Snippet #1446464

With the new task at hand, Simona wanted to get this job done quickly. Hopefully, now that the Pyromancers have been considerably weak for a while now that assassinating Ember would not be quite a challenge. Simona knew that getting close to her would be difficult. Therefore, simply trying to fly around the Pyromancer Palace in search of her would not be a good idea. Hopefully some event, or some sort of occurrence would lead Ember out of her safe haven or she would have to lure her out. Either way would work, but the latter would be last chance. She stood there in the dawn. People began to come out of their homes. Possibly getting this officer over with would be something to do. She needed the money to resupply on her poison outlet. The contact was a man who's family was constantly being beat on by this officer. Helping out civilians was one of Simona's favorite thing to do. But helping out the King of Cryomancers was a whole different story. After she had some research on the whereabouts of this man, she learned the officer was patrolling the west area of her district. As the transports began to come out, she decided to get there via stagecoach. Luckily people were arising from their homes. The local stagecoach driver was bringing out his horses. She approached the man. The snow crackled as her feet stepped upon it. She wished it would go away. She missed the old lush paradise her life once was. Or was it?

"Sir, are you operating yet?" Simona asked the man who was busy preparing his cavalry.

"Oh, yes. Yes, just a moment, please." He began to quickly assemble his things and then sat aboard the stagecoach. The crackling of old wood bent her ears.

"Where too, miss?" He asked with a smile. He held the reigns like an expert, hopefully he could get her there quickly enough.

"Take me to Trecantro, please." she responded. She stepped aboard the stagecoach.

"That'll be 30 coins, miss. But since you're my first customer, I'll do 25 just for you." He told her.

Prices are rising... I have to deal with Glacier or Ember... or both.

"Of course." Simona handed him a small bag. The man quickly checked to make sure the necessary funds were in there, then he began the journey. It was only about a twenty minute drive. Simona observed her surroundings as the daily lives of people began. Men and women and children from all professions and classes were scattered around the city. Crying quietly, she knew. Ever since the freezing, pain has only gotten worse. And before she knew it, they arrived at Trecantro. This area was known for the advanced tunnel system underground. Markets and homes were even underground. She noticed the stairs that lead into the dirt terrain. People seemed to be piling in and out of there. Hopefully the officer was in there. She took another look at the letter that was sent in the officer.

Miss Simona,
I understand you are an expert bounty hunter, I would like to use your services. I am willing to pay you 2,350 coins if you bring me the head of Silvestro Ignacio, an officer stationed in Trecantro district. I will increase the pay to 3,000 if you can show proof of his death. Please, he has caused my family much harm.
From Leyman Sherry

She enclosed it in her pocket and then descended into the underground marketplace. It was crowded. She didn't like crowded areas, but it made kills easier. In the distance, she could make out three figures. All were on horses. That had to be them. She slowly made her way through the diverse community of Trecantro. The officers in the distance stared out on the people.

Corrupt cryomancers... she moaned in her head. She was tired of the same type of people. Hopefully this Ember assignment would be a bit of variety. She began to approach the officers. However, she did not want to arise any suspicion. But, they were deep in the crowd. No one would notice. She slowly went with the flow of the crowd, approaching Silvestro Ignacio. She could now hear his horse clanking in the crowd. She looked down and prepared her needle. She didn't want it to be too fast, nor too slow. The problem would be dealing with the guards after he collapses. Perhaps a minute would do, so she could escape the area and then return after she could deal with the guards. As she discreetly poisoned her needle, she continued to walk alongside the man. She heard the click, and it was ready. She began to walk closer, and slowly, but surely, deposited the needle into the side of his waist. He did not notice, and she quickly removed her hand. Then, she began to slowly walk the opposite way.

The deed was done. Now she had to collect her evidence. She walked to the edge of the market, and sat on a bench. She looked at the horses and the men on them. After a few seconds, the symptoms were beginning to take place in Silvestro. He began to cough and wheeze. More time passed. He appeared bloated, and dizzy. Simona smiled. The other guards took no notice in how he was acting. Then, he collapsed. The horse rose its front hooves, and dashed out of the scene, trampling many people. Most of them seemed alright, despite being injured. Silvestro was dead cold, on the ground. The crowd dispersed around him, leaving him in the open scene. The two guards dismounted their horses and then approached the man.

"Who did this? You shall pay!" He yelled. Simona remained cool. They could not detect her. The crowd began to slowly come back to their business, but the guards remained worried.

"Come back! I want an answer!" He yelled, his face turning red. The guards began to run around the market, hoping to spot their target. They eventually took our random people and accused them. They then turned around to Simona's area. The man sitting next to her was grabbed and thrown onto the ground.

"Someone has to of seen something!" he continued to yell. The guard behind him just contained himself and watched. The guards then turned their attention to Simona. She looked up at them, remaining with an expressionless gaze. The guard then approached her and then acted as if he was going to attack.

"Take off the mask, woman." he yelled. Simona did nothing, just stood there.

"I said take it off!" he yelled. He drew his sword from his belt and held it up to her neck.

"If you don't take it off, then my blade will." he said. Simona closed her eyes for a moment. The guard behind him was watching intently. Simona arose her hands as if she was going to take off the mask, but she turned to her side and the hand reached for her dagger. Risen, as quick as ever, the dagger arose and she stabbed the guard in his stomach. She quickly retrieved her weapon and then spun to stab the other man. She had formed another crowd. Simply a pile of blood was all she had achieved. She had to quickly escape the area. She ran out of the marketplace stairs, and looked down the street. Guards were coming. She ran the opposite direction and then went inside a nearby saloon. Men of all sorts were lined up around the bar. She took a seat, hoping to blend in. A guard ran in and pointed his gun and the people. But as soon as he realized he could not find his target, he left. She waited a bit, and the commotion on the street appeared to of died down. She accomplished her task. Now to retrieve her evidence. She went back into the marketplace, where everything was seeming to be fine. She approached where the body was, however nothing was left. Except his officer's badge.

Perfect, she thought. What better evidence is there then his own badge?

She picked it up and then left the scene. She would consult the man who sent him this letter after she dealt with this Oh-so-magnificent Ember. However, she could not simply infiltrate the palace. That was simply not her way.