Thick as Thieves

Isle of Waevia Cassian: Waevian guards escorted me to a place within a grand castle situated on top of a cliff, keeping a tight leash on me as if not to let me out of their sight. It was comical, really, that men trained and skilled at protecting a family of such importance to a small nation could be so paranoid in the presence of an exiled prince of Emberland. Though the last part wasn’t common knowledge, as all my clients know me for a reputation that exceeds me: the assassin of kings. A man who had slaughtered a king in the barbarians’ east many moons ago. Cassian was my name, the son born to the beautiful Lady Zenia and Prince Cassius of Emberland. The nation rejoiced at the news, though I have never set foot outside of the palace’s harem. It was my grandfather’s to protect and my grandfather’s by law, except for a few women brought for my father, the heir to the throne, to sire children when he came of age. I was the sole heir of a new generation before my father had taken another woman to be his favourite and had casted my mother aside. Gaius was born, my little brother. My rival. That is how our mother saw it. Gaius and I were close, much to the displeasure of the women in my father’s life. It was forbidden, I suppose, within the workings of an empire which my grandfather was the ruler of. He, too, had various sons, yet all had passed away under mysterious circumstances, which cleared my father’s path to the throne, if my grandfather had passed from this life. But as the old king had grown older and his health had declined, he still clung to life. My father was hungry for power, having taken up most of his sire’s duties as king, but with the old man still breathing, most of his advisors were adamant about remaining loyal to King Gaius III, the king of the Dunes and Everlasting Sands, for he still bore the emblem of the phoenix. I was at the tender age of sixteen when my grandfather had fallen gravely ill and my father, wicked and enraged by the king’s refusal to die, took me to make a decision that would have changed the course of my life forever. Either I helped him ascend the throne by giving my grandfather an undetectable tonic that would put him to rest forever, or my little brother, Gaius, would pay the price with his life for my disobedience towards my sire. Because of the abundance of love I had cherished towards my little brother, I chose the former, placing my conscious in an everlasting peril. At first light the old king was declared dead, the vial of Twilight from the country of Esmor out of sight. Nobles had declared my father King Cassius, the first of his name, king of the Dunes and the Everlasting Sands and gifted him with the phoenix, as is to be said, the reincarnation of the phoenix who had chosen another vessel to rule over the Emberlandian Empire. His first act as king? I stifled a chuckle whilst being escorted by the Waevian guards, to whom they gave me suspicious looks, having realised once again how foolish I was as a young child. I was branded a traitor and exiled, for someone who has the blood of the desert running through their veins cannot kill off their kin, such states the law of the empire. If I were a mere commoner or servant, a public execution would have been sufficient. A quick, clean death was undeserving of someone who broke the ancient laws of the empire. Thus, since then, I have been given names: kin-slayer; traitor; butcher; the empire’s scum, assassin of kings. The guards rapped on a wooden door twice, on which a female’s soft voice was heard from the other side, allowing us to enter. The door was opened, and I felt myself being thrown at the feet of a young woman, heavy and round with a child nestled in her womb. “Lower your head!” I felt one of the guards’ feet push against the back of my skull. “Have you no respect for her majesty?” “It’s quite alright, Sir Adrien,” I heard the woman say. “I expect nothing more from the Assassin of Kings. After all, he came all this way because I had sent for him to do a job for me…” “Your majesty?” The guard gasped. I think the woman gave him a look which enlightened him at the situation in hand. “Surely, your majesty, you don’t mean…?” “You are dismissed, Sir Adrien,” the woman said. “And fear not, I am doing this for the good of the kingdom. His majesty’s life is not in any danger.” “As you wish, my queen…” The guard stepped out of the room, leaving me alone with the queen of Waevia looking down on me. “You may rise, Assassin of Kings,” she told me, and I obeyed her command. “How will I identify the liberator of Waevia if I am not to meet his eyes?” “Liberator, your majesty?” I asked, wanting to chuckle at her ironic statement. “As far as I recall, I am the one ensuring chaos among those who wish for it.” “And yet, the Duchy of Xeibos is in a better condition after Sir Nicolae has taken you into his service, is it not?” I refrained from rolling my eyes as her eyes took in my tall form as I towered over her, admiration glinting in her violet gaze. “It is he who recommended you, Assassin, as a hitman like yourself is hard to come by. Sir Nicolae has told me of your valiant deeds in wiping his brother’s family from the face of the earth.” “I trust that he told you, Madam, that I spared the innocent,” I corrected her. “I do not bring harm to those who have nothing to do with a relative’s crimes.” The queen chuckled quietly to herself. “Rest assured, Assassin. You will not bring harm to innocent bystanders. The Waevian king has been nothing but good towards me and my child.” She lovingly cradled her swollen belly between her hands. “However, as queen of Waevia, I do wish to have the honour of naming my child heir to the Waevian throne and, because at present, I cannot accomplish that for the title is already taken.” “I assume his majesty has been married before and children were born from that marriage?” “A child was born, Assassin. A girl. Princess Eluna of Waevia.” I could not handle the utter ridiculousness of the situation any longer and started laughing. “Are you telling me, your majesty, that you cannot accomplish your goal in naming your child heir to the throne because of a princess?” I started for the door from which I came with the intention of leaving. “Fret not, your majesty. Pray that the child you bear is a boy and your situation will be rectified. You need not waste my time any longer with this nonsense.” As I opened the door, the guards that escorted me to the room sheathed their swords and blocked my path through the narrow tunnel of the castle. “I wouldn’t leave so soon if I were you, Assassin,” the queen told me from behind. “I understand time is of the essence, which is why I have hired you for the job. Tonight, a masquerade ball will be held in honour of the princess, to celebrate the fact that King Renly of Waevia has named Eluna heir to the Waevian throne.” Her platinum hair gleamed in the firelight coming from the torches, making the furious glint in her eyes more prominent. “Meaning that if my child was to be born male or female, it would not matter, for Eluna already bears the title of being next in line.” I c****d an eyebrow. “So, what? You want me to kill an innocent girl because of the decision her father and his privy council had made?” “Your efforts, of course, will be rewarded with something more than just a coin, Assassin.” I noticed a devious smile lighting up her features. “How about a reunion with those who meant so much to you twenty years back?” I frowned suspiciously but brushed off her question. “I do not know what you are talking about.” “What were you called once? Prince Cassian of Emberland?” I felt my heart drop at the mention of my real name. Before I could think, I grabbed hold of her arm rather roughly. The queen chuckled at my reaction. Damnit, how did I blow my disguise which I have built up through the years so quickly? “An interesting reaction, indeed! I wonder what your father will do once he discovers his exiled son has survived the everlasting desert and is now working as the very thing that had caused his exile?” “How do you have this kind of knowledge?” I ordered her to speak. “This is not the type of information I broadcast to every person I encounter!” “My dear,” the queen said deviously. “Do you think I ought to hire an assassin to take out my stepdaughter without gathering information on the person with which I can blackmail you with?” She laughed before releasing her arm from my grip. “Ask your petty little village which you called home back in Esmor, your highness. They had no trouble screaming out the truth when they, along with the small settlement, were burnt to the ground.” No! My knees gave in at the mention of the village’s state, a place I have called home for a short period of time. The people were outcasts to society, like me, living in clusters in the woods surrounding small towns and major cities in Esmor, a kingdom forming part of the mainland. The village itself wasn’t very big and remained hidden. People were very cautious of who they allowed to enter and no nobleman within Esmor or even the Duchy of Xeibos knew where in the woods these people had lived, except if they had invited in someone who was out to expose them. I felt my heart harden. The audacity of this b***h! I care not if she’s a queen! I care not if her so-called ally in Xeibos had recommended my services to her. I have already lost my family once, and now I have lost them once again at the hands of power-hungry monsters with noble titles! “Ah, I see you are taking the news quite gravely,” the queen remarked. “But worry not, your highness, the innocents were spared. Is that not how you operate?” My sword’s blade met the queen’s neck, yet she remained unfathomed by me holding her at knife point. “Where are they?” I asked, feeling my face contort in a scowl. “You dare threaten my life while I am the only person alive to know where they have taken your precious little outcasts?” She mockingly shook her head. “How utterly disgraceful of you! I invite you here to do me a favour, Assassin. A life for the life of your people.” Her lips once again curled in a smile. “Your reward is, indeed, greater than the task you have at hand…” “I care not for chivalry, your majesty, as I have lost any sense of it when you dared threaten those who are important to me.” “And now I am giving you an opportunity to save them all,” she smirked. “Well, most of them.” I wished to cut her throat, but at the expense of losing the people I have in my life, I lowered my sword and sighed heavily. I do not wish to see any more of them perish at my hand. “Fine,” I told her. “I shall carry out your orders by midnight, with your promise that my family is saved from whatever has happened to them.” “I would tarnish the Waevian reputation if the queen could not keep a promise, your highness.” She held out her hand. “I give you my word. The remainder of your people will be unharmed on your return to Esmor.” “And my wages?” “If you succeed in killing the princess, Assassin, a chest of gold will be delivered to your ship at once.” For the people who had welcomed me into their little village back in Esmor, to continue to provide them with protection, food, and shelter, I took the queen of Waevia’s hand and shook it in agreement that I would execute her will. “The princess shall adorn the family jewels, a necklace with a moonstone, as well as wear the Waevian royal family colours,” she told me. “Her circlet shall be concealed with her mask, but her long, dark hair will give her identity away. You, too, should attend the ball, dressed like one of my relatives. You will ask for her hand and dance with her.” “And what?” I asked the queen. “Must I flirt with her? Elaborate on how dashing she looks?” The Waevian queen smirked. “Use that seductive Emberlandian charm to your full advantage, however, do not reveal your eyes. No one on the isle is cursed with wicked eyes like yourself.” I felt my scowl deepen with the mention of my eyes. People have always thought of me as cursed with my one eye sporting the amber colour of my family, yet the other is as blue as the cloudless desert skies, which is why everyone back in Emberland thought of me as a disgrace once my father had banished me and left me for death in the everlasting deserts. “I shall not reveal my face to anyone,” I told her. “If there is anything else?” “Meet my guards at the entrance of the tunnel at dusk,” she told me. “We have to make you look like a member of my family, after all!” I bowed in agreement, turned, and started for the door. “Oh, Prince Cassian of Emberland,” she called, almost mockingly, once I had turned my back on her. “Fail in succeeding with this task, as the death of your people shall rest forever on your conscious. Heed this as a warning for disobeying my orders!” I nodded and followed the tunnel, the Waevian guards loyal to the queen once again escorting me on the way back. Like before, they threw me out like common scum, and I fell into the dirt, coughing for inhaling dust. “Cassian!” A pair of hands helped me up once the doors shut behind me. It was Theodore, the son of an Esmorian p********e, an outcast who chose to serve me to serve his village.   “I’m quite alright, Theo,” I told him and dusted my leather pants, grimacing at the hole that left my knee exposed to the chill of the winter breeze. “What happened? I thought you were going to get killed!” I patted his shoulder. “It’s nothing you need to brood on, Theo.” I sighed. “Where’s the nearest tavern?” “Why?” I rolled my eyes at his obnoxiousness. “Because I cannot think of doing whatever I have to do tonight whilst being sober.” Theo’s eyes widened, but he nodded, understanding that the subject wasn’t something that I wanted to discuss. He mounted his steed and waited for me to do the same, before urging the stallion onto a gallop to the city nearby. My mind went blank as my mount raced through the trees towards the city as I once again succumbed to the empty feeling that settled within the pit of my stomach. It’s something I haven’t done before – lift my sword against a woman, yet for the sake of my family’s safety, I will. Rather have one life in my consciousness than the rest of my people… Cecilia: What the hell have I gotten myself into? I looked at the small, stuffy room of a small inn on the outskirts of the great Waevian city of Brickelwhyte, a vast coastal settlement with not only a harbour being the main attraction for merchants and traders, but also for the glorious castle situated on the cliffside quite a distance away. Such a great city to explore, yet I have been bullied into one of Emil’s schemes, currently standing like a complete fool in the centre of the room watching him trying to contain his amusement. “Don’t you… uh… look different?” he commented, holding back a snort. “I still don’t know why we have come all this way to play dress up,” I murmured irritably. I winced as some woman tightened a corset around my middle. “Bloody hell! What are you trying to do, woman? Dislocate my lungs?” “Pay her no heed, Betty,” Emil said to the middle-aged woman. “Cecilia’s just not used to dressing up like a proper lady.” “A proper lady?” I asked, raising an eyebrow at him. “For what I ask you, dear Emil, do I have to dress up like a proper lady? What’s wrong with the trousers and shirts I wear?” “It’s men’s clothes. We wouldn’t want you to get arrested for cross-dressing in this forsaken city.” “I think there are women prancing about the city without a bloody corset, Emil!” I felt the last few lacings squishing my gut to an extreme. “Son of a…” “Ah!” Emil exclaimed, pushing his finger to my lips. “A proper lady does not cuss.” “Bollocks. Blimey. Son of a b***h!” I purposely called. “What’s with you? You told me we are out here claiming something invaluable which could help for our future together, Emil. Not in this dump with its horse-piss ale and torturing corsets!” Emil chuckled as the woman brought in petticoats to layer onto the corset, for which I am grateful, for the weather on the Isle of Waevia had changed into winter. However, barely being able to breathe, the countless layers just contributed to my ire. “You are absolutely dashing when you are angry, you know.” “Oh, do shut your mouth!” I huffed. “I still don’t know why I ought to be dressed like a peacock when we are on the outskirts of this city. What’s your aim, White Hunter? Use me as bait, again?” I saw his eyes light up mischievously. “Not only bait, my dearest. I want you to make every effort to have every pair of eyes on you while you enter the ballroom.” He took a long lock of my dark hair between his fingers, as if examining the rich red tones which contrast heavily with the blue of the gown I am supposed to wear. “You never told me we are even attending a ball!” I whined. “Besides, why not ask Lani? She’s much more beautiful than I will ever be!” “Lani was hired to perform at the ballroom. Unsurprisingly, one of King Renly’s advisors heard her singing her songs on our journey here. So, she’ll be too busy to take on the role as seductress as well.” He grabbed my hand and gave it a little squeeze. “Please, Cecilia. Just this one time, I promise! It’s something I have always wanted to do since I gained custody of little Eric. Once I acquire this legendary necklace, think of how we could care for our people! Eric might even be able to attend school with the coins we can gain by selling such a piece!” I felt my eyes soften at the mention of Emil’s little brother. Of course, the boy was nothing but a brat most of the time ever since he turned thirteen, but raising Eric with Emil was kind of rewarding to see how our efforts aided the boy in becoming stronger. I felt Emil’s hand caressing my cheek gently. “Imagine the life you and I could have, together.” I smirked. “You are so confident that I will accept your proposal,” I bickered. “Because you know that I love you,” the man stated as he looked into my eyes with that black gaze. “And I know that you love me.” “Hardly,” I added sarcastically. “I even hate you more for putting me in this situation to begin with…” Emil started to laugh, but suddenly started to cough violently. His chest heaved heavily and raw sounds came from his throat. I wanted to ask him if he was alright, but he backed away, holding a handkerchief to cover his mouth. I looked at him worriedly, noticing the blood he wiped from his lips, trying to hide the fact that he was in tremendous pain. I sighed as Betty finished pinning my dress into place and ran over to my friend to take him into my arms. It had been a few months since Emil started coughing and only a few weeks since blood came from his throat. I recognised the disease instantly, as many people had passed away from coughing fits back in Esmor. Only Twilight, a sedative poison extracted from the forest trees, aided with the pain, could they not afford to seek help from a physician. “The first thing we do once we get hold of this necklace, Emil, is get you to see a physician,” I spoke against his chest. “If you want to marry me, you ought to get better first!” Emil shook his head. “That’s the last thing we ought to do.” “Nonsense!” I exclaimed. “What good use is a leader when he can’t even survive to see his people flourish?” I sighed. “I just wish you could be selfish every once in a while.” “Hey,” he stated and lifted my chin to meet his gaze. “Don’t trouble that little head of yours, alright? I don’t want those ocean-blue eyes of yours crying for me.” “You are just imagining things,” I chuckled, feeling a tear make its way onto my cheek. “I never cry.”  Emil tenderly gazed into my eyes and caught the tear with his thumb. He lowered his head to give me a peck on the forehead before someone cleared their throat, announcing their presence. “I don’t mean to intrude on this romantic moment…” Lani said with a c****d eyebrow. Emil quickly put distance between us as she walked towards me, inspecting the outfit I wore. “Good heavens,” she murmured. “Cecilia, you are all skin and bone!” I crossed my arms over my chest. “I cannot help the way I look!” She shrugged, her beautiful caramel skin glinting in the candlelight. “At least you look the part. Apart from your slim figure, you look… different?” She apologetically smiled. “We’re just not used to seeing you so dolled up." “Well, excuse me for doing your work,” I glanced at my own reflection in a mirror. How do nobles even wear such tacky clothing? It’s nothing but bows and beads. “Could you not have kept all eyes on you on stage?” “A castle is not a tavern, Celia,” Emil said. I hated it when he didn’t use my full name! “Guests attending the ball are of high stature. They’d rather gawk at some unknown beauty than a troubadour performing on stage. No offense, Lani.” The shorter woman scoffed. “None taken.” “Who hired you, again?” “I don’t know. Lord Alexander? He wore a pin of a snowdrop on his tunic, which is the flower on the royal family’s crest. And he presented me with a sealed contract.” Lani shrugged. “Emil, are you certain that you want to proceed with this scheme? We might not come out alive if we fail.” Emil patted Lani on the shoulder. “We’ll have to take our chances. Keep our goal in mind. Think of the children, the sick. We can provide them with a better life.” I nodded. Emil, nicknamed the White Hunter for his devious schemes in stealing things from nobles to help the poor of Esmor, has been a legendary figure in stories across the mainland. Certainly, the Isle of Waevia was aware of this thief accompanied by others to easily outwit the prissy nobles. Why spend their entire earnings on vast establishments and expensive clothing and accessories when they could help the poor? I, as an orphan, knew what it was like to go to sleep hungry. When Emil found me and taught me that life wasn’t at all fair, and that we have the power to make a difference in people’s lives, even through stealing from those who already have many, I was too eager to learn from the great Hunter himself. Since I met Emil, I have found a family, and that is something which I have cherished ever since. “Even though this dress is itchy, and I can barely breathe,” I heaved, taking a deep breath. “I’m in.” For Emil’s sake, I thought to myself. “I’d rather die trying than not try at all.” Emil gazed at me proudly. “For our people,” he stated. We put our hands together, a symbol of our teamwork. I took a breath, and a disturbing thought crossed my mind. I cleared my throat. “Uhm… so. If I wear this, that means I can’t have my arrows on me…” Emil smiled. “I’ll place them in the ballroom, should we need them to sedate anyone. You should just focus on wooing everyone in the room.” “I’m nervous,” I confessed. “Don’t be, Cecilia,” Lani said. “Here, I got something for you.” She revealed a box and opened the lid, a mask of blue and silver colours placed inside. “The princess of Waevia had requested a masquerade to be held in honour of celebrating her becoming heir to the throne. The news has devastated members of the privy council, as well as the queen, thus she wishes to roam about the ballroom unnoticed. I'm quite sure your identity, too, will be concealed well enough.” “And how do you know this information?” Emil asked her. “Fool! A talented troubadour always inspects their place of performance and does a rehearsal! Why do you think I only came in this late?” Lani took the delicate mask from the box and moved to fasten it around my head. “Perfect,” she said once I turned to her. “You look the part of a noble woman.” “Let’s just hope she doesn’t cuss like a peasant,” Emil added. “Otherwise, our whole plan is doomed.” “Now, you watch your mouth, Sir!” I jokingly chided him. “I am a lady, and I am horribly disheartened that you think of me in such a way!” Our trio started to laugh but were interrupted by Betty to announce that we ought to leave soon, should we not want to be late for the ball. Emil took my hand, while Lani moved out before us. Betty organised a carriage, which was fancy enough to pass off as one escorting a noble. Her husband, Ripp, was the driver and Emil was playing the part of being an escort. Lani had Lord Alexander’s invitation, stating that she was to perform at the ball, whilst Emil and I gained separate invitations, thanks to Lani’s schmoozing. The ride through the streets of Brickelwhyte went by too quickly and soon enough, we were at the castle’s gates. After quite an argument with a guard and Lani threatening to shove the royal invitations down his throat, the guard just rolled his eyes and gained us access to the royal estate. Too easy! I gawked at the intricate architecture of the castle towering over the city and the extraordinary landscaping. The sun was about to set on the western horizon, caressing the subtle waves of the Vast Expanse with lazy light rays emerging from the heavy grey clouds. I could hear the waves crashing against the shoreline under the cliff and a cold winter breeze howling in my ears. “Your ladyship,” Emil stated when he held out his hand to help me out of the carriage. I stepped out, my knees nearly giving in from realising that what is about to happen within the stone walls of this beautiful castle would be our biggest accomplishment yet. “Are you ready?” I heard him whisper and I nodded. “As ready as I’ll ever be.” We soon ascended the stone stairs which led to the castle’s entryway.