It was a cold and rainy night as Moriarty entered the castle, his glistening armor sparkling in the flame of the candlelight. He remembered how it took his two squires days to wash the blood off it after the last battle with the French. Moriarty realized long ago that these national wars were pointless and that at it would simply move a few lines on a map, before yet another war redrew them. That is why he had seen the invitation of the Assassin's as such a pleasing choice, he held loyalty to a single group with the purpose of balancing the world. As he walked down the corridor he realized heard the sound of a number of items hit the ground. He quickened his pace and as he rounded the corner he saw one of the guards accosting a servant. He quietly walked up behind the guard before pulling him off of her and tossing him aside. The guard was about to yell and assault Moriarty when he looked up and saw who it was.

"I beg your pardon my Lord...." the guard said doing his best to look guilty. Moriarty helped the servant off the ground and sent her on her way. "You do realize that assaulting one of the Kings serving girls is considered an offense the crown and could be dealt with by hanging." Moriarty said doing his best to look as stern as possible. "Yes... yes sir." the guard replied. Moriarty gave him a nod and sent him on his way. It was hard enough to find men to guard the castle that weren't traitors as it were so Moriarty had to be gentler towards the ones that did only a little screwing up. Moriarty continued down the hallway to the King's chamber. Upon entering he was greeted by the King who proudly announced that the King of Denmark would be visiting next week. Moriarty then began to lament the security concerns of having a foreign ruler come at a time of war. The King simply dismissed Moriarty's concerns as nonsense and informed him that all would be handled and that the king would provide a personal guard for Sigfred the Grand. What the King didn't know was that Moriarty was not just going to setup the King's security he was also going to breach it. Moriarty had been working for weeks, through proper diplomatic channels, to get Sigfred the Grand out of his nice little Danish Fortress so that he could pierce his throat. Finally, after weeks of hard work it had all paid off. The King thought that Sigfred was coming to negotiate an alliance and Moriarty knew that he wouldn't be leaving.

Once finished with business Moriarty left the Kings room and headed for the guard post that blocked the only entrance to the royal quarter. He had an odd feeling tonight and doubled the guards and then left for his own room. When he finished undressing and his head hit the pillow he was out like a light. However, his peaceful sleep would not last him long. Awoken suddenly by a shake a man clad in a black cloak stood over him. Holding out his arm Moriarty could see the symbol burned into his skin. The man said nothing for a moment and then announced that Sigfred was no longer the target, but it was actually his son Gudfred the Brave who needed to be killed. Their original information had put Sigfred at the head of a new international organization of Monarchs that wanted The Society eliminated. However, the man explained, they have now found out that his son was actually the one organizing these activities. The good news was that Gudfred was accompanying his father to the negotiations. Moriarty nodded and within an instant the man the black cloak jumped from his window. Moriarty for a moment wondered how the man would survive as a jump from his window only ended a few hundred feet below but remembered that asking such questions was stupid as The Society had all kings of fun tricks.

"Gudfred the Brave?" Dihana repeated. "The King of Denmarks' son? That is who you want me to kill?"

The man nodded.

"Very well." The girl nodded. She straped on her sword and Left through the window. She saddeld her crimson horase, Pheonix, and rode off into the night. The whispers through the wind asaid that both the King and his son Gudfred would be visiting their king next week. She would meet them before they got there, do her job, and return for her pay.

~~~

Three days later, Dihana was sitting atop a tree, watching a grand procession that was for the King. She strung her bow, waiting. The caravan stopped, and the Gudfred stepped out. Pheonix, hidden below her, snorted. Gudfred tensed, looking in the direction of the sound, and Dihana tensed. If she got caught, it would be bad. Willing her horse to be quiet, she took aim at Gudfred as he walked over to Pheonix, who was getting nervous. Finaly, She let her arrow fly. Dihana's aim was true. The fethered weapon placed itself right in the man's neck. With a surprised look on his face, the man kneeled over and lay still. Almost imeadiate uproar. Knowing it was time to leave, Dihana jumped from her perch, landed on Pheonix, and launched her into a full blown gallop. There was enough confusion that she was able to get a head start, but she also knew it wouldn't be for long.

Nogond sat in his small room at the in thinking what his next mission would be. He needed to kill something and quickly otherwise his craving for death would take over him and that would not be a pretty sight. He decided to go for a walk. It was a late night and everything was. Perfect for him he thought as the dark made thinking more easy and he always felt more safe.
As he walked around the corner two men jumped out of an alley and demanded his money. He quickly feigned a smile and said, " Gentlemen let's not fight over something as trivial as money." And took a step forward and hid his blade in his sleeve. Then he grabbed his money pouch and held it in his hand like he was going to give it to them. When one of the robbers took a step forward, Nogond drew his dagger and stabbed him in the liver. The other robber became mortified and began to runaway, but Nogond casually threw his knife in his back causing him to fall over. Nogond retrieved his knife, looked at the robbers and said, " Thank you for this fine evening gentlemen." Then he returned home to his room, his thirst for violence had been sated for now.

Dink. Dink. CLANG. Dink. Dink. CLANG.

Brighid stared down at the white hot piece of metal in front of her as she wailed on it with her hammer. The constant rhythmic beat soothing her as she worked on a job given to her by one of the King's soldiers. A good guy, and he paid her a fair amount for the sword he requested. It was late, the moon was bright and high in the sky, but the starts were beginning to fade from the rising sun.
Without pausing, Brighid stuck the white hot blade in the barrel of water. "Don't bother telling me the mission unless it's for me and you haven't gone and spread the word." Brighid pulled the metal out again and then stuck it back in the fire before turning to face the figure in black. Resting her hammer on her shoulder she cocked her head to the side and cocked a brow. The figured hissed a soft laugh.
"It's actually for Moriarty. He was the first I told. But I was also asked to spread the word." The man shifted slightly, closer to one of the support beams so he can try and dodge Brighid if she tried to attack. Brighid only laughed to herself.
"You and I both know Moriarty has this in the bag and he'll only kill anyone who gets in the way. But I'll be a watchful eye. I have a delivery anyway. It's right in town? For some royalty from Denmark?"
"Yes. The Prince actually." Brighid rolled her eyes and pulled the metal out of the flames and started beating on it again. Without looking back she knew that he was gone. This should be a fun visit. she thoughts as she hammered away on the sword. It was slowly taking shape. Looking very good and no sign for impurities.

Edwin was buried in his work at his secret bureau for the Society. It was a small office branch with over-stuffed bookshelves on all four corners. Despite the cramped space, Edwin always made a little space to put some of his home-grown plants and herbs. In a violent world that lost its genuinity, he felt that he needed something that wasn't fake.
A knock at his door alarmed him.
Edwin cleared his throat. " Come in. "
One of the messenger members of the Society walked in.
" This is the list of targets that must be eliminated. I'm sure you'll assign them efficiently. " The messenger handed him a long list of people's names.
Edwin examined the names and tried to look for the Society's motives of this month's kills.
" Wait.. I thought our goal was to preserve peace and balance.. these people aren't even- "
Edwin looked up and saw that the messenger disappeared.

Edwin sighed.
" Better get started then.. " He said.
Edwin began to write some letters to the assassins.
Dear Nogond, please visit my office for a new set of tasks.
When another messenger came to his office, he asked that he deliver one of the letters to Nogond Sword.

The Sigfred's guard immediately fanned out, a dust trail could be seen in the distance and five guards immediately took after it. In the meantime the bleeding Prince lay on the ground his father attempting to console him in his dwindling moments. Moriarty paced back and forth inside the castle waiting to hear word from the convoy. Soon a rider came into the castle, the man had rode the horse so hard that when he dismounted the poor beast collapsed. Moriarty descended the steps. "Prince, arrow... dead..." the man spat out in an attempt to warn the castle. Moriarty swore in rage. Someone had beaten him to the task and done it in the sloppiest way possible. Moriarty assembled his guards and rode out to the Sigfred's caravan.

By the time Moriarty had reached the caravan the Prince had died. The guards that had chased after the dust cloud found nothing. Moriarty upon hearing about this made the man show where they had seen the cloud. After sending the men away Moriarty began looking at the marks on the ground. Due to this path being less used, as the main road was so near, the fresh hoof prints were easily identifiable. Moriarty called for his guards and began to follow the tracks. When that trail eventually ran cold Moriarty returned to the castle. The depressed Danish King sat at the table with his head in his hands lamenting the loss of his eldest son.

Moriarty slipped out of the castle once his presence had been established and walked up to a very unscrupulous looking man. "I assume you know why I am here..." Moriarty said. "Of course. You want to know what happened, how the contract was double assigned and who did it...." The man proudly announced before slipping into the crowd. Sometime later that night a knock came on Moriarty's door in the castle. A guard was standing next to the very same man, "He said you had demanded to see him sir." the guard said. Moriarty waved him away and the man stepped forward. "Dihana. That's who killed your prince, and it was by the same hand that ascribed your orders..." the man said. Moriarty threw a purse at him and the man shuffled off. Moriarty moved on to stage two, the more legitimate stage. He walked into the King's chambers where both Kings were consorting about the misery of loosing a son. Moriarty made a slight coughing sound to introduce himself. "My lord, I am Arthur Tacitus Moriarty, most however including my liege just call me Moriarty." He said before continuing. "I believe I have found the person who has killed your son. A well known assassin by the name of Ulf Von Vandermeer." Moriarty said in his usual gruff tone. The Danish king slammed his hands upon the table. "THAT BASTARD! HE WAS AT MY HOUSE NOT TWO WEEKS HENCE EATING MY FOOD!" Yelled the enraged king. "FIND HIM AND I WILL GIVE YOU ANY REWARD YOU REQUIRE!" the king yelled again. "Well that is the good news my lord we already have him in custody, although he claims he was just off a boat from France..." Moriarty said. "Quite convenient that a man is sent to assassinate you and your son just as you are here to consider signing a treaty with us." the English king noted.

While both Kings descended into the dungeon to torture Ulf, Moriarty set about the business of finding this annoyance. His first stop was the repository of all knowledge of The Society in London. He mounted his horse and commanded his guards to stay behind and left for Edwin's. A twenty minute ride later he appeared outside a non-descript building. He walked in through the quaint bookstore into the back room where even more books were held. He walked to a very plain wall and pressed three little chips in the plaster in. One pushed the wall moved back slightly to reveal a combination lock. Once the combination was entered a door slid open. Moriarty entered and the passageway slammed shut behind him. Descending several flights of stairs The Society's lair in London was revealed. A massive complex of underground tunnels and passageways members of The Society scurried about their business. A few stopped to greet Moriarty but most just continued about their busy work. Inventing new tools, weapons and more importantly ways to kill people. Moriarty walked into the archive of knowledge, headed by one Edwin Heaton. Upon his arrival Moriarty knocked on the door and said "Edwin, I need everything you have on one Dihana Lethen..."

It was a hot busy day. Dry. Lots of people. It'd be very simple to kill the Prince in a place like this. The guards were wearing heavy armor that was holding the heat. They have been traveling for a while now. This hit would be no problem. But it wasn't hers. "Madam blacksmith!" Brighid paused and glanced over her shoulder at the large man weaving his way through the crowd towards her. He had just recently bathed, and shaved around his beard. A handsome man who stood at 6'3. By just the glance, weighing around 195 pounds. Give or take 10. Due to his slight slouch, on well placed knee to his spine would bring him to his knees.
"Ser," Brighid called brightly, her fiery eyes gleaming in the bright sunlight. "I'm glad you found me. Its nearly impossible with this crowd, even with your height I couldn't find out." How could I miss you? If you go to war, an archer will easily pick you off even if they are blind in one eye. Pulling the sheathed blade off her back she held it out to him. "Here is your order. I hope you will use it well."
"Aye, thank you Ma'am," the tall man pulled out his pouch and handed her 4 gold pieces and waddled away again.
Turning, Brighid took in the area for the hit. Moriarty liked to get close and personal with his targets, so she wouldn't see him but for a moment. If she were lucky. Now if there were others around hoping to get the same hit... Then she may find them.
Out of the corner of her eye there was a flash of light, like the sun bouncing off a blade. One of her arrow heads from the pattern of the light. Not a heart beat later there was chaos. Glancing from where it came from, Brighid saw a flash of black cloth and a petite hand. She smirked and slowly left the crowd. "Oh, Moriarty is going to be upset about this."

Later on Brighid was in the halls of the Society. Her hair braided back tightly and her usual wears were on as she made her way through the halls. Pausing for a moment, she saw Moriarty outside of Edwin's room. A mischievous smile pulled at her lips and she briefly changed direction. "I saw what happened yesterday," she said cooly and leaned against the wall.

Edwin looked up from his work.
" Oh, Moriarty. I've already heard about yesterday. I'm sorry about your.. defeat. "
Edwin got up and walked over to a counter.
" Tea? You look a little exhausted. "
" This new.. Dihana Lethen is rather brash, but she gets the job done. Not much is known about her. The masters think she is a sort of.. mercenary. They have a close eye on her. They think she works for mulitple organizations or people. " Edwin described as he sipped his tea.
" It was master Begum who assigned the assassination of the prince for you and Lethen. I'm not quite sure but, I think the masters are trying to reap the finest agents. They think that, you've rather lost your touch lately. Maybe lost your focus. In other words, it was a competition. "
" But dont worry, at least I have trust in your abilities. I've got a new set of targets I was planning on assigning for you by the way. Oh.. is that Brighid? "

"Oh yes, so instead they give it to a child who launches an arrow from a tree and then gallops off at full speed so that she may easily be tracked. Yup, I'm the one who has lost perspective." Moriarty said as he shifted his weight. He walked over and picked up the list from Edwin and scanned it over. "Why this is half the respectable family heads in London... This is basically murdering the entire aristocracy." Moriarty said slightly shocked. "Here I was thinking we were supposed to be maintaining the peace and yet our deeds to continue to outweigh our original purpose." Moriarty said as he placed the scroll into an inner pocket.

Moriarty not in the time for small talk brushed by Brighid without saying a word. As he returned to the castle two of his informants were waiting for him. "We have the information you are looking for but it will come at a price..." the one man snarled. "Name your price and it shall be done." Moriarty said slightly annoyed. "27 gold pieces and not a penny less." the rat proudly announced. "Fine." Moriarty said as he told the guard outside the door to fetch the gold. The two men then explained where the girl Moriarty was looking for was. Moriarty scribbled a bunch of notes on a piece of paper and handed it to them. "Drop this off at the bookstore on Kings Cross and Tower Street and there will be an extra coin for both of you." Moriarty said and the two men happily agreed.

Moriarty next had to figure out how to assassinate all the family heads of the aristocracy without making it seem inconveniently suspicious. As he walked down a long corridor to visit the King a clap of thunder broke his thoughts. Soon ran poured down and lightning streaked across the darkening sky. When he arrive in the Kings chambers his wife as knitting and the Danish King still sat in a chair distraught over the happenings. Moriarty moved over beside his King and gave a suggestion, "Perhaps if we threw a party tomorrow night with all of the finest families that England has to offer, perhaps with wine, women and good chat among men perhaps our Danish ally will perk up." At the word ally the English King readily agreed. Moriarty sent for a number of servants and the King began issuing orders in preparation for a large feast. Moriarty then slipped out of the castle, the rain beat down upon him as he walked to a crafters shop. "My good fellow I need new plates for the King's banquet tomorrow. I need three different levels of plate the highest of quality down to medium." Moriarty said to the man who began scurrying around. Moriarty stopped the man and handed him a bag of 100 gold coins and said "you will deliver these plates to the castle tomorrow but you will say that the Ceramic Makers Guild has donated these in reverence for the loss of Prince Gudfred." The man nodded at the prospect of having so much money in his hand. Moriarty then left the shop and headed to a seeder part of time. Upon arriving he contacted Eric Von Mittendorf a friend of his from wars past. The greeted each other as brothers, but only a moment past before Eric wanted to talk about business. Moriarty then spent some time explaining about how he had just placed an order for three types of ceramic plates. The top level, of the finest craftsmanship, was decorated in a beautiful dark green. This bowls were to be lined with poison, as were the set of green plates. The red bowls, meant for the Kings, were to be untouched as well as the yellow plates for everyone else. Mittendorf nodded and immediately set about his task.

Dihana sat at a bar in town, exaughsted, but still alert. The man who gave her her last mission troubled her. He had been very unwilling to give his name or any other information, bu he had paid, so she wasn't going to complain much. This was how she made her living now...ever since she killed her husband, His Majesty, King Bullock of Spain. Her jaw tensed as she thought about him. The vile beast had slaughtered her family and forced her to marry him. But, no matter. Dihana had gotten her revenge.

Nogond sat in his room in his room when a someone knocked on the door. Nogond drew his knife and hid it behind his back and opened the door. At the door stood a man and handed him a message and quickly left. Nogond opened the message that said he was supposed to go to the Societys office and get his next assignment. Nogond quickly left his room and went to the office. When he got there he quickly stepped through the door and said to the man at the desk, "Who is my target?" with a sly smile on his lips.

Brighid stood back and waited while Moriarty and Edwin gave a brief exchange. Moriarty bitching about the 'compition' and Edwin brushing off his annoyance and handing him his next mission. Once the papers were in Moriarty's hand he just brushed passed her as if she did not exist. Brighid smiled and stuck in head in Edwin's room. "Oh.. is that Brighid?"

"Hello Edwin. Anything exciting for me? The last few you gave me were rather boring." Gracefully, Brighid crossed the room and sat in the extra chair, crossing her legs and resting her hands on her knee. She sat back and looked as if she were completely relaxed. The truth was she knew exactly what was going on around her, and what she would do if a certain number of events happened. Looking up at Edwin, she examined him quickly. He looked exactly the same as the last time she saw him. Maybe a faint new scar on his jaw, but nothing really new. If anything his nose looked straighter but it had been a while.

Before Edwin could answer another assassin came in, his back straight, an aura of cockyness rolling off of him so thick Brighid thought she may suffocate.
"Who is my target?" the man said with a sly smile on his lips. Brighid cocked one slim brow at him and quickly looked him up and down. A small handful of his weapons were crafted by her hand. No surprise since she supplied most weapons for the Society. Nogond. Haven't seen him lurking about recently. And odd. The smell of blood isn't clinging to him as per usual.

" Wait- Moriarty! Bollocks.. Why does he always have to walk out on me like such. " Edwin sighed.
Edwin looked at Brighid then at Nogond.
" Great! You're both here. Sorry to say but, you two are going to be quite busy this month. Not a second to waste really.. Lets see.. this one.. no. Ah! This should be suitable for now. One Lord Artemus and his cousin Lord Belden.. Theres rumors about the two in a bloody feud for the enheritence of the wealth. They've grown quite nasty towards each other over the years. Rumors that.. there may be an all-out battle in the middle of the city between the two. It wont be pretty if there is one. The masters want you to.. negotiate with them, if you know what I mean. Both of their castles are very heavily guarded, so I recommend that you two work as a pair and infiltrate them. Do whatever it takes to sneak in without getting attention. Good luck, you two are going to save hundreds of lives.. "

"We will have to see because i prefer to work solo. Makes the hunt feel a bit more interesting." Nogond said and licked his lips. He looked at Moriarity and siad, "You coming along to recon the castles or are you waiting here for an invitation?" Nogond said an began to walk out the door thinking of different ways to get into the castles.

Brighid smirked as she read over her list. Glancing up she watched Nogond as he also glanced down the list. He seemed irritated for being put on a suggested "team" attack. Either way. She didn't care so long as she got her job done. Once Nogoond left Brighid sat forward in her chair. "So. You seem busy, and now that I have my list," she said and held up her paper and shook it once, "as am I." Brighid got to her feet and made her way for the door, "Give me a fortnight Edwid. It should be done by then. If not. Heh, we'll just say there was a problem."

Exiting Edwin's room, Brighid made her way to her forge that was inside the Society's walls. It was much better equipped that her forge she uses as a cover. Walking in she looked at the small pile of papers on her table. Lifting the fist one, she read that there was a request for bolts for a new crossbow. "Easy," she mumbled and moved on to the next paper. A new set of dueling blades were needed, and they had to be able to hide in knee high boots. Sighing, she picked up the last one that was resting on a cracked shield. Brighid rolled her eyes and quickly scanned the note. "Please make horse proof." Brighid couldn't help but roll her eyes and laugh. "Might as well get to work." Removing her gloves, cloak and rolled her sleeves up and began to build up her fire to get to work.