"Thorgar, Elden and Cassian. You three get on the carriages and head for the academy. Follow Malcolm's orders and get yourself accustomed to the area. After two days go to Obidos and stay at the castle where you will follow my Advisor's orders", Ali said to the three.
"Alright", Cassian said casually as he walked to the carriages with his eyes stuck on the giant dragon lying before him.
"Cassian", Ali shouted as he threw the pouch of gold to the young knight.
"What's this?" Cassian said, confused.
"Allowance for you three before I decide on your wages", Ali said, and the three were shocked, looking at the gold shining in the pouch.
Cassian nodded at Ali and headed for the carriages with Thorgar and Elden behind him. Then Ali turned to the other two, waiting for him with his orders.
"Rook, you will go to Obidos and get to the castle immediately. Wait there for further orders. I will be sending you to the count's city soon.", Ali said to the young boy who looked at him slyly, waiting for his gold.
Ali stared back at him, and the kid realised the great tragedy that fell upon him. He looked down at the ground, disappointed, and walked to the carriages to see if he can catch a ride back. His eyes were full of jealousy looking at the three counting the gold coins in the pouch.
Finally, Ali looked at Keith, who waited there patiently with his expressionless face and dark brown eyes, a face you wouldn't want to see in a dark alley at night.
"Assassin?", Ali said as he circled around him.
"Used to be, now I travel with them…", Keith answered as his heart suddenly stopped, and he instantly turned around with his dagger out, shining a deep red.
But to his surprise, there was no one there. 'I definitely sensed his killing intent just now…', Keith turned around to see Ali standing there with his black eyes staring him down.
"A pathetic excuse of an assassin, I see…", Ali said, looking at Keith with unimpressed eyes. "You will answer to me and my Advisor only. You will kill and spy for me. If you do well, I will teach you a thing or two about actually becoming an assassin.", Ali said as he turned around.
"Head for Obidos with Rook. And Keith…", Ali's voice turned cold. "Those who betray me regret it dearly…", Ali said as he jumped up and flew to Abeloth, landing on his dragon's back.
Abeloth flew up with his massive wings, sending strong winds everywhere…
The five below looked up, watching the dragon fly ahead of them to the academy. They grouped up near the carriages and ignored the questioning looks from those in the carriages.
"What just happened?", Thorgar asked with a serious tone that was a contrast to his usual self. The Barbadian wasn't as dumb as he looked.
"We got lucky, that's what…", Cassian said with a smile as he followed Abeloth's silhouette.
"How so?", Rook asked, even though he had an answer to his question. The young kid always tried to hear their opinions, as he knew how unique each one of them was. Compared to them, he was the only one with a slightly normal life before joining. Of course, normal compared to them…
"You heard of great men? Men who have stories written about them? He's one of them, and I would rather see it with my own eyes than hear about it in some dump", Cassian said as he walked to Malcom with his sword resting on his shoulder.
Elden smiled in response and caught a glimpse of three brothers of the cloth preying together at the end of the carriages. He walked to Ignus and introduced himself before suddenly stopping upon sensing Ignus's connection with the true flame.
"Bishop", Elden fell to his knees and bowed deeply as he assumed Ignus was a bishop. 'Only a bishop can have a blessing from the true flame, such an incredible miracle', Elden thought as he started shaking and preying with his head down. His muscles tensed, and a bright golden glow covered his entire body.
Ignus was flustered as he tried to get the giant to stand up and stop kneeling before him. The four looked at the sight without surprise, as they'd seen Elden do this before.
'He's a monster, most definitely an assassin. Forget that, he's better than the leader of the guild. He's the best I've ever seen…' Keith thought as a new fire ignited in him to become stronger…
It was the same fire that now burned in all of them. They were all lost without a direction, just wasting their lives killing weaklings and making barely any coin from greedy lords who looked down on them, but now it was different…
In the academy formerly known as Castle Nolan, Fiona was standing in the courtyard with her daughter in her arms. She was railing her daughter to sleep under the warm sun as she looked up at the clouds, waiting for someone.
"My lady…", a maid approached her and started informing Fiona of what happened in the village yesterday.
"Thank you", Fiona said as she sent the maid away. 'They're following orders without any problems, and the plans are advancing smoothly', Fiona said tightly as she kissed her sleeping daughter. Fiona's gold hair was now more visible between her brown hair.
Fiona looked up at the clouds when she saw the majestic Eldora breaking through the cloud and diving towards her. She didn't step back as she knew how gentle the emerald dragon was.
WOOOOOSH
Eldora landed gently in the courtyard, and the winds themselves were gentle as they brushed against Fiona's white dress.
"Let's go", Ali said as suddenly Fiona hugged her daughter tighter when she felt her body fly up to Eldora's back.
"Warn me next time", Fiona said with anger to Ali, who was sitting with his eyes closed.
"Eldora", Ali called out, the dragon flapped her wings signalling for Fiona to sit down on her large back. There was no fear of them falling as Eldora's flying was exceptional, and she knew how to make sure they were comfortable and safe .
'What's wrong with him?', Fiona thought, looking at Ali, who didn't even open his eyes to greet her.
"Fiona", Ali said with a serious tone before opening his eyes, "You will be responsible for Obidos, the academy and the village. Miles will help you and I found you servants to assist you in Obidos.", Ali said.
They were now flying above the clouds, "What about you?", Fiona asked as she felt something was wrong.
"I have something to take care of so I'm leaving for a couple of days, don't worry as Miles can help you with anything you need and is watching over my territory for anything.", Ali responded as he laid back on Eldora's back sighing.
Fiona had never seen him like this, 'Something is bothering him…', Fiona thought looking at Ali.
"Do you want my opinion on whatever is bothering you?", Fiona asked with a soft voice.
Ali gave her a glance before looking back up at the sky, "No.", Ali answered and Fiona sighed, she didn't like men who never opened up to anyone, it reminded her of her father.
"Buy every dress in Obidos", Ali suddenly said.
"Huh? Why?", Fiona asked surprised by what he said.
"I can't have my advisor wearing the same dress every day so buy anything you want, you have access to the treasury anyway. So buy something to look beautiful in.", Ali said and Fiona smiled at him, her smile was angelic.
"You might look scary and cold on the outside but I know your kind inside Ali", Fiona said to him while cradling her baby.
"You think so?", Ali asked with a smirk.
"I have a good eye for people Ali…", Fiona said.
Ali didn't respond as Eldora reached Obidos in minutes with the help of the winds accelerating her flight, Fiona saw Obidos for the first time and could hear the cheer of people when they saw the dragon.
"They like you", Fiona said looking at them.
"Obidos is a rotten town, if there is anything you're too disturbed to deal with leave it to Miles or Keith.", Ali said.
"Who's Keith?", Fiona asked.
"An assassin, I recruited him along with four others today. He will be of great help to you and will work directly under you. Order him to do what you want done in secret. And there's this kid named Rook; apparently, he's a thief who can gather information and help us in IronPeak, so check him out too." Ali said as he stood up, and Eldora landed near Cinder Castle.
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