Chapter One.

Four years Later...

Daebru sat on the edge of the fountain, a book in his hands as he listened to the people around him. He was trying to get a feel for the town, it wasn't that far from Skylamps, where his home was, but he'd never actually been here. People wandered through the main square, talking in groups or hustling off on personal business. It was a moment of calm before he had to get to work. The Order had sent him here to cover up rumors about them, keep their secret however he determined to do so. We don't kill every criminal, but someone thinks we do. They have skill that perhaps can be used for us, but... they need to stop marking their kills like an idiot! He had fumed about how idiotic the person was multiple times, he thought back on his conversation with Sune.

"How can anyone that be that idiotic, marking who you kill like that is as good as asking for a death sentence yourself! The law doesn't care if it's justified, a kill is a kill!" he had paced back and forth in Sune's room.

The avariel looked up at him with sympathetic eyes, "perhaps they believe The Order will protect them? It is hard to say what they are thinking entirely, that's why the Order is sending you," he man rose from his bed and put his hands on Daebru's shoulders to stop the pacing, "The Order knows you're intelligent, and that you've dealt with many people in a way that has benefited society. They trust you in this matter."

Daebru looked up into Sune's eyes, folding his arms over his chest with a sigh, "I think they trust you to reign me in if I go awol. I know our relationship is not the same as other Keeper and Agent ones, they ask you to watch me," he looks away from the man, "I am glad you keep my secrets, but I know you keep theirs too."

He had pulled away from Sune then and headed out, a teleportation circle took him to a place four hours from the town he now sat in. The teleportation links were all over the known world, and kept secret from any not in the order. Sune had stayed behind to gather up additional information that Daebru might need from other members and would be joining him tonight at The Bar, the main tavern in town. I can't believe it's actually call The Bar. The name had amused him upon seeing it, and the place gave off an air of cozy and inviting, not that Daebru felt either. His mind silent save for cataloging possible information for the mission. Comments about the mark on walls in the lower end of town, whispers about what the person might look like.

Daebru found himself walking away from the town square and weaving through crowded streets. People nodding and smiling at him as he jingled between them, the bells attached to him for a later performance ringing crystal clear through the air. He skipped and flourished for a group of children, causing them giggle and point in joy towards him. His current ensemble had become one of his favorites; a sky blue, form fitting top with a pastel pink petal skirt, swirling tights like his slender legs were wrapped in cotton candy, and to top it all off golden cat ears with bells and ribbons adorned his long ashen hair. He had brought out his staff to carry at his side as he was wandering through the streets, normally it was stowed away in his dimensional bag for safe keeping.

"Are you one of the performers for Galora's grand party?" one of the street vendors asked reaching out to him, an older woman that looked like she enjoyed hearing gossip as much as spreading it.

"That's right! I'm quite looking forward to it. I hear her parties are something most spectacular to see, and I do hope that I do not offend anyone" twisting his foot on the ground and tightening his grip on his staff, feigning nervousness for the woman, "any tips?"

The woman gave a light chuckle, "don't be nervous dear, you seem quite lovely, and I'm sure she wouldn't invite anyone that couldn't put on a good show to perform for her. You are quite young though to be given such a task, might I inquire your name?"

"Haaru, mad'am. I am not used to performing for someone that has such a strong militant background."

"Haaru? That's a lovely name, I feel like I've heard it somewhere before," Daebru stiffens at her recognition of his name, and she seemed to notice, "so you are that Haaru then? The Lady Haaru, of broken hearts," she shakes her head, "your reputation is not something I would think Galora would want to have anywhere near her. Though I'm sure you could pulls all sorts of strings to get into anywhere you damn well please," she made a shooing motion then, "off with you then, unless you insist on buying something"

"Apologies, I did not mean to offend y-"

"Offend me!? That's a laugh, you offend all those poor young lads, and a good chunk of your lovers are old enough to be your grandfather, not to mention the ones that mysteriously end up dead, and you're worried you offended me!? I think not! A whore like you belongs anywhere but here!"

Daebru steps away quickly and heads down the streets, people whispering and sneering at him as if they knew what kind of person he was. His mind grew blank as he wandered away from people to the outskirts of town. Alleyways, and narrow streets, kept the populace mostly away, it doesn't matter what they think, I know what I am. An Assassin, one that uses everything at my disposal. The Lady Haaru is just one of those tools to get what I want. I never slept with anyone though, not of my own accord ... His body began to tremble at his last thought, images springing to his mind that he didn't want to remember. He pushed the thoughts away and cleared his mind.

He stops next to a wall with the symbol of the Order carved into it. Old blood splatter painted the bottom of the wall and on the cobbled street. Reaching up to touch the symbol that should not be there but was, Who are you? How do I find you, and make you come to heel? "My, my, what have we got here?" a hoarse voice echoed behind him causing him to spin round to face the voice, "Cat got your tongue little dove?"

"I'm just passing through. Don't want any trouble, alright?" the man was big, around 6'5", broad, and shirtless to show off many scars from fights over the years, an orc so far from the wandering herds of ravagers ... not good...

"Admiring my physique I see. Like what you see?" the man held his hands out a bit away from him smiling down at Daebru's currently 4'11" spindly frame, "You seem like someone that's looking for a bit of trouble. Perhaps I can help"

"Help me find trouble? I'm pretty sure it came to me," Daebru smirks and gestures towards the man.

"HA!" the man put a hand on his chest, laughing enough that his shoulder shook a bit, "You got spunk, kid, but no, I wasn't referring to myself. That mark there," gesturing over Daebru's shoulder, "the killer is skilled, and one such as yourself shouldn't be in this part of town on your own. It's like asking untoward things to happen to you."

Daebru steps back cautiously, pressing his back against the wall, "Are you planning ... untoward thing?" he swallowed hard, panic rising in him from long repressed memories, not now, I can't lose it now. I have to get away from him!

The man kneeled down in front of Daebru then, "No, I would never take anything that is not given freely. It sickens me that others do..." he regarded Daebru for a moment, "I hate seeing that expression on a young one's face, too much hurt. I'm sorry, my appearance, doesn't exactly give comfort to strangers."

"I'm not hurt. No one hurt me," though his voice was wavering a bit as he said it, who am I trying to convince that nothing happened? It doesn't matter what this man thinks!

"Of course, my apologies. I did not mean to offend you dear one. My name is Baer, and I try as often as I can to help people out, keep the peace. What you paused to look at here, concerns me greatly," their eyes met, a soft smile coming to the man's lips, "it would be best if you avoided this side of town for a while miss."

"Haaru... my name's Haaru. I'm tougher than I look."

He was smiling broadly then, "I'm sure you are. Would it be alright it I accompanied you? for my own sanity of wanting a pretty lass to be safe."

"I could just run, but something tells me you are being truthful in your want for my safety, so I see no reason to refuse. I am curious, though, what the story behind this mark is," he puts his hand up on the mark again, delicate fingers tracing the outline.

"I'm not entirely sure, but rumors are spreading about it being an organization that does away with the wicked. We could use a bit more of that in a lot of places," he rises to his feet slowly, watching Daebru for signs of what? fleeing? panic? what is it you want from me?

The two of them walked through the streets in silence for a while, Daebru looking at the various small shops and homes in need of repair. He turned down a street that had the man giving pause, but didn't stop him. A block down the street, Daebru wished that the man had, as he caught sight of naked bodies through bars and suddenly realised he was in what was referred to as the red light district. He felt sick all of the sudden, a tightening in his chest accompanied by shortened breaths as a memory came strongly to the front of his mind.

"That's it, little one, please your master well, and you shall be rewarded" a gray hand ran through his hair and down his cheek tenderly, "you'll learn not to cry. In time you'll beg for rewards, and opportunities to please your master. It'll be a shock when they see what's under those skirts, but I'm not complaining," slime from a tentacle wrapped around his neck.

"Haaru!" he was suddenly being picked up by Baer as the memory faded, his cheeks felt wet, "I'll get you out of here. I shouldn't have let you walk this street. I'm sorry kid."

Daebru sat numb in the man's arms as he was carried away from the bodies and out of the street. He was set down on a bench in what looked like a small park area, the man kneeling in front of him with concern all over his face. Baer wiped at both of his cheeks and Daebru realized he had been crying, "I'm fine" he said after a moment.

Baer's brow furrowed, "I'm inclined to believe otherwise, but I won't argue. Where are you staying tonight? I'll take you there."

"The Bar," glancing around the park at the beauty here, "can we stay here a moment though? For being the side out town you don't want me in, this space is rather nice."

"Ah, yeah... I try," the man ducked his head a bit, blushing.

"You keep this space then?" Daebru tilted his head slightly, the man looked like a fighter through and through, but this space was elegant and serene.

"I do. It's my favorite place to be."

"It's nice, and not something I would expect of someone like you"

Baer looks up at that, "I suppose I can see that. My appearance is rather gruff to noble ladies such as yourself."

"Noble? What makes you think I'm noble?"

"The Lady Haaru claims not to be noble, simple because you're in street performance cloths rather than an elegant evening gown?" he raises and eyebrow at Daebru.

"You know me?" he presses back against the bench not sure what to expect.

"I know of you, and it is hard to mistake your appearance, even with adorable cat ears. A mutual acquaintance asked me to look out for you if I ever saw you."

"Might I inquire as to whom this mutual acquaintance is?"

"Timothy Vanguard."

Daebru would have rocked on his feet if he wasn't already sitting, "Timothy..." a man he had gotten intel about slave traders from in a port city. Timothy had asked Daebru to sail with him, to adventure and see what was beyond the horizon. Daebru had wanted to say yes, to start over somehow if he could.

"Why did you leave him if you cared about him?"

"I .. I don't know what you mean" Daebru truly didn't, Timothy had been an informant, not a love interest. No one could be a true love interest for one that doesn't feel love and lies about who they are.

"The way you said his name just now. There was such a longing in it," he shakes his head, "nevermind, it's none of my business. Timothy is a friend, and he wants you to be safe."

"I am honored by his concern, and your dedication to your friend, but there is nothing for Timothy in me. There never was."

Baer stands and crosses his arms looking down at Daebru, "He told me you were not as you seemed, thought you haunted by a past he couldn't touch. Perhaps he knows you better than you think."

"Perhaps..." he hung his head not wanting to look at Baer, does he understand me? It doesn't matter if he did, he fell in love with a young woman, and I am a man. Disgust would be all he would see if he knew this fact. That's all anyone sees...