We slowly found our way deeper and deeper into the forest. It was so thick that most of the leaves blocked any moonlight rays. No wonder why no one traveled through these woods. Not only was there a village of assassins somewhere here, but one could easily lose direction unless they knew where they were going, like these folk in front of me.

"Let's go around the Mink river this time." Illyana yawned.

"You scared you won't make the jump this time?" Bazel poked. Illyana shot him a glare.

"It has nothing to do with that. It's just not worth it. Besides, I really don't want to risk anything with this sword."

"Uh-hu." Bazel rolled his eyes.

"Is there not a bridge?" I wondered aloud.

"There used to be but-" Reubyn looked at Illyana. "It broke."

"Don't look at me like it was my fault. That bridge was old. It's not like I wanted it to break. I almost got swallowed up by that darkness." She shivered.

"The river?"

"Less of a river and more of a very deep ravine now." Bazel explained.

"You either go around it or try to jump it. And I will not be doing that again!" Illyana pointed at Bazel before he could open his mouth. "Only someone crazy enough would willingly want to do that."

"Yes, let's just go around. We will still reach the camp by morning. When we do, we will take you to your tent where you will wait until the boss arrives." He is the only one that can officially mark you as an assassin. If you pass, then you will be welcomed into our clan. However, do not think this will be an easy step for you. He will test you to examine your skill. You will fail. He will give you one last shot to correct the mistake you make. If you can, only then will you pass." Reubyn explained this to me. Who was this chief? Was he super human or something? Was he someone that could beat anyone that he encountered? I couldn't believe that. This mysterious leader was very intriguing. I was willing to fight and I was ready to pass, whatever it took to get the sword back.

As we finally came upon the camp Bazel let out a loud war cry. I practically jumped off my horse. Even poor Polly twitched with the loud yell. As predicted the morning sun tickled my skin as it began to peak through the forest. I stretched and yawned. Never had I ever been so tired in my life.

"Bazel! You are so wasted." Illyana chuckled.

We slowed down, finally entering the camp. Tents filled the surrounding area. It was a decent size, but I realized that it was nothing like the rumors. I had always heard it was a smaller version of the capital, huge castle for the leader of all assassins, tons of dozens of homes, pubs where the craziest got crazed, and an armory filled with every torture device imaginable. It was not to say this was a let down, but it definitely wasn't what I was expecting. Sure there was a decent amount of living quarters but not enough to stand up against the King. Was this really the rumored group of assassins that were terrorizing the black forest and driving the King bloody mad?

"Is this it?" I said surprised.

"We are doing some building in the village so we have most of the women and children here, in tents, to wait till it's finished." From where we stood I could not see the village to which they referred. Perhaps it really did look like the capital after all.

We finally came to a stop in front of a little boy and girl. They were both blonde, and I was sure they were twins. As we dismounted our horses, they greeted us.

"How were your travels?" They asked in unison.

"Pleasant and successful," Illyana said as she ruffled both of their heads. They giggled in response.

"Has the boss arrived?" Illyana asked them.

"No." They turned and stared blankly at me.

The little girl pointed. "Who's she?"

"A newbie."

"Does that mean we are going to have another ceremony?" The little boy cried out in joy.

"Yes. Please tell the boss when he arrives, and tell him that I need to speak with him." They both nodded at Illyana. The three assassins then left their horses to the twins, who continued to gape at me. I dismounted my horse and squatted down to their size.

"Hello. What are your names?" They looked about five or six years old.

"I'm Rem, and my brother's name is Yaru." The girl spoke. The brother hid behind her.

"What pretty names." I smiled.

"The boss is going to beat you," Yaru spoke up.

"Oh?"

"You are way too nice. Nice people tend to be weak, and they are the ones that tend to lose." Yaru stated, and Rem crossed her arms.

The comment threw me. What a great welcome. What were they raising, children or wolves?

"I will keep that in mind. Excuse me." I caught up with the other three, leaving the crazed children behind.

"This is your tent." Illyana gestured when I finally caught up. "Stay inside it. Food will be brought to you. When the boss arrives, I will send someone for you." I nodded my head, and they left me. I walked in the small tent which consisted of a cot and some blankets. I knew I should probably look around and keep an eye out however as I climbed under the sheets exhaustion hit me like a warmth wave and it pulled me into a deep nap.

I woke up upon the girl named Rem walking into my tent.

"Here is your meal. And the clothes for your fight are next to it." She set down a plate of food and quickly left before I could thank her.

My stomach growled as the smell reached my nose. I sniffed the food more carefully. If there was poison I probably wouldn't smell it anyway. I shrugged and began shoveling the plate of food down my throat. After the journey with little food, a full meal was heavenly.

After eating, I tried to fall back asleep, but my mind kept wandering. I had to come up with a fight plan to use against the assassin. I didn't want to be a fool, and I wanted to pass. If this chief was as good as they made him sound I would have to be careful. After all, I was still learning. Debynn said I had an eye for catching on to fighting styles, so perhaps that was something I could use to my advantage in this fight. If I could catch on to their technique without getting too distracted then I might be able to counter them. But I couldn't hope for much. If they were the leader of all of the assassins, then it wasn't going to be as easy. I would just have to do my best. I wonder if anyone here had beaten them in a fight?

My mind drifted in and out of thoughts until later that day when someone came for me. The head Assassin had arrived. I put on the uniform. The dark cloth covered all of me. There was even a headpiece for me which covered everything except my eyes. I felt guilty for dressing like the assassins did. Would Debynn approve of what I am doing? I brushed aside my distracting thoughts and followed the one who sent for me.

We arrived at a clearing in the camp, which now had gathered with people.

"He will meet you in the circle."

I walked into the circle and looked around trying to sneak a peak of him. I found Bazel, Ruebyn, and Illyana amongst the crowd. I nodded to them, none of them returned one to me. It must be time to judge me. I do not think I would gain acceptance by them until I passed the test.

The crowd began to cheer as a figure in a black attire from head to foot entered the circle. They walked up to me. I could only see their eyes. They were as bright blue as Terren's.

"I have heard that you want to join our clan of assassins?"

I nodded to the question. His voice was deep. So the leader was male?

"I will let you if I find you worthy of it. You must fight against me. You will be given two tries. Of course for both, your aim is to land a hit, if you can. If you fail the first time, I will give you another chance to prove yourself." Again I nodded. Thankfully I knew ahead of time what I had to do to pass. The assassin took several steps back and stood ready. I positioned my sword in front of me and took a deep breath hoping it would calm my nerves.

"Never flaunt all of your strength in front of an enemy. Being arrogant will not help you in any way," I could hear Debynn's voice echo through my thoughts, "because once your opponent knows your full strength you will have lost any advantage you once had. However, if you keep your strength a secret, your enemy will never know what it takes to beat you." I took a deep breath and calmed myself. I knew what I was going to do, now all I had to do was execute it.

"Fight!" the crowd yelled at once.

He waited for me to make the first move, so I did. I ran at him, sword ready. I swung my first attack and he completely dodged it. I recovered and swung at him again. Without trouble he side stepped it. He was almost as quick as a fox. He knew how to avoid an attack without being pushed back.

Again I came at him, throwing all my weight into my sword. This time he did not move away, instead he avoided it completely and swung his sword at my left side. I could not do anything to block it; however before his sword made contact he froze, the sword just grazing my side, cutting just a sliver. The crowd erupted in cheers. He had won the first round quite easily.

We both retreated to our original starting point. I found myself smiling. He had taken the bait. Everytime I attacked, I left my left side completely open. I knew someone like him would easily pick out any opening, and I turned out to be correct. His fighting style was whatever the counter was to his opponent. So how would he fight if I used his own against him?

This round wouldn't be as easy for him.

"Fight!" The crowd screamed again.

We ran at each other now, swords clashing with the first attack. I played the same moves as last time, which he dodged easily. I swung quickly at his head, and he ducked. Again he swung his sword at my left side, but this time I was already one step ahead. He had no intention of stopping his sword from puncturing me, however, his sword struck my own. His eyes widened a little. He must have noticed the change in my fighting style. The force of the attack pushed both of us back.

We continued exchanging attacks until it began to be tiresome. Beads of sweat fell off of my face, and I panted heavily.

I charged once more at him. This would be my last attack, I decided within myself.

I quickly sidestepped an attack towards my waist and struck back near his neck. Sparks flew as metal hit metal. Somehow he had been fast enough to block it. We both pushed back on each other's swords. Suddenly in one quick moment, my sword slid past his. I stopped it right as it pricked his nape. The crowd grew silent.

I felt a small pain in my neck. I had concentrated so much on landing my own blow I had not realized my enemy landed one as well. I looked up at him. His eyes were wide and his mouth was open. I was surprised to see his sword at my own neck.

It was a draw.

We both slowly lowered our swords. The crowd erupted in cheers. The assassin peered at me, wide-eyed through his black suit. He grabbed my hand and threw it up with his. He gave me a slight bow of respect then looked back at the crowd. I passed. I sighed a sigh of relief.

"Congratulations, you passed. You put up a very entertaining fight as well, if I do say so myself." His voice was stiff but I could tell that he was somewhat impressed. I think.

Illyana ran up to us, Bazel and Ruebyn following close behind.

"Are you both bloody crazy? I thought I was going to have to clean up after two bodies! Who the hell are you?" She pushed me jokingly. "Seriously? I have never seen anyone put him on his toes like you did!" I couldn't help feeling embarrassed. That had been my first real fight. Debynn's training had paid off. What would he say? Would he commend me on my win? Ha. Knowing him he would probably just warm men not to get too cocky. I couldn't help but smile.

"You're gonna make a great ally!" Bazel patted me on the head. I thanked him but he was now chattering with everyone else about how this fight was the best they've seen. I wasn't used to all of this attention. No one had commended me on anything back home, except Akyto. I took the head wrap off, exhaling quickly. I was sweating so much. Never had I been in a fight like that. I looked over at the masked figure who glared at me.

"In time, I am sure you will turn into a great fighter." The boss spoke through his teeth. He turned around, heading away from the crowd that had gathered around me. It seemed like his attitude had changed compared to before we began to fight. Perhaps he was a sore loser?

"Come on! Now it's time for you to join the clan officially!"

I followed them to a crowd surrounding a fire. Someone shoved a mug in my hand. I tried to reject it. "You have to drink this time! It's the only way for the ceremony to continue." Illyana smirked at me. I had never had the appetite for mead but I would just have to gulp it down this time.

I took a deep breath and chugged it. The taste was more bitter than I had expected. It burnt my throat as it slowly slipped down. It was as if I was drinking fire right from a dragon's mouth.

I spewed it out uncontrollably. Everyone laughed. Did they expect that reaction from me?

Immediately I began to feel dizzy. I found a chair in front of me. I went over to it and sat down. The burning from my throat continued. I felt like I was going to vomit from the pain.

"What's...happening?" I asked out loud. No one responded to me. I tried to focus my vision, but everyone around me looked like swirling blurs.

Then just like that the world dropped out of sight.