“Knaves,” I greeted the fox. While trying not to stare at the other fox next to him.

“Mittens, congratulations,” he said.

“You too,” I replied.

“Ah, this is Master Assassin Redfur,” Knaves said while introducing a heavily scarred fox next to him. Large patches of his fur were missing along with a chunk of his tail.

“Hello Master Redfur,” I greeted the creature.

“So, you are Mittens.” I noted his eyes glance down at my paws. The white was coming back through, and I was still not sure if I wanted to dye them black again. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do, so I had been putting the decision off. “Daughter of old Tom Cat himself. Try not to turn into snake food,” the Master said with a chuckle, his snout twisting up in a weird grin from all the damage.

“Don’t pick on the young cat too much. You will scare her off,” Southpaw replied as he came over.

“Master Southpaw,” I greeted him and gave him a slight head nod.

“Well, you might just have some competition once she gets going. Better than her father, I hear,” Master Redfur said.

“Perhaps. We shall see. You might want to consider being a Journeymouse under myself Mittens,” he told me. My father had warned me he was very aggressive. But that I needed to make my own judgements. He had added that while I would be safer under him, I might not learn as much. If I took up another offer, the risk and personality clash might be higher, but I would learn more.

“Thank you for the offer, Master Southpaw. I think I would enjoy going on a mission with you,” I replied. I couldn’t just hole myself away. I needed to socialize a bit and get to know the other assassins. To prove that I wasn’t getting special treatment.

“Well, you will be a Neophyte for about a month. But I will put in the request to take you on your first mission as a Journeymouse, something easy. Tom Cat running you into the ground with his training?”

“Every day. No exceptions,” I said tiredly. Both Redfur and Southpaw chuckled at this.

“Well that is why he is the best of us,” Redfur said.

“It is his Chief Technician, that mouse has a sixth sense for trouble. Make sure you pick a good one. A good technician can make all the difference out in the field,” Southpaw said.

“One that does paperwork is important,” Redfur added with a mock shudder which was odd with all his scar damage, and I let out a giggle at his behavior.

“Well, I look forward to seeing your progress. I hope you don’t disappoint me Mittens,” Southpaw said and left.

“Always with the drama. But he has earned it. You know he is a bit of a legend. Killed a snake in combat. One of their young ones that decided to leave their nest and try to get a lot of strength by eating creatures here.”

“Wasn’t it a young one though?” Knaves asked.

“Foolish Neophyte. Even a young snake is a match for a paladin or a master assassin. An elder snake, you would be frozen stiff and eaten before you could blink. Come, I want to get some of those butter sticks, they agree with me.” The two of them left as more people entered the hall. Everyone here was an assassin or master assassin.

“Mittens?” I turned to see a younger mouse.

“Yes,” I replied, and the mouse nodded.

“Assassin Witherheart,” he held out a paw and I smelled the faint trace of something. It was very hard to make out. It wasn’t the scent of a creature.

“Neophyte Mittens,” I replied with a bow. He retracted his paw and his smile faded. “You been with the organization for long?” I asked.

“Just three years. I wanted to see the new wonder cat. Perhaps a light spar sometime,” he replied.

“You would have to speak to my Master Tom Cat about that.”

“Indeed. Adhering to the rules is important. So, you think you will be doing this for a long time?” Witherheart asked.

“Maybe. I am just getting started. There is a lot to learn, and the risks are high.”

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“Ah, but the payment is quite high as well. Try not to make a mess out there,” Witherheart said and left. That was when Gary came over, his cane tapping away on the floor.

“Mittens,” he greeted me.

“Master Assassin Gary,” I replied and gave bow. “I enjoyed fighting with you, even though I lost every time.” He smiled at me.

“Well, you made me work for it. I remember your father when he first joined. I was his master then. So, I guess that makes me your grandmaster.” I didn’t know that. “Oh yes. He was a feisty one. First mission he had, was against a small mischief of rats. A complete bloodbath. Very impressive if a bit excessive for my tastes. Getting blood out of the fur takes forever, that is why I prefer my nerve pinch technique.”

“It is impressive, you think a cat could learn it?” I asked.

“Not easily. Your paws are big and there is a lot of padding where your claws come out. Mice and smaller creatures have more bony paws. That toughness is a key requirement. But anything is possible. Interested?” he asked me.

“Yes, I was told I could spend points on training like that?” I asked.

“Hmm, yes, an hour lesson for one point. I will make the arrangements with your father. He will probably role his eyes. He was never interested in the nerve pinch. But in the right paws, it is a powerful technique.”

“How does it work on Ancestral Spirits?” I asked.

“Similar principles, but you disrupt their form. But that is a much more advanced version of how the nerve pinch works. The key is all in the location, speed, twist, strength, and timing of one’s blows. It is a challenge to master, but watching creatures fall over is hilarious every single time.” I was beginning to realize that Gary enjoyed what he did.

That seemed to be true of all the Master Assassins. But it made sense. If you didn’t like the job, there was no reason to stick around. The pay was just a bit extra on top, to motivate creatures and provide for their retirement.

“So this is the cat everyone has been talking about,” a middle aged female shrew came over. “Master Assassin Veronica,” the shrew said.

“Neophyte Mittens,” I greeted her and bowed my head slightly.

“Veronica, how are you these days. Heard you are mostly out to the east. The lizards giving you problems?” Gary asked her.

“Scales are tough on the fingers. Switched over to knife work unfortunately. It isn’t pretty, but I would like to preserve my paws,” she replied.

“Lizards were always the most annoying to use nerve pinch on. Or anything with scales really. I would have liked to have fought a snake, just once,” he said with a sigh.

“Well, we have new blood, like Mittens here. Your father started a year after me, but he is a lot more efficient. Ah, to be a cat and take up the title of Warrior’s Shadow. Training is just as brutal?” Veronica asked.

“It is very hard, but I like to think I am doing well. At least he doesn’t lecture me during our spars anymore,” I replied.

“Oh, to actually make him work for it. The blood runs true as always. Well, I am out to the East most of the time. If you are ever out that way and want to kill some lizards let me know,” Veronica said with a smile.

“Thanks. That would be interesting to travel a bit and fight other creatures,” I replied. I could only think how their scales would affect their combat abilities, my mind was starting to race at the very thought.

“Look at her, already getting excited. Reminds me of Tom Cat when he first joined,” Veronica said.

“They do have a similar look and that hunger. Cats always do make for the best assassins,” Gary replied he glanced over at my father who was talking with Southpaw. “One of our biggest gatherings outside of a full tribunal.”

“You can’t blame me for coming back for this. I am honestly surprised there aren’t more assassins wanting to see this Mittens. Your father has made waves you know.” Now I had to ask since my father didn’t like to brag about himself.

“What is he know for?” I asked.

“Oh, you want something interesting. Not a bragger that one. Besides his insane clear rate with even more insane numbers that makes Maximilian break a smile, his most legendary kill was when he fought against a conclave of High Apostates and a middle-aged snake.”

“It was a huge move to take over one of the larger islands under the Church’s control. They concealed themselves quite well and even fooled another assassin that it was just some minor cultists.”

“Your father goes finds out, calls for backup of course, but he can’t let the snake rampage. So, he goes right into the island jungle. No one knows what really happened, just that he walked out, and the clearance teams recovered three High Apostates and a middle-aged snake. He was credited for saving the entire island, including the city.”

Gary nodded at this. “Indeed. To face such force and survive was beyond impressive. That put him into the position of Warrior’s Shadow three years ago. That is the mountain Southpaw faces, but he doesn’t stop and keeps pushing himself as well.”

“I saw the snake ancestral spirit once, are actual snakes like that?” I asked.

“No dear Neophyte. A true snake has the ability to mesmerize any creature it sees. It scales grow thicker with age and power. If they call on their ancestral spirit, they are beyond almost all other creatures,” Veronica said and shook her head.

“Sadly, the nerve pinch technique would not work against such a heavily armored foe. Even guns and other weapons struggle against snakes,” Gary said.

“You saw the report you old mouse. How did Tom Cat do it?” Veronica asked.

“Outlasting them all. He fought for four days and four nights through the jungle, taking them out one by one. The snake being the last of them. Such a thing was recorded in the Book of Snakes. A book kept by a senior member detailing any and all snake slayings by members of our organization.”

“Wow,” I said with awe and then quickly composed myself. Veronica laughed a bit at my reaction, and I became embarrassed.

“Oh, to be young again,” Gary said with a smile.

“Well it is a bit rude for me to say so, you could beat everyone here,” Veronica replied. Gary just shook his head with a smile.

“So, snakes leave their home continent?” I asked.

“Sometimes. Snakes have baby snakes and there is only so much room and creatures to eat. So occasionally one will leave to try their luck. Eat a lot of creatures, get stronger, then return. They eat each other too, at least that is what the rumors say. That is why you can never trust a snake,” Veronica explained. I nodded at this. It was all good information to have.