Riley walked out into the church and pushed back the throbbing in her head. Come on. You can’t pass out. Please, gods, please. A soothing presence filled her, and she let out a breath of relief while looking at the empty church. How long did that take me? Where is everyone? She looked at the empty pews and looked at the window. Is it nighttime? I’ll admit I wasn’t fast, but I didn’t run that far, did I? She frowned. Maybe I did.

The door opened, and a guard poked his head in. “Welcome back, Lady Riley. They weren’t sure you’d make it. The report was that you heroically led away the remnants of the second level while the group retreated.”

“I did, but I looped back when I could,” Riley replied. “I assume they got the crystals from the ones we killed?”

“Correct,” the guard said with a nod. “The priest returned home for the evening.”

“So, I’m the only one here?” Riley asked, sighing and striding toward the guard.

“Yes. The rest encountered strangle vine, alligators, and the trolls.” The guard paused and grimaced. “There were two casualties.”

Riley stared at him. “Really? Who?” she asked.

“Mateo and Frederick,” the guard said, shaking his head. “They were desperate to clear the third level. It cost them.” The guard ushered Riley out and locked the door.

“Condemnation,” Riley whispered, shaking her head. “The trolls catch them?”

“Yes. They assumed you died, too.” The guard looked at her. “How’d you survive?”

“I didn’t fight them; I ran like a deer, fleeing everything. Eventually, I ran into a hydra. Again, I didn’t fight it. I let the trolls fight it while I turned around and ran to the entrance.”

“Smart. There were some who were wounded when they foolishly engaged the vines. Charging trolls hurt a few others, but they made it out.” The guard shook his head. “There is a discussion of binding this place to remove the risk.”

Riley grimaced. “But that would slow us. It costs an extra level to get the same reward.” Riley followed him across the snowy path, heading for the stables.

“Aye, but it’s better to be alive,” the guard said with another shake of the head. “Candidly, you’re the real problem. It was discussed.”

Riley frowned. “Why? Tell me.”

The guard turned. “Because they heard about you clearing the second, third, and fourth levels.” He shook his head. “They believe that they can do the same since you can.” The guard quirked a brow. “Did you manage to finish the trolls before you ran back?”

Riley looked up at him. Always give them something. Anything else will only get you frisked. She nodded. “I let the hydra finish them and picked off stragglers.”

“And that’s what they don’t realize.” The guard chuckled and walked to the coral. He grabbed the reins of a horse. “You’re reckless, lucky, and very clever. They don’t realize how important those last two are. How far did you run?”

“No idea. I was hoping for Runner, but I think Ranger destroyed that. Maybe I can get Courier in one of them.” Riley took the reins and vaulted onto the back of the horse. Clicking her tongue, she trotted toward the gate while the guard followed and caught up with her.

“Ranger probably stopped that, especially since you ran through a swamp.” The guard turned to her and smiled. “Expect a visit with the priest when we get back. It’s demanded.”

“Follow you to it?” Riley asked.

“Please and thank you, Lady Riley,” the guard said, pushing his horse faster.

Riley leaned against hers and let it tear down the snow-covered road. Do I have the deception to steal their crystals? And will they check for them?

The risk was high, and she couldn’t risk absorbing them. She was a hair away from passing out already. Hmm, just mine, then.

The snow-covered fields blurred around her, and an uncanny feeling ran down her spine. Leaning closer to her horse, she searched the horizon, and a crossbow bolt sunk into the horse. It dropped, and Riley flew, soaring into the cool evening air.

Pulling on her mana, she tumbled and threw up a wall of ice. The next crossbow bolt slammed into it, sending a shower of ice around her. Her guard shouted and charged.

Tucking into a ball, Riley hit the ground, rolling like a tumbleweed across the snowy ground. Her skin burned and bruised. Pain lanced through her, and she came to a stop, slamming into the icy ground.

A crossbow twanged, and the guard’s horse crumpled. He flew, and Riley saw the cowled head poke out from behind the distant farming shed.

A crossbow raised, and Riley dove, rolling across the ground and hiding behind a large rock. The arrow slammed into the stone, blowing chips out into the air. Grabbing her book, Riley flipped the pages and flooded a diagram with all her mana.

A cloud formed above the fields. The cowled figure poked his head out, looked up, and panicked, bolting for a nearby cottage. The crack of thunder filled the air, and lightning lit the field, forking down and burning through the cowled figure. He crumpled, and the guard charged.

Riley stayed behind the stone. What now? She grimaced and stashed her book back. Moving slightly, she peeked out from the rock. The guard leapt. His sword flashed, and blood spattered across the snowy field.

[You have assisted in killing a level 398 Assassin. 273 experience gained.]

Clearing it away, she stood and dusted off the snow while ignoring the bruises forming across her body. Gods, that’s going to hurt. She felt her wrecked mana pool and looked back at her horse. Well. No saving them.

“Lady Riley,” the guard called, jogging over. “Are you alright?”

“No, but let’s go,” Riley turned toward the road and ran, throwing snow behind her.

The guard matched her pace and then started to lag. He turned and stared at her. “You have a movement skill?”

“A good one,” Riley called, slowing slightly. “How else do you think I outran trolls?” She matched his pace and searched the area. “Did you find out who that was?”

“No. We’ll send a specialist. They owe the palace for the horses,” the guard huffed and ran alongside.

Riley nodded and ran toward the distant city. Did Althea know? She frowned and dismissed the thought. There was no way the elf knew. Flipping through the list of potential culprits, she considered each and sighed. Hassan? Lily? There are too many. I need to ask Althea or Dad to investigate.

The city grew on the horizon, and her guard breathing turned heavy. She reached over and grabbed his bag, hoisting it over her shoulder with a smile. “No movement skill?”

The guard shook his head and followed, picking up his pace to keep up. With snow and air flying around her, Riley scanned the area and found nothing.

Her adrenaline faded, and a dull ache rippled through her. She turned and looked at the guard. “Are you wounded?”

“I’ll be okay,” the guard muttered. “I think it’s healing.”

Then he turned and looked at her. “You have an aura for it?”

“Yes.” Riley smiled and continued running. Shame it doesn’t work on me. Reaching for her empty mana pool, she grimaced and shook her head. I overreacted.

Forcing herself to ignore it, she jogged across the ground. The sun drifted below the horizon, and the two jogged up the hill while other guards came streaming out.

“What happened?” a captain called, riding out on his horse.

“Assassin. Body’s still there,” the guard replied. “By the farm shed. You’ll see the lightning mark.”

A group of guards galloped by, heading in that direction. The captain slowed his horse. “Lady Riley, do you require transport?”

“Nope.” Riley sprinted, racing up the hill and into the palace grounds before slowing and following the captain to the stables.

The captain handed over his horse and walked toward the cathedral. “This will be easier if we just go straight there.”

Riley followed. “I’m aware and agree,” she smiled.

He turned and quirked a brow. “You agree?”

“Yes. They took all the early gems. I’m owed gems,” Riley replied with a smile to him. “I assume that’s where they put them.”

The captain coughed. “Right.”

Riley sighed. Little thieves. If they steal these, I’m killing them in the next dungeon.

This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

“Relax,” the captain said, looking over with his brow quirked. “I’m certain they’ll be returned.”

“Of course,” Riley replied with a feigned smile. “Sorry, it’s been a rough day. I’ve never been targeted by an assassin before.”

“How’d you survive the dungeon?” the captain asked, opening the door to the cathedral.

“I ran and didn’t fight things,” Riley replied. “Eventually, I looped around and ran back. The trolls died fighting some things along the way.”

The captain chuckled and escorted her into the cathedral. Riley walked up to the priest, who looked up.

“Late arrival. We need an audit,” the captain said, pushing Riley forward.

The priest nodded. “Vow that you don’t have crystals from another.”

“What? Of course, I do. I just got here,” Riley said, shaking her head and reaching for her coin purse.

“I apologize,” the priest said, his cheeks turning slightly red. “I wasn’t thinking.”

Riley smiled at him. “Will you get the others from the group? I need to distribute them, and I need mine returned. They left without me.”

The priest turned toward the captain. “Captain? If you don’t mind.”

“I’ll go speak with the princess and queen,” the captain said, turning and walking to the door.

Riley turned and took a seat in front of his desk. “Sorry to bother you.”

“No, that’s quite alright. I assume you killed a few that they’d attacked?” the priest asked. He stood and took a seat next to her.

“Yes, and they took the earlier ones,” Riley replied, nodding. She opened her coin purse and gestured to the small pile. “I need to divide these and get mine back.”

The priest peered inside and nodded. “Looks like an even split?” He raised a brow.

“They damaged the trolls. A hydra finished them, and I ran off. It was far too strong for me to fight.” Riley looked into her bag. “Have coin purses? I could speed this along.”

“I can do it.” The priest took the purse and began dividing them into piles.

Riley leaned back. Her stomach grumbled. She shrugged and reached into her bag, pulling out the loaf of bread. Munching on it, she waited while the priest sorted them and then searched her bag.

The priest looked over at her. “Are there any in it?”

“There shouldn’t be unless some slipped out during the attack,” Riley replied, taking another bite. The skill washed over her, and she swallowed.

“Any hidden on you?” the priest asked.

“Nope,” Riley lied. The rest are in the hands of Beauty and this outfit. She gestured to the coin purse. “Those are the crystals that I brought back.”

The priest nodded, and the door burst open. Princess Lily and the entire group walked into the room. The queen followed, her eyes lingering on Riley.

Riley bowed her head. “Sorry, your majesties,” she muttered, swallowing down the bread.

“What happened?” Lily asked, looking at the piles on the desk.

“I ran. The trolls chased me. I’m not certain how far, but I ran into an ancient hydra at some point. Naturally, I didn’t engage. I ran right past it. The trolls and the hydra fought while I snuck back around. Then I ran back.” Riley gestured to the purse. “I assume they died to the hydra. So, the second-level boss and some crystals from the damage you’d done to them are in there.”

“We knew that,” Olivia said, walking forward and looking in the purse. “We stayed until we got the experience. Then we left, hoping you’d turn back.”

“That’s what I did, but I was far away.” Riley stood and curtsied. “Again, I apologize, your graces. It has been a day.”

Lily ignored her, rushing up to the purse. She happily plucked out her crystals and looked at the pile. “You didn’t get more?”

“You did light the trolls on fire, Princess. The gods credited your efforts.” Riley shrugged apologetically.

“True. That does explain why I got so many,” Lily said cheerily, closing her bag.

Riley turned to the princess. “What of the early crystals?”

The queen walked forward and handed Riley a bag. “Here they are.”

Riley opened it and looked inside at the two crystals. All four took one. That was obvious, just looking at it. She looked up at the queen.

“Problem?” the queen asked, quirking her brow and looking at the two crystals.

Riley looked at her and debated her answer. It was painfully obvious that they’d stolen from her. I’m done with this bitch, Riley thought. A spark of anger flooded through her. I work to help the group, and they steal everything I earn.

The queen frowned and turned to the four others. “Return the crystals to her. She earned them and returned yours.”

Lily scowled. “We didn’t take any from her.”

Riley looked back at the purse. Right.

The queen’s eyes turned hard. “Lily, we’ve been through this. Do not cause problems for yourself over such trivial things.”

“But they are ours. She has hers there.” Lily gestured to the purse.

“Which had an equal split. I know you have more than two from the first fights.” The queen shook her head and looked at Riley. “Do you have any others?”

“In my room? Yes. I have a few from past runs.”

The queen turned back to her daughter. “You have one minute to return them, or else she will not be required to go with your group again.”

The princess scowled, huffed, and reached into her purse. She pulled out a crystal and placed it on the table. The rest did the same, and Riley picked them up, rapidly adding them to her purse.

The queen turned to the priest.

“I asked her the same and looked in her bag,” the priest said, gesturing to it. “You can search it if you wish, but she did have what you’d see from the second level clear.”

The queen nodded and turned. “Lady Riley, you’ll be running again tomorrow. We will then have a discussion with your betrothed.” She turned and walked out the door, and the others followed.

Riley picked up her bag and headed for the door. A smile crept onto her face while she walked. I should get things for tomorrow’s run. Walking out, she turned and headed to the nearby shop. If I do this right, I can steal some and turn them into enchanter’s ink. Her grin widened as she headed to the shops.

Riley Milvsky

Level: 219

Bard (C)

Level: 130

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: 130 + 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. Momentous Tempo B +10 speed. This boost will increase to up to +100 for every ten seconds you are in motion. Slowing in any way will reduce the effect. +2 levels to assigned class. You may use a charge of inspiration to boost your movement speed by an additional 10 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: 130

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: 130 Inactive. Noble (D)

Level: 210 Inactive. Maid (F)

Level: 36 Inactive. Alchemist (D)

Level: 15 Inactive. Infiltrator (F)

Level: 26 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 840 Strength 438 Speed 292 Intelligence 438 Charisma 598 Stamina 710 Mana 828 Inspiration 349