Will tapped his hand on his bow as he scourged through the streets of Sea-Cliff fief of Araluen.

Maddie was beside him, her grip tight on her recurve bow as she pulled her cowl lower, "Will?" She whispered in a breath that barely reached Will's ears, "Can you tell me who we're looking for now?"

"No." Will said gruffly, looking down the alleys as he passed them.

I wish I didn't have to bring her, Will thought as he glanced back at Maddie, who was following him silently with the Ranger's silence that he drilled into her after months of practice, But she is my apprentice. I can't just... leave her.

She is also the princess of Araluen though, and going after an assassin is dangerous. If I'm not careful, she could die.

He shook off the terrible thought, and froze when he saw a flash of bright red fabric in one of the alleyways.

He furrowed his eyebrows, "Maddie, stay at twenty paces behind me." He whispered.

Maddie nodded, though she looked concerned.

Will stepped into the slick alleyway without a sound as he put his hand on the hilt of his Saxe knife.

Nothing...

nothing...

Wait, what is that?

Will crouched and picked up a small piece of paper on the ground.

The words on it made his breath hitch.

Help. I'm running from the others.

This message is from the assassin that they were hunting! That is why there wasn't a death yet after several reports, the rogue assassin was running away from the 'other' assassins!

Will looked back, and Maddie was waiting twenty paces back, just like he asked.

He waved his hand for her to join him.

She dashed up silently, her eyes widening under her hood as she read the brief message, "... What are we gonna do?" She asked, looking at Will.