~ Breanna Vincent contributed to this story

Chapter One

Tir stood on the bridge, chin propped in his elbow as he watched the water moving below. He had managed to ditch his escorts, but he was sure they would be catching up with him soon. He was amazed they still hadn’t caught onto his tricks. “Prince Tir.” He blinked, raising straight up at his name being called. “It is you, good, I’m glad.” He hadn’t even heard the man walk up to him. Dark eyes full of amusement stared back at him, a smile on the taller man’s face. “You had your men worried.”
“Who are you?” He moved back a few feet and let his hand fall to his sword.
“Now, now, none of that. I’m not here to hurt you.” He bowed. “I am Lao Thrace, your father hired me to watch over you.”
“You weren’t with the others.”
“That was the point. If you had seen me, you would have tried to avoid me.” He stood up straight. “We really should be getting you back. Your father brought you along for a good reason.”
“I can learn more out here than I can visiting foreign dignitaries. Listening to my father and the others is boring, the streets livelier.” He released his sword and turned to leave. “I’ll return to the castle when I am done here.”
“Your father was right, you are quite stubborn.”
Tir was surprised to find Lao standing in front of him. “How did you…”
“If you wish to wander around then I have no choice but to accompany you since I am not allowed to lay my hands on you and take you back by force. After you my prince.”
Tir wasn’t sure about this man but he believed what he was saying. Hiring someone to simply follow undetected sounded like his father. He wished the man would loosen the reigns a little more but he didn’t resent his father for it. In fact this time, he had made the day a little more interesting. ‘alright then” Tir walked forward, Lao moving out the way then walking by his side. “How did my father come to hire you?” Tir asked, curious about this man that had somehow stayed close without detection. “I have a good reputation and have long since been retired from my previous occupation so he sought me out and asked if I would do this. He told me a lot about you and your tendencies to sneak off. To be honest it sounded like fun rather than work and I haven’t been disappointed”
“Should I ask about your previous work?”
“Assassination.”
“Truly?”
“Yes, I was very good at it, but after awhile I decided it was time for a change. After my last job I retired.”
“So my father found you by name?”
Lao nodded. “People like your father know about men like me, especially those who have made a name for themselves.”
“That’s fascinating, I’ve never met an assassin, that I know of at least.” He crossed his arms. “The way you move is amazing. You’re so quiet, like a cat.”
“I was trained well. So, where are we going?”
“I don’t really know, I just wanted to get to know the people. My father likes me to stay close because of who I am.” He deepened his voice. “If a prince should be spotted alone someone may take advantage of the situation. You are my only son, please stay with your escorts.” He found Lao watching him in amusement and blushed, clearing his throat. “Anyway, it’s hard to walk among the people when you have two armed guards with you.”
“And you think I’m not armed?”
Tir looked him over. “Are you? I don’t see any weapons.”
“That’s the point my prince.” He leaned in closer and Tir felt the sharp point of a blade touching his throat. “You see? No one knows until they feel the cool metal.” He slipped the blade back in the sheath at his wrist, showing it to Tir.
“Wow.”
“so I can stay close and intimidate a people a lot less unless they know who I am but few would recognize my face. When I work and meet people I normally wear a mask. It’s good practice, it keeps people you care about safe and makes a man like me more able to live a peacful life when I’m not working”
“smart too, my dad was careful in who he picked”
“He loves you very much”
“I know, it can be annoying as hell sometimes but I know he’s the way he is because he loves me” Tir wanted to change the subject so he asked “so your mask, how did you pick it?”
“it was a gift from my mentor”
“May I see it?”
“It’s back in my room, I’ll show you when we go back. For now just enjoy yourself.”
Tir took a winding path through the city, stopping at market stalls and going into shops to look around. He wound up buying a few books and stopped at a bakery to get him and Lao something to eat. “This place is truly amazing, thank you for not making me go back.” He said as they made their way to the castle.
“I told you, I’m not allowed to use force.”
Tir chuckled. “But what if I’m in danger and I refuse to run or what if I were to run into a fight to defend someone? You wouldn’t use force to pull me away?”
“I would simply remove the danger to you.”
“You’re incredibly confident in your abilities.”
“An assassin without confidence is a dead man, prince. I don’t fear death or pain. Assassins are taught from a young age that darkness is our friend, it becomes a part of us that we must tap

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