In love and war...

Renn dragged the blade across the man's throat and then pushed him to the ground. The man gasped and clutched his hands to the spouting gash in his neck. Renn looked coldly at him, no compation or regret in his eyes. He stepped over the man to the already dead man and retrieved the dagger that still pretruded from the man's neck. The commotion back at the clearing made him turn around and look for Eve. For a moment he was about to jump straight into it and help Eve out but he soon realised that she didn't need his help at all. He grinned maliciously as she took down one bandit after the other. He leaned down and dried off the daggers on the dead man's tunic.

Since the man was dead Renn rumaged through the pockets to look for useful things. He pocketed a small pouch with coins but didn't find anything else that he could use so instead he turned to the man gurgling on the ground. He had a silver locket in a thin chain in one of his pockets. Probably swagged from some other less fortunate passers by. The man grasped after it but Renn snatched it away from him. Renn turned the locket over and opened it but it was empty. He put it in his pocket and then moved trhough the bushes, looking for the man with the bow.

Eve bent over to examine the body of one of the men and furrowed her brow.
"Tattered and dirty clothes, rusted weapons, unkempt hair and beard.. These are poor men. They probably felt they had no other choice."
Eve quietly wondered if they had families and if they would starve now. Whatever these men had brought home probably haven't kept them well fed anyway. She didn't feel any regret though, that would only lead down a road of bad dreams and quilt and that she couldn't afford. No assassin could.
One of the man carried an old water skein that she opened and used to clean off her hands and face.

She walked back to the horses who both stood still, appearing to be asleep. They were trained to be calm in battle and kick anyone other than the person who knew their code word.
"Masalí evené, fusha." Good evening, my lady. Her mare perked up and flicked her ears as Eve pulled out a new tunic and changed from her blooded one.
Even though it looked like Eve was now relaxed all her senses were on high alert, searching for any sign of more bandits


Renn found the man with the bow laying on the ground. Eve's knife had caught him in the torso inbetween two ribs and he was bleeding profusely. The knife lay on the ground, the man had apperently made the mistake of pulling it out without having anything to bandage the wound with. He had attempted to crawl to safety but hadn't gotten far before the bloodloss made him lose consciousness. Renn checked the man and it wasn't hard to determine that the man was dead. He bent down and picked up the knife from the ground and then headed back to the clearing.

He kept an eye on the surrounding forest but it lay quiet. Back at Eve and the horses he handed the knife back to her, the tip of the blade between his fingers so that she could grab it by the handle.
"We all make our choices" he commented. He didn't judge the choices of the men now lying dead. Becoming bandit wasn't worse than being an assassin. They could probably have spared some of their lives but then they would most likely have come back with more people to finish them off and Renn always put his own life ahead of anyone elses. He greeted his horse and then washed off his blooded hands with some of the water from the bandit's canteen.

Eve glanced at Renn and replaced the dagger he gave her in her belt.
"We doo indeed."
She sighed and looked to the sky that was as dark as before, however she thought she glimpsed the early signs of a sunrise between the trees.
"We might as well get going again. The party is happening two days from now. We have plenty of time when we arrive to rest" and bathe, she added silently to herself.
She donned her cloak and fed her mare a handful of oats before mounting.

When Renn had gathered his things she set off toward the road at a trot. She horses could take longer strides when they hit the trampled road and Eve sighed tiredly.
She only wanted to get back to the guild and her apartment.
The guild's headquarters was a large mansion in the upper middle class part of town and consisted of many small apartments that were rented to the assassins. Eve never liked owing the guild and its Lord anymore than but it was still cheaper than renting an apartment of your own. Most of her payment went toward paying back her training but she stil couldn't expect to pay it all off in any near future. If she was lucky, and the Lord didn't add any more interest to her debt, she'd be free in ten years.


Renn nodded at her and then dried off his daggers before putting them back on his belt. He raised his eyes toward the sky and sighed silently. The adrenaline rush was over and the aching in the shoulder had returned, with more intensity this time since he had strained it during the fightning. He rubbed his eyes and then gathered his things. The horse didn't struggle when he placed the saddle back on its back and then buckled the strap. He mounted and patted the horse on the flank before steering it towards the road.

He groaned as the trot made his shoulder ache even more but he gritted it out and focused on Eve's swaying black locks in front of him instead. A small smile crept over his lips as he watched her. Renn was brought up in the Guild. Renn was one of the homeless children that had been given to the Guild at a very young age. From an early age he had been trained in the art of pick-pocketing and later assassinations. The Guild was all he knew, that he ever had known. He was more or less owned by the Lord.

Eve kept her mare at an easy trot for about an hour before slowing to a walk. She then alternated between walking, trotting and cantering for the next couple of hours until the forest thinned out and she could see farmland between the trees.
She sighed gratefully and looked back at Renn, her face breaking into a big grin.
"I'll race ya." And with that she took off, giving the mare free reign. The horse dutifully stretched her long legs and took off at a dead run, hooves thundering against the packed dirt of the road.
In spite of her smarting wounds she threw her hands in the air and whooped, her black curls escaping the leather thong and flowing behind her.

Very soon the city of Ghenna towered ahead, its spires and walls reaching for the cloudless sky. The palace was built at the back of the city, its back against a sheer cliff leading down into the crashing surf below. A very defensible position. From the castle the city stretched with the most wealthy families living closest to the castle and the poorest along the walls. Inside the gate was the small marked, followed by the central square and then the largest market.

Eve let the horse run until they were a mile off the gate before she slowed. Already people were milling into the city, to buy or sell their wares.
She had to slow down to a walk to not trample people as she made her way through the packed streets, heading for the richer Dove District and the Burgundy Mansion as the Assassin Lord had playfully named the mansion full of killers.

Renn kept his own pace but made sure to keep in a certain distance to Eve. The sun was slowly rising between the branches overhead. When she challanged him to a race Renn grinned and watched her go.
"Come on" he said to the horse and lightly tapped its sides and it took off without further urging. The shoulder pained him but the thrill of the race made him forget that for a moment. The horse quickly gained on Eve and her mare.

The last stretch they rode neck in neck. The horse let out a loud snort as they finally slowed and Renn petted its side gratefully.
"That was exciting" he smiled at Eve and then looked around. It was good being back in town again. He looked forward to sleeping in a real bed and being able to take a proper bath. People tried to stay clear of their path as they rode forward on the street.

The streets soon emptied as they strayed further from the markets and suddenly the mansion loomed before them. It looked no different from any of the other mansions in the district; a perfect disguise.
Harkin hady many official reasons for why he had so many living in the house. Eve only knew that they could all come and go as they pleased as long as they were seen entering and leaving wearing a black tunic with the house crest on. The crest itself was easily pinned in place and could be removed at any time.

Eve dismounted in the courtyard and a stable boy was instantly at her side, ready to assist. She gave the mare a last pat and a sugar lump before turning to Renn.
"Well then. I'm planning to spend the next couple of days in a tub of warm water." She grinned at him. "We'll arrive separately to the party, of course. It's a masquerade, so don't forget the mask."
She wiggled her fingers at him and quickly disappeared into the house.

He dismounted when they reached the courtyard and stroked the soft muzzle of the horse before leaving him over to one of the stable boys. Renn made sure to take the hidden sword and some of his stuff before he let the boy lead the horse away. He turned to Eve and grinned.
"Well call me if you need anybody washing your back" he winked teasingly. The Guild was well equipped in the department of disguises so it wouldn't be a problem getting an outfit for the party.

"See you there then.." he looked after her as she dissapeared into the house. He sighed to himself and watched the big house for a moment before he went inside and headed for his quarters. A warm bath should probably help with his sore shoulder.

Eve spent the following two days cleaning the dirt from her very pores and catching up on her reading, as well as visiting her favourite salon where the attendants rubbed oils in her hair and manicured her nails.
A big part of her success as an assassin partly lay in her looks and she spent time and money keeping it sparkling.

Eve loved parties and had many, many dresses. Most of them Harkin had bought for her, although it was added to her debt, of course.
On the evening of the party she had chosen a very light toned aqua gown in layers of silk and organza with small stones sown in that made it look like she was wearing icy water. The dress had a modest neckline but plunged in the back down to the small of her back. The opening was covered with a layer of lace with the same colour. It was a bit bold, perhaps.
Around her neck she wore a choker of aquamarines and two matching stones hung from her earlobes. Aquamarines had also been woven into her hair that had been arranged in a stylish fashion to show her back but still let a few strands loose.
The mask she had chosen was adorned with shimmering lace and light blue feathers from some exotic bird she had no name for.

Eve smiled at her reflection before she went out into the courtyard.
A cloak covered her face but as soon she got into her hired carriage she let it fall. It was only a short 20 minute ride before the carriage stopped in front of a big manision in the richest Diamond District. Voices and music could be heard pouring from the open doors.
Eve gracefully accepted the hand offered her when she exited the carriage and had to surpress a malignent grin as she made her way into the elaborately furnished mansion.
She swiped a glass of sparkling wine and retreated to a far corner hoping to get a good look the the people assembled but her dress drew stares as she walked past.
It might not have been very inconspicuous but she couldn't help but preen.

Renn past his time roaming the city, watching the new goods arriving to the market and the interchanging merchants. He kept away from the mansion as often as he could and when he was there he kept to his quarters, not seeing anybody. A hot bath had helped with the aching shoulder so he made sure to use the bath to relax and limber up the muscles.

On the eve of the party he had visited a barber to have his hair cut and facial hair trimmed in a fashionable style. Renn was used to parties and had a wardrobe for it but for this special event he had bought a new attire. A white flowy shirt with a cravat in front, long black pants and a black coat with gold thread embroidery with a matching vest underneath. The mask was black and had black feather trimming around the side and underneath the right eye was a line of ruby colored stones. To finish it all off he pinned a big ruby brooch in the middle of the cravat to match the ones on the mask.

Renn put on his cloak before leaving his quarters and headed out in to the courtyard. He was early and would probably be among the first to arrive to the party but he liked to have an overview of which people came at what time. One of the stable boys had saddled one of the horses for him and stood waiting as he entered the courtyard. The sadle was not the usual riding type but a finer version that nobles used. All for the illusion he thought before mounting the horse. He thanked the boy and then headed off. It was a short ride and as he had guessed he was early. A servant hurried up to him to hold the horse while he dismounted and then lead it away to the guest stable.

Entering the big mansion he handed off his cloak to another servant who gracefully took it and stored it for him. A few people had arrived so he mingled in with the crowd while he waited for Eve to show up. He spotted her the moment she walked in and a pleased smile came over him as he realised that it was her. Excusing himself to the people he had been talking with he moved toward the corner she was heading for.
"Mi lady" he mused with a graceful tone as he strode up behind her. "If I might say so you look enchanting."

Eve knew Renn the moment she saw him; his posture, his gait and of course grinning smile. Her eyes danced with mirth as he strode up to her and she made a graceful curtsy.
"My lord. You cut quite the dashing figure." Her husky voice was low pitched, almost a purr. She winked at him before scanning the room over his shoulder.
"It seems even the duke Cornwell is here, the old cheapskate. Interesting. She laughed silently, as if they were talking about something completely different from the party-goers.
People were milling into the mansion continuously and the small orchestra had started a walz.
"There should be a study on the second floor. That might be a good place to start." She gave Renn a wicked smile. "But first I want to dance.

She glided across the polished floor, her gown catching the many lights, glinting and rustling as she walked. She went right up to an astonishingly beautiful man with hair so fair it was almost white, cascading down his back, and eyes a mesmerizingly deep blue.
Several ladies clustered around him and all of them gave Eve poisonous looks as he smiled at her, bowed and then swept her towards the dance floor.
The glided effortlessly in the walz, sometimes an armslengt apart and sometimes cheek to cheek.
"Aaron, what a wonderful surprise."
Aaron was one of the city's most famous cortesans and one of Eve's few friends. He had given her many lessons in flirting and seduction.
"Eve, starlight of my heart." His voice was deep but somehow still youn and almost boyish.
"So.. who is your client here? Perrington? Cornwell?"
"Both." Pain briefly flashed in his eyes before he composed himself again and smiled as radiantly as before. Eve said nothing, she understood. His work was just as gruesome as hers.

He chuckled and made a slight bow as she curtsied. His eyes dashed over toward the older man as she mentioned him. Renn had noted the duke arriving earlier in the evening. He nodded his head in agreement as she mentioned the upper stairs study. Renn raised one eyebrow at her when she said that she wanted to dance and smiled crookedly. When she headed off again he followed her with his eyes. She was a truly beatiful sight and he noted that a lot of younger gentlemen turned their heads after her.

He furrowed his brow a bit when she went up to the fair man who then swept her off to the dancefloor. Was that a twinge of jealousy? Renn shook his head and raised his gaze to the second floor banister. It was none of his business, besides he had other stuff to do. While Eve was dancing he headed for the stairs and the second floor. He went past a group of women on the stairs who giggled and called after him. Renn smiled at them and promised that he would find them later just so that he would get away from them. There were a few people gathered upstair. Socializing and drinking wine. None of them seemed to take much notice to him so he sneaked by towards one of the darker and empty corridors where the study lay.

Eve and Aaron ekpt dancing and to the world it looked like they only had eyes for each other, but Eve kept watch from the corner of her eye, analyzing her surrounding. She saw Renn sneak away and felt a brief flash of annoyance; she had wanted to go too.
She, however, hadn't dressed for sneaking, but flirting. Information could easily be gleaned from drunk men, mesmerized by promises of intimacy.
Aaron had his lips pressed to her neck. Even though he did it to hold a whispering exchange of information Eve couldn't help but feel a shiver down her spine.
When the music stopped and they stepped away from each other Eve had learned many useful things about most of his clients.

As Eve walked off the dancefloor she had to suppress a grin at the hateful looks she got from various women and men. Aaron's attentions were highly coveted.
Eve mingled as she glided across the room, drinking sparkling wine and laughing with various members of the elite. She made sure to talk a little extra with the drunkest people. She made mental notes of all the nobles she recognized and who socialized with whom.

Renn walked calmly down the corridor and looked around appearing to be studying the paintings on the walls. If a servant happened to find him there he wouldn't want to appear sneaking around so therefore he took his time. Soon he stood outside the study door and he hadn't yet bumped in to anyone. He listened for a minute to try to determine if somebody was in the room before he lightly tried the handle. The door wasn't locked so it silently swung open and Renn went inside, quietly closing the door behind him.

The study was a big room with high bookshelves stretching along the sides of the walls. Renn wondered if Karel ever had opened any of the hundreds of books in there. A grand mahagony desk stood in the far side of the room next to a open fireplace. Renn went over to the desk which looked almost unused. A full ink phial was standing there next to a stand of featherpens but the tips were clean, unused. The room seemed to be more for show than used as an actual study. The only thing in the room that seemed to have been used a lot was the tray of fine brandy and crystal glass standing next to a lounge chair.

He looked up at the portrait hanging over the mantelpiece, it depicted Karel riding on a white horse and Renn grimaced at it before he kept looking for something usefull. Pulling out the drawers of the desk he found some papers that he flipped through but it was nothing of interest. The top drawer was locked but that didn't stop him. In an hidden inside pocket of the vest he had stored some lockpicks that he used to open the drawer with ease. Inside was a leather bound ledger. Renn put it on the desk and looked through the pages. It was interesting reading but not what they were there for. The pages contained a lot of information about Karel's debt and all the people that he owed.

After another hour of dancing, drinking and making vague promises, Eve had retreated to a dark balcony overlooking a beautiful garden.
She absentmindedly toyed with her empty wine glass as she went over the information she had gathered so far. Nothing really useful or anything she didn't already know.
Karel was as much in debt as she had thought and all his acquaintance were as decadent as he was. No one at the party cared about the succession or the war raging just a day away from the capital.
She couldn't quite manage to suppress a sneer of derision.

The musicians inside struck up another smooth waltz and Eve sighed longingly. She liked dancing but was sick and tired of the sniveling noble young men inside.
She gave her surroundings a quick look but she was still alone. She stood up and placed her right hand on an imaginary shoulder.
She began the waltz, sweeping across the balcony, twirling. Her gown whispered as it flowed around her and she let the beautiful music carry her away.

Renn put the ledger back in the drawer and locked it. There had to be something else. He placed himself in the middle of the room and looked around with an critical eye. Imagening Karel's hight and reach. At first glance nothing seemed out of place but on the second pass over he noticed something. He went over to one of the bookshelves and looked closer at one of the books who seemed to stand a bit askew compared to the rest of the perfactly lined books. Renn grabbed the book and pulled it out. He opened it but there were nothing special about it, just an ordinary book. Reen reached one hand in between the books and felt around on the backside. The fingers graced against something and he grabbed it. It was a red little leather bound book, no bigger than the palm of his hand. Opening it he found Karel's sloppy handwriting all over the pages.

Renn raised his eyebrows when he noticied a name scribbled atop one of the pages.
"Harkin..." he mouthed and read the page. It seemed like Karel was in serious debt to the Guild lord and they had made some shady businesses together. Renn couldn't well take the book with him but he wanted to make a note of what was written. He grabbed pen and paper from the desk and quickly copied down the pages about Harkin before putting the books back and carefully cleaning the pen. Folding the paper he put it in the inside coat pocket and then moved towards the door. He listened for a while, making sure that noone was outside before quietly sneaking out into the corridor again.

He headed down to the ballroom again looking for Eve but he couldn't find her there so he continued to the balcony. There he found her, dancing and twirling on her own. He watched for a second and smiled to himself but then went over to her. Cutting in on her dance. He placed one strong hand around her waist and grasped her raised hand while her other hand was placed on his shoulder. Letting her adjust to him being there for a brief moment before he twirled her around to the music.
"Having fun?" he asked, smiling.

Eve was lost in her own world when an arm grabbed her waist. She would have reached for the dagger strapped to her thigh it Renn hadn't caught her other hand.
Her breath still caught in her throat and she almost bit her tongue in surprise.
She glared at Ren but made no move to untangle herself from him and her drew her into the dance, even though her face burned scarlet.
"I've gotten as much information as I could from these fops." She didn't know what embarrassed her most; that Renn had caught her dancing by herself or that she had been so absorbed in the music that she hadn't even heard him coming. Now that was embarrassing! No had had managed to sneak up on her in years.

She did her very best to seem unconcerned even though it felt like her heart was trying to beat itself out of her chest.
"Did you find anything useful?" Oh god, was her voice actually unsteady? She bit her tongue, hard, and gave Renn a wicked grin, hoping that it would cover her uncertainty.

It was hard not to notice her face turning red, even behind the mask and her glare made him grin even wider. Had he supriced her? Renn had felt her tense up when he grabbed her. The question was if it was because she hadn't heard him coming or if she simply felt uneasy with him touching her. He raised an eyebrow at her, was her voice shaking a bit or was he imagening things?
"Actually, I might have." he answered and glanced toward the entrace to the balcony, making sure nobody was near.

The music was ending so he spun her around one last time before letting go of her. He took one step back and fashioned a bow, for show if anyone were to see them.
"I found a small book hidden in the study. I took some notes from it" he said and reached into the pocket, pulling out the folded paper and then handed it to her.

When he let her go she sketched a sarcastic curtsy but couldn't help but feel a lingering warmth were his hand had rested on her back.
She gathered herself and took the piece of paper he offered.
"A lover's poem, for me? How romantic." She grinned at him, back to her usual self.
She read his notes and raised a delicate eyebrow. It didn't really surprise her though, the prince was probably in debt to anyone who had money to spare.
"It's interesting, but not really useful for our assignment. Unless he were to be hired by some group to kill his own brother but I've seen no indication of that. He's too soft and knows that as long as he's protected by the current queen no one will be able to force him to pay back the money he owns."
Unless Helen had promised to make his debts go away if her help her ascend the throne. Too many "ifs" Eve sighed and handed the paper back.

"Well, I should say we're done here. The only information I've gotten so far is that he is in a lot of debt, as we know, and the nobles around him are getting annoyed but are biding their time to see if they can use it against him without too much reprocussion."
Eve toyed distractedly with a black lock that had escaped from the glittering mesh in her hair. She gave their surroundings a quick look before stepping closer to Renn and leaned against him, the picture of young infatuation..
"The next target are 3 mansions in the Diamond District, all owned by Helen's confidants; Dukes Barley and Higgs and Earl Pompard. Sadly no parties there to cover our tracks." Her husky voice was low ptched but she pouted playfully as she acted out the role as an infatuated maiden.

"Well, Harkin is not a man you're easily indebted to. He will want the money back, in one way or another, and he's not afraid of the queen." Renn commented and put the note back in his pocket. The Guild master was a devious man and he always had an alterior motive for the things he did. The things he did was only out of the gain for himself. Did Harkin have any gain in getting rid of either the Crown Prince or Karel? Renn didn't know. Perhaps Helen had promised Haarkin something or he had just lent Karel money to have him under his foot.

He nodded in agreement. Karel was most likely not their guy and there was nothing more to gain from staying. Renn turned his eyes to her when she leaned against him. He raised one hand to her cheek and lowered his head as if he leaned in to kiss her but it was all part of the act not to seem too suspicious.
"I guess we will have to break in unless we can get ourselves invited somehow." he mused and smirked.

Eve laughed softly and as he leaned in she easily dodged what she thought was a real attempt at a kiss by buring her face in his neck. It also served the purpose of hiding her flaming cheeks. All this embarrassment frustrated her, she had flirted with hundreds of men in the line of duty and was not some flushing inexperienced maiden!
That thought made her grin evilly as she decided to pay him back by gently placing her lips under his ear.
She would have preferred giving him a knee in the crotch but that would draw too much attention. Watching infatuated people were boeing but lovers' quarrels always drew people's eyes.
"Higgs and Pompard will probably be burglary-jobs, but Barley is know amongst the courtesans as a man-eater, though he normally prefers younger men."
Eve drew away so she could look into Renn's eyes. She was grinning wickedly at him, her green speckled eyes dancing.
"How'd you feel about playing male courtesan for a night? You'll probably need to shave."

Renn looked around them while Eve pressed her face against his neck. Another couple had entered the balcony but kept to their part of the area and didn't seem interested in anything else but eachother. When she places her lips under his ear he shuddered a bit by the touch and glanced down at her. As she stepped away he followed her with his eyes.
"It wouldn't be the first time" he said, unfaced by her words but he didn't smile. His eyes darkend for a moment and his face had hardened a bit but yet you couldn't discern any specific feelings in his eyes. Renn had endured lot of things in his life but this made him remember stuff he would rather keep in the past.
"If it's what needs to be done I'll do it." Renn answered, jaw softening a bit. He looked at her but then turned and went inside the ballroom without saying another word. He stopped by one of the tables and grabbed a glass with vine and drank it in one quick swig. Renn never drank on the job but now he felt that he needed something to calm the nerves.

Eve's brow furrowed slightly at his dark look and she pulled away, uncertain what had brought this sudden change.
She opened her mouth, thinking to joke the situation away but thought better of it. She looked after him when he strode away and after a moments hesitation she followed him demurely.
"We'll hit Higgs first. He's supposed to visit his niece in another city next week." she whispered as she glided past him.
She made no comment about his drinking or anything else, bu made her way for the entrance hall. She had to evade a couple of drunk men looking for a last dance but got out without making a scene about it.
Well outside she hugged herself against the cold, suddenly aware that the air seemed chilly without the closeness of another person.

Luxurious carriages were waiting outside, ready to drive revellers home but Eve ignored them all for a much simpler looking one. It belonged to the guild and was driven by a servant from the mansion. That way one made sure no whispers escaped about well clad people coming and going from the mansion.
Inside the carriage was a dark cloak that Eve used to conceal her telltale dress.

Renn didn't answer her just nodded. He glanced after her as she strode away. Only when she was out of earshot did he sigh and set down the glass. He leaned against the table for a moment to compose himself before he went after her. A servant hurried after him as he was about to leave.
"Sire, you're cloak" he excused and handed Renn the heavy garment. Renn had totally forgotten about it. He smiled at the servant.
"Thank you" he thanked and handed the man a few coins, which he resisted to take but Renn insisted.

The cold air felt refreshing after the brief visit in the warm ballroom. He put on the cloak and looked around for Eve, she had already approached the Guild's carriage.
"See you back at the mansion" he said as he past by and then kept heading for the guest stables.

Eve just nodded at Renn when he passed her and sighed quietly. She climbed into the carriage and the driver took off without urging: he knew were she wanted to go.
She was lost in thought during the short trip back to the mansion and when she got there she pulled her hood up stepped out of the carriage. She flipped the driver a silver coin before quickly disappearing through the front door.
She made her way to the east wing on the third floor and approached a huge oak door. She steeled herself, knocked and stepped inside when a dark voice beckoned her.

Even though it was well past midnight the Assassin Lord, James Harkin, sat behind his  huge desk, chin resting on his steepled fingers, dark eyes boring into her.
Without a word from him she sat down in the chair opposite him and he raised an eyebrow, amused at her show of defiance.
"You're beautiful as always, love. Did you find what you were looking for?"
"I found jack shit. Nobles have boring conversations. Renn dug up some information but nothing you don't know already, I'm sure."
Harking ignored her sassy tone as he inspected his nails.
"Maybe he kept some information from you? I've taught you not to trust anyone. People, men, are always looking out for themselves."
"Like you, you mean?" She regretted it as soon as she'd said it. She saw the blow coming but only turned her head to lessen the impact, as avoiding the blow altogether would make matters worse. Harkin's open hand connected with the left side of her face and even though she braced herself she went sprawling on the carpet.
Eve tasted blood and slowly stood up, making no sudden movements. Harkin still sat in his chair, calm, as if nothing has happened, but his eyes sparkled dangerously.

"Yes, love. Like me. Go on now. I'm sure you have more dirt to dig up from more people."
Eve turned on her heel and left as fast as she could without breaking into a run. Out in the hallways she put a hand against her burning cheek. No split lip, the blood came from her biting her own cheek. Harking had put a lot of money into her looks and he would not risk scarring her.
Tired and sore, Eve trudged along the halls down to the kitchen.

Renn didn't have to wait long before one of the stableboys had saddled and brought him the horse that he had arrived on. But he wasn't really in a hurry to get back to the mansion. He took his time getting back, taking the more scenic route through town. Most of the streets lay empty but there were some people still mingling outside mostly around the taverns and known whorehouses. Soon he was back at the big house. The hooves clopped against the cobblestone courtyard alerting one of the mansion's stableboys to his arrival. Renn dismounted and handed the reins to the young boy before heading to the entrance.

He pulled off the mask that he realised that he still was wearing and stoved it in one of the coat pockets. His rumbeling stomach reminded him that he hadn't eaten since that morning. He let out a sigh and considered heading to his room without getting anything to eat but he thought better of it and therefore turned left down the corridor towards the kitchen.