//------------------------------// // Part 1 // Story: Dawn // by Izzy G //------------------------------// Ink chuckled as she watched Stormbringer hurry to put out a small flame Thunder Strike had caused, smiling with the pride of a true mother. He flashed an apologetic look at Ink as the door behind her opened just slightly and there was a gentle tap on her wings. Ink spun quickly to see Silent standing in the doorway, a serious look on his face even though a vague smile flashed across his features when he saw the two unicorns. “What's wrong?” Ink's stomach dropped at the look on her former master's face. Something had to be wrong. He shook his head, “Nothing, Ink, calm down. Nothing is wrong. Just,” he smiled softly and motioned inside with his head. “C'mon inside. We need to talk.” She bit her lip but nodded and followed him inside, settling on the couch when he did and motioned for her to join him. Something inside her was crumbling, worried about what could possibly be so important that the two had to be out of earshot of the little one. If it was something about assassination, why come inside? Thunder knew. It was a source of pride for the little filly to say her “mommy” was a member of the Order. She may not have understood everything, but she was proud. She could quote the Creed as well as Ink, and didn't even hesitate to when she felt something went against it. So why should this be any different? It wasn't exactly kept a secret from the little one that her guardians were killers when there were cases full of artifacts Silent had collected over the years and weapons hung on hooks in the study. Traps in the upper hallways at night. The stairs that lead to a training area hidden behind a sliding bookshelf in the foyer. Ink came home all the time late. Silent would leave for stretches of almost two weeks, an come back bruised and covered in messy bandages. As if reading her thoughts, Silent shook his head. “Not to belittle what you do in the Order, Ink, but this is much different. A corrupt official is one thing. A demon that is more than happy to rip out your soul for breakfast and write its name on the walls with your entrails is an entirely different thing.” He chuckled slightly at her expression of fear and ruffled her mane gently, “I wouldn't give you something like that for your first mission, or at any time. This time it's something simple, I promise.” He took deep breath as she nodded, “A simple delivery.” He saw the look on her face and shook his head, “Not just a courier mission. Your skills as an assassin, Order or otherwise, are too good for that. You are to meet with a contact in Canterlot and deliver his package to another within the city.” Her brow still crumpled at the idea of it. Despite what he said, she thought this was a simple courier mission. She had spent a little under a year training for that? How inexperienced did he think she was? Like he said, Order or no, she was better than that overall. She was better than a courier mission. Not to be arrogant, but she was used to taking down high-ranking members of Celestia or Luna's council/advisors that had been corrupted. Royal guard members. City officials that had gotten their hooves dirty. She wasn't a letter carrier. She didn't get to be a master Assassin by playing delivery mare. “Ink,” Silent sighed, “I know you have much better skills than what I have to give you credit for, but to me, as Grand Master, you're a novice. I know the Ink that I fall asleep with every night is something more than that, but I have to judge as not your lover, but your leader here. I'm sorry.” He nuzzled her gently with a resigned sigh even though she bristled and pulled away, anger in her eyes. “It's more complicated than I'm letting on, I promise, Ink.” She only set her jaw and glared at him, almost insulted. He sighed, shaking his head. He knew Ink was like this. He knew she had pride way beyond her years. But what was he to expect? She had the responsibility of her brotherhood looming overhead and the knowledge that if she had been in Snow's place, she'd be ruling over a sprawling clan alongside him. She had perfectly good reasons to hold her head high and be proud. She was only nineteen, but already had about the same responsibility he did at her age. He almost chuckled as she stormed upstairs, grumbling the entire way to her room. As much as he hated to, knowing her pride, he would follow her. He had to. Something inside him would not be able to rest knowing she was doing this alone, even though he knew she was more than capable. But he didn't want to lose her. He couldn't. If things went as planned, she'd be fine. Little did she know, the first mission was always a set up anyway. The return home is what bothered him. Although that chapter had been inactive for awhile, she would be passing through Venom Stars territory to get there, if she took the route he thought she would. And she would be in a darker side of Canterlot. Regardless of the fact other members of her brotherhood would be more than willing to aid the Master's daughter, he had to follow her. Just to be sure. Just to make sure the mare he adored was safe. And he admitted to himself that it killed him inside to do it. If she didn't find out and do the deed herself. He inwardly sighed as they said their farewells that night and he wished her good luck, giving her all the information she needed to find his contact. He waited only twenty minutes before starting off after her, not being able to fight back the dread that ate away at him. Something was wrong. This would be a mistake. He just hoped Ink wouldn't pay the price.