An Assassin's Anthem

The dorm and palace came alive. Feet stepped lightly, and Riley woke. She peered into her dark room and yawned. No more running for a few days.

Sitting up, she stretched and thought about the prior evening. Althea seemed nice, really nice. She considered it. Dad said I could trust her. I’ll figure out anything else.

Rubbing her eyes, she looked at her notifications.

[Assassin has advanced: 110 → 112!]

[Bard has advanced: 110 → 112!]

[Ranger has advanced: 110 → 112!]

[Spell Thief has advanced: 110 → 112!]

[Noble has advanced: 115 → 117!]

Good progress. That’s good. She cleared them away and squinted at her desk. Wait. What are those? Reaching out, she fed mana into her lamp, sending a warm glow through the room and revealing a letter sitting atop a wrapped parcel.

Grabbing the letter, she broke the wax seal and opened it.

Hello Riley,

I hope you slept well and are having a pleasant morning. It was good spending time with you.

I’ve included your share of the payment. I’d advise feeding the crystals into a place of power. They will help you.

All my love,

~Althea

Riley smiled and unwrapped the paper from the parcel, revealing a healing potion and a dozen stolen crystals. Scooping them up, she walked over to her gear and placed the potion in her bag.

Then she pried up the floorboard and placed the crystals inside. Reaching into another bag, she pulled out the fourteen avenged crystals. I don’t think I’ll ever feel good about this. They died for a tiny bit of power.

She shook her head and held the crystals out.

“Spirits, take your crystals.

Consider it my gift.

May it guide your passage.

Use them as is fit.

Know that I am sorry.

I wish it weren’t this way.

May you have another chance

and have a greater say.”

The crystals started humming like a soft mountain breeze. It rustled and swirled, building like the rippling trees in a storm. The crystals started glowing.

Riley smiled and hummed along with them. The crystals surged and vanished, forming a glowing ribbon of light. It washed around the room, turned, and rushed straight into her chest.

She gasped, and notifications popped up.

[Your base level has advanced: 169 → 172!]

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

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

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

[Noble has advanced: 117 → 133!]

[Assassin has advanced: 112 → 116!]

[Bard has advanced: 112 → 116!]

[Ranger has advanced: 112 → 116!]

[Spell Thief has advanced: 112 → 116!]

Blinking at the new classes, Riley smiled and shook her head. Are these because I did them as a kid or because they did them?

[Yes. ~Beauty]

Riley chuckled and looked at the list. Okay. Farmer’s out. I won’t be doing that for a long while. Butcher? Maybe. Maid will be easy to level; I just have to clean things.

Nodding, Riley willed Farmer into Noble, letting the class consume it.

[Noble has advanced: 133 → 160!]

She looked at Butcher and considered dumping it. Eh. I have time and may level it a little.

Placing the board back, she stretched and went to prepare for the day, quickly washing in the bath before returning to her room.

Walking back to her slick, she rifled through the books and debated. With a crooked smile, she walked over to the floorboard and pulled out the book to learn the Elven tongue.

Flipping it open, she studied it with a growing smile. Maybe I can use this to mess with Althea. With her motivation growing, she eagerly studied until ringing bells forced her up.

Stashing her things, Riley straightened her outfit and headed for the academy. Maybe I can get a little nap during class. She smiled and considered it while walking into the dining area.

Looking at the crowded place, she walked to a table and sat next to Emma.

“Sitting here?” Emma asked.

Riley nodded. “I’m hoping that the prince is out of paperwork.” She turned and waved at the servant. “Two pocket omelets, please.”

The servant’s brow raised, and a smile spread on his face. “I’ll get you one normal one.”

Riley nodded cheerily and turned back to the two.

“I know what that means,” Lin said, leaning close.

Riley winked. “Always stay on their good side. Trust me.” She stretched. And everyone likes free food.

“Riley, thanks,” Emma said, a smile spreading on her face. “Thanks for finding people who could help.”

“Of course.” Riley smiled and watched the princess march in. I wish that I could see her face when she finds out about her baron. She considered ways to do that during breakfast and class.

~~~

Riley yawned as she walked to lunch. Moving on her toes, she stretched away the lingering exhaustion in her legs. I’ll just go easy tonight.

She smiled and walked forward.

Timothy caught her elbow. “No, you’ve run off enough.”

Riley groaned. “I don’t want more paperwork.”

“Me neither,” Kamal said, huffing and scuffing his shoes on the floor.

Riley nodded and looked down at the polished leather. She looked down at her enchanted shoes, which looked and felt like moccasins. “Thanks, Beauty. Anything wild would get me caught.”

[You’re welcome, but I’m having fun later. ~Beauty]

“You should get used to the paperwork,” Timothy stated. “That is a core part of your position.”

“That’s what servants are for,” Kamal groaned.

Riley chuckled. That’s what the prince is doing to us. Following him into the lunchroom, she sat at the table and pulled out a book. Alright, can’t put this off anymore. What class should I try to get on this run? She flipped through the pages.

Dwight turned to her and chuckled. “Did you read all night, too?”

Riley grinned. “Maybe. The prince stole my study time.”

Timothy quirked a brow. “Stole?”

“Your paperwork is time-consuming,” Riley replied, flipping through the pages and shaking her head. “How am I to get my enchanter class or my student class or my potioneer class or—”

“You can only have eight classes,” Timothy countered, waving his hand.

“Yes, but I could combine them or level my others.” Riley chuckled and looked at the servant. “Stew and bread.” She turned toward the prince and smirked.

Timothy shook his head. “You’ve grown too comfortable.”

“I want vegetables,” Riley countered and flipped to another page.

“We’ll take stew and fresh bread,” Timothy told the servant. He leaned back in his chair and went quiet.

The quiet spread, rippling through the room. Riley jerked up with a growing frown.

Magus Victoria walked to the front of the room. “Students, we have grave news,” she said with a note of sorrow and anger. “Baron Glenn and Baroness Stacey were killed in their home last night. Rest assured that we are seeking those responsible.”

The princess gasped. People turned, and Riley mirrored, looking at the princess’s dining table. Her face was red, and her scowl was massive. She glowered and turned, staring at Riley. “She did it. I demand a seeker.”

Riley sighed and shook her head, turning back toward the magus. Nope. It wasn’t me. I had no part in that. I was jogging and then reading and sleeping. She locked in her alibi, just in case.

“I’m certain a seeker isn’t necessary,” Victoria said.

“I demand Seeker Holt.” Lily glared at their table.

Timothy smiled at the instructor sitting nearby. “We’ll happily answer and would like Seeker Holt as well.”

The seeker stood and walked forward. “Very well.” He looked at Riley. “Did you do it?”

“I did not kill him, contract anyone to kill him, or ask anyone to kill him. I’ve never met him or been to that city,” Riley replied, ignoring the skill that surged through her.

The seeker nodded and looked at the princess. “All true. What else would you like to ask her?”

Lily frowned. “Does she know why he was killed?”

The seeker turned back to Riley.

Riley shrugged. “I don’t know. I assume they were killed by thieves or angered the wrong people; gods guide them on their journey.”

“All true,” Hold said. “She doesn’t know.”

Lily huffed and crossed her arms.

Riley picked up a spoon. She started eating the stew that was placed in front of her.

Lily looked at her brother. “Ask him.”

“If you ask her about that mob of thieves, I’ll consent,” Timothy replied, smirking at his sister.

The room went quiet, and everyone spun back to the seeker. Riley looked up. Smart. She looked at the seeker.

Seeker Holt sighed. “No, I will not be having some interrogation here. That is for the king and queen to decide.”

“You interviewed Riley,” Hassan said. “And me. Why not?”

“Go ahead,” Lily said. “I have nothing to hide.” She smirked at her brother.

“Please do,” Timothy said, smirking back.

The seeker sighed. “Very well, Princess, ask your questions.”

“Did you contract it?” Lily asked.

Timothy turned. “No. I didn’t contract it or ask anyone to do it. I did not know about the event until now and had no involvement. I imagine it was like Lady Riley stated.” He grinned. “Now you. Did you know the bandits’ target and use that as leverage against Riley?”

Lily glared back at him. “I did not organize a group of bandits.”

Riley forced her mask in place before she started laughing. The gap was obvious, and it was obvious to everyone.

The seeker sighed. “Enough. This is why I refused. We will not have civil war, and we will not lose more of our own. Two barons within a week? It’s a travesty and a very concerning thing. You all seem to have forgotten just how dangerous it becomes when nobles die. Do you wish to join them? Do you wish to see criminals rise and rule? You all must work together to stop it...” He paced and launched into a lecture on unity.

Riley turned back to her stew, enjoying the soft carrots, onions, potatoes, and venison. She ate while the lecture continued, a wave of unheard noise in the polished dining room.

Polishing the bowl, she saw that no one was listening. Opting to ignore the ongoing unity lecture, she pulled out her book and resumed trying to figure out how to get other classes while in the dungeon.

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