Soon after the little gang attacked us Lashaka and Trutan came back, probably smelling the stench of blood in the air. As they emerged from the bushes Aaron and I turned towards them and pointed at the corpses, which were sprawled on the ground, at the same time. Aaron then said calmly; detached "Enjoy your food."

Both animals looked around the little graveyard around them and Lashaka licked her muzzle while approaching one of the more 'meaty' men. Meanwhile, trutan growled in a low tone looking unhappy about the source of his meal. However, despite that, he still ate a large chunk of the men.

Aaron who was sitting in front of the fire prodded at it releasing new sparks into the air. He looked over the hare which was still hanging above the flames. Thankfully it did not burn to a crisp from what I could see.

I then walked around the fire and sat on the other side, taking my dagger out to inspect it. Specs of blood still covered the blade reminding me that I have just used it to kill a dozen men; if not more. However, by this point, I was not bothered in the least. They were the ones who followed, we tried to spare them from that fate.

After rubbing off the last bit of blood I sighed "They are really getting bad. I've been using those for so long that they are thin from sharpening."

Aaron looked at me with a bit of annoyance - nothing new - “And…?”

I chuckled “ ’And’? What?”

He rolled his eyes “There’s always ‘and’ with you. So…?”

I spun the dagger in my hand feeling for the weight of it, and estimating how much longer I could use it. “True, well I could do with new ones, that’s for sure. Soon they will snap in the middle of the fight.”

Aaron sent me a glare that could kill. A bone-chillingly cold, and if he was still holding his staff I'd say he would have tried to freeze me to death at best.

“Can you stop staring at me like that?” I grunted at the deadly glare that Aaron was giving me. I knew exactly what he was thinking but I never really had any choice in terms of my weapons.

“Sure after you will stop wasting our god-forsaken money!”

His enraged voice made the animals behind him look over. Probably thinking that we were in yet another fight.

I shrugged throwing my dagger in the air and catching it. However, whereas normally I would catch it without a single glance at it, this time it was out of balance making me catch the wrong side of the blade. The sharp edge broke my skin and I looked at it with a sight saying “Not my fault I use them so much. My daggers must stay sharp and sturdy, or would you prefer that your little ass would be cut into pieces before you cast your spells?”

Aaron’s eyes flashed at me. The trait we both shared. Sometimes we didn't even need to talk to make people scared. Although I ignored it finishing “Don’t worry I will buy new ones for the money I earned.”

“Your money?” He asked tilting his head slightly. That look he gave me was one of knowing. So I looked to the side not wanting to explain anything further.

Aaron then growled, “You went out again didn’t you? When?”

I glanced back at my brother while Aaron sighed. More often than not we didn't need words, a glance was more than enough. He knew I didn't like to talk about my 'extra income', so I responded “You know me well enough. It shouldn’t surprise you that I do what I'm good at.”

“It doesn’t. But I don’t have to like it. Those kinds of jobs are not good for you, Nate. You are much better off killing monsters.” Aaron dropped his head looking at the flames in front of him and the scorching hare.

A short silence passed between us as if neither of us wanted to drag this conversation further. So - with finality - I mumbled "No, they never were good. But they do help me. Besides, it's easy money, assassins are not commonly hired so the amount they pay is enormous since those are jobs that only assassins can do.”

His brows knitted together in an angry frown. This time it was not at me, however, he was staring intently at the fire. “Well… That's not a surprise at all. It's not like you had a choice, but I still don't like them.” He pouted.

I didn't respond, only looked up into the starless night in between the crowns of trees. The days were slowly getting shorter and colder. I did not particularly like wintertime, for many different reasons, however, they did provide one thing which I appreciated - longer darkness. Something which always helped me. Something which always hid me and my crimes.

Letting my thoughts wander to the past I whispered to myself "No choice at all. Even if we did had a family I would still end up the same." I knew Aaron heard me as his eyes focused on me for a split second.

Many warrior classes were hired into guilds and as guards. Alternatively, they would wander around either helping towns or hunting monsters. However, my kind was different. Within my blood was a strong sense of family bond. Similar to a wolf pack, my kind always kept close to people bound to us by blood. So usually a family would keep us under control, which made us extremally obedient creatures. Guilds paid high priced to get us but usually, that failed as soon as the family told us to do otherwise than the orders or they died. If that were to happen an assassin would roam lawlessly, slowly succumbing to the madness of bloodlust. Which made us one of the most hated class.

Monsters.

However, in that respect, I differed from the brethren of my class quite a bit. Except for my little brother, I had no one, and since Aaron was never one to take charge or boss around it was almost as if I had no family at all. No one to rule over me. No one to keep me in check. I should have gone mad like all those other poor souls - that a lot call Rogues - but I never did. Of course, I had my moments of weakness although I always came back. It was as if something held my conscious back, not letting me lose it. I always put it as a responsibility. Aaron was everything to me, and I felt responsible for him, so if I went crazy who else would take care of him? Especially since he has problems of his own.

Shaking my head to get rid of all those thoughts I stood up saying "I'll go grab the water, for tomorrow. We will leave early before someone finds this massacre." I gestured at the area of dead bodies to which Aaron turned around and nodded.

Without any more explaining, I headed away. When I was riding Lashaka I stopped a stream, which I assumed would carry for some distance, so I headed in that direction. After a little while, I noticed that Lashaka has followed me. She was antisocial but when push came to shove she would check on me quite a lot. I looked over at her while she approached me. She let out a low growl to which I just patted her asking "What is it Lash?"

Her ears flattened slightly and a small squick escaped her throat.

I smiled "Don't worry, I'm all right." She focused her deep, red eyes on me and lowered her head in response. After which I resumed the walk with her following close behind me.

Despite Lashaka being a wolf she knew exactly when I was feeling down. She knew when to come over and check on me considering I would leave Aaron alone. I didn't like to worry him so I preferred to clear my head alone. I knew some things cannot be erased, so it was better to bury them deep in my mind as to not let anything slip away.

As I got to the little stream which by then turned into a river I bent down and poured some water into the pouch - one of the ones I had at my belt at all times. Usually, one or two were filled with water, and the rest were some sort of potions that Aaron had prepared.

When the pouch was full I looked at myself in the, disturbed, reflection and noticed the splatter of blood on my face. Grimacing I washed it off. Those red stains might have been always a part of my life but I never could get used to it clinging to me.

Lashaka sat next to me calmly and watched me carefully in the water. Her eyes, even though mean and gloomy, were still portraying intelligence. She was not stupid, and knew exactly when to do what. Which usually meant waiting things out.

Then a sudden voice said from behind us “Hey, you two!” I quickly and seamlessly put my eye patch over my right eye to cover the mark that cursed my life; a mark which is a proof of my class. While Lashaka started to growl turning her head around. She did not move, however, she knew attacking without a reason would mean trouble.

I looked over asking “Yes? What is it?” Before me stood a man, some sort of guard clad in armour. He was holding a long sword and focused his stone-cold gaze on Lashaka who was not thrilled to meet him.

He then moved the blade and pointed it at my wolf. I looked over at my companion, who was getting more and more agitated. Then he demanded “State your name, business and what is this creature?

Lashaka hissed at the sword while I smiled trying to stay calm “Nathan Ravenwood, good sir. My business is travelling, I can't stay put in a single place for long. And this is my companion on the road, a wolf called Lashaka.”

The guard lowered his sword looking at me at last. At least Lashaka didn't feel threatened as much which saved this fool from being devoured. He stepped forward making our height difference quite obvious. He was not much taller than Aaron. He then asked, “Is that so? Are you some kind of warrior?”

“No, good sir. I am a merchant. My goods are a bit further along the path.”

He frowned “Then why the knives?” I looked to my belt, forgetting I didn’t wear my black cloak. Around towns, I always wore it to hide those sheathed killing machines. However, in the forests, I did not bother with it much.

“Lone man on the road needs to protect himself in some way from animals and bandits,” I replied. It was not the first time that has happened but usually, it ended up bloody just as most of my life. I only hoped this time would be one of the fewer ones.

The guard lifted the sword towards me, to which Lashaka was ready to jump. Seeing her getting up I motioned with my hand for her to calm down. She flattened her ears and kept a stern eye on the guard but did not move further. Thankfully.

“Is there something wrong?” I asked seeing as the guard is in deep thought.

He frowned “Why two knives? If it is only for protection.”

I sighed “In case the first one breaks of course.” Which was not too much of a lie. Although I was glad that that was his question, and not what was in the scabbards he was enquiring about. The ones which I had looked very subtle. As if whatever was inside them could only be a kitchen knife. They looked inconspicuous, which was convenient as assassin’s daggers normally have very elaborate shapes. They are recognised immediately and hence why I made sure at least the scabbards were plain-looking.

The guard kept his frown but took his sword away completely this time, sheathing it. “I'll pretend I believe you, then.”

I smiled, appreciating the man’s intelligence. At least he was aware of his position which made the talking easier. “Why, thank you, good sir. I don’t understand why you need to ‘pretend’ but I appreciate it.”

The man rolled his eyes “You Sins are all the same. Trying to throw us off so you can get the kicks.”

I chuckled being painfully reminded of that awful nickname once again.

“So, you are escaping or mission?” He asked, his tone low. He sounded as if this was not the first time he met an assassin.

I responded with “A bit of both.”

He sighed and took his helmet off “Typical. If you are bored and looking for something I may give you a direction.”

That took my interest, at first I planned on killing him, but since he was reasonable I decided to spare him and let him go, but after hearing that it might have been a good idea to listen to him. I smirked saying “How about we will go get my brother first then?”

The guard sighed stroking his short dark hair “And you have a brother too… Just great.”

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