An Assassin's Anthem

Sunlight streamed through the windows, sparkling off the floor and polished pews. Riley smiled and stepped forward. That was a good run. She turned and chuckled.

“Yes!” Dwight shouted, slapping his hand against Kamal’s.

Riley chuckled, walked up to the priest, and presented her bag.

The priest looked through it and quirked a brow. “How did you manage those?”

“We made it quite far,” Riley replied.

“Level three,” Dwight said with a giant grin. “I got the captain class and Rally Cry.” He walked over and placed his bag on the table.

Timothy looked over and groaned. “Riley, stop taking the experience.”

“It’ll be fine,” Riley replied. “I’ll use crystals for my skills.” She smiled. I only promised two hundred and fifty. Two more runs. If I stockpile, I might be able to get ahead. She collected her bag, happily walking for the door.

Timothy reached out and grabbed her shoulder. “We still have work to do.”

Riley spun and groaned. “I need a break. We earned a break.”

“Sorry. Noble life never sleeps.” Timothy strode forward, pulling her hand as he did.

Gods, I need a good way to get out of this. Riley sighed and followed him out of the temple, emerging in the midday sun. It lit the nearby street and buildings. Students, guards, merchants, and visiting nobility walked down the lane.

Riley considered making a break for it. She looked around and saw several students turn to look. A girl saw them and ran toward the palace.

Hassan strode forward. “Bail when the armies showed up? We did the same. Cleared the town, though.” He grinned.

Timothy ignored it and continued pulling.

“Yes,” Riley lied. “That’s what happened.”

“Don’t lie. We fought with an army, defeating the other one,” Dwight said with a grin. “It was like a real battle. I couldn’t track everything that happened.” He slowed and walked toward Hassan.

“You fought them,” Hassan asked, his eyes going wide.

“And won,” Kamal added. He walked over.

Riley stepped in that direction and felt the prince tug on her arm. Sighing, she followed him. Just do it fast, really fast. You don’t have to read it all perfectly. He won’t know, and that’ll earn me some study time. She smiled and followed.

Walking up to the palace, she waved at the guards and strode down the hall.

“That’s better,” Timothy said, releasing her arm. “Thought you were going to run off.”

“I do have to study,” Riley said. “So, you get two hours.” She waved at a nearby servant and entered his quarters. Pausing momentarily to look through his books, she considered taking another.

“Riley, no reading.”

Sighing, she spun away and walked up to the desk, taking a seat and grabbing papers. Fast. Really fast.

“Riley, we need to discuss next term,” Timothy said, taking a seat. “You’re pulling ahead.”

Looking up, Riley smiled at him. “I promised you two hundred and fifty, my prince,” she said with a crooked smile before looking back at the paper. Nice try. But we have a deal.

“Don’t you want the skills you’re being offered?” the prince asked.

Riley flipped to the next paper. “Some don’t fit. And some, I can get later.”

“Don’t throw away your skills, Riley,” Timothy said sternly. “That would be such a waste. Just pick up some new ones and wait for the rest of us.”

“Consider me advised.” Riley flipped to the next paper. He can figure that one out.

Timothy groaned. “Riley, I mean it. Don’t throw away your future.”

“I won’t,” Riley said, looking up from the papers. “Keep up, my prince.” She grinned. “This isn’t the slow side of the road.”

Timothy sighed and shook his head. “You are a little mad.” He picked up papers. “How long until you hit D-tier?”

“Next week sometime. You’d better have enough for it. If you slow, I’ll catch you in a week or two.”

Timothy grimaced and hit his desk. “Hang that deal. If you get me to S-tier by the end of the academy, I’ll reward you with more than a duchy.”

Riley jerked up from her paper. She stared at him. “Don’t promise payment that you won’t deliver.” Searching for deception, she frowned. Is this an engagement proposal? I doubt the king would agree, and I certainly wouldn’t. She shook her head. “We have our deal.”

“I mean it, Riley.” Timothy smiled. “S-tier, and you’ll get more.”

“What is more?” Riley asked, forcing his hand. “Your parents would never agree.” She paused. “Aren’t you betrothed to some daughter of a duke now?”

Timothy sighed. “Your choice of the duchy.”

“Make C-tier,” Riley countered. “That’s only a small step up.”

“Fine. I’ll give you a crown,” Timothy said. “But it has to be S-tier.”

“Our duchy deal still stands though?”

“If we fail to reach S-tier, yes.”

Riley nodded. “Then we have to go fast. Keep up.” She jotted down a few notes and grabbed the next page.

Timothy sighed. “Why not just take the skills, Riley?”

“I will take some of them if they fit,” Riley replied. “But I’m not sacrificing my progress for nothing.” She scribbled on the paper. “I’ll help you get the throne, and we’ll see how far we get.”

Looking up, she handed the paper to him. “Take a look at this one. People are going missing.” She handed him the paper.

Timothy took it. “Consider getting some other skills. You can merge them, and that’s what makes you stronger. I would have thought you would have taken the skill from this. It had to be a healing skill.”

Riley nodded. “I’m to be a duchess. How does that help me?” she replied without looking up.

“You could heal people.”

“I can use my book to do that now,” Riley countered, her face crooking up into a smile.

Timothy huffed. “It’s a very good skill though.”

“Yes, but I can’t take every skill that comes by.” Riley forced a mask on her face before she erupted into laughter. “Get Death’s blessing if you’re worried.”

Timothy scoffed. “There is no way I’ll get that. You have to run around killing very specific things before your trials. Now? I’m not sure how I’d even manage that.”

“Ask Death? Maybe he’ll give you a quest,” Riley said, jotting down more notes. She looked up to see the two walk into the room. “Our cover blown already?”

“Maybe,” Dwight said, with a red blush on his cheeks.

Riley chuckled and rang the bell.

Timothy jerked up and stared at her.

She smiled smugly. “I’m hungry, and you’re going to trap me in here for hours.”

A servant entered and looked at the prince.

“We’d like lunch,” Timothy said. “Sausage and potatoes.”

The servant bowed and walked out. Riley grabbed the next paper.

“Did you talk to her?” Kamal asked. “She needs to take some skills.”

“She’s being hard-headed,” Timothy said loudly.

Riley shrugged. “I’m planning.” She frowned and looked at the village territory dispute. I need to check with Althea. This mayor is shady, and he might have a bounty. She jotted down notes and moved to the next paper. “I’ll be busy this weekend,” she declared.

“Doing what?” Timothy asked.

“Studying. I need to learn some spells and get better at enchanting,” Riley replied.

Timothy sighed. “Why don’t you take a skill for that?”

“I haven’t had one offered, probably because we kill towns instead of enchanting weapons for them.” Riley paused and frowned. I should have done that for the refugees. So many other options. She sighed. I need to do more planning.

“Use some crystals on it,” Dwight said, and the door swung open.

Riley didn’t bother looking up. She heard footsteps and continued reading. Maybe I can do a bit of planning in between jobs. The door shut, and the room went quiet, very quiet.

The queen laughed, and Riley jerked up. Condemnation.

“Diligent one,” Queen Lisa said.

Riley turned and blanched. The king was standing there in his black and red uniform, a crown sitting on his brown hair. The queen was in a dazzling white gown, her fiery hair seeming to glow.

“You may stay seated,” the king said. He studied the group. “I heard that you managed to clear the third level. Well done. Is it sufficient?”

“Yes,” Timothy said proudly. “We’ll reach D-tier within a week.”

“Congratulations, son. We’re proud of you,” the queen said with a nod.

“It’s a great accomplishment.” The king studied the group. “Your sister is quite upset and is demanding a run with Riley.”

Would that get me an extra run? Riley considered it while the princess’s earlier words bounced through her head. The princess planned this. That’s for certain.

“So tell me, son, is your progress due to Lady Riley?” the king asked.

“No, we work as a team,” Timothy replied with a growing frown. “She is an ally. I recruited her to aid the team.”

“Of course,” the queen said, walking over and patting her son’s shoulder. “We said the same thing.”

The king nodded. “And that’s why I have agreed.” He turned. “Riley, journey to the temple. The princess is waiting.”

Riley stood and curtsied, not bothering to talk and get herself into trouble. We’ll just see what that means for—

“Wait!” Timothy barked. “That will push her ahead of us.”

“Nonsense. She’ll trade this for an upcoming run,” the king said with a smile.

Horror spread across Riley’s face. I lose a wild run, and I have to get them before I’ve progressed. This is just a giant loss for me. She swallowed and looked at the floor.

“You needn’t worry, Riley. Week five will be moved to now,” the queen said with a smile. “I do expect a glowing report when it’s completed. Dismissed.”

Riley nodded and headed for the door. I have to get ahead of them.

“That means we’ll be down to four and won’t have a healer for week five!” Timothy shouted.

“She’s a healer?” the queen asked. “No wonder your sister wants her. It’s only fair.” She patted her son’s shoulder. “I’m certain your group will do amazingly.”

Timothy fumed. “We get her next week. You can’t rob me of my allies,” he said angrily.

“Of course, dear, but setbacks are expected for all of us,” the king replied with a nod.

Riley shut the door and headed down the hall. Well, there goes the duchy, too. There’s no way he’ll stay true to his word now. Fuming, she stormed down the halls. Week five, that’s when I’ll take the run from Hassan. She nodded to herself and strode out of the palace doors.

Walking swiftly to her room, she stashed her supply of gems and headed to the temple, finding a group of four standing inside.

“Hello, Riley,” Lily said with a radiant smile. “I do hope you are ready to impress. I will report incompetence, and it will cost you.”

The magus nodded. “We do expect allies to work together.”

“Of course,” Riley said with a nod. “I will vow it in front of the priest if you wish. I have no intention of losing my run.” She walked up to the group and took the princess’s hand. We’re going as far as we can. That’s the goal here now.

Text flashed into view, and she entered the place of power once more.

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