Assignment Gone Awry

This popped into my head while I was at work, processing court orders. Enjoy.

There are days when I think that AION is trying to drive me over the edge. I was hired a week ago for a simple job; follow a person of interest around and report back. Simple right? Hah! My simple job ended up with me having to bail my ex-girlfriend out of jail. I am telling you this tale so that you can take precautions against the well-meaning intentions of the fairer sex.

I had just come from a very nice dinner with my best friend on Atreia, Herrel Redsgarth and his wife Jaisea. They are staying in the family home for a while, which is located in the esteemed Vanahal district where only the titled live. I had just cleared the gates of the district when a nervous daeva stepped out and called me by name. I turned to look at him. He was dressed in the robes of a lower level sorcerer and had a family crest embroidered the tunic over the right shoulder. I didn't recognize him so I waited for him to speak.

He cleared his throat several times before he was able to utter a sentence. He was extremely nervous and kept wiping his hands down the front of his cloak. I leaned back against the gate, casually folding my arms across my chest. He finally said in a voice barely above a whisper, "Eh hemmm, I ummm, I see you know the Redsgarths." I didn't speak, just continued to stare at him, my gaze growing cold. "I ummm, well I... Well yes you would be discreet. Good that's just what I need." He cleared his throat again. "I want to hire you to ah, ummm, ah, follow someone." I continued to stare at him, my gaze growing colder. "Yes, well, you see, I ah, this person, my associate, ah, I think, well…." I stood up away from the gate and his voice trailed off.

I said, "Are you sure you want the services of an assassin?" He blanched at that. "No! Oh, no! No! No! I don't want anyone killed at all. Oh no, nothing like that!" he gasped out. He took a few steps back from me, fear skittering across his face. "Then what is it that you want from me?" I asked very quietly. "I've heard that you ummm, that you take jobs, that you ummm, that you're not like the others." He gasped that last out and the look on his face was pure fear. He looked ready to flee and was almost certainly regretting having spoken to me.

That last statement caught me by surprise. I was pretty much a solo guy. I don't usually work with anyone, and don't get into the situations where my name would get around. So I wondered where he heard or who was talking about me. I stepped closer to him. "So," I said, "you need someone followed for a space? I will need a bit more information than that. For starters, who is the person?"

He gasped again, nervously wiping his hands down his tunic. "As I said, he's my associate." Well, now I know it was a male anyway. I silently groaned to myself. Seriously, this guy is an idiot. He continued, "I think he's going around my back, ah, you ah, you know, doing things he shouldn't." I said, "Is he a business partner or is he a lover?" The sorcerer looked aghast. His face drained of all color. "How dare…I wouldn't….I…." "Look," I said, "I don't care either way, but in order to follow someone, you need to know as much about them as possible. I need to know as much information about him as you know. Unless, of course, you know nothing and you need me to find out." I looked at him expectantly. The evening was deepening into true darkness now. My dark clothing made me all but invisible to the passersby but the sorcerer stood out like a sore thumb. I reached out and grabbed his arm and pulled him farther into the shadows that now cloaked the main gates to Vanahal.

He gasped and almost fell when I touched him. He was frightened of something, but I'm not sure if it was me personally or what he was asking me to do. I was getting a bit fed up with his dithering around so I said, "The fee is 100,000 kinah up front plus expenses and another 100,000 kinah when the jobs' done." He gasped again. "So much. Oh, oh, I don't think…." "Take it or leave it, "I replied and turned to go. He grabbed my arm and gasped, "No! Oh no, wait. I ah…here take this." He reached into his cube and pulled out a pouch full of kinah. He thrust it at me. "Here, here, this should cover it." I took the pouch and tucked it inside my cube. "Tell me his name, address, and where he works," I said. He told me and I replied, "I'll get back to you in a week. Where shall I meet you?"

He shrank back and shook his head. "Oh, no, no, we can't, I mean I…." "Look, I can come to your house, or send you a packet or meet you somewhere discreet. It's clear to me that you don't want anyone to know your business, so pick one." I said, impatience creeping into my voice. "Oh yes, yes of course, I see your meaning. Yes yes, ummm." He named a location and it was in the seedier part of Pandemonium. "Very well, "I replied and headed out. I used the shadows to hide my going, and as I turned back to look over my shoulder, he was still standing there trying to see where I was.

I was surprised at the location for he didn't appear to have much spine and I thought he wouldn't last five minutes near the docks. Some pretty rough people hung out and lived there and you were just as likely to get a knife in the back as not. Not my problem, I thought. I made my way back to the assassin barracks where I had a bed. I climbed into bed and pulled out the pouch he had given me. I took a look inside and was surprised to find a small, crumpled piece of paper. I pulled it out and straightened it. On it was a drawing of what appeared to be a young man dressed in the robes of a temple student. I didn't recognize the face at all, and he didn't appear to be anyone who was currently assigned to the Temple in Pandemonium. I studied it until I had it memorized, then I carefully folded up the paper and tucked it into my cube. I then dumped the kinah out on the bed and counted it. It was quite a bit more than the 100,000 figure I'd thrown out.

As I leaned back against my pillows, I wondered again at how he knew who I was, and more importantly, who had pointed me out to him. There had been several attempts on my life recently and anything out of the ordinary was something to be concerned about. Nevertheless, I had taken his money so I knew I would do the job. But I really had no idea what I was getting into.

It took me two days to locate the mystery man. He was indeed a student by the name of Johannes. He wasn't a daeva, but a human and a young one at that. Interesting that a daeva lordling would want a human followed. I learned that he spent his days in the Temple at the Altgard Fortress and his nights were spent in the various taverns and other less savory places that catered to the humans. It was clear to me that no daeva has ever set foot into any of them.

I wasn't sure what he was doing in any of them. He would sit at the bar or a table, have a drink and maybe something to eat, then leave. He did the same thing at 2 or 3 bars a night every night. Most of these places were dark and dank and didn't smell like they'd been aired out in a very long time. I couldn't see why anyone would hang out in one. This continued for a couple of days. Today was the last day of the week and a festival was being held to bring in the summer. With summer came somewhat better traveling conditions. Asmodae spends most of its time locked in snow and ice because we get no direct light from the sun. However we do get some warmer months, where the temperature is above freezing. Altgard, for the most part, is snow locked year round except for two months in the summer.

Today, I followed him to one of the better taverns in the fortress. It hosted a full bar and dining area, and in addition to that there were rooms upstairs where you could pay for whatever entertainment you liked. The place was crowded with the fortress guard that wasn't on duty. My target came in and made a beeline for a table in the back. I chose a place at the bar where my back was against the wall and I could watch him and the rest of the room unobtrusively. I ordered a drink and began scanning the room. I was able to identify and categorize most of the patrons in an instant. Most were just blowing off steam from a long week at work.

The drink was flowing and the men were gathered about to play games or avail themselves of the men or woman upstairs. There were only a few women in the bar from the fortress, the rest of the women were employees. Despite all this, the noise level wasn't too bad. I could hear individual conversations all around me. A few minutes later another man came into the bar and paused at the threshold to let his eyes adjust to the dimness. He then made his way over to where Johannes was sitting. They talked for a bit then Johannes stood up and the male got up with him. They made their way over to the staircase that led to the second floor.

Lovers then, I thought to myself. I already knew that the only two exits were the door we had come in by and the kitchen and I could see both of them from where I was sitting. I sighed. I was probably going to be here for a while. I picked up my drink and took a sip. I was contemplating ordering something to eat when someone glided up to the bar next to me. She was about my height and her clothing was just reveling enough to hint at what might be hidden underneath. Her hair was pulled up into a fancy 'do, but I thought that hanging free it would almost reach her waist. I shifted uncomfortably. I thought she probably worked here and was looking for some company.

She smiled at me and said, "Buy me a drink?" Her voice was low and throaty. Her eyes were pools of mystery and a man could drown in them if he looked. I still had most of my attention on the stairway, but waved the bartender over. He poured her a light ale, so my suspicions were right; she did work her. She laughed low in her throat and thanked me. She took the seat next to me which put her way to close for comfort. He sat so her knee brushed mine. She tilted her head to the side a bit and said, "Usually, people pay more attention to me than you seem to be love." I turned my head to look at her and just for a second I thought I knew her. An image flashed across my vision so quickly that I hardly had time to register it. The hackles on the back of my neck were raised and I felt that this woman could be dangerous for me. I kept all of this off my face however and just said, "I'm waiting for someone." She laughed that low laugh again and replied, "I think you found someone." Again I had that fleeting feeling that I should know who this woman is. She said, "She must be important to you. You haven't even really looked at me." And she smiled a seductive smile.

I gave her more of my attention then. She was beautiful and yet she couldn't hold a candle to the woman I had lost two years ago. She laid her hand on mine and lightly stroked my wrist. Heat flared from her touch up my arm and into my head. For a moment I was blinded by a memory and then nothing. She sat there watching me; her other hand playing with her ale glass. "You are so tense love. You should let me help you relax." Her smile was warm and inviting and all I could think about was that I was caught in a trap with no escape. She scooted her chair closer so that her right thigh was between mine. It was clear to me what she was offering me, but I couldn't accept her offer.

I was here on a job and I needed to able to follow Johannes or his partner when they finished their business and left. Several of the guard crowd had left and the more unsavory characters were beginning to show up. Dinner time was over, and only the bar was still going strong. "My name is Delila." "What?" I said distracted. She took a sip of her drink and laughed low in her throat. "I said my name is Delila." Her hand slid farther up my forearm, caressing it along the way. "What's yours'?" She waited for my reply. "Madrion," I replied and managed to slide my chair back and out of her reach. She quirked an eyebrow at me. "Madrion," she murmured and the way she said my name made shivers run up my spine. "An interesting name that," she said. She cocked her head at me and said, "And?" "And what?" I asked. "Is that the only name you have? No surname perhaps?" Her voice was like a caress flowing over me.

"No, just Madrion." I was puzzled. If she just wanted to offer me sex, then why the game playing? I picked up my drink and took a swallow. She let her hand slide off my arm. She picked up her drink and took a sip as well. She continued to watch me and I was becoming more and more puzzled. I glanced around the room. Many of the patrons were paired up and some were heading for the upstairs rooms. I turned back to her and said quietly, "I'm sorry, I'm not here for that type of companionship tonight. I truly am waiting for someone." She said, "Then I'll keep you company until your….friend arrives."

She stood up then and stepped between my thighs. She was so close to me I could see tiny flecks of gold around her deep green irises. A pain so sharp struck me and I almost gasped. My vision faded out for a second and when it returned Delila was leaning into my chest. Her hands were sliding up my arms to my shoulders. She whispered into my ear, "You are still so strong my love, but so tense. Let me relax you." She pressed herself into me, her small claws kneading my shoulders. I could feel her soft, willing body mold itself to mine.

At that moment, fate took a hand. I had been watching the front door, when it banged open and Ash walked in. She stopped in the entranceway and blinked a few times. I gently took Delila by the arms and was pushing her away when Ash turned and saw us. Her amazement was as great as mine. What in AIONs name was she doing in a place like this? The look on her face went from surprise to anger. She stormed over to me and demanded, "Who is this!?" Delila turned to face Ash and looked her up and down. "She's cute," she murmured in a low husky voice. Ash was furious. She blushed deep red and was drawing breath to speak when I interrupted. "Ash, what are you doing here?!" Delila took that moment to reposition herself in the circle of my arms. She had the cat with a bowl of cream look on her face. I was now trapped between the bar and Delila. She leaned back into me in an intimate fashion.

Ash glared daggers at her. She said, "I was following you. I saw you come in here, and wanted to find out how you were doing and if you wanted to go to the festival with me." Delila purred, "He doesn't want to go anywhere with you pet. He's with me. He belongs to me and always will." I'd had enough. I stood up and the stool I was sitting on crashed onto the floor. Several people looked over at the sound. Both women were squared off and looked ready to mix it up right there. I quickly threw some kinah on the bar and grabbed Ash by the arm. I headed for the door, pulling Ash along behind me.

Once we got outside I let go of Ash. She was furious. So much for tailing Johannes or his lover. I sighed. Ash rounded on me and yelled, "How could you Madrion?! After all we've been through together! How could you fall for some trollop!" I was getting angry too. "In case you have forgotten Ash, we aren't together anymore. You wanted to climb up the society ladder, not me! I loved you Ash, and you threw it in my face!" I was breathing hard. Ash had always been able to get under my skin. Despite our fights, I always loved her. We were good together but she wanted to live the high society life while I didn't. In the end, that was what tore us apart.

After that we met only occasionally. I would still take her out for dinner and we always made love afterwards, but the closeness was gone. I hadn't seen her for two years, when she showed up at my house unexpectedly one night. That was the night someone tried to kill me, and my house was burned down as a result. Since then I've been staying in the assassin barracks until I can get my house rebuilt. Ash wanted me to come live with her, but I refused. I couldn't risk her being hurt if someone tried to get to me again. I sighed. I was pretty sure other assassins did not have these problems. Why me AION, why me?

Our argument was drawing attention of the nearby festival goers. I took Ash by the arm again. "Let's go somewhere quieter," I said, attempting to draw her along. Ash wasn't paying attention to me, for she was looking behind me. I turned and saw Delila standing in the doorway, a small smile playing about her lips. She starts walking towards us, her hips swaying seductively. All the men were watching her and Ash was glaring daggers. She said, "Run along now pet. He doesn't want you anymore." Ash leaped at her, trying to grab her by the hair. Delila stepped aside neatly dodging the attack.

"Fight!" "Fight!" The cry went up from the crowd around us. People scrambled to get out of the way. I jumped between the two women, wondering how in the world things had gotten out of hand. Delila was taunting Ash with her smiles, while Ash was screeching curses that I didn't know she knew. I felt Delila slide her hands around my waist and under my jerkin. Her hands left a trail of fire where they touched me. Ash was still trying to get to Delila, when I finally grabbed Ash. I twisted her around and held her close to me. She was kicking and screaming at me to let her go. She jerked her head back hitting me in the face. My lip split and I had to tilt my head back to avoid any more injuries. The crowd was yelling and cheering and I felt like a fool. This was ridiculous. Finally the security forces arrived. The crowd quickly dispersed, leaving just the three of us and the bartender who had come out to see what the fuss was about. The end result was the guard took Ash off to the holding cells underneath Altgard Fortress and I was left with Delila.

I stood there watching them go and feeling angry and upset. I couldn't understand what had gotten into Ash. I don't know how Herrel manages Jaisea, but he must know something about women that I don't. Well, I couldn't just leave Ash to spend the night in the cells. Even though she probably deserved it, it wasn't in me to leave her there if I could help it. I started after them, but Delila caught my arm. She had a lace handkerchief in her hand and held it up to my cut lip.

I jerked back and she let her hand fall. "Don't touch me!" I snapped. "You're injured love," she purred. "Let me take care of you." "I don't know you! Stop calling me that!" I backed away from her. My body was tightening up in preparation to fight and my eyes began to glow red with anger. I had to take deep breaths to try and calm myself down. I don't know what Delila's game was, but I was having no part of it. I had told her I wasn't interested and I meant it. She said, "But you do know who I am love. Perhaps you've just forgotten. You belong to me and now that I've found you again, I'll not let you go."

I didn't even give her the courtesy of listening to her finish. I just turned and followed after the guards. She must be delusional, because I've never met her before. But, an inner voice whispered, what if we knew her before? "No!" I said out loud. No, not after 16 years. She's mistaken. I continued on to Altgard Fortress. I found out which Judge was on duty that night. He read over the complaint then gazed at me coldly for a few moments.

He said, "I've heard of you, and your reputation is exceptional. If you give me your word that Ms. Greenaway will appear in court, she may go with you. If either of you fail to appear, I can promise you that death will be something you'll wish you could have." We stared at each coldly for a few moments. Then I replied, "I give you my word." "Very well. Wait here." He went off and about 15 minutes later a guard escorted Ash out to me. She looked awful. I could tell she'd been crying because her eyes were red and swollen. She just glared at me, but said nothing.

I took her gently by the arm and said, "Come on Ash, I'm taking you home. We'll talk about this tomorrow."

To be continued…