“Merda! Come on, Angel! You have to learn to parry, not just to dodge! I might hurt you!” Shouted Rosso, angrily kicking the ground. It had been a mere 10 years since I had joined the brotherhood. Rosso, the giant blue colt who was my first contact of the brotherhood, was my master, though I was coming close to outclassing him. He was growing old, and I was just growing. I was fifteen at this point, going on sixteen, and he was near the big five-oh.
“Face it old man, I’m faster than you.” I said, flexing my metal wings. He sighed, and took hold of his sword in his teeth once again.
“Alright, once more.” He said, his voice slightly muffled by the sword. I chuckled, and lunged at him, my rapier in my teeth. I attacked him with a flurry of quick attacks, and jumped back quickly. He wiped his brow with his hoof, and took to the sky. I did the same, chasing after him.
Air combat was much harder to do than ground combat. It was never my strong suite, but hey, you can’t choose you battles, can you?
I slammed into his left side, making him spin out of control. He landed carefully on one of the towers, and I followed him down.
“Maledizione! I am getting too old to be facing a young mare like you!” He shouted at me, and I laughed. I tackled him, and held my Rapier at his throat.
“You have bested me, my apprendista.” He said, and I let him up. He brushed the dirt off his blood red robes, and looked at me.
“I believe it is time.” He said, and my eyes widened.
“Really? You mean really, really?” I asked, excited. It had been my dream to get accepted into the circle. The circle was the group of elite assassins, but in order to join, you must get the blood of the worst criminal at the time. I had collected the blood of petty thieves before, but not a known criminal.
“We must consent the counsil.” He said, and I nodded.
“I’ll get cleaned up.” I said, sheathing my rapier. Rosso nodded, and I jumped off the tower. I flew back to the window of my quarters, and carefully adjusted my flight so that I didn’t clip the edges of the window.
I made a perfect landing, and stripped off my training clothes. I would finally get my assassins robes, and my very own hidden blade if this went right.
If this went right.
I shook my head, and walked into my showering room. I pumped the water, and let the cool liquid flow over my light grey coat. I looked into the mirror; half fogged, and saw my much more matured face. I had grown mature in the past 7 years, scars scattered my face, my baby blue eyes grown darker. My once platinum mane had turned a charcoal black, with a blood red stripe.
I got out of the shower, and pulled on my best clothes. Appearing before the council was like appearing before Celestia. I knew assassins that were in their late 50’s, and had never even seen the council in person. I attached my wrist bracers, which still didn’t have their blades inside, and walked out. Rosso was waiting for me outside, his face unnerved.
“So?” I asked, and he nodded.
“They will see you now.” He said, and we started down the hall.
“Do you know?” I asked, and he nodded his head.
“I believe he’s somewhere in canterlot. Merchant. He likes to sell things to the poor, and then when they owe him enough, he takes everything away from them. Sometimes even their children, and then he sells them as sex slaves.” Said Rosso, and I sighed.
“Sickening.” I said, and Rosso nodded. We approached the door to the council room, and we both took deep breathes.
“Be respectful.” He said, and I nodded. I pushed open the door, and walked up the pedestal. The council room was a massive, circular room, with a circular balcony that all the council members stood on. Torches lit the room, and it just made it that much uneasing.
“Angel! It has been too long!” Said one of the council members. I looked up to the highest chair, and I saw the old colt that had given me my first formal greeting.
“Padré Veglia! It is good to see you!” I said, and he gave me a warm smile.
“Now, about this little mission of yours.” Said one of the council members. He was a unicorn, middle aged, with an amazing beard.
“Yes. This merchant, I believe his name is Stronzo. Charges massive prices, when enough debt piles up, takes belongings away, yada yada, blah blah.” Said one of the younger council members. All the other members nodded their heads in approval.
“Bring us his blood. When you return, you will be an honorary member of the circle.” Said Veglia, and I bowed.
“Thank you.” I said, walking out.
“Okay, remember what I told you. Discreet, not blowing everything up.” Said Rosso, as I pulled on my midnight black robes. They were beautiful, covered in silver belts and buckles. While it was exactly like the rest of the assassins robes, the midnight black ones were kept for either ceremonial purposes, or the circle assassins.
“Yeah. I’ll make sure I don’t make a huge mess.” I said, and we both laughed. I pulled the black mask and hood over my face, only showing my eyes.
“I’ll be back soon, papà.” I said, patting him on the shoulder. He blushed. I had been calling him that since he became my master, seeing as how he was the closest thing I had to a father at this point.
I walked over to the chariot that was waiting for me, and jumped in. It was the dead of night, and I could easily see the glowing city of canterlot in the distance.
The chariot pulled away, and took to the skies.
We were in the sky for about an hour, when we passed over the city. I touched the two chariot drivers on the back, and they nodded. I jumped out of the back of the chariot, letting my wings unfurl. As soon I was about 100 meters over the city, I spread my wings, and flew over to the target’s home.
I landed outside, and quickly found a way up to his window. It seemed too easy. No guards, open window, and a quick free running path to the window. I quickly scaled the wall, trying not to use my wings, so I wouldn’t make any noise. I climbed in quickly, looking around the dark room.
Merda.
There lay his body, in a pool of blood. It was fresh, the blood still running, still pooling. Judging from the wound, he was killed by none other than the hidden blade. I crouched, when I saw a single feather.
Another Assassin killed my prey.
I stood up, walking away from the scene. There was no way I was going to fake the killing of my target. It would take my honor away from me. I jumped out of the window, and flew off into the Everfree.
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Credit: Vedavyasa
Translations:
Merda: Shit
Maledizione: Damn
apprendista: Apprentice
Padré Veglia: Father Sleep.
papà: You should know. You don't have to be full Italian to know this one.
Stronzo: Ass hole
La strada per l'inferno e ritorno: The road to hell and back.
Blog Link: Some facts about Ombra Della Lama