An Assassin's Anthem

Riley woke early. The sound of soft snoring filled the room. Gods, yesterday was the worst. The ongoing lectures had done nothing to improve her mood.

She looked at her guard, who was dozing against the door. You kill one little duke, and they give you an armed escort, just in case. She sighed. At least the prince and princess have the same.

Turning her focus, she looked at her notifications.

[Assassin (C) has advanced: 124 → 126!]

[Bard (C) has advanced: 124 → 126!]

[Ranger (C) has advanced: 124 → 126!]

[Spell Thief (C) has advanced: 124 → 126!]

[Maid has advanced: 24 → 28!]

[Infiltrator (F) has advanced: 14 → 18!]

[Poisoner (F) has advanced: 10 → 12!]

Clearing them away, she reached over to her desk and pulled out a letter from Lucas.

Breaking the seal, she opened and read.

Hello Riley,

I apologize for the abrupt departure. Things are very busy. You will be tasked to aid at the front in the future. I hope you’ll consider the best future for us and your closest friends when such an event arises. Perhaps you should discuss it with them, even if they are outside the palace walls. They may offer insight.

I heard of your triumphant progress in the dungeons and am excited for you. I also apologize for any overzealous guards you now endure.

The night is darkest before the dawn,

~Lucas

Riley studied the last sentence. Does he know? He has to know. She turned back and reread the letter.

That has to be a reference to Althea. Her brow quirked. She trusts him—too much for a stranger. Her eyes went wide. He came from nowhere, had extreme skills, and could lie to the other seekers—he’s a thief. Riley nodded. It made far more sense than anything else. No wonder he managed to win Althea over. She knew him.

Folding the letter, Riley put it in her bag. I’ll burn it when I get a minute. With that taken care of, she looked around her room. What to study?

Huffing, she turned and scowled at her slumbering babysitter. Revenge is best served cold. Walking to her closet, she changed into an old brown dress and clapped her hands loudly.

The guard jerked up and yawned.

Riley walked over. “Good morning, sleepy head.” She chuckled.

“You get up too early,” the guard groaned, rubbing her eyes.

“Time for a morning run.” Riley grinned and gestured.

The guard staggered up and opened the door. Riley walked out of her room.

She left the building and looked at the snow-covered grounds that came to her ankles. The glowing enchanted lamps cast the area in both light and shadow.

“Let’s go back inside,” the guard said, looking at the powder.

“Nope. I need to stay in shape,” Riley tore off across the palace lawns, running a loop around the wall while her guard was forced to follow.

Like a loping dog, Riley ran, enjoying the fresh air and snow. She looked down at her enchanted shoes, which somehow kept all the snow out. These things are the best. She grinned and picked up the pace.

Churning snow behind her, she waved at the various guards, who smirked at the guard behind her.

Her escort groaned audibly. Riley smiled and ran, tearing across the grounds and leaving furrows in the snow.

Enjoying the quiet harmony of it all, Riley fell into the rhythmic motion. She ran three laps, and her guard gave up, taking a position near the dorm.

Finally. Carefully monitoring the guards’ reactions, she watched and waited. Yawns spread. Most went back to searching for anyone else, and Riley debated it. Do I risk a visit to Althea?

Looking up, she saw an owl perched on the academy. Nevermind. Not wanting to deal with that, she returned to the dorm and headed to her room.

Her escort headed for the hearth, rubbing her hands. Riley smiled. It’s a pity I can’t go cause trouble while she gets warm. She opened her door, and a smile spread across her face.

Althea winked and beckoned her inside.

Quickly shutting the door, Riley walked over. “I have guards now,” she whispered.

“Yes. Regrettable, but not unexpected,” Althea whispered, pulling Riley into a hug. “I need you to be careful, alright? If they send you to the front, listen to Lucas. You can trust him, and he’ll keep you alive.”

Riley nodded. “The elves aren’t invading?” she asked.

“They’re already fighting Shorove. We’d prefer it if they lost.” Althea patted her back. “Stay safe, dear.”

“You should take your books back,” Riley said sorrowfully. “I won’t be able to read them.” She walked over and pried the board up, pulling out the books and handing them to her.

“I’ll keep these for when you are ready to go,” Althea said with a smile. “We really would love having you, Riley.”

“You mean that, right, Althea?” Riley asked. “If we lose, it’ll be bad for any nobles, and we’ll need a new place.”

“I mean it.” Althea patted Riley’s back. “And even if you win, consider it, please.” A look of concern flitted across her face. “I thought you were considering it.”

Riley nodded. “I want to visit and talk to them first.”

“Good. I need to leave before I get you into trouble. You have some fun and be safe.”

Riley nodded. “Lucas?”

“Not here. Your guard is coming,” Althea whispered. She vanished in a burst of green.

Riley looked at the crystal stash and debated what to do. Do I use them or just wait? Kneeling down, she pulled five crystals to her chest and willed the crystals inward.

[Your base level has advanced: 205 → 210!]

Smiling, she slid the board back, carefully sealing it shut.

Grabbing her things, she headed to the bath, waving at the girls and quickly entering a changing stall. What are they talking about? Riley undressed and listened.

“She really did?” Emma asked.

“Yes,” Maria replied. “The princess hit D-tier after a run last night.”

Riley stepped into the bath and scrubbed, rapidly cleaning away the morning sweat. No surprise there.

“It’s not fair,” another girl huffed. “She gets extra runs. I heard that they took crystals from Riley, too.”

“But then they were stolen,” Lin said, chuckling softly.

Riley combed her hair, untangling the wet strands. “How far did they make it last night, Maria?”

“They cleared level two.” Maria turned. “What’s the secret to going further, Riley?”

“Try to figure out what’s going on quickly. Then plan ways to win,” Riley replied. “It requires luck and planning to get through the higher levels.”

“And bring someone who can heal,” Lin said. “That helps a lot.”

Riley nodded. “Very true.”

Girls filed out of the tub. Riley quickly rinsed once more. I’ve gotten way too used to this. She exited the bath, quickly drying off and heading to her room.

Grabbing a blue dress, she quickly dressed and used Pretty to speed it along. Walking to the door, she opened it, and a bell began tolling out loudly. What? She walked outside and looked at the guard. “What’s going on?”

“War bells. The king will address the city this morning,” the guard said.

“Oh.” Riley scurried down the hall and poked her head into Emma’s room. “You two coming?”

“Give us a second. We don’t have the pretty skill,” Lin replied, shaking a comb at Riley.

Riley chuckled and walked in, tying dresses and helping them with their hair. She glanced up to see her guard standing there. “Are you going to help?” she asked with a crooked grin.

“No, Lady Riley. I’m a guard, not a maid,” the guard said.

“You let me out of your sight,” Riley teased while pulling Lin’s hair into a bun.

“Yes. You’re safe within the grounds, and I’m only required to keep general status on you.” The guard grinned.

“I assume that since I was in my room and bath, it didn’t matter.”

“Yes. And I’d prefer to keep it that way,” the guard said. “So, please don’t run off.”

Riley shrugged. “Fine. Fine. But I’m keeping the bed. You get your own or sleep on a chair.” She laughed and examined Lin’s bun. She mussed it up a little and smiled. “There. It looks good, Lin.”

Lin smiled and bounced out of the chair. “No wonder Beauty likes you.”

Riley blushed. “I don’t know about that.”

“She does,” Emma said, quirking her brow. “You have this look about you that screams you’re a Beauty.”

Riley blushed and looked into the mirror. Did something change? Or is it just my absurd charisma? Spotting nothing new, she smiled and shrugged. Then she spun and walked to the door.

With a growing smirk, she held out her arm and looked at her guard.

The guard laughed, took it, and led her to the door. “You do know that it doesn’t bother me?” she asked, opening the door.

“I have to try,” Riley said, chuckling and striding into the frosty air.

Walking to the academy door, Riley turned to her escort. “See you after class.”

“I’m sure I will,” the guard replied, turning and marching toward the gate.

Riley walked into the academy and sighed. That’s going to get really old, really fast. Walking down the hallway, she turned, entered the dining room, and sat at a table.

Before she could order, the prince and princess strode into the room. Lily paused and smiled, playing with her hair dramatically. Timothy rolled his eyes and strode past.

Lily walked to the table. “Riley, follow.” She gestured.

“Princess?” Riley asked, her confusion visible. What’s this about?

“Come,” Lily ordered, walking away.

Riley sighed, stood, and followed her to a table in the back. Pausing momentarily, she sat, carefully tucking her dress under her legs.

“You need a proper dress,” Lily said, shaking her head. “It’s unbecoming of a potential duchess.”

“Apologies, princess,” Riley said dryly.

“You will be running twice this weekend. Our group is to be first,” Lily said, pushing her hair back. “As this will be a wild dungeon, we’re relying on you to get as far as we can while doing it safely. We will only have twenty-four hours.”

Riley grimaced. “Not ideal.”

“It’s plenty,” Lily said. “Now, what do we do or bring?” She motioned to a servant who ran off without taking the order.

Riley frowned. “Bring supplies for the night just in case. I will ask you not to use all your mana. I’ll scout, and we’ll discuss. Then you’ll know what to use. We need almost everything for level two, and I can’t promise beyond that.”

Lily frowned. “You can’t promise beyond that?”

“No,” Riley replied, shaking her head. “It’s too risky, and some things will just counter us. What if we get something immune to fire and earth magic?” She looked at the princess and shook her head. “We’re not dying in there.”

“But can we clear level three?” Olivia asked. “How can we do it? That’s why we’re asking.”

Riley shrugged and shook her head. “It all depends on what we get. We’ll bring our supplies, prepare where possible, and fight smart. That’s all we can do.”

Lily sighed. “And there is nothing else we can do?”

“Bring potions?” Riley said. “Those do let you do more, but they are expensive.”

Lily nodded to a servant, who brought the plates forward and set each on the table. The servant quirked her brow at Riley.

“Thank you,” Riley said, smiling at her.

The servant nodded and walked away, her fingers flashing momentarily. “Thank you.”

Riley smiled. They deserve a little free food. She picked up her fork and turned her attention to the plate of eggs and warm bread.

Riley Milvsky

Level: 210

Bard (C)

Level: 126

Dominating Presence D Enemies within sixty meters of you lose 10 strength, 10 dexterity, and 10 speed. You may use inspiration to boost the range and the effect temporarily.

Spirit Blade D Manifest an ethereal blade or imbue a blade with psychic energy. The blade lasts five minutes and will return to you after it is thrown. Costs 5 mana.

Restoring Presence D Subjects regain 1 stamina and 1 mana every half hour; their healing is augmented by 10%. Allies within 50 meters count as subjects. You may use mana to send out a burst of healing. You may use inspiration to expand and increase the effect.

Empowering Presence E Your subjects gain +3 strength, +3 dexterity, and +3 movement speed; allies within 20 meters count as subjects. You may use Bardic Inspiration to temporarily boost the range and the effect.

Assassin (C)

Level: 126 + 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: 126

Predatory Sight D Your perception and insight are boosted by 25. This boost is not reduced by low light or no light. You may use 1 stamina to double this effect for 10 seconds.

Control Water E Manipulate the water around you. Cost varies based on amount.

Pretty D Your appearance is nice, but it could be so grand. Use a mana to get Beauty’s help! She may provide it anyway. Oh, and you’ll stand out in a crowd! After all, everyone knows a Beauty.

Music's Lute - You may summon this lute from the heavens. It will return to the heavens when you will it away.

Spell Thief (C) Level: 126 Inactive.

Noble (D)

Level: 209 Inactive.

Maid (F)

Level: 28 Inactive.

Poisoner (F)

Level: 12 Inactive.

Infiltrator (F)

Level: 18 Inactive.

- -

Conjure Storm D Manipulate or conjure up a storm. Mana cost varies.

Conjure Poison D Create a poison. Cost varies based on the poison type and requirements.

Dexterity 794

Strength 410

Speed 280

Intelligence 410

Charisma 564

Stamina 670

Mana 782

Inspiration 329