My hair was fashioned into an elegant bun perched high over my head. Selecting gold ornaments from a box before me, I began decorating my dark hair with them. I tried to stretch my lips into a smile, hoping it would make me feel better. It didn’t. With a defeated sigh, I began putting on the red silk gown. Its sleeves were longer than the tips of my fingers. The ends flared out and hung close to my ankles. I secured the waist with a tight sash of gold fabric. 

I added more gold jewelry to my wrists and ears. Soon, my reflection looked like a traditional bride from Baledonia who wore kimono-style robes on special occasions. It’s fitting, I thought, considering how I was leaving my home to belong to the three princes. There was no need to add rouge to my cheeks. All I had to do was think of Prince Cain or Adal or Norvin, and they would be flush with pink.

Satisfied, I turned away from the mirror. Putting on a pair of dainty shoes, I headed out of the cottage. Tuto flew over my head, his wings slapping me with a blast of air as he soared up into the night sky. 

Golden lanterns dotted the path leading to the center of the village. Following it, I reached Elga’s hall.

She was alone. A steaming terracotta cup sat before her on the table. She raised her head as soon as I stepped inside the room.

“You’ve come at a good time, Daria,” she said in her high, clear voice. Gesturing me to come forward, she pointed at the table. “I just brewed some tea.”

Moving forward, I sat on the reed mat placed by the low table. I sat in the traditional position, supporting my body on bended knees and tucking my feet under my bottom. 

“The princes gave you a choice,” she said without preamble, pouring tea into a cup. She pushed it towards me. “Have you decided?”

I nodded. “I will do it.”

I looked at her weathered face. There was no way to know how old Elga was. A sly smile stretched her thin lips. “You don’t seem very happy, Daria.”

Great. She’d seen through me.

“Why did you choose me for such a mission?” 

“You think it’s because I dislike you, child?”

“You don’t seem to like anyone.”

Elga chuckled but her voice was cold. “You already seem to think you’re no longer a part of Linmoor.” Before I could say anything, she continued. “Even if you decide to travel the four kingdoms, you will always be an assassin of Linmoor. No matter how much you dislike your fate, that’s what you are. Without the skills taught to you, you would be nothing. Just think of the girl you dragged in this morning. You would be someone like her or worse.”

I swallowed the bitterness welling up inside me. At least I gave Tilly the choice. No one asked the three-year-old child whether she wanted to live in a village of assassins.

“You asked me why I chose you. It is simple, Daria. You’re the best assassin among us. Your magical prowess surpasses even mine.”

I stared at her like she’d grown an extra head on her bony shoulder. Elga just praised me!

“It’s the truth,” she said, taking a long sip from her cup. Looking up, she gestured at my cup. “Drink.”

I took a sip of the nettle tea she’d served me. 

“You will face your past soon.”

“What?”

“The memories that you’ve so adamantly locked away...you will face them soon. You should be prepared for that.”

“I don’t understand. Do you know something about me that I don’t?”

“There are many things I am privy to, child. I won’t disclose them to you.”

I brought the cup to my face in a bid to hide away the annoyance on my face. Elga always left me feeling frustrated every time the subject of my past came up. There were never any straight answers. Not even when I was on the verge of leaving Linmoor.

“You must have your wits about you while you face Emperor Ivan. He cares for nothing. In his hands, death is the least of your worries.” Her grim voice sent a chill down my spine. “He and his sons like playing with their prey before devouring them.”

I nodded, grasping the cup tighter. “He is a dragon.”

“He is a beast.” Elga’s gray eyes glittered in the dim light of her room. She was being deadly serious. “Those three princes are the last hope the four kingdoms have of recovering. Protect them with your life. It is my command.”

Placing the cup on the table, I moved backward and lowered my head to the floor in obeisance. “Yes, Lady Elga.”