Quiet Whisper

Chapter 1

She really should be wondering what he was doing there. No sign of him for months, yet somehow he managed to show up in the exact same town she had been staying in for the past week. It didn’t bode well.

He was watching her intently from across the street. Looking perfectly at ease as he was sitting atop of a brick wall, elbows rested against his knees and his chin placed in his palm. Selissa could feel his eyes boring into her, and she pointedly ignored him.

A map was laid out in her lap, and she tried to focus her attention on it, in the vain hope that he would go away if she pretended not to see him. It quickly turned out to be a lost cause.

With a frustrated sigh, she folded the map and crammed it into her pack. Gritting her teeth, she carefully kept her eyes lowered so he wouldn’t get the satisfaction of seeing her seething.

I just finished another job . . . she said, loud enough to be heard on the other side of the street. Is a bit of peace and quiet really too much to ask for?

She heard the sound of boots hitting the ground and lifted her eyes to glare at the man who insisted on making her life a waking nightmare.

Peace and quiet would drive you insane, Ardeth said as he approached her, voice deep and familiar. If that was what you wanted, you would have gone back to the temple a long time ago.

He really was infuriating when he was right. Selissa huffed and glared at the assassin, even though she knew she had lost the argument before it even began.

As he had closed the distance between them, she was able to get a good look at him. He had not changed at all since she had last run into him in some shady tavern far out in the country, but somehow he always managed to look different to her every time she saw him.

She decided it had to be the strangely tasteful attire he was dressed in. He was wearing a gray traveling cloak over a dark green vest and faded black pants. The clothes had no tears nor did they show any other signs of battle, which in itself was very odd. His long black hair was tied back in a low ponytail with a green ribbon that matched the vest.

To top it all off, the left side of his face was covered with a black leather mask. Selissa knew all too well what was hiding beneath that mask, but Ardeth rarely bothered to cover up the mark tattooed on his cheek. Something was definitely off.

She decided to completely disregard his previous comment as she looked at him critically.

Should I be disturbed by how . . . decent you look? she asked hesitantly.

Ardeth grinned, the predatory glint in his eyes standing in sharp contrast to his appearance. You’re not the only one who just got off duty.

Selissa lifted an eyebrow. As far as she knew, Ardeth’s ‘duty’ involved slashing some poor bastard’s throat and then delivering the body on a silver platter. Hardly stuff you needed to dress up for.

Some people prefer to take a less direct approach . . . he explained when he saw her skeptical look. Though personally, I never understood the point of blackmail when you can rid yourself of the problem in far easier ways.

She suddenly realized what he meant. Never took you for a spy . . . You don’t strike me as someone good at blending in.

That’s because I never bothered trying, he said simply.

There wasn't really any arguing with that. Ardeth had never cared what anyone else thought, and he wasn't about to start now. That he even accepted a job involving a fair deal of deception was a surprise. Selissa cringed at the mental picture of Ardeth acting civil to fool some unknowing victim into trusting him. It just didn't sit right with her.

And it's a complete coincidence that our paths just happened to cross? she asked lightly.

Complete coincidence, Ardeth agreed easily. For some reason, Selissa wasn't convinced.

I'm not going to get dragged into some crazy scheme, am I? she asked exasperated. Things tended to go downhill every time she ran into the assassin.

Not because of me . . . he said, but he was looking at something behind her. Leaning forward, he spoke softly into her ear. But maybe because of the redhead who's been watching you for some time now.

Selissa spun around to follow his eyes, but she saw nothing except the various merchants and townsfolk in the street. What are you talking about?

A girl, Ardeth said as his eyes returned to her. She's been watching you ever since you started talking to me. She disappeared the moment you turned around.

Selissa kept looking uncertainly over her shoulder, but whoever Ardeth had seen was long gone now. She had not noticed anyone watching her, but she didn't doubt him for a second. The only problem was that she had no idea why anyone would be watching her.

She shook her head, refusing to let herself become paranoid just because some kid had been staring at her. It wouldn't be the first time.

It's probably nothing, she said, more to herself than to Ardeth.

ℓ

She hadn't really had high hopes that Ardeth would leave her alone, but Selissa still found herself becoming annoyed when he followed her like a loyal — albeit very dangerous — dog as she prepared to leave the town.

Do you really not have anything better to do? she asked as he stalked a few feet behind her while she made her way towards the gates. The town they were staying in was located in the far east of the Maiya province, not far from the border between Sinaria and Ver'dohna, and the presence of military was prominent. It was mostly populated by war refugees, and Selissa was highly aware of how they stood out in the crowd. She could feel eyes lingering on them as they passed one of the town guards.

Not really, no, Ardeth said casually. He didn't seem all that bothered by the suspicious looks sent his way.

Following me won't be much fun, Selissa said, even though she knew he wouldn't listen to her. I'm not even sure where I'm going.

Let's find out then, he said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

Selissa stopped abruptly. She placed her duffel bag and her sheathed swords on the ground and turned to look at the assassin with her arms crossed over her chest.

No, she said slowly, as if she was talking to a child. "I'll find out where I'm going next. Alone."

Ardeth smiled and bent down to look her in the eye. How are you going to stop me?

Before she could reply, he leaned closer and whispered in her ear. And just so you know, that girl is still watching you.

Startled, Selissa looked over his shoulder and saw a flash of red disappear around a corner. For a moment she considered shouting out to the person, but she could still feel the eyes of the town guards lingering on her, and it was better not to draw any more attention to herself.

How did you even notice her? Selissa asked as Ardeth drew back from her. As far as she knew, he would have had his back turned at all times and couldn't possibly have seen the girl by accident.

If I didn't notice such things, I would have been dead long ago, he said.

He had a point. Not to mention that if he didn't notice, she would be long gone as well. Selissa couldn’t even remember how many times he had saved her when she was about to be stabbed in the back.

She took one last look at where the girl had disappeared, weighing her options. She didn't know if the girl was a threat, but even if she was, Selissa doubted she was in any danger as long as Ardeth followed her like a shadow. And she wasn't eager to stay in the town any longer than she had to. Not while wary eyes still followed every step she took.

I'm leaving, Selissa told Ardeth, before turning on her heels and continuing towards the gates. Do as you like.

She knew he would follow, and she wasn't disappointed. He would have been a poor shadow if he had let her get away.

You're not going to do anything about it? he asked.

Selissa shook her head and kept on walking. I'm not going to go look for trouble. Not today. If anyone wants something from me, they can come and say it to my face.

Then I guess I will do that. The voice calling out to her made Selissa stop dead in her tracks. She slowly turned around.

A young girl walked towards her, sparing Ardeth a wary glance as she passed him. She had to be around fifteen, the faint traces of childhood just barely visible on her face, and Selissa couldn't shake the feeling there was something familiar about her.

Her red hair danced around her face as she came to a halt before Selissa. A strained smile graced the younger girl's lips as green eyes met silver.

It's been a long time, she said.

Selissa stood unmoving, still convinced she had met the girl before, but unable to recall where. Slowly, the girl led a hand to her hair and swept a flaming red lock behind her ear, revealing her left cheek, and along with that, an all too familiar tattoo. A tattoo nearly identical to the one carried by the assassin at Selissa's side. Finally, the pieces fell into place, and Selissa remembered exactly who the girl in front of her was.

Nadia?

Chapter 2

It had been nearly two years since Selissa first met the girl who was now standing in front of her, chin raised in defiance. Time had changed the timid little girl drastically, but the flaming red hair and the barely concealed black tattoo on her cheek gave Nadia away.

But still this wasn't the scared young girl who had hid behind her brother in an attempt to remain unseen by the world. She was taller, her red hair longer and wilder. Her face had lost its childish shape and revealed a girl on the verge of womanhood. But the reason Selissa had trouble believing her to be the same girl was the way Nadia held herself. The girl Selissa had never seen do anything but cower was standing before her with a straight back and her head held high. Somewhere in the depths of her green eyes, Selissa could still see the uncertainty, but the younger girl held her eyes without flinching.

It's been a long time, Nadia said, speaking for the first time since Selissa acknowledged her. Her voice was stronger and there was a slight lilt to her words. Her eyes, however, were wary.

What are you doing here? Selissa asked, too shocked to think of anything else to say.

Recently I went to the temple of Maiya, and I heard the priests bring up your name, the girl said, red hair dancing around her face and casting shadows over her eyes. When they mentioned the name of this town, I took my chances.

It was all said so casually, but Selissa could see the haunted look in Nadia's eyes. Something was wrong.

She took a few steps closer, not missing the way Nadia tensed. It's been two years. Why would you come looking for me?

You were the only one I knew who might be willing to help, Nadia said quietly. But I'm not holding my breath.

Confused, Selissa was about to reply when someone started yelling behind her.

Hey, you!

Selissa looked back to see two angry-looking men running towards them. Exasperated, she turned to Ardeth.

"What did you do?"

He looked at her flatly, before pointing behind her. Looking over her shoulder, she saw a dash of red disappear in the crowd and only then realized Nadia was no longer by her side.

Putting two and two together, Selissa had half a second to decide on a plan of action. The two men made to run past her, and she stretched out her leg, tripping the first. The other quickly followed suit when he stumbled over his companion, and Selissa was gone before either of them realized what had happened.

As she sprinted after Nadia, she asked herself why she was once again seeking out trouble. She should have learned by now that nothing good ever came from chasing after someone who had already attracted very angry pursuers.

Selissa soon realized she had already lost track of the girl. The street Nadia had fled into was crowded enough to hide anyone, even someone with her distinctive hair color.

Cursing softly, Selissa scanned the street, eyes darting over the many unfamiliar faces, before finally giving up.

Why do I even care? she asked herself quietly. She threw one last look at the crowd before turning back.

A headache was slowly forming between her eyes, and Selissa rubbed the bridge of her nose tiredly as she walked back. It worried her slightly that there were no signs of Ardeth or the two men who had chased Nadia. It never meant anything good when you lost sight of Ardeth . . .

Her belongings were lying where she left them in her hurry to catch up with Nadia. She grabbed the duffel bag and hoisted the swords onto her back, before taking one last look around, hoping that somehow Nadia had returned to explain herself.

Of course it wouldn't be that easy.

Not my problem. It's not my problem . . . Selissa repeated the words like a mantra, trying to convince herself. Not for the first time, she wished she owned a horse, so she could leave this mess behind faster than she could change her mind.

To her surprise, Ardeth hadn’t turned up by the time she crossed through the town gate. She really hadn't expected him to leave her alone, and his absence made her uneasy. Not that she would ever admit that, though.

Just the two of us then, Selissa said, a small flare of warmth signaling Cadeyrn's agreement, though the archangel kept quiet in the back of her mind.

A strong gust of wind blew past her, and she shuddered slightly as she left the shielding walls of the town behind. Her traveling cloak was safely tucked away in her bag, and she didn't feel like stopping before she had put some distance between herself and whatever drama she had left behind in the town.

A voice in the back of her head, one that sounded suspiciously more like Alassane than Cadeyrn, kept telling her she was running away.

This time, it's justified, she muttered. Talking to imaginary voices in her head was only slightly worse than talking to the real ones, after all. I'm running from someone else's problems, not my own.

If Alassane really had been there, she figured he would approve. He had always told her she needed to stay out of other people's business.

By Shi'laran, how she missed him at times like these. No matter how much the grumpy, undead bastard had annoyed her, he had often saved her from herself. And if he had been there at that moment, he would have said something to stop her from turning around and going back.

As it was, Alassane wasn't there. Her steps faltered and Selissa looked back over her shoulder at the town gate she could still faintly make out.

It's not your problem . . . she whispered firmly to herself. The wind blew her hair into her eyes and her movements were a bit too forceful when she brushed it away.

Damn it . . . she mumbled. Damn it all to hell.

Curses kept spewing from her lips as she turned around. Whether this inability to walk away stemmed from curiosity or compassion, it really would become the death of her someday.

Chapter 3

The sun was already setting when Selissa gave up. Against her better judgment, she had searched the entire town for any sign of Nadia, but it was as if the ground had opened up and swallowed the girl.

Selissa had left the town once again when the suspicious glares from the townsfolk made it clear she had overstayed her welcome. Strange, armed women were frowned upon in places where war always lurked just across the border.

As she made her way into the barren fields of the Maiya province, Selissa could see the waning light reflecting in the great stone walls of Var'nori in the distance. The mages' capital rose into the sky like a huge white fortress, daring Sinarian and Ver'dohnian alike to doubt its power.

Remembering her first and only visit to the city, Selissa realized how much had happened in just a few years.

It was in Var'nori she had first met Ardeth. She had been sure she was going to die that day, by the hands of the most terrifying human being she had ever met.

She briefly wondered how things would have turned out if Alassane hadn't saved her from the Demios. Quickly shoving the thought from her mind, she decided that she really didn't want to know. If Ardeth had captured her that day, the future would have looked very bleak.

Something rustled nearby, pulling her away from thoughts of Var'nori and the events that took place there.

The foliage was getting thicker the further away she got from the border settlements, and scattered patches of woodland provided plenty of hiding places, so it didn't surprise Selissa when she saw nothing as her eyes searched for the cause of the sound.

Logic would have it be nothing more than a wayward deer, but Selissa knew better.

What was the point of having me running around like that if you're just going to follow me anyway?

Nadia peeked out from behind a nearby tree, and Selissa really had no idea how she hadn't noticed that flaming red hair before. The girl didn't exactly blend in with the background.

You knew I would be here. It was more a statement than an actual question.

Selissa shrugged. Not really. But if you went through all that trouble to track me down in the first place, I figured you wouldn't give up so easily.

Nadia slowly let her hands fall away from the tree and stepped out of its shadow. Now when Selissa got a good look at her, she did actually look like a wary deer.

I didn't know where else to go, Nadia said quietly, and for the first time Selissa could see some of the lost girl she had met two years ago in her.

I know, Selissa said softly. She lifted her hand, gesturing for the girl to come closer. Why were those guys chasing you?

Nadia hesitated for a moment and then clenched her jaw. They were picking on me. Because I'm Marked.

Involuntary, Selissa's eyes went to the tattoo on Nadia's cheek when the girl paused. Their eyes met and Selissa urged her on. And?

So I told them how they were going to die.

Selissa had no answer to that. Two years ago, Nadia would have bent her head and taken every insult thrown her way. Using her powers to terrify her tormentors was not something Selissa would have thought her capable of. The worst thing was that she couldn't help feeling proud of the girl.

Selissa coughed awkwardly to hide the smile creeping onto her face. I imagine that shocked them enough to give you a head start?

It took them all day to find me, Nadia said and finally took a step forward to close the distance between them.

As Nadia met her eyes, Selissa found herself wondering if the girl in front of her knew how she was going to die. The demonic magic running through her veins gave Nadia the ability to foresee the death of people she met, and now when their paths crossed once again, Selissa suspected Nadia had already seen her lifeless corpse, overcome by whatever fate was waiting for her.

It was only in that moment Selissa understood how wretched the world had to look through Nadia's eyes. Knowing the end for every person you ever knew or cared about was nothing but a terrible curse.

But it might explain why Nadia only ever seemed to care about her brother, and that thought made Selissa realize something else, something she should have noticed right away.

Nadia . . . Where's Nijel? she asked.

Nadia's eyes widened, but before she could answer, two shapes burst through the trees where the girl had hid just moments before.

Selissa recognized them immediately, despite only having caught a brief glimpse of them in the town. Before she could draw her sword, one of them grabbed Nadia in a chokehold.

Seems like we finally got her, Isaac, he said, grabbing Nadia's arm as she tried to hit him. Can't have these freaks running wild.

Selissa ripped her sword from its scabbard, and the one named Isaac glanced nervously at her. Stefan, the other one's armed . . .

Get lost or lose an arm, Selissa warned coolly. It didn't seem like either man was carrying any weapons, but there were many places you could hide a knife. Rushing into something could very well end in blood, and unfortunately it might just as well be Nadia's as it might be her captors'.

Stefan wrinkled his nose in distaste as he looked at the gleaming steel in Selissa's hands. We're just here for the girl. It’s nothing to do with you.

Strictly speaking that was true, but Selissa had already given up on minding her own business. I take it a bit personally when people interrupt my conversations.

Isaac kept shifting uncomfortably, eyes flickering between the raised sword and the struggling girl in his friend's arms. Maybe we should just—

Shut up, Isaac, Stefan said. We can handle— He let out a string of curses as Nadia bit down hard on his arm and nearly released his grip in surprise. Instead he let go of her wrist to clap a hand over her mouth and force her head back.

You little bitch, I should just—

Selissa blinked in surprise when Stefan suddenly shrieked in pain and tumbled to the ground, letting go of Nadia in the process. Isaac seemed just as dumbfounded and did nothing to stop the red-haired girl from scampering away and hiding behind the older woman.

Howling in pain, Stefan writhed on the ground and reached for his leg. He grabbed hold of the sharp object sticking out from his thigh, and Selissa immediately recognized the stark white material as he ripped it from his flesh.

Another bone blade soared through the air, narrowly missing Isaac's ear as it flew past and embedded itself into a scrawny-looking tree, piercing halfway through the trunk.

Isaac didn't wait around to ask questions. Ignoring his injured friend completely, he fled down the open field, not even looking back to identify the attacker.

Stefan, pale and bleeding, looked around frantically before turning wide-eyed to Selissa when his attacker failed to show himself.

Better run, Selissa said and shrugged casually. The next one might not miss.

If possible, Stefan's eyes widened even more, and he took one last look over his shoulder before clumsily getting to