Escape

The morning sun streamed through the window, its golden light spilling over Vanessa's bare skin. She stood with her back to the bed, her golden hair cascading down her shoulders, shimmering in the soft glow of dawn. Erchid lay still, watching her, mesmerized as if he had seen a goddess herself. His gaze was unwavering, his heart caught in his throat.

Vanessa turned, catching his stare. A playful smile tugged at her lips. "Why are you staring, Mr. Mystique?" she teased, stepping closer. "Seems like someone still wants to take my life—and my breath—away."

Erchid chuckled, shaking his head. But just as quickly, the lightheartedness faded as Vanessa turned to the window again, something heavy weighing on her. When she faced him once more, her expression was serious.

"I'm getting married."

The words hit him like a blade to the chest. Erchid sat up, his expression darkening. "What?"

Vanessa exhaled slowly. "I'm getting married. It's an arranged marriage—by my father. I have no say in it."

Erchid stood abruptly, frustration tightening his muscles. "What if I just go see your father?"

She shook her head. "That won't change anything. He has already made up his mind because he benefits from this marriage."

"Why? Is he in debt?" Erchid pressed. "If it's money, I can pay off whatever he owes."

Vanessa sighed. "It's not that simple."

Erchid clenched his jaw, turning away in frustration. He couldn't understand it—couldn't accept it. But then, as his emotions surged, he turned back to her, his voice steady yet filled with something raw. "Vanessa… I love you. And I want to spend my life with you. I'll quit my life as an assassin for you."

Her eyes widened, taken aback by the depth of his words. "Erchid…" she whispered, emotions threatening to overflow. "I love you too. But I don't know how to fix this. It's beyond me."

"Then we leave," Erchid declared. "We run away from this kingdom. We go to the Merchant Union Free City. There, we can start over. I'll open a new tavern. You, Rodrick, and I—we can build a new life."

Vanessa hesitated, her heart pounding. "Do you think that's possible?"

Erchid nodded firmly. "Yes. I know someone who can forge new identities for us once we get there. No one will find us. You can run any shop of your choice, and I'll handle the tavern."

Tears welled in Vanessa's eyes as he took her hands. "Yes… Yes, we can do this. But how? I've never eloped before." She let out a choked laugh between her tears.

Erchid smirked. "Meet me here in eight days. At night. By then, everything will be ready."

Vanessa nodded, excitement lighting up her face. They sealed their promise with a kiss, holding onto each other as if their lives depended on it.

Later that day, Vanessa left to make her own preparations. Erchid watched her disappear before dressing himself, bandaging his wounds, and heading out.

At the tavern, Rodrick was cleaning when the door burst open. He looked up, and his eyes widened in shock. "Master… you're alive." He stared as if he had seen a ghost. "There were rumors that the great Mystique had been cut down during his escape. That your wounds wouldn't heal."

Erchid smirked. "It'll take more than one knight to take me down."

Rodrick grinned. "I knew you wouldn't die, Master. But where have you been?"

"Recovering."

Rodrick nodded before Erchid's next words shocked him. "Start packing. We're leaving in seven days for the Merchant Union Free City."

Rodrick frowned. "Why?"

"There's no time to explain. But with the Duke dead, things are going to get bloody. And we're bringing someone with us."

Rodrick looked even more confused. His master never had friends, let alone someone he'd take along. But he nodded. "Understood, Master."

Erchid went to the basement, prying open a hidden compartment in the ceiling. Inside were three boxes filled with gold. He poured them into a sack, then continued preparing.

Eight days later, Erchid and Rodrick arrived at the haunted house. Rodrick carried an oversized bag, grumbling. "Creepy place. I hate it."

Erchid smirked. "You need to adapt anywhere, anytime."

Rodrick scoffed. "Not here."

Hours passed. No one came.

"Master, I don't think anyone's coming," Rodrick said hesitantly. "Whoever we're waiting for isn't showing up."

"Let's just leav—"

Erchid's expression hardened. Something felt off. "Head back to the tavern," he ordered. "I'll be back."

Rodrick groaned. "Aaaagh, my back…" He sulked away

Erchid headed south, towards the barn Vanessa had mentioned.

As he approached the barn, he sensed a presence behind him. Instinctively, he drew his knife, grabbing the figure by the throat. A frightened voice pleaded, "Take what you want."

Realizing his mistake, Erchid let go. "Sorry sir, I'm not here to harm you. I'm looking for Vanessa."

The old man looked puzzled. "Vanessa?"

An elderly woman emerged from the barn. "Ben, is everything alright?"

Erchid addressed her as well. "I'm looking for your daughter, Vanessa."

The couple exchanged confused glances. "We don't have a daughter."

Erchid's heart pounded. "That's impossible. Vanessa said her father runs a barn here."

Ben shook his head. "We're the only barn around. We have no children."

Erchid's breath caught. "Golden hair, pale skin…"

Ben hesitated. "A girl like that helped me out a few times… She called herself Margaret."

The ground beneath Erchid seemed to crumble. Everything he knew—everything he believed—was a lie.

"Are you alright, young man?" Ben asked. "Come inside for tea. You look shaken."

Erchid shook his head. "Thank you, but I must go."

He walked away, his world unraveling. Who was Vanessa? Who was Margaret? What was real?

At the tavern, Rodrick asked, "Did you find them, Master?"

Erchid simply said, "We're staying."

Rodrick knew something had changed but didn't press.

Days passed. Erchid returned to the haunted house daily, waiting for Vanessa—Margaret—but she never came. Months slipped by. Letters left at the house went unanswered. Eventually, he gave up.

One evening, as he ran the tavern, a red letter arrived. He left immediately for the city's grand Church. Entering the sacred halls, he stepped into the confessional booth.

Sliding the wooden partition open, a deep voice greeted him. "Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned."

"Speak, my son."

Erchid recited, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

A pause. Then, the priest responded, "For you know not the day nor the hour when death shall come, like a thief in the night."

Erchid nodded. "That's what it means to live in the shadows. Death looms everywhere."

"Yes, my son." The priest exhaled. "Your next mission will be the hardest yet. You must assassinate the princess."

Erchid remained still.

"The king plans to marry her to the Triaxin Kingdom's second prince to form an alliance. Their military power would allow the royal faction to suppress the noble faction and rebel forces and regain absolute control. Killing her will prevent this. Will you accept?"

"Yes, Father."

"The reward is 300 gold due to the mission's difficulty. Let us pray."

Together, they recited the Lord's Prayer:

"Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen."

As the final words faded, Erchid rose from his seat disappearing into the shadows.