I heard a scream as I loosed another arrow at the target's leg. Laughing, I jumped down from the tree to end the man's misery with my dagger. My leather boots crunched against the dirt of the road as I approached. To my surprise, the victim turned on his back began to back away. I didn't think he had enough fight left in him.

With a couple of steps, I closed the distance and bent in front of the man's face. "It's nothing personal," I whispered. "Well, I suppose it is. Just not with me." With that, I plunged the short dagger into the man's throat and left it there. There were more where that came from.

As I rose back to my feet, I heard a gasp and the faint sound of footsteps on leaves. I whipped around, looking for its source. My eyes caught a flash of brown in the woods surrounding the road. I grinned before giving chase. My job gets pretty boring after a while. A good hunt keeps me on edge. Feet pounding on the bare ground, I ran after the shape I had seen. My bow and quiver bounced against my back in time with my steps. Though I hadn't the faintest idea who had seen me kill, I did know they had witnessed something they shouldn't have. The king paid me for flawless assassinations. There was no room for mistakes.

I had the figure in my sights at last. It was slower than me, but not my much. By then, I could tell it was a girl. I would admit I was surprised; I don't generally encounter girls in these forests. Invigorated by my curiosity, I ran faster until I was merely feet away from her. I paused and leapt to tackle her to the ground. She went down with a yelp. Pinned beneath me, I was able to look into her face. Her browned face was smooth but crinkled around her mouth and almond-shaped brown eyes.  Frizzy black hair was stringed with leaves and pollen. I realized she must not live in the village, oddly enough. My guess was that she ws no more than seventeen. She sniffed her upturned nose at me when she noticed my studying. I panicked for a moment before remembering my hood was on, so there was no way the girl could recognize me. "If you have something to say, say it," she demanded in a strong voice, but I could feel her arms trembling where I held them down.

"I don't really have anything to say. Though, I suppose, I do have time for a little small talk before I kill you," I answered, releasing her arms and resigning to kneeling over her instead. There wasn't a way for her to escape with my superior strength and skill.

"You would kill a woman?" she scoffed, apparently unaware of my profession. I laughed

"Please. I've murdered women prettier, nicer, and a hell of a lot more important than you. Your death will mean nothing." Lazily, I pulled another one of my daggers out of a sheath on my leg. 

"I think you're bluffing. You sound to be about my age." In one smooth motion, before I had time to react, she pulled off my hood. She gasped and panic mixed with confusion filled her eyes. I bent down, my face inches away from hers. 

"Is this what you wanted to see?" I asked, my voice sounding more like a growl. She squirmed beneath my grip, trying to get away. 

I took the dagger and stuck it through her heart.

No one will ever know who the Assassin of Cealdyn is.