The land of Arretan, though beautiful, has its share of peculiarities not the least of which is its rigid caste system. Most caste systems have some level of the absurd, but this one reaches the heights.
Arretan's caste system is based on hair color, not birth. Brown is the color of the peasants or working class. Merchants are blonde while red is the color of royalty. Children born out of their castes are reassigned parents at the age of 6 and all receive a small tattoo detailing their rank in society, boys on the arm and girls on their shoulder blades.
It is a matter of dishonor to have a child with black hair, for this is considered to be the mark of absolute evil. These children often disappear in the night, and neighbors mourn the "death" of a child. However, these children do NOT die. They are rescued from where they have been abandoned by the most secret of all castes, the Assassins.
The Assassins, spoken of in naught but whispers if at all, is made of all of the outcasts of society. To an Assassin, having black hair is the greatest honor. Brunettes and blondes are servants or spies, but those with red hair are reviled and enslaved. The mortality rate of these slaves in the Assassins' stronghold is extremely high, but most Assassins never noticed. Only one saw… and was appalled at the waste of valuable tools.
That one stood seething inwardly as the High Assassin, Reth, shouted obscenities at her. "You disobeyed orders again!" he shouted. "Because of your incompetence, we lost fifteen Assassins!"
"I only followed your instructions, High Assassin," Jainad forced out through gritted teeth.
"HA!" he barked with a sneer. "A female following instructions? That'll be the day!" Reth roared with laughter and Jainad decided enough was enough.
"NO MORE!" she shouted. "I have had it with your idiotic instructions getting my men killed, then you having the temerity to blame it on ME!" She paused to savor Reth's face purpling with anger then continued, "I challenge you!"
Incredulity spread across the High Assassin's face as he took in her fighting stance and drawn dagger. "You??" he laughed uproariously. "That will be the day. I wouldn't want to hurt you, little girl."
Jainad snarled and slashed his cheek with her dagger before dancing back out of reach. "What's the matter, old fool? Too fat and slow to fight a girl?"
Reth drew his dagger and growled, "Have it your way, girl. I will feed your tattered body to the iska fish piece by piece!"
"Oooo, so dramatic," she taunted as she easily avoided the lumbering man's lunges. Seeing an opening, she darted in and sliced his arm from shoulder to forearm causing Reth to roar and slash blindly in her direction. Jainad darted out of reach and surveyed her handiwork. The High Assassin's dagger arm hung limply at his side and he was forced to attempt to use his other hand. His clumsy charges gave her the perfect opportunity to carve a deep gash across his generous stomach. The dagger dropped from limp fingers to clang on the floor. Her opponent fell to his knees with a heavy thud, then fell over sideways. She smiled maliciously at the look of idiotic disbelief and raised her dagger.
"Surprise. You lost," she whispered and she plunged the dagger through his heart.
The triumphant Assassin raised the gory dagger high and claimed the title of High Assassin, daring any to challenge her. No one voiced a challenge, but she took note of the few rebellious gazes. She dismissed the former council from her mind. They wouldn't live long having backed the wrong person and now on the losing side.
She appointed her own council of twelve assassins whose cunning was surpassed only by their loyalty...to her.
"Feed that carrion to his precious iska fish," she ordered with a laugh as she swept from the room, her loyal councilors trailing behind.
Once inside the sealed council room, she waved the others to their seats. Jainad, however, remained standing and began to pace like a hungry cat around the table. "Brothers and sisters," she began looking around the table. "We are wasting a valuable resource and it is inexcusable."
The other assassins looked at each other then back at the pacing High Assassin. One bold council member ventured, "What resource would that be?"
A feral grin lit up her features as she responded, "Why, our slaves, of course. The ones we revile so. They could be so useful."
Disgust filled the features of everyone in the room, so she rushed to explain.
"These slaves, unbroken in spirit but broken to our will and fiercely loyal could give us the edge we need! Do you want to always live in caves? Do you LIKE hiding?"
She looked around the table at all of the shaking heads and continued, "Arretan could be ours. We could be in charge for a change."
Disbelief still showed in their faces so she decided to show them what she meant.
Jainad opened the door and called to the servant standing outside. "Find me slave Marna and bring her here. Be quick about it!" The lithe blond girl ran off to the slave quarters and soon returned with a petite girl with long, flaming red hair and midnight blue eyes. Marna dropped to her knees and touched her forehead to the ground.
"Come in here, Marna."
"Yes, Ma'am," the frightened girl replied as she stumbled to her feet and entered the room. Her fear heightened as she took in the seated figures inside the chamber. Was she to be part of a Game? She had heard of these games and no longer expected to survive the night.
The High Assassin took the shivering slave by the shoulders and pulled her to the front of the table. Marna ducked her head and stared at the floor but the other woman was having none of that. She ruthlessly grasped her hair, forcing her to look up and gestured to her face before speaking to the others at the table.
"Does she not look like our darling princess? We could capture the princess and copy her tattoo onto this slave, then send her to the palace. She could take over the country from the inside, slowly bringing us in, until we are the highest power in the land!"
Marna gasped in shock and disbelief at the audacious plan. Her astonishment was mirrored by the other occupants of the chamber.
One Assassin jumped to his feet and exclaimed, "Are you INSANE?" Tollan gestured at the cowering slave girl and cried, "This shivering wretch will never be mistaken for a princess!"
"That's why we have to train her, Tollan," she replied with a predatory grin. "We kidnap the princess and train our double to act just like her."
"And just what is the slaves' motivation for helping us?" he asked skeptically.
"Relative freedom and a place in our world. For this price, the slaves would do anything. Isn't that right, Marna?"
The slave turned wondering eyes on Jainad and slowly nodded her head.
"And...and no more of the Game?" she asked tremulously. The High Assassin gave her a motherly smile and assured her that no more slaves need die in the Game.
"For freedom from the constant fear of death, a slave would sell her soul," Marna whispered.
For that, Marna received a gentle pat on the head before being ordered back to work. After she had exited the chamber, Jainad turned to the council table.
"See how easy it is to buy their loyalty?" she said with a smile.
She ordered the other assassins to contact their spies about finding ways to capture the princess, then dismissed them.
Tollan lingered after the others had left and softly stated, "You know there are going to be objections to doing away with the Game."
A sinister smile crossed her lips as she answered, "I never said I was getting rid of the Game...just that no more would die. After all, they can handle a lot of pain before it gets to that point." She turned to Tollan and when he saw the malicious glint in her eyes, he smiled. He didn't have to give up his Games after all.
Marna raced through the corridors, carefully avoiding notice for she knew that to be seen by an Assassin who did not know what their leader had decided was dangerous. She couldn't wait to tell the others the news. She burst into the slave quarters, gasping for air and startling the other occupants. They rushed over anxiously asking what was wrong and she smiled.
"Nothing is wrong! I have such good news!" She paused for breath and laughed as the others pestered her for news.
"We now have a new High Assassin and she's going to put a stop to the Game!" Silence fell in the room as everyone stared at the glowing girl. "She said there would be no more deaths! We're going to have a PLACE here, instead of living in fear from day to day."
The other slaves surrounded Marna and listened intently as she outlined how they would have to be careful the next few days. Not all of the Assassins knew, and those who did might not obey the new edicts. Walking softly around them remained the only way to be safe.
The news spread like wild fire through the male and female quarters and the day was given over to quiet celebration.
That evening, Jainad announced her plan to the general assembly of Assassins. As expected, there were many loud protests about the Game and she signaled for silence.
"Listen to me. I am not outlawing the Game. I am merely outlawing deaths from the Game. Surely, you can curb your enthusiasm enough to leave them alive. After all, a dead toy isn't much good to you." She waited until the room had quieted before continuing. "And you will have to avoid scarring also. They will never pass for royalty if scarred. One final note," she shouted over the growing murmurs. "slave Marna is OFF LIMITS! I have something special planned for that one and she can not be harmed."
She gave a slight nod to her informants as the room cleared; silently ordering them to keep their ears open and report back to her on the general response to her orders.
New chambers should have been readied for Marna, but she needed to inspect them before showing them to the new occupant. Carefully disguised restraints lined the bed and the walls. These would be used to "train" the slave and also "persuade" Princess Mellindre to cooperate. Perhaps Tollan would be the one to work with her on this. She hadn't missed his relief at keeping the Game, and he was certain to have plenty of practice. Directing from the background shouldn't be too hard and would cement his loyalty.
Marna clutched her few belongings in her arms as she hurried behind the plump girl taking her to her new quarters. She was a little frightened but reassured herself by remembering what Jainad had said earlier that day...that is until she stepped into the room and saw Tollan and Jainad standing there.
Instantly, she dropped to her knees spilling her meager possessions all over the floor. As her forehead was pressed against the stone, she did not see the smiles that flitted across their faces.
"Get up girl," Tollan barked sharply. "And pick these things up off the floor before you lose them." He took a step forward but stopped when Jainad placed a hand on his arm.
"Gently, my Brother," she admonished. "We want her to feel comfortable in her new home."
Jainad stepped forward and gently helped Marna to her feet and patted her on the arm. "Just place your belongings on the shelf over there then come back here."
Marna risked a glance at her face and saw the smile so she relaxed slightly and picked up her scattered things and placed them on the shelf. She then dashed back across the room and swiftly knelt in front of them.
The two assassins shared a cruel smile, unseen by the slave girl at their feet and the High Assassin placed a hand on her head.
"We will leave you to sleep for now. Your training will begin in the morning." She then placed her hand on her partner's arm and practically dragged him from the room.
She locked the door then turned to her Brother. "Remember what we do here. We do not want to frighten her yet. Go to bed and don't collect a girl on the way there. I need you fresh for the morning."
"Yes, High Assassin," he mumbled grumpily as he headed off to bed. Jainad watched him on his way down the hall then made her way to her new chambers.
The slaves had done a good job of clearing away that fat old slob's things and setting up her own. She climbed into bed, yet lay awake for quite awhile planning out the girl's training and the breaking of a princess.
Princess Mellindre was bored. She sighed as she rose from her bath and stepped onto the soft mat covering the cold stone floor. Water streamed from her thick mane of fiery hair and glistened on her porcelain skin. She stretched her arms out and allowed her servant to towel the moisture from her body and she stared off into space. The girl with the towel stepped in front of her and she frowned at her. "Who are you?" she demanded. "Where is Selina?"
"Selina's mother is very ill," the girl answered as she brushed her light brown hair back from her face. "The physiks are afraid she might die, so Selina had to go home to care for the younger children. I am her replacement."
Mellindre pursed her lips in irritation but allowed the girl to arrange her dressing gown around her slender body before impatiently waving her away. The young servant bowed deeply and turned to go but was stopped just as she placed her hand on the door. "Wait," the princess called. "I can't keep calling you girl. What is your name?"
"My name is Ileanna, your highness."
"Very well, leave now Ileanna."
The princess turned back to the window and missed the venomous look the servant girl shot at her. She perched on the window seat, gazing at nothing, but lost in thoughts of the story her nurse had told her years ago...
"Why must I learn all this stuff?" she had asked irritably.
"Because you are the only daughter left to Her Majesty, your mother," her nurse had answered quietly.
"Left? What do you mean 'left'?"
"When you were born, the Queen declared a feast of celebration for she was blessed by not one, but two daughters. The first born was named Marianna and you, the second born, were named Mellindre. Your twin, being the elder by a mere 10 minutes was declared the heir and you were to be her chief advisor after you reached the age of majority."
"Then what happened, nurse?"
"When you both were but a few months old, your sister was taken from the castle in the dead of night. A massive search was organized, but no trace of the princess Marianna was found. Your mother, though heartbroken, consoled herself that one daughter remained. She decreed that guards would surround your cradle day and night and accompany you wherever you go..."
"Well, at least she stopped THAT nonsense," Mellindre thought sourly. Instead of having guards watching her every move, she now merely had to put up with them outside of the palace walls. Little did her mother or the captain of the guards know that Princess Mellindre had been sneaking out of the palace for several years. In a dark wool cloak and rough peasant dress, she merely walked out of the gates with the multitude of day workers on their way home. If she could only keep that new maidservant away while she was gone, she would be going out again that evening. "I know!" she exclaimed. "I'll drug her and put her in the bed. Anyone who looks in will think it's me!" Satisfied with her plan, she began her preparations for her night trek.
Ileanna slipped silently from her hiding place and smiled nastily as she glided through the narrow passage to her own chambers. "So, the most high and mighty princess plans another nighttime adventure," she laughed as she sent the message bird to the Assassins' cave. "Poor thing has no idea what she's getting herself into. I imagine it's going to be quite a shock for her royal snootiness. Drug me, will she," she snarled as her eyes narrowed. "I'm sure she'll have MANY reasons to regret that decision shortly."
Jainad read the message sent by her spy and smiled. So the little princess wished to escape from her tedious duties. It really was a shame that she would never go back.
"Your murder has been avenged and your plan is near completion, Mother," she whispered as she sat gazing out of the open window. "May the winds carry my words to the dark lands and bring your blessings back to this land of the living." She blew a kiss to the breeze and softly closed the window with a smile.
The smile lingered until she turned and found Tollan lounging in her chair, smiling cruelly. "So," he drawled as he leaned back, folding his hands in front of him. "The High Assassin has a dirty little secret."
"What are you babbling about and how did you get in here?" she demanded furiously with reddening cheeks.
"I thought you looked familiar," he hissed with a nasty gleam in his eyes. "But, no one would connect your face with the unknown daughter of a disgraced High Assassin."
Jainad backed away as her Second advanced on her. When she hit the wall, he leapt forward and snatched her head back by her long midnight hair, baring her throat. "Please, listen to me!" she begged breathlessly.
"Give me ONE good reason why I shouldn't kill you right now!"
"You have to listen--"
"HOW DID YOU ESCAPE?" he roared. "The whole family was killed!"
"Please, just let me explain..."
"Make it quick and it had better be good," Tollan snarled, fingering the knife at his side.
The story poured from her lips in a torrent: Her mother, Shyla was newly raised to her rank of High Assassin when she hatched her daring plan. With a hand picked team, she entered the palace and kidnapped the infant princess, planning to raise her in the Stronghold. The tiny, red haired child was to be her ticket to taking over the kingdom of Arretan, but things went wrong.
"I was 12 and the child was about 10 months old. Mother had told me of her plans and her growing worries over her Second's jealousy and spite. She knew she was in danger, as we all were, but the child most of all. I was to get the Princess Marianna out first then come back for my brothers, if I could, but I was in no way to risk myself or the child. One night, Mother shook me awake and shoved a cloth wrapped bundle into my arms...
"Go, Reya, my child," she whispered frantically. "Run and do not look back!"
"But what about you and the others?"
"Forget us, my heart," she said with a soft caress and shining eyes. "You're my only chance. Avenge us child, and spite my enemies. LIVE!" she ordered as her only daughter raced away into the night...
"I hid with the princess in an unexplored tunnel and found myself on a ledge high about what was once my home. Mother's Second, Reth had told the others that the red haired girl was hers. He knew the truth, but wanted her position.
"For the High Assassin to have a red haired child was a death sentence. Mother was a wonderful fighter, but no match for twelve trained Assassins. I watched them surround her and manage to disarm her without killing her. She lay close to death as they brought out my brothers one by one, each time demanding to know where i was. Each time, she refused to tell and they murdered the child. I lost five brothers that night," she paused as her throat closed with long-felt grief and felt Tollan release her hair.
"'Where is the girl?' they demanded," she continued hoarsely. "Mother just smiled and that bastard leading them backhanded her across her face. 'Where is she?? Where did she take the CHILD?' he roared. She just spit blood in his face and started laughing insanely.
"'You'll never find them, coward,' she told him with a maniacal grin. 'You may have won this round, but it isn't over! You'll never win!'
"Mother's mad laughter rang across the caverns and Reth lost his nerve. Bellowing at her to stop, he began to beat her, but her laughter would not be stilled. Finally, he drew his dagger and plunged it into her throat silencing her at last.
"I lay there for a long time, tears streaming down my face, but I locked my mother's final declaration in my heart. He would NEVER win.
"I took the baby to the slave quarters and told them that unless they raised her as their own, she would die. To this day, no one knows she was not born a slave. As for myself, I changed my name and my appearance as best i could and joined the fledgling assassins in their training. Within a few months, my own mother would not have known me, let alone the fool who murdered her. Reya was dead and Jainad was born. No one connected the hard cruel person i became with the shy soft-spoken child i was."
The High Assassin fell silent and waited for her Second's decision, but Tollan just stood there dumbstruck at what spite and jealousy had brought about. Sensing his acceptance of her tale, she leaned forward.
"You must tell no one," she urged. "It will mean the death of us both."
He nodded slowly then asked, "But what happened to the child?"
"Can you not guess?" she responded with a cruel smile.
Comprehension shone from his eyes and a smile to mirror hers blossomed across her face. "Well, well, well, how utterly delightful."