The First Sentience

After five days of learning Shaoleim and sailing, we reached a small island in the Island Confederation. Palm trees lay just past the sandy shores of the small island. Forested mountains, clearly visible from shore, lay in the center of the island. This will be the first time I set foot on foreign land. Oh ancestors who watch over me, give me your wisdom. And father, dear father, I thank you for teaching me Nakashi. I turned around to see Guangmei looking to the east. "What's over to the east Guangmei?"

"Home," she said longingly. "My people are there."

"Do you want to go home?"

"It's been awhile since I've been, but I care more about a few of the people there not the country itself," she said as she walked away. What's with this elf's hair? First all brown, now patches of jet black and brown. Is she going through puberty or something?

I went down to my room to hear a peep, as if a young songbird was hatching. The egg! I ran over to the corner where I had kept the egg. A small crack had appeared as the young hatchling tried to free itself. I watched in excitement as the creature fought its way free from the eggshell which now hold it hostage. I saw a small, yellow eye in the hole the baby made. After a few minutes of fighting, the young raptor hatched, feathers slick with the goo of any other egg.

"Welcome to the world young one." It chirped back and rubbed its head against my leg. I grabbed my sword and cape. "Let's find you some food," I said as I cleaned the goo off of the pale green feathers.

After finding the hatchling food, Guangmei called me and Josheire up to the deck. Rather than seeing a port to dock our ship, we saw a ship graveyard and a small, grey dragon. "Barrékél! I thought you said this would be a good place to get supplies, not a dragon's nest!" He said enraged. "I am not a fan of being lied to."

Guangmei shouted out in another language towards the dragons. She smiled as one of the dragons walked over. "What is she saying?" Josheire asked me. "And why is she talking to these beasts?"

"I have no idea. I don't speak that language." The dragon spoke back to Guangmei in the same tongue. Guangmei's brown hair then turned jet black. She smiled at continued talking to the dragon, now threatening it. The dragon laughed at Guangmei until she said "Ykendra." At that moment the dragon stopped laughing and was taken aback. It flew away to the interior of the island. Guangmei turned around. "Give him a few minutes." What does Ykendra mean? More importantly, how does Guangmei know dragon?

Just as she said, the young dragon returned in a few minutes, only this time, with a larger dragon with ghostly pale scales and bloodshot eyes. The grey dragon pointed at us, shaking slightly, only to be whipped by the larger dragon's tail. The pale dragon roared at the smaller one, shouting at it in their strange language until Guangmei spoke.

"Guthren tagel. Syagān jāth yashkeiselk ka kylth hasyeneth?" The pale dragon looked at Guangmei stunned. She looked towards the grey dragon and muttered something to him. He flew off back into the island's interior. The larger dragon beckoned to us with her claw as if we were dogs.

"Gaoreng," I called in my broken Shaoleim, "watch ship."

"You're getting there," Guangmei said as she jumped off the ship. "For a human you aren't that bad." Josheire shrugged and jumped down right after while I, on the other hand climbed down with a rope, raptor clinging to my hair. If I jumped, I would have broke my legs. The pale dragon lumbered her way to the center of the island with us in toe.

As we walked I noticed that there were surprisingly less trees than expected. It was less of a tropical forest and more of grassland with the occasional buffalo. The only thing of note on the island were the twin mountains and, of course, the giant flying fire-breathing lizards.

"So Guangmei," I said slightly annoyed, "what language were you and Grey talking in?"

"Draconian," she said so nonchalantly it have been that she expected me to know, " what else?"

"You do realize I don't speak lizard."

"You do realize human," the dragon spoke, " that I can understand everything you're saying in that broken tongue of yours. Now do not insult me further with that disgustingly primitive and repugnant language." Josheire pulled out an arrow and drew back his bow.

"If there's one thing I hate more than being lied to, it's dragons. Just give me the word and I'll put it out of its misery," Josheire said bitterly.

"So the black dog bought a white cat I see," the dragon spoke. "God I hate this language, but I would rather not offend the only one worth acknowledgement since she has taken to one of you."

"Keep talking, I may need to comm--" Guangmei punched Josheire in the jaw before he could finish. He stumbled back in shock. His eyes glowed with fury and offense. Guangmei's hair turned completely black and her eyes red as she braced herself for whatever Josheire would do next.

Josheire put his arrow back into the quiver and his bow on his back before drawing his sword, anger piercing from his eyes at Guangmei. "Give me one reason why I shouldn't take your hands, damned woman."

"Want your head?" she replied.

"At the price of yours? No question about it."

"Look down," Guangmei said freezing his legs in place. " Do you want me to take your legs first or--" I punched Guangmei in the jaw.

"Not the time Guangmei," I replied.

Small puffs of smoke exited the dragon's nostrils as a deep rumbling chuckle emanated from her chest. 

"Woman I'm going to kill you," Josheire replied as he kicked his legs free. After the small dispute, we all walked for about an hour to the central hub of the island. A large, pearl white marble obelisk was at the center of the city. The houses, or what I assumed where houses, where carved out of what may have been a mountain. Each building, except for the obelisk appeared to have been carved from what must've been a third mountain. 

" Hazethrelk," Guangmei said, "take us to the obelisk." Hazethrelk nodded and began to walk towards the center of the settlement.

"Now Barrékél, I know you have no knowledge on dragon culture, so this is a quick lesson. One, they like smart people. Two, they are very religious. Three, they are protective of their children. Four, you're second to bottom being a human male. Josheire here is at the bottom, so you can boss him around. Just don't make eye contact with any dragons and you'll be fine."

I felt a hand on my shoulder. "Try anything funny, and you'll lose a hand later." I could tell he wasn't liking how this was going to be for him, considering he was a male elf. Guangmei, on the other hand, was acting like she ran the place. She bossed the dragon, Hazethrelk, as if she was queen, but really, she should be right below me by dragon logic.

As we approached the obelisk, we saw more dragons. Some simply glared at us while others snarled. At the obelisk itself, however, there were less hostilities. I assume it was because they had their heads down in prayer. Guangmei did say that they were very religious. My raptor hatchling jumped off of my head and tried to wander off only to be picked up by a baby dragon.

"Guangmei," I said, "get Itrust for me." I walked over to the other dragons, bowed my head and prayed to whomever they prayed to. 

Jāth Kōgeth ka Tagelk

"This is interesting," a voice said. "A human praying to me. I'm flattered. I'm also annoyed that it took this long. My elder children can be very incompetent. Anyways, this Rhoskeil who has been in your dreams, he has a kind heart, and strong values. The road ahead will be hard as nothing is black and white, but things may for you improve my youngest child. I know what lays in your heart and mind. The paths are there. Let's see what you'll take."

I opened my eyes and saw Guangmei feeding Itrust a piece of meat she found.

"Did anyone hear anything?" I asked.

"No," Guangmei replied. "Not at all."

The Spark

Once the sun set all the dragons met around a large bonfire. A particularly large green scaled dragon then roared up towards the rising moon. The dragons laid on their stomach as she spoke. Instead of paying attention, I took a quasi-nap, not fully asleep, but not fully awake. I had little actual interest until I remembered something crucial to my plan. This is Island Confederation territory. A large grin appeared on my face and I looked towards Guangmei. She looked at me then Josheire. We got up, stood in front of the large green dragon whom Guangmei told me was the matriarch as we walked towards her and looked towards the blaze of dragons, seeing a mix of rage, disgust, and shock.

"Guangmei, translate for me please." She nodded and prepared herself for the worst. Josheire took his bow off his back in order to quickly attack if fired upon.

"Dragons, listen to me and listen well. In the past, the entire chain of islands claimed by the Confederation were once dragon territory. It was given to man as an expression of good will. Here, in this archipelago,our kind ended our conflict peacefully, so we may join together and fight the barbaric elves. Murderers of children both human and dragon. Accursed beings which by pure luck survived to this day. While a select few are worthy of respect, the majority are corrupt. Today they threaten to wage war with dragons once more. My mother was a respected, honorable general who was killed by a poor soul corrupted by elves. Today, elves have infiltrated the highest levels of the Confederate government. They wish to do harm to your children. They wish to destroy your holy sites and commit genocide once more. By launching a preemptive strike and by crippling elvish institutions here and in the east, we can prevent a repeat of the Great War. Please help us."

The dragons looked shocked. They were unable to believe what they had just heard and many were skeptical, yet many others became overcome with grief and worry. The fathers held the young closer to them and the mothers started to growl at the mere mention of this possibility. Guangmei bowed to the matriarch and then led us back to where we sat.

As soon as we sat, I felt a knife pushed on my throat. "Tell me why I shouldn't kill you here and now. You dare bring up the idea of attacking my people, offering to help them do so. I do not care if I was hired by you, but I will not allow for something like that to happen, not while I'm still alive," Josheire growled.

"I specified the Island Confederation was threatening these dragons. Starting discontent in order to have allies is a simple tactic. It will undermine our enemies and strengthen ourselves. I had to pull at a few emotions since I'm not literate on dragon psychology, but they are protective of their young and very religious. Finally, you and Guangmei speak two different native tongues. You are both elves, but heir from differing lands. We can frame Guangmei's people or the elves native to the Confederation."

I heard a grunt and the knife being put away. "I'll be on the outskirts if you need me." Before I could say anything, he had already left. I thought elves were smarter than humans. Maybe he's just dimwitted or short-tempered.

The matriarch, after regaining her composure, looked at me. "Leth syarōn zaleigregyn." I looked towards Guangmei confused. "She said that they will help us. Dragons don't take risks when it comes to their children." I smiled and nodded. The matriarch smiled back and slammed her tail into the ground, indicating that the meeting was done. Good job me. I got fucking dragons to back me up now. 

Fire and Ice

After the meeting, Guangmei and I went to the outskirts of town and told Josheire that we're done for today. As we walk to the ship, my head starts pounding me, but I pay it no mind. As soon as I get to the ship, I toss Itrust a bread crust and go to sleep. The next morning I found myself soaked in seawater.

"Thought I would need another bucket," Josheire says. "To the beach. We're training today. You have 5 minutes to be ready."

I put some old, stale cheese in a piece of stale bread and ate it. I grab Itrust, my sword, more bread, and went to the beach. As soon as I stepped foot on the sand an arrow flew by my head, hitting the ship. "That is the only time I'm missing, you better dodge or block the rest." He loaded another arrow and fired again, but I ducked out of the way.

"Josheire! What's the point of this training!? You already know I'm a soldier!" I swear, this elf has it in for me now.

"That doesn't matter, I need to know if you're actually capable of the task you decided to take. I won't work for just an average soldier who got way over his head. You want to reclaim your kingdom? Show me you're capable of doing so." Two arrows came towards me, both barely being avoided. Damn elf, I knew hiring assassins would be a risk, but to try and kill me this quickly is ridiculous!

I charged towards Josheire, ready to avoid any more arrows that he would fire. I couldn't tell but it felt as if he was enjoying this. Another three arrows came at me. I was able to block the first two, but the third sliced my leg. "You have to be quicker than that." Another arrow was fired. Damn elf, he's trying to kill me at this point. I rolled out out the way and charged him again. He continued to fire his arrows while backing away from me. I was able to avoid most, but few were still able to graze me.

I lifted my sword, ready to strike him, but something told me to stop. I turned around and saw an arrow fly past my face and looked in the direction of where it came from, seeing Gaoreng with his bow in hand. "Two on one!? I thought this was between only us!"

"In the real world fights aren't going to always be one on one. You should know that soldier." He drew his sword and charged me. His first strike missing as I jumped out of the way, but he was quicker than I thought, already coming at me with a second attack. I blocked it, the sparks flying off of our swords. He wouldn't let me rest as a series of strikes followed. If it was only him attacking, I would be able to hold my ground much more easily, but Gaoreng had jumped off of the ship and was prepared to fight me as well.

The two of them would press their attacks against me, leaving me little time to recover or counter them. I was sure Guangmei was watching, laughing at the scene. I felt a sting on my leg, as Josheire was able to slash my thigh. Before I was able to react, sand was thrown in my eyes by one of them, and a kick in the face caused me to land on my back. "Is that really all you have? You were able to throw one of my men overboard with ease and this is what I get? Maybe you are just way over your head. Maybe your parents deserved their deaths."

Everything turned red as I got colder and colder. I made eye contact with Gaoreng and commanded him to shoot Josheire. He nodded and took his bow and pulled an arrow on the quiver, aiming at Josheire. Before he could fire, Josheire had kicked the bow out of his hands and elbowed him in the face, causing him to fall on his back. "I've been wondering about your eyes since that fight on the ship," he looked at me, his eyes closed, "I have the answer I was looking for. I don't know where you got it from or how, but it seems to help you." He took a defensive stance. "Attack me."

I charged him, making contact with his sword. I couldn't explain the feeling, but it felt as if I had gained more strength from it. I made a series of blows, and I could see Josheire was starting to struggle to hold his own against me. Whether this was part of the training or not, I wasn't going to let him get away with that kind of disrespect. I struck again and again, forcing him back after each blow. I slashed at his stomach, but his armor protected him from the strike. He jumped back, out of striking distance. "I think that's enough training. You clearly have more strength than I realized, though your combat skills still need a lot of work." I glared at him and continued to get colder. I opened my mouth to speak, but instead of words, a breeze of frigid air blew out, freezing Josheire's left arm. "Well this is going to be an issue. Not only mind control but also ice abilities. Are you secretly a mage?" I turned around, opened my mouth and froze some of the sea, so I faced him, shook my head, and decided to calm down a bit, everything going back to normal. After a few seconds, I replied, "Magic is something we all start learning in school. Some are more talented than others. Don't you elves do that too?"

"No, only a select few are given the chance of learning magic. That right has to be earned, whether that be from military service or a massive accomplishment that gained the respect of society."

"Such a waste of potential. I guess you elves deserve it though since you guys enslave your own kind."

He shrugged, "Nothing I can do about it. That's just how it is from where I'm from. I'm sure other elven nations are different."

"Not really," said Guangmei as she got off the ship. "All elven nations enslave other elves. First for war, then for domestic services, then as prostitutes."

"Oh how nice for you to join us. Were you enjoying the show?"

"Seen better. Been in better."

Josheire shrugged again, looked down at his left arm, then at me, his eyes finally open. "So, what are we going to do about this?"

"Let me see it," said Guangmei as she lifted up his left arm. "I can handle this." A green aura surrounded Josheire's arm as it defrosted and healed itself. "There you go."

"Thanks."

"Sure, but you two should practice magic. Aren't you a pyromancer Josheire? This should be easy for you."

"Where'd you get that idea from?"

"After a while, you become able to figure out what magic someone would have at first glance. Also, you talk in your sleep sometimes."

He glared at her for a second, before looking out at sea. He extended his right arm and held his palm out, his eyes turning red, just like Guangmei's did when she froze his legs. A massive stream of fire came out from his hand and headed out about 100 feet. He kept the stream going for ten seconds before deciding to stop.

Guangmei smiled at him for a second, and a lightning bolt struck right behind him. "Your turn Barrékél." I thought back to my lessons in school. Be yourself , you idiots. My eyes turned red, a chill ran down my spine and the ground in a 20 foot radius froze along with Guangmei's feet and Itrust's legs. He squawked and spat on the ice, dissolving it. "Sorry about that. Wasn't too sure on what would happen."

"Sure you didn't," she said sarcastically as she freed herself. "Now, you two, fight! Fire versus ice! First one to be knocked out doesn't get dinner!"

Before I could say anything, a blast of fire hit just behind Guangmei. "That's for the lightning." He shot another, directly at her. The flames engulfed the area around her, but after the smoke cleared I saw she had a shield made out of ice in front of her. "That's for freezing my legs yesterday."

"You two aren't gonna fight each other?" I threw an ice shard at her. "Stop complaining."

"I'm bored. Now fight!"

I looked at Josheire and nodded. I repeated what I did earlier and frozen Guangmei's legs. Josheire's fire hit her right after she was immobilized. "There you go," I said.

"So it's like that, huh?" Her eyes turned red and she pointed up. I nervously looked up and saw a giant rock hurdling towards me and Josheire. I grabbed Itrust and ran out of the way. I looked over and saw Josheire do the same thing. I stopped running and saw him fall into a man eating acid plant. I then felt a bolt of lightning hit me. "You two are out your league," she said. Everything went dark, then a flash of light. "And that," Guangmei said, " is real magic." I looked over at Josheire and saw him drenched in sweat.

"Damn woman," he mumbled.

My Lord

After three weeks of training, we departed from dragon island and sailed eastward to the capital island of Shambwila. The sun was high in the sky and the birds sang as we docked. Gaoreng was the first to jump off the ship, followed by Josheire. Itrust, now double his hatch size, stood three feet tall. It didn't stop him from clambering onto my head, but it made it harder. I clambered down the side of the ship with a rope watching Guangmei jump down like the rest of them.

"Welcome travellers," said a skinny, tall man, no older than 30, with short dreadlocks and a scarred face, "I am happy to see that you are all here safe and sound."

"Who are you?" I asked.

"I am Farelk Jaorhent, son of Slambeyo Jaorhent, current ruler of the Confederation," he said.

"Oh, that's convenient, we need to talk to nobles, and you are the son of the head king. That ma--"

"Head king? Barrékél, you stupid mainlander, that old way has been repealed. Now we chose our leader. The people, revolted against the oppressive rule of the monarchy as a collective. Even the nobility, hearts swayed with the righteous desires of the common man, aided in ending the monarchy."

I put my hand out as Josheire reached for one of his daggers, "how do you know my name?" I asked cautiously.

"I know many things, my lord. Many things you know nothing of. Come now, the President awaits you." He reached over to pat my shoulder, as is custom here, and was hissed at by Itrust.

"He doesn't seem to like me, my lord," Farelk said smiling.

"Let's go," I said. A people's revolution against the monarchy? What happens when the people don't like this new leader, they revolt? That's just an endless cycle. Even worse is that Rhoskeil thinks like this. My country better not turn up like this formerly great nation. That idiot brother of mine truly doesn't deserve my grandfather's name.

We walked down through the streets of Navaro, swatting away flies, heading towards the old imperial palace. Guangmei translated the conversation from Nakashi to Keoran so the other elves could be filled in.

"Yen ha'oshenei rrukuenodon minglang zaku'aongdon cha'ov tunao fa'ocheedotlan junkrrang. Waseiyo, fa'ocheedo dezno nayela Gaoreng?" asked Josheire in his native tongue.

"Sao, sao dazno fa'ocheedo. Nekao fa'ocheezo'ok hahaozo'ok sha wing gungro'ang leika nekao seleinengzon," Gaoreng replied.

"Mas ye'ongdon hahaodon Gaoreng, heiyo tazeino sak ei sawango," Josheire said.

"Ei langgrroon," replied Gaoreng as he ran off on his own.

"Barrékél," Josheire called, "Gaoreng went off to market to see if there is anything interesting there. If there is, he'll tell us later."

"Oh, alright then." Well that's random, just as random as this guy showing up.

We reached the residence of the President and we greeted by three guards, who were quickly shooed away by Faorelk. The former palace was a grey behemoth with towers over a hundred feet tall and surrounded by a moat 30 feet wide and deep. The former throne room was full of different nobles and their families. Itrust squawked nervously as we walked through the crowd towards the throne.

"Barrékél," said Guangmei, "I have a bad feeling about this. There are too many people. Too many important people. It's as if they were waiting for us."

"Barrékél, why do you think Gaoreng left?"

"Because this all seems to suspicious."

"Exactly, as you know I'm an assassin, and trust me when I say, this is a trap. Stay on your guard and don't trust anyone here."

"Hopefully I won't be served poisoned wine. One of the former princes in my country died like that at his own wedding."

"Well he was an idiot for not checking the wine first. Poisoned wine is the oldest trick in the book, anybody could pull it off."

"Well, yea, it was the food taster that did it. She died soon after, the poison killed her too. Pretty smart, don't you think?"

"Either way, never trust the wine."

"Don't eat either," said Guangmei. "Killed someone with poisoned ham once. He got on my nerves."

"Are you secretly an assassin Guangmei?"

"I have many secrets, but that is not one of them."

"We can try to piece together your past later tonight."

"Whose past are you trying to piece together?" said a bald, fat man, no younger than 50. The crowd suddenly went silent. Oh shit. Did we fuck up already?

"No Barrékél, you did not fuck up already," said the fat man in Rastí'jara, my native tongue.

"Your Excellency," said a cupbearer, "you are above speaking to random foreigners in their tongues. Why don--" The cupbearer fell to floor in fear, staring at Josheire. "Elf." she muttered.

"What was that?" the fat man asked. "Speak up girl."

"Elf!" she shreiked. Most of the nobles ran out of the room, dropping wine and smoked cheeses on the ground. Those which remained drew their swords and slowly walked forward.

Josheire drew his own, and looked at the nobles who remained. "Not the best odds, but, it'll have to do."

I looked towards the fat man, "Your Excellency, tell the nobles to drop their swords."

"Of course young one." The man turned around to the nobles. "Bastards! Drop your swords. Now!"

"But, that's an elf, my lord, a dangerous savage."

" Yes, a very dangerous savage with a leash wrapped around his neck. Drop your swords. Now!" The nobles quickly acquiesced, acknowledging the president's will. 

"Thank you, Your Excellency," I said signalling to Josheire that he can put away his sword.

"Father," Faorelk said, "I think that these travellers may be hungry. Is there any food left?"

"Yes, there is Faorelk, lead them to the dining room."

"No thank you, Your Excellency, we are not hungry."

"Are you sure Barrékél? How about the raptor, it must want some food. We have smoked ham."

"I already fed him, Your Excellency."

"Well would you all like to go to a spare room, sadly we only have one."

"That's fine, Your Excellency, thank you."

"Good, Faorelk, show them to their chamber." We walked down a hall filled with portraits of fruit and the sea. Why fruit? It just makes me hungry. Itrust hopped onto Guangmei's head and jumped onto Josheire's shoulder. He made a cooing sound as he looked around the hall. We entered a large room with a bed, covered in red linens, a desk, a chair, and a large window in full view of the city. Itrust jumped off of Josheire and ran to the bed. Guangmei jumped on the bed and was instantly asleep. Well then. I wish I could sleep like that. Itrust bit the arm of her shirt and pulled her onto the ground with a thump. He squawked at a job well done and hopped onto the bed.

"There's still an hour of daylight," said Gaoreng hopping in through the window. "How is the woman asleep already? And I'm not going to ask why she's on the ground."

"When did you learn my language Gaoreng?" I asked.

"At night when you sleep. You talk too much by the way."

"Fair enough," I replied as I hopped onto the bed next to Itrust.

There was a knocking sound at the door, "It's Faorelk." Really? What is it?

I jumped off of the bed and told him to come in. He walked in with a two women. "A gift from one of the nobles as an apology to the elf. He wishes that this....transaction doesn't become common knowledge, he has a reputation to uphold. Josheire, these two women are for you." He said as he backed out the room and closed the door. I translated what Faorelk said to Josheire.

"I assume they don't understand me. Barrékél, ask them who their lord is."

"Women, who is your, lord, so to speak?" Not a fan of slavery, or large scale prostitution. Why can't they do this on their own. They'll get more money.

"Mbwila is our lord, my lord," said one of the women. I translated their answer to Josheire. Both Josheire and Gaoreng began to chuckle at the name.

"Mb what? That has to be one of the most idiotic names I've ever heard in my life. What family does he come from?"

"He is from one the oldest families in the region, the Chiminda family if I remember correctly. It's a thousand years old which explains the strange name, but granted Gaoreng sounds completely made up to me, so I get why you two laughed."

I was waiting for a response from the two, but all I saw was Josheire's eyes turn red for a second. "Barrékél, send these two away, Gaoreng and I have business to handle."

"While you two look very good, I'm afraid the elf wants one of his own kind," I say pointing to Guangmei, who's still sleeping. The two girls smile and run away, presumably relieved that they don't belong to an elf. "So Josheire, what must you do?"

"This is a private matter, don't worry, we'll be back before dawn."

"Alright then. If you die, I don't know. I usually have something witty to say. If you die, you're dead. Go say hi to your ancestors or wait for your descendants or something."

"I might just do that," Josheire began to walk towards the window, "but the only ones dying tonight are those who made an enemy of my family."

"Good luck then." The last rays of light fell below the horizon as night fell. "Bring back food, I'm starving."

"We'll consider it." The two assassins jumped out of the window, landing in a cart pulling oats to the city. I turned around and jumped onto bed next to Itrust. So soft. So hungry. Itrust jumped off of the bed and ran into a corner. There was a small squeak as a mouse ran towards the bed as Itrust chased it. After toying with the mouse, he bit it's head off and squawked. Don't need to worry about feeding you then. I blew out the candle on the bedside desk and slept.

"Did you hear something?" A man whispered.

"No, now shut up." another man scrispered (scream whispered). I opened my eyes and saw two dark silhouettes looming over me.

"There's a woman here too," said one of the men.

"I'm good with the boy too." I jumped up, grabbed my sword from its sheath and slit the throat of the man who last spoke.

"One, you can fuck your friend. Two, don't let your guard down. Three, you talk too much." The other man turned around and tried to run away, but I shoved my sword through his back, severing his spinal cord. I stabbed him in the back of the head twice to make sure that he was dead. I stabbed the first man in the heart as well to ensure death. I heard Itrust squawk and saw him tilt his head. I sat down by the dead body and took a deep breath. My first two kills. Before I was nervous when I was near the dead. Then again, the dead were my parents, so it makes sense I guess. I felt a blade press against my neck. Well fuck. Let my guard down.