An Assassin's Anthem

A rooster crowed, calling out to the gods and sun. Riley groaned, sat up, and looked at her throbbing arm. Blood and pus had seeped into the bandage, turning it into a red and yellow mess; she grimaced at the sight. This is bad. Really bad. It’ll kill me. She trembled and forced herself up.

Walking over to a small basin, she slowly unwrapped the messy bandage, peeling away layer after layer of the blood and pus-covered cloth.

She dropped the messy bandage in the basin and used Manipulate Water. Steaming water blasted into the wound. Pain lanced up her arm, and she screamed.

The door slammed open. Dwight rushed into the room.

Riley grabbed the cloth and wrapped it tight against the wound. “Change of plans,” she said softly. “We need to be out soon, and I need your help to finish. If you want to stay longer, be my guest. I can’t.” She turned to him. “I need to get dressed.”

Dwight studied her arm. “Will it kill you before tonight?”

Riley nodded. “Likely. I need to be ready to go. We’re starting the fires and heading for the exit.”

Dwight nodded and walked out the door.

Riley carefully changed into her hunting gear. She looked down at her throbbing arm and shook her head. Foolish of me. Don’t stand around next time.

Moving to the hearth, she grabbed a torch and stuck it in the flame. It ignited, and she walked out of the room.

Dwight stood there, fastening his armor. “Already?”

“No choice,” Riley said softly. She looked at her arm. “I can’t stay here long.”

“We could help with it,” the innkeeper volunteered.

“Have a potion?” Riley asked, looking at the woman.

“No, but I’m fair with first aid.” The woman smiled at them.

Riley shook her head. Not enough for this. Holding up the torch, she headed for the door.

Dwight followed, debating his next move. “Riley. I could do it?”

“No. I need to cheat.”

Dwight reached out and grabbed the torch. Then he walked out of the gate. “I’m not incompetent.”

Riley sighed. “I know, but I need to use my magic for this.” She followed him. “I’ll conjure up a breeze. We need to light the unprepared sides at an angle, blow it in, and light the trail on the way by.”

Dwight chuckled. “You’re clever. Will we get crystals even though we don’t kill them directly?”

“Yes. It’s not as good as doing it yourself, but we will lose that fight.” Riley walked into the woods.

The two walked in silence. The sun rose in the sky above, and the two skirted far around the group of undead. Settling on a point, Riley gestured to a dead pine tree that marked the end of her line. “We'll start here and light things on the way by, but give me a moment.”

Turning inward, she slotted in Manipulate Storm and burned all of her mana to create a light breeze. Dwight lowered the torch to the pile of pine needles.

Like a mountain of kindling, the needles quickly lit. The breeze flowed in, and smoke billowed out into the air. Reaching up, Dwight lit the lower branches of the dead tree. It began burning, the flames licking up the dry needles and wood.

“Quick!” Riley ordered, pointing at a fallen branch.

Dwight swiped the torch at it and followed, lighting things in their path. Flame followed behind them, burning hotter and hotter. Embers flew and landed through the forest, chaining to other piles.

Like a growing avalanche, the flames became a force of destruction. Trees crackled and popped. Bursts of heat roared through the air, and animals fled.

Riley jogged at an increasing speed. The flames and heat billowed behind her, and her arm throbbed, drumming up into her chest. She gasped, pointed, and increased her speed.

Dwight stopped lighting anything, racing after her, his feet drumming out into the forest while wood popped.

Reaching the end of their line, Riley gestured to the felled tree next to the pile of leaves. Dwight lit it and ran, torch still in hand.

Riley turned and let the growing wind handle the rest. The flame streaked down their debris line, and a group of undead staggered forward. The first undead hit the line of fire.

Faster than the dry leaves, the undead lit up, turning into a walking torch. It squealed.

Riley ran. Dwight spun and threw the torch. Then he bolted off after her, racing through the forest while the undead spread the fire further.

“Awesome,” Dwight said with a grin as he charged alongside her.

Riley smiled and gasped, pain crackling through her like lightning. It grew with every moment.

Riley grimaced and dropped to a walk. She looked over to see a coalescing rainbow of color. A chest appeared by them.

“Keep going,” Dwight called, reaching down and grabbing the crystals.

Riley kept going, her pace slowing due to the growing pain.

Dwight dashed forward, quickly closing the gap. “Riley?” he asked.

“It’s spreading. Whatever was in it,” Riley whispered, a shiver rolling through her with the growing pain.

“My turn then.” With a grin, Dwight pulled her off her feet and carried her, charging off toward the exit.

Riley blushed. Gods, that’s embarrassing. She turned and looked back at the waves of fire, which were getting far worse. The sound of screaming undead reached her ears, and Dwight thundered past the village.

Riley looked up at the sweating boy. He’s really going to get me out. Surprise and happiness filled her. I think I picked the right side. The princess would have left me there. She smiled and jerked forward, rolling across the ground.

Dwight lurched up from the ground. “Sorry,” he said with red cheeks.

“Just help me hobble,” Riley said, burning stamina and bardic inspiration to push herself forward.

“Sorry,” Dwight panted. “Just need a minute.”

“We’re almost there,” Riley said, sweat rolling down her brow. A shiver rolled up her spine, and the pain hit her chest. “Just promise me you’ll split it.”

“Riley, I want to be a duke. That means I work with my allies.” Dwight grinned at her.

Riley didn’t notice. She staggered up the game trail, relying on old instincts to find her way. Her vision started to blur. Kill notifications from the undead began rolling by. She shivered and wiped the water from her eyes, shaking her head as dizziness hit.

“Almost there,” Dwight said, propping her up and leading her forward.

Riley staggered up to the shimmering portal that stood there. She smiled at it, turned, and looked out at the billowing smoke. “Stay until the last. Two hours,” she whispered. “And promise you’ll share.”

“Riley, you don’t have to worry about that. There’s a priest outside. They ensure no one steals them.” Dwight smiled. “Now, go.”

“One more minute,” Riley said, watching the blurry smoke on the horizon. “One more minute.”

“I’m tipping you if you look like you’re going.” Dwight frowned.

Riley nodded. “That’s fair.” She turned back to the smoke.

Dwight went silent. He waited and studied her.

Riley looked at the pillar of flame and smoke. The notifications blurred, going in and out of focus. Her body felt hot, so very hot, like she was standing in the flames. She wobbled and then fell as two hands shoved her through the portal.

Passing into the portal, Riley felt the fever vanish. Her arm healed, and she appeared back in the temple.

The priest looked up. “Welcome back.” He studied his list and frowned. “Your partner?”

“I’m unsure. The undead bit me.” Riley walked over to a bench.

The priest nodded, writing something on paper. “Yes. The casualties were quite high this time. It’s regrettable. Those who tried to fight were overwhelmed when they were betrayed. Your group lasted the longest. I assume you found the traitor and tried to pick some off?”

“Something like that,” Riley said, slumping onto the bench. She looked down at her arm and rubbed at the phantom pain. It still hurt. She grimaced and rubbed her arm.

The priest stood and walked over. He studied her arm.

“Well, now,” the priest said. “That is something.” The priest’s magic washed through her like a wave of energy. “That will take care of any residual disease. Though the pain may linger for the day.”

“Thank you, sir.” Riley smiled and leaned back. Her stomach gurgled. Reaching into her bag, she munched on some jerky and pulled up her notifications.

[Your base level has advanced: 110 → 116!]

[Reward: Lumberjack(F): +1 strength per level. Grants one skill slot while active.]

She smiled. We really got it. What do I do with it? I’ll never level it. She frowned at it. Leveling it would require a lifestyle change she had no intention of making. Sacrificing it to Bard was pointless. Assassin? Ranger? She grimaced. It won’t give me anything at F-tier. They aren’t close to compatible. She considered using crystals to level it and then shook her head. It’s just not worth it.

Turning inward, she willed the class to merge with Noble. Lumberjack swirled away in a vibrant stream of gold and coalesced into a new skill.

[Skill Unlocked: Empowering Presence (F). - +1 strength to all your subjects or to any allies within 10 meters.]

[Noble (F) has advanced: 18 → 68! +1 Charisma per level. Grants two skill slots while active.]

Riley studied it in surprise. Then she looked at her skills. The only compatible skill was the new one. Okay. So, it’s super restrictive and good for your people. Probably nothing more. She sighed. I can see why he said it was worthless. Yes, that extended to everyone, but +1 strength wouldn’t change anything.

She cleared it away and looked toward the place of power. Please don’t let him die.

Dwight burst from the portal moments later. He panted and shook his head. “Gods, that took a turn.”

“What?” Riley asked, worry spreading across her face. “That was fast.”

“The chest formed. I considered a visit back to the town, but a pack of dire wolves showed up.” Dwight let out a long breath and walked over. He sat and turned. “No crystals.”

Riley’s mouth dropped. “What? You didn’t —“ She looked at his growing smirk and punched him in the arm. “Jerk!”

Dwight laughed and pulled out his bag. “You should have seen your face.” He chuckled and opened the bag, revealing a small pile of crystals. “I looted the chest first.” He started handing Riley her crystals.

Dwight winked and leaned over. “Don’t ask for an audit, please.” He slid the entire bag over.

Riley searched and failed to find any others that were attuned to her. She dropped a quarter of the stolen ones into his bag and pushed it back. Then she debated asking for an audit. Why’d he ask that?

The priest looked up. “Would you like an audit? The school would prefer it.”

Dwight jerked the bag up, hiding the contents. “No, thank you. I trust her.”

“Are you certain?” the priest asked, craning forward and scribbling down something.

Dwight looked at Riley and nodded. He handed her his bag and moved closer. “Pat me down if you need to, but don’t tell him. Take mine until next week if you have to. We can audit then. The princess.” He winked.

Riley looked at him in surprise and realized. He is trying to hide things from the princess. She paused and considered it. He had carried her out. Studying his outfit, the answer was obvious. He didn’t steal. He’s not bluffing. She pushed the bag back.

“Lady Riley?” the priest called.

“No, thanks.” Riley grabbed her bag, stood, and headed for the door. “Dire wolves?”

“Yes. I think they were another part of the dungeon to do,” Dwight smiled. “Still, that was the best haul yet.” He grinned and walked out into the sunlight. “Sorry if I’m aloof this week, but we can’t let the princess know just yet.” He winked and headed for the castle.

Riley turned and headed for her room, trying to ignore the absurd value of the crystals in her bag. I'll do an inventory when I get to my room.

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