An Assassin's Anthem

Riley looked out at the enemies running toward the fort. Each one was colored red. This is new.

[They are surrendering. Probably because of your dress. ~Beauty]

Fireballs flickered from the other fort, soaring out into the air. Riley reached out, grabbed the fire, and threw it right back. Feeding a stream of psychic magic down the connection, she felt the mage crumple.

Grabbing the next, no connection formed. She threw the fireball back. Water shot upward, intercepting it.

“How much mana, Lady Riley?” Magus Summer asked.

“Half.”

“Save it, please. And swap your aura back in.”

Riley nodded and walked into the tower. She sat and turned inward, swapping out her spell for Empowering Presence.

Standing up, she walked down the steps and across the courtyard, entering the barracks. The soldiers that had surrendered were being bound. Travis was pacing up and down the line with his sword drawn.

“I should at least get to meet her,” Simon said, kneeling and scowling at Travis.

“If Lady Riley wishes to meet, she will meet with you,” Travis replied. “What else can you tell me?”

“You will lose. We have stronger troops and better mages. It would be better for you to surrender. Let me speak with Lady Riley. I will convince her. There are several eligible dukes throughout our nation.”

Riley rolled her eyes. Why is that their go-to offer? My goal in life is not to marry some random duke. She huffed and rolled her eyes.

Nicole chuckled. “Don’t worry. They’ll be twice your age,” she whispered.

Riley stuck out her tongue. “I’m telling him that you’re Lady Riley.”

“Forget that. I’m not marrying some stuffy Shorove duke.” Nicole laughed.

Riley smiled and looked at the prisoners.

“… I’m sure I can find her a better match than this Lucas. In fact, I have a nephew who’d—”

“Enough,” Travis barked. “Now, for those who are ready to fight, you may make an oath to the king, queen, or Lady Riley.” He turned and stared at Simon. “You will make an oath to the king and will be sent there.”

“Surely that isn’t necessary. I have a duchy here. I could help you.”

“And that’s exactly what you’ll do after reporting to the king for an interview. If you refuse? Well, there are ways to get information.” Travis turned. “Seeker Lucas, anything else?”

“He has several enchanted items. You should take everything but his undergarments.”

“Now, see here,” Simon huffed. “If you just let me talk to the lady instead of you savages, I’ll—“

“No,” Riley said, walking forward and shaking her head. “I’m not interested in whatever nonsensical betrothal you’re offering, nor am I interested in your persuasive speech.”

Simon turned and smiled. “Lady Riley, charming to meet you. And you look ever so lovely. You must have Beauty’s blessing. I’m certain that the two of us can work things out here.” He smiled.

Riley felt a skill ripple across her, washing across her mind and sending lingering tendrils of affection for him. Ew. She ripped the skill apart and frowned. “You know that I am a Void Mage. You really think I can’t sense a mind-influencing skill?”

Nicole shot across the room, snatched cuffs from a soldier, and slapped them on his wrists. With a look of rage, she slapped his face. “If you ever try that again, I’ll kill you myself,” she hissed, spun, and walked back to Riley with a look of concern.

Riley blushed. “I’m fine.”

“I have to be certain.” Nicole smiled.

Travis walked up and shoved a rag into his mouth. “My apologies, Lady Riley. I didn’t expect that.”

Riley turned toward the knight. “Is the king going to interview him?”

“The seekers there will,” Lucas said, walking up. He sighed. “Yes or no. Nod your head or shake it. Are there more reinforcements coming today?”

Simon shook his head and stared up at Lucas, flinching slightly.

“How many void mages or spell thieves are there in your nation? Nod the number.”

Simon nodded six times.

Lucas reached over and pulled out the sock. “Levels?”

“B-tier, C-tier, C-tier, D-tier, D-tier, and E-tier. We have one spell thief, but he is notoriously unreliable, and his majesty refused to advance him past D-tier. He might be dead.” Simon shrugged.

“Where are the void mages?” Lucas asked.

“On the other front. We are forced to station them near the blood fields and have lost a few.”

Lucas sighed. “Of course.” He paused and contemplated his next questions.

Riley quirked a brow and reached over, tapping on Nicole’s back. “They made them, right?”

Nicole tapped her back. “Yes, but they are not easy to control. The blood fields are horrific.”

“How many troops are in reserve?” Lucas asked.

Simon shrugged. “I’m unaware. I know that we have enough to defend against animals and bandits. Their majesties are recruiting everyone able. And we will win. I warned you of that.” He turned. “Lady Riley, it would be best if you joined us instead.”

“Why will you win?” Lucas asked.

“Because we’re better prepared and trained. Everyone knows it.”

Lucas frowned. “What proof?”

“We’ve been fighting the elves and Eteln. We’re better at this and watched your forts struggle.” Lucas smiled. “The only card in your hand is Lady Riley and perhaps that S-tier assassin.”

“That’s plenty,” Roger said, striding into the room.

Riley conjured two blades and handed them to him. She quirked a brow. “The other forts?”

“Scrambling. Their mages struggled to sleep. I intend to capitalize.” Roger spun and walked from the room.

“You shouldn’t trust an assassin, Lady Riley,” Simon said, sighing loudly. “They are notorious for adhering to their own rules. He will betray you.”

“I’ll keep it in mind,” Riley replied. She walked over to a bench and sat next to a dozing soldier.

Lucas studied him. “Tell me of the other fronts.”

“The blood fields present the largest threat. That’s why we’ve pushed into the wilds. We were able to find additional places of power. Then we advanced our troops.” Simon smiled. “You’d be welcome with us. I’d hire you into my service.”

“What of your necromancers?” Lucas asked coldly. “How many? How strong?”

“I’m uncertain. We do have some left,” Simon said. “Though the one here clearly failed.”

“To make a blood field. A truly horrific act,” Lucas spat, rage flashing across his face.

Simon turned and shrugged. “Some acts are necessary.”

Lucas glowered.

No wonder Lucas hates them so much. Riley crossed her legs and scowled. Two kill notifications popped up. “How did you augment your voice?”

Simon turned and smiled. “We will win. How much food do you have? Two days? One?”

Riley sighed and leaned against the wall. Every time.

“Answer the question. How did you do it?” Lucas demanded.

“An enchantment. I have several.”

Riley stood. I’ll leave this to Lucas. I need to figure out the food problem. She walked to her room and looked at her pile of books.

Nicole walked inside and shut the door behind her. “Riley?”

“How do we solve the food problem? Yes, we have some coming, but how do we get it across the gap? Do we push and try to collapse them?” Riley frowned and leaned against the wall. “I might be able to if I could figure out how to use meditation to get it back.”

“Maybe you’re meditating wrong,” Nicole said, chuckling.

Riley frowned and sat. She turned inward, feeling the rush of water around her. Wait? Is it water? I never really had water. She altered her perception.

Humming idly, she willed it into a harmonious current and let a growing peace wash over her. Stars appeared in the dark, and she found herself elsewhere. It looked like the same spot as the gods. Is this it? She looked out into the space. Beauty?

No response came. Looking at the distant stars, Riley looked down and saw herself glowing. Can I sing here? Smiling, she summoned Music’s lute and gently plucked strings.

“Beauty are you out there?

Music can you hear?

What is this place that I now face?

Can any make this clear?”

A goddess with platinum hair appeared. She walked over with a smile. “We meet again, Riley.”

“Hello, umm, Goddess Time?” Riley said with a crooked smile.

“Close enough,” Time said, chuckling and shaking her head. “To answer your question, your spirit took a little trip up to the heavens. Some do it while meditating. You can will yourself back.”

Riley blushed. “Oh. Sorry.”

“Not a problem. We tend to leave people alone here for multiple reasons, but they can’t really stop me.” Time laughed.

Riley chuckled. “Why don’t we know about you?”

“Because time manipulation is heavily restricted, and the rest is a bit beyond you.”

What? Riley raised a brow. “Beyond us?”

“Your knowledge isn’t sufficient to understand, and I can’t tell it without causing all sorts of trouble.”

Riley smiled and nodded. “It’s nice to see you again.”

“You too. I’ve missed seeing you around.” Time chuckled, winked, and vanished.

“What does that mean?” Riley asked, confusion spreading through her like a storm. She felt herself slipping; suddenly, she was back in her room.

She blinked and looked at the stone walls. “Time! What does that mean?”

No answer came back.

“You were humming,” Nicole said, chuckling softly.

Riley turned to her. “Nicole. Why would a god say she missed having me around?”

“We return to them when we die.” Nicole shrugged. “I assume it’s that.”

Riley nodded. Right… But then why wouldn’t Time have said that? She looked at the ceiling. “Beauty?”

[Play me a song! ~Beauty]

“And you’ll tell me?”

[You were up here in a past life. ~Beauty]

Riley shook her head and looked at Nicole. “How long was I out?”

“About ten minutes. You’re going to have to meditate longer than that.”

I need a book to bring with me. Riley sank back into herself. I guess I’ll get some lute practice. She smiled and hummed while the world faded around her.

Riley Milvsky

Level: 297

Bard (C)

Level: 200 + 2

Dominating Presence D Enemies within sixty meters of you lose 10 strength, 10 dexterity, and 10 speed. You may use inspiration to boost the range and the effect temporarily.

Control Water E Manipulate the water around you. Cost varies based on amount.

Restoring Presence B +2 to the assigned class. Subjects regain 1% stamina and 1% mana every 30 minutes; their healing is augmented by 50%. Allies within 100 meters count as subjects. You know of injuries and may use mana to heal allies within fifty meters. You may use inspiration to expand and increase the effect.

Empowering Presence D Your subjects gain +10 strength, +10 dexterity, and +10 movement speed; allies within twenty meters count as subjects. You may use Bardic Inspiration to temporarily boost the range and the effect.

Assassin (C)

Level: 200 + 12

Assume Disguise S +30 charisma. Enhance your current disguise by altering your displayed information and taking on the disguised form. Grants +5 levels to the assigned class. Perception and Insight suffer -250 levels against your disguise and -50 levels against your deception or stealth. Penalty applied: Gods’ Oversight.

Momentous Tempo B +10 speed. This boost will increase to up to +100 for every ten seconds you are in motion. Slowing in any way will reduce the effect. +2 levels to assigned class. You may use a charge of inspiration to boost your movement speed by an additional 10 for a minute.

Death's Cloak A Slain enemies will grant experience to your base level and active classes. +3 levels to the assigned class. Perception and insight suffer -25 levels against you. Penalty applied: Covenant.

Ambush B +10 speed. +2 levels to the assigned class. Costs one stamina to use. On use, you teleport to a shadow within 20 meters. Penalty applied: Covenant.

Spell Thief(B)

Level: 200

Predatory Sight D Your perception and insight are boosted by 25. This boost is not reduced by low light or no light. You may use 1 stamina to double this effect for 10 seconds.

Spirit Blade C +1 level to assigned class. Manifest an ethereal blade of psychic energy that will vanish after thirty seconds or six seconds after being thrown. Costs one stamina or one mana to manifest a blade.

Pretty D Your appearance is nice, but it could be so grand. Use a mana to get Beauty’s help! She may provide it anyway. Oh, and you’ll stand out in a crowd! After all, everyone knows a Beauty.

Music's Lute - You may summon this lute from the heavens. It will return to the heavens when you will it away.

Ranger(C) Level: 225 Inactive.

Noble (D)

Level: 257 Inactive.

Enchanter (F)

Level: 63 Inactive.

Alchemist (D)

Level: 140 Inactive.

Infiltrator (E)

Level: 82 Inactive.

- -

Psionic Storm C +1 to the assigned class. Conjure a storm of void or psychic energy. Variable cost.

Conjure Storm D Manipulate or conjure up a storm. Mana cost varies.

Conjure Potion D Create a potion. Cost varies based on the potion type and requirements.

Dexterity 1185

Strength 578

Speed 428

Intelligence 974

Charisma 807

Stamina 788

Mana 1372

Inspiration 488