It was midnight in the city of Westerin, and Alina Kingston was about to make her move. Her victim was sleeping in the next room. She would get in and out, as she had hundreds of times before.

She crept in and watched him, sleeping as soundly as a baby, wondering how he could not sense the danger. He must know someone wants him dead, she thought. But it was the same every time, always an unsuspecting victim.

She was ready to make the kill when suddenly there was a light. She quickly turned around, and there, in the doorway, was the maid, coming in with a basket of laundry in one hand and a candle in the other. Alina had not been seen yet- she still had time- but she had to move fast. She dropped to the ground and rolled below the bed of the sleeping man just as the maid looked into the seemingly peaceful room.

She knew she could get out of this situation. The question was whether or not to kill the maid along with the victim, or just give up the job altogether. As she was pondering this, the victim was awoken by the sound of the maid moving around, and her chances decreased even more.

She decided the best way to not be seen was to kill both of them, as she could not be caught. They would surely know of her many assassinations in the city, the country even, and she would be put to death. But as she crawled out from under the bed, the maid came around the side and saw her. She dropped her basket and screamed.

That was when all hope abandoned Alina. She had difficulty sneaking past the security guards posted throughout and outside of the home the first time. She knew she couldn't get past all of them again, but maybe she could take some of them down with her.

As she made her decision, she felt a small prick against her skin. A needle, held by the outstretched arm of the maid. It had an unusual scent on it, but she knew the poison well. Vellanium, she thought as her muscles weakened and she slipped into unconsciousness. Her dagger, a beautifully carved piece, slipped from her grasp as she was pulled into darkness.