The day of the Year's End celebration had finally arrived and an icy cold had gripped the land. Thick gray clouds blanketed the sky, preventing any sunlight from warming the land below. The threat of a snowstorm loomed heavy in the air and people hurried to collect necessary items in case they found themselves stuck inside soon. Regardless of the impending weather or other troubles, the citizens of Norport were in rather good spirits that day.

All except one it seemed.

Landon was pacing around the room in a heavy fur lined cloak while Lorik busied himself with stoking the fire. He had sent for Danica to meet with them as soon as she was able. She could tell something was bothering him from the moment she walked in.

He stopped in place and motioned her to have a seat. “I’ve got a problem and I need your talents.”

“I’m intrigued now,” she said, sitting down on the well worn chair.

Landon resumed walking the floor. “You’re well aware of civilian unrest in the city, of course, I don’t need to brief you on that. What I do need to say is that with the lull in shipping during the winter, out of work shoremen have become the prime targets of dissent recently.”

Danica nodded her head, making sense of what he was saying. “They’re targeting the most vulnerable to their message.”

“Correct,” he said, taking a seat at his desk. “My guardsmen stand out rather obviously, and I need someone to gather information for me without exposing themselves.”

She looked at him oddly. “I don’t exactly blend in with the people.”

“Well aware,” he said dismissively. “But in the dark of night, you excel greater than any human ever could.”

She weighed the situation for a brief moment. “Of course, that makes sense.”

She thought back to that time when she was younger, the day he had saved her from the orphanage. She’d been able to pick a man out in the dark without him ever knowing she was there. Landon wanted her to skulk around in the shadows it seemed and try to find clues for him. It was a way to finally put her abilities to some use and she was more than happy to oblige his request.

“It could be dangerous, so Lorik will be accompanying you while you're out there.” He pulled a paper off one of the stacks and handed it to her. “Here are some locations that may be promising from what I’ve learned so far.”

She looked over the roughly drawn map and nodded. Though she was rather unfamiliar with the area, it wouldn’t be too hard to figure it out while she was there.

Lorik finished with the fire and came to stand beside them. “I’ve spoken with Dannig about requisitioning some gear for you. Though, I’d like to remind you that we are to watch for anything interesting and observe. We need to avoid drawing any unnecessary attention to ourselves if at all possible.”

Landon nodded in agreement. “I can’t emphasize enough how important it is that you are not recognized.”

She knew what he was implying to her. “Of course. Masks and cloaks.”

He looked to Lorik, a deadly serious look upon his face. “Keep her safe.”

They left Landon to his work and headed to the quartermaster's office where Dannig was waiting for them. “It’s about time you showed up. I’m supposed to have this day off.”

He gave them two large bundles and sat down at his desk waiting patiently for them to be finished. Danica opened hers up and discovered a dark outfit, thick and well insulated to help keep her warm throughout the cold night. Below it was a blackened leather vest, offering minimal protection and maximum maneuverability.

Finally there was a small sword at the bottom, similar to the one that Lorik had shown her during their first meeting. It was thin bladed and lightweight, with a simple dark leather grip. She pulled it out and tested the swing, enjoying the balance of the blade in her hands. It was so similar to her practice sword, it almost felt as if she had always been training with it. She resheathed it and set it back upon the table.

She looked to the quartermaster. “Thank you Dannig. Where did you find it?”

“I told a blacksmith I needed a sword for a child and that’s what I got.” He said grumpily. His face took a softer tone though a moment later. “You best be careful with that girl. I put a razor sharp edge on it.”

“Alright, everything looks in place,” Lorik said while wrapping his bundle back up. “Take that back to your room and rest up. We’ll leave from here after the sun sets.”

She was nervous and excited about going out on such an important mission. “Alright. “I’ll be ready”

*****

Danica made her way through the dark alleyway, towing Lorik behind her as she went. The smell of brine was heavy in the air that night, with lighter notes of dead fish and human waste permeating through her mask. Wholly unpleasant for anyone with a sense of smell and unfamiliar to life near the docks. She’d spent her life in Norport and was still unused to the stenches of the coastal section.

The light of the moon reflected off the waters and illuminated the great white sails of the ships moored in port for only a brief moment before dark clouds covered it again. On occasion men would walk the decks, carrying a lantern to light their way. They were trapped here as prisoners of their own making, unable or unwilling to brave the ice flows out to sea. A few brave souls still dared to risk it on occasion, but many preferred to simply pull back into home port and enjoy their lucrative earnings made during the warmer seasons.

Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.

She put her hand against Lorik to stop him. “Who or what exactly are we looking for?”

“Don’t really know,” he said. “We’re out here listening for information. It’s kind of like fishing in a few ways.”

She regarded him rather coolly, realizing a moment later he’d not be able to see it. “I’ve never been fishing.”

“Right, well…,” he thought for a moment. “Just know we might not find anything interesting at all. There’s nothing wrong with that.”

They exited the alleyways and quickly crossed the roughly cobbled street and ducked in behind some crates. She could hear waves lapping against the wooden piers behind her in a gentle and relaxing rhythm. A few snowflakes had already begun to fall now, melting upon their meeting with the ground. She figured it wouldn’t be long before it started to accumulate in a significant amount and hinder their movement.

The nearby buildings were mostly dark warehouses, holding goods to be imported or exported. There were a few nautical themed taverns though, scattered amongst the larger buildings that offered all manner of services. They were well lit, casting their light weakly out through dirt stained windows. The sounds of sailors, dockmen and other workers all meeting to drink their cares away sent waves of raucous laughter echoing loudly into the otherwise quiet night. Landon and Lorik both figured that these taverns would be the most likely spots to stake out.

They waited there for some time, watching the men come and go. Many exited only long enough to relieve themselves in the nearby alleyway, and one adventurous fellow chose the boxes they were hiding behind. Danica assumed that would explain the pungent smell of the urine all around her. Thankfully, he simply handled his business and went back inside, not seeing the lurkers hiding in the shadows.

She was getting rather tired of the waiting and the excitement she had felt earlier had long ago worn off. She looked to Lorik, seeing him remain motionless, his gaze transfixed on the tavern door. If he was getting tired of being out here, he wasn’t showing it.

It got later into the night and the snow began to fall heavier now. A lone woman, huddled beneath a thick wool cloak exited the building. She walked alone, with no light to guide her way. Danica thought it curious to see that here, but then a sense of dread overtook her as two men left the establishment and began to follow her at a rather quickened pace.

“This doesn’t look good,” she whispered to Lorik who continued to watch. “They’re following that woman.”

“I can’t really see more than silhouettes in this darkness,” he said quietly. “Do you want to follow them?”

She thought about it for a moment, feeling nervous at the prospects of what could happen. “Yeah, I do.”

She started to leave when he put a hand on her shoulder, stopping her. “Only act if we have to.”

Danica knew what he meant by that. They’d been instructed explicitly not to draw unnecessary attention to themselves, but she couldn’t just stand by and let this go. She just couldn’t do nothing while that innocent woman was assaulted, or worse. Perhaps Lorik understood that at least, since he wasn’t trying to outright stop her from acting. Danica suspected that maybe he was just being precautious.

They followed quietly and quickly down the street, Danica keeping the trio in sight. It wasn’t long before the men caught up to the woman and she attempted to scream for help. They silenced her with a punch and pressed her body hard against the building. Danica unsheathed her sword and ran the rest of the way, Lorik following close behind with his weapon in hand as well.

“Let her go,” Lorik yelled.

They turned around, angry at being interrupted by someone meddling in their affairs. Danica could see them now much more clearly than before. They weren’t large or imposing, and their movements were exaggerated and unsteady. Just a pair of drunk vagabonds out looking for a thrill. People like this had been clapped in irons and dragged to the dungeons more times than she could count.

“Hey now,” said the smaller one. “Why don’t you just go on about your business before you get stuck?”

The other man let go of the woman and pulled what appeared to be a kitchen knife from his belt. He swung it a few times in their direction, but wasn’t even close to hitting his intended target. They were probably even more blind than Lorik, having just left a brightly lit room and being intoxicated.

“Hold back,” She said to Lorik. “I got this.”

“There’s more than one,” the man with the knife shouted to his partner

The first man swore loudly and pulled a knife of his own, drawing his attention away from the woman he had pinned against the wall. She quickly regained her bearings and ran off crying into the night.

Danica knew right then, that they had saved the woman from whatever sick fate that those thugs had planned for her. She also knew that people like these two rarely ever gave thought to the consequences of their actions. She looked at the two men and decided what they really needed was for someone to teach them a valuable lesson about respecting others. It was one she was ready to dispense herself.

She swung her rapier quickly across the closest man's hand, slicing deeply and severing some of his fingers. The sharpened blade met no resistance it seemed against the delicate bones. He dropped to his knees and screamed in agony, clutching the bloodied mess close to his body.

The smaller man began to swing his knife wildly in the dark, nearly hitting his friend. “What in damnation did you do?”

“Same thing I’m going to do to you, if you don’t drop the weapon,” she said forcibly.

He looked confused for a moment after hearing her speak. He obviously wasn’t expecting to be fighting a woman it seemed. It didn’t take him long to find his courage regardless of his opponent, and he lunged at her with the small blade. She leaned back, letting it sail harmlessly through the air.

He attempted a back swing, but found himself deflected by a sharpened blade of her sword. The angled metal bit into soft flesh and hardened bone, cutting a deep gash into his hand. The knife he’d been using fell harmlessly to the ground along with a shower of blood.

He yelled out into the night and fell against the building, holding his hand tightly against his body. Danica put the tip of her sword against his throat, entertaining the idea of ending him right then and there. She felt a dark urge to end him there and now, to snuff out his very existence. The temptation was there, asking for her to seize the moment.

“I should kill you,” she said without a hint of emotion in her voice. “I’m feeling very generous tonight. You answer some questions and you can go free.”

He swallowed hard, causing the point of the blade to dig into his throat ever so slightly. It was enough to draw out a trickle of blood which flowed slowly down into the filthy clothes he wore. He simply nodded his assent to her request, fearing for his very life at that moment.

She looked over at Lorik who had secured the other man that was now just whimpering pathetically. They’d won the fight, her first one, rather easily. It was still exhilarating though, and the adrenaline coursed through her veins. She turned back to the man underneath her blade and reveled for a moment at the power she could exert with it. For the first time ever, she felt like she was in control of the situation and in control of her life.