A/n so hey guys! Been a while since I updated either of my other stories on here, whoops, but anyway I did post this a while back but I've edited it and hopefully made it more intriguing. So yeah, enjoy reading Striving to Survive Chapter 1: Devon (afternoon) The cloudless sky and the treeless meadow gave us no protection from the heat. I look down at the stiff grass that broke beneath the weight of our bodies and our horses we so readily relied on. The ivory horse beside me whinnied quietly, trying to get my attention. Her lightly singed muzzle brushed my arm during her attempts. Instinctively, I raise my gloved hand to pat her neck. She knew my secret. None of the other knights did. No assassin, apart from one, I trained with knew either. My group is half ready to move on so I hop up onto my ivory mare, pulling on her reins gently. I watch with my pine green eyes as my group assemble themselves. The higher ranks, like me, get on their horse, while the others stand in their formation. I keep to myself, but I progressed quickly through the ranks, becoming one of the king's main assassins. Or more formally known as the Daggers. The lower rank assassins keep trying to get close to me to know how I got to the top. I push them away like they're a measly fly on my tunic. They hinder me more than help me. I need to keep them away. It was one of the conditions the king made and I won't be the first assassin to go against his conditions, although he had to adapt with mine. He oversees all of our training, picking out small groups for more advanced training. I was always in those groups. All my orders I got given, I followed to the letter. For some reason the king kept a keener eye on my orders than the rest. Always giving me slightly more difficult tasks because I could handle it. I'm not being vain, but I always got the job done better than the other assassins. The regiment starts moving out so I kick my ivory mare into a gentle trot. She is calm compared to the other 12 horses in the group. I am on nearly every mission the Daggers were on, meaning I rested when the others were at the tavern. Sweat starts running down the side of my face and I cringe as I wipe it off with the back of a leather glove encasing my hand. Glancing across, I notice the chestnut that had suddenly appeared by my ivory. The owner of this chestnut was Edmundus. A delightful chap if you ask him. But he is far from that. A prosperous protector he is meant to be, but to me, and then any rank lower than me, he's a prosperous pain. "You are in your thoughts again Devon," Edmundus comments, his voice high and mighty. I glare at him in reply, wordless. That's how I stay. Never a word. Unless I have a meeting with the king, I can talk then. Edmundus chuckles to himself "I should have known you still would not speak." He turns his horse slightly to turn like the rest of our 50 man group. "But that gives me time to talk about the last feast I attended. The king was adamant that there were two of his Daggers there, but everyone could only see one. He must have been going crazy..." Edmundus continues. I resist the urge to grin as the other one was me, but I was not in my uniform. The king had specified for me to be out of uniform. That fiasco he created was fun to watch. All the knights were pointing out people who they thought could be the other Dagger. The other Dagger didn't even know I was there. It is for the king's protection to have one of us hidden within the crowd. But the fact it was always me made it even better. He made me promise that I will not tell my secret, I could not say no. I have to keep it hidden because otherwise he would have no option but to kill me. Personally, I feel that he would not be able to do it, but he never lies. The only reason I am here is because of a bet my father made with one of his friends when I was born. He reckoned I could get into the Daggers before his friend's son, who is a year older than me, and he was right. I miss my father so much, but he died honorably in battle. The king confirmed that for me as his life was saved by father. My father died protecting the king. Now either I will die protecting the king, or the king will die protecting me... Edmundus snaps his fingers in front of my face to get my attention again. I want to snap a comment back at him but I bite my lip to stop it slipping out. "You need to speak Devon. I get that you need to stay silent during assignments, but when a knight speaks to you? That is disrespectful if you do not answer," Edmundus points out. Why is he not one of my assignments? "You know what, I will not bother you anymore. I see why the lower assassins call you Cold Stone now," Edmundus comments before kicking his horse into a faster gait. I stare at his back as he joins his friends at the front of the group. Their nickname for me never really struck a nerve, but coming from Edmundus it made my blood boil. I really need to talk to the king about that in a meeting. An ebony stallion appears beside me as I look at the floor gritting my teeth. "Hey, what was he on about?“ Alex asks me quietly. Alex is the other guy's son in that bet, who also happens to know my secret. I shrug my shoulders slightly in response, risking a glance at him. He obviously saw the pain in my eyes. With a sigh he looks back at the formation ahead of us. "Usual place, half eleven, same cover story," he reminds me and I nod. We have a spot where we can talk safely as us. Where I can be me. It's near the stables and no one bothers near there at night, animals or equipment to be used with them do not get stolen nowadays. Alex is my closest thing to a friend or family in this place apart from the king. But sometimes I need to talk to someone before I speak to the king to get my head level. Our cover story, well his to be honest, is that he met with his lover. He is always the one to get caught sneaking back into his room. But that is very rare. As for the cover story being remotely true? I am not really sure, but he has always been someone I could rely on. Someone who knows what I really feel like when I do not say anything at all. "See you then Devon," Alex whispers patting my leg gently before cantering ahead of me a bit. A small smile slips onto my face and I pat my ivory's neck. She snickers quietly in response making my smile slightly wider. This could be an interesting evening... This door no longer looks welcoming. Not after staring at it for two minutes. Why did I decide to see the king tonight and not tomorrow after I spoke to Alex? I shift slightly onto my right foot, playing with the hem of my sleeve. I shut my eyes and that is when the door decides to open. My eyes snap open to see the king standing there. He quickly takes in me still in most of my uniform, apart from the gloves, and stood with a half blank expression on my face. "Devon, come in. This must be urgent," he comments standing aside to let me in. His frame has always been commanding, especially with the seemingly stern posture. But that was not who the king is. His eyes are soft, his smile welcoming and the laugh lines relaxing. I walk in the room and wait in front of his desk. The door shuts and the king appears behind his desk. Keeping my eyes downcast, I curtsey low to the ground. Yes I curtseyed. Yes I am a female Devon, not a male one. My secret as an assassin. "Sire, there have been things going on I am no longer comfortable with," I say, my voice soft and quiet in his vast room, after I straighten. "What is that Devon?" The king asks, his brows furrowed slightly. "The lower rank assassins have given me the nickname Cold Stone. I have put up with it for a while, but I can no longer put up with it as the knights have started using it as well." "Which one of them called you it today?" "Do you really need to ask?" "So Edmundus called you it. In what context?" I look back at the floor, I still did not like ratting others out after training to be an assassin for eight years. "He was saying about the feast and how he thought you might have been going crazy. As I did not reply like you specified, he said 'I get that you need to stay silent during assignments, but when a knight speaks to you? That is disrespectful if you do not answer.' When I did not answer he went; 'you know what, I will not bother you anymore. I see why the lower assassins call you Cold Stone now,'" I explain. The king sighed, rubbing his forehead with a hand. "Alright, thank you Devon," he replies. I remain silent and clasp my hands in front of me. "You have just been following orders. There has been nothing against your orders." "Did you know about the bet sire?" I ask quietly. "Your father's bet? Yes, after you started training for the last assassin level," the king replies. "What do you know about it?" "Your father won. The lad knows your secret but he is not stupid enough to say, he will not risk it." "How do you know?" "The way you two work. Especially the way he treats you at night." I freeze, slowly looking up at him. How does he know anything like that? There was one time when someone walked near Alex and I, so he pretty much pinned me to the back of the stables. It kept me warm as I was getting a bit cold. We kind of lose track of time when we start talking. When the person moved away, Alex did not move away instantly; he was frozen. We stayed there watching each other's eyes. His mud brown eyes watching my pine green eyes. In a way; it was nice but scary at the same time. It was like he could see the person I really am and he is now the only person who does. A noise then got my attention as the intruder kept moving away so I followed their figure until Alex's hand brushed my cheek. His hand was cold but after that I forgot about the figure. "That was you?" I ask quietly. "Could not sleep and did not expect anyone to be awake and outside. Why I went outside on my own is currently irrelevant, but I can protect myself," the king explains. I look away from his gaze. "There has been more then that sire." "I know, he has been caught three times sneaking back in." "More than three sire." The king raises an eyebrow but does not question me. "You are dismissed Devon. If anything like today happens again, talk to me right away." I curtsey again before exiting the room. My thoughts are just as confused as when I walked in, but on a different topic. The king had seen Alex and I, not mentioning it in the twenty meetings we have had since that incident. He has not spoken to Alex about it either; the humour in his eyes told me that. My room is a welcome sanctuary when I push open my door. Although the room is smaller than the others, it serves me well. The double bed is standard issue even though assassins mainly remain solitary; unless we get paired or grouped for missions. When I had to be paired I was always with Alex; so the king knowing that Alex knows about me should not catch me off-guard like it did. My wardrobe is male orientated at first glance, only hidden at the back are my normal clothes. My cover story, while not on official assassin duty, is a serving girl called Dixie. I mainly serve the king, but since the night of the feast I was assigned to serve the prince and then his twin, the princess at a distance. The prince, being the same age as Alex, had to try to get my attention whenever he felt he needed it. He does not really need it, but he acts dumbish so they will not try killing him off so his twin can take the throne. She is just as stubborn as he is. They are hell to watch, especially when you are trying to remember to stay hidden. I lock my door and lay on the stone floor by my open window. The cool air drifts over me helping me relax before I get changed into my normal clothes. After I pull my boot onto my foot, I strap a dagger to my calf so it is hidden by the boot. I pull the lace on the boot and tie it before doing the same with the other leg. After both daggers are in place and both boots are done up, I stand and flex out my legs a little so the daggers adjust comfortably. Then I stand in front of the mirror, my fingers playing with the end of my braid. It is the only way I can keep my dark hair, somewhere between dark brown and black, out of my face. Just as I go to undo the braid Alex knocks on the door. It is nowhere near half eleven yet. Hesitantly I stand behind the door and unlock it, peeking round at Alex. Wordlessly he enters and shuts the door behind him. His feet carry him to a clearing in my room and paces. "He knew. He knew that I knew that you... How is that possible? It was not that obvious. Extra precautions but he still finds out..." Alex gets cut off by me covering his mouth with a hand. He takes in a deep, calming, breath before removing my hand. "Alright, sorry got sidetracked. We have a paired mission two days time, brief tomorrow morning; move out on Bracken and Snow the day after. Just take your uniform, boots and weapons," Alex explains. I nod in response before picking up my brush as I sit down. Alex locks my door quietly before plucking the brush from my hand and sitting behind me. His hand catches the exposed skin at the back of my neck before he scoops up the braid and undoes it. Slowly he untangles my hair and brushes the knots out of it. Alex is tense as he only tries to do this to relax himself, I think he used to do this for his younger sister. Eventually all my hair is knot-free and the tips fall to my waist neatly. With soft hands Alex brings back the hair by my face, braiding it at the back to keep it there. When a slashed part falls back down and away from the uniformity of my hair, Alex tucks it behind my ear. "How did the guy managed to get that?" Alex asks quietly. Instinctively my eyes shut as I take a deep breath and my mind gets assaulted with memories. "He came up on a blind spot and had already tore through Maccy. I didn't hear the sword until it swiped near my face. I pulled away fast enough for it to only catch my hair," I barely whisper. Alex sighs rubbing his eyes with the heel of his hands. "I should have been there with you instead, he would not have got you." "You were ill Alex. You could be dead instead of Maccy and what would I do then?" "I would have put up more of a fight." "He had burns around his mouth and they stabbed the back of his neck. You would not be alive." "Maccy did not..." "Alex you would still be dead; why do you not understand that? Then I would have no one left apart from the king. This secret could mean I will get killed and the king probably will as well. Who is going to help you if I am dead?" I unlock my door and Alex grabs my wrist. "Hey come on. Sit back down. You inhaled your food at dinner, give it time to settle. "I am sorry I feel guilty. I was meant to go out with you and the twins," Alex explains, dragging me back to sit on the edge of my bed. With a sigh I flop backwards so I lay there looking at the ceiling. Alex does the same, his hand sliding from my wrist as he does. "I should have noticed earlier. The twins were bickering more than usual and it threw me off my game. I should have realised sooner than I did," I whisper. "You are telling me to stop feeling bad when you feel the same way. We both need to stop beating ourselves up." Alex stands and heads to my door. I sit up, my head tilted slightly as I watch him. Something seems... Different. There is something else bothering him. "Alex?" "Clear coast," is his response before he leaves the room. By the time I make it to the door, he is gone. I sigh and pull my door shut before heading towards where the twins are supposed to be. Like normal, they run into me when I am halfway to where they are supposed to be. "Dixie, tell Barden that girls can fight in wars!" Poppy exclaims. I freeze in my spot before quickly regaining my composure. "Poppy, inside voice please," I reply. "Sorry. Dixie, can you please tell Barden girls are perfectly capable of being assassins or knights." "Poppy, a battlefield is not the best place for a girl your age." "You are a year younger than me. Besides, how do you know?" "Do not be so rude Pop-pop. Her father died protecting father; he is the only reason father is still here. Sorry for that Dix," Barden says, shooting me a sympathetic smile. I look down at my clasped hands so I can compose myself again. "Oh! Yes... I am so sorry Dixie," Poppy says quietly, resting a hand softly on my shoulder. I was not expecting it, so quickly I grab her wrist and pin it to the nearest wall. Poppy remains silent watching me with her jaw dropped. Taking a deep breath, I step back releasing her wrist. Barden smirks at his sister's awe. "Oh sister you should listen to dad more. It is not only us that have secrets. Others do too," he comments, watching me subtly, well what he classes as subtle. "Just shut up Barden," Poppy complains before stalking towards the stables, where they are meant to be. Barden rolls his eyes as he slips into pace with me following Poppy. I glance across at him to see him watching me again. "That is far from subtle your highness," I comment and his eyes snap forward. "What are you talking about Dixie? You girls are all over the place today," Barden replies. "You know what I mean your highness. I do know when people are watching me." Barden's stumble gives me the reaction I was looking for. "Pardon?" "Your highness; I know how many girls sneak out of your room. I can easily tell your father about the thirty girls from the last three months." "Excuse me?" "Your highness; who did you think helped them sneak out after you had finished using them, or they had finished using you?" I smirk at his dropped jaw. "Wait, what?" "Want me to tell your sister or your father?" "Dix, come on, I know you are messing with me." I stop and pin him to the wall, my forearm across his throat; my other arm pressing just under his ribs. Glaring at him I reply quietly, "I never mess around." Then I leave him to digest my words as I start walking off. When I reach the turn, Barden is where I left him staring at me. "Are you coming to see Jasp your highness?" Referring to his gelding. Barden quickly catches up and we join Poppy at the stables. Snow snickers quietly so I pat her singed muzzle as we stop by her. Bracken whinnies in greeting and Alex looks out of the stall. His eyes narrow slightly seeing how close Barden is stood to me but they turn to normal. "Your highness, Poppy, D," Alex says in greeting. He calls me D as he knows my true identity and he would probably slip up if he tried using names. "Alex," we all respond. Poppy leans on Bracken's stall door, stroking his ebony muzzle. "Where is Devon? I thought you two were pretty much always together," Poppy comments. "Nice to see you too Poppy. It is a lovely evening so he is probably somewhere on the grounds. Did you want to tell him something?" Alex replies, sarcasm dripping from his voice. But he is watching me even though he is looking at Poppy. "No, it is nothing important." "Are you sure? I am certain I can have a response for you by the morning." Sarcasm still laces his voice. "Alex, you are getting as bad as the twins," I comment causing them all to stare at me. "We are not that bad," Barden comments. "Oh I am sorry Mr I got caught watching a servant and denied it when she pointed it out. You two are like that to me every single day." Alex shoots Barden a smug grin, but glares at him slightly. "Do not get me started about you," I say staring at Alex. He obviously caught the hardness in my eyes as he raises his hands in surrender slightly. "Alright. Although I only do it to make sure you are safe," Alex comments having a dig at Barden. "What did I just say?" "That was my last one." Poppy stands by Snow as Barden goes to Jasp at the end stall, "why does he have a mare?" Poppy asks snapping Alex and I out of our staring contest. "Plenty of assassins have a mare Poppy, it is not a big deal. Besides what is the sudden interest for?" Alex replies. "He seems different from the others. Well you two are quite similar, but he is just more... Mysterious." Alex risks a quick glance at me before leaning on Bracken's stall door; the said horse bumping his shoulder to try and move him. "Devon is just Devon. That has always been that way since we met." "Why are you avoiding the gender of Devon? He is obviously a guy..." Poppy do not be smart now... Barden notices Alex's hesitation "Pop-pop, it is just a slip of the tongue. They are all used to seeing each other in uniform and grew up together in training. It is quite common for them to forget," Barden comments. "Still, there must be a reason..." Snow cuts off Poppy by nudging her shoulder for attention. Poppy goes back to stroking Snow. "Devon and Snow were out on a mission today." "Are you a stalker now too sister?" "No, I just noticed them come in with the 50 men troop." "They were part of the 50 men troop. Devon is probably getting rest as it was a warm day and there was no heat protection; which I know as I was there. Anything else you want to ask about my partner?" Alex comments, sarcasm lacing his voice again. "Alex," I warn quietly. Poppy's cheeks flush before she can turn back to Snow fast enough. "Your partner? But you are rarely paired for missions. Devon does a good job on his own," Poppy points out. I shoot Alex a small smirk that he pretends to ignore. "Well when there are paired missions, I get paired with Devon and we get the extreme missions. So evidence suggests we are the top assassins. The fact that we rarely get paired means that our combined talent is not needed that much," Alex replies. "That is true, you two always get the extreme cases. I take it that you are close to Devon." "Very close." Alex watches me with his last statement as I sort out Bracken's tack as he had not put it back properly. He was referring to the several times I had ended up falling asleep buried in his side. I am never usually comfortable with missions where we have to sleep overnight. "Lucky you. Devon is a great guy." "You could say that." There was smugness in Alex's voice that no one, apart from me, would notice. I avoid all of their eyes as I continued sorting tack. "You two are going out again in two days if I heard right," Barden says. "Yes we are. Our brief is in the morning," Alex replies. "Oh, twins I just remembered that on that day and a few days after that, I have days off to visit family. Something came up," I say. Alex and Barden smirk at me while Poppy looks confused. "It must not be that important if you just remembered," she comments. "It came in just before I had to be with you two. I did not bring it up then, as you wanted to find out if girls can be assassins or knights," I reply. Alex trips in the stall and falls over beside Bracken who nudges him gently. Great subtly there Alex... Good job on hiding the surprise. "Oh. Sorry about that. I should have noticed that something was wrong." "I do not mix my personal life with my work so I would not have said if you asked." Alex picks himself up and brushes the front of his tunic to get rid of the hay. "Did you want to come out on our ride with us? Devon tends to let others ride Snow." I look at Alex at the same time Alex looks at me. "You cannot just take him out without asking Poppy," I reply looking back at the princess. "We can, she belongs to father." "Actually, Snow does not. Devon brought her here two years ago," Alex points out. "Well just give her a wash when we get back and Devon will never know." Alex, Barden and I stare at Poppy, we should have seen this coming. We all try forming words but cannot. I regain my composure first. "I do not think that will be the best idea. Besides, as Alex said earlier she was out all day with the troop," I remind Poppy. "Yeah, what about you take Bracken out D, he needs to go out again today," Alex offers. "Father said for us to have two riders when we ride round the grounds. So you need to come too," Poppy states. Alex comes out of Bracken's stall and heads to Fern's next to it. "Well then you can take Fern out D. She needs a stretch as well," Alex suggests. Fern is Alex's chestnut mare that he brought from home with Bracken. Those two being twins, they were never separated so Alex brought them both to stop them getting stressed. "Are you sure?" I ask approaching Fern's stall. Fern nudges Alex away so I can give her attention. She had always preferred me to Alex. "Yeah, she loves you anyway." I tack up Fern before helping Poppy with Daze. Poppy always managed to do something wrong when it came to tacking up. Barden rides out the stable followed by Poppy after I helped her up. As I stand by Fern, I glance at Alex who is sat on Bracken just outside Fern's stall. "The daggers might show," I whisper. "No they are hidden well enough not to be seen," Alex replies. I get onto Fern and kick her into a trot to follow Alex. Once outside I spot the twins not far from the stables talking to a figure. Instantly I canter up to them and when I see the king, I relax. "Why have you only got Dixie with you? I told you two riders," the king comments. "I am riding with them too sire," Alex says appearing on Bracken beside me. The king looks across at Alex "alright. Just do not injure Bracken tonight, Fern will not have the stamina for the mission. I trust that you told Devon about the mission." "Yes sire." "Good." "Poppy wanted D to ride Snow, but I told her she cannot because of that sire and the fact Devon has not given permission." "Rat," Poppy mutters. "Poppy what have I told you? Just do not get involved with assassins's horses. They do not like it," the king says. "Then why dos Dixie ride Fern?" "I let her Poppy. Get over it," Alex replies. "I am a year younger than you three and I am acting more mature than the three of you put together. There is you who wants to know everything about Devon. Then you who one ups Poppy as you are closer to Devon than her. Then there is you who sees far too many girls," I comment. The king follows who I was talking about easily. "Poppy, lay off the information. Alex, I expect better from you. As for you Barden, I have seen Dixie helping thirty girls sneak out of the castle over the past three months. If I find out about anything like this again about any of you, I will not be impressed." "Thirty girls? I only want one," Alex mumbles quietly and only I heard him. I glance at him to see his brow furrowed slightly. "Do you three understand me?" The king says sternly. "Yes sire," Alex, Barden and Poppy chorus. "Good, now stretch those horses legs." Barden and Poppy take off in a canter as Alex and I remain in place. "Alex, you help watch the twins please. They need extra trained eyes on them after Maccy." "Yes sire," Alex replies. The king steps closer to us "is the mission okay?“ "Yes, it will be alright. I told the twins a family emergency came up. Although I snapped twice earlier," I reply. "Tell me after the brief. Alex you stay behind too. Now go and make sure the twins do not kill each other." "Yes sire," Alex and I chorus before galloping to catch up with the twins.
Chapter one: Devon (evening) "Barden knows about me having training," I comment quietly. "Why?" Alex replies. "He has to if he takes over as king when the time comes." "I know, but why now?" "I have no idea." "There must be a reason." "Well I do not know and it is not like we can ask him out here can we?" Alex cannot reply as we are behind the twins. "Father had no right to say that. I can get to know anyone I want. I am twenty one," Poppy protests. "That does not mean you know everything about the assassins. You forget that they mainly keep themselves hidden," Barden comments. "You would have seen Devon and what he is like Alex," Poppy points out. "Yeah, I grew up with Devon," Alex replies guardedly. "What is he like?" "Silent. Does not talk that much. Has eyes like Dixie's. Always cold that is why he is in the uniform all the time." Liar. I die wearing that uniform and the small bit of padding. He is fully aware of that. "Oh. It is a nice eye colour though." "Yes it is." Alex's voice is a bit thoughtful which matches his gaze on me. The twins could not see as they are riding as a pair in front of us. My cheeks involuntarily redden slightly as I concentrate on our surroundings, looking for anything out of place. "Is there anything abnormal about him?" "No but Dixie has an abnormality in her irises." Thanks for mentioning that I have lighter green and brown flecks in my dark green eyes. My cheeks burn even more as I look everywhere apart from the people I am with. Barden glances back at me "Dix, the grounds are safe. Maccy died in an accident," he comments. My cheeks immediately pale and I stare at Barden. That was what they were told? I never realised they were not paying attention at the time of the attack, or they did not see I had a bit of the attacker's blood on my hands. My head turns to glance at Alex who shrugs suggesting there must be a reason why they were not told. "What is that look about?" Poppy asks. "Nothing. Not important at the moment," I reply. "Sure?" "Yes. Now pay attention to where you are riding." Poppy corrects Daze who nearly trotted into the hedge leading to the maze. We enter the maze two by two like we were riding to it. The hedgerows are tall and thick enough so we cannot be seen. I relax a little but keep glancing behind us. Alex watches ahead of us. It is a silent agreement we have, it is easier for me to watch behind us and him to watch ahead of us. Eventually we reach the middle of the maze; the only follower we have is the king. He sits on a bench and Poppy quickly joins him. "Have a sword fight," the king says looking between Barden and I. "Me and Alex? You know he can beat me with his eyes shut," Barden replies. "He means me," I state, taking the sword Alex offers me. "I thought it was a different servant." "You do not have to act dumb around me. Just fight. Do not go easy on her either," the king replies with a smirk. "Father? Are you insane?" "No. Do not join the list of people who keep questioning my sanity." As Alex backs away with a smirk, I relax and get into my stance. "Are you sure father? I do not want to hurt Dixie," Barden comments, looking a bit worried. "Relax. She will be hurting you," the king replies with humour in his voice. I look across at the king and he nods. Poppy watches us worriedly. "Poppy do not get any ideas from this. D has had a lot of training," Alex comments his arms folded across his chest. He shoots me his trademark smirk saying you have this easily. "What do you mean?" Poppy asks. "Just do not repeat any of this," the king replies and nods at Barden and I. That is when I launch my attack. Barden immediately backpedals trying to block my attempts. Quickly I find weaknesses in his stance and defence. "Weak arms. Need to work on stance," I call out to the king and Alex causing them to chuckle. Poppy gasps as she watches. Barden ducks to avoid an attack and stumbles backwards slightly. "There is the weak stance," Alex comments. The king murmurs an agreement. "Attack me," I say to Barden. His eyes widen and he shakes his head. "Who do you think stopped the guy who got Maccy getting you two. Man up and try to hit me," I state when he does not reply. The other two chuckle again. "How can you prove that?" Barden asks. I knock the slashed hair from behind my ear. "The only part of me the guy managed to get of me was my hair. Even then he did not last long. He was disposed of quite quickly," I respond with a small shrug. Barden looks at his father and Alex. "She does not lie Barden. Test yourself and do as she says," the king reassures him. Barden looks back at me before aiming an attack at my left arm. I block it easily as I twist my left side back, Alex's sword meeting his. "Good strength in the attack. Can be predictable with going for the non-sword arm," I comment. I easily block the following attacks, offering critique after each one. Barden's confidence has been growing throughout the exercise and he had worked up a small sweat. I, however, am sweat free still. He knocks me backwards so I sit on the floor and the sword is out of reach. I bring my legs to my chest as he approaches and pull out my daggers without him noticing. Alex chuckles as he knew what I had done. Just as Barden got close enough, I kick him back in the stomach with my feet and stand up as he staggers back. I adjust my grip on the daggers as his jaw drops. "Since when did you have daggers?" Barden asks. "She always had them," Alex comments. "Where?" "Boots." I roll my eyes, adjusting my stance slightly. Alex chuckles again before saying "my best advice to you Barden right now is do not move." Barden turns his head to face Alex "why?" He asks. That is when I throw a dagger that passes over his shoulder by the back of his head. Poppy screams but it lands with a thud in a branch. "See, my best advice." "How?" "Well from her stance I knew she was going to throw one. As for how she threw it that accurately is training. Try to tone down your screams P, D knows what she is doing. Poppy nods meekly looking back at her hands. I pick the dagger from the tree and put it back in my boot, I hide the other one and hand Alex his sword. He takes his place opposite Barden to make it look like they were fighting. Edmundus and a couple of his friends rush into the clearing. "We heard the scream," Edmundus says, his sword drawn. "Poppy had a small fright, she is fine. Just escort her and Daze back to the stables Edmundus," the king orders. Poppy stands, glancing at me in the shadows before climbing onto Daze. Edmundus goes to take the reins to lead Daze but Poppy slaps his hand away. "I am perfectly capable of leading my own horse," she snaps. Edmundus nods looking a bit lost but walks out the clearing, followed by Poppy on Daze. I exit the shadows to join the other three. When they had left the maze, the king looks at me with a smirk. A grin slips onto my face as I stand by Alex. "Barden, meet Devon," the king comments. Barden stares at me, his jaw dropped. "Wait, the Devon? The one Pop-pop has an unhealthy obsession over, the one Edmundus despises and the best assassin you have?" Barden asks. Alex frowns and I laugh at his expression, elbowing him in the ribs gently. He glances down at me and wraps an arm around my shoulder, pulling me closer to him. There is still something different about him, maybe he is fueled on 'I am an alpha male' fluids. "Actually, these two are my best assassins. They are skilled all round but make a team that is impossible to beat. No other kingdom can beat them. So yes, the assassin Devon. We had to come up with a cover if she got caught in the castle." "That is why Devon does not speak?" "Yes, a condition I had to set from the beginning." "So that is why you pinned Poppy's arm to the wall?" Barden asks me. "It is also how I pinned you to the wall with an arm across your throat and the other under your ribs," I respond. "Yeah that hurt a little." "You got it light then. Devon managed to make me struggle to breath with that," Alex comments. I roll my eyes, people had pushed too many buttons that day and Alex's comment made me snap. "I trust you not to say anything. Do not tell Poppy. Understand?" The king says sternly. Barden nods in response. "Did you actually pin him to the wall?" "He thought I was messing around when I said I would say about the thirty girls. I showed him I was not," I respond. Alex and the king chuckle quietly; Alex shaking his head. "You never mess around," the king comments. "That is what I told him." "Everyone clear on the instructions? Brief at ten in the morning in my chambers." "Yes sire," Alex, Barden and I chorus. "Good. Go back to the stables, sort the horses and then go to the library for an hour before retiring to your chambers." The king glances at Alex and I as if he knew what we planned. "Yes sire." "Well what are you waiting for?" Alex takes his arm from my shoulder and gets onto Bracken. I climb onto Fern easily and we wait for Barden. As a trio we exit; galloping when we reach the open grass towards the stable. Alex leads Bracken in with a smug look as he won. I follow just behind him with Fern, then Barden and Jasp behind me. Barden had finished before me but let me come in first. The king was right, Fern did not have stamina. Poppy comes out of Daze's stall, a brush in her hand. "Oh, hi," she says quietly, "no wonder Edmundus left so quickly." "I take it he ran when he saw us coming," Alex comments leading Bracken into his stall and starting to take off the tack. I lead Fern into her stall and do the same. "Yeah, could not get away fast enough." "He really hates me that much, it is unbelievable." I roll my eyes as I brush down Fern. Edmundus is probably feeling sour about the exchange Alex and I had just before we got to the castle. Although I have a feeling Alex did not see the dark look directed at me. "What have you done though?" "No idea. D, do you have a theory?" Alex comments peeking round into Fern's stall. I point to myself but say "I do not deal with him so why would I know?" "You must have heard something surely. None of the other servants mention anything?" "Well Devon does not speak, so maybe he saw an exchange you two had. I have no idea." Alex's eyes widen slightly as he realised what I meant. "So why is he making a big deal?" Poppy asks. "Maybe he just wants respect because of his position. But Devon's and your position is higher than his anyway is it not Alex?" I question although I already know the answer. "Only just. But I do not think he knows that," Alex replies. "Then it is just him being him, not him hating you." "Dix has a point. He has always been like that," Barden comments from the end of the stables. "Do not take it personally. He is like it to us sometimes so we put him in his place," Poppy says. I finish sorting out Fern and join the other three in the main part of the stable. Snow snickers quietly, gaining our attentions. "She is beautiful," Poppy comments quietly. "Yes she is," Alex replies. He murmurs something else under his breath which none of us could understand. "Where did Devon buy her?" "She was not brought. Devon has a couple of horses at home, Snow is one of the foals produced." "Oh. Do you think Devon would mind if I visited them?" Alex and I freeze. My uncle is not the best person to get started on horses, he will not shut up. Then he gets protective of them thinking that someone might take one, even though they are just petting them. "Um, as long as you are with Devon at the time. Uncle is a bit nuts," Alex replies, rubbing the back of his neck. "Whose uncle?" "Devon's." "Oh, the way you said it was like he is your uncle." "No he told me to call him uncle." "So he is one of those..." My blood starts simmering again and Alex takes hold of my arm. His thumb brushes circles on the soft skin of my wrist to calm me down. "Pop-pop, be respectful. Auntie J is like that," Barden says, glancing at me. I know his eyes lock onto Alex's hand wrapped around my wrist loosely. He just is not used to how me and Alex work: small touches in comfort or guidance, my head resting on Alex's shoulder while his arm is round my shoulder. It has just always been normal and natural between us. It is more like what is with you boys today, not us girls. These two are slightly off. Poppy does not notice Alex's hand, nor my annoyance. "Oh yes of course. Silly auntie..." She trails off as she gives Snow a bit of attention. "Come on, father said we must go to the library after we sorted the horses." "We will join you in a minute," Alex comments, his grip tightening slightly, as the twins walk out. When he makes sure they are out of earshot, he pulls me over to Snow and I bury my face in her mane. "Why are they so annoying?" I complain. Alex sighs as he rubs my back "it is just the way it goes D." I quietly scream into Snow's mane in frustration. "They always know how to push buttons." "Just ignore them." "Barden has been more sensitive recently." Alex's hand falters as it rubs my back as if what I said caught him off-guard. "What?" I ask turning my head to look at Alex. "Nothing," Alex replies, his posture seems a bit tense. "Something is bothering you." "What?" "Alex..." "Later." That signalled the end of that conversation. "How long is the mission?" I ask. "Three days, two nights." "Two nights?" "We will be riding part of the time at night along a trail. Have to sleep in an abandoned station just off the trail." "What?" "The outside looks abandoned, but the inside has new furniture and stuff. The horses can stay in it too." "What kind of station?" "Knight station, where they held a few conferences when your dad was around." "Oh that station." "Yeah that one." Alex has a small smile on his face which I mirror. We used to play hide and seek there while our fathers were in a meeting. "Come on, the twins might have killed each other." "Are you sure you are okay to go now?" "Yes, come on." I tug Alex's wrist and let go when we exit the stables. The twins had sat on the castle steps waiting for us. They could have easily got killed where they are sat, why has no one moved them? "Come on. The library is where you are supposed to be," I comment, shepherding them inside. They trudge along the corridors of the castle to the library. I follow behind them watching in front of them. This time Alex watches our backs while following us. The library is deserted and has an eerie sense to it. I am not comfortable with the twins being here now. A quick glance at Alex shows he feels the same. As I expected, the twins went in separate directions so I signal for Alex to follow Barden. I follow Poppy on her path through the library, stopping when she sits down. Instantly my eyes scope the surrounding vantage points, finding no one else in the library and no possible attempts on anyone's life. "You need to stop being wary Dixie," Poppy comments, flicking through a small book. I watch her with a raised eyebrow before fiddling with my loose hair. Alex and Barden walk into view at the other end of the library having a hushed discussion. I notice Alex's slightly guarded posture but the hand gestures he is doing suggests a deep conversation, like the ones we have at night. Barden's hands are clasped behind his back as he walks with his head tilted to the floor, but it is turned towards Alex slightly. Alex runs a hand through his brown hair, suggesting he feels a bit uncomfortable as well. What are they talking about? "He is nice. I like the way he sticks up for his friend," Poppy comments. I look at Poppy with a raised eyebrow again. "You suggested to steal his friend's horse just so I can ride her then return the horse after a wash. Then after your father said lay off the information, you still dig for more and then ask to visit Devon's family. I think he has every right to be protective," I reply, my eyes involuntarily wandering to Alex again. Him and Barden shake hands, a gesture which confuses me due to they barely get along. "You always know the right things to say. No wonder father assigned you to us. Although I like how Alex is slightly more relaxed about his words. I am not going to lie but his body, that must be amazing with the amount of training he has done." If I was a dog, my heckles would have gone up from the statements about Alex. Yes his body is amazing. He gives off more heat than my uncle's dog that used to curl up on my bed in winter. But why do I feel jealous about another girl complimenting him? I know him way better than anyone else here as I grew up with him. "I bet it is," I reply guardedly. "Let me make this interesting. If he falls for me, you owe me 20; if he falls for you, I owe you 20." "Are you insane!?" I cannot help the fact my voice rose and is slightly amplified by our surroundings. Alex and Barden stop; Barden's head snapping up to look at Poppy and I. A small state of confusion and worry crosses Alex's face as he watches me challenging Poppy with my eyes. I do not raise my voice usually so he knows what Poppy said struck a very deep nerve. "Scared of bets Dixie?" Poppy asks, her voice almost taunting me like she knows she has already won. I try to keep calm but it is not working at all. My stare on Poppy gets slightly angry and that is when Alex stops it. "Stop. It is not worth it," he whispers standing in front of me. Why does she have to push buttons and I have to hide that she is all the time. "You heard what she said. You know what happened," I whisper, my fist curling and uncurling. Alex takes hold of my shoulders but I avoid his worried gaze by looking elsewhere. "D, you are getting yourself worked up on nothing." "That was not nothing." My voice is still louder than normal, but I did not shout. "D, what would he say?" "Do not pull that out now." "D, what would he say?" I cover my ears with my hands. "Not now please," I plead quietly. Alex's hands cover mine and easily moves them from my ears. "Okay. Just calm down." Alex's warm arms trap me in his embrace and I shut my eyes, leaning my head against his chest. His head rests on mine as I fit under his chin at the right height for him to be comfortable. I listen to the beat of his heart and slow my breathing down to match his. Why does Poppy think she has a chance? He only talks to her if she goes out of her way to talk to him, which is rare, then most of those times she talks about me as an assassin anyway. "You are working yourself up again," Alex mumbles against my head. I sigh quietly, "you know why." "And you would be doing something else if that did not happen." I have a feeling he meant I would be close to someone else and we would not have the bond we do. "I know. But he did not get to see me get my position." "Hey, shush. He would not want you crying." Alex wipes away the tears I am suddenly aware of. "Barden, Poppy, retire to your chambers early. Get Jacob and Ronan outside the library to take you," Alex orders. Barden drags his sister away before she can make any more comments. Once the library door shuts, I crumble. Alex supports me as he wipes a few more tears away. "It is alright to miss him. That is understandable," Alex whispers. He sits down in a chair and pulls me with him. "You do know how inappropriate this is right?" I ask quietly. "Yeah, but that does not matter, you being okay does. Keep doing this in memory of your father, make him proud of his little girl." "I am not little anymore if you have not noticed." "I know, I am not the only one who has. Just do not listen to the critics." Were Alex and Barden having a similar conversation to me and Poppy? "It is not the critics that get to me. Well Edmundus does a bit but it is mainly the twins." "They do it unintentionally." "I know, but that makes it hurt more." Alex wraps his arms around my waist more, keeping me on his lap as I bury my head in his shoulder. "This is highly inappropriate for a library," the king says from behind me. Alex looks over my shoulder "this is not what it looks like," he comments. "I told you it is inappropriate, but you did not listen," I whisper before looking round at the king. "What happened?" The king asks, his face softening immediately. "Twins." "What have they done?" "Poppy said about making a bet on something, then I asked if she was insane. That made her turn round and say scared of bets Dixie? So that, you know..." I trail off as the king can see the result. "I stepped in just after Poppy's comment. I have seen results of similar comments before so I put that fire out as quickly as I could. Then I sent the twins back to their chambers with Jacob and Ronan," Alex explains. "Okay. Just do not do this in a public place for any other reason," the king says quietly. Alex and I nod then the king exits the library. We look at each other and freeze again, just watching each other. "Wait, you got me be sad rather than angry on purpose?" I ask quietly when what he said sunk in fully. He looks away, moving a hand through his hair again. "It was either this or what happened to Ronan," Alex says quietly. "What happened to Ronan?" "You know the time when a guy said about making bets on which father will die next, then picked on your father." "Oh. That was Ronan?" "Yeah, he is lucky I was sorting your daggers out after the mission we came back from while you sorted the horses. Then he was lucky I grabbed you before you could punch his face again." "Yeah, you could say that." "Devon, you could have killed him easily," he comments as I stand up and start to walk away, "then what would have happened after that? You would have been stripped of your assassin status and uniform in front of everyone. That would have led to your secret, then being tried and guilty of treason. Also me being tried because I am your partner. Then what about the king? You would have failed to protect him and he would have failed to protect you." Alex's words freeze me at the end of the bookcase. I look back at him over my right arm as that hand was gripping the bookcase. The slashed hair falls into my face, covering my right eye. "Alex, I know what could have happened. I have just never said thank you as it is an unspoken agreement we have." "So you knew the consequences and you still done it?" "I was stopping when you grabbed me Alex. Do not preach about you saving his life as I only gave him one hit to the face and two to the stomach with my foot. Besides, what would you do if he turned round and said 'who would have a good looking sister? Alex you would, oh hang on, she is dead.'" The anger at the comment shows in his eyes. "Exactly, so do not join the group of people judging me for my actions. Ronan just needed a reminder on boundaries," I comment before walking towards the door. "Half eleven," Alex calls after me. I roll my eyes as I tuck my hair behind my ear "I know," I respond loudly then exit the library. My feet take me to Poppy's room and I look into her chambers. She is sat on a chair in front of the unlit fireplace with her legs tucked up and reading the small book still. No harm has come to her from what I can see. By my own mistake once I do not check on the prince this time of the night. I go back to my chambers, pick up a light shawl then head out to the stables. It is only eleven but I want to spend time with Snow. When I get there, I am alone in the crisp air. If this surrounded me during today's mission, that would have been a lot easier to cope with. Snow snickers softly when she sees me and I smile, petting her muzzle. I rest my forehead on hers as I stroke her mane. A sound to my right catches my attention. Bracken and Fern look out their stalls towards the sound. I head down there cautiously to see Barden tending to Jasp in the branch set of stables. "You nearly gave me a heart attack," I say quietly. Barden's head snaps up in surprise. "Do not sneak up on people Dix, it is not healthy for them either. What are you doing here?" Barden replies. "I always check the grounds to make sure that everything is clean." "Oh, I did not realise that you checked the stables." "Always do." "I will remember to be gone by the time you get here tomorrow." "Why are you here?" "Sorting Jasp out." "Sorry to be blunt, but you sorted Jasp out earlier. What has actually happened? You are usually doing something else at this time." "I am so sorry you walked in that time." "It is fine, but you sidetracked from the question." "Oh, I was considering what you said earlier. Sent the current girl packing then came out here to clear my head. I sorted Daze out as well as Poppy did not." "I swear she will be the death of that poor horse." "Yeah she will." Barden walks away from Jasp and stops by me, watching my face. What is it with these boys today? They both seem... Odd. "Thank you for opening my eyes," Barden says quietly, patting my shoulder like he would with one of his friends before walking out the stables. I watch him cautiously. What did him and Alex talk about? By their actions, I would say that they were talking about me. But what would they have to shake on? My feet carry me back to the horses I am familiar with. Fern has gone back to laying down in her stall like usual, her head by the wall of Bracken's stall. Bracken nudges my shoulder and I nudge his before stroking his neck. He nudges me again and I laugh before playfully ruffling his mane. Bracken bounces back and shakes his head so his mane returns to normal. This happens a few more times before I just stand there and pet his face and muzzle gently. "You have always had a thing with horses," Alex says from the stable entrance. I look round calmly to spot him leant on the entrance frame, his figure dark as it is being framed by the moonlight. My breath catches quietly before I shrug. "It is in my family's blood, you know that," I reply. Snow catches my attention again so I pet her muzzle before checking she is comfortable. "With you, it is different to the rest of your family." "I am like my mother apparently." I glance in Bracken's stall again to see him lead down and his head resting by the wall to Fern's stall. A laugh escapes my lips before I could stop it and Bracken opens an eye in protest. "You probably look like her." "I get my eyes and hair from my father, you know that." I kiss Snow's forehead and then she lays down at the back of her stall. "But other than that, you must take after her." I turn round to face Alex, an eyebrow raised. "My spirit comes from my father, which you know." "Then the rest of you comes from your mother." "Probably." Alex nods before looking outside the stables. He holds a hand up subtly to say do not do anything. Feet approach the stables "what are you doing out here man?" Jacob calls out. "Checking the stables for anything odd and if the horses have settled," Alex replies. "Okay. Take your time buddy." "Always do." "How are you still awake? You are pretty much doing something every day." "Late mornings. My breakfast is at nine." He spends about two hours asleep in my room as the other assassins wake him up and my room is quiet. "Lucky you, mine is at seven." "I know. The advantages of being a Dagger compared to a guard." Smugness laces his voice again and I roll my eyes. "Stop rubbing it in. I am going to turn in for the night. See you tomorrow." "See you tomorrow." Jacob walks away and once he is in the castle, Alex turns back to face me. But I had moved closer to him than he expected. "Do not do that again," Alex breathes quietly, trying to calm himself down. I grin before stepping round him to go out to around the back of the stables. "I was just making sure you were concentrating," I reply. "Why?" "You were being smug again." "No I was not." "You were when you were talking about late mornings." "Oh." "Plus you mean the mornings spent asleep in my room." "Come on, I thought that is a silent agreement we have." He jogs to catch up with me as I laugh. The thoughtful look is in his eyes again as I look at him while he looks at me. "Maybe it is." "We both know you love it." "What? You opening my door, locking it again and falling asleep in my bed at half six in the morning. Yeah alright, keep thinking that," I joke. Alex pales slightly "you do not like it? I can stop if you want me to, you know you just have to say..." "Alex, calm down. I am only messing with you," I interrupt before he can work himself up more. "Are you sure?" He questions as he sits down. "Yes. It really helps in the winter," I reply as I join him. "It is summer now." "I told you it is okay. If it is what you need to go back to sleep, I do not have anything against it." "Are you sure?" I turn my head to look at him with a raised eyebrow and he nods. "I was just checking." "Okay. Do still come in tomorrow and do not chicken out because of my joke." Alex laughs before wrapping his arm round my shoulder. "You are so hard to read sometimes." "So are you." "What did Edmundus say to get you wanting to kill the floor so badly while riding Snow blind?" "He went on a tangent saying about the feast." "Yeah, that was pretty good. Barden told me about that." "You were there." "I came back just to see the king laughing." "I started thinking and then he clicked his fingers in front of my eyes. Said it was disrespectful to not reply to a knight. Then said I will not bother you anymore, I see why the other assassins call you Cold Stone." "That has to stop." "Told the king earlier. Should be fine." "Should be, or are you hoping that it will." "Both. He was not impressed with what has been said." "I do not really blame him if one of his best assassins were getting picked on by lower ranks." "Then he said about me just following orders and that I have done nothing wrong." "Well that is true because you have not." "I know but why do people look at me like I have?" "They are just jealous Dev, you know that." "Why would they be jealous? I mean I have to constantly hide myself. Pretend to be someone I am not around everyone apart from you. What could anyone else want in that?" "They do not see any of that. They just see you as the mute best assassin of the king. They just see you as a person dedicated to what they do. They just see who you are but not in the complete light like I do." "And Poppy said I knew the right things to say. She obviously has not had the right conversation with you." Alex laughs before looking up at the sky and the stars covering it. "The only reason we know the right things to say is because of our parents. If it was not for them; we would not be here right now." "Where would I be if father did not make the bet?" "Not here." "I am being serious Alex." "Well, either with your uncle and the horses still, working at the stables here or just as a servant for Poppy without the training." "What about you?" "I would still be in the Daggers, my father told me that." "I meant you and me Alex." Alex turns his head to glance at me, a far off look in his eyes. "I do not know. But it would be different between us." The question in both of our minds then is: in what way? Further apart or closer in a different way. But could I ever look at Alex in a different way to my friend and confident? The silence stretching between us is not uncomfortable. It is an almost reassuring one saying I will always be there if you need somebody to fall back on. "What is our mission for anyway?" I question breaking the silence. "Something to do with a couple of others that were involved in the attack on the twins and Maccy," Alex replies. "I am definitely looking forward to the assignment within it now." "I thought so. We could show them our kingdom is not to be messed with." "Do you think they know about their assassin being dead yet?" "Well it has only been three days. takes a day and a bit to ride their on horseback. I came across a horse that afternoon as I needed fresh air and felt a lot better due to sleeping it off. So yeah they probably do." "Wait, you felt funny after your dinner didn't you?" "Yeah, why?" "It seems to coincidental." "You are over thinking this." "But what if I am not? If someone slipped something into your food to make you feel ill, they had to know about the attack. That means they needed you alive so that you would not be with me and the twins. Then they would know about the counter response the king would initiate." Alex stares at me to a point it is unnerving. "So that means we have a traitor in the castle?" "Maybe? I do not know. You could be right about over thinking this." "But what if you are not?" "Then they would be using the opportunity of us being away for three days to do something." "To who?" "The twins."
Aww thanks (/-\) I just need motivation to write the next chapter in Alex's view lol, already writing two stories on another site/app at the moment