Chapter 16: The Mission

Chapter 16: The Mission

A Chapter by Cocoacandy

The next morning, there was a knock at the door.  Zena woke from a deep sleep instantly and scooped up the closest blade as she bolted for the door.  She flung open the door and stepped out of view, the short blade resting lightly in her palm. As the visitor stepped over the threshold and into the house, Zena spun around and held her arm up in front of her, blocking her face with her arm that held the blade and placing the blade stiffly on the neck of the visitor, without breaking skin. Her stance brought her nose-to-nose with her opponent, allowing them no room to pull a gun if they tried, and giving her time to react if they tried anything else.  She knew this stance well, having used it many times in combat, and was aware that if the blade slipped even one fraction of an inch, the intruder’s jugular vein in their neck would be severed.

When Zena’s mind finally cleared a few silent moments later, she realized that she was standing face-to-face with a harmless- looking male.  His short, dark, and seemingly damp hair fell down over almost black eyes. An energized and refreshed looking Wolf stood in the doorway.  Now looking worried, Wolf backs up a few steps. His arms are laden with berries, nuts, and roots, a few of which slipped over his arms and fell to the floor as he stumbled.

Zena stood motionless as Wolf continued backing up; until he was sure he was far enough away from the blade to risk speaking.

                “I-I went to gather berries and roots and nuts for breakfast… I-I hope you don’t mind…” Wolf stuttered, “but when I came back, my hands were full, and I could not open the door…”

                Zena softened, paused a moment, and then finally allowed him to pass. She closed the door and then walked silently to her room.  She shot a puzzled look at her clock, making sure she had gauged the time correctly.   She shook her head and crawled back into bed.

                She woke two hours later, to the sizzle of meat on a hot griddle, and the almost palpable scent of heavy berry marmalade in the air. She pulled on a lightweight hoodie and her black pants, and then her stiletto heels, and then wandered into the bathroom to finish her morning routine.  On her way out of the room, she scooped her tiny three inch blade off of the side table near her door.  She washed her face, brushed her hair, and then tied it up into a high pony tail.  She stared for a second at herself in the mirror.  Her dark slanted eyes and velvety long black hair gave away her nationality, and her subtle cheekbones along with her slender form might be considered as attractive to some.  She sighed. She had never really considered herself as pretty, though as a young girl, her mother had always told her that she would break hearts one day.  Little did she know at the time, her daughter would grow up  to have not much of a love life at all. 

                Zena turned away, slid the small blade into a thin hip sheath, and started out towards the kitchen.  Hearing a minute beep from her bedroom, she turned on her heel and went to fetch the print out that most likely had been sent by Jaenes.

                Reading the printout as she walked once again down the hallway, Zena knew what Jaenes had intended the op for.  She wasn’t sure if it would be carried out as he had planned though.

                Entering the kitchen and sitting down to a breakfast that Wolf had prepared, Zena slid the printout across the table.  It stopped in front of Wolf’s plate, and he glanced up at her, pausing mid-swallow.  

                “It’s meant to be your first mission.  I’m not sure if you are ready for it though.  Jaenes gives me too much credit sometimes.  This time, I’m afraid he expected me to train you a lot faster than I did.  Nonetheless, we’ll see what you can do… that is… if you think you are ready for it.” Zena said, speaking with an almost imperceptible undertone of weariness.

                “I-I…” Wolf Cleared his throat. “I’m not sure… how hard would it be to take this-Robert Simpleton- down?”

                Zena pulled out a chair across from him and sat down.  “Wolf. We do not ‘take people down’. We are a guild of assassins whose goal is to deliver the unjust individuals of the world to the higher power that they pray to, whomever that may be, in order to keep them from committing any further unneeded murders or high-profile crimes.  Your mission, this Robert Simpleton, was accused of six different rapes. Because of lack of evidence, he was never charged.  Your job, should you choose to accept it, is to bring him to justice the way that we are known for.  ‘Assassinate’, though I hate to call it that, in order to keep him from hurting another innocent woman.  He should be an easy target for you, not usually violent, except for towards his victims, and the job should be quick and easy.  You have to make sure that it is a clean kill.  We don’t need anyone running around our streets half dead, especially after they’ve seen your face.   Do you think you can handle it?”

                Wolf was silent for a few moments. “I believe I can… you’ll be there as well, in case something goes wrong… right?” He said, looking up at her, unsure.

                Zena looked at him credulously. “ you really think that I would risk my good name in the guild by allowing an undertrained apprentice work a job alone?”

                Wolf sighed and looked down at his plate, unsure how to answer.  She had a point. And he kicked himself for asking the question that was so obviously stupid. 

                Zena spoke suddenly as she stood up and pushed in her chair, “Unless you think you need extra practice before hand, usually sleep is kosher before a night time escapade. “

                Wolf nodded, waited for Zena to leave.  He cleaned his plate into Maurly’s dish and wandered silently to the living area. He stood still for a second, and then decided to run through the motions that Zena had taught him.

                Zena appeared silently in the doorway and watched him as he followed the moves she’d shown him. She smiled to herself.  Knowing he couldn’t see her since he was facing the other direction, she secretly watched his muscles tensing and relaxing at the right times.  She had grown fond of the feeling of the moves, and she knew how each one felt.  He wasn’t very large, quite a small man, but still taller than her, standing about five foot five or so.  He was well muscled, she was aware that he was not lacking in that aspect, but he didn’t seem to know how to use them correctly.  The motions, meant to be tight and controlled, were forced, and choppy.  She sighed and walked up behind him, putting her arms around and next to his, showing him how his limbs should look for each attacking and defending motion.  With any luck, he would be ready by that night. Tired, but ready.



© 2011 Cocoacandy


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Featured Review

Interesting new addition! I like your description of Zena's maneuver to stop the 'intruder' from attacking. I was surprised that it was just Wolf. Also, he is seemingly becoming their provider (making breakfast every morning and gathering food). I was intrigued by Wolf's first mission. The guy sounds like a really bad criminal, and I'm wondering if Wolf can take him or not. It will be interesting to see how this unfolds! Jaenes always seemed to have good timing, too. It's like he knows what they're doing while he's away.

I like how this chapter ended with optimism, despite his lack of experience. I have a good feeling about the mission, and Wolf's increasing potential as an agent of her chosen work. I'm excited for the next part!

other suggestions:

-Only one thing that I have a critique for here. She responds a lot in the way she should when people knock or can be heard around, but the fact that she's an assassin isn't quite a good enough explanation. I feel like the reader needs to see a threat, as she has been unbothered at home for this entire story, but acts like she has.

Posted 13 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.




Reviews

Interesting new addition! I like your description of Zena's maneuver to stop the 'intruder' from attacking. I was surprised that it was just Wolf. Also, he is seemingly becoming their provider (making breakfast every morning and gathering food). I was intrigued by Wolf's first mission. The guy sounds like a really bad criminal, and I'm wondering if Wolf can take him or not. It will be interesting to see how this unfolds! Jaenes always seemed to have good timing, too. It's like he knows what they're doing while he's away.

I like how this chapter ended with optimism, despite his lack of experience. I have a good feeling about the mission, and Wolf's increasing potential as an agent of her chosen work. I'm excited for the next part!

other suggestions:

-Only one thing that I have a critique for here. She responds a lot in the way she should when people knock or can be heard around, but the fact that she's an assassin isn't quite a good enough explanation. I feel like the reader needs to see a threat, as she has been unbothered at home for this entire story, but acts like she has.

Posted 13 Years Ago


1 of 1 people found this review constructive.

Good to be able to read this new chapter. Wolf is preparing for his first mission. The first kill is the hardest. Soldiers must be tested and if they pass. They will live and death will be forever tattoo on their conscious. Some people accept the death with ease. Some will have nightmare till death. A excellent chapter. I look forward to the next.
Coyote

Posted 13 Years Ago



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Added on February 28, 2011
Last Updated on March 3, 2011


Author

Cocoacandy
Cocoacandy

WI



About
im a fairly random person that tends to confuse people. i try not to, but hey, whatevs... i enjoy writing poetry, and once in a while dabble in short stories, occasionally books... im attemping to wri.. more..

Writing