chapter I

What's that smell?

That my friend is the smell of pain and suffering. Which this tavern is full of.

It's dimly lit walls are cover in all sorts of questionable liquids and fluids and specks of mold, the floors matching them.

The food? Trust me, you don't want to know. I'm going to pretend that's meat.

I'm sitting at probably the cleanest table of the whole bunch. Poe's is watching me like I'm some kind of criminal on the verge of escaping, even though I was the one who suggested to come here.

Now I regret it since I believe I'm going to lose it, before reaching my goal.

I heard that there are going to be a bunch of pretty little soldiers here tonight. It appears the rumors are true. Sadly they are looking well past their forty's and drunk as heck, still they hold essential information. Information which I'm very interested in learning.

"You're making that face." Poe said.

I decide to ignore him and wave at one of the young waitresses. She looks like she might smash a bottle in someone's head if she doesn't get a break soon.

I slammed twenty-five kletos on the table. And whispered in the girl's ear “Take it, go in the back and leave me the apron.” The money it's not a lot but it had convinced her. By the looks of it a single one would have done the job.

She dropped a glass, intentionally I suppose , tucked one of her golden curls behind her ear, then gatherer the pieces and left.

Poe is now the one with his patience running thin.

“Tarra, what, for the sake of the Gods are you doing?”

"Setting you up with a pretty lady. What does it look like I'm doing?" He's aware that playing Cupid is not my intention. I get up from the sticky chair. "Now if you will excuse me " I left without giving him an actual explanation.

I went through the door after the waitress. As expected the apron was nicely folded, awaiting for me. Now the reason I took it in the first place, I need information about the King's little "friend", and what better way to get it the to eavesdrop to their conversation dressed as a clueless young lady trying to wipe the vomit from the floor, however I hope that this action will not be required.

My ears are now trying to focus on their discussion and also on ignoring the soft but certain whispers about my way to tight uniform.

"He had been spotted again" He took a big gulp of his beer then wiped the caterpillar that sits on his upper lip only afterwards he finished his sentence. "Man I swear that little bastard is gonna run out of luck someday."

"Good thing that King Edward is going to bring fresh meat."

"The admission is tomorrow, so let’s just hope that our beloved Capitan doesn't scare them of."

The rest of the words weren't important.

I faked a smile and went back at my table stuffing the apron in my bag along with one of the soldiers pocket watch. What? He treated the waitress wrong. Plus I don't think he'll miss it that much.

Poe sits frozen.

"Are you going to tell me your evil plan now? Or perhaps take my order?"

I roll my eyes as I sit back, I can feel my dress stick once more to the seat.

"First of all, yes I'm going to tell you, second of all i indeed to give orders not to take them."

Poe shifts nervously. "What do you mean?"

"I'll join the army."

I watch as his jaw hung slightly open. "My sweet, dear friend, you wouldn't last a day, not to mention that you have to kill someone to be admitted. A monster but still."

Yes folks. You heard that right, I have to kill a monster, which we usually call "deviants", to be a part of the King's army. There is a tiny detail though, I'm one of them. Aha, a deviant hiding in plain sight, and if I manage to infiltrate into his perfect squad I can destroy him from within. The king has a passion for exterminating my kind, let’s see if he likes when I do it.

Another thing, Poe, my best friend and closest thing i have to a brother, has no idea about my "abilities". And because of that my idea sounds ridiculous to him. Well it is. Not that I would confess that.

The best shoot I have at ruining the King's empire is to make my way to the top and strike when they least expect it.

I mean it's definitely more interesting then hiding in my room until my wrinkles have wrinkles.

"I can do it Poe, really I'll be fine."

"You're serious?"

"Yes. Yes I'm"

He rose and paid for the drinks. And for the poison he bought himself that the chef had the audacity to call soup. "If you're so focused on joining you'll need a good night sleep. Come on."

Home at last. I changed to escape the horrid smell and let my hair fall down my back. Tomorrow I will do either the best of the worst thing I have ever done, and that’s the thought I fall asleep with.

℘

After the longest walk ever I finally arrived at the King's castle. May flowers are filings up the air with their strong perfume and light chatted of excitement comes from the new recruiters who are rather in a good mood. There are only three people that look around my age which makes me even more stressed.

The gates have been slung open before me.

'Name?" A guard said in an unkind way.

Honestly, it's too early for me as well. Still that doesn't mean he can't al least pretend to care. By the way he said it, it sounds like he wants to throw me of a cliff and then himself.

"Tarra Dawn." I respond in the same way.

"The king will speak to you in a few moments." He clicked his tongue and scratched his thick neck and added "Now take a seat."

By take a seat, he meant stand there like a complete idiot for a while.

A man came into my direction. Great more socializing.

"What is a young lady like you doing in here?" A fat, old, and mean looking guy asked me, I see that the kings keeps only the finest men by his side. I straightened my back and looked at him.

"I'm here to enlist in the army."

"Go home, sweetheart, before you break a nail." He said amused.

My blood pressure raised, and a stupid smirk appeared on my lips." Maybe I'll even be Captain!" That phrase was as good as shouting: 'I'm a deviant come and get me!'

I turn my eyes back at him. A vein is about to burst open on his neck.

"I’m the captain, kid, and I suggest you to hit the rood!"

Unfortunately for him it is essential for my plan to stay. So I punched him. in the face. The Capitan...in the face. I guess I'm making bad choices today, like wearing a dress to an army admission.

"What is going on?!"

It was the King who came to give each one of us our first mission. Just looking at him sent shivers down my spine and made my stomach turn, is it fear? Perhaps, or perhaps it's just my utter hatred. Or my missing breakfast. Probably the breakfast one.

Please don't walk in my direction. As if he had read my mind he marched towards us.

"Your Majesty," the Capitan said with while doing a bow, but holding his bleeding nose , when the King was in our reach.

He lifted a hand covered in diamonds.

The poor people of this town would give their life for a shard.

"Cut it." His voice is as terrible as i have imagined. "You punched a royal guard in the face," He said, turning to face me, his eyes shooting like needles through my body. "I like you...but you need to learn some respect. I had a mission for the Capitan but I will propose a deal to you... You complete the mission I chose for this man and become Captain... but if you fail, you will only be a cadet."

"I will do it, sir." Good job Tarra instead of shutting your mouth you just let bad things escape.

"Are you sure?"

No, no, no, say no ! Come on.

"Yes sir."

The king almost seems thrilled by my answer "Fine. The Killer Deviant 48 hours.”

And he just left me just like that in the worst situation ever; I have to catch that deviant!

So this deviant is an assassin who has been the kingdom's worst enemy for centuries, and no one knows who he is or where he hides he is like a ghost! Remember the friend I mentioned about? Yeah that's him.

I should have slept in this morning.

After this fiasco I'll need to rethink my life decisions.

℘

My father sits at the kitchen table as I set the only two bowls I managed to keep intact.

He's awfully quiet which is not a good thing.

"So Poe told me you're thinking about joining."

So that's what this is about. I place the spoons. "Dad, I already did. I know what happened, and I know you're worried but I'm not a child anymore, come on the soup is getting cold."

And just like that the subject was dropped. And as soon as I finished my meal I returned to my room.

I change into something that allows me to move quickly and also that helps me blend in as much as possible.

Right now I'm fallowing an absurd rumor that he had been spotted frequently around this bar. I hope that I'll have a bit of good luck today. And hopefully the "Dark Killer" is just a fun harmless nickname.

Oh but of course. A ridiculously tall silhouette entered the bar. Is it too late to go back?

I decide to try my luck since I'm already here. After all I need him to prove my good intentions towards our beloved King.

The bar is painfully warm, but there are plenty empty seats, because it is only two pm. judging by the looks of the people, some of them spent the night here gambling or drinking their whole life savings.

I'm close enough to see him better. His dark color clothes his hood and mask covering almost his whole face. Not the most subtle choice. Then it hits me—most people don't get this close to him and live to tell the story. In what exactly I have gotten myself into?

He spotted me. Well better play my role then. I walk, swinging my hips ever so slightly and sit on a chair close to his. I'm practically asking to be killed at this point.

"Not going to buy me drink?" I ask in a higher pitch voice. I feel ridiculous but I hope my efforts will be rewarded.

He doesn't even look in my direction. Should I just handcuff him and go on my merry way?

He is starting at his whiskey.

I let out a chuckle. "How do you intend to drink that? Perhaps we could ask for a straw." I look in the direction of the bartender, he wouldn't kill me with witnesses on the spot, right?... Right?

"I haven't thought it through then." His gaze does not change and his voice is quite strange, not as deep as I expected yet it has a deadly calm tone to it.

I slide the glass along the scratched bar. "It's not like you're using it." I say as I take a sip of the disgusting drink, letting it burn my throat.

"What are you doing?" He asked fairly bored. Still focused on the spot the glass had been.

" I'm drinking, it's quite a common activity to do inside of a bar."

Still no reaction. I should smash this glass into pieces and shove them down his throat.

"I'm aware of that, i meant what are you doing here? Usually when a pretty girl comes my way it means trouble."

Pretty eh? I can work with that and he's right I'm am trouble. It is so sad, So strong but no brains. I have purposely left my badge on still he needs a push to figure it out.

"Trying to kill some time, and some other things too." I say nonchalantly.

"Is that so?" A hint of curiosity in his voice. Which is more than I could ask for.

"Sadly for you I'm waiting for someone as well."

It's his turn to take a step in our little dance. “You look way to stressed and on hinge for a date." He replied.

Oh my, this would be so much more fun if he wasn't my target.

"And you look like you needed that drink, and either a nap or a coffin" I said with a soft but poisonous smile. And put the glass back in front of him with a thud.

He moved ever so slightly. Then spoke again. "You know, you talk a lot for a royal guard." He invaded my personal space and tapped my badge "Also you're delusional to think you can take me out."

No more games then, it's a pity I just started having fun.

"You make a girl delusional, refuse to buy and her a drink, no wonder why they don't hit on you, now get up I'm arresting you."

He laughed as he rose. Tall. He's awfully tall, somehow I forgot that information, and as if it wasn't bad enough shadows started dancing around him, yep another forgotten information.

"Cat got your tongue?" Oh he's enjoying this, isn't he? Perhaps he was playing the game as well.

I gasped for air as I was hit by something couldn't see.

In a matter of seconds am pined to one of the walls and feet dangling uselessly ten inch above the floor. This day can't get any better!

He's gone, and all I managed to catch was a glimpse of his cloak as he disappeared.

To my surprise his spell didn't hold me for too long.

℘

I'm walking alone, with no weapon what so ever, and going after one of the most dangerous deviants to ever exist.

The forest would be lovely in any other circumstances, the wild flowers, birds singing, and soft sunlight piercing through the green leaves. This forest just might be the last thing I'll ever see.

I collect myself and focus on my target, I need to catch him or try at least .

He's is way too relaxed, his pace is slow, and he seems without a care in the world. The road he walks on is full of broken branches and sharp rocks that make sure to leave me with some nice cuts as I make my way through them, however it's a pretty straightforward path. I'm surprised how no one managed to chase him down and find his hiding spot.

He stopped. Why did he stop? I mean I broke a branch or two and in not the best at sneaking around, but he couldn't have heard me. He looks in my direction and I can taste my lunch once more, but lucky for me he turns around and walks inside a tree. Like in it.

When I reach the wood bastard I stare at it for a good moment, it look like any other tree, just bark and leaves.

He might be able to turn trees in portals for all I know, and I might have no choice but to fallow him.

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