I stopped several miles before the border at an almost hidden lake.

I allowed Star to graze at pasture a few meters away from the roads and the path I took to the late.

I undressed behind a row of thick brushes, which was a good thing too.

Not even second after I was preparing to step out, came three men in crimson armor. Dragging this little black-haired lass towards the lake and on their side was this cliff. I didn’t know if it was deeper at that part or not but they seem to know.

For they tied stones to her with the intent to drown her alive. They grabbed her head and feet, swinging her, releasing her at the height of the swing. I watched her soar across the air, a perfect arc.

I would have given them a ten but her only arc was perfect, the distance was shit. The poor lass gave a shrill muffled scream, splashing into the water and sinking fast. If she was smart, she would have held her breath upon hitting the water.

Now she probably got a little bit of water in her lungs and probably coughing it up, as they watched.

Good thing, they watched for ten breaths before leaving. The moment they left hearing range, I grabbed a dagger and ran towards the lake. I dove under the warm lake and swam towards the far side.

By the time I made it to her, her head was down and barely any bubbles were rising. I began cutting away at the ropes, dragging her body to the surface where I breathe into her. It wouldn’t do much but it gave her precious seconds for me to scale the cliff face. With a dagger in my mouth and her on my back, I moved at a measured pace, like when I was training with my Father.

I tossed her off my back and began doing chest compressions.

Which seemed to be all I needed because she coughed up the excess water, directly into my face. I wiped my face while pushing her onto her side, to puke out her life. Maybe end it as well.

It took her awhile to come to, given me time to make out her appearance.

She had eastern kingdom appearance. The kind of narrow eyes, milky white complexion, long silk black hair, and really slender body. She wore boys clothes and probably had her hair up in a bun to hide her gender under a hat.

Kind of naive of her, really.

She had femine figure.

I patted her down and found a silver medallion that represented the thieves guild. An elegant dagger with a bejeweled hilt, and leather pouch containing lockpicking tools.

I spread them out on the ground beside and couldn’t help shaking my head. What a shitty thief? I doubt the thieves guild actually taught anybody with real skill anymore.

I picked up the medallion, running it over my palms. There were words engraved but didn’t mean anything to me. While I was trained to be the best fighter possible, my father wasn’t all that knowledgeable on other things.

The girl turned to me after wiping her mouth. She stared at the medallion before snatching it. Then her pale sickly face turned red, when her eyes swept over me.

“Why are you..” She gestured while turning her burning face away. “Naked?”

I looked at her like she was stupid. I didn’t bother answering her question and began walking the long way to my clothes.

“Hey, where are you going?”

I heard her scrambling to get up, then her running back to pick up her tools.

“Hey, at least let me thank you for saving my life.”

I glanced at her with a mixture of amusement and bafflement. Like, how could she possibly live this long? Wait, I just saved her life, makes sense now.

“What if I am a female guard, trying to get close to you to get into the good graces of the thieves guild?”

She paused but followed quickly soon after.

“You can’t possibly be a crimson. With your looks, what noble wouldn’t have you in bed. More like you are one of us.”

This girl was utterly stupid.

I slipped into the bush and began slipping on my clothes. The girl seemed to catch onto every branch between the two points. By the time, I finished dressing and was just strapping on the bracers. She made it to me with a little cut on her cheek.

I pulled the hood up over my head and turned to her.

“Wow, so you are some kind of assassin?” She spoke with a very energetic zeal.

“No.”

“But you look like one.”

“...”

“So how many people have you killed?”

“Forty-seven.”

“Wait, really?”

“...”

“Who was the toughest person you had to kill?”

“An annoying woman.”

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“Oh, what does she do?”

“Was chased by these men, then beat her up, and when I lowered my guard. She.. Stabbed me.”

“Oh, I can see how that can make you not trust people anymore. But I’m rather harmless, so we can be friends, right?”

“No.”

“I'll take your silences as yes. I’m Elena, by the way.”

She held out her hand but I merely shook my head.

I turned and began walking away and she followed. So I asked the question that had been egging at me, because she wasn’t ugly per say. Mostly this was to shut her up.

“What did you do to be thrown into a lake?”

She froze but never stopped following me.

“They killed my father and I tried to get revenge. I kind of failed and well, ended up sleeping for a bit. How about you? Why are you here?”

I ignored her and whistled for my horse. Night star came trotting over, headbutting me and I rubbed her snouth.

“Wait, you have a horse? I thought only nobles were allowed to purchase this breed?”

I rolled my eyes before hopping on the back. If she knew only Nobles purchased actual stallions, then why ask?

I steered my horse towards the road and she ran up beside me in her soggy clothes.

“Hey, do you think you can give me a lift?”

I really stared at her like she was an infidel. I stopped my horse and turned to her.

“You were just hog tied and wrapped up in stones. Gifted to the great lake spirit for another fifty years of prosperity. And yet, you want me to carry a criminal into the city on the back of my horse?”

She opened her mouth and I shook my head.

“Let’s not forget that the guards who caught you, probably paid someone at the gate to watch out for you? So what will you do if that is the case?”

She scratched her head. She looked around before pointing at my cloak.

“Do you have an extra cloak?”

I dug through my saddle bag and threw her an old one. Watching as she slipped it on and posed for me.

I honestly wanted to smile but the girl is a moron. I lower my hand, while scooting back, pulling her up in front of me. I didn’t realize how short she was until I rested my head on her damp head.

“They shouldn’t say anything to me now.” She sounded cheerful, while rubbing my horse.

I rolled my eyes and petted Star and we began moving. Both of us snorted at Elena who talked non-stop. Only stopping when we neared the gate.

I flashed my coat of arms and the crimson guards waved us through. It wasn’t until we were well past them that she started up again like a bloody tour guide.

“Hey, what kind of inn do you want to go to?”

She didn’t pause to allow me to speak, droning on.

“The Drunken Fist is pretty good. Average food, the rooms are clean but kinda small, and the owner is a retired soldier. Has a cute daughter and I think he lost his wife.”

“Ooo, Seven Dreaming Nest, is also good. The Owner is some stick up the arsed Noble, you might have heard of her, Madame West is what people call her. She also runs like three of the North town brothels, two of the largest casinos, and four restaurants but they are all for the rich. But her inns are always above standard. No prejudice, no bad foods, no worries about some assassin sticking you in the neck while you sleep.”

“Oh, that stand makes the best noodle broth ever.”

“That shop has the best pastries. Like their strawberry and mixed berry crepes, they're so damn good.”

“Oh, you don’t look like a dress girl to me but that shop has the best seamstress. Very affordable prices.”

I could only snort as we slowly made our way down the main road to the inner city.

“I don’t know much about the inns here, too many patrolling crimsons.”

I directed the horse off the main road leading to the North exit and onto West Lane road. Why it was called that, simple. West Family littered it. Most major noble families had blocks like this. It was a sign of status and power.

I didn’t make it far past the shops on the corner of the road before someone stepped out of a carriage in the middle of the road.. The middle aged woman stared at me with a stoic expression. Not a hint of age on her powder cheeks, however, from the way her eyes linger at the top of my head.

I assumed my Mother didn’t like my style of haircut. The short hair with long braided bangs in the front, might look good. And she probably would have paid some merchant family’s daughter a compliment but on her own daughter, there was only judgement in her eyes.

“Willow, why don’t you get down and come ride with me.” My mother spoke with a sweet voice.

I sighed and jumped down, pulling the failure of a thief off as well. I completely did not trust her around my valuables. The girl grumbled but didn’t speak out, though I couldn't blame her. My mother guards were spread around casually but enough to intimidate anybody.

“This is a thief I saved at the lake outside of town. Can you have one of the guards escort her to some Tavern?”

My mother stared at me but I ignored her as I took my cloak off the lass. Folding it over the saddle bag, I walked the horse into someone's hands.

“Why don’t you invite her over for dinner? I remember you still liking those types, when you were young.” My mother's voice didn’t hold any judgement but it seems she was trying to make amends.

I glanced at the thief who gave me puppy dog eyes. I sighed and pointed to the horse before walking towards the carriage.

Before my mother could speak, I advised her. “She is soggy.”

My mother nodded and stepped into the carriage. I sat down on the other bench, crossing my leg over the other, and resting my hands on my knee.

My Mother nodded before opening up the important talk.

“I heard about your Father and I apologies first and foremost.” She gave me a blended bitter smile.

“However, I have to ask. Did you come back to make use of us to seek revenge or to restart your life?”

I knew this was coming and I was prepared.

“I came back because I wanted to enjoy a normal life. I only left you because of your prejudices views but at the end of the day. I am still a Noble’s daughter and there are still enemies out there. Plus I want to focus on my musical talents.”

My mother's eyes wrinkled and she smiled. She was either going along the lines I wanted her to or creating her own narrative. However, my plans were long term, I am not impulsive. My father taught me how to play the long game. How to scheme, to roleplay, how to be that person people least expected.

“Well, I have some girls that you could teach. I remember you being proficient in multiple instruments. You can also teach them how to read and write. I’ll pay you your average teacher salary, thoughts?”

I smiled.

“That would be for the best. I would ask to start off small, so as to be able to correct my quirks.”

My mother gave a small laugh as if weight was lifted off her shoulder.

“Good, I’ll set it up. Four days after resting should be fine, right dear?”

I nodded and we both felt the carriage rock to a stop. The door opened and I stepped out, staring at a marble fountain. I had no idea what the winged angel spitting out water symbolizes but it was a beautiful work of art.

Though I feel like having a female winged angel shadow by a towering three story building with two wings wasn't the best representation of woman’s power. It just felt like this was saying there is something higher than a woman and to men, well it’s them.

I shook off the useless thoughts and turned to the thief, who the guard all but threw off the horse. I walked a few steps and landed right into her stumbling path. She landed a face forward into my bosom and I patted her head like I would a child.

The soggy thief stabilized herself and jumped back. I noticed that her face was red, I guess she was easily flustered, a worse trait for a thief.