Chronicles of Domaria - Book I – The Awakening

His eyes opened gradually in the midst of darkness. A drop of water hit his face, as he moved one hand, the other, and bent her legs slightly. Returning to consciousness, the last thing he could remember was the damn ring and the strong earthquake. Andarion looked back into his hand and his body, in front of the remains of the small altar, in the shadows.

He rose injured, without having the slightest idea of how he reached there. His body had cuts and the bones ached. It seemed that he had fallen from great heights. The rogue looked around and saw only the black and deep abyss and a narrow and fragile path, leading to the entrance, where he had come.

- What happened? I must get out of here. - He thought, still perplexed.

The big massive iron door fell with the earthquake and partially blocked the entrance along with the debris that tumbled. Andarion squeezed and again went through them. He continued his way to the top of the cave and climbed, through the debris, the ladder by which he had slipped.

The pain had gone. Maybe due to the adrenaline of the moment, that made the young man even forget the treasures he had glimpsed in the hidden sanctuary. He looked again at the ring, which seemed to shed gently a squalid light in the full underground darkness.

Up the stairs, he returned to the secret passage where it all started. He anchored in the secret door and pushed it, with some effort, again into the main wall. Still stunned, he forgot that, again, the mechanism made a great noise that echoed through the tunnels of the mine.

- Damn! – whispered the rogue.

This time the noise didn’t go unnoticed. One of the guards got alerted and changed the direction of the walk. The rogue saw the clarity increase and heard heavy steps. Immediately he hid in the darkness of the passage: bent down, trapped and alone.

The guard promptly looked toward the end of the Hall and noticed something strange. Scared, he put one hand on his old rusty sword ready to unsheathe it. He cautiously carried the torch towards the tunnel. Andarion froze. He would be captured or killed right there.

- Kill him! Kill him! - a gruesome voice began to torment the rogue.

- What? - the thief wandered, looking around.

He noticed the gleaming ring on his finger and brought the hand to the face, confused. A sudden malaise took his body. His stomach churned and the vision twisted. He closed his eyes and cringed, seeking a dagger that he had kept inside his boot.

The steps ceased. The foreman lit up the tunnel, looked carefully at the stairs and saw nothing but dirt and dust. He took a step forward and crossed the door with a bad feeling and huge fear. Something lurked him in the darkness.

Suddenly, a wild blow strokes his neck. He didn’t have time to cry for help. His throat was cut out, causing him to drop dead right there.

Immediately, Andarion dropped the dagger tinged with blood. He didn’t believe he had killed. It looked like something had him, making him completely lose control. His ring glowed in a pale light that broke the darkness, sipping out the soul of the perpetrator. Terrified, the young man saw his injuries heal at the same time.

- How? –he reflected, looking at the blood on his hands.

He saw the body on the floor and felt afraid. - I’ve never killed or injured anyone. – He thought. His heart stopped imagining what would happen thereafter. He remembered his little sister. He knew that the penalty for this type of crime was very severe.

- I have to hide this mess. I can’t waste any more time here.

The rogue dragged the foreman by the shoulders with difficulty. The executioner was fat, but gradually he moved up the stairs all the way down. The young man’s mind was confused. He listened to a disturbing and rejoicing laugh. Again, Andarion felt bad, but moved on. He needed to get out of there fast. By judging the man who was in the round, it should be almost morning.

The rogue was in trouble. Some guards slept in the mine, and took turns in shifts to ensure safety at night. The site was perfect for thieves and eavesdroppers who always chose the off-hours to steal artifacts and sell them at the black market.

Wondering the next working shift would begin soon, Andarion snuck out again by the shadows drawn by torches. In the main hall, he noticed two men on the ground. They were lifeless, faint. - Had they been attacked? - He thought, while approaching cautiously.

The curiosity was greater. The young man decided to come closer. Judging from the position they were in, they were victims of a sudden attack. Almost an inch away from the face of one of them, he saw the morbid expression. Their eyes were in fear. On their faces there were dark pustules. No battle was fought. Afraid to touch their skin, the rogue turned the other body face up, taking him by the shirt and finding the same characteristics.

Andarion got confused. He didn’t know what was going on. He was still pretty scared, but now he wouldn’t have a lot of work to escape from there. In a moment of boldness, he decided to walk into the den that housed the guards.

- I need new clothes. If they catch me walking down the road, I’m sure I’m going to get arrested - analyzed the rogue, after seeing their dirty rags full of blood.

The door was ajar. - Probably the guards left at night, afraid, and did not returned – he thought.

Slowly, he put his face in the crack of the door and looked inside. He could see the light of a candle lit in the small room and didn’t hear a noise.

He pushed a little more the door and entered slowly. There were two more guards, wrapped in their sleeping bags, dead, with a striking expression. How did all this happen? – he thought.

Hurried, he looked at the trunk in front of the sleeping bags and opened it. Inside were some changes of clothes and equipment of the guards, who were kept there overnight. He got a leather pantsuit, a shirt, a dagger that looked like it had recently been sharpened and a pair of boots. He left quickly the room, leaving their garments, and keeping only his inseparable hood.

He walked fast towards the entrance. Around half of the exit corridor, anxious, he gave a slight race and finally stepped outside the mine. The sky was not black; it was painted in a navy color of the first day lights. In a cold and wet morning, Andarion closed his eyes for a moment and took a deep breath, a sheepish smile on his face.

- I’m free! – laughed the youngster, eager to return home.

His thought was interrupted once again suddenly. There were bad memories of his life in a glimpse: the death of his mother, the hunger, the thefts and the murder he had committed. The memories were accompanied by a sharp tongue and disturbing voice that whispered:

- Revenge!

With the first rays of sun breaking through the morning, Andarion rubbed his eyes, trying to get rid of the malaise. On an impulse, he decided to take an alternate path to the main road. His walk back to the city of Durunthir would begin through the Woods.

*

Under the sun, Rune was waiting for his new companions. Impatient, the young warrior walked in circles near the North Gate of Eldania. He was dressed with a light leotard coat and a backpack, cursing his irresponsible peers:

- I’m a fool! I should have known they were not going to show up. The girl ran off with the money, and the tramp should be in prison.

Rune didn’t have much patience, but some discipline. His education made him to be more methodical than others, which sometimes made it pedantic. Sick of the soft life and the restrictions, the young man ran away once in a while looking for adventures, living each day with the money.

The sun rose toward the half morning. The Warrior thought about leaving, because he wouldn’t wait any longer. - I’d have to walk in noon’s sun. No way. – He grumbled.

Far away he saw Ilyn walking in his direction, next to a fruit cart, with the same clothes from last night.

Ilyn was skinny and small, the perfect biotype for a thief. His face seemed an age a bit more advanced than he was. His features contrasted with his bold personality, sharp tongue and cunningness of a young man.

The crook had stolen an apple and he was biting it guiltlessly, while approaching Rune. Realizing the absence of the girl, Ilyn became exalted:

- That rascal! I knew she was going to disappear with the money!

Rune went unanswered. He thought for a moment. The young warrior was going to talk to the mugger, when he saw in the distance a young woman dressed in a violet cape and a cowl. Her clothes were quite colorful even for a diverse city as Eldania. Sofia had located the two and walked toward them holding a rod made of polished cedar.

- Where’s the party? - said Ilyn, laughing out loud.

- Great! I’m glad you came! I spent half the morning waiting and now we have to walk with the sun at its highest – retorted Rune, disgusted with the late-comers.

- I was choosing my outfit. You understand, don’t you? – justified Sofia.

- Let’s hurry! The walk is long. I have a few things to eat here in the bag. - said Rune, walking toward the outside of the city.

They followed a caravan on the road by noon with the strong sunlight. After some hours, with the hunger starting to bother, Ilyn gave the message:

- We could take a break, what do you think? We go to the woods to get something to eat and rest until the middle of the afternoon?

Rune looked at the girl and saw that she was walking with fatigue. He was also hungry and didn’t hesitate to say:

- Right. Let’s go. But we will not rest so much, because time is against us.

The young warrior still teased the thief, muttering:

- Lazy.

- I heard that! - Ilyn said.

Quietly, the three left the main route and entered the woods. The jungle was a no-go area, due to the legends that preceded it. Many claimed that a group that lived there was not very friendly to visitors. Others spoke of wild creatures that stalk during full moons.

The group sat in a clearing in the woods. Rune drew some food of his backpack: dried fruits, old bread and smoked meat. Nothing was really tasty, but that’s what there was. He offered to Sofia, who accepted promptly after taking a swig at the flask in her waist. Ilyn, totally unprepared for the occasion, tried to get some food hoping to satisfy his hunger.

- Not you. – The Warrior said, firmly pointing the short sword to the mugger.

- Hey, come on! I’m starving! – said Ilyn, revolted by the greed of the youngster.

- Then try to hunt some quail or pick some berries - said Rune, closing the bag and keeping it away from the thief.

Ilyn had no choice. He knew he was the most unpopular of the group, and his personality was not so sweet. He got up muttering and started groping through the bushes looking for something that he could chew to end his hunger. After a few minutes, he got a few seeds and a small handful of green berries.

Sofia looked with pity at him. She imagined the size of his hunger. Rune continued chewing the rubbery daily ration, without looking at the thief.

- I have a piece of bread over here. Do you want it? – said Sofia.

- You don’t have to, young lady! It won’t be the first or the last time I will feel starved.

A ration package was thrown and hit the shoulder of the thief, scaring him. Despite knowing this “kind”, Rune was sympathizing. While the thief ate, the young warrior was standing up and stretching his legs. Worried about the slow pace of progress, he said:

- If we continue like this we will have to sleep in the woods. Even if we move faster, night will fall, and the roads will be dangerous. Raiders usually make a living here.

Sofia, at that moment, perceived it wasn’t a prank. Their lives were at risk outside the city walls. She thought about her parents and what guided her out there. But, on the other hand, she could not hide anymore. It was glory or nothing. In a gesture of courage, she stood up and said:

-We must leave soon. Let’s go, Ilyn!

The thief, without questioning, took the rest of what he had eaten and wrapped it back in the package, sticking it in his pockets. They came out of the woods the same way they entered, walking peacefully back to the original route.

*

All he heard was the treading on dry leaves. The silence was unusual, since the birds seemed to have fled or muted. After hours walking through the woods, Andarion felt like he was constantly watched and followed. Strangely, he didn’t feel scared and thought it should be the joy of being there, free. He even thought that he could be being escorted, considered lucky by the recent events.

In his moment of reflection, he stopped for a moment. The rogue opened his leather pantsuit and his shirt to look at the wounds that were opened for a few hours. He passed the fingers over them, totally healed, still not believing how it was possible.

He closed the garments and continued walking through the jungle. From this point it was all known by him. He took his sister to play and taught to use bow and arrow at that location. The bark off the trees marked by names of lovers seeking a tranquil retreat signaled the civilization. His house was finally near.

Soon he envisioned the walls of Durunthir, the roofs of houses in the city, as the smoke coming from the chimneys and the movement of the caravans that went in and out. Anxious to get there, he rushed to enter through the stone Archway that marked the beginning of the lands of the town.

He entered the city, without drawing attention. The rogue walked the side streets, passing among the beggars. But, foolishly he forgot his new clothes that made him look like a guard, or with someone who had some coins. He ended up being the target of beggars:

- Sir, a coin, please! – cried the old beggar, who was panhandling on the corner of the alley. He knew Andarion and his sister.

Andarion rushed, without looking, trying to hide his face with the hood. He entered his house in a hurry, looking sideways. Slamming the door, the rogue felt a great relief. He thought about selling the old magic ring, which should be worth a fortune. He was just waiting for his sister to get there to pack and leave the town.

Andarion’s house was quite humble, but it was better than a shack. It was twinned with other houses in one of the alleys of the city. It looked more like a flophouse. It was a simple wooden door, dirty lime-covered walls, a room only, grouping the bedroom and the kitchen. The single room was separated from the main space by a very old wooden door with a broken lock. Andarion slept on the floor, while the sister occupied the only single bed.

The young thief sat tiredly in an old chair next to the extinguished fireplace. He closed his eyes for a minute and, in the dark, he began to hear grim voices.

- Eldania...

The whispered voices preceded the vision of a skeletal face, which wore a Crown. The skull reached out his hand, as if trying to reach Andarion, revealing a ring with a familiar insignia.

A shriek stirred up the rogue from his trance. It wasn’t real, but it was enough to speed up his heart. Again, the malaise came. Andarion tottered up to the small room and saw his mother’s jewelry box on the dresser. He opened it, like he always did before his work, making sure to leave something for his sister to get by until his return at the end of the day.

The box was empty, except for the brooch that mother had given to him at the time of her death. He got it with his fingertips and looked at the insignia again.

- The badge – the rogue said, amazed with the match. The design was the same as the ring in his delusion.

The unrest intensified. Still holding the brooch, he glanced at the back of his hand and saw his aged skin, filled with spots similar to leprosy and pustules. The fear caused him to drop the badge and take some steps back, hitting his sister’s bed. When he looked again, his hand was normal.

An intense headache began afflicting him. He closed his eyes for a minute, diving between catastrophic images and dozens of cries of suffering and pain.

- The Kingdom... is falling apart ... – the rogue muttered hypnotically, awakening again.

His eyes changed. They seemed empty, almost dead. He hunkered down slowly and picked up again the brooch, placing it in his pocket. The rogue left the room and the house, in precise steps, like he was going to an encounter with his destiny.

He stepped in the puddles in the alley without avoiding them, in a rapid and continuous pace. The rogue heard several voices, but the street was quiet. They were the thoughts of the locals and beggars that echoed in his head. The pie was in the oven, while the woman hung clothes on the facade of the house. The stomach of the boy who played on the floor, which complained of hunger. And the beggar, who was cursing because he hadn’t left a penny.

Disturbed, the rogue walked fast out of the city. He sat down on a big rock. The anger and the vengeful thoughts exploded. He remembered the murder of the foreman in the mines and this time he didn’t feel repulsed. It was sweet and refreshing. A feeling that made him feel tranquility in that disturbance. Andarion smiled cruelly.

- Tonight the retribution will come! – He talked to himself, just realizing the words after finishing them.

It’s about time his sister arrived from the Abbey, but he didn’t come home. The rogue didn’t feel hungry or thirsty. His hunger was revenge, his was thirsty for blood.

He headed toward the uptown. What the young man had in mind, only he knew. But, by the look in his eyes, it was not a good thing.

*

The weather was starting to get worse. The beautiful day started to turn into wind and clouds. The sun no longer lit up their way, and the dust of the road blinded the adventurous, they were slower gust after gust.

- Hey! Let’s hide in the woods! - shouted Ilyn, struggling to walk and talk under that storm starting to strike.

The first drop of water hit the forehead of Rune. With it, others came. The rain collapsed, accompanied by heavy wind and darkness that was beginning to conceal the way.

- Let’s run! – Said Sofia, worrying about her cover and her shoes.

The thief and the girl ran toward the woods, looking for a crown of any tree for shelter. Rune, thwarted, was a few seconds later. Sleeping there was not an option. His hope was to reach at least the city of Durunthir and spend the night there, even in the oldest of the slops.

- Well... I think we’re going to have to spend the night here - said the young warrior, worried, after reaching the companions under a big, leafy tree.

- Relax, cutie. We can watch at night and light a bonfire. Are you afraid of wolves? - provoked Ilyn.

- Not at all. The problem is that in addition to watching the beasts, we’re going to have to watch you – said Rune.

Sofia was worried. She liked the adrenaline, but she began to wonder if it wasn’t too much for her. The girl was there, in the middle of a forest, at night, with two strangers.

Trying to disperse the bad feelings again, Sofia walked in front and rushed the group:

- Let’s go! We have to find a place to camp that night.

Rune was apprehensive. He had never slept in that strange forest. The rumors and the stories shook his imagination, turning him into a coward. It was getting dark, and they had only two options: resting there or risking the roads at night. One thing he knew: between the raiders and the rumors, his choice was the old woods.

The girl shouted from afar:

- Come on! I found a place!

The two walked cautiously, taking advantage of the low light to guide the steps. They were guided by the girl’s voice, since they could not see her in the woods.

- Wait! – shouted Sofia in the darkness, scaring the boys. They froze at the same time.

- Ignitum! - she shouted.

In a snap of fingers, she lit a heap of small twigs and dry vegetation. It wasn’t really a bonfire, but she shed some light on the place until they found some branches to keep the fire burning.

- How did you do that?! – said Ilyn, stupefied with the sorcery of the girl.

- It’s a trick I learned – she replied.

Rune suspected. He saw enough in Eldania and was sure it wasn’t just a trick like the others in Arcane Society. Maybe not for a girl that age. He shut up and started picking up small and dried twigs to keep the fire burning.

The thief also helped picking up some hay all over the floor knowing that at least they would have some comfort at night. For the first time, the trio, which so far fought or disagreed, was cooperating.

- Here! A little bit of hay. It isn’t a bed, but at least you can put your heads – said Ilyn, tossing it next to the backpack of the warrior.

The raindrops were not under the vegetation of the dense woods. The soil was dry, full of leaves and debris of ancient rocks and dead trees. The only company of the trio was the soothing noise of the drops of rain, which began to cease, and the smell of wet dirt that came in the breeze outside the forest.

They sat near the bonfire. The trio took the opportunity to talk a little bit, breaking the strange feeling of being united only by a weird mission.

Sofia began her story:

- I left home to take a chance in the Arcane Society School in Eldania. After failing, I realized I don’t want to come back home. - she said, dejected. – I’ve been trying to make some money with cheap tricks or any services in a shop or tavern. I always dreamed to meet the world of magic, despite the risks.

- So it is true what I thought. - said Rune.

- What? – questioned the girl, curious.

- You are a pariah. – the young fighter said, drawing on the floor with a stick.

- A what? – asked Sofia, raising her voice.

- Pariah. Your parents never told you? The outcasts who are naturally born with magical gifts. The name is given because most parents abandoned them to their fate when they found out. They are also excluded from society when they reveal their powers, said Rune, looking at her.

Sofia froze. At that time she thought of her parents. The sorcerer remembered the small accidents and paranormal things that happened in her childhood. Burn marks on the mattress, shocks triggered by touch. - Why have they never told me about it? Certainly they wanted to protect me, but...

Ilyn interrupted the girl’s thought, wooing:

- I think people with these gifts should not be treated like that.

- Not everybody knows how to use their gifts properly. – replied Rune, criticizing the thief. – It happened once, when many centuries ago everyone could use and study magic. Now, for the greater good, it was decided that it should be so.

- And you, Rune? What’s your story? – asked Sofia, trying to divert the issue.

-Well, I’m from a traditional house of Eldania. My father died defending our property of an invasion of orcs from the South. I ran on the back of a horse with my mother, while I was a baby. We got very little of what we had and we were established in the city, starting from scratch – he said, dismayed. - My mom soon became ill and also died, leaving me in the custody of a wealthy uncle who lived there. Needless to say, we don’t get along. His plans for me are very different from mine.

The young thief felt sorry for Rune. Apparently everyone there had a difficult past. Both looked at Ilyn, hoping that he also told a little about his life. The thief looked back, silent, expecting some words.

- And you? – asked Rune.

- I’m fine, thank you! - replied the thief, making fun of the warrior.

- Not gonna say anything? – spoke Sofia, curious to know the story of the mysterious poacher.

- No. I prefer it this way. You would not want to know, too. – Ilyn replied staring at the floor.

A silence was made during few seconds, interrupted only by the noise of the backpack being opened by Rune.

- Food? – he asked with a slight smile.

The girl and the thief signaled positively, extending their hands. They ate, they talked more about what had happened in the short journey and laughed a little. Finally, with the silence of the woods and the warmth of fire they fell asleep over the little hay and the carpet of dead leaves.

*

In the dawn, the noise of the owls and small animals were overcome by another unfamiliar noise: steps. The leaves being trampled and small twigs breaking were unmistakable. Something lurked. It approached the adventurers slowly, trying to hide behind the trees and shadows of the night. The trio was unattended. Rune snored loudly.

The shadow slowly loomed in the direction of the ration packs. Ilyn carelessly left one of these open, near his back. The creature prepared for the lunge, but a noise of a twig snapping close enough to the thief caused him to open his eyes quickly.

The rogue turned like lightning and jumped on the creature with the dagger ready to kill.

- Die! – he screamed, scaring the two sleeping companions.

His eyes wouldn’t believe. He thought it was a wolf or maybe a goblin, but it was a girl. Small and fragile, she appeared to be aged twelve. Ilyn was over her, with the dagger against her neck, ready to the final blow.

- A child! What the hell is this? – shouted the poacher, looking thoroughly at her.

The girl still held the package with the rest of the ration of the thief. She was paralyzed, unable to utter a word. Ilyn was relieving the weight on the girl and putting away the dagger from her neck, still holding her tightly. He rose and suspended the child by the collar of her shirt, pushing her around the campfire. The little thief tripped and fell uncomfortably.

She was surrounded. The other two rose and looked scared. Rune was in alert, wielding his short sword with blurry eyes. Sofia, with the heart beating and bulging eyes, held the staff in attack position.

-Hey, calm down! I can explain! - said the little girl with trembling voice.

- My name is Andariel. I was just going to get the food he didn’t want anymore! - said the girl showing the package.

The girl had short, brown hair and big eyes round as a doe. Her physique was thin, but in shape for a girl who lived at the expense of forced labor and robbery.

- You little thief! I’m going to teach you how what happens to people like you! - Ilyn said, interrupting the girl.

- Enough! It seems like you forgot who you are! – Rune said. - Let her go with the food. I have more here.

I can’t believe that you’re going to let she go in these dangerous woods. – complained Sofia, showing affection for the girl. – In fact, what is a child like you doing here?

Andariel was starving. She devoured wildly the rest of Ilyn’s ration. With a full mouth, she replied:

-I’m from Durunthir. I haven’t seen my brother for two days ago. I came looking for him in the woods and I didn’t find him -she said, before pausing to swallow. - I got lost. I saw the light of the camp by far and I thought I could get the food, since it was dumped there.

Rune got another package of dried food in the bag. He threw it to the girl, who took it and opened immediately.

- Ok. Now, get out! – he said.

The gaze of Sofia condemned the warrior. She approached Andariel and bent down on her side, saying:

- You can come with us. Let’s get you home.

Rune and Ilyn went crazy. For the first time on the journey they agreed and protested against Sofia.

- This is all we ever needed! Babysitting? - Ilyn said, laughing ironically.

- You can’t force us to carry her! – complained Rune.

- Hey, calm down! I can shoot! – said Andariel pointing to the little bow and quiver on her back. - And you? Are you hunting? Maybe I can help!

- You brat! Do you think you can kill something with this toy? – Ilyn teased her, lying on the floor again.

Minutes later, the adventurers agreed to take the girl to Durunthir, upon awakening. Safe and with the stomach full, Andariel and all the adventurers fell asleep again in the peace of the night in the woods.

*

Meanwhile, Andarion waited in a tavern at the high part of the city of Durunthir. The appearance of tiredness was visible on his face, although he didn’t feel sleepy. He drank and was contemplating the movement, which gradually faded after a busy night in the bar. He put his hand on the old round table and stayed for some time admiring the ring that seduced him. The rogue left a few coins on the counter, paying the drink, and got up determined. It was time to set his plan into motion.

The rogue was hidden in the kitchen and saw on the table a garrote. The instrument was a sharp metallic wire, connected by two claws of wood, quite used to cut cheese wheels, parts of meat and large fruits. Without blinking, he hid the object in his waist, and sneaked out through the back door.

Andarion walked in stride for the luxurious Miklos state. The memories that came to his mind were not pleasant. The house was the same that he stole years ago. Still, he’s not intimidated: his motivation was genuine, and his goal was clear as water. The rain began to fall again.

– Perfect! – he thought.

The noise of big drops on the roofs and in the vegetation concealed the sound of his footsteps.

He climbed quietly one of the external walls and jumped into the yard. Inside, he saw two guards on duty protecting the front door. Interestingly, the sentinels seemed more concerned to protect themselves from the rain under the balcony. The young man continued walking along the side of the house, through the shadows.

The rogue merged into darkness. His steps were light, agile and noiseless. He moved away a little and, in a shrewd move, he ran, propelled two steps on the wall and grabbed on the ledge of the open window on the second floor of the house.

He suspended itself and went quietly. The rogue knew that place like the back of his hands. He was in Miklos’ bedroom, but no one was sleeping there. The bed was still turned over. And an unpleasant smell in the room called the attention of the rogue.

- Smells like a pigsty - he whispered, angrily.

Before he could be distracted, he heard footsteps. Astutely, the rogue hid behind a curtain that flew in the shadows of the room. The rain heaved, followed by lightning and thunder.

An obese figure entered the bedroom and closed the door. It was Miklos, one of the Lords of Durunthir. He walked with difficulty and was holding a candle. Maybe he rose to go to the latrine and took the opportunity to close a window that was open in his office. His scent was strong and his appearance, repulsive. The man, almost old, was quite similar to the other rich gentlemen from that forgotten city.

The curtain flew once more with the wind that came through the window. Andarion was uncovered for a brief second. His luck was the lord’s attention being focused on the candle. The only source of light in the alcove resisted without fading. He left it on the nightstand next to the bed and walked towards the window to close it. The fat man unlocked the latches and descended the heavy wooden frame, while a few drops of rain hit him in the face.

It was the perfect time.

Andarion jumped from behind the curtain strangulating him. The tight wire began to hurt the roly-poly man. In agony, he tried to cry out for help, taking his hands around his neck.

- Scream. No one will hear you. – said, coldly, Andarion, while pressed further the garrote.

The storm was outside, making a lot of noise. Even with the struggle, the guards who were on watch couldn’t hear anything. Miklos tried to scream, but choked.

- My name is Andarion. I think you remember me. - said again the rogue, with rancor.

Miklos started babbling and flapping. Certainly he recognized the voice and the name. With his goal accomplished, Andarion pulled strongly the ends of the garrote, painting with blood the bedroom curtains. The great weight fell on the hardwood floors. After that, there was only silence.

Slowly, the ring absorbed the soul of the man in a pale light. The memories and cruel facts of the mind of Miklos passed as accelerated by the young mind visions. The killer crowed cruelly.

Andarion wiped the killing weapon on the bedroom’s curtain. Without fear or haste, he searched the drawer of the nightstand next to the bed, already aware of the presence of a pouch with several coins of high value. He could tear apart the room looking for more stuff, but it wasn’t his goal. He didn’t want money or wealth. He wanted revenge. The sweet taste the rogue felt was unparalleled.

He put the candle on the floor, next to the curtain and watched the fire start to consume the decorated silk and lace. He looked out and saw that the rain had slowed down.

- Time to go.

Andarion opened the window in a steady motion and jumped, falling like a cat. He looked back into the room, in the external courtyard, and realized the clarity of the fire that consumed the curtains and started to catch in some wooden beams.

He left the same way he came in: through the shadows and jumping the fence. The rogue walked a little more but did not turn away. Andarion didn’t feel fear. With the end of the storm, he stayed near, watching the house burn with the few onlookers that appeared. The rogue smiled sarcastically. His eyes, reflecting the flames in the night, were no longer the same sweet and protector boy’s of yore.

- Eldania. Stand by me. – he whispered.

The young assassin turned his back and left slowly, still hearing the cracking of the wood taken by the flames. In his mind, nothing could stop him.