cottages and buildings littered the inside. A keep and an elaborate home stood on a hill in the middle.

The sun’s rays hit the top of them, lighting the glass windows and spires. It seemed to glow from atop the hill.

Riley stared at it. How rich are they?

“Be very polite. Yield to me if needed,” Roger whispered. “The Duke here is not the type to suffer impropriety.” He slowed further.

“Business,” a guard barked out, poking his head out of the hut next to the gate.

“We were traveling from the north. We’re headed towards the southern coast,” Roger replied as he stopped.

The guard frowned at them. “Are you smuggling something?”

Riley felt the skill hit. Like a torch in her mind, it burned in its quest to find deception. Nudging it around her hidden classes, she smiled at him and felt the building pressure. It built and pushed, slamming against her skill.

Grimacing as she felt her skill on the verge of ending, she let her lip tremble. “Dad, please,” she murmured.

“We’re not smuggling,” Roger barked. “Ask us.”

The guard scowled and increased his focus. “There is some—“

“Enough! Is this how you treat nobility?” Roger barked. “I was teaching her to hunt, and now you ruin our cover so that we’ll be mugged by some street rats!”

The guard shook his head. “Girl, tell me your name and family.”

“Milvsky family. My name is Riley,” Riley replied, embracing that identity with a smile. She reached up and wiped away some of her sweat.

“Milvsky… Who are they?” the guard muttered.

“Small barony on the coast, near the front,” Roger replied, huffing angrily. “Now, let us in!”

The guard scowled and turned back to Riley

Riley, growing frustrated, grabbed her bag and pulled out papers. She waved them in front of his face. “See! Sorry for not waving them everywhere.”

The guard grabbed them and read. With a frustrated huff, he returned them. “Fine. Come inside.”

Riley stashed the papers and scowled at him before entering the city. The cobblestone street stretched forward, leading towards various shops. The clanging of a blacksmith hit her ears, and the smell of smoke hung in the air.

Walking forward, she navigated down the streets and blinked, her growing exhaustion evident. “Dad, are we getting a place to sleep?” she asked.

“Not for a bit. You can nap on the horse. Sorry.” Roger turned down a corner.

Following, Riley scurried up the streets, passing increasingly fancy shops. Glass windows began appearing in shop windows, displaying wares in the morning light. She stared at several, locking onto a shop filled with books.

“No shopping until we get home,” Roger said as he continued his unrelenting pace.

Riley sighed and nodded. “Fine.”

The two marched to the gates around the inner portion of the city. A guard stuck his head out from the small hut next to the gate and scowled.

Roger huffed indignantly. Riley giggled softly and pulled out her papers.

“We shouldn’t need those,” Roger muttered.

The guard extended his arm, and Riley handed them to him. Then she turned and watched the sunrise. It lit the area, and the city stirred as people woke and began their day.

The guard handed the papers back and studied the two. Riley once again felt an insight skill hit. She huffed as it caught on her hidden classes. I am Riley! And I am a ranger! The rest change when I need them! So stop that.

The guard looked at her. “Where were you during the night?” His skill continued to surge around her.

“Traveling. My father took me to level and to practice my skills. Now, we need to get back in time for the academy. Isn’t that obvious?” Riley asked with a puzzled expression.

“But why travel unescorted at night?”

“The caravan broke down in the horrible weather, and we didn’t want to get stuck in it again.” Riley huffed. “Any other questions, sir?”

The guard handed the papers back. “What is it that you need? I assume you don’t wish to bother the duke?”

“We need a fast horse for the ride back. We’re running behind schedule,” Roger said with a sigh.

“I see. It will cost you.” The guard held out a hand.

Roger sighed and reached into his bag. He pulled out a gleaming D-tier imperfect crystal and handed it to the guard.

The guard studied it and nodded. “This will work. You must bring the horse back to the duchy in a week or be charged the full price.” The guard unlocked the gate.

“Of course,” Roger replied, nudging Riley, who was staring at the crystal.

Riley continued to stare. It seemed an utter fortune just to rent a horse.

Roger grabbed her gently by the arm and escorted her across the cobblestone walk, turning toward a stable.

Riley examined the D-tier horses with awe. Roger grabbed a chestnut-colored horse and didn’t bother with the saddle, pulling it out of the pen. He leapt on its back and held out his hand.

Grabbing it, Riley was pulled onto the back of the horse.

With a click of his tongue, Roger turned the horse and set it to trotting out of the city. Riley grabbed his midriff and leaned forward. The horse shot off down the streets moments later.

Riley Milvsky

Level: 44

XP: 40813

Bard (C)

Level: 25

Inspiring Song F Bolster your allies with magic and music. Strength and Move Speed increased by 1 for one minute. Costs five Bardic Inspiration and impacts allies within ten meters. The radius of influence expands by one meter for each additional inspiration spent.

Psychic Spike F Wield your mana to cause psychic damage to a target. Cost varies based on allocation.

Manipulate Water F Manipulate the water around you. Cost varies based on amount.

Assassin (C)

Level: 25 + 12

Assume Disguise S +30 charisma. Enhance your current disguise by altering your displayed information and taking on the disguised form. Grants +5 levels to the assigned class. Perception and Insight suffer -250 levels against your disguise and -50 levels against your deception or stealth. Penalty applied: Gods’ Oversight.

Dancer's Form B +10 speed. +2 levels to assigned class. You may use a charge of inspiration to boost your movement speed by an additional 5 for a minute.

Death's Cloak A Slain enemies will grant experience to your base level and active classes. +3 levels to the assigned class. Perception and insight suffer -25 levels against you. Penalty applied: Covenant.

Ambush B +10 speed. +2 levels to the assigned class. Costs one stamina to use. On use, you teleport to a shadow within 20 meters. Penalty applied: Covenant.

Ranger (C)

Level: 24

Predatory Sight E Your perception and insight are boosted by 5. This boost is not reduced by low light or no light.

Pretty E Your appearance is better, but it could be even grander. Use 1 mana to get a little help from Beauty! (Upgrade me again!) Penalty applied: Unequippable. Beauty may alter your appearance at her whim.

Spell Thief (C) Level: 17 Inactive.

Dexterity: 174

Strength: 88

Speed: 81

Intelligence: 88

Charisma: 143

Stamina: 149

Mana: 162

Inspiration: 69