An Assassin's Anthem

Riley looked at the sprawling camp, searching for anything to steal or sabotage. Walking to a large tent, she peeked inside, and her mouth dropped.

The ornate tent had a bed, chest, and desk. Enchanted lamps sat on the desk, lighting the tent and a polished lute. Swallowing, Riley looked around and found no one.

Without thinking for a second longer, she dashed into the tent and grabbed it, gently tracing her fingers on the smooth wood. It’s so beautiful. She looked at the strings and runes. Now to—

“Well, well,” a woman’s voice called out. “What are you doing, little thief?”

Riley spun and grimaced.

[???]

Gods. Painting an apologetic smile on her face, she curtsied. “Sorry, my lady. I just had to see it.” She edged toward the light. If I knock it over, I can use Ambush.

The woman frowned. “Music is forbidden for good reason. Do you know why, servant girl?”

Riley shook her head and edged closer.

“Of course not.” The woman sighed and darted across the room.

Riley blinked, and the lute was gone. Sorrow washed through her.

The woman thrummed the strings and started to sing.

“Music stirs most the hearts, a long-familiar tale. The words of rulers that did fall, and people gone as well. Hope may spring eternal if you give it the right words. For it’s through the dancing tongue that people draw their swords. The fire in each person varies day to day, but it’s through the song and the word, that you fan the flame. Let this be a lesson. Don’t ever touch the lute. For it is a shepherd’s task to keep the sheep in chutes.”

Spinning, the woman thrummed the strings, and her eyes blazed. “My soldiers gather round me. We’ll march again so soon. A battle blazing in their hearts bolstered by my tune. Don’t think to understand it. The pathway to the bard. For nations rise and nations fall when you play the cards. Healing flowing from me. Strength that grows anew. We’ll win without an issue. So now I turn to you.”

Riley felt the insight skill slam into her. It ripped through her mind, and her disguise cracked.

The woman’s eyes went wide.

Riley dove, knocking the light away. She slammed into the ground, and Ambush refused to trigger. She looked up at the light.

The woman towered over her with the light in hand. “Try that again, and I’ll crush you,” she hissed. “Do we have a deal, Assassin?”

Riley nodded, blood dripping from her nose.

The woman sighed and gestured. A wave of magic washed over Riley, and the bleeding stopped.

Reaching up, Riley wiped away the blood and took the outstretched hand.

The woman pulled her up. “I am Lady Abigail. Now, you’re going to make my job easier. In return, I won’t kill you and your friends.”

“What do you want me to do?” Riley asked, looking sorrowfully at the lute. So close and so far.

Abigail smiled. Her form shifted, long ears stretched out from her hair, and she leaned forward. “We’re going to kill both armies, little one. They will be relying on you to heal. You and your friends will help them win, but not by much. I and my friends will do the same.” Her form shifted back.

Riley stared at her in surprise. “And your real troops?”

“On their way. Don’t destroy the village; that would defeat the purpose. We want the soldiers gone, not the villagers.”

Riley nodded. “When will you attack?”

“Dawn. The scouts didn’t return.” The woman smiled. “Go, little one. You have your part to play. If you don’t, you’ll die to these forces and lose everything.”

Riley nodded and headed out of the tent. I hope the gods don’t want me to guess which side is best because I have no idea.

She snuck through the camp. Her thoughts turned to the complicated dilemma. While it wasn’t real, it was confusing. Are the gods trying to test me? She frowned. If they are, I don’t get it. This offers me a way through level three and potentially four. That seems a better offer. I don’t even have to sacrifice the village.

Walking out the gate, she jogged down the road and tossed the whirlwind of thoughts away. There were too many possibilities. Whatever, I’ll just get as far as we can. She smiled. Level four would be amazing. Maybe I can sneak that lute, too. I’ll have to sneak it somehow. If the princess sees—Condemnation!

She nearly tripped. Staggering forward, she righted herself and considered her problem. “Mischief, are you messing with me?”

[Upgrade this system, Tech! I need to send a laughing face. ~Mischief]

Riley chuckled and sighed. Timothy’s going to be pissed when we clear the third level. Oh well, I’m not wasting my run. Then again, maybe I can trick the princess into leaving. That might work.

Running by the stream, she altered her disguise and tried to think of ways to hide a lute.

Minutes turned to hours. The moon rose and descended. Trees blurred around her, and she burst out of the forest to find a slew of villagers toiling away in the dark.

Slowing, she jogged off the road toward the villagers. Pit traps were being built everywhere.

Dodging around the mounds of dirt and the traps, Riley approached the guards and took a shovel. She started digging. “Status?”

“The spies tried to ambush the princess,” a guard said. “We killed them.”

Riley dug a small hole that would potentially trip a horse. She moved down and repeated it.

After a half-dozen, she handed the shovel back to the guard. “Sorry. I need to get food.”

“How many troops?” he asked.

“A lot. At least five hundred.”

The guard cursed and shook his head.

Riley turned and jogged to town. She approached the gate guards and waved. “We have at least five hundred soldiers inbound. The princess?”

“Mayor’s house,” the guard huffed.

Riley paused and looked at him. “What?”

He plastered a fake smile on his face. “I’d never speak ill.”

“You can tell me.” Riley gestured to her dirty hands and attire.

“She kicked them out and is making everyone fight,” the guard growled. “I understand they are royalty, but most will die.”

Riley frowned. “Leave those who will only die. I apologize and will speak with her.” She jogged down the familiar streets, darting down an alley and knocking loudly on a door. A ragged orphan walked up and held out a cup.

Riley smiled at him.

“They say there is a network.

Those who watch the streets.

They know when war is coming.

They know just what to eat.

Someday, I hope to meet them.

The watchers of the roads.

For when it’s time that cities fall,

the smart ones know to go.” Riley flashed a sign at the orphan.

The young boy grinned up at her and nodded. He gestured with a wink. “Fleeing. North gate.”

“Good.” Riley grinned and mussed his hair. She jogged to the mayor’s manor.

Walking up, she opened the door and peered into the fancy place. Olivia and Lily sat at a large table in the entry hall. Both looked up from their breakfast.

“You’re back,” Lily said with a nod. “We found the spies and dealt with them.”

Riley walked over and took a seat next to the princess. She leaned close. “There is a large contingent coming. We will help the village and then turn on it. We need to keep the fight relatively balanced while the soldiers kill each other,” she whispered.

Lily’s smile grew massively. “Really?”

Riley nodded. “Yes. Don’t burn down the village. Focus on the troops and ensure you have a way to the exit if it goes wrong.” She leaned against the table, swapped Manipulate Water for Healing Song, and let her eyelids drift shut.

~~~

A hand brushed against Riley’s shoulder, and she jerked awake.

“Lady Riley, they’re coming,” a servant girl said.

Riley spun and looked at the young girl in horror. “You need to get out of here. Do you understand?”

The girl shook her head. “My parents are out there.”

Riley forced herself to ignore the new issue thrown her way. “Hide somewhere, at least.”

She stood and frowned. Why did the elves want us to kill both? Gods, this is a giant mess. Shaking her head, she tossed it aside again. I’m not learning anything. My goal is to clear both and get a lute.

Nodding to herself, Riley walked out of the home and darted up to the guards at the gate.

“Lady Riley, thank the gods,” a villager said with a smile.

“Where’s the princess?” Riley asked.

“She said she was leaving it in your capable hands and would support us from a distance.”

Which means that she’s standing next to the exit. Riley smiled. Now, I need to get the lute and hide the lute in my cloak. She nodded. “Right, we’ll hold the line.”

Riley paused and sniffed the air. The people around her went quiet. Guards gripped their weapons, and the sound of footsteps filled the air.

The sound of steps stopped. Riley vaulted onto the roof of a cottage and peered out into the fields.

“Hold fast,” some captain said. “Together, we will defeat them.”

Peering out toward the road, Riley watched soldiers emerge from the trees. Gods, we’re going to lose unless there are a lot of elves. She frowned and saw a line of archers form.

And no one is charging. Fantastic. Riley grimaced, and archers nocked arrows.

A woman’s voice rang through the air. “Lay down your arms and come outside if you wish to live. You won’t get another warning.”

“Cover!” Riley shouted, rolling off the roof and hiding behind the cottage. Strings twanged.

Like some cloud of pestilence, arrows rose in the sky. People shouted and raised shields. The arrows rose and slammed into buildings, shields, and anyone left in the open.

Riley leaned against the wood. Gods, this was a bad idea. She frowned and pulled down her bow. Archers around her began firing. Peering out, she watched the entire treeline erupt with flame.

Using Ambush, she appeared behind a chimney and looked out. Trees, horses, and soldiers were burning. Ash and smoke billowed everywhere.

“Charge!” a woman shouted.

Burning all her inspiration, Riley triggered Inspiring Presence, letting the aura wash through the group.

The thunder of hooves and feet filled the air. Riley nocked an arrow and loosed it into the smoke and flame. She grabbed another arrow.

The enemy cavalry charged out of the woods like a rolling wave, surging and then breaking on the line of traps. Horses tripped and bones snapped. Screaming and shouting filled the air.

“Charge! Break the line!” Abigail bellowed.

Riley locked on her and then on two massive balls of fire.

Like glowing missiles of death, the balls of flame flew to the edge of the trees. Soldiers shouted and turned. Riley fired her arrow at one and looked back at Abigail.

Abigail winked and vanished. The field exploded. Waves of heat rolled through the area.

“Brace!” someone shouted.

Riley turned, and fear filled her. A massive rock slammed into the picket. Timber snapped and exploded, leaving a massive hole in the picked. Soldiers flooded through the smoke, charging for the opening.

Riley swallowed and considered running. That option was quickly becoming ideal.

“Please, Lady Riley,” a man whispered, limping forward.

Humming softly, Riley jumped off the roof and triggered Healing Song, letting healing magic wash over any wounded nearby.

The sound of blades clashing filled the air. Riley healed and watched soldiers fall. Blood spilled and splattered. The enemy forces got closer and closer.

Guards dropped, dying before she could heal them. With a long breath, Riley grabbed her blades and let the growing song drive her, bringing it to a fury before chaining Ambush in reckless abandon.

Like a wraith, she appeared, slammed her knives into a foe, and blinked away. Blood spattered around her. Bodies tumbled, and she danced with Death, spinning and twisting while sending streams of blood spraying into the air.

The world turned red. The blood sprayed, and Riley screamed, pouring her mana and frustration into the sound.

Like a living banshee, she poured psychic energy into it and then used Ambush, chaining it up the slope and leaving the battlefield behind.

Walking through the trees, tears and blood tumbled down her body. Bowstrings twanged loudly around her, and the elven woman appeared. She studied Riley.

Riley wiped at the blood on her face, only smearing it further. “What do you want?” she growled.

“You are a curious one.” The elf stepped closer.

Riley veered around her and felt like sobbing. Tears filled her eyes. She looked at her blood-covered body and shook her head. I’m a monster. I guess that’s the lesson.

Two hands reached out and grabbed her.

Spinning, Riley stabbed and watched her knives vanish. The woman shifted, taking the form of Beauty.

The goddess smiled and pulled Riley close.

“You are not a monster.

Some people need to die.

This is not reality.

Though it’s caused you now to cry.

Words upon the pages.

Music of the bards.

Do you see what could be,

depending who’s in charge?”

The entire place shifted away. Riley looked around the field of stars. “What?” She studied Beauty. “Is this just a lesson that war is horrible? I didn’t need that.”

Beauty hugged her. “True, but it is one we give.”

Riley reached up to wipe the blood from her face. It vanished. “Why did you appear?” she asked.

“Your group left.” Beauty smiled. “And I wished to speak with you.”

“Why is killing the best way to grow?” Riley asked, shaking her head. “Why am I always killing?”

“Best?” Beauty shook her head. “No, my dear. That’s the wrong lesson. Killing is the fastest. It is not the best.”

Riley frowned. “It’s not the best?” It seems to be the best.

“That depends on how you define the word. Killing is fast. It’s also a safe option. It lets you stay alive. That’s why you chose the class, wasn’t it?”

Riley nodded. “I could be like my dad. I could be free and safe.”

“Yes, so you walked that path. It’s not the only one. There are other ways, and we shall see which you walk. Regardless, sometimes you must kill. That lesson is also taught.” Beauty gestured, and the world shifted.

Riley turned and looked at a snow-covered village. She saw her father walking up to the gate with a clutch of rabbits.

“Perhaps another trial will face your group someday.

A village that’s been taken. Power that’s in play.

Your father’s path has purpose. Defending where he can.

Yet he walks with head held high for he knows we understand.

That’s your little mantra. So many are corrupt.

Stealing others power. They won’t share the cup.

Know that we are watching. We’ll guide you on your way.

Listen to your heart’s song. And build a brighter day.”

Beauty pulled Riley into a hug. “It’s good to see you again.”

Riley turned and hugged the goddess. “You, too.” She smiled, and text appeared.

[Your base level has advanced: 189 → 193!]

[Level 3 Cleared: Pick class experience, the new skill “Conjure Poison (D),” or a E-tier skill to upgrade.]

[Level 4 Cleared: You have acquired the new skill “Dominating Presence (D).”]

[Dominating Presence (D): Enemies within 200 meters of you lose 3 strength, 3 dexterity, and 3 speed. You may temporarily expand the range by 50 meters for each bardic inspiration spent. Compatible Classes: Bard & Noble.]

“We cleared the fourth?”

“Yes. That one was impossible,” Beauty said, shrugging. “It was meant to be a lesson and a chance to see what you would do during a war. Leave? Stay? Fight? So many things.”

Riley turned her focus back to the notifications. Conjure poison? Eh, I should pick base experience. She looked at the text and frowned. Where is it?

“Sorry, but no more advancement right now. You pushed hard today,” Beauty said cheerily. “And poison can be used to heal if you do it right.” She winked.

“Really?” Riley asked in surprise.

“Yes. There are books about it.”

Riley took it, and text appeared.

[Reward: Poisoner Class (F): +1 mana per level. Grants one skill slot while active.]

She turned and looked at Beauty. “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome, but you will need to get rid of one,” Beauty said.

“Butcher. I’m not doing much with it.” Riley shook her head and then grinned. “Where would you sacrifice it?”

“Noble. Your fighting style is not like a butcher.”

Riley nodded and willed the class into Noble.

[Noble has advanced: 200 → 208!]

Beauty smiled. “Now, I have something for you. I do hope your friends are trustworthy.” She handed her a bag filled with crystals. Then she leaned in. “Take good care of the lute,” she whispered, patting Riley on the head.

Riley’s eyes went wide. Text flashed up.

[Reward: Music’s Lute. You may summon this lute from the heavens. It will return to the heavens when you will it away.]

Riley grinned, and the world went black.

Spoiler