Shdows Fall

Shadows Fall.
The moon is full.
its faint glow illuminating the cold streets.
rain forms puddles between the cobbles and the rats retreat to dryer ground.
Splash. running footsteps disturb a collection of brown water.
The stench in the sewers is foul this time of year, the sooner I finish this job the better. Trinity thought.
as she clung to the shadows like a warrior clings to his weapon.
Trinity the rougue climbed the steps that led to the streets of Baldurs Gate.
She ran past the duchal palace pausing only to catch breath.
Her dark brown hair was tied back to prevent it's length from intefering with her job. She is of a medium build, quite small with paler skin than usual.
Her leather shoulder pads were throwing the rain to the cobbles once more.
No one noticed her as sneaked past the Flaming Fist headquaters. One inept guard enjoying a cigarette outside the large brass reinforced door.
This is too easy she thought. She approaced her target.
The followers of Gond were having a celebration tonite.
She had been hired to "dispose" of a political rival of her employer.
The dukes would never know and no one will miss lord Donnahue. No one.
She attatched herself to the wall of the museeum and began her ascent to the roof.
The front door would be watched and she liked to climb
Her mentor had installed a skylight as it saved him getting the roof repaired whenever she returned from a job.

She climbed 3 floors and used a stone gargoyle to lift herself onto the roof. It was very wet so she went for her foot spikes in a side pouch and attached them to her boots.
Better safe than Dead.
It didnt take long to find an open skylight.
Music could be heard as she put herself into a seated position. Many of the guests were of the nobility, prancing around in their expensive clothes, drinking vintage wine.
She felt sorry for them. They will never know what pleasure life can bring when you do something for yourself.
Entar Silvershield and Belt could be seen from the skylight and a number of wizards too. She never knew why they wore those silly dresses, she didnt particialy care.

Still now is the time for work to begin.
The Target could be seen walking into a back room just past the strange flying contraption and the jewel cabinet.
Trinity crawled towards the other side of the building and lowered herself onto a balcony. A crossbow was loaded and ready to fire, just incase.
Even the curtains were open, she could see the lord now sat down drinking some of his ever so expensive wine. best of all, he was alone.
When will they learn that no amount of money can save their pathetic lives.
It was around 12:00 now and mumbled voices could be heard from behind her.
She turned to see 2 guards walking towards her balcony.
"Damn" Trinity mumbled. Her luck just ran out.
She lept into a side door and found hersef face to face with a searvant girl.
The girl dropped the tray and started to scream but Trinity was too fast. She caught the tray and the girl and walked into a side room where the girl promptly fainted.
Trinity put a dose of a hallucinogenic herb into the girls mouth. She woulnt be a problem no more.
Then it occured to her, the servant girl resembled her, it was uncanny. An unusual idea passed through her head. in 5 mins Trinity was holding a tray with a bottle and goblet of her "special" wine in a servants outfit.
Black Lotus. he'll be dead in seconds.
she put her gear in a bush outside where no one would find it. She was prepared.

"Ah, its about time!" shouted the Lord.
"Where is the wine I ordered?"
"Here your lordship."
he took the glass.
"Are you alright? you sound different somehow."
"No your lordship. I am fine."
"Would you care to sample the wine before drinking?"
Trinity poured some into a goblet.
"No,no this will do. Go and fetch a different glass! This is stained somehow."
"I assure you lordship. the glass is fine. Besides there are no clean ones left."
"I dont care! get me a clean glass!"
he is an ignorant fool Trinity thought. And he noticed the stain.
Trinity turned and put the tray on a table next to the lord.
"Im afraid I cant do that."
"What!?! how dare you speak back like that!. When you are ordered to do something you will do it peasant!"
Trinity closed and locked the door closest to her.
"Wait, your not the servant,GUARDS."
"Its too late for you, my employer has taken offence from your insulting outbursts in the palace. I do not know the details but I have been paied well for your death."
Trinity drew a dagger.
Lord Donnahue smiled and began to chuckle.
"Do you believe we are alone right now?"
Trinity thought about this and looked around. She saw no one, no shadows no place to hide. Magic? No, she was well trained in detecting magic and illusion. Nothing seemed to hint magic in play.
"I fail to see why we are not alone, buying time perhaps?"
"It will do you no good, why dont you take a drink?
It will be your last chance.'
"I assume its poisoned" Lord donnahue inquired.
"Of course."
"Black Lotus most likely, quite potent this time of year."
"You have two options Drink and die, or die a very gruesom death by my hand. Trinity waved the dagger.
"Chose, but be quick, I havent got all night."
Lord Donnahue sat up and looked towards the side room with the girl dumped there.
Lord Donnahue strode into the room smiling.
"Well done, you seriously thought YOU could kill me so easily?"
"Meet my assosiate, mr Black.'
as Trinity turned she saw, not the lord as she had believed but a black clad assasin. Waving a dagger.
Lord Donnahue began to chuckle
"Check mate I believe."
The assasin revealed his mask.
Trinity was so shocked she dropped her dagger and stood astonished in the middle of the room.
Lord Donnahues laughter was cut short. A dagger was protruding from his chest. He slumped to the floor with a puzzled look on his face.

"Hello, Trinity, its been a while hasn't it. Still climbing I see. The skylight was definately worth the purchase."
"Alarik? why are you here?"
'I was sent by your employer to test you. You have failed.
and now you stand defenceless before me. Do you know what?"
Trinity was silent.
"Im going to have to kill you. you know my client and your in such a wondefull position to take the blame for this murder."
"The dagger I used was one of yours, it has your name on it."
Alarik took the goblet of wine and threw it to the floor, spilling its contents on the carpet.
"Well, goodbye Trinity. Try not to bleed on my new outfit."
he picked up the bottle.
"To success."
and took a drink from the bottle.
he soon stopped smiling as he realised his error.
he put his finger in the bottle and checked the rim.
There was a purple stain on his finger.
"You."
with that he dropped the bottle and fell forwards onto the floor, clutching his throat. All fell silent.
Trinity took a moment to take in events passed.
It then dawned on her that footseps were coming from the unlocked door behind her.
She was out of the window before a scream was emmited.
Time to leave thought Trinity as she grabbed her belongings and ran towards the Blushing Mermaid.
Narrowly avoiding the Flaming Fist as they rushed onto the scene.
Luckily she was into the night once more. With a job well done.
A few hours passed, Trinity had time to reflect on tonites events in her room.
She was dissapointed, she should have realised something was wrong. But then again its easy to be blinded when Shadows fall....
THE END.