I grab my bag full of my belongings. Before walking out the door, I look back at my mother’s house; our house. My mind will be at ease knowing i’ll never see it again. Opening the door I step outside, the sun shining in my face along with the rain pouring. The mare in the field was trotting around happily as it slowly made its way over to the fence.
I hop over the fence and strap my belongings onto her back. I carefully tie my hair up into a ponytail and heave myself up onto the mare’s back.
I’ve spent nine years of my life imprisoned to this city for me to finally leave it. Ever since the day we left the village my parents split up. They said to me, “That Bullu wasn't going to do anything but cause you trouble anyway." Then after my father was beheaded my mother and I haven’t spoke a single word to each other since then.
I guide my mare out of the field onto the path outwards from the city. With my new found freedom I decided to make my way towards the Capital of our nation, Amembrea.
————-
As the gates to Amembrea start to inch closer I notice all the merchants, campers, and hunters passing by on the road. The trees were filled to the brim with blossoms and the Capital’s gates were made from solid gold.
I reach the gates, taking in the breathtaking height of the them. It must take hours to open and close the gates. Guards also made a heavy appearance walking up and down the path with gold painted swords. Although the guards look like the royal capital's guards, they seem poorly trained.
The first thing I prioritize as my mare trots into the city is to find a stable to rest her in. After hours in the heat and asking people I was able to get my hands on a stable to put my horse in and take my stuff. Touring down the streets I notice a well dressed woman striking another woman.
“You have no right to insult me like that! I’m soon to tend to your country and this is how I’m treated?” The well dressed woman shrieks. Without thinking I run up and grab the woman’s hand before it could strike the defenseless commoner once again. Getting a good look at the woman’s face I recognize her as Prince Hadaku’s First Lady or less formally his hand in marriage.
“Have you ever stopped to realize that this, like you, is another being?” I snap.
“What she is does not matter to me, unhand me!” She began to shrill. I kept my hand exactly where it was with no intentions of moving it. I don’t care who she was, it was unethical to hurt anyone without it being justified.
“Enough!” A man exclaimed. Turning around I came face to face with Prince Hadaku himself. I didn’t stop until now to realize that I could possibly be arrested or sentenced to death for laying my hands on the First Lady.
“Please kindly unhand my lady,” Hadaku asked politely. I did so slowly until the First Lady pulled her hand away from stared at me. Hadaku began to open his mouth to say something, but then stops and turns to me. He smiles at me and says, “Let’s not let this happen again,” he states as he began to walk away with Lady Rindela.
It was to my surprise that he didn’t sentence me to death, yet I won’t complain about it.
“Thank you,” the woman I defended murmurs.
“Of course,” I reply. The crowd broke apart and headed separate directions. The woman said thank you one last time before she left and then I slowly made my way towards the Capital Central’s market.
I’ve heard from some of girls back in the city that the Silent Guild here had an exceptional member by the name of Drakon and I don’t think it’s a coincidence. It will be convenient if I were to run into him, but I won’t go out of my way to try and find him.
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While browsing the stands in the Capital’s Central I eye an accessory stand and make my way over. They had beautiful hair pins and one was colored as a white rose. It reminded me of my sister so I made the decision of buying it with some of the coins in my sack. The woman watching the booth smiled at me kindly and said it fit me well. I stick it in the base of my ponytail and turn away from the accessory stand.
In the corner of my eye, a Bullu was watching me from another stand containing daggers and I stopped for a moment to stare back before walking away.
—————-
I found myself later that afternoon staying overnight at an inn serving breakfast. The human at the counter claimed that it’d be served on the first floor and I began to make my way downstairs. The smell of gravy and fresh baked bread filled the air. I kept wishing to myself that they would have browned potatoes, but they didn’t.
Sitting down at the table I was served tea while I waited for my food. The room was small and lively as it began to fill with people. The Bullu from yesterday also made an appearance in the room, but instead of ordering food he came over my way. In attempt to hide myself I turn around and continue to sip on my tea. He stops right in front of me.
“Can I help you?” I ask.
“I’m looking for a woman by Nara Spinks,” he claims.
“I haven’t heard of her,” I reply.
The Bullu chuckles and looks my in the eye, “That’s funny I thought I saw her the other day,” he informs me. “I’m Drakon,” he introduces himself. I freeze feeling stupid for not recognizing him. “And your Nara,” he adds with a grin.
I look over at him, “it’s been a couple years,” I comment.
“Sure has,” he remarks.
“So why are you looking for me?” I ask.
He stares at me and scoffs, “It’s been nine years, I miss you. And two, my guild master would like you to join us.”
“And you in The Silent Guild if I’m correct?” I try to verify while setting my tea aside. “I don’t know much about the guilds though so it looks like you’ll have to inform me,” I add on.
He nods and sits down in a comfortable position. "The Silent Guild is known for stealing and murder. The other two guilds, The Knight Guild and The Guard Guild compete against us and each other for the title of Best Guild. Currently we uphold that title with high pay,” Drakon informs me.
“Fine, take me to your guild then,” I say finally.
He helps me down from the stool and we make our way out the door. He takes me down some narrow roads on the side of the inn and down some steps. After a couple twists and turns we end up standing in front of an iron door with the carving “SILENT” on the front of it. Drakon opens the door and leads me in.
Looking around most of the men were sitting at the tables. They glanced up at us as we walk by, yet I choose to ignore it and keep walking. In a corner some guys were fighting to test their strength, or at least that’s what I think their doing. Drakon leads me to a back room with a large table and an old man sitting at the head of it. I’m not sure how old he was, but it looks like he’s been around for a while. He was very muscular and wore ragged clothing with a smile implanted on his face.
“So this is the young lady you were talking about so fondly?” The man chuckles.
“Yes sir,” he utters.
“What a fine young lady. She would make a wonderful addition, what is your name sky elf?” The mans adds on.
“Nara,” I answer with a nod. I wasn’t sure what to think of this man, but he seems calm and collected so I think I see why he’s respected by people.
“A beautiful name you have, I am Dirk of the Silent Guild,” he introduces himself. “We were just about to uphold a little meeting with the guild,” he informs me. Dirk motions at me to sit down and I do so quickly.
Within a few minutes men and women began to file into the room, people either sitting or standing. Dirk stayed in his place at the head of the table and then looks around at everyone.
“Our guild and most of the community was came to agree that Prince Hadaku is a threat to our Nation and he needs to be dealt with,” Dirk began. “ Currently we have came up with a plan to put into motion classified under assassination. Later today I will call everyone back in to explain in further detail of what’s going to happen, but for now everyone is dismissed,” he finishes. People began to walk out almost as quickly as they filed in.
“Nara. Please stay. We have matters to discuss in private,” Dirk orders. Drakon nods his head at me and then walks out the door to the main room.
“You didn’t think I’d let you in that easy did you?” Dirk comments with a smirk. I smile back at him and answer,
“No, I didn’t think so.”
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pronunciations and definitions/descriptions:
Amembrea (pronounced A-mehm-bri-a): The Nations Capital
Sky Elf: white or blue fluffed hair, pointed ears
Prince Hadaku (name pronunced Ha-dack-u): current Prince/ruler of the Capital and it's Nation
Lady Rindela (name pronounced Ren-del-a): current fiancé to Prince Hadaku
Guilds: Formed during the beginning of Amembrea's construction to help keep the power given to the Ruler of Amembrea balanced. They eventually branched out and took on their different roles inside the Capital.