Passenger

Passenger

                Tadyel sat in the 'carriage' (it was really a converted wagon, complete with 'goods' on top) as it slowly made its way through the sands. Some magic or clever technique made the ride quite smooth, even though a glance out the 'window' slit had let her see that they were travelling over, rather than around, the dunes.

                It was also quite cool despite the sunlight, which was a big relief, and there was plenty of food for the journey. In fact, one of the instructions Tadyel had been given was to 'eat well' - the Magii desired that she regain her strength before beginning her mission. She was happy to do so. The food was better than anything she'd had during the journey by far.

                All in all, the trip was pretty luxurious. They'd even given her new clothes, those of a richer refugee from the south altered to fit her. Tadyel had avoided thinking about the fate of the previous owner. They'd given her the clothes - as well as a knife and some money - after they cast their killing spell upon her. The intention was that she appear to be a petty noble who had made the journey alone through a large amount of preparation, as a solitary peasant would be quite out of place without a tragic (and easily disproven) story.

                She had spent the prior night dozing after eating a large meal, which had been followed up with a hefty breakfast that morning. For the first time in a while she was well rested, and well fed. The feeling was good, and she allowed herself to relax for a while. This must be what a holiday feels like, she thought. The idea of a holiday was familiar to her, but she'd never had one - of everyone she knew, only a couple of eldest (and once richest) villagers had.

                After a small lunch (at roughly the right time, at least), she decided to act on the advice Eden had given her. So far, the only thing the driver had said to her were some instructions about the toilet (a chamber pot to be emptied through a hatch).

                "Magus driver sir?" she asked, unsure of how to address him. He wore ordinary clothes, and looked like a rich traveller to Tadyel. She was fairly certain he was dressed as a merchant, though.

                "I'm not a Magus," came the drivers voice from outside the wagon. "They don't leave the fortress these days - they're too busy working. Just call me Mike - it's short for Carmichael, but that's a bit fancy of a name to be bandying about."

                "Mike then. May I ask you some questions?"

                "Go ahead. It'll make the journey less of a drag on the both of us."

                "Where are we going?"

                "To a town called Green Creek. It's one of the smaller towns, and there are less... It's less fond of us."

                "You're a member of the same people as the Magii?"

                "More or less. I don't have the power, so this is what I do. But I've more to say about the town, and I'm sure you'll want to hear-"

                "Yes, I do."

                "-more. Heh. Well, it's fair close to the sea, but there's no port there. It's just a sheer cliff-face. Some boats take the river out to fish, but that's it. Larger ships can't make it up, so only a few merchants come from the ocean. Sitting near the desert as it does, few merchants come by land either. It's an out of the way place, all told. Small, and it often doesn't have all the trades it could want, so it's poor. Refugees end up there a lot, after they get lost, but they rarely stay long."

                "Then why are we going there?"

                "Well, every town has a vote. And Green Creek is one of those less likely to side with us if... A certain situation eventuates. We want to avoid this situation altogether, so we have agents acting to ensure support for us. You'll be working for one of them, though in a loosely linked manner. That's why you weren't allowed to see my face - and why I've got a bloody voice altering doodad around my neck. We can't exactly trust you."

                "How does killing someone help? Won't they know it was you?"

                "No-one knows that we have agents. Not yet, anyway. And... This particular chappy, Ormgus, has been quite a problem. Without him to rally around, his supporters will probably lose purpose. Worst case, they'll have a far less charismatic leader. He's good at rabble rousing, and he's slowly changing the minds of the townspeople as well.

                "I suppose I should say what he does, heh. He gives fiery speeches in town every day, fiery, angry ones. Then he asks people to join him in ending the 'biggest threat this side of the desert' who 'attack their fellow people of the peninsula'. There are plenty of refugees who listen and agree, and they're starting to get organised. Only thirty or forty dedicated so far, but that's a lot in a town of a barely a thousand. If he keeps going the way he has, in a couple of months his operation will probably spread to the other towns. I've heard whispers already..." The drive sighed.

                After giving the information some time to sink into her mind, Tadyel asked, "How am I supposed to kill him? I mean, should I gather information? Can I get help?"

                "Of course you should gather information. That's why you've got ten days! Just finding him and going after him with a knife won't cut it, especially with this guy. His friends will be on you before you get him, more likely than not. Well, I suppose it wouldn't bother us if you failed and died, but if they catch you and you can't keep your mouth shut - they told you what happens if you betray us, right?"

                "Yeah."

                "So keep that in mind. There's worse than failing and dying. As far as help goes, we can get you stuff to work with. Poison, a crossbow maybe. A change of clothes or a mask. I'm not sure exactly what the limits are, that'll be up to your contact. S-They're a good sort. They'll try to help you succeed for more than just our sakes. Probably shouldn't let you know I know 'em, but you'll likely not meet me after this. One thing I do know that we won't give you any backup, so keep that in mind. Oh, and try to get away with it if you can."

                "Is that good for your people as well, somehow, if no-one knows who did it?"

                "Well, if you complete the mission it doesn't matter if others find out for us. But, if you do this task well - and having none know what you did is certainly doing well - your contact will probably make you an offer."

                "... What kind of offer?"

                "The opportunity to continue working for us. Your people will be given the option of going free, or continuing to live amongst us in relative luxury. A better life than they could get on the road. You'll even be able to visit them, if you serve us long enough. If you betray us we'll take their lives, although we'll be more lenient about 'betrayal'. Ah, and if none wish to remain we'll simply cut you loose - this will be figured out before you are asked, of course.

                "It's a good deal - they may find a life up north but it will certainly be a very hard one. You'll be given training, a cover to remain in town, and you'll have a place. But it's up to you, really. There's also the matter of killing Ormgus that you need to see to first. Hm. Do you have more questions?"

                "Yes. Do you have any advice on a method to kill Ormgus?"

                "Oh, well. Like I said, a knife is a poor choice. Do you know how to fight with a sword or any other weapon?"

                "No."

                "Well, I think that makes your best option poison. If you're a decent shot a poisoned crossbow bolt or arrow could do the trick. A well placed crossbow bolt could do the trick all by itself, now that I think about it. If you get involved with his group you might get a chance to poison his food or something, or maybe actually use a knife... But being in the group will probably make interacting with your contact risky.

                "Ah, listen. I'm a driver, not an assassin. The best advice I can really give you is to take your time and plan. Spend at least a week thinking about it, getting to know what Ormgus does and such, unless something strikes you. I mean, maybe he walks under a loose boulder every day? You won't know unless you find out!"

                "Will my contact have some better advice on killing? Or someone they know?"

                "Unfortunately, no. You're the first assassin we're getting out here - and among the first sent to any of the towns. We've been keeping an eye out for a while now, but killing and some of the other stuff is new for us. Up until now we haven't had a need to, but in the past few months agitators and others without much love for us have been showing up amongst the refugees a lot. It's actually kind of strange. And I think I've said a couple of things I shouldn't have. Ooooh well."

                "I suppose you won't tell me more about your people then?"

                "No. There's much to tell, but no. Perhaps if you succeed, survive and work for us someone will fill you in. But not I, and not now."

                "Is there anything else you want to say? Anything that might help that you can say?"

                "Again, no. But I'm sure you'll think of some more questions. Perhaps I can tell you of the other towns up here, and more of Green Creek? But I've said all you'll find of use for your mission, I think."

                "Well. Thank you. I'm going to let what you've said sink in a bit for now, but I'll ask more later."

                "Very well then. Later, passenger!"

                "My name is Tadyel."

                "Then later, Tadyel!"