Liek stumbled through the forest. The tears had mixed with the blood on his face, leaving ugly brown streaks under his eyes and on his cheeks.

The blindness only made matters more frustrating. At this point, Liek had no idea where he was, and the air had turned cool which suggested that the sun was setting. His stomach grumbled. It had been nearly an entire day since he had eaten anything. Hunting was impossible in the condition he was in.

He decided to sit down, since wandering around aimlessly served no practical purpose. Mostly, he missed his brother. He never realized how much he needed guidance. As long as he remembered, Cale had been there for him. Granted, Cale had always been a little stern with him, but that was just Cale. Liek knew that Cale only wanted to see him become the strongest.

In some ways, it seemed like Cale was pushing Liek to become stronger than even him. Liek choked back another sob.

How foolish he had been to renounce his heritage. Cale had done nothing but tried to help him, and he had thrown it all back in his face. Now his brother was gone from him, and he couldn't find his way home. He wasn't even sure if he wanted to go back. The others would surely look down upon him if they knew what he had done.

He felt himself slip away. He didn't realize how tired he was. Liek curled into a ball to stay warm. Never had he felt so miserable.

"Don't let me wake up." He whispered.

------------------------------------------------

"When do we set off to find the traitor, sir?"

The five assassins knelt in front of Cale. Each assassin had a name, but their names were long forgotten. It was rumored that they only told a worthy foe their names before they killed them.

"One of you will set out at dawn. I will provide the volunteer-"
"One of us!? I thought that you will be leading us all to kill him, sir!" An assassin with long black hair interrupted.

Cale glared at the offending assassin.

"Do you seriously believe that it is necessary for all of us to attack a mere traitor? He is not even an adult, and yet you suggest that it will take all of us to bring him down?"

The five assassins chuckled to themselves.

"Well...."
"I have been put in charge of you five for a reason. Do not forget that. I know my younger brother, and he is incapable of killing a human of his own accord. And if you interrupt me again, assassin, it will be both my brother's head as well as your own."

The five fell silent. Cale continued.

"I will provide each of you with one of my brother's possessions so you can track his scent. I am not concerned with whoever volunteers first. Just tell me when the job is done. You are dismissed."

The five stood up, and all but one exited. It was the one with the long black hair.

He was very thin, with delicate features. He did not look like an assassin at all. In fact, he almost looked regal with his neat appearance, and girlish looks.

"I will set off tomorrow to find and kill your brother, sir." He smirked. "Shall I make it quick? Or would you rather he suffer? After all, it was you who sold him out."
"I told you that none of that concerns me! Now if you would kindly leave, perhaps you might be able to get your beauty rest."
"So hostile! Well, I suppose that I shall have to resort to my own methods then." He turned around.
"Just don't break a nail." Cale muttered.

The assassin walked towards the door and stopped.

"The council does not exactly have complete faith in you, you know. I was told by the elders that if I feel that you are going to sabotage this mission in any way, that I will personally have your head mounted on my wall."
"Hold your tongue, assassin! No matter what the elders think of me, I am still your leader. You will treat me as such!"
"Perhaps. But I'm not sure if it was wise of the council to appoint the brother of a traitor as the leader of the assassins. After all, there are many traits that run in the family. Treachery could be one of them."
"GET OUT!!" Cale snapped.
"As you wish, sir. But I will still keep my eyes on you."

Cale could feel his face burning up as the assassin bowed and left the room. Every time he heard them refer to his brother as a traitor, he couldn't help but wonder:

"Who is the traitor? Liek for choosing not to kill? Or could it be me?"

Either way, the council had every right to be suspicious. Cale had plans of his own, and nothing was going to stand in his way.


to be continued....