Ch1 - Grey Assassin

Some days the sky turns grey... Just before the blood spills.

A woman moved with stealth along a corridor.

She had long black hair, pulled into a pony tail.

She also adorned a red headband, holding back her loose bangs.

Her skin was a pale grey, contrasted by her black leather armor.

If it could be called armor.

The armor barely covered any of her, mainly her legs and forearms.

Her flat stomach was bare, with barely enough leather covering her breasts.

The leather accentuated her breasts, while ensuring they would not bother her during combat.

The corridor was dark, with the occasional banner hung.

She came to a door, and knelt down. Removing lock-picks from her forearm leather.

She worked the lock for a moment, before the lock clicked and she slipped inside.

She closed the door behind herself, as she examined the room.

It was dark, with only a candle lit near another door, likely to the bathroom.

The window curtains were drawn closed, otherwise moonlight would peer in.

She crept closer to the bed, and raised her hand, now adorned with metallic claws.

She quickly stabbed a mass inside the sheets, a couple of times.

Before pausing and ripping away the sheets.

No one. Simply a lump of pillows, now torn up by her attack.

"Wha-?" she quietly questioned.

Suddenly the curtains opened wide.

Blinding her with the full moon's brilliance.

Silhouetted against the moon's light was a person.

Her eyes adjusted after a moment, quickly recognizing the person.

"What brings you here?" she asked, coyly, taking care to take stand provocatively.

The male silhouetted, just crossed his arms.

"Clearly you've bested me.

As such, I'll be on my way, and report my failure."

She made a slow step, before darting for the door.

She managed to open it and sprint down the hall.

She kept running, along the corridor.

She approached two guards on patrol.

She leapt, and brandished claws on both hands.

Before they could properly react, she had stuck the claws thru both guards' chests.

Her speed and weight, effortlessly took them down.

She glanced back, and saw nothing but continued her sprint.

She finally reached a separate wing of the castle.

She hurried up stairs, passing two new guards.

Rather than attack she simply kept running.

These guards acknowledged her in passing.

"Madam Grey." they called her in unison.

Finally she reached a door, and tried to open it.

"My lady! It's me.

They knew, I'm sure his assassin is after me.
Please, my lady, let me in." she was in a panic banging on the door.

Inside the room, was a woman, dressed in an elegant nightgown.

"Quiet, before you awake the entire castle." the woman hissed.

The assassin was quiet outside the door.

The woman, had pitch black hair, and green eyes.

She gently grabbed her robes, adorned with green and silver.

She put them on and tied them about her waist.

"Now, speak calmly.

Tell me exactly what happened." she said.

There was, however, no response from outside the door.

"Grey?" the woman asked, as she opened the door.

Slumped up against the wall opposite her door, was Madam Grey.

Her body a mangled and bloody mess.

Written on the wall, in Grey's blood wrote.

"Next time, at least send your best assassin."

There was also a piece of paper stuck to Grey.

The lady went and plucked it from Grey.

It read,

"Dearest sister.

Your attempt on my life has not gone unnoticed.

Please be aware that until I receive a proper, and heart felt apology...
I will ensure all your operations suffer.

I have already instructed Purpura to eliminate all your assassins.

Your generals are next.

Te odio,

Tynan"

The woman tossed the paper back, before looking down the hall.

"Guard!" she shouted, and quickly a guard ran over.

"Yes? my lady." he asked, standing at attention.

She looked to him, "Have someone come clean up this mess.
And summon my war council."

"As you command." the guard said, before hurrying off.

Elsewhere in the castle...

Standing over a large table, was prince Tynan.

Tynan was dressed in his nightclothes, mainly black with purple accents.

He was examining the pieces scattered about.

Tynan grumbled to himself, before looking up.

Standing opposite him, was Purpura.

Purpura stood in his full assassin gear.

Tynan gave a glare, "Why aren't you wearing the scarf?

If you're acting in the capacity of my personal assassin you must wear the scarf.

I gave it back to you, for a reason.

You better not have lost these last three years."

Purpura scoffed, before pulling the scarf from around his torso.

He tied it, about his neck, and waited patiently.

Tynan still looked annoyed, but returned his gaze to the table.
"I cannot believe she would be brazen enough to send an assassin after me.

And dumb enough to not send her top assassin.

What could she have possibly been expecting?
She had to know I'd retaliate."

Purpura walked around the table, to stand next to Tynan.

Purpura looked to the table, rather absently.

"Perhaps she wants me to retaliate.

Like I haven't had enough issues..."

Tynan sighed, before looking to Purpura.

"I cannot spare resources.
I have cousins, and an uncle to contend with.

I am going to have to rely on you to take care of her.

This will be petty child's fight, but it is important that I deal with this swiftly.

Less she gets any ideas."

Tynan picked up a set of pictures.

"These are her assassins.

Kipsy should be running down further information.

I'll run future operations thru him."

he was quiet, as Purpura took the pictures.

He examined them before putting them in his pocket.

Tynan spoke, almost to himself.

"I'll have to increase guard, to ensure she doesn't go after any of my officers..."

He was quiet, seemingly lost in thought.

"I've no other assassins, and I'm not worried about you.

So, at least I have that in my favor."

Purpura shrugged, and walked over to a window.

"Oh, and do ensure you find something nice to wear."

Purpura seemed to grumble, and Tynan spoke.

"It's only once every ten years.

Just be happy my family isn't hosting it this year."

Purpura looked to him with a questioning expression.

"I know, strange occurrence.

Apparently another kingdom requested to host it.

The date aligns with some predicted religious event, or something.

Just find something nice to wear.

Maybe if you're lucky, I'll find someone else to take.

Not that I trust anyone else..."

Tynan paused, and looked to Purpura.

"It is weird that the only person I trust, has the surname of Trustless?"

Purpura rolled his eyes, and moved to leave.

Yes, it was weird.

Why actually anyone trusted him, beyond a contract... was beyond his comprehension.

Author's Note

First chapter. Setting up for kind of a long haul. Reviews/thoughts appreciated.