An Assassin's Anthem

“Traitors!” Like thunder, a voice boomed through the fort the following day. It rippled across walls and shook the ground. Riley scowled and poked her head out of the tower, looking toward a distant group of troops.

Reaching over, she bumped into Nicole. “Can you see who it is?”

“Some duke. There are a lot of town guards and lower levels.”

Riley frowned and studied the distant group, struggling to see them on the horizon.

“Dissenters! Monsters! Murderers!” his voice bellowed.

Turning, Riley smiled at Nicole. “Don’t hate me for this, okay?”

Nicole frowned. “What?” She reached out.

Riley grinned. Triggering Ambush, she appeared outside and used Invisibility. Her form vanished, and she dashed across the snowy fields, charging straight for the distant troops.

Like a wraith, she zipped across the field. Insight skills hit and washed by like a soft breeze. Conjuring up blades, she sprinted soundlessly across the snow and frozen ground.

The duke’s voice rolled through the air. “A flood is coming. A reckoning that will strand you here. Surrender now, and I will allow you to live…”

Rushing past the soldiers, Riley ignored them and darted through the camp, focusing solely on her prey. Zipping around wagons, she saw the duke. He was surrounded by guards. Burning more mana to extend her invisibility, Riley took careful aim and threw her blades straight through his neck.

“…You have—” The duke gasped. His skin didn’t damage.

Riley conjured two more and tossed them again, sending one through his head and the other through his neck. Blood sprayed out onto the ground, and the duke crumpled, dropping to the ground.

Turning, Riley sprinted away. Skills slammed into her and washed away. Gods, invisibility is strong. Bounding across the field, she ran, zipping across the battlefield and fighting off the skills.

An eerie silence fell on the distant forces. Skidding to a halt, Riley turned. “Your duke is dead. Surrender now if you wish to live. Make your vows!” she yelled while jogging back toward the fort.

Travis’ voice thundered. “You have your choice. If you wish to live, make your vows. Our mages will attack in thirty seconds.”

Panic rippled through enemy forces, and things quickly turned to chaos. Guards and villagers turned and snuck away. The gates of the fort opened, and soldiers charged across the grounds.

Riley darted through them, heading back inside the fort and jogging up the steps.

A livid face greeted her. Nicole scowled. “You could have told me.”

Riley pulled her into a hug. “Sorry. I didn’t have a lot of time, and I saw the ideal option.”

“You wanted them to be able to surrender,” Nicole said.

Riley nodded and watched notifications stream by. Maybe I can steal this entire kingdom. She smiled. Then, I can make Grandma do the paperwork.

“What?” Nicole asked, hugging her back.

“I have a plan.”

“Oh, gods,” Nicole whispered. “Do I want to know?”

Riley released her and winked. “We’re going to have some fun, so yes.” Chuckling, she walked up to the ramparts and looked out. People were making oaths and surrendering everywhere.

Summer turned. “A-squad! We’re marching. We have a village to take and fortify.” She gestured to Riley.

Riley smiled and nodded. She headed back down the steps and glanced at her notifications.

[Your base level has advanced: 343 → 344!]

[Psionic Assassin (B) has advanced: 266 → 268!]

[Bard (C) has advanced: 319 → 320!]

[Ranger (C) has advanced: 290 → 292!]

[Spell Thief (B) has advanced: 271 → 273!]

[Noble (C) has advanced: 43 → 50!]

[Infiltrator (D) has advanced: 34 → 41!]

[Enchanter(E) has advanced: 115 → 120!]

[Alchemist (D) has advanced: 240 → 242!]

[4192 people have sworn loyalty to you. This bond will break if you fail in your noble duties.]

She looked at the oaths. I wonder if I can keep these oaths after the war. I’m not letting the twin terrors take over. She cleared it away, followed the mages out of the gate, and jogged down the snowy road. The melee and rangers surrounded them.

Turning, Riley waved at Ivan. She walked over. “How is it?”

“Going well. They thought they were winning, and their morale is dropping fast. Last night proved it. They’ve lost two dukes.” Ivan grinned. “We should be able to take the village without a fight. Thanks for that.”

Riley looked around the group. “The prince and princess?”

“Back across the river. Marcus encouraged them to come along.” Ivan chuckled.

Marcus turned and winked. “I stand by it. They should be here, supporting us while the recruits deal with the bridge improvements.”

At least Emma is safe. Riley smiled and nodded.

“They’d just die,” another mage said, shaking her head.

Marcus shrugged. “Then they weren’t fit to lead.”

Ivan grunted. “Enough treasonous remarks from you.” He turned and winked at Riley.

Riley chuckled and walked into the forest. Trees were singed, and blood still lingered in the trees. She walked alongside the mages and felt a bump on her shoulder.

“Change your disguise,” Nicole bumped with a growing frown.

Riley triggered Assume Disguise and hoped the gods would know what to do. Her hair shifted, becoming a dark brown. She became shorter, and her dress turned to the standard leather armor. She blended in with the nearby soldiers.

An insight skill washed over her, and the rangers unloaded, sending arrows flying into the nearby woods.

[You have assisted in killing a level 476 human assassin. +9 experience.]

Well, that explains that. She turned and smiled at Nicole, bumping her arm. “Thanks.”

Nicole grinned, leaned close, and bumped a reply. “Want to go kill the king?”

“Think it’d work?” Riley bumped back.

Nicole shrugged. “We’re fast and could find out. Where’s your Dad?”

“Killing nobles.” Riley chuckled. “He got mad after I got hurt.”

“So, he’s beating us to it?” Nicole sighed loudly.

~~~

Roger walked through the polished halls, not bothering to mask his presence. A servant saw him, yelped, and held up her hands.

He walked up to her. “The duke?”

“Was sent to the front,” the servant whispered. “Please. Please. I’m just a maid.”

“The duchess?” Roger asked.

“In her quarters.” The servant swallowed.

“Where?” Roger asked, his eyes burrowing into her.

The maid pointed to a door down the polished hall. “Please, sir.”

“I’m sorry, but she needs to go or make an oath.” Roger strode down the hall, his rage burning brightly. Enough of this nonsense. It’s time to end this.

Walking up to the door, he opened it and walked inside. The duchess’s eyes were red and puffy. She looked up and sobbed. “Please.”

“There is a way to prevent it,” Roger said, looking at her.

“I have my oaths to the king.”

“He has failed you. Let the gods judge.” Roger said, pulling out a knife. “Or I can opt to end your life. I will make it quick.”

The duchess sobbed softly. “Please. We will hire you. I’ll make you duke.”

Roger blurred across the floor and slit her throat, sending blood spraying across the bed. He looked at the heavens. “Gods, forgive me.” He sighed and shook his head.

Turning away, he walked from the room and jogged down the halls, heading back toward the front. I’ll check on Riley and head south.

~~~

Lucas marched. Soldiers surrounded him, and he focused on the distant city. I miss Nicole and Riley. He kept his mask up and marched. Just take this place, and we can all move. A smile spread across his face. We can live on the border in a mixed town.

Shaking the thought away, he scanned for threats.

“Open the gate and surrender, or risk death!” the commander bellowed. He raised his arm, and the troops halted.

Searching the wall for any threat, Lucas waited and looked for any who’d surrendered. Seeker’s Insight triggered. “Shields!” he bellowed.

Glowing balls of fire flew from the city’s walls. Arrows soared, and Lucas raised a shield overhead—an arrow buried into it. The balls of fire slammed into the water and burst into clouds of steam.

“Fire!” the commander bellowed.

Magic and arrows flew toward the wall, bathing it in steam and arrows. Clouds churned and swirled above. Water rose, and the lightning streaked through it, sending a massive boom through the air.

Lucas frowned and triggered Thief’s Insight. Red outlines rippled across the walls. He studied the guards. This is hollow. The baron’s making a break for it. He reached over and nudged a knight. “The baron is fleeing and using these people to buy time.”

The knight turned and nodded. He loped off through the fields.

Turning back to the wall, Lucas studied it and watched defenders fall. Gods, I wish Riley were here; she has the charisma to help prevent their pointless deaths.

He let out a long breath.

[Appeal for grace accepted. ~Grace]

He failed to keep the surprise from his face. His eyes went wide, and new text appeared.

[Please state the name of the nobility who will make the request. If you wish to make the request, you must receive approval from the nearby commanders. ~Grace]

Lucas blinked and reread it. He considered it. But would I get permission? It’s basically stating I’m the one in charge of this army, isn’t it? He sighed and dismissed the idea. “Riley Milvsky.”

[Request sent and offer extended. ~Grace]

[Riley also says ‘hello.’ ~Grace]

He chuckled and saw red outlines shifting to green. Does Riley have the gods chatting to her often?

[You bet. ~Mischief.]

“Why?”

[A riddle and a memory. A ruin on the ground.

If a falling tree’s unheard, does it make a sound? ~Mischief]

Lucas looked at it. What does that mean? He looked back at the wall. The gate swung open, and the army rushed forward.

~~~

Riley ignored the village and looked at the notification. I didn’t know we could do that.

[A commander-ranked individual can extend the invitation. ~Grace]

Riley smiled. “Grace! You never talk to me. How are you?”

[I am well and watching. Thank you for your grace.

Know that I appreciate and see you walk my way.

Yes, your heart is close to mine. I’m glad to see that’s true.

May you dance most gracefully as you sing your tune. ~Grace]

Riley smiled. She’s so quiet. A smile spread on her face. “Beauty, go hug her for me! Hug Music, too! They’ve been quiet.”

[Have a hug! ~Beauty]

Time seemed to pause. Riley felt a pressure around her, and she tried to return it, humming happily.

It faded moments later, and Riley chuckled softly. I can’t believe the gods will hug you. Smiling, she strode into the village and looked at the group of villagers who’d surrendered easily.

Stopping, she turned and watched Summer bark out orders. Stone flowed into the wall around the village, and Riley walked toward the rangers, searching for incoming threats.

Riley Milvsky

Level: 344

Bard (C)

Level: 320 + 5

Dominating Presence C +1 level to the assigned class. Enemies within 100 meters of you lose 20 strength, 20 dexterity, and 20 speed. You may expend bardic inspiration to increase the effect.

Psionic Storm C +1 to the assigned class. Conjure a storm of void or psychic energy. Variable cost.

Restoring Presence B +2 to the assigned class. Subjects regain 1% stamina and 1% mana every 30 minutes; their healing is augmented by 50%. Allies within 100 meters count as subjects. You know of injuries and may use mana to heal allies within fifty meters. You may use inspiration to expand and increase the effect.

Empowering Presence C +1 to the assigned class. Your subjects gain +20 strength, +20 dexterity, and +20 movement speed; allies within twenty meters count as subjects. You may use Bardic Inspiration to temporarily boost the range and the effect.

Psionic Assassin (B)

Level: 268 + 12

Assume Disguise S +30 charisma. Enhance your current disguise by altering your displayed information and taking on the disguised form. Grants +5 levels to the assigned class. Perception and Insight suffer -250 levels against your disguise and -50 levels against your deception or stealth. Penalty applied: Gods’ Oversight.

Momentous Tempo B +10 speed. This boost will increase to up to +100 for every ten seconds you are in motion. Slowing in any way will reduce the effect. +2 levels to assigned class. You may use a charge of inspiration to boost your movement speed by an additional 10 for a minute.

Death's Cloak A Slain enemies will grant experience to your base level and active classes. +3 levels to the assigned class. Perception and insight suffer -25 levels against you. Penalty applied: Covenant.

Ambush B +10 speed. +2 levels to the assigned class. Costs one stamina to use. On use, you teleport to a shadow within 20 meters. Penalty applied: Covenant.

Spell Thief(B)

Level: 273 + 2

Predatory Sight C +1 level to the assigned class. Your perception and insight are boosted by 30. This boost is not reduced by low light or no light. You may use 1 stamina to double this effect for ten seconds.

Spirit Blade C +1 level to assigned class. Manifest an ethereal blade of psychic energy that will vanish after thirty seconds or six seconds after being thrown. Costs one stamina or one mana to manifest a blade.

Pretty C Use a mana to get Beauty’s help! She may provide it anyway. Oh, and you’ll stand out in a crowd! After all, everyone knows a Beauty.

Music's Lute - You may summon this lute from the heavens. It will return to the heavens when you will it away.

Ranger (C) Level: 292 Inactive.

Noble (C)

Level: 50 Inactive.

Enchanter (E)

Level: 120 Inactive.

Alchemist (D)

Level: 242 Inactive.

Infiltrator (D)

Level: 41 Inactive.

- -

Conjure Storm D Manipulate or conjure up a storm. Mana cost varies.

Conjure Potion C +1 to assigned class. Conjure a potion that you understand. You may add an additional minor healing effect to any potion. Cost varies based on the potion and potion duration.

Heavenly Refrain C +1 levels to the assigned class. Use this skill to have the heavens join your song. Grants +100 charisma for the duration of the song and may only be used as long as the gods are willing.

Control Water E Manipulate the water around you. Cost varies based on amount.

Dexterity 1567

Strength 688

Speed 575

Intelligence 1238

Charisma 1042

Stamina 968

Mana 2446

Inspiration 668