Mercenary Little Death Bringer (16 page)

I patted his back. “He has always been very
over protective and for the first time there is nothing he can do
except pray and worry that everything will go okay.”

“But things never go as planned,” Micah
whispered.

I smiled. “Exactly.”

The academy was bustling with activity and
despite my fear I was smiling widely as we ate and then hurried to
meet Macon and the Masters in the covered arena. I sat down beside
Favian and nudged his shoulder gently with mine, getting a small
smile from him in return. Victory!

Macon faced us all and gave us the serious
face. The one that said sit down, shut up and pay attention. “As
you all know, this test will be much different and much harder than
the ones in previous years. This test will involve the true danger
of one of our own and though our objective is to locate the
kidnappers and obtained information from them as to who is behind
this, our main priority is Marin’s safety.”

“Yes, sir,” All twelve of the other sixth
years said in unison.

“Now, we will be separating you into several
different teams with various objectives. Marin and Favian you two
have you own objectives so please follow me. The rest of you please
listen to Masters Martin and Sean as they break you up into your
groups and explain all of your directives. We leave in one
hour.”

My heartbeat doubled and my breathing
quickened at the nearness of our escapade. Favian and I followed
Macon to his office and sat down in chairs across from his
desk.

“How are you feeling?” Macon asked me.

“Nervous, but ready,” I answered him
honestly.

“Good,” he said with a nod of his head.
“You?” he asked Favian.

“Anxious for it to be over,” he said as he
sat in his chair as though he didn’t have a care in the world. I
hated how he could look completely calm when he was seething
underneath. I couldn’t hide my emotions even when I tried.

“We are going to have you two ride in first
and tie your horses up at the tavern. Then you two will shop around
the town square. I don’t care if you buy items or if you just
browse, but make it look realistic.”

“It will be,” I said with a smile, “I am in
need of some supplies that I know I can get from a few of the
vendors.”

“Good,” Macon said with a nod of his head.
“Favian I want you to be alert, but look calm.”

“Done,” Favian said with a nod of his head.
“Where will everyone else be?”

“Some will be fellow shoppers while others
will be on rooftops and others still disguised as beggars. If you
are attacked I want you to apprehend at least one person and then
whistle as loudly as you can. If you are in danger I want you to
scream as loud as you can Marin, you understand?”

I nodded my head. “Yes, sir.”

“Some of the people after you are fellow
mercenaries and I assume that all of those after you now will know
that you are a student of the Academy so you can’t play innocent
girl this time. Go saddle up your horses and get ready for
departure. Stay safe and good luck,” he said as he ushered us out
the door.

Favian and I hurried to the stables and
brushed and tacked our horses in record time. I mounted Fire and
Favian moved close next to me so that our legs were touching. “Keep
your eyes open and please listen to me if I tell you to move or
something. Okay?”

I patted his knee and smiled. “Yes, sir.”

“Are you ready?” Masters Sean and Martin
asked as the rest of the sixth years entered the stables.

We nodded our heads and Master Sean said,
“Remember to look up and behind you.”

“Yes, sir,” I said.

“We hope you pass,” Master Martin said, “Now
go out there and kick some kidnapper butt.”

I squeezed Fire’s sides and we galloped out
of the school and towards the town. Favian stayed glued to my side,
scanning our surroundings for danger and listening ahead for any
warning sounds. The road was clear of traps this time and we made
it to the town unscathed. The gatekeeper waved us in and it was
clear he knew what was happening. We walked the horses to the
tavern and I was shocked to see that the town was filled with
people.

“What’s going on?” I asked a passerby.

“Town festival,” he said with a smile.
“Everyone from miles away is here to participate.”

“Wonderful,” Favian said irritably.

We checked the horses to ensure they were
tied for an easy escape if we needed their assistance and then set
out into the crowd of people headed towards the town square. Favian
stuck close by me, his arm constantly touching mine as we walked
and did as he was supposed to do, appear as though he were bored
and being forced to accompany me to the market. I put on my happy,
girly face and started stopping at all of the vendors with a plan
to visit every single one.

Every time I turned my back to the crowd to
look at a vendor’s items Favian stood with his back to mine so he
would protect me from any arrows that might have been aimed at my
back. The first fifteen minutes went by boringly and then a troupe
of performers set up a stage in the center of the square and I
grabbed Favian’s hand, dragging him behind me as I moved closer to
get a better view. “Slow down,” he said with a laugh as I pushed
our way through the crowd.

I finally found a vantage point I liked and
came to a stop. “I love troupes,” I said giddily to Favian.

He moved to stand directly behind my back and
set his arms on top of my shoulders to look as though he were
leaning on me. “There are two suspicious looking men to our left.
One is tall and built like a wall and the other is in a hooded
cloak so I cannot see his face, but he has a rapier at his
side.”

“A fencer? That’s insulting,” I said as I
smiled and pretended that we were talking about normal teenage
life, not possible kidnappers.

The troupe came out onto the stage and I
stared in awe at the bright colors of their costumes. “We come
today to tell you a tale. A tale of love and a tale of
tragedy.”

“This sounds uplifting,” Favian whispered
sarcastically.

I smacked his hand on my left shoulder and
turned my attention back to the troupe who had started to dance on
the stage. I stood mesmerized and transfixed as they danced a story
of love which ended with an untimely death for the girl. It was
beautiful, graceful and much too close to home for comfort.
Nonetheless I clapped exuberantly when they finished and cheered,
“Bravo!”

The crowd began dispersing and Favian and I
dispersed with them to the last vendor I had been at. I purchased a
bag of white shells and some small rope I could use to make a
necklace with. We went to the next vendor, having to make our way
through the crowd which had dispersed to visit the vendors just as
we had.

I had never seen the town so full of people
and I felt excited and frightened at the same time. I saw a few of
the other sixth years and Micah ran into my shoulder as he passed
by, but besides the men that Favian had spotted nothing seemed out
of the ordinary.

Perhaps they wouldn’t be at the town today.
Maybe they were waiting in the woods again? I stopped at a vendor
who had exquisite jewelry and stared in awe at a beautiful blue
sapphire bracelet.

“Would you like to hold it?” the vendor asked
with a smile.

“Oh, I couldn’t,” I said as I took a step
back.

Favian took the bracelet and examined it
thoroughly. “These are exquisite gemstones,” he said to the vendor
who bowed his head in thanks. “How much?”

“Favian,” I said in shock, “You can’t buy
that.”

“One hundred,” the vendor said.

Favian pulled out his money pouch and started
to count out pieces. “Favian,” I said again, “I was just looking,
you don’t…”

“Do you want it?” he asked.

I bit my lip and chewed on it. “Yes,
but…”

“But nothing,” he said as he handed his money
to the vendor.

“Thank you,” the vendor said, “May it bring
you many joys.”

Favian clipped the bracelet onto my wrist and
whispered, “You must have something beautiful and girly to wear,
even while on missions as a mercenary or Protector. Besides, I
think it looks great on you.”

“It’s so beautiful,” I said as I held my
wrist up and turned it in the sun. I turned and threw my arms
around Favian’s neck and then kissed his cheek quickly. “Thank
you.”

“You’re welcome,” he said happily. “Now,
let’s move on to the next vendor.”

I stopped at the leather vendor and bought a
small pouch for the bracelet in case I had to take it off for some
reason and then bought leather to mend my saddle and leather to
make a new pouch for medicines.

The day seemed to be completely uneventful
and as midday hit I had to beg Favian to let me buy food to ease my
rumbling stomach. We stood in line at the food vendor nearest our
current route and I ate the smoked turkey leg with extreme pleasure
as Favian ate a large root of some kind.

“If nothing happens today does that mean we
pass our test?” I asked him.

Favian laughed. “Probably not, but don’t be
complacent. They may be waiting for that to happen to attack.”

“I’m not complacent,” I said as I held up my
new bracelet and admired its beauty again.

“I’m glad you like it so much,” he said, “It
is quite difficult to find you a gift you enjoy.”

“That’s not true,” I said defensively, “I
loved the throwing knives you got me last year.” I patted my belt,
“I use them almost every day.”

He rolled his eyes. “I mean gifts that are
not for our jobs.”

I shrugged. “There aren’t usually things I
want. This is just so beautiful,” I said. “I really do love it, but
one hundred is a lot. I’m sure the vendor would let you return
it…”

“No,” Favian said, “I bought you it and you
shall wear it the rest of your life.”

I smiled. “Yes, sir.”

We finished eating and started shopping
again. Favian bought a few items, but the pack he brought to carry
our purchases was getting pretty full. The sun began to set as we
came to the last vendors. A fight broke out near the vendor and
Favian turned to examine it as I examined a strange medallion in
the hands of the vendor. “What is that?” I asked.

Favian glanced at the medallion and then
turned his attention back to the fight and the crowd it was
drawing.

“This is a very special medallion,” the
vendor said with a bright smile. “Would you care to hold it? Some
say it gives them a preview of their future.”

“I’m all out of money,” I said sadly, “I
wouldn’t want to break it.”

“Nonsense!” the vendor said, “I insist that
you hold it. A beautiful mercenary like you should see her future.
I promise the medallion won’t bite you, it has no teeth. See?” he
said as he turned the medallion over in his hands so I could
examine it.

I laughed. “Alright.” I held my hand out and
he set it in my palm and then quickly wrapped the strap around my
wrist. “What the…” I began as his movement shocked me, but then
some strange feeling spread through me and the world began
spinning.

“Marin!” Favian yelled.

I tried to move to him, but the medallion
felt as though it were burning into my skin and all of my energy
was draining from me. I hit the ground on my side and watched in
fear and rage as three men fought against Favian, keeping him away
from me. I tried to scream to alert the others, but it was all I
could do to keep my eyes open and breathe.

Favian killed one of the men, but the other
two continued their assault on Favian, pushing him further and
further away from me. A tall, muscular man picked me up and tossed
me over his shoulder. “Time to go,” he said in a deep voice.

“MARIN!” Favian screamed as the man began
running. I watched as Favian killed the two attacking him and then
tried to run through the crowd, only to be blocked by the swarm and
held further and further back. The man with the rapier stepped
forward and stabbed Favian in the stomach with a dagger.

“Fav…ian.” I tried to yell, but ended up
saying it softly as I lost my fight to stay conscious and darkness
surrounded me.

* * *

“Wakey wakey,” an unfamiliar male voice said
from nearby. “Time to wake up, Marin.”

“Favian,” I whispered as I opened my eyes and
tried to sit up. “Favian!”

“Calm down, girl. Your friend isn’t here. I’m
sure he is safe at the Academy being tended to by the healer by
now.”

I sat upwards and realized I was bound by
ropes. “Where are we?” I asked as my eyesight returned and I could
finally see the room I was in. It was a small wooden shack with a
bed, two chairs and a fireplace. I was on the bed, tied up tightly
and a man was sitting in a chair across the room from me. The man
was ugly with three front cracked teeth and a long scar on the left
side of his face.

He smiled. “We are at a halfway point.
Shortly you will be picked up by a different person who will take
you to your final destination.”

“Why are you helping this person kidnap me?”
I asked angrily as I slowly started twisting my wrist to escape
from the ropes tying me. Thankfully it was the exact type of
binding that Masters Sean and Martin had been working with me on.
The loop around my throat tightened slightly, but I had enough room
still to breathe freely.

“It’s just a paying job,” the man said, “And
stop trying to escape from the ropes.”

I slipped the ropes down my wrist a little
farther and asked, “What does this person have planned for me?”

He shrugged. “I don’t know and I don’t care.
My job is just to get you here and wait for the next one to get
you.” I almost got the loop off my wrist, but the man stood up and
walked to me, dangling the medallion from his hand. “I told you to
stop trying to get free. Now I’m going to have to use this.”