The Bow: Chapter 2 (Lacyra) Information

His window is open, an easy shot this time. I aim, but take no pleasure in this life taking; a man is still a man no matter which side of a wall they are on. But I have a job to do, and there is no point whining about it. I take a deep breath, release and then scarper. There is no need for me to see if the shot is true, it always is and I have no desire to see the grief that fills all that knew him. As I run along the roof tops I focus all my energy on being silent and not getting caught. I pause when I get to the great sandstone wall towering above me and gasp, nearly slipping on a loose stone that blends perfectly into the ground. One of the guards walking on the top stops talking to his friend with a quick hand movement and looks in my direction. My breathing stops altogether as I blend with the rooftop wall behind me. I stare at the soldier, realising how young he is, not much older than me and I am only 19.
His friend says something in a low voice I can’t quite hear, but I hear the reply “There’s someone here.” He doesn’t attempt to keep quiet but speaks in a strong deep voice.
I take a slow breath in, trying to find an escape. I can’t draw my bow without him seeing or hearing me and it just won’t sit right with my conscience. All around me I can see rooftops flooded in moonlight and the wall the guard stands on.
As he searches the dark I study him, waiting for the right moment to get away. The moon shines on his blonde hair, something I do not see very often. Blonde hair is a mark that you were from Nest, just like brown hair is from Wall. My hair marks me as an outcast, as black as the night sky above me. So dark that sometimes it has a blue tinge.
Just then a bell rings out loudly, echoing through the silent night air. All three of us immediately turn to see another guard join the first two.
“She’s back and She’s killed again. No one leaves Nest without permission from me, and if someone does say they have it, send someone to fetch me. We already know no one can get out over the Wall so I’ve called a meeting. This time we’ll catch Her.” The voice is hard and angry. He turns on his heel and one of the original guards follows. Blondie hesitates hanging back slightly, still searching the darkness.
“Come on, Ronan.” Calls his partner.
“I’ll meet you there, I’ve got something I need to do.” And the other guards carry along the wall.
I stop breathing again. Please, oh please don’t have seen me, I beg.
He bends down and speaks quietly into the shadows, “I know you are there but I don’t have time now. I have important information about your so-called Queen, if you care to hear it, wait for me here.” This is obviously meant for me and if he thinks I will meet him then he is crazy.
He stands up and turns then pauses. “Oh and in case you think this is a trap, I won’t be armed and no one will know I’m going to be here.” He takes off at a run after his comrades.
I stand for a second frozen but then follow in the shadows. “Is he serious?” I whisper to myself. “This guy has got to be mental.”
He walks into the guard tower and I stalk closer, melding with the wall to make sure nobody sees me.
I hear laughter emanating from the tower, then a sharp word and silence. The muffled noises of someone speaking sound through the air, but I can’t figure out quite what he is saying. Instead, I put my time to checking out the tower whilst there is no one out here. The tower is stone except for the wood surrounding the doors; easy to climb. I smile and edge closer, wanting a closer look. The stone is sandstone like the Wall but is worn around the edge from age. I decide to check it out better another time and move back to the shadows in the house behind me. I sit down crossed legged style and lean back. My hands wander over the stone roof and draw patterns in the loose dust. My mind wonders while I wait for the meeting to end, not understanding what I was still actually doing here. I look down and see I’ve drawn a strange symbol that I saw once in the palace. It looks a little bit like a flying eagle but I recall from my memory that under one of the wings was a small raven like bird, pecking at the greater bird. The door opens and knocks me from my thoughts as guards trail out with grim faces. I stand up quickly and search for my guard.
He walks out talking adamantly with his earlier partner. He glances around and then bends his head closer to him and whispers something. The partner’s eyes widen and he whispers something back, a grin slowly creeping up his face. Ronan nods and then walk away waving, a smile on his face.
I follow, troubled about what he said to the partner. We walk a fair way, his face now furrowed in concentration as he constantly checks about him for followers. I guess I was too good for him to notice.
He stops suddenly and I blend with the wall again. “I’m disarming myself now.” He says loudly.
I glance around and saw nobody else around. I move slowly, making sure I am not seen by him or anyone else that could be here. “What did you say to your partner?” I say softly, my voice barely audible to him.
He smiles “You followed me?”
I don’t answer.
“Not that you need to know, but I was telling him that my sister wants to meet with him when he gets off duty.” His smile fell. “Now, you can see all my weapons on the floor, come out and let me see you.” His voice hardens.
“You are not being truthful with me, Ronan.” I say loudly, but keeping my voice slightly husky. I’ve found that it normally makes them more afraid.
“How do you- never mind. What truth is the lie?” He asks cryptically.
I laugh quietly letting it vibrate the air around us. He searches the dark in vain for where my voice is coming from, I am already behind him.
“This truth.” I say as I relieve him quickly of his other hidden weapons.
He studies me as I step back and drop his weapons on the ground. “Aren’t you going to repay the favour? I am weaponless-”
“No thanks to you,” I interrupt sarcastically.
“-so will you not disarm yourself?” He finishes.
I answer in my silent glare.
“Evidently not.” He answers to himself.
“What is the information?” I growl quietly. I am getting impatient, I need to get away.
He bites his lip, green eyes flashing in the moonlight. “I want some sort of payment for this.” He says almost unsure of himself.
“How about your life?” I answer, loading my bow in three seconds and aiming it at him. I have no intention of killing him but he does not know that.
“Okay, if that’s how you want to play it.” He studies me closely as I lower my still drawn bow. The scrutiny of his gaze makes me stand up straighter, like I am under examination. Soft leather boots encase my feet concealing a dagger in each. Leather trousers cover my legs before a corset top covers the rest of me, the sleeves covering my arms to keep me warm. My black hair flows out behind me; it blends so well with shadows that I never have need to tie it back.
I stare back at him with cold eyes as he reaches my face a smile spreading up his.
“Like what you see?” I ask in a sarcastic voice. “Ogle all you like but it will only kill you faster.” My top lip lifts into a snarl.
He sobers up then and finally decides to make my time worthwhile. “I would assume you are from Wall, correct me if I’m wrong.”
“Yes, I am from Wall” I answer quietly.
“Well, your Queen was not originally from here and she was not kicked out as she would have everyone believe. Her ancestors were Wanderers that came here for protection. But that was many generations ago and there are many of her relatives still living here and if you took the time to notice, all those that she sends you to kill are related to her in some way. She grew restless when she was about 19 and left, taking with her a Nest boy called Malak. They proclaimed to be lovers but after they left, Malak fell in love with another woman they met on their travels. Raven left him and only after a few weeks alone did she realise she was pregnant-”
“That’s ridiculous” I splutter.
“- and she devised a plan to get back at him. She became Queen of Wall and I believe her son is living there somewhere, but my point is, she watched Malak and his wife and when they had a child took her away and she is now also living in Wall. Your Queen is not as innocent as you might think.”
“You have no idea.” I whisper, my mind reeling from the information.
A confused look passes over his face.
“Wait so you’re saying that- that She has a son? Living in Wall? And that her ex-lover also has a child that is living in Wall? But how would you know who it was?” I say, more to myself than to him but he answers anyway.
“They would have black hair, like all Wanderers and possibly the eyes to match.” He studies me again.
I look back at him, “No, I know what you’re thinking and it can’t be.”
“Whatever you say, lady, I’m just telling you the truth.”
Just then I hear a noise behind me and spin, already drawn bow now held at the ready.
“Go.” He whispers.
“What?” I answer, completely put off balance.
“Go, scale down the wall.”
“Why?” Suspicion fills my voice as I spot a man walking toward us.
“Just do it before I change my mind.”
I turn and study him. “You might want to have your weapons ready though.” I say.
He bends down and starts attaching them to himself again as I pull my rope out of my bag attached to the quiver. I tie it to the small hook on the edge of the wall originally intended for those in Nest to be able to get out, not for an easy way for assassins like me to get out. I tie it to my ankle and stand up.
“Wait, stay still.” I say slowly.
“What? Why?” His posture is one of defence.
“Trust me.” I say, and then roundhouse kick him in the face bringing him to the floor. “Now you won’t have to explain how I got away. Farewell, Ronan.” I salute him and turn to jump.
“Wait; umm thanks for this but do me one more favour; Tell me you name.”
I study him carefully and then simply say “Lacyra.” and run off the edge.