Sophestria chapters 1-3

Raised by the leader of assassins & protected from their methods is now hunted by them

Sophestria

Chapter One

The night air cooled the sweat on Sophestria’s brow as she crept down the alley. Hugging close to the walls. She cursed the moon for being so bright this night. Not a cloud in the sky to give her any concealment. They would have her soon, despite her best efforts. She had already killed six of their number. She knew they would keep coming until they had her. It was only a matter of time. Sophestria was determined, however, to fight to her last breath. She would not die easily. Sophestria climbed a low wall and onto a rooftop. Lying flat, she surveyed the alleyway below and the nearby street. In the moonlight, dark shapes entered the alley. Moving carefully from cover to cover. Sophestria counted four, keeping low, she scrambled across several rooftops. Climbing down, she entered another alleyway. They spotted her, though, and were not far behind. Running silently to the far end of the alley. She stopped, low, Sophestria slowed her breathing and waited. Her last arrow notched. A dark figure emerged where she had been moments ago. Sophestria took a deep breath, let it out slowly, and let the arrow fly.

The figure stumbled and fell. She drew her twin daggers and waited. This was it now. But she would take one or two before they got her. Sophestria rolled to one side as an arrow barely missed another, skimmed her shoulder as she charged towards her attackers, not giving them the luxury of killing her from a distance. As she closed, an arrow tore through her coat, ripping flesh from her upper arm. Sophestria gritted her teeth in pain and kept going as she felt hot blood running down her arm. Her assailants drew their knives and spread out to circle her. She went for the one she considered to be the weakest. Surging forward, she slashed his throat before he could react and cut another’s face as she spun, but they had her now. She felt the dagger enter her side, then an explosion of pain, and all went still. Time itself seemed to stop. Sophestria felt bemused as she looked down at the assassins, all of whom were dead at her feet! Then, looking up, a bright light appeared a short distance in front. She leaned against the wall, held a hand to her wounded side, and watched it get closer, thinking she must be dying and that it was the goddess come to take her. The light took the shape of a man as she watched.

“Do you want to live, Sophestria?” The man's voice and expression had a soothing effect on her. All she could manage through the pain was a nod of her head.

“Then take my hand,” he said, holding a hand out to her.

She reached out for his hand when they touched. Sophestria’s senses were overwhelmed by a dazzling display of cascading colours, and then darkness engulfed her. She woke to different surroundings. She was in what appeared to be a peaceful meadow with blossoming trees and the sound of running water nearby. Looking down, she was shocked to find she was naked and all her wounds healed. Blades of lush green grass tickled her toes as she stood. Looking around, she spotted clothes hanging from a branch of a nearby tree. The clothing was similar to what she had been wearing. A black velvet material, but made from a lightweight, durable material. There was also a pair of calf-length boots, which seemed to be leather but infused with the same material as the rest of her clothes.

“They fit you perfectly, Sophestria,” the man suddenly appeared behind her. She jumped in surprise and turned to face him.

“Are you a god?” she asked. He smiled and shook his head

“Some have called me that, some a sorcerer, I’m neither.”

“Then who are you? Has the goddess sent you?” she asked, trying to make sense of all that had happened.

“I know nothing of this goddess of yours. If she exists, or not. I cannot say-if she does, perhaps it is her design that I help you. Who's to say otherwise?” he paused. “My name is Kendon, and I’m from a race of beings old when this world was young---a guardian if you like.” He studied her for a moment. “Walk with me a while, and I will explain more.”

They walked side by side among the trees, and a pleasant breeze rustled the leaves. The sound was soothing to Sophestria’s senses.

“What is this place? It’s so beautiful and peaceful,” she asked. Looking around in wonder.

“It’s a plane on a different level of existence than yours. It’s difficult for me to explain to you,” he paused. “You know, when you throw a stone into a lake. Bubbles appear on the surface as it sinks,” he explained.

“It also spreads ripples on the surface.”

“True, but we’ll not go into that now. This is like the bubble in the water outside the world is the same as it has always been.” He waited to see if she wasn’t being overwhelmed.

“I think I understand a little of what you mean,” Sophestria said, frowning.

“That’s good enough, you don't need to understand how it all works, just that it does.” They sat beside a stream, the water crystal clear. Sophestria could see fish darting about. It was an idyllic setting. She considered that if she stayed long enough. She might never want to leave.

“I have been watching you since you were a child, Sophestria. Taken by Gorun when he found you crying alone. He took care of you all these years until he could no longer.”

“Yes, he was like a father to me. Gorun knew I wouldn’t be able to kill my first mark. The man was innocent. He hadn’t harmed anyone. Didn't deserve to die,” she said bitterly.

“Nevertheless, the mark is dead now. Gorun also for helping you escape.” Kendon said. Looking sympathetically at her as tears rose unbidden. Running down her cheeks. “Maybe you would’ve been better off killing your mark. You be safe and Gorun still alive.”

“What! No, never. I could never kill an innocent.” She retorted vehemently despite her tears.

Kendon nodded sagely, “I know that is why I chose you. Raised by assassins trained in their ways. Yet remained true to yourself.” He watched Sophestria wipe away tears and stiffen her resolve. He had one last test for her. “Did you know that Gorun was the one who killed your parents?” He finally asked.

“I came to suspect it was so these last few years. Yet he did his best to atone by raising me,” she said solemnly. Again, he nodded. He had chosen others in the past, granting them specific talents, but none matched Sophestria. She was a shining beacon. A light in the darkness. So, he was to bestow on her more than anyone before. A grave responsibility would rest on her slender shoulders.

.

Chapter Two

“The assassin’s guild in Havrid that raised you is a tiny cog in a vast network. Once, the guild was content to do the bidding of the rich and powerful. But now it seeks to have the power all to itself.” Kendon stood, gesturing for her to follow. They came to a corner in the meadow where Sophestria could see the air shimmering all around, the world outside seen like a wavering mirage. “The guild's seat of power is in the citadel of Moonstone. Do you know of it?”

“Only by name, I have never been far from Havrid.”

“It is many leagues to the north-west of Havrid, and across the Broken Sea,” he explained. “I’m telling you this because Havrid is only a small, faraway guild. Word has not got back to Moonstone yet about what has happened here,” he paused—studying her thoughtfully. “The guild here has not found a body. So they still hunt you,” again, he paused. Sophestria could guess what he would say next. “You have a window of opportunity if you wish to take it. To eliminate the guild here before the news gets to their centre of power. Which it will. If all here are dead and no trail leads back to you. Then you will be free to act alone.”

"How am I supposed to do that alone? What is it you expect of me?" Sophestria asked incredulously.

"I will give you certain gifts that will make you a force to be reckoned with," Kendon replied. “You must stop the guild before it becomes too powerful. If it does, this world will descend into darkness and chaos.” Kendon said grimly. Suddenly, there was a thundering of hooves as a black stallion came galloping towards them.

“My first gift to you,” he said as the animal stopped. “He will answer to you and you alone. No one else can command him.”

“Why choose me?” She asked, stroking the horse's muzzle in wonder. Its nostrils flaring as it pushed against her,

“Because you are special Sophestria, and you alone can stop the guild. You have a pure heart, and because I can, and I want to. That’s all you need to know,” he answered mysteriously." Or maybe it’s the will of your goddess if you want to think of it like that,” Sophestria felt overwhelmed; she wondered if she was still in the alleyway, and if this was all a kind of dying dream.

“I have crafted some weapons for you. Be sure to collect them before you leave. Now, for the rest of your gifts,” he paused. Resting a hand on her shoulder. “I’m sorry you may find this uncomfortable.” Sophestria felt her whole body racked with pain---like exploding glass inside her. The next thing she knew, she was lying on the grass looking at the sky. Her body still tingled. But at least the searing pain had gone. Kendon stood over her and helped her to her feet.

“Do you feel any different?” he asked, studying her closely

“Apart from feeling like I’ve been shredded from inside out and put back together again, no,” she said shakily.

“Good, you’re not supposed to feel any different, but you now have certain talents,” he said mysteriously.

Sophestria gathered her wits as she spoke. “What are these gifts, talents that will aid me against the guild?”

“You may stay a while and learn what they are and how best to use them. I will help if you need it,” he paused. “Rest for now and regain your strength."

****

The four men stood menacingly as Rob Tarn faced them, protectively shielding his wife and three children, “We can't spare any more, we don’t have enough to live on ourselves,” he pleaded.

“Well, you'd better find more, or maybe that pretty wife of yours can spend some time with us as payment,” the leader of the four said. Looking behind Rob to give his wife a lustful glance.

“Please, no, I’ll find the money somehow,” Rob said.

“I think we will take your wife anyway as insurance in case you can't get the money,” he said sneeringly.

“I think not; I think you'd better leave now while you still can,” said a voice.

Rob looked up to see a woman dismounting a black horse as the four men turned.

“Well, what have we here? This is none of your business. Who do you think you are?” the leader said, giving the intruder the same lecherous looks as Rob’s wife. Though he was wary of this woman, who looked like she could handle herself in a fight, she was far too confident. The leader drew his weapon, as did his comrades, and advanced menacingly.

“Last chance,” she said as they kept coming. Drawing her sword, she moved to meet her attackers, briefly vanishing as she went from one assailant to the other in a blur of motion. Each fell dead before her. She cleaned her sword on one of her victims and sheaved it.

Rob stood, disbelieving, trying to take in what had happened, wondering if she would also demand money from them. “Thank you,” he swallowed hard, staring at the woman, “but I can't pay you any more than I could pay them.”

The woman smiled, looking at the children clinging to their mother,” No need," she said, searching the bodies. She gave the money she found on them to Rob. “Here for you, "I'll get someone to take the bodies away," she said.

Rob’s wife came forward nervously. “Thank you so much, you are an angel,” she said, with tears of gratitude.

“An avenging angel, maybe.”

Sophestria mounted her horse, waving goodbye to Rob and his family as she rode into Havrid. “Well, Ghost, those local thugs were no assassins, but the news of what happened will soon get back to the guild,” Sophestria said, leaning over and patting the horse's flanks affectionately. She felt sure the horse sometimes understood what she said. As if in answer to her thoughts, the stallion whinnied and bobbed his head. She didn’t want to take the whole guild on at once, preferring that at least some come to her. Sophestria felt unsure of her new talents as yet and didn’t want to be thrown in at the deep end until she tested them more in real combat. She rode along the busy main street, drawing the odd, curious look here and there. It was past midday; people rushed to and fro. Children played games on the sidewalk, and a few old men leaned on the rails, pipe-smoking and talking amongst themselves.

Sophestria stopped outside the Black Swan Inn, dismounted, tied the reins loosely to the rail, and entered. It hadn’t changed since she had last been here. Assassins and other criminal elements notoriously frequented the Inn. She made enquiries about renting a house in a quiet part of town. The innkeeper pointed her in the right direction. But gave strange looks. She met with a shifty-looking man called Larson and rented a house on the outskirts of town. She collected Ghost and rode out to locate the property. It wasn’t much of a home, somewhat rundown with a leaky roof, but she didn’t plan to stay long.

Chapter Three

On her second night in the house, she heard them approach her heightened senses, picking them out, she counted eight with another four not far away. She sat head down on a worn chair in the centre of the otherwise empty room, her sword resting on her lap, and a bow and quiver of arrows leaned on a nearby wall. As the door burst open, three assassins charged forward. Sophestria pounced to her feet, sword in hand. Time slowed; the killers seemed hardly moving as Sophestria moved in real time, slashing their throats with her sword. Another three, one after the other, crashed through the side window, while three entered by the back door. She vanished from where the first three had fallen and reappeared in the middle of the three that came through the window. Blinking, Kendon had named this ability. It was one she favoured and could use most often; the three fell dead in a matter of moments. Reaching for the bow and quiver, she fired arrows in quick succession. Three more bodies lay dead. She turned swiftly as two more came through the door and one through the window. Blinking, she moved away from her foes, firing arrows, each homing in on their mark, finding the heart. Then all was silent, the room strewn with bodies, while Sophestria remained unmarked, her breathing regular.
Sophestria removed any gold and identification from the bodies, including weapons. She buried the weapons in the nearby woods, then set fire to the house. Whistling for Ghost, she headed east for the guild house. Hidden amongst the trees, down a concealed track off the main road, the guild house would be well guarded and patrolled. She dismounted and led Ghost into the undergrowth.

“Wait here, boy. I’ll call if I need you,” she patted the horse. Ghost whinnied, stamping his hooves in agitation, but stayed as Sophestria set off on foot. As she crept silently towards the guild house, she slowed her breathing in preparation and reflected on what she was about to do; this would be her most significant test so far. Until now, she dealt with small numbers of enemies; the guild house could have thirty or more assassins. Could her newfound abilities help her deal with that many or more foes all out to kill her at once? She didn’t know, but she was ready to find out, and she had one last talent to try out that may give her the edge.
Sophestria spotted two guards at the entrance, two at the side, and two on the roof.

She blinked — the side patrol crumpled before their startled breaths escaped. Her bow whispered; two arrows flew, and the rooftop sentries toppled into shadow. Only the entrance remained. She strode forward, calm, as if she belonged. A flicker — blink — she was behind them, dagger flashing, and both collapsed without a cry. The heavy wooden door yielded to her touch, and she slipped inside, eyes and ears alert. The guild house was dim, lanterns guttering, silence thick with menace. She crept forward, dagger flashing — one assassin fell, another was silenced with a short sword thrust. But a misstep, the scrape of boot on stone, betrayed her.

The hall erupted. Doors slammed open, assassins pouring from side rooms, blades gleaming and surrounding her in a tightening ring. She fought methodically, short sword sweeping, dagger stabbing, cutting down those who pressed too close. The circle closed.

I have one remaining ability to try… Eclipse.

She leapt high, air bending around her, shadow and light twisting at her command. As she came down, blades crossed. Eclipse erupted — a shock of darkness and blinding light, rippling outward as she struck the stone floor. Assassins were hurled back, crashing into walls, silence swallowing their cries. Sophestria sheathed her sword and dagger and carefully approached the room ahead. The hall opened into a long chamber, a single table stretching between them. At the far end sat the guild leader, composed and unmoving, his eyes narrowing as Sophestria entered. He did not rise. She crossed the room without hurry, blades sheathed, and lowered herself into the chair opposite him. The silence was heavy, broken only by the faint hiss of lanterns.

“You’ve come far,” he said, voice edged with disbelief. “Too far.” His gaze flicked to the scattered assassins behind her, then back, unsettled.

He had no idea how she had carved her way through. Sophestria leaned back casually, eyes steady. “You expected me to fall before I reached this room.”

For a moment, his lips curled in a thin smile. Then his hand shifted a hidden button under the chair arm. The chair hissed — poisonous daggers sprang forward, snapping toward her. But Sophestria was already moving. She twisted aside, rising smoothly, the blades slicing only air. She had expected a trick. Her hand moved in a blur. The dagger — Heartseeker — slid free, its spring‑loaded hilt primed. She flicked her wrist, and the blade flew across the table. It struck home, burying itself in his chest, at first shallow, almost harmless — but the mechanism engaged. Each twitch, each panicked movement drove the blade deeper, inexorable, seeking the heart.

Sophestria’s voice was calm, almost casual: “Don’t move. If you want to live, stay perfectly still.”

The leader froze, every muscle screaming to react. The Heartseeker’s hilt pressed against his chest, its spring‑loaded mechanism waiting. He could feel the blade inside him, shallow but poised, a predator ready to strike deeper. Sweat gathered at his brow. Each breath was a risk, each twitch a threat. His body betrayed him — the instinct to shift, to fight, to claw at the dagger — but he dared not. The silence of the hall pressed in. He tried to speak, but only a whisper was safe. “You… shouldn’t… have made it this far.”

Confusion gnawed at him. How had she reached this far? How had she undone every trap, every assassin? And now, she sat opposite him, calm, watching, while he balanced on the edge of death, knowing that one wrong movement would drive the blade into his heart. Sophestria leaned back slightly, watching, unhurried. The silence pressed in, broken only by the faint hiss of lanterns. His muscles trembled, the urge to shift overwhelming. He clenched his jaw, fighting the instinct to claw at the dagger. But the effort betrayed him — a twitch, a shallow gasp. The Heartseeker responded. The hilt sank, the blade driving deeper, inexorable. His eyes widened, disbelief turning to dread. Sophestria did not move. She watched, calm, as the fatal moment claimed him.

She stepped forward, calm and deliberate, and pulled the Heartseeker free. The guild leader slumped, lifeless, the dagger’s work complete. She wiped the blade once, then slid it back into its sheath. The halls were littered with bodies. She did not linger. Turning, she moved swiftly through the corridors, retracing her path. Senses still alert. At the door, she paused only long enough to listen. Then she slipped out into the shadows. Sophestria did not look back. She knew she had to be away from there as quickly as possible.

Chapter Four