SHORT STORY - Lena and the Band of Assassins - Part 09

Lena was cold. She stood in the back hallway, clutching the kitchen knife. She was standing behind the glass door that led into the gardens. The day was misty, but she could still make out the lump in the ground where…where…

She turned, biting her lip. The thought too terrifying.

Three more times…

Lena stalked into the dining room, sitting down on the table. She knew one thing. When this is all over. That garden is getting destroyed. She would reap it out root and stem. Until nothing remained.

She wore her staff’s clothing, managing to find a spare outfit in the other storage room. Lena carefully placed the knife on her belt. Covering it up with her worker’s vest.

She sat there, waiting for her tormentors. A good while had passed since the recent ordeal. Lena and her aunt had dragged the body inside the storage room. Her aunt had gone and brought the extract, while Lena scrubbed away the pool of blood on the kitchen floor. She had just got done scrubbing – and for some reason was drawn to that horrid place behind the Estate.

Root and stem.

Where were those two? God of Beauty she prayed there would be two. She had one day until the third – the white haired bastard – arrived. Lena had instructed her aunt to go and find other able bodied people to perform a task for her behind the Estate. She assured her aunt that they would be required to do nothing more. Her aunt’s expression changed significantly after that.

Lena swallowed, realizing that a mere day ago she was even worse than the frightened woman. Even if they survived this attack, the weakness of her people was buried deep inside their very soul. It might prove too strong to overcome.

No. She couldn’t think like that. Being fragile was a weakness, yes, but she doubted these men had ever felt the beauty of the world as her people did.

As if on cue - she heard rumblings coming from the entrance. Lena braced herself.

The dining room door opened, and in swaggered the two she was expecting. The red haired scoundrel that forced her to – to do the deed. And the brute with the shoulder length hair. Their carefree baring made it obvious to Lena that they were oblivious to what was going on. Excellent.

The brute stopped in his tracks, narrowing his eyes at her. “Did you sign the parchment, girl?”

From what her aunt told her, the moment she signed that writ of theirs, she would become expendable. It was crucial to keep up the charade as long as possible.

“No,” Lena said, sounding like a frightened animal flinching before it was eaten.

The brute snorted, turning to the other. “Wasn’t Ordi supposed to – “

The brute stopped mid-sentence after the other gave him a pointed stare. He turned to Lena. “Have you seen our short friend, princess?”

“He said,” Lena swallowed audibly. “He said to w-wait for you here, and, and serve you to the b-b-best of my ab-b-bilities when you came b-back.”

Both men cursed. But held themselves back from saying any more. They were so careful, even when they didn’t suspect anything. The brute moved to the drawer nearby, where Lena had returned the piece of paper and ink pot.

“The fool forgot the seal. He probably went to the ship to get it.” The brute said.

“Excuse me,” Lena said timidly. “Can I fetch myself a glass of water?”

They both looked at her as if she was an annoying fly, buzzing in their bedroom not letting them fall asleep.

Lena cringed, “He, he t-told me not to move from this seat so I… I’m really t-thirsty and – “

“Go on. And get me some too. Lord knows I need something stronger though,” the red haired one said “dealing with this buffoon,” he added under his breath. Lena could swear she saw his expression dampen if only for a second. Was that pity in his eyes?

Lena stood up, walking towards the kitchen. She made a good show of almost tripping on one of the chair legs along the way. Once inside, she moved to the table and grabbed the tray she had set up earlier. It had a jug of ‘water’ and three out of the two glasses on it were empty. She filled the empty glasses and took the tray back into the dining room.

Lena placed the tray on the head of the table and sat down right in front of it, grabbing the unaltered glass of water. The brute was standing in the corner, reading the parchment. These animals are not only ruthless; they are educated as well. Lena thought idly. The other grabbed one of the remaining glasses and chucked it all down. He grabbed the jug poring another glass.

Lena used every ounce of muscle control she had learned, trying desperately not to change her expression. Her mother had thought her from a young age how to control her face. Faces that are open books are bad for negotiating. Remembering that lesson almost made her tear up.

The brute startled her as he picked up the other glass. He puffed like an annoyed bull at her reaction, downing the liquid inside.

Lena turned and watched the red haired bastard, who had sat down at her right. His hands were over his face, his eyes in deep concentration.

“He better be back soon.” The brute said, he had drunk the remainder of the liquid.

“He will,” the other one said. “I don’t know how we didn’t pass him on our way back here.”

So far, so good…

Lena’s heart started pounding, fast. She didn’t know whether the one she… took care of, forgot the seal, or he was planning to use it later. But it wasn’t on their ship. Lena had found the seal in the bottom most drawer where the parchment and ink had been. She stashed it in the study room anyway. Just to be safe.

She glanced at the two men, who were starting to sweat. Your friend could barely handle that drug. She mused, careful not to show her pleasure at how well her plan was going. Let’s see how long you last. I think a couple more minutes and –

The scumbag that was sitting next to her was gaping at her. She was sure that was the same look he had given her earlier, only much, much more apparent - magnified by the drug’s effect. She was certain he wasn’t even aware of how ridiculous he looked. She glanced at the brute, trying to act normal. His expression was the exact opposite. He too was staring at her, but she only saw coldness in his eyes. Dampened, but coldness nonetheless.

Time to gamble…

Lena took a deep breath. “B-Before I sign your paper.” She said, looking down. “Can I at least show you my paintings? Y-your friend told me that you will have no use of me once you had your signed writ. So I – “ she inhaled sharply “figured I could show off my talent before…before…”

“Shhh, shhh, shhh.” The one next to her said.

“That Ordi is the stupidest person I – bah – what else has he told her? Eh, Mirin?” The brute said horridly. He was talking so fast his words came out as a jumble.

“Yes…” The red haired one– Mirin said, she finally knew some of their names now.

“Why did we take him along – “ the brute started, excited.

“I would like to see your work, princess.” Mirin said, his face a clear glass frame showing all of his emotions.

Lena’s heart was pounding so fast she wouldn’t have been surprised if it leapt out of her chest and onto the tray in front of her. It annoyed her that she saw so much pity in those eyes. It annoyed her to see so much human in these monsters. Regardless, they were still monsters.

Lena turned to see the brute. Surprisingly he was not looking her way. Instead he had a dumb expression on his face, staring at the parchment which he held in his hand.

Lena slowly stood up. “They’re in my room…”

Mirin stood up and gave her a small nod, waving his hand signaling her to lead the way. As Lena was exiting the dining room she spared one last glance for the brute, who was still staring at the parchment.

Lena could feel the eyes on her back as she was walking up the staircase. She remembered leading another monster to her room like this. It amused her that the circumstances hadn’t changed that much since then. She was taking advantage of a primitive male – only this time, the purpose was sinister rather than pleasurable. Something she wouldn’t have been able to fathom in her wildest dreams.

Lena entered her room, her mind going blank once more. She waved to her wall of paintings, and stood aside to make way for her prey. The man was silent as he stared at her life’s work, a dozen paintings. Which compared to an actual artist’s collection, was not much at all. But he seemed transfixed by it all the same.

“I have,” Lena said, looking to the side. “I have something even more special to show you…”

Mirin turned. “It really is a shame that your talent will be lost to this world. But maybe – no – it must be done. I’m sorry princess, but it must be done.”

He was talking so fast Lena had a hard time of catching all the words. Was he even fully aware what he was saying? He was standing there, motionless. Perhaps he was waiting on her? Lena turned towards the balcony.

The barbarian was right behind her as she opened the door. The day was gray. Wind coming from the open sea making her shiver slightly. She stepped to the side, pointing towards the chair placed behind her unfinished painting. Mirin sat down diligently.

“It’s not finished yet,” Lena said, starting to move slowly. “you see the water, and how it matches up with the canvas?” The man was silent, obviously focusing on what Lena was saying. She was standing right behind him now. “You see that the piece is a part of something grand, something special.”

“It’s beautiful…”

“It’s not.”

Lena sliced the monster’s throat. She made sure the cut went deep. The man fell, wide eyed, holding his throat tightly. Lena stood there, watching him bleed. Watching the pool of blood around him expand, his eyes – now filled with animalistic rage – slowly losing focus.

She felt nothing.

Two more...

A loud crashing sound brought her back, and away from the numbing trance. Another crash, this one louder. Lena left the dying man and entered her room. What she heard next made her feel a sharp, stark reality contrast to the blankness she experienced a mere moment ago.

The feeling could only be described as terror, as she heard the brute's scream.