Prologue

Alec readjusted his grip on his two-handed longsword as he waited for his opponent, his best friend, to make a move. A deafening silence reigned around the large square as the public watched the two fighters whose eyes are following each other's weapon walk slowly as they wait for the right moment to attack.

Keith slid forward and cut at his left arm; however, Alec was quick to trap his blade on his guard and stab his chest. The crowd cheered for him, but it did not last long as the adversary charged in to clash their swords and disarm his friend.

"You seem to forget who you're fighting against," smirked Keith as he stabbed him one last time before claiming victory. "You're dead— again."

Alec rolled his eyes and watched the crowd cheer for his friend and hoist him into the air. Keith threw his wooden sword on the ground for the loser to pick. The younger swordsman walked around the public to collect the coins and put them in their canvas bag, as they have always done twice a week.

Later the villagers went back to their houses or stores, leaving the two friends alone in the square, who hurried to collect the coins they left for them inside the straw bags. 

"Are you going to keep losing?" asked Keith, smirking, as they walked in the empty streets.

"Are you going to stop showing off?" Alec rolled his eyes. "They're just wooden swords. You don't know how I can handle a real one."

Keith chuckled and placed his arm around his friend, "Don't be a bad loser, Alec," he raised an eyebrow when he spotted a familiar girl. "Isn't that your sister?"

Alec stopped walking when he saw sixteen-year-old Carolyn talking to a young man he didn't recognize. The girl didn't seem to be enjoying their conversation as she was trying to walk away, but the stranger didn't let her. Alec clenched his fists and furrowed his brows as he watched the man look at his sister with disgusting eyes, 

"It needs an intervention, right?" asked Keith, throwing fireballs with his eyes. Alec simply nodded and was ready to punch the man when Carolyn suddenly pulled his arm and hit his crotch with her knee, sending the stranger to the kingdom of darkness.

Alec widened his eyes when he saw him kneeling on the ground, crying from pain.

"Your sister is a piece of work, isn't she?" Keith rubbed his chin and laughed, "Carolyn is not a baby anymore, it seems like."

The young woman approached them as she ran her fingers in her long raven hair. "How was I?" she asked.

"I'm impressed." her older brother bowed to her and took her in his arms. "I won't be scared anymore to leave you alone." Carolyn grinned and looked at Keith, waiting for his answer.

"I'm a little sad," pouted Keith, "You won't need me anymore to protect you." he smiled. The young woman chuckled and looked down shyly. 

After making sure his sister and little brother, Jared, were safe at home, Alec took the letter he received earlier in the morning to read the address and the name of his target one last time before heading outside. The swordsman has been taking care of his family and earning a living by himself since his mother had suddenly disappeared when he was a child. His father was not helping as he came back home every night, drunk and miserable.

Alec has been doing little jobs such as sword performances with his best friend during the morning and more dangerous ones at night.

Tonight, he was heading to a stranger's house to kill him as requested by his client who has sent him an envelope full of silver coins.

Alec had no idea who his target was nor the one who had paid it to do the dirty job. He was known for his secrecy and discretion among noble men and women who sought revenge. 

Later in the night, he walked by home with the same suffocating feeling. He wiped the blood from his iron sword and cleaned his hands in the small fount near his house.

The streets were empty, it was no hour for the villagers to be outside as it was dangerous. Alec walked silently as he watched the moon follow his every step.

Back home, it was silent as every night. Carolyn and Jared were sleeping and his father was still outside getting drunk with his wretched self.

Alec placed the bread and vegetables he bought today in the pantry and removed his shoes. He watched his younger siblings sleep peacefully as they shared a blanket that was getting old.

The young man took a deep breath and moved closer to them to kiss their foreheads as they did every night. He cried silently because he felt horrible for being such a bad person— a killer.

The next morning, the smile came back to Alec's face when his siblings woke up. He prepared some bread and cheese with a little milk for their breakfast. His father was back and sleeping next to the door. Alec shook his head.

"Are you meeting with Keith today?" asked Carolyn as she helped her brother set the table.

"Yes, I'm meeting him later to train. Why are you asking?" Alec raised an eyebrow. "Do you need him for something?"

Carolyn blushed and looked down, "No! I was just curious."

Alec smiled and ruffled her hair. He kissed little Jared's head and headed outside to meet his friend.

It didn't take him long to get downtown, where the merchants have started to open their stores and invite the villagers to buy some fresh meat and bread.

The swordsman greeted them one by one with a large smile as he waited for Keith to show up. His dark-haired friend was late this morning.

Alec took advantage of his free time to take a look inside the jewellery store. He thought of buying something for his sister as he loved how she defended herself the day before. He wanted to encourage her to be stronger and fearless, just like their mother would like her to be.

He chose a simple purple bracelet as it symbolized power, pride and independence.

Heading back to the square, Alec rolled his eyes when he finally spotted his best friend. "Is he wearing a hat?" he scoffed and looked at Keith with confusion.

Alec wanted to surprise him, so he pulled his hand and pinned him against the wall, "You're late again, my friend." His friend does not answer.

"I waited for a long time, you know? I know you live nearby. What's your excuse this time?" he crossed his arms.

Alec watched his friend sighing heavily as he clenched his fists. He was angry— which was unusual. He looked under his hat and frowned when he saw the large scar crossing his feline eye. "What happened to you? You got into another fight?" he asked.

Keith did not answer again, and Alec was growing impatient. He took a closer look at his face until he realized there were no scars on his cheeks, by the corner of his lips or around his neck. Alec widened his eyes and stepped further from the man. "You... You are not Keith."