Learning to Kill

Evania wiped her face off with her sleeves. She was done crying over this, though she still sniffled every few seconds. Kavil not answering her question, though she was getting used to the silence he frequently used when she asked him things, unnerved her. This was a rather important thing to know, at least to her. His quick release of a breath caused her to look at him. Was that a laugh? Or had he had a tickle in his throat? He agreed with her statement about Zane, finally looking at her now. Evania could swear that there was the spark of something in his eyes, but before she could really understand what it was, it was gone. His eyes were back to being emotionless.

Evania brought her knees up to her chest and sighed. She rested her head sideways on the tops of her knees. It was then that she spotted her bed, remembering the incident that had woken her up. The wool bedding was charred and crumbling in some spots. Her fire seemed to be nothing but trouble today, and it made her feel bad. After twenty years, she should have better control over herself. Though, throwing the ball at Zane had been a conscious decision, even if she wasn't fully aware of doing it until it left her palm. She groaned in disappointment with herself.

The twenty year old lifted her head then and looked back at Kavil. She didn't have anything more to say. She could only wait for his decision.
 
Kavil was unsure of what to do about Evania. It was his job to punish her, if indeed he was going to. Zane would expect her to be punished, and Kavil knew Zane was the kind of person to make a fuss if she wasn't. He'd claim that Kavil was losing his edge, or something of the sort. He'd call for Evania to be killed, and he'd probably use this mess as grounds for a more immediate challenge for Kavil's title. Kavil wanted to avoid that, and it might mean giving Evania a little more...creative of a punishment.

"Pack enough supplies for three days," he ordered her. "You're coming with me." There was nothing in the guild's rules that would counter his decision, and it could be counted a punishment to have her be a servant of sorts on a contract. It hadn't been done in a while, but Kavil had a good memory. He knew it would end well enough for them both. Especially for Evania, since now Zane couldn't have her killed while Kavil was gone.
 
Kavil seemed to be calculating his next move. Evania couldn't be sure. His silence and expressionless face could really mean anything. She sat fiddling with her fingers, switching between biting her nails and picking at her cuticles while she waited for his final decision. The twenty year old believed him when he said he wasn't going to kill her. She was much calmer now that he seemed to understand, and she was able to think much clearer. Remembering back to what happened, she knew he had actually saved her life. Only a sick bastard would save her to then kill her himself.

Finally Kavil spoke up, ordering her to pack things enough for three days. "Three days?" she echoed. He was taking her somewhere? Her eyes went back to the bag he had. Of course. Kavil had been on his way out somewhere when this all transpired. Using her head, Evania put two and two together. Kavil was going out on a contract, and now trying to take her along with him. She paled some and she felt her throat get dry suddenly. "I…Are you sure that's a good idea?" she croaked out. "Taking me with you? It's only been my first morning of training I don't think…" She rambled on. But Evania knew there probably was no other option. She wasn't going to be given a choice.

She let out a reluctant sigh and rose to her feet, wiping off her backside to get rid of the ash marks she'd sat in. Evania grabbed a bag and started to stuff clothing and other needed items. When it was packed, she dug through her other things until she found her own cloak and clasped it around her neck. Finally, she picked up her knives from the ground. They must have fallen down to the hard floors when she'd given up and collapsed onto the bed. She sheathed them around her waist and was ready to go. OR as ready as she could be.
 
"I will do all of the work for the contract," Kavil stated. "All you need to do is watch the horses." He wasn't asking anything of her that she couldn't accomplish at her current level. That wasn't the point of bringing her along. She definitely wasn't yet at the level where she could shadow an assassin more closely on a contract. He didn't want her anywhere near him while he fulfilled the contract, seeing as she'd be a liability. No, it would be far safer for them both if she just stayed with the horses while he did his job.

Once Evania was ready, he turned and left the room. She should follow him, and he actually did glance back to ensure she was doing so. He led the way downstairs to the first floor, then out the front doors to the stables. His horse was out in the pasture at the moment, but she was easy enough for him to retrieve. He also brought a horse for Evania to ride. That one was a bay gelding that was much smaller than his mare. He was hardly big enough to be considered a horse rather than a pony, but he was very easy to ride. Kavil didn't know how much riding experience Evania had, so he'd opted to give her this very safe and friendly horse.

"This is Chip," he told Evania as he put the gelding in his stall to be tacked up. He didn't say anything more than that. It was obvious enough that he expected Evania to ride him. He just went to work getting his own horse ready to be ridden, attaching his bag to the saddle once he was done. If Evania didn't know how to tack up a horse, he'd do that for her. She'd need to learn, but now wasn't the time. It wasn't all that difficult, anyway. She'd probably pick it up easily enough by watching him, if she didn't know how to do it already.
 
Going with him sat easier with Evania after he clarified she would only be watching the horses. That was fine with her, though it made her feel incapable of doing anything else. She would keep her grumbles to herself, though, not actually wanting to wind up following Kavil and watching him work. It was odd for her to think of killing a man as work. She would have to get used to it on top of the idea of her actually killing someone. It almost made her feel ill.

She followed Kavil with her bag slung over her shoulder, walking behind him silently. They didn't pass many people on their way out, something she was grateful for. Evania was worried about how the other assassin's would feel about he accompanying Kavil on a contract, even if it was just to watch the horses. She had a feeling that Zane would strongly disapprove. But Evania was finding she was actually content with this punishment, if you could even really call it that. If she'd stayed behind who knew if Zane would try to have her killed or get her into even more trouble. Evania knew she'd made an enemy of the blonde man.

They two wound up in the stables and while Kavil went to fetch his horse, Evania stayed inside. She only went to see other horses and was going to ask which she was to ride when Kavil returned. But he was one step ahead of her. With him he brought a small gelding, whom was put in a stable and introduced as Chip. Evania smiled. Chip seemed to fit the horse. While Kavil began to ready his horse, she did the same with Chip. He was smaller than other horses she'd ridden in the past, but he would suit her just fine. She went through tacking him up, having done it many times in the past with her brother. The two weren't from this area of the nation, and after the death of their parents the two had moved about many times. Evania had traveled almost all of the country before her seventeenth birthday. Most of those times, she'd used her own horse, Brie. Sadly, before Elyan had left, her cherished chestnut colored mare had fallen ill and had to put put down. Elyan left before getting her a new horse and so it had been some time before Evania had really ridden any horse in general. Still, the motions felt natural, as if she'd just done this the previous day.

When she was finished, she got herself up on the horse. Chip was a rather friendly beast and Evania quickly became attached to him. She pat his brown sides before urging him to trot out of his stall and stopping next to Kavil. "Where are we heading?"
 
Kavil watched as Evania tacked her horse up without difficulty. It came as a relief to see that she knew how to do this. It meant she knew how to ride, and Kavil was thankful for that. Teaching her how to ride would have been a real inconvenience.

He mounted his own horse and rode her out of the barn, stopping once Evania was out and asked her question. "A town about a day's ride from here," he stated. He wouldn't give more details regarding the contract, but he'd show her a map once they stopped to let the horses drink and rest. Kavil might be fine with riding all day, but he understood the limits of his horse. He wouldn't push her or Chip past what they could handle.
 
Evania nodded to show she understood. She wanted to know exactly where, that way she could perhaps do more than just follow behind him. "You going to give me the name of it? I know my way around the nation," she said when they spurred their horses on to begin their journey. As they left the stables, movement caught her eye and she saw a few assassin's watching them leave. Evania turned her head forward again quickly, hoping to not be recognized as of yet.
 
Kavil just ignored the other assassins, not caring what they thought about him leaving with Evania. They were probably confused, but a bit of griping from Zane would likely clear up that confusion. Sort of. Kavil was, after all, acting strangely. Taking an assassin with him--an apprentice, no less--was very odd, considering his title. But the Guild Master would understand. He hoped.

He waited until they were in the woods before answering Evania's question. "We're going to Vaglen," he stated. It was a nice town. He'd been there before. Only a couple times, though. They didn't get many contracts from there, but this one was special. Difficult, which is why Kavil was asked to do it. The captain of the guard needed to be assassinated, after all. The combat prowess of the target easily made it a job fit for Kavil's rank.
 
Evania knew of the town. Her and Elyan had lived there for a few months when she was fifteen. She welcomed this new information, though not really because she wanted to know where they were heading. Knowing where they were heading gave her a clue as to where the Order was located. It must be very well hidden, somewhere no one would look or stumble into. The thick woods they were riding through now gave the place some cover. She wondered if there was a fail safe in the event a weary traveler somehow stumbled in seeking refuge and a place to stay for the night.

Evania didn't particularly want to know the details of his contract. Knowing where they were heading was enough for her. What if she found out her was going to kill someone she once knew, way back when? She would be unable to stop Kavil from doing the deed and if she did that, he would surely have to kill her. They were a good deal of distance into the woods by the time she spoke again. "Zane's going to challenge you for your title," she stated. Evania had heard every word that had left the blonde mans mouth. She also knew, after studying the scroll, that if Zane wanted Kavil's rank, he would have to kill Kavil. "Are you worried?" Was that too personal? Probably. This was Kavil, after all. That's when it really sank in that it would just be her and Kavil the Silent for three whole days. They were going to drag on forever if she couldn't find things we was willing to talk about. Evania doubted there were many things on that list.
 
Kavil was quiet for a while after Evania asked that question. It seemed for a time that he wasn't going to answer at all, but then he broke his silence.

"Yes, I am worried," he admitted. It took a lot for him to admit to having such feelings, or any feelings whatsoever. He did everything he could to seem like nothing phased him, that nothing could hurt him. That was far from the truth. Someone had just drilled into him that emotions were liabilities, and that having them meant you were weak. But when it was just him and Evania, somehow he felt comfortable enough to speak of them. It was strange. Maybe he just didn't want to go three days in silence, either.
 
A lengthy time passed of silence as they rode on. Evania had already given up on the idea that Kavil would answer her. So when the time came and he replied, she was shocked. Evania pulled the reins on Chip, making him stop for a moment. It seemed like every time she had him figured out, he would do the opposite. Albeit, his tone was his usual emotionless one. Low and steady. But he had answered her. She took a moment to collect herself before nudging Chip forward, catching up to Kavil's side now, rather than stay behind him. Evania looked over at him, studying his face to see if there was a hint of anything there. If there was, she couldn't find it.

Evania spent some time calculating a response. She was wary of most things that came to mind, not wanting to insult or hurt Kavil. "I'm sure you'll be okay," she said softly, her eyes falling away from him and looking down at the reins in her fingers. Perhaps she should have expected a response and had a reply ready. "Is he a threat?" she asked. "He seems... over confident."
 
Kavil took less time to reply this time. "Yes," he answered. "He is a threat. An over confident one, yes, but still a threat." A large one. Kavil wasn't sure if he could kill Zane. They were both highly skilled, but Zane had an advantage over Kavil: Zane's special talent was easily applicable to combat. He could kill someone with his power alone, which Kavil could not. His ability was largely a defensive maneuver to avoid projectiles when used in combat. That wouldn't help him much against a close-quarters fighter like Zane.

Hearing Evania say that he'd be okay meant more to Kavil than it should. She knew so little about him, and less about Zane. How could she say that he'd be okay?

"Thank you," he said quietly, appreciating the vote of confidence. She probably didn't hear him though, between the wind and the hoofbeats of their horses.
 
A pit grew in her stomach when Kavil said that Zane, even if over confident, was a threat. She didn't know when the challenge would be, not even any idea as to when or what. Would there be some sort of gathering? She wasn't so sure she would want to watch. Evania would be rooting for Kavil, even if he could frustrate her. Zane was, as she had already called him, a prick. Not only that she feared if he won. It made sense to her that Zane would immediately have her killed then, even if it was currently Kavil's duty to deal with her. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Kavil's mouth move. His words were lost in the wind and the sound of the hooves beating the ground, not to mention his low voice.

Evania wanted to change topics to something happier but couldn't think of something else to talk about. She was curious about Kavil, and wondered if she would be able to get some of his past out of him if he was already admitting his worry. She wasn't going to push her luck. Not right now, anyway. The twenty year old would keep quiet until they stopped to give the horses a rest.
 
Kavil rode on in silence for hours until it was time for the horses to rest. He let his horse slow to a walk for a few minutes before halting. The horse seemed tired, and Kavil was going to give her a rest. Chip was probably in need of a break too, and there was a stream nearby that they could drink from.

He dismounted and led his horse to the stream. She gladly drank the clear water, and he let go of the reins to let her do as she wished for a little while. They'd get another couple hours of riding in before nightfall. For now, he and Evania could relax, too. He fetched some fruit from his saddlebag and tossed a pear to Evania. No doubt she'd be hungry, and he remembered that she'd asked Valerie for a pear. Kavil kept an apple for himself.
 
Evania was happy when they stopped for their rest. It'd been a long time since she'd been on horseback for such an extended period of time. Her thigh muscles where aching and the rest of her body was weary as well after the training she'd done that morning. During the past few hours, her mood had deteriorated. She was tired, and hungry. She had been hungry before they'd left the Order, but with all of the excitement with Zane, it'd been forgotten. About an hour into their ride, her stomach had made its emptiness known, but she didn't complain. Instead, she just kept Chip in pace with Kavil, grumbling to herself.

When they stopped, Evania followed Kavil's example of leading Chip to the stream. Even if she was beginning to be in a grouchy mood, she still stayed by the beast a moment, patting his flank and telling him he was a good boy. Her bond with Chip was growing at a rather fast rate. Perhaps it was because of the hole left by her previous horse, or just the want and need of a friend here. Kavil couldn't be considered a friend, not yet. But Evania did trust him wholly.

She caught the pear that he tossed to her with ease, despite being caught off guard. Evania looked down at the fruit in her hand before looking back at Kavil with the workings of a smile. He himself had an apple, what she had had for breakfast. "Thanks," she said before sinking her teeth into it. "So what's the plan then? Ride until dark and set up camp, or are we stopping in a town?"
 
"There is a village where we can rest for the night," Kavil stated. The village was where the assassins usually went to buy clothes or other extra supplies. The villagers loved them as a result of it, and the money from these assassins had done wonders for the village's economy. They lived comfortable lives because of the assassins, and many of the assassins had lovers there.

He sat down with his back to a tree, and he hesitated before eating his apple. It was extremely rare for him to eat around someone else, and he kept checking to make sure Evania wasn't going to try to hurt him. He definitely wouldn't eat around pretty much anyone else at the guild.
 
Evania nodded. She was betting that the village they'd be stopping to rest for the night in was the same that Felicia had mentioned to her yesterday. It would be nice to see the place she could go if she needed some supplies or something, not to mention after they traveled to it she would have a general route to get there on her own. While she ate her pear, Evania sat on the ground, warming her face in the sun. Kavil sat against a tree, and Evania noticed his hesitation before he went to eat his apple. The twenty year old chuckled at it and shook her head. "Uncomfortable?" she asked with a teasing tone to her voice. "I can shut my eyes if you want, or go down to the horses while they graze."
 
"It's fine," Kavil said, looking down at the apple before taking another bite. He'd adjust quickly enough to having Evania around for a few days. Then he fully intended to go back to eating alone. He didn't need such companionship, especially not from someone he might be forced to kill. Only if they mess up, though.

He finished his apple before tossing the core aside. He'd give the horses a handful of minutes more to rest, then it would be time for them to get moving again.
 
Evania shrugged. She had offered, even if there was teasing behind it. When she finished the pear down to its core, she tossed it aside as he had done with his apple core. Evania rose to her feet and stretched her back as tall as she could. She was average high for a female of her age. Her muscles screamed in protest as she continued to stretch the rest of her limbs before the would spend the next couple of hours riding to reach the village. She would sleep well that night, given that she actually allowed herself to sleep. Evania was worried about whether or not her dreams would plague her that night. If they did and she couldn't wake herself, she wouldn't live it down. Kavil would be nearby, and if they were staying at an inn she'd be putting more people's lives in danger. She would deal with that problem later.

Evania finished stretching and returned to the horses, keeping clear of Kavil's and following after his warning to stay away from her. She grabbed hold of Chip's reins and gave his head a good nuzzle before she climbed on top of him and waited to follow after Kavil again.
 
Kavil climbed onto his mare's back, waiting until Evania was settled before asking his horse for the easy canter they'd been traveling at before. The remaining time until they reached the village passed in silence, Kavil not wishing to speak for now. Once they reached the small village, Kavil led the way to the stables next to the inn. The owner knew him by name, and he accepted Kavil's and Evania's horses without even asking for coin.

"My master pays the villagers for such services," he told Evania. He led the way into the inn, easily getting a room for them to stay in. It was just one bed, since the inn was small and didn't have any two-bed ones available. They could have gotten separate rooms, but Kavil insisted otherwise. One would be fine.

Once in that one room, Kavil placed his bag in the corner and pulled out a map. He placed it on the small desk, opening it to show Evania. "We're here," he said, indicating the spot on the map. "The fortress is here." He figured Evania should be told where it was. Just in case...
 
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