Aaron Fritter usually likes to spend his mornings cooking his breakfast. Some eggs, maybe some fresh milk from the cow he had behind the house, or maybe he’d just want some fruit from his vineyard.

This morning, however, he was sharpening his blades. His latest target was some common murderer who goes by the name Bloodhound. He was wanted in 4 different towns for the killings of 13 people.

Aaron didn’t enjoy contracts like this. Common thieves and killers were just menial tasks that he didn’t want to waste his time on. The big contracts such as high political figures or multiple targets at once are the ones he preferred. Not only do they pay more, but they help build a reputation if you manage to pull it off. The faster and the most unscathed you can complete it, the higher the reward.

Instead, here he is, sitting at some rundown inn that he isn’t even bothering to remember the name of, just so he could kill an average killer. He didn’t even want to take it but he had no choice. It would complete his monthly quota that every assassin had to do.

He leaves his room and as he does, he hears the bellowing laughter of his target down the stairs in the tavern that is connected to the inn. He knew all he had to do was go down a couple of steps and throw his dagger and his contract would be over. But he also knew that if he did that, his target’s group of marauders would chase after him. He decided to go with a stealthier approach.

He walks down the stairs and turns into the tavern and takes a seat. One of the barmaids walks over to him and asks, “Is there anything you would like this morning?”

Aaron turns his head, “Could I have a plate of fruit, cheese, some bread, and the freshest meat you have?”

“Of course sir. What would like to drink with that?”

“A cup of tea would do nicely.”

The barmaid nods and leaves back into the kitchen and as she does, Bloodhound yells from across the room, “We need a fresh pitcher of ale over here!”

The barmaid looks around the corner and smiles annoyingly and says, “Yes sir. I’ll be out with it in a moment.”

Aaron sits at his table with his head sitting on his finger crossed hands, staring at the group of brutes. The barmaid comes out carrying a plate of everything he had wanted and a cup sitting atop of it in one hand and in the other, the pitcher of ale.

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Aaron looks up, “Thank you.” The barmaid sets the pitcher on the table so she can grab the plate with her other hand. “Could you get me something I can put this food in? I won’t be staying for much longer.”

She nods and leaves back into the kitchen. Aaron then pulls a vial out of the pouch he had attached to his belt and opens it and pours its contents into the pitcher. The barmaid comes back with a small leather bag.

“Thank you.” He then gives her three gold pieces.

“I’m sorry sir, you’ve paid too much.” She starts handing him the extra gold piece.

Aaron then closes her hand, “It’ll cover the clean-up.” He smiles.

She tilts her head in confusion and slowly walks away, grabbing the pitcher and setting it on the table for the group of brutes.

Aaron begins eating and watches the group as they laugh loudly and drink their now doctored ale. He counts to himself while he eats. He stands up and starts to put everything on his plate into the leather bag the barmaid gave him as the group slowly starts to quiet down.

One by one, each person starts dropping their cups, spilling their undrunk ale all over the floor. Aaron stands up and walks over to the now lifeless bodies.

“One, two, three……” Aaron’s counting slowly halts as he realizes one of the group is missing. It was the one he had intended on killing. Bloodhound. He starts looking around the room to see where he could’ve gone.

“So it was you that killed my men,” a burly voice had spoken directly behind Aaron. “You’re going to pay for this.” Bloodhound pulls out a small hatchet and swings it at Aaron.

Aaron quickly drops and rolls out of the range of his swing and turns to face the now-oncoming enemy. Bloodhound yells and starts running towards Aaron, pulling his ax back to swing at him. Aaron drops and rolls out of the way again, he hasn’t pulled out his blades to fight back.

At this moment, the doors burst open, Bloodhound and Aaron turn and look.

“What’s going on in here?!” A man wearing what looks like a guard's uniform bursts through the door and starts surveying the room. He looks at the two men and then at the group of dead men at the table. He pulls out his broad sword and starts looking at the other two.

As Bloodhound swings his ax at Aaron, the newly arrived soldier pulls his sword up and blocks the ax mid-swing. Aaron sees the opportunity as a chance to finish his contract and he pulls out his dagger and attempts to stab the marauder. Bloodhound reaches his massive hand out and grabs his wrist and makes him drop the dagger and let go of his ax to grab Aaron’s arm and picks him up and throws him across the room. He lands in a crash as he flies through tables and chairs until he hits the wall.

The guard swings at Bloodhound, but get blocked by his thick, leather arm guards. Bloodhound then punches the guard in the chest, making him topple over to try and catch his breath. He then grabs his axe and quickly runs out of the tavern and disappears into the bushes and trees.

The guard finally stands up and puts his sword away and starts walking over to where Aaron had been thrown. Aaron, on the other hand, is no where to be seen. The guard looks around to see any sign of him and it’s as if he never existed.