Elim, The Assassin

Chapter 6 

He noticed her circling his table many times, with a seductive smile as if she wanted him in her bed. Her hips swayed, lips bitten, and their gaze lingered. While she wasn't the most beautiful, her attractiveness was undeniable, her oval face adorned with features he couldn't help but stare at.

But he had no time for that, even though he would have preferred to spend the night with a beautiful damsel rather than alone and troubled. He had no time to entertain women in his bed. He couldn't even remember the last time he did. 

Lately he had been filled with anger and the desire to get justice against those who have wronged helpless people. He had accomplished the first part of his mission, he had to keep his ears down to make sure his recruiter pays him off completely before he left the town. Killing was nothing exciting. In fact most nights he had trouble sleeping because he couldn't forget the last gaze of those he killed before he finally ended their lives. 

Angrily he gulped his drink and was about to ask for another when the young girl who had been eyeing him suddenly approached him. 

"You seem like a traveler. We don't get your type around here often," she remarked, eyeing his loose-fitting garment that revealed his muscular biceps. As her gaze traveled down his body, he couldn't help but imagine leaving everything behind and taking her to a private place to fulfill his desires. However, he maintained his self-control.

"Are you a traveler?" she asked again, standing in front of him with a knowing smile.

"Has your tongue been cut off? Can't even reciprocate a cheerful greeting from a woman?" she teased.

Straight to the point, he suddenly asked, "What do you want?" Taken aback by his directness, she paused for a moment.

"If I tell you what I want, I'm not sure you won't see me as anything less than a virtuous woman," she said shyly.

Virtuous indeed, he thought, taking his time to assess her. It was pretty clear to him that she was anything but virtuous.

"I know what you must be thinking about me. But you don't know my whole story to judge me…"

"What do you want?" he asked.

"To spend the night with a man as rugged and virile as you. I want to know what it feels like to be with someone different and new. I don't get to see your type often" she replied.

 He had questions to ask her but he decided against it. If she wanted to have him, then why should he question her about it? 

 "Fine," he said, standing to leave. Nervously wringing her hands, she watched him head towards the door. He couldn't bring himself to leave such an offer from a pretty woman unattended. Pausing, he turned to look at her.

"You know where to find me," he mumbled, going against his desire to stay focused on completing his mission.

Though he knew she had no idea where to find him, he suspected she would figure it out if truly desperate for a night of passion. As he expected, she found her way to his room at night.

Lying on his featherbed in the tiny room provided by his client, he heard a slow knock. He knew it was his strange visitor. As a notorious assassin, he strutted gradually to the door, ensuring he wasn't in danger before opening it.

He opened the door, and there she was, wearing a sly smile as she walked in. He couldn't fathom why she wasn't afraid of him—perhaps her taste for adventure outweighed her fear. Elim shut the door, checking the road outside to ensure they were truly alone. Upon entering the room, he found the lady already removing her robe, inviting him to bed. Her adventurous spirit heightened his desire for her.

He stepped into the lamplit room, embracing the presence of the mysterious woman.

———

Usually, he wouldn't sleep until late in the morning, but on this particular day, he somehow overslept. The banging on the door and shouts from a man outside abruptly woke him up. It wasn't even that late in the morning and no one even knew him here, yet an angry stranger was pounding on his door. He suddenly remembered the woman sleeping next to me and he knew why someone was banging on his door. 

Oh no, it must be my husband. How did he find out?" she whispered, hastily pulling her robe to cover her body. Elin berated himself, more angered at his lack of inquiry about her identity before getting involved.

"Ola, I know you're in there! Get out and bring out the fool who dared to touch my woman!" the voice outside barked.

There was no time to question the woman about her deceitful game; he had to grab his sword and prepare for any assault from her enraged husband. He glanced at her, noticing genuine fear in her eyes, but he couldn't bring himself to help her. She had to face the consequences of her deception alone.

The pounding echoed one last time, shaking the room before Elim finally opened the door to face an angry and bitter man. Stepping aside, the lady stumbled out of the room, her husband delivering a slap to her face. It wasn't his concern; she had it coming. Eyeing the husband, he maintained a steady gaze.

"You don't know whose wife you've messed with. You must be a stranger here!" the stocky man spat on the floor. "A common stranger slept with my very own wife! You must pay with your life," he declared, drawing his sword as a crowd slowly gathered to witness the fight between the two men.

Elim descended slowly, frustrated with himself for getting into such a mess. The woman was at the side weeping and he felt no atom of pity for her. Slowly his eyes assessed the man he was to fight with. Despite being the wrong one, he had never backed away from a fight before, and he wasn't about to start now.