Chapter 9

Malik pulled me aside after breakfast the next morning.  His face was serious as he looked at me.

"I have a mission for you." he said quietly.  I blinked, awaiting further information.  He gave none, awaiting my reaction to his news.

"Okay." I said, gesturing for him to proceed with his news.

Exhaling through his nose, he shifted his weight from foot to foot.  "I received a letter from a man yesterday while I was out hunting.  His name is Mordecai Calbraith.  He wants a student of mine - my best student - to ride to meet him in Borisson Forest by tomorrow morning at seven."  Malik explained.

"What are the details?" I asked.

"He will give them to you when you meet him in the forest tomorrow.  That is, if you want to do this.  If you don't I could send Adonijah or - "

"I want to do it." I interrupted him.  

He gave me a knowing smile and pushed his callused hand through his black hair.  "Just do me a favor, Iris.  Be cautious at all times.  Think over his offer.  Make sure the payment he offers is adequate for the job he's asking you to do."  Malik's green eyes were full of pride and love and a tiny bit of worry.

I nodded.

"Pack enough clothes for at least a week and enough weapons so you have spares to replace lost ones.  I'll give you some money when you go to leave this afternoon." Then, he patted my shoulder and left.

I ran up to my room, excitement stirring within me.  I was leaving this place.  I'd see something new, begin my work as an assassin.  I was something now.  My mother would be so proud that I'd overcome my horrible past and become something powerful.  My father would be shown that his efforts to destroy me were ridiculous.  I was better than him, he'd see that now.  

Adonijah followed me to my room, an eyebrow raised.  "What was Malik talking to you about?"

"I have a job.  A guy gave him a letter, asking for one of us to do a job.  Malik chose me."  I answered.  I grabbed a drawstring bag from my closet and started folding and piling clothes into it. Adonijah watched me for a moment without a word.  

I began tossing weapons into the bag; my stars from the ceremony, knives, and daggers.  I left two swords and my machetes from the ceremony on my bed.

"Iris," Adonijah said.

"Yes?" I replied, looking through my closet for a cloak.  

"Is it true that you've been staying up and practicing with Kadir this past week?" he asked somewhat quietly. 

"How do you know about that?" I whirled on him, pulling out a long blue cloak at the same time and putting it on.

"Ezra told me, of course." his voice tinged with anger. 

"Oh okay." 

"What are you guys doing, anyway?" Adonijah asked, folding his arms over his chest.

"We're practice fighting, learning to defend weak spots.... Nothing special." I answered.  

"Really?  And you can't do that during the day, like the rest of us?" he asked, narrowing his eyes. 

"We could, but we don't really have time to with the other training and workouts we do.  He prefers to keep it between us."

"That doesn't seem weird to you?" he asked argumentatively.
"No, Adonijah, it doesn't." I snapped.  "Why are you so angry about it, anyway?"

He pressed his lips together and looked at me steadily, his gray eyes a calm storm, the gold flecks rays of sun, peeking through the clouds.  For a long moment he said nothing.  
"If you don't answer in the next minute, I'm going to punch you and toss you out so I can finish getting ready to go.

Adonijah shook his head.  "You still don't know after all this time?"

"What?"

"You can't be that dumb.  You're too good of a fighter to be so naive."

"Just tell me." I sighed.

Adonijah pressed his lips to mine for a brief moment.  I smacked him the second he pulled away.  His head whipped to the side from the impact and his cheek started turning red.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" I snapped.

He clenched his jaw, grinding his teeth angrily.

"Don't ever do that again.  I never felt that way about you." I snarled. 

His eyes fell to the floor.  "Are you sure?"

"Ezra's always been the one that wanted you.  Not me." I said.

He nodded.  "I'm sorry.  It won't happen again."  Then, Adonijah turned to leave, opening the door to my room.  "Good luck with your job.  I'll see you when you return...unless I get a job of my own."

* * * * * 

Kadir caught up with me as I headed out for my job.  He wore a green tunic and black trousers, handsome as ever.

"I heard you got a mission." he said.

"Yeah." I smiled slightly with excitement.

"Impressive." he commented.  "You excited?"

I shrugged. "A little." I lied.

He chuckled.  "You know that you definitely are."

I smiled, pushing a stray hair behind my ear.

Kadir elbowed me gently with a smirk and told me, "Good luck."  before walking away.

Ezra stood by a strong, black mare saddled and bridled for me.  Saddlebags were laid across her back and strapped to the saddle.  Malik stood on the other side of the horse, holding one of the reins as he patted the mare's neck.  Ezra walked up to me, her simple braids bouncing on her shoulders.  Her stray, red baby hairs fluttered in the light, chilly breeze.  She hugged me tightly at first, then loosened up.  "I'll miss you each day you're gone.  I'd ask you to write to me, but I know that's a possible risk so, I won't."

I chuckled.  "I'll miss you too, Ezra.  Hopefully, I'll be back in a month."

She nodded, glancing at me briefly before heading back inside.

Malik approached then.  "I packed you a substantial amount of food for at least four days as well as a sack of coins in case you need anything."  I nodded as he took my bag of clothes and stuffed it into one of my saddlebags.

"Do me a favor and try not to loose my mare unless you absolutely have to in a life or death situation.  I love this mare." he continued.

I nodded again and he turned back to me, studying me. 

A moment later, he hugged me and kissed my cheek.  "Good luck.  Be careful and clever.  Don't let anyone take advantage of you.  Remember how powerful you are.  Return successful." 

I nodded again, smiling as I mounted the mare and waved as I turned, setting off for my first job.