An Assassin's Anthem

Riley cuddled the blanket as the light hit her face. She groaned and buried her face in it.

“Up you get,” Megan ordered, walking over.

Riley blinked and rolled over. It really wasn’t a dream. We made it. And they were nice and listened to me. She looked around the room, studying the things that she’d hardly seen in her exhausted state after dinner.

The room was cozy with a glass window. A desk with a wooden chair sat next to the bed. A few chairs sat against the wall. And closets were mounted all over the back wall of smooth, old pine.

“I really need to get you better attire. That son of mine,” Megan huffed and pulled out a blue and white dress from a closet. “This will have to do until we visit the capital.”

Riley blinked and pulled up notifications. She smiled and saw two warnings. Her exhaustion was almost gone, and she’d practiced enough to gain class experience for all of them.

[Exhaustion Remaining: 3 hours.]

[Activity experience granted to Assassin, Bard, Ranger, and Spell Thief.]

[Assassin has advanced: 26 → 27!]

[Bard has advanced: 26 → 27!]

[Ranger has advanced: 25 → 26!]

[Spell Thief has advanced: 18 → 19!]

Riley smiled and was jerked from the bed.

“Up. I apologize for not having a servant to aid you, but we are struggling to make ends meet,” Megan said, pushing the garments forward.

Riley took them and started changing. “Sorry. Just tired.”

Megan’s stern expression vanished. “Of course. You’ve done much in very little time, but there are things you need to learn.”

Riley pulled on the corset and yawned wide, her mouth gaping open.

“Don’t do that. It’s undignified,” Megan scolded. “Trust your father to avoid lessons on proper etiquette. He never did well in those lessons.”

Riley chuckled.

“It isn’t a laughing matter. You will be baroness someday. So, act well. And be careful at the academy.” Megan cinched up the corset. “We have enough problems without aligning with the wrong side.”

“Side?” Riley asked, pulling on the dress.

“Yes. The Prince and Princess are battling for position. It’s a dangerous feud. Steer clear of it if you can. Supporting the wrong one could end us.” Megan sighed and tied the ribbon. “And I am sorry for the family baggage. We should have gotten you here a long time ago.” She spun Riley around. “I can’t believe he didn’t mention that you were a girl! Honestly.”

Riley laughed.

“As if we’d turn down a granddaughter.” Megan gave the outfit one last inspection. “It’ll have to do.” She turned and opened the door, revealing her son.

“You look nice, Riley,” Roger said with a crooked smile.

Megan scowled at him. “Don’t go lurking around!” she barked, wagging a finger in his direction.

Riley turned and held out her hands. “Books!” she said happily. Roger walked over and pulled out the stashed books, plunking them down on the table.

Megan’s face paled as she saw the bardic book. “You should get rid of that.”

“Why?” Riley asked.

“The palace has declared it illegal.” Megan reached for it. “And the class is illegal. If they see you with it, they’ll banish you or worse.”

“It’s illegal?” Riley asked, pulling the book away.

“Yes.” Megan huffed and put her hands on her hips.

“Why?” Riley asked.

“I don’t know, dear, but don’t let them see that.” Megan frowned at it. “We should destroy it.”

Roger stepped forward. “I’m sure it will be fine. As I have always said, the palace only operates on its own whims and desires.” He moved forward and gestured.

Riley placed the book in his hands and walked forward.

“Fine, but don’t let them see it.” Megan huffed at him and looked for the book. “Honestly, you’re nothing but trouble.”

Riley moved over to the desk and the pile of other books. She grabbed the one on water magic and took a seat.

Roger turned and laughed.

“No, no reading, Riley,” Megan said and walked over. “It’s time for breakfast, and we must go over the current nobility and proper etiquette.”

“I’ll listen,” Riley said, her head still buried in the book. She stood and walked toward the door, bumping into it with a thump.

Megan grabbed the book and pulled it out of her hands. “You can have this back after you can name all the nobles.” She marched down the hall toward the dining room.

Riley followed, signing a message to her father. “I’m stealing it back.”

Roger chuckled and led her down the hall. The three walked into a large dining room with an old oak table.

Riley took a seat and looked at the plate. Grabbing the bread, she placed the eggs on top of it and started eating.

Megan launched into her lecture, beginning with every mayor in their territory.

After a few minutes, Riley had finished her food. She stared at her grandmother, who was rambling about another nearby baron.

Blinking back boredom, Riley yawned. I’d rather be on the streets. She slumped into her chair and began drumming out a beat on the table.

Roger chuckled and signed a message. “Father like daughter.”

“Too many names,” Riley signed back. “I don’t —“

“Pay attention!” Megan barked.

Riley plastered a smile on her face. “Sorry.” She sat there with a forced grin. Megan went off once more, listing every noble in the kingdom.

Like the droning of the bugs or the rhythmic crashing of waves, the unrelenting sound droned onward. In an effort to preserve her sanity, Riley began putting it all into a nonsensical song.

Lunch came and went as the lesson continued. Roger’s eyes glazed over. He dropped his head on the table, sending a ringing thud through the room.

Riley jerked free from her inner song and chuckled.

“This is important,” Megan said. “Pay attention, both of you.”

“It’s really not,” Roger muttered. “It’s simple, Riley. Be gracious and charming. Be respectful, but don’t cower.”

“Great. Can I go?” Riley asked, wanting to run away from the stuffy room.

Roger stood. “Yes. I think that’s enough for one day.” He stretched. “And we have an appointment at the temple, correct?” he asked Megan.

“Very well,” Megan said, closing her book. She stood and walked forward. “For now, we’ll journey to the temple. It is an aquatic one that involves the coast. You’ll likely fight crabs that burrow in the sand.”

“How long do I have?” Riley asked, jumping up from the chair. “I need to get my gear.”

“You get two days,” Roger said as he walked up. “The academy starts in a week.”

Riley grinned and darted down the hall. Rocketing into the room, she rapidly changed out of the dress and donned her leather armor.

Strapping on her pack and weapons, she turned and headed down the halls, meeting with the two once more.

The group walked down the worn halls. Riley followed them outside and across the streets to the temple.

The guards bowed and moved out of the way. Riley walked into the building and gasped. The entrance to the place of power was like a curtain of water, scattering light throughout the church. The light danced with the water, reflecting around the church and bouncing off a group standing there.

Riley studied the man in a suit and the boy her age.

“What are you doing here?” Megan hissed.

The man smiled and gestured to the teen next to him. “When we heard that your granddaughter was to attend, we knew that we had to provide a proper escort.”

The teen grinned and winked at Riley. “It’s nice to meet you, Lady Riley. I am Randalf. I’m certain you have heard of us.”

Was he in the lecture? Riley struggled to remember anyone’s name from that giant list. So she bluffed. “Of course, sir.”

“We did not budget for extra guards,” Megan growled. “Leave.”

“They have a letter from the duke,” the priest said. “He has requested that the two work together on both in hopes that it will aid the province.”

The man’s smile grew larger. “I do apologize if that means you can’t afford payment. You know that we’d be happy to reach an accord between our two little baronies.”

“Over my dead body,” Megan hissed. Then she turned. “Riley, it appears that you’ll have an escort.” She moved closer and pulled Riley into a hug. “Be careful, and let him die for all I care,” she whispered.

“Thanks,” Riley murmured and was pulled into her father’s arms.

“Don’t be scared of the water. Stay an extra night if you see the reason,” Roger tapped out on her back. He handed a small bag to Riley.

Riley took it and turned back to the gate. Then she strode across the wooden floor and walked into it.

Riley Milvsky

Level: 44

XP: 40968

Bard (C)

Level: 27

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: 27 + 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: 26

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: 19 Inactive.

Dexterity: 180

Strength: 88

Speed: 85

Intelligence: 88

Charisma: 145

Stamina: 153

Mana: 168

Inspiration: 71