The Coin

Life and Death. Opposite sides of the coin in her hand.

A silver coin contrasted with the emerald green. Who would've dropped it in this grassland, I wondered. Merchants hurrying on their journey perhaps, or a person with a hole in his pouch. I picked it up and tossed it in the air, savouring the sharp high sound it made as I flicked it with my thumb as sent it spinning up...till I caught it with a quick snap. Fate is what brought the coin to the ground and what drew me to the coin. It's all mine now.

 

Fate is the same force that prolongs a man's life or cuts it short. Most lives I've encountered were cut short, and I don't mourn for I have slain them myself. My profession requires it of me - the quick shortening of others' existence like a farmer cutting through the wheat fields with his scythe. Did I choose to be born into a family of assassins? No; I say it was all fate - the same one that brought me and the coin together.

 

Is it also fate that a coin toss could help me decide whether to let one live or die? Call it. I don't make them do that. I call it myself and find out what fate has in store for the pitiful duke crouching under his bed. I am a paid assassin, but sometimes I like to make my own decisions. Hence, I've intervened into the political world and delved into the corruption of this man. He deserves death, my mind reasoned. But what does fate have in store for him?

 

I call it. Heads. Goodbye, Duke Carranza. Too bad the tome I was looking for wasn't there. Do I really need it? Tomorrow's my wedding, and I wonder if I should search for the tome myself or leave it up to fate.

 

I call it. Tails. Time to go home to Leon. My fiance. He was waiting. He also had a tome, but I say that this is not the reason I'm marrying him. Perhaps the tome of this dead duke hides in the mansion of his brother, the other Duke Carranza. It's none of my business anymore.

 

After all, the tomes don't interest me anyway. Power beyond comprehension. What an exaggerated claim. Besides, I have my coin to keep me company...damn, it fell down the drain!

Author's Note

Assassin's notes aren't necessarily chronological. They are random musings of the assassin as she does her job.

Reviews

[LoreMaster]

Woooh..This one is awesome! hehehe. I didnt expect that last part, I felt that there would be something that wud happen very suddenly that has something to do with that part. I would like to see the assassin before she was involved in Lesallia. Yep, I agree. Our POV's will make the story richer than ever!! Then let's publish the book here too, when we finish it in the 'other' blog.

[Vic Spencer]

Very interesting POV writing. The only time I've ever seen this style was in the book "The Reluctant Fundamentalist". It's a very innovative take on writing. It's very intriguing to basically be insided the head of an assassin, and I think you've captured it pretty well here. I'm definitely going to continue reading this particular story.

[Ammietia]

I loved the story, it was an interesting perspective. That, and I've always loved hearing about assassins. Fate is also an interesting concept. Keep up the good writing :)