MEMORIES OF ASSASSINS 01 CYER

A few years ago

It was a busy marketplace, the aroma of different foods, perfumes and animals filled the atmosphere, groups of people gathered at almost every stall, the hustle bustle of the shoppers and traders was somewhat pleasant, if one listened to it. Every person in his or her own worry.

Among this crowed, in the midst of the market, there were two inconspicuous figures, they wore mud brown cloaked hoods that covered them entirely, most of the people there wore head coverings be it a turban or a hat or a hood, for the dessert sun was unforgiving.

These two figures were almost identical to an observer less the lining on their hoods, for one had silver while the one in walking ahead had black strips running across the border of his cloak. They were walking through the bazar, the person in the lead had a rather clumsy air to him.

"Master Leone, why are we on this job? This Rakh person is kinda someone admirable ... in a way... at least that's what I gathered from his file" the person behind asked while following the footsteps of Leone.

"Cyer, Cyer, right you are, Rakh is considered a hero among his people and respected by almost everyone who knows of him." Leone replied in a casually carefree manner. Eyeing the merchandise displayed on the surrounding stalls as he made his way through.

"So why?" Cyer asked keeping only a step or two behind.

"Why indeed, maybe he danced with fish too big for him?" Leone answered, he was within a crowd of onlookers who were enjoying a cockfight.

"Dancing with fish? What do you mean?"

"I mean... he probably entered waters too deep, took too big a bite ... get it??" Leone patted his own head trying to explain. "Oh, sorry, my bad" he smiled at a kid who he had bumped into.

"I am sorry... Master but why us?" Cyer said as he also bumped into the kid,

"Let's just say he did some job that pissed of a really old geezer who had ties with one of our own old geezers"

"err... master"

"Yeah?"

"Your pocketbook." Cyer said as he held out, the object in his hand.

"Oi... how did you ...? The kid eh, a pickpocket" Leone finished shaking his head pocketing the pocketbook.

"Yes master, he acquired it when he bumped into you and I retrieved it when I bumped into him"

"Pickpocketed a pickpocket eh, Nice... anyway I don't want to kill this Rakh either, but a mission is a mission." Leone said continuing onwards.

"Where are the others, Master Allen sent?" Cyer said looking around.

"Oh, those guys, they are here. hiding probably," Leone answered waving off the question, he stopped by a fruit stall and picked up a berry, sniffing it..."

Is this a fire berry?" Leone asked the merchant who was rubbing his hands.

"Why yes good sir, you have a good eye, this is indeed a fire berry and that too of the finest quality, finest here in Alfana. Fresh and cheap." The merchant began

"Ah... I see, how much for a pound?"

"60 coin a pound and that too just for you, otherwise I have been selling it for 75, heck some guy there sold them for 80 as well," the merchant said pointing in a random direction.

"Well, very well then, 37 and you have a deal my good man," Leone smiled as he spoke.

"Sir, isn't a bit too hot to crack such jokes, 37 is too less a price, these here are the finest in the market I assure you they are worth 60", Cyer stood silent and observed the exchange.

"Ah well, if you don't want to sell them... sure" Leone responded and took a step away.

"wait wait, how about 50?" the shop keeper quickly answered trying to get Leone back to his stall,

"37..."

"45, sir that is the cost I got them on..."

"Ah ... I see, how about 40 then, and sir I assure you that you did not get them for 45"

"Fine sir, don't buy..."

"Sure ..." Leone shuddered and started walking away.

"Master why didn't you buy them for 45, he said that was what he got them for?" Cyer said as he also moved away...

"He got them for 26 a pound ma boy there was a receipt in the dirt beside the register and these weren't really fresh, they lacked the fresh shade and aroma, I reckon they were at least a day old and also they weren't the best quality ... I have, believe it or not, farmed them, I know..."

"Ah ... I see."

"SIRRRR...." The merchant called after them again.

"Yes?" Leone looked back,

"40 a pound, just for you..."

"Deal... so 20 coin to a silver so that makes 2 coins?" Leone said as he smiled and handed the merchant 4 silver coins to the merchant. "Keep the change" Leone finished as he handed the berries to Cyer.

"Oh sorry mister," someone in a hat just collapsed after colliding with Leone, Leone smiling helped him up, "No problem"

The person was about to go on his way, when Cyer called out, "You dropped this," as he held out the hat which had fallen to the ground as well, the person came over and took it back with a bow.

"Nice, kid..." Leone said as he walked onwards again.

"Master, here is your pocketbook again, it was the same pickpocket by the way..."

"What? Seriously," Leone looked back at the now gone kid. "Nice, he got me twice, but you are as sharp as ever, eh Cyer."

"Thank you for the kind words master. "

"There he is", Cyer said as he pointed at the kid who had collapsed in front of another passerby.

Leone's glance followed Cyer's indication as he too saw the kid, making his way away.

"Hey Kid," Leone said standing beside the child, as he, thinking he was alone, had pulled out the purse he had just picked. The kid instinctively tried to run but he was held in place by a hand that gripped on to his shoulder, it was Cyer's...

"Oh... I am so sorry mister, I don't have your wallet, this mister took it" the kid squeaked, scared ...

"Why are you stealing people's belongings young one?" Leone asked.

"Because I need the money ..." the kid said as he again tried to run.

"And what do you need it for?" Leone continued.

"For the doctor..."

"And why do you need a doctor,"

The kid again tried to break free, struggling he answered, "Gramps... The old man who takes care of us orphans, he's sick and we can't afford no doctor. Look I am sorry mister, let me go."

"If its money you want," Leone said emptying his wallet and handing it to the kid, "here, take it, I happen to be a doctor myself so why don't I check up on this Gramps of yours," Leone finished as Cyer let go of the boy's shoulder.

"For real?" The kid replied, wide eyed, a very innocent and excited expression on his face.

"Are you sure, master?" Cyer too voiced in.

"Yes, yes. Don't worry, I will do it, but I will have my payment kid, oh don't worry, it won't be money..." Leone spoke out with a light laugh.

"Deal"

"And a deal it is, now lead the way lad."

The kid lead Leone and Cyer through the various stalls and shops and brought them to what looked like a back end of the slum. There they went inside a half-wrecked building. The kid approached a group of younger kids who swarmed around him excitedly jumping and chattering in their native tongue which Cyer couldn't understand. Leone who was fluent in their language was laughing and stared playing with them too as they clung onto him, where as an air of awkwardness remained around Cyer.

The pickpocket had a delightfully happy expression on his face, Cyer could tell that he had been forced to mature too quickly for his young age. He caught Cyer looking at him, shaking his head he came back from the momentary trance.

"That's enough guys, let the doctor see gramps, come on, move it, move it," He had taken charge and began dispersing the children. The children in turn reluctantly obeyed.

Leone smiled at the boy, "now then, shall we see this gramps of yours?"

They followed the pickpocket inside, across different rooms, some with broken walls some with broken windows and doors finally approaching what appeared to be the only intact room in the entire building.

As they entered the room, a frail old man greeted their sight, lying in the opposite corner, both Leone and the old man look at each other,

"Whaaaaah, if it isn't old Megalo" Leone called out with a clap of his hands...

The person named Megalo in turn straightened up... eyes wide as if in fear... he was silently glaring at Leone

"Cyer ... allow me to introduce you to an old acquaintance of mine... this is Megalo, as I just called out, he is a fallen angle He fought in the war... some years before you were born, I reckon, So what! Megalo is this perhaps an attempt at redemption.

??" Leone went on, Cyer had no idea what he was talking about.

Megalo shook his head, "I knew our fates would cross again Leone of the assassins... Dear leave us, play with your brothers" he added to the pickpocket who had brought them here, the kid a bit hesitant to leave reluctantly obeyed.

"Megalo ... You obviously know why we are here" Leone continued now suddenly signs of malice in his expression. A thin smile as well.

"Yes, I know" Megalo answered in a slightly harsh tone

"Then I would like your help" Leone requested in the same flow.

"Rakh is no easy prey"

"And your particular skills are very useful,"

"Leone, I have retired I am not the being I once was ... I only ask to live the days I have caring for these orphans," Megalo sighed.

"Megalo, you do know I don't take no for an answer when I make a request,"

"Well there is a first time for everything"

"... Cyer ... Be a dear and bring a kid in here... Anyone" Leone's eyes narrowed as he ordered Cyer, while Megalo became cautious.

"What are you planning?" He questioned.

"Megalo, I insist that you help me" Leone answered simply. As Cyer walked back in the room holding a little girl not more than five years in age, in his arms, the child looking at Megalo smiled an innocent smile and an inquiring look.

"Cyer, cut her throat." Leone ordered smiling as Cyer nodded taking out a blade and slit the throat of the child... or he almost would have if Megalo hadn't spoken out

"Fine ... I get your point ... I will help ... Just leave my kids be," Megalo cried in a hoarse voice eyeing the blade hidden in Cyer's arm. Pausing, Cyer looked at Leone... Leone still smiling shook his head.

"Aww and here I thought you would brake around the third kid" he laughed out, "You have grown soft Megalo, Cyer let her be, and Megalo, I have to leave but keep in touch oh and we will be taking the pickpocket with us... He seems to be the dearest one"

Leone smiling stepped outside as Cyer followed and Megalo hugged the child who was oblivious of what had been going on.

As he came out Leone smiled brightly again, all the malice that he showed earlier was gone, he approached the pickpocket, "I have examined the old man, He has a rare condition, I can teach you how to take care of him but at a cost..." Leone proposed politely.

"Anything mister," The kid answered obliviously, "Just let him be ok"

Leone replied with a pat on the kid's head, "The cost you see, is that we are new in this town, and don't know our way around, so you have to accompany us as long as we are here and in return I will treat your old man, and also teach you how to care for him after we are gone. We won't be here long though so don't worry. Oh, and I already told gramps about it, he seemed delighted."

The pickpocket smiling still, hugged Leone, as he patted his back.

…

Cyer stopped talking...

"We are here Kai..." Cyer said "The oasis, finally ..." he let out a sigh of relief, as they could now see a small, almost dried up pond, it still had water though, and a few palm trees around it casting shade... the sand was encroaching here as well, but it had survived till now. The oasis, it would disappear after a few months though that much was certain.

Kai, who was engrossed in Cyer's story also realized that they had been spared for now...