[Sytze]

“I was told by our mutual acquaintance that you were trustworthy!” he tries, cries, almost pleadingly, thinking I value the gold he was promised more than his life.

I pull the string slowly to my eye and I see his body beginning to shake. “You heard so correctly,” I whisper blankly, “but if you do not hold up to your reputation, why should I be inclined to?” I’m playing a game here, but he doesn’t need to know it. Fear is what will keep him alive when our deal is finished.

“What… what do you mean?”

I sigh wryly. “I was told you were punctual and precise, yet you left me waiting for quite a while out there, outside on the rooftops, in the rain. I do not appreciate delays, not with a matter as important as this.”

His eyes slide over my body and I see the surprised and questioning look in his eyes when he notices I’m not soaked, when I’m not even covered by the odd drop of rain. I smile knowingly; this man knows little to nothing about enchanted armor.

“I… there were… I met some unexpected resistance,” he stammers, looking at the blinking arrow in front of his face.

“Enlighten me,” I snort sharply. “But make it quick, because, as you know, I have other business to attend to. You are but an obstacle for me and it is for you to decide how big of an obstacle you will be. Do not be an annoyance, I warn you. My patience is short-lived.”

He swallows hard and nods respectfully.

I lower my bow and swing it on my back again. I had, and still have, no intention of killing him; I simply need him to fear me, to make sure he priors his own safety above everything else. Not that he needs to know that, a little bit of intimidation never hurt anyone. Besides, it keeps him honest and attentive.

His posture becomes more relaxed when there’s no longer an arrow aimed at his body. “I’m sure you already know, but… but this place is crawling with guards,” he says a little tentatively, yet matter-of-factly, “it was actually quite a challenge to get here unseen. There’s many a group of guards patrolling the various hallways and rooms. And believe me, this house has many halls. Venray’s estate is larger than most houses in Atkathla.”

“A challenge?” I echo amused. “Truly, I question your reputation as an infiltrator with each word you manage to utter.”

“I’m here, ain’t I?” he answers annoyed, frowning his forehead. “And so are you. So that means I must’ve done at least something right.”

I notice the edge in his voice, an edge that tells me I hurt him in his pride, in his reputation. Although I care little about his pride, he has a point. He delivered as promised and he delivered well, despite the delay. I untie a little bag with golden coins from the belt under my dark cloak and throw it to him. This game has taken long enough already.

“Count it if you wish, but it is all there,” I say. “As promised.”

He tosses the small bag up and down and weighs it in his hands. Then, after murmuring and mumbling a few inaudible sentences, he nods satisfied, a wide, greedy smile stretched on his face. Everything and everyone can be bought in the city of coin, it’s disgusting.

I turn my back on him, silently open the door out of the room a few inches, and take a quick peak down the corridor. My eyes need to adjust to the bright lights and the shining items for a moment before I’m able to see the inside of this building in its full splendor. There are many torches and candles enlightening the hallway and its various pieces of furniture and so-called ‘fine art.’ The floor is covered by several exotic looking tapestries, probably Kara-Turan, while a couple of large, diamond inlaid chandeliers hang imposing from the ceiling. If the hallways already look like this, I wonder how Venray decorated his main room where the ball is being held. If I wasn’t here for more serious matters, this could’ve been a real profitable visit. At it is, however, my being here has nothing to do with money and wealth, but everything with personal matters.

“No one here,” I say softly, my senses weary to possible unwanted company. “I suggest you take your bag of coins and get out.”

He nods again and makes his way to the door. When he’s practically looking over my shoulder, I turn to him and eye him intensely. He probably isn’t able to see my eyes under my dark hood, but stops cold in his tracks due to a sharp dagger pressing dangerously against his soft belly. This time I am not playing a game, this is dead serious.

“Leave this place and leave it as unnoticed as you entered it.” I hiss sharply while pressing the dagger deeper and deeper to accentuate my point. “If you will not be leaving or if you are caught -it is all the same to me, really- then the last thing you will feel is an arrow sticking through your neck or a dagger in your chest.”

He swallows hard the second time in barely a few minutes when he hears my threat. “Don’t worry, I… I have what I needed. You’re on your own.”

I stare at him hard for a few more moment and I see drops of sweat dripping down his face. I nod my head and let him pass. There’s no need to follow him. This man has the skills to leave this estate unnoticed, I made sure of that when I hired him. Besides, I have another target, one that demands my attention more than this infiltrator.

I straighten my back, take a deep breath, and push every thought from my mind. I need to focus completely to the task at hand. I take another quick look down the hallway and slip silently through the door. Stealthily, I move from room to room, from shadow to shadow, evading the countless guard patrols.