Fingers of dawn stretched into the cave entrance warming the sand and venturing forward. Kelsie stretched, rising from her seat at the table. Zander had gone to bed a few hours ago, but she needed to make sure everything was correct and the direction was known. It was necessary to get everything memorised, something Aunt Connie used to say. Sometimes memory is all you have. If something happened to the map, there was the backup she had made for herself should she be separated from Zander or the original map be destroyed.

Trust. It was something challenging to gain but easy to lose. Another thing learned from Aunt Connie, but that one apparently came from her father. If she ever found them would she know them?

Would they want her around?

What would they say about all of this?

She knew nothing of them. Did they know anything about the life she had led? Why did they give her away or send her away? So many questions that needed answers but right now, she had to get herself together and ready to move out.

Looking up at her stretcher, she was surprised to see someone's backpack on her bed. A note sat on top addressed to herself. Glancing at the other two, she wondered if it was some kind of trap or prank, it was hard to know. Opening the note, she read A few things for the journey ahead. A girl cannot run around the countryside without supplies and protection. Jason

Sinking to the stretcher, she looked through the backpack, rations, clothes, compass, three different kinds of maps and water ... lots of water. Where did Jason think they were going? Was he being careful, or was this simply something he did?

A shadow in the sun's rays alerted Kelsie to movement outside the doorway of the cave. Everyone was here, so who was it that would be wandering at this time of day. Pulling on her shoes, she waited; suddenly, a rock wall closed over the opening into the cave, and silent red lights flashed. What was this? Shaking Jason and Zander awake, Kelsie indicated the door and lights. Using hand motions, they packed and silently left out what Kelsie guessed was the back door or escape hatch. Stepping out into the forest, the three stood looking around before Jason moved off silently, followed by Kelsie and Zander.

"That was well executed," Anne whispered to George as they came into the living area, "no one spoke. They moved in perfect harmony. Do you think they will be okay?"

"Babe," George sighed, "you've worried about Kelsie her entire life. You can see she is doing well; besides, we're tracking her."

"I wonder if she knows about that damn tracker lodged inside her," Cal sighed, "cannot believe it never came out."

"The doctors said it's in an inoperable area," Anne shrugged, "what I cannot believe is it still works."

"Who is outside?" Anne asked, deactivating the automatic alarm.

"A hunter, I think," Cal said, "but you cannot be too careful. Did they get everything?"

"Looks like it," George said, picking up the genealogy book and smiling, "you have a note from Zander, Cal."

Cal took the piece of paper, "Huh, he knows we're here. Apparently, I still use the same soap, and Anne still wears the same perfume."

"He was old enough to remember that," Anne smiled wistfully, "at least he has three years more experience than Kelsie."

"They will be fine," George said, squeezing her arm gently, "now, let's get to work."

They quickly got breakfast and moved back into the room, closing the door behind them.

"Did our man find them?" he asked, staring at a large picture on the wall, "do we have a location?"

"He tracked them to a small cave, but the fire was hours cold, and due to the rain, there was no knowing which way they went," the security officer said. "He is the best tracker on the black faction side. If anyone can find them, he can."

The plush carpet and luxurious decor spoke of decadence, everything the white faction did not indulge in. The room spoke of one person's expectations of greatness but held nothing of any great things accomplished. It was a cold shell to a hard, cold heart.

"He better," turning, he stared coldly at the security officer, "let it be known what happens if results are not achieved."

The security officer slowly backed away, carefully avoiding the plastic on the plush white carpet. The body of a fellow Assassin lay in pools of blood, the savage slices at key points making his death painful but thankfully quick.

"Certainly," the security officer left the room, cold to the core and fighting the urge to retaliate for the dismemberment of a family member.

"Where is Chaucer?" a fellow Assassin asked.

"Murdered," the one word was met with a snarl, and the Assassin stopped walking.

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"This has gone too far," he whispered, "he is not even part of us or the white royal families and what of those who rule? How can he say he is next in line? We didn't find the bodies, and where are the council?"

"Some of the council are hiding, and he murdered the rest of them," the security officer said, "our only hope is Kelsie."

"What of Zander?"

"We will have to wait and see which side he chooses," the security officer whispered, "right now, I need to make sure the trail ends incorrectly. Where they are not."

"Fides et veritas," the Assassin said.

The Security officer fisted his right hand resting it on his chest over his heart. The two men parted ways, determined to do all they could to end the reign of tyranny in their community, live and families.

Dew clung to their shoes as they hiked through uncharted forests; after an hour of walking, Jason stopped under a large tree. Turning in a slow circle, he nodded.

"We should be safe here for a moment," Jason said, "where are the maps you were working on last night?"

Kelsie pulled one out, opening and handed it to him. Silently he opened it and found the spot where they stood. Kelsie had no idea how he could tell, but right now, she didn't mind as long as they could be on their way.

"We're here, and Jezebel's House is," Jason looked at some marks they had made in the general area, "is this in case someone grabs the map?" Both shrugged, "Fair enough. We need to move through this valley and along this mountain ridge before sundown."

"What happens at sundown?" Kelsie asked.

"Your tracker is easier to locate," Jason said, "the sun somehow cuts the signal."

"Tracker?" Kelsie frowned, "what tracker?"

"A story for another day," Jason said, "there appears much you don't know. Let's move out and stay close."

"Before we move out," Kelsie said, "can I get a few bars out of my bag if we're only eating tonight?"

"Make it quick," Zander said, looking around the area, "I think we have a human tracker on our tail."

"Then we'd better move quickly and silently," Jason said, "how are your tree climbing skills?"

"Good," Zander said, "Kelsie?"

"Fair to middling," she said, "I haven't done it for a few years, but I'm sure I can remember how."

"Good," Zander stared at a far off ridge, "down."

They sank to the floor behind a cluster of shrubs, Zander constantly watching the ridge. It felt like forever before Zander nodded, and they quickly moved in the direction Jason indicated. Kelsie fought for control; her heart hammered against her ribs, her palms felt clammy, and her lungs jerked the air in and out as though someone was squeezing them alternately. At the bottom of the steep hill, Jason moved against a stone wall protruding out of the mountain, making a sheltered area.

"We can catch our breaths here," he said vigilantly, watching the area, "Kelsie, you need to get control of your emotions."

"Trying," she panted, concentrating on breathing deeply before exhaling, "okay, I'm good. Let's move."

"Wait," Zander whispered, smelling the air, "he's above us."

The shuffle of feet on grass and the small shower of dust indicated the tracker had moved on or away. Shuffling along the wall, they came out on a well-used path. The sound of a bullet entering the chamber had all three turning to find a set of cold eyes staring at them.

"Zander," the one word slithered on the air, "at last."

"Crusher," Zander said by way of greeting, "are you the latest assignment?"

"Not to you," he said, moving his gun in Kelsie's direction, "white royalty must die."

Kelsie swallowed hard; she judged that she could probably feign to her right, and the bullet may just pass her, but that would betray their position. Looking around the area, she noted the tree branches were too high for her to reach, but the ground he stood on was not hard-packed. The flick of Zander's hand revealed a ninja star. It flew at Crusher, lodging in his chest.

"Do you really think that will work?" Crusher jeered, "you know our training."

"Yes," Zander said, "but you don't know hers."

Kelsie suddenly crouched, pulling a piece of trunk hard toward her dislodging the ground Crusher stood on. Flaying arms fought for balance as he slid toward them. It was all Zander needed; reacting quickly, he kicked into the man's chest, driving the star home. The gasp and groan came before the man sank to his knees, falling forward. A shuddering breath came before his eyes closed.

"Keep his gun on him," Zander said to Jason as he checked the man's pulse points and pockets, "We are both the target," Zander said, "but you have twice as much on your head as I do."

"Why?" Kelsie asked.

"It would seem you're pure royal blood," Zander said, "or so it says here."

"Ridiculous," she scoffed, "let's keep going."

"Leave the weapons, Jason," Zander said suddenly.

"Why? We may need them," Jason said.

"Every weapon has a tracker in them," Zander said, wiping the weapon clean, "taking it with us will be giving us away."

"How did he find us?" Kelsie asked.

"Smell," Zander said, "he has a similar skill set as I do."

"Wonderful," Kelsie said, moving along the path, "how far until we disappear off of the path?"

"We're not," Jason said, pointing off the path into the trees, "down there."

"Great," Kelsie tracked the sun in the sky, "we need to keep moving and move fast."

"After you," Zander said to Jason, "get us to the other side."

Jason maneuvered silently through the forest, moving quickly between the trees. Kelsie and Zander followed, walking the same path he did. Something seemed off about the route he was taking.

"Jason," Kelsie called, "why are we taking this exact route?"

"If anyone is following us or tries to, they will find many traps for them," Jason said, "unless you know the way to walk, you'll be dead."

"We walk in your shoes," Zander said, smiling at Kelsie, "good catch."

"Thanks, I think we need to be further than Jason said by nightfall," Kelsie murmured, "my instinct is screaming this forest will be full of bodies at nightfall."

"Then let's pick up the pace," Jason said.

Silently the three moved through the trees fast, racing time and death. Kelsie wondered if her life would ever be the same after this was finished. Right now, she needed to stay alive long enough to stop the murder of innocents.