Love is a Noose {NightlordKrusnik x Carantathraiel}

[NightlordKrusnik]

Taris wiped the blood from his blade on the dead man’s cloak. “It’s nothing personal,” he told the corpse, “just business. I actually thought you quite the drinking companion. Just a shame you slept with the wrong man’s wife.” He turned away, into a patch of shadow, letting the darkness envelope him, caress him. Within moments he was miles away stepping out of another patch of shadow in one of his safe-houses. Another job done, and done well, it was time to report and receive his pay. He pulled the cover from a tall standing mirror and plopped indolently into a pile of cushions in front of it. “Master,” he called. The mirror image swam and morphed, in a few seconds became more akin to a window as the master of the Assassin’s Guild came into view.

“You’re late, Taris.”

The assassin smiled sardonically, perhaps unwisely. But he had always been reckless. “Apologies Master, but I don’t believe I had a time limit on this kill. I felt he deserved one last drink before my blade bit, that’s all.” Taris brushed a bit of stark white hair that was tipped with black out of his eyes. His own skin seemed a darker black still than the tips of his hair. Indeed like most Shadow Elves he seemed to almost absorb light rather than reflect it. “So what’s the new job?” he asked, knowing his master wouldn’t be so concerned about the time if he hadn’t already needed Taris for another job.

For a moment the man said nothing, and when he finally did speak he let a hint of his anger through. “You are arrogant Taris, you take unnecessary risks. Should have killed him and been done with it. But you are right in that I have another, very large assignment for you. You get to kill royalty.”

Taris perked up, interest piqued, all looks of lazy arrogance gone. Royalty. The ultimate marks. Just the thought sent a hunger into his eyes he could not hide. He uttered only a single word, “Who?”

His master smiled, and for a moment one could see how Death herself could be the man’s lover. “Three Dukes, their immediate heirs, a rather well connected Baron, and… Prince Kentaro.”

The assassin’s hunger deepened. “Give me the details.”

“A Royal cousin seeks to pave the way for his ascension and has given a timeline of two months. There is a tournament festival starting tomorrow on the Royal Estates, that will be your initial in. Feel free to enter a competition, if you must, there will be an archery contest. From there you will have to find your own path. We have agents within the Palace, keep vigilant and you will know who they are. Rumor has it that Princess Aera is not satisfied with her marriage to Kentaro, one of our agents will surely know more, and you may be able to use that to your advantage.”

Aera, that was a name Taris knew. “I’ve met her briefly, years ago. Quite a talented thief she was, managed to nab my belt pouch while I was helping the Thieves Guild give the run-around to some new members back then. Shame, though, she would have been very well known in the underworld had she not married the Prince. Woulda been nearly as rich too, I’m sure.”

The Guild Master did not look happy at this news. “Would she recognize you?” he asked.

Taris shrugged, “I doubt it, we never really talked, and this was several years ago.”

The man still didn’t look happy, but nodded. “If you are questioned before you can solidify an alibi, ask to be taken to the Royal Spymaster, he owes us a few favors. You well know all elves in the realm are regarded with suspicion by the humans, your kind especially. But the Princess seems your best bet to gain a more solid reason for a continued presence in the Palace. And one last thing Taris: the Princess is a secondary target. She is not well liked by the rest of Kentaro’s family but her marriage gives her a claim she could still make after his death. Hers is not necessary, but there’s a bonus for you if you eliminate her as well once she’s outlived her usefulness to you. Now prepare for tomorrow.”

Taris sat back in his cushions, a slight smile playing across his lips. Tomorrow would be the first of many good days, he thought.

[Carantathraiel]

Many miles away, high above the city, a woman leaned out of the window, her ebony hair loose from her braids and swaying in the gentle breeze. It was early in the morning and the air was crisp and fresh. Aera loved this time of day. When the world was shifting from dark to light. It was, to her, the edge of a blade or a coin. In the dark, where she was bred and born into, was her birthright. But the light had become a home when she lost her own. She now lived in the middle, unable to shake off the dark but unable to step into the light.

"My Lady?" came a small voice from inside the room. Aera turned and smile. "Yes?
"Shall we ready you for the day? You are expected downstairs to see the men off."
Aera sighed and came from the window, her feet light on the carpet. "Don't see why. They don't exactly care about me and my appearances."
She waved the small woman aside, insisting that she didn't need help to get dressed. Absently, she pulled on a long gown that flattered her figure of a gray-blue color, turning only so she could have help with the buttons up the back.
"Don't say that, my Lady. We adore you as our princess."

Aera smirked. "I appreciate that, Paytin, but there's no need to lie to me." The horrified look on the girl's face made her halt. Relectantly, Aera sat before her mirror and handed the girl her hairbrush. It was no use to be cruel to the poor thing. "I only mean that I hear the whispers. I know what they call me. The 'Evlen Whore', the 'Usurper', and the 'Tainted'. My favorite." she added, cocking her brow.

While Paytir brushed and pulled her hair into some design or another, Aera let her thoughts wander.
She did not fit here. She was an elf, not a human. Not only that, but she had blood ties to the elven clan that had been murdering and ransacking the city for centuries. And they knew that. It didn't matter that her own clan was peaceful and never left their forest. Just the fact that the ancestors of the two clans had once suckled the same breast was enough to mark her a pariah.

"Does it matter, though? If his Grace loves you?"

Aera didn't answer, but stared into her reflection. A symmetrical face as white as snow looked back. She had hair as black as night that shone in blue hues under the light. Lips small and rosy. And eyes, dark eyes, that were the unnatural color of violet. Her pointed ears jutted out from her head. Aera was beautiful, by the human's standards, but she often felt more of an oddity than anything else. And, more often than not, she felt her husband, Kentaro, loved her for simply being rare. And not in the good way.

[NightlordKrusnik]

The sun was rising, and Taris pulled the curtains closed to keep the damnable thing out of his safe-house. His purple-flecked red eyes would always hate the light of the sun, because of his nocturnal blood. He’d lost the whole night carousing with his previous mark, but he wasn’t fazed. He pulled out a small bottle from a nearby cabinet opening it and taking a small sip. The potion rushed like fire down his throat, invigorating him, reviving his tired mind and muscles. He could go days without sleep using the potion, though to do so could be dangerous.

A bath first, he thought, discarding his dirtied robes and stepping into the next room where a steaming tub lay ready. His mind wandered as he rinsed off the grime of the previous night. I wonder if she would remember me, even though we hardly met. Aera was very pretty, wasn’t she? Taris shook his head, his long, horizontal, pointed ears swaying just slightly with the movement. Best not to go there right now. His master was quick to say his biggest weakness lay in his arrogance, but Taris knew better, and the irony of the thought did not escape him. But no, his biggest weakness was a beautiful woman. One would be the death of him, he was sure of this, and had accepted it. He finished his bath and stood, water still gleaming on his jet black skin, causing his muscles to stand out more clearly. As well as his scars.

He took a moment to dry off, before opening a cabinet and selecting a pair of ash-grey trousers and tunic. After putting those on he selected a white bowman’s cloak with a loose, wide hood that accommodated his ears. He retrieved his prized bow and quiver last, before closing himself in the dark of a closet-sized room. Once more the shadow welcomed him into its embrace allowing him the freedom to travel between shadowed places. He emerged in the shadow between two shops, mere steps away from the Palace gates. Once inside he could easily explain his presence as a contestant or servant of the Spymaster should the need arise, but there was no need to walk the streets in daylight, under the hated sun and gathering the stares of a people that hated him for his races crimes, not merely his own. He found it amusing, being hated for raids he’d never had a part of, them not knowing the extent of the crimes he HAD committed.

Taris made his way towards the gate.

[Carantathraiel]

Aera descended the stairs in grace, her hair pinned up in faint coils, held together by jeweled needles that sparkled in the daylight, her dress reaching the floor. Behind her a few paces walked a few maids, waiting to help at once, should she call on them.
Aera hated it.

At the base of the stairs stood her husband, standing among a small gathering of men, all dressed in riding gear. Kentaro turned his bright grey eyes on her and beamed. "Good morning, my love." he took her hand and kissed it. "You look stunning, as usual."

Her smile was genuine. "Thank you, dear." She leaned in. "I missed you last night."
Kentaro looked away. "Ah, yes, I'm sorry. I was helping with preparations for today and was rather tired."
Aera nodded. More excuses. "Well, I wish you luck on your hunt. And can't wait to see you at the tournament."

With great cheer and shouting, the group of men, some dozen of them, all friends of the Prince, walked out to enjoy their morning.
His mother, Queen Lilith, made toward her, and Aera instantly felt uneasy. Its rare, she'd learned, for any woman to like her son's wife, but it was certainly harder when the wife was a horrid elf who would probably slit your son's throat. Aera smiled and curtsied politely. "A fine day to you, my Queen. Your son looks very excited about the hunt."

"Hm. Yes." Lilith agreed. "I still don't think they should have gone, what with the preparations still to be made for later today."
Aera nodded awkwardly. "And how is the Princess Risa? How is she?"

Kentaro's younger sister was quite the character. She was rather polite to Aera, but, as Aera discovered quickly, it was only because Risa was sure Kentaro would be disowned for marrying her, and would be happy to take over as heir. Despite the fact, Aera enjoyed her company, although it made her sad to realize she was that desperate for a friend.

"She's getting herself ready for the tournament."
"Oh, yes. She does take a very long time to pick out a gown."
The Queen turned and eyed Aera. "Perhaps you should try to do the same." With that she turned and walked off, leaving Aera curtsying with a blank smile on her face.

She sighed, wondering what now. She supposed she'd have to go upstairs and change. Perhaps letting Paytin dress her would be wiser.
In a few hours, the men would be back and hopefully she'd be able to get some time alone with her husband before the archery tournament at noon.

[NightlordKrusnik]

Taris stepped aside quickly as the dozen or so riders thundered out of the gates, to the cheers of those inside the walls. A hunt, if he had to guess, given the look not only of the steeds but the riders as well. He nearly laughed, for he recognized Prince Kentaro at the head of the party. It would be too easy to nock an arrow, pull back, and his greatest target would be eliminated...

But that was too easy. An assassin like Taris couldn't bring himself to take so simple a shot. No challenge begat no pleasure. And to be sure, Taris enjoyed his work.

The guards at the gate we're busy enjoying the sights, women rather, but not so distracted that they could fail to notice an armed, ebon-skinned stranger approaching the gate in the pale morning light. Immediately they leveled halberds at his neck, and the bigger of the two barked a challenge, "Where do you think you're off to, Dark Elf?"

A small inward bristle at the name, the assassin merely smiled. "Good morning, fellows," Taris said jovially, "I hear there is to be a tourney today and I've come to participate. As you can see I've brought my own bow..." The guards only growled at him. The assassin's smile faltered, "I assure you sirs, that I am here by invitation. The Royal Spymaster is expecting me." That did it, he could see by their faces. The smaller one lowered his weapon by a degree and nodded to his partner. The big one shouldered his own halberd and gestured inside, "You come with me, we'll see if you're telling the truth."

Taris nodded graciously and fell into step alongside the big man, carefully keeping his hands neutral and in sight. The Palace was a labyrinth to the unfamiliar, Taris would need to learn the layout if he wanted to make the kills here. His mind wandered a bit, though his eyes took in every detail. What name did she know me as back then? Mycah, wasn't it? He smiled to himself, it seemed he couldn't get the Princess out of his mind.

After several minutes of walking, the guard stopped in front of a pair of imposing solid oak doors, banded in iron. He pushed open one of them and motioned the Shadow Elf forward. Inside stood a tall sinewy man bent over a set of maps. He turned around when the guard cleared his throat, cocking an eyebrow in question. The guard cleared his throat again, "Sorry to bother you sir, but this Dark Elf says he is here at your invitation."

Taris stepped forward and clasped his fist over his heart, giving a small bow and muttering, "Milord." When he straightened a symbol glowed faintly, briefly, on the back of his hand. The Spymaster turned and grabbed a pendant, tossing it to Taris with an air of boredom. "I'm busy at the moment, come see me after the banquet tonight. In the meantime, wear that pin, and you should have no more trouble from the guards."

Taris bowed again and gestured to the, now respectful, guard that had brought him here, "Lead the way."

[Carantathraiel]

Aera stood in her doorway, the young Paytin a few feet before her with a lost look in her face. "My Lady?"
Snapping out of her thoughts, Aera looked at her. "I'm sorry." she said simply, offering no excuse. She stepped forward and allowed Paytin to undress her from the gray-blue dress and grimaced at the sunny yellow silk one. "Must I?" she asked. Paytin took on that look of horror again and Aera shook her head, defeated. "Very well, then. I want to get to the library."

Dressed, she excused the little maid and made her way downstairs. Her ears caught the sound of something that intrigued her. She glanced up and was instantly confused by the sight of an elf being led by two of the palace guards. "Don't think you're welcome here, Dark Elf, just because you got a pretty trinket from our spymaster. You're still a filthy creature." Said one.
"Oh, come on. He wants to participate in the tournament! I say let him. Though it is dangerous; accidents can happen. Arrows go astray. If only the Elven Whore wa-"

"Excuse me." Aera interrupted. The three of them whirled around and dropped to their knee, the elf the only one not embarrassed by her sudden appearance. "I shouldn't have to warn you that speaking with such carelessness will eventually lose you your posts."
"We're sorry, my Lady." "Forgive us, my Lady." They said.

Her violet eyes were dark with annoyance. "And you." She directed her attention to the elf between them. He wasn't any relation to her, which meant he wasn't an immediate threat. But it was known everywhere that elves were hated in this city. What was this fool doing here? "What's your business, my friend?"

[NightlordKrusnik]

Taris looked her up and down, just once. The dress she wore did not fit with her body, she wasn't a human. No, she would have looked much better in pale blues, something that fit better to her lithe elven form. For that matter she would have looked better in nothing at all, but such thoughts were dangerous distractions in this place. He looked into her eyes, good, there was no recognition there, and sought permission to rise. Granted by a nod, he rose, and found himself of equal height with the Princess.

"Your Highness," he began with a smile, "I have business with the Spymaster, but it seems he is busy at the moment and has asked that I meet him after the banquet. In the meantime, I had sought to take my measure against the finest archers in the realm." Behind Aera, a handmaid stood nervously glancing him over, hovering between fear and interest. Taris gave her a small smile and she timidly adjusted a small brooch on her clothing. The corner of the Shadow Elf's mouth twitched just slightly at the sight of the brooch, and his master's words came back to him. Agents inside the palace indeed, he thought. Bringing his attention back to Aera, he bowed slightly, "Is their anything else you require of me, Your Highness?"

[Carantathraiel]

"And what is your name, Archer?"
Taris lifted his chin slightly in response. "Taris, your Highness. Taris of the Western Valley."

She stared for a long moment, regarding him with a practiced blank face, until she gave a forced smile. "I am sorry to hear our friend is unable to receive you, Taris of the Western Valley. And after such a long journey." She had known he couldn't be from around here. He was a blend of nothing from around here, his dark skin rather different from her cousins. Although his build was similar, even if he didn't reach their unnatural eight foot stature.
And she couldn't help but notice other things, but refused to allow her mind to linger on them.

"Well, I welcome you, as you'll find no welcome elsewhere." Her expression was still blank but her eyes flashed darkly for a moment. "If you grow tired of meandering, I'll be in the library. It's on the second floor of the east wing."

She bent and ended their meeting, turning without another glance to glide down the hall, her annoying train of followers at her tail.

It would be at least another two hours before her husband and his friends returned, covered in dirt, dragging a boar or stag between their horses. So that gave her two hours, at least, to wander the library, amusing herself with histories and old songs. She longed to go with them. Or at the very least have the option to join her friends in a hunt. I'd need friends, first. She thought bitterly. They wouldn't notice if I vanished for a while. maybe I could go down into the tunnels.

She hadn't seen Envy and the orphans in almost a year, now. Since marrying Kentaro she'd been forced to spend her time here, making appearances and curtsying and eating like some stuck up snob. Aera loathed it. If she had the choice between all this extravagance and cleanliness and the dark and dirty tunnels of the theives den, she'd much rather the latter.

Opening the door to the library, she turned and smiled as politely as she could to the three maids that followed. "I would prefer you stay here. If I need anything, I'll call. Until then, do whatever you please." Closing the door again, she turned with a sign and sat heavily in one of the cushioned chairs, wanting a few moments of peace before she picked up a book.

[NightlordKrusnik]

Taris watched her go appreciating the grace of movement, if not the gaudy dress. Still if the dress had one good point it made it easy to imagine her in something better, or nothing at all. Upon leaving the Palace doors, he quickly slipped out of sight of the guards and into the nearest shadow. It was very bright by now, and the shadow wasn't very dark, so it took a little more effort to shift into the Shadow Realm. When he emerged, he was on the second floor of the castle, down the hall from the library. Only one of Aera's handmaidens remained, the one with the brooch. Perfect.

He made his way to her, raising his fist, and the symbol on it. She straightened a bit and nodded, surreptitiously glancing to make sure they were alone. “Greetings, guild-sister,” Taris said casually when he reached her. “You must be the agent our master told me about. What’s your name?” He coolly gazed over her, she was young, but not too young. She realized she was staring at his body, and quickly raised her eyes to his with a blush.

“Paytin,” she answered, “and you have to be Taris… Master warned me about you, but I still didn’t think…” She trailed off, and to make matters worse the elf moved right up against her, pinning her against the door. Her hand came up, but less to push back than to explore the contours of his body. Taris laughed a bit and stepped back, leaving Paytin breathless and flushed. “You are cruel,” she said.

Taris chuckled, “You’re right, I’m sorry. I assume this is your test, haven’t yet had a contract?” She nodded. “I need an excuse to be inside the castle for a couple months. And I heard a rumor that the Princess isn’t happy in her marriage, think I could take advantage of that?”

Paytin’s face darkened, “That’s putting it lightly. Kentaro doesn’t even touch her lately. I mean, she seems to love him, but now he barely gives her any attention. He just wanted the exotic, but now that the dazzle is over, I don’t know. He… he needs to be in control, needs a woman to fear him to get any pleasure... and she willingly goes to him, and he can’t stand it. So he goes, elsewhere.” She quieted at the last sentences.

Taris scowled, “Did you, and he…” She nodded and replied, “I had to, or risk losing my cover. I...” Paytin faltered again and the elf continued for her, “A lowly maid can’t deny a prince, right? Was he, was it your first?” A bit personal, perhaps, and unusually concerned for him, but he always had a soft spot for pretty girls.

As it was, she shook her head and her voice became fierce, “No, no he didn’t get the satisfaction of taking that from me!” The girl took a breath, “But that was months ago, now he goes to a brothel in town every few days, one that caters to his unique tastes. But you wanted to know if you could use Aera. I’m not sure honestly. People call her ‘Elven Whore’ behind her back, but she’s always stayed faithful to Kentaro, gods only know why. But I can tell this at least, she’s lonely. At the very least she could use a friend.”

Taris smiled, “Thank you Paytin, I’ll be sure to tell our Master that you helped me.” He kissed her cheek and stepped back into a shadow behind a suit of decorative armor, amazing the girl as he melted away into the darkness.

He came out in a corner of the library gasping, the castle was warded against Shadow Walking, and Taris had to spend far more energy to travel such a short space. He could handle it, but it explained why he had a hard time entering the shadow outside. He’d thought it was just the amount of light at the time. The assassin stared into the shadow again, using it as a window to other areas of the library, at least the ward didn’t protect against scrying the shadows. Aera was in another corner of the library, just reading, and the rest of the giant room was empty. Taris scaled a bookshelf, and made his way on the tops of the shelves until he could see her. For a long time, he just watched her, wondering how he was going to make his next move.

Finally he hopped down behind the bookcase, slowly walking around it into her view. Aera smiled slightly as he saw him and rose from her seat. “Your Highness,” he said quietly, bowing over to kiss her hand. If he let it linger a moment or so longer than was proper, well…

[Carantathraiel]

Aera cool eyes stared, her face blank. Damn that girl, she thought. I say no visitors and she lets in the elf. Probably figured i wouldn't mind. His lips so close to her skin, she could feel his warm breathe on her flesh. With effort on her part, she pulled her hand away, lifting her chin. "Taris. So you've found the library after all." She stepped back, putting space between them, and motioned for the seat across from her, sitting back down in her own. "Please, sit." He looked reluctantly at the chair behind him before, instead, taking the seat beside her, pulling off his quiver and bow and setting it beside him on the floor. Aera's lip twitched.

"I find you have awakened my curiosity." Aera said, trying harder than she should to keep her eyes on his black face, rather than... anywhere else. "Elves are hated in this city, thanks to my dear cousins, the Kartaians. And yet here you are. You just marched in here, head held high, announcing that you're here for the tournament." She folded her legs and leaned back, studying him. "I admit, I feel a bit of envy at your confidence."

Something passed over her face in that moment, a shadow of an emotion, but nothing else. Just as quick, it was gone, her practiced porcelain expression back in place. That's where I know him. She thought.

She continued. "Part of me wants to believe you're here for another reason." Her eyes lowered just for a second, as she glanced over his muscles and clothing, before she looked up and met his eyes. Such eyes, her thoughts wandered, noticing the purple.