Next was a mile away, another rapist, older and fatter. She loaded her hand crossbow. This one she did not want to touch. Nearing his usual haunt, she took to the roof, gazing into the shadows and scanning the alleys. She spotted him exiting alone, but intent on a young couple. She tracked the trio away from the lights and when the couple turned the corner she shot. The bolt went through the back of his head and stuck out his left eye. He fell in his tracks and she was gone again.

Barely midnight and four kills in. She appreciated how specific her client had been with the details on these marks. Sometimes all she got were names. Those could take a week to track down. These five she had located easily the night before and soon the last one would be dead. It was almost like cheating.

The fifth was the only challenge on the list. The rest had been scoundrels of the lowest order, two common murderers and two rapists. Men who committed violence for pleasure, brutal men with no cunning. The last was a thinking man, an organizer of lesser men. She had no doubt he had directed the other four, though she never asked what they had done.

He had a house in the higher part of town, and a couple guards. She watched them from the opposite roof, but they never looked up. She went back down the block and crossed the street. Gaining the roof again, she was perched above their heads in moments.

She waited a little longer and then climbed down to the windows. Slipping a wire between the wooden frames, she lifted the inner latch and climbed inside. He did not stir as she closed the window behind her. She had a hand over his mouth and her knife to his throat before she realized he was already dead.

She dove beneath some bushes, holding her breath as she stared down the road. A horse and rider came into view and rode past without pausing – a messenger by his saddlebags. Keri pulled herself out of the brush and kept on, scolding herself for paranoia.

They were out to get her though, she thought, patting the purse at her waist. It never paid to be too lucky in one place and she knew better than to overstay her welcome. She heard another horse, slower this time, and slipped off into the woods.

Hiding behind a tree, she watched him approach. He was walking his horse and studying the ground. Keri gripped her sword tighter. He reached the first place she had left the path, but barely paused. Coming even with her, he looked straight at the tree she was using for cover.

“You didn’t think you’d get away with it, did you, Keri? Come on, now, don’t be childish.”

“I didn’t do anything wrong.” She stayed put.

“You cheated at cards and used rigged dice.”

“No, I used the same dice as everyone else and I never even dealt the cards.”

“No one is that lucky.” He stepped off the path, drawing his sword. “Don’t make this harder than it has to be.”
“Stay away from me.” She pulled her sword and retreated further into the woods. “I’m not a cheater.”

“Come on, Keri. Just come back and give us the money you stole.” He came on.

“I didn’t steal anything.” He was gaining and knew she was not fast enough to outrun him.

“You did, and you’ll give it back, or I’ll take it.” His sword whistled through the air.

They were well off the path now. Keri sheathed her sword and he stepped forward. She bent down, pulling off her pack and set it on the ground. With a quick motion, she pulled her dagger from her boot and threw it dead center into his chest. He stiffened and fell.

Back on the road, she mounted his horse and road off. “Now I’ve stolen something, but he won’t need it anymore.”