Born Enemies

Chapter Three: Amara

His clothes were covered in sweat, strands of damp hair stuck to his forehead and cheeks, his boots were covered in a thick layer of mud as they skidded and slipped on the wet ground as they moved swiftly through the thick dragging mud. His sword danced with deadly precision as he countered, defended, and attacked. The rain, however, provided another challenge as he fought to stay on his feet and blink against the droplets that landed on his lashes as he went through the familiar motions of fighting. He quickly ducked an oncoming dagger he saw flying towards him from the corner of his eyes, then swung his sword to counter another he sensed coming behind him. The sounds of the blade meeting were loud as he dragged in lungfuls of air into his lungs. When no more missiles or sharp weapons came flying towards him, he held the defensive position a little longer before relaxing slightly, his sword lowering so its point pointed towards the ground. His eyes swept around the area and blinked away the water from his eyes when he saw his instructor approaching him. Even though he was weaponless, Amara did not lower his guard. If anything, he remained alert. After 13 years of training with his Sensei, he learned never to let his guard down around her. She was unpredictable on a good day and deadly on bad ones. Her expression gave nothing away, nor did her poster, but Amara quickly brought her sword up just as the distance shrank between them. The sounds of blades meeting rang throughout the wood, scaring a bunch of crows to take flight, their loud crowing displaying their unhappiness at having their roast disturbed. He bore unblinkingly into her black eyes over where their blades met, then shoved her way. He followed her prowling steps as they circled each other, their gazes noting every tick, intake of breath, and every number of steps made by their opponent. Then she smiled, her body finally relaxing as her short blade disappeared back into its home in her left boot. "Your hard work is paying off. A couple more years and you'll be like me. Amara accepted her praise with a nod. His expression was stoic, but inside, he was jumping with joy. That was the highest compliment an assassin could get. Sensei Namir was a retired assassin. Not many, but a few who trained under her and the Council knew of her true profession and thought what made her both very good and scary was that she enjoyed what she did. "Walk with me," she ordered abruptly as she spun around and began to walk in the direction of their clan house. Amara resheathed his sword and fell into step beside her.

They walked in silence for a minute. The rain sprinkled down upon them, further drenching their leather armor. Their boots sank into the soft wet ground, coming up with more mud clinging to the hardened leather. "You know, you only have two more years to complete your training," she began, breaking the silence. Amara didn't say anything but waited for her to continue. "As an upcoming clan leader, your training will be different from those of your fellow members. You will not complete your training in the safety of my overseeing or in the compound of the Clan's wall. It is time for you to venture into the world. " Amara wasn't surprised by the information. He'd known the expectations and requirements that came with ascending to the position of clan leader of not just one but two clan groups, and to be a good leader, he needed to live in both the shadow and the light. He would soon gain another identity upon completing his training. The identity of an assassin whom few will know and a warrior the world will see.

"I will remain in charge of you, of course, and supply you with your targets on top of the other assignments you will take." She said, her eyes cutting him. Again, he nodded wordlessly. "Then take the next two months off to prepare yourself. You'll need to supply your storage ring with items, equipment, and medicine you feel like you might need for your journey. I'll give you a list of a few items I feel you should have. The rest you'll need to manage on your own. "

Saying all she needed to say, they finished the walk back to the clan house in silence.

The second they entered the huge entrance hall, Neil, his loyal right hand, was waiting for them. "Your father wants to see you." He said the second he saw him. Amara raised a brow but included his chin in his direction in acknowledgment. His Sensia had already wandered off into the direction of the kitchens, muttering about how hungry she was. "She's missing a few bolts up there," Neil muttered in a low voice as they watched her leave. "Don't let her hear that," Amara warned him, but secretly, he agreed with his friend.

"So what does the old man want? "he asked as they headed towards a long spiral staircase. "Nope, but whatever it is, I'm in," Neil replied as he interlocked his fingers in the back of his head.

Amara snorted but didn't reply. He was his right hand and, since he was going to serve him once he became a clan leader, it stood to reason that he would accompany him when he went on his two years of training. "Then you should also be there for the meeting." He glanced up at him as they came to a stop on the floor that was occupied by the clan leader and his family. Though he was his son, Amara shared a dorm room with Neil. Neil mulled over the idea, then reluctantly nodded his head in agreement. He clasped a hand over his shoulder before he released him and turned to push the door open. He stood before the window, gazing out into the rain, but at the sound of the door opening, he turned to face him, his face expressionless as usual. "How many times do I need to tell you to knock?" He glared at him. Amara ignored his glare and sat down at the chair before his desk. "What do you want?" He didn't have a close relationship with his father. His father raised him to be the next leader, a killer, and a warrior, not a loving son, so he did not pretend to be what he wasn't. "Your instructors have informed me that you have pretty much completed your training." He began as he walked over to his chair and sat down. Having not been dismissed, Neil took a seat in his usual spot, on his right. "You will be turning twenty in a couple of months, which means that you'll be competing for your last two years of training through various assignments and missions."

He gave no response. Sensei Namir had already informed him of the changes he needed to expect.

"You two have two months of a break to supply your storage rings and rest. Afterward, you'll be given your first assignment and target. "

"Alright then, Neil and I will spend the next few weeks in the city." He wasn't asking for his permission.

"Alright." He agreed anyway. The conversation finished, he and Neil silently rose from their seats and left his office. "You know what this means?" Neil said excitedly as they walked down the stairs, his hands clasped behind his head once more. "Yeah, we look for items, equipment, and medical vails and herbs," Amara answered with an obvious tone. "Besides that, smartass," Neil rolled his eyes.

"There's no way my best friend is turning twenty as a virgin. We're booking at the best-known brothel. My treat, and no, I am not asking you nor am I accepting a no. " He nudged him with his hip. Amara thought about it, then nodded his head, "alright, we both finally have time. We should make the most of it. Book us a room and the best whores you can find. I'll cover your expenses and you cover mine. Deal? "

"f**k yeah." Neil pumped his fist in the air and partially slipped down the rest of the stairs. Amara followed him down, already making a mental list of all the things they needed or should have in their storage ring. He was factoring in the times when they wouldn't come across towns, villages, or other inhabitants to resupply. It was better to have too many than not enough, he finally decided. He followed his friend to their dorm where they began to pack for their weekend getaway, though seeing that they had two months of freedom, he doubted that they would be returning anytime soon to their clan house.