Kapitel 17: Journey

We set out a day early to head to the meeting place. This way we could scope out the area and find a good place to hide. It was honestly a really long trip as well. It was suppose to take us a whole day to get there. It was taking place in a really run down village not to far from the Guild Headquarters. Apparently they where meeting with a notorious King that was known for his reputation in drugs and women. Go figure, right? Our job was to just listen in, and find out what they where up too.

We report back and then make a plan. Simple right? The only problem was, how where we going to get close enough with out getting caught? That was the only part we hadn't figured out yet. I suppose we scope out the area and then decide. We would keep our comms on as well incase we got separated. They where tested and ready to go. I wasn't going to lie, I was fairly excited to get back out into the field. Our last mission felt like a huge disaster. I know it wasn't our fault, and we took more bad guys out as a bonus. But it still felt like if we had been there days sooner, we could have saved them.

That won't happen this time. I wouldn't allow it. With the added benefit of getting proper rest, I had confidence this would not end in blood shed. What really worried me the most, what that with the Guild not being so far away, I may see some people that would recognize me. More importantly my friends I had left behind. They were not treated as badly as I was in the Guild so I knew they would be safe. I just hoped that if they did see me, they would not interfere. Nothing could get in the way of this mission. I needed to prove to Drake that I wasn't a weak mess.

"Are you alright Aria?" Drake asked over his shoulder. He slowed his horse down to match the pace of mine. I realized that I had zoned out. We where now thick into the forest, surrounded by large and beautiful trees.

"Yeah. Just thinking that Sebastion and I need to go on another hunting trip." I lied coolly. He gave me a meaningful glance before he continued to stare straight ahead. The silence grew between us. Birds chattered in the trees above. Squirrels bounced from tree to tree, scraping bark off as they went. It was such a warm day too. So peaceful.

"These hunting trips are actually hunting trips right?" He asked breaking the silence. I couldn't help but laugh at him. What, did he really think that we would go out and murder innocent people because we had a scratch? It was more effort to hunt down bad groups of people than it was to just kill a helpless dear and sell off the remains.

"Aye they are. We hunt down woodland creatures and turn them into the nearby village for coin. It takes the edge off us, and provides for helpless village." I offered as an explanation. He nodded quietly. "Master doesn't like us going on killing sprees, so we obey." Again, he nodded quietly. He hasn't been the same since last night. It looks like he took our argument to heart and wounded him. I don't know why he cares so much. Or why I cared so much what he thought. Because I found myself wanting him to talk to me, and smile. Never had I ever cared so much about what a man thought.

"From one assassin to another, you know you can talk to me right?" I tried mocking his tone, hoping it would earn a small smile or something to let me know that he was in fact ok. But he didn't even look at me.

"You imply there is something wrong when there is not." Was all he said. I sighed and rolled my eyes. If he wasn't gonna talk, I wouldn't force him too. I was use to silence anyway. That's how we continued. We stopped occasionally to feed and water the horses, but neither of us spoke a single word. It was a lonely feeling. At least Sebastion and I would fill the silence once in awhile, even if it was small banter. I missed him so much already. I wondered if he was training with Aspin right now? Was he still kicking his ass and laying him out on the mat? It was weird to be asking what he was doing rather than him being here to pick on him. Maybe a break was better though, he needed a breather from my night terrors. I just hope that he would actually sleep in my absence.

We stopped at another resting area, dismounted the horses and let them drink from a nearby stream. They lapped at the water greedily, making slurping noises with there mouths. Drake was busy rummaging through his saddle, no doubt trying to avoid me. So I scanned the waters edge, looking for small smooth rocks to skip in the water. I crouched down and scanned rocky edge. I gave a small gasp as I carefully grabbed the rock, letting my hand run over the smooth surface. It was warm from the sun beating down on it.

I parted my legs slightly as I tossed the rock in the air, gauging how far I would skip. Then quietly I pinched the rock in my hands and brought my arm back. With a skillful flick of my wrist, I watched the rock skip across the water. It made small splashing noises every time it hit the surface. It sank with a sploosh towards the middle of the steam. It made me feel at ease just tossing the rocks. Just like when we where kids. Dad would always take us on trips to the market. We would stop at the fishing hole on the way back and skip rocks, or go swimming when it got to hot. Makes me appreciate how little time I did get to spend with them. I wonder what they would think of us now? Being all grown up and monster like. I know we didn't have a choice but still. I could only imagine the disapproving looks on their faces. What had our lives come too?

"Where did you learn to do that?" Drake asked walking over the the edge of the stream. I tossed another rock, watching it skip seven times before sinking with a sploosh.

"My dad taught us when we where kids. There was a really nice river that ran by our house that he would take us too in the summer. This was the first thing he taught us. Swimming was second." I searched the shore line for round flat rocks. When I found a few I walked up to him and handed him one.

"The secret is in the shape of the rock. Smooth, flat, round ones work the best. Then you pull back like this...and flick your wrist." I said skipping another rock. I watched it bounce on the surface, making the water ripple.

"Fascinating." He murmured. I watched him try and mimic me. It hit the water and sank. I giggled and handed him another rock. I gently grabbed his hand and helped him to angle the rock carefully. Showing him how to flick his wrist to get the best results. I slowly felt myself becoming aware at our touch and let him go. He carefully searched my face at my reaction. But I looked away, hoping he would just skip the rock. Following my instructions, I watched him bring back his arm, and flick his wrist with such precision, I was surprised. It bounced hard and fast across the surface, even surpassing my own skipping skills.

"There you go! A rock skipping master." I winked. He chuckled faintly as I skipped another one. I could feel his eyes on me, warming my face as he studied me. Why did he do this to me? I found myself like the attention more and more and I couldn't figure out why.

"I suppose we should keep going. The sun is well past half and we still have much distance to cover." I followed his gaze to the sun and nodded. I suppose there would be plenty of time later. The horses had started to graze when we mounted and once again headed towards the village. The moment didn't last long, but it was nice to see him smile a little again. Maybe this would open him up and talk a little more. But he continued his somber attitude.

"Are you sure you are ok? Before you where so talkative. Lately you have been....quiet." I asked pulling my horse up next to his, our legs almost brushing. I watched his lips purse together as he thought.

"It's nothing you need to concern yourself with." He stated blandly. So it's okay if he forces me to talk but not the other way around?

"You make me talk all the time. I thought we where suppose to trust each other?" I replied with as much attitude as I could muster.

"Since when do you trust anyone but Sebastion?" He snapped irritated. I pulled my horse in front of him, stopping him in his tracks. He glared at me, but I ignored him.

"Are you an idiot? Yeah sure, I use to be up tight and closed lipped. I get it I wasn't pleasant. But then your happy ass comes along and my life starts to change. I don't bitch at Aspin anymore. I have...formed some kind of means of a friendship with the others that wouldn't have started with out you. Sebastion has too." I glared at him, annoyed I had to explain myself. He was avoiding my gaze too and that further annoyed me. If he wanted to be this way, then fine. I wouldn't bother him again. Nothing matters more than this damn mission any how.

"It's true that at the end of the day I trust Sebastion 100 percent, but you need to understand that we are siblings. I always have his and he has always had mine. From birth up till now. We have been through so much together that we understand each other best. But that doesn't mean we can't form trust with others, it's just more difficult with how our past is. I thought you of all people would understand that. I don't know what you are going through right now, but let's put it behind us and work together. I can't do this alone." I kicked my horse into a trot and continued on our path. I didn't mean to get any more personal with him, in fact it surprised me that it even came out. But it was done now, so hopefully he would put what ever was bothering him behind him so we could focus on the task at hand.

"You are right Aria. I am very sorry." I barely heard him over the sound of our horses pounding through the forest. I sighed, feeling a little guilty I snapped at him.

"Let's just get to the village. I want to be indoors before all the Assassins come out. The less chance I am at being recognized, the better our chances of being successful on this mission." He said nothing as he followed close behind me. We could talk about this later when we didn't have so much pressure riding on us.

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