Maven returned to the approaching man. It was male of sturdy build. When she confirmed the shape of the ‘staff’ the man was carrying, she was sure that the incoming man was Nigel DiMessina, owner of the magical trident Gracia Vadis, the former travelling priest who was also teaching martial arts in the monastery.

As she covered her head in hood and unsheathed her dagger, the elf quickly climbed down the roof, made a flip jump and landed right in front of the 'prey'.

Nigel, of course reacted swiftly and readied his trident. “Who are you? Show yourself!” he yelled.

“Psst, this is me, Maven, Father Nigel.” She lifted her hood a little to show her face. She had to make sure Polgar didn’t notice what she did.

Nigel, immediately comprehended his former student’s intention, kept his stance. He spoke softly to her, “Ah, Maven. You have come as we’ve promised. Long time no see, my child.”

“Yes, master. As you can see, I’m now a criminal. I should be robbing you right here.”

Nigel nodded. “We shall spar as we talk, so we won’t raise your watcher’s suspicion.” Then he immediately charged his three-pronged trident straight to Maven.

It turned out her master was serious. Maybe he intended to test whether he was facing the real Maven or a fake one? Maven avoided his attack easily.

Nigel swung his trident. “Well done!” he said. “You have grown beyond my expectation.”

“Thank you, master. Now, what do you intend to tell me? Why tonight and here?”

Nigel was silent for a while as he continued to pit his trident with the opponent’s dagger. Then, he began to talk, “Maven, are you prepared to face the truth?”

“Of course, master! Please, tell me!”

“All right then. My reason to call you here is, at this time and place, it was here where your parents were murdered.”

Maven was shocked. Nigel’s trident managed to scratch her arm. He had intended to bend his attack, knowing Maven’s possible response.

The elf girl was stunned, rendering her vulnerable. As Nigel charged his trident half-heartedly, Maven pretended to parry the attack, signaling the return of her focus.

Yet tears began to fill her eyes. She even struggled to simply ask, “Do you know who did it, master?”

“I’m sure you can already make a guess,” answered Nigel while avoiding Maven’s attacks.

In response, Maven’s attacks instead became more furious. Nigel began to become overwhelmed as he kept on parrying with his trident. He even received two scratches on his shoulder and arm.

Maven was in anger and she demanded an answer. “Don’t beat around the bush, master! Tell me, who did it?”

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

All the mysteries and questions that had been haunting Maven all her life, all the suffering as an ostracized orphan in the monastery, and all the tricks to survive every day among the Viperwolves. She released all her steam through her amok.

It didn’t matter who Maven faced against, the fury that manifested within her had already exploded. Only one answer could stop her rampage.

“Viperwolves.”

Yes, that one word halted her at once. Yet her blade had already pierced her teacher’s shoulder.

Nigel fell backwards. He quickly covered his wound with one hand and casted the Healing Spell, “Vitali!”

By then Maven had stopped her attacks. Yet she still pointed her dagger onto her teacher’s neck as she said, “You were right. Every clue you gave me… points towards the Viperwolves. Tell me, was the culprit Calhoun Cavendier, Theana LaSalle, or both?”

“I have no idea. I only met Calhoun. Perhaps he killed your father. Yet the stab wound that killed your mother seemed to be made by someone else.”

Calhoun, Theana, whoever, What mattered was that it was the Viperwolves who orphaned her. Every Viperwolf must pay this in blood. Yet, could Maven take revenge by herself? Against much more seasoned fighters then she?

Nigel had a hunch about what she thought. “Ever since Theana picked you, I have been crafting a plan.”

“Huh? Is that for…?”

Nigel nodded. “Yes. I have named It ‘Justice for the Viperwolves’.” Quickly he blocked Maven’s attack with the pole of his trident. As if gaining a second wind, he began to dance again with his trident.

“Sounds intriguing.” Maven replied while following her teacher’s pace. “May I know the details?”

“Not while the walls have eyes and ears.” Nigel whispered, lifting his chin as a sign.

Maven realized what he meant. Polgar wasn’t the only one watching over her tonight.

“We can’t stay here any longer,” Nigel warned. “So keep in mind this important message. Exactly a year from now, if you have the chance, offer them your service to steal the Saint Ambrosius Rosary.”

Maven couldn’t believe what she just heard. “That rosary…? But isn’t that the most holy relic of our monastery?”

“Indeed,” replied Nigel while keeping his pace. “And it also possesses magical power.”

Suddenly Nigel went silent.

“Is that a matter, master?”

“Ssh. One of the watchers has begun to suspect us and is approaching. I must go now!” He the bounced himself against the ground, away from his opponent.

Maven chased him while whispering. “Wait, master! I still don’t understand…”

Nigel interrupted, “Try to keep up with legends or rumors. Should you find a time to the monastery, come to me or Declan. Most importantly, never forget my message, like you won’t your own life! I’ll see you again, my child! May Vadis always be with you.”

“And with you too, father.”

Nigel landed a pretentious kick on Maven’s stomach, bounced away and escaped into the dark.

Maven rose to chase him, yet the pain in her belly stopped her. She held onto her own belly to repress the pain.

Polgar approached her a moment later to tell her, “Hey, Maven. What's stopping you? Chase and finish him! Or else he’ll report us to the authorities!”

“Ugh, I can’t… He’s too strong,” replied Maven. “His kick has made me limp.”

Polgar shook his head. “Poor you, little girl. You’re not in luck today. The problem is, how should we report this to our boss?”

“Relax, Mr. Polgar.” Maven took out a clattering little pouch. “We will bring home a souvenir.”

“Hahaha, you go, little thief. Come on, let’s go home. Your wound must be treated.”

Still wringing her stomach, Maven walked anyway. Of course she pretended to not noticing the other two watchers lurking from the distance. I must have Father Nigel’s skill in detecting people in blind spots, she thought. But it’s going to be hard to go outside alone after this.

And she was right. While she avoided any punishment, Polgar was replaced by a much sharper female bandit. Her ‘new partner’ was also not as easy to chat with and very sneaky. She watched over Maven like a shadow.

A year had passed, and the right time for her to visit Saint Ambrosius Monastery on her own never came.

Then two years passed…

And three….

The conclusion was clear. The only right time to realize Nigel’s plan was the day of initiation to become a full member of Viperwolves, when she will be required to act alone.

That day finally came at the fourth year.