Template:Mauller's Sandbox

The filthy streets of the outer circle disgusted me. Even with the sewers and refuse collections the peasantry lived in their own waste. And if it was not for the Custodians then everyone would be wading in the collected shit. But the service was a needed as the main arteries of the city passed through the more affluent areas of the slums. And it was here where the majority of my work occurred.

People would do anything in this world to get ahead.

I worked my way from my apartment towards the markets. My abode was nothing special, the cellar of an inn near the outskirts was more than adequate. It also gave me the options of discretion and fleeing easier if someone were to recognise me. Not that it has happened, but you could never be too careful in this line of work.

As I passed through the market I kept my head down and huddled into myself. I would not consider myself a thespian or expert in the theatrical arts. Yet it was easier to play the part of a crippled urchin than most would expect, the key was to not over act. Many of my comrades learnt that the hard way.

Sometimes the best way to blend with the crowd is to act natural. My scruffy face, shabby clothes and added garlic breath put me in the part. But my nerves were still shot and my right hand would not stop shaking. Making it harder to maintain my nonchalant persona.

The worst part was catching a glimpse of that boy in a reflection. His grubby face grinned back at me and the sparkle in his eyes was unnerving. It made the uncontrollable energy within me spike.

In any other situation my heart would maintain a calm rhythm. Yet my pulse raced as sweat trickled down my brow.

How could a single picture do this to me? Why was this happening? Why do I feel this way?

I could only think that a strange illness had struck me in the night as the sweat from my brow dripped off my nose. This had never happened to me before on any job that I had taken. It was only becoming worse as I neared the designated area.

But regardless of my personal situation I made it to the inner city walls. The guards seemed more alert than usual and I was certain I heard a town crier talk of a ball. I could only assume that the elite were having another show of their pomp and fortune again. No doubt they would invite a few traders and people of craft from the slums as a gesture of good will. As per the norm.

Not that many went when summoned, those that returned often ended up dead within a fortnight. Many of the tales revolved around them being in the wrong place at the right time at the party. Or some just never returned after the ball.

I caught a glimpse of the boy in one of the guards armour and shied back. The guard raised a questioning eyebrow but returned to talking with the trader he had stopped. Although my appearance suited this part of the city, the inner walls were a different story. And my finer clothes were not usable after a slipup during an escape.

The guards were barring most of the less affluent from entering today. No doubt the streets were being prepared for the arrival of nobles from the surrounding area. The custodians had been working overtime cleaning the boulevards through the slums. So something big was going to occur.

I have no chance of entering, I best use my other means. Although I hate doing that.

A road separated the outer city from the inner walls. Of course it was a good fortification. A measure to prevent enemies from hiding or scaling buildings to make it up the walls. My only options was to find a quiet area and hope the guards on the walls miss my grapple.

The only other way was through the smugglers run. But a knife in the back was the last thing on my mind.

After ten minutes I found a quiet area and hoisted my grapple. The padding on its forks was a necessity and a good addition that I made. The last job I took with a partner ended up like this, it was still burned into my mind the outcome of the decision we made. She never survived the fall.

Meeting death was always a possible outcome. I just happened to be one of the best at avoiding him.

The top of the wall was clear when I peeked through the fortified balustrade. An occasional guard looked out the huts positioned along the top of the wall. But most seemed preoccupied with the commotion around the guard houses. Even the archers on the towers were neglecting their duty of watching the length of the wall.

This is perfect. Make it over the walkway and shift down the other side. I can make it to one of my Cache’s and change into something smarter.

Everything seemed too easy. My already shot nerves were screaming at me that something was wrong. But the unbound energy kept spurring me to move forwards. It only took a moment to cross the walkway and descend the opposite face of the wall. And a few more minutes to find my cache and change.

Now I could make my way to my target. The boy I kept seeing in the reflection now looked like a young man from a less affluent merchant. Smart but without the flair of a richer heritage. His hair was tied back in a ponytail while his clean shaven face grinned in return. He had discarded the limp and slumped posture and taken on a more boisterous sway to his walk. But nothing too exuberant, new and upcoming money is how the eyes of the more affluent would view him.

But I knew his secrets. What he kept hidden under his cloak. And what lurked inside that head of his.

As I thought, a ball was being held at one of the local lord’s manors. From what I eavesdropped from passing chatter, it appeared a local lady was coming of age to marry. But what churned my stomach was hearing the location of the festivities.

Oh no, this is getting worse and the deadline is approaching. I can’t delay this job any longer.

I shook my head and a group of young women gave me a questioning look. And when I smiled and waved they began giggling and talking at speed. On any other day it would not have bothered me. Their reaction was no different to other young women I had encountered. A few nice words and a smile was all I needed to hear the local gossip. But my foot gave way and I walked away in a hurry when the girls burst out laughing. Something was wrong with me, my heart kept palpitating and my hands would not calm.

Holding the grip of my blade inside my cloak brought a moment of calm. I was able to regain my centre and continue with my work. The house of the target was only around the next corner.

‘I… I can’t do this…’

I stopped when I saw the estate that stretched before me. The perimeter walls were only as tall as the average man. But the land beyond it was open lawn and flowerbeds.

‘No, I have to. I need the money.’

After a moment of shaking my head and slapping my cheeks, I paced the perimeter of the grounds. It was easier than I thought to find an opening in their security. An open side gate that lead towards an enclosed garden was a perfect entrance.

It only took a moment to slip inside.

‘ahh! Ouch…’ I rubbed my nose after colliding with something and falling over.

And when I removed my hand from my face I lost my trail of thought.