The Spectre Tavern was on the edge of the city that barely had any customers. Yet the Tavern was well kept, staffed, and barely had a crack in sight. This particular pub was a place for thieves and assassins to find work. They visited enough and clients met them for contracts. Outside the winds blew and lightning cracked through the darkened sky. The door of the tavern slammed open as a tall man made his way into the building. He was a well dressed stranger, with a perfect jawline and rich black clothes. The only blemish on his face was the scar running over his right eye. But it was his golden cold eyes that made the tavern visitors uncomfortable. And every movement that Marcov made was smooth and yet so unnatural at the same time.

A permanent frown marked his face as he scanned the room before taking his seat at a table shoved in the left corner. A barmaid slowly approached him to take his order. However, he waved her off explaining that he wasn't interested in drinks or food. The barmaid, trying to convince him to buy something and touched his hand, only to quickly draw it away. She flinched for a moment before rushing off to another customer. Even in a tavern full of assassins and thieves, this stranger made them uncomfortable. Marcov moved slowly and gazed at every person in the room.

His hand reached slowly into his pocket and brought out a silver crescent, an item that showed he was looking for an assassin and placed it in the middle of his table. A young woman entered the tavern next. Her face had a big smile and her eyes were wide with terror. It didn't take her long to spot Marcov was sitting and she rushed over to his side like a magnet. Marcov motioned for her to sit and she sat on the chair, almost breaking it.

"Hello Number 23." He said in a calm smooth voice, "You will be my servant for the afternoon, understood?"

"Yes." The wide eyed woman said.

The woman sat perfectly still and only moved when Marcov instructed her to, as though her entire purpose in life was to obey his every command. He folded his hands and waited to see if anybody would approach to have a little chat. 

Lewis hated the Spectre Tavern. While it was the easiest place to get work, it was also the place with the most undesirable individuals. There were many times he had come here in search of a target. After all, the rich and rotten spent a good chunk of their wealth here.

Still, it was times like these where he needed to get out and work. With the issues of Akira happening behind the scenes, he needed something pure and straightforward. Clearing his mind was the goal, and what better way to do so than to take up a contract. The details usually mattered, but in this instance Lewis would accept whatever posed a challenge. If it went against his morals, well, then he would have two contracts instead of one.

Lewis ordered a drink- non-alcoholic of course, and waited at the bar for someone to walk in. It was a slower night, and the few who were looking for services that had walked in were low, effortless gigs. No, Lewis wanted something special tonight. Something that would bring a smile to his face as the blood was spilled.

The silver haired assassin took a look as the door slammed open, revealing a tall, ominous man. The tavern itself seemed to pause in reflection at the sudden appearance. Lewis shifted his overcoat, thumbing one of the many hilts of daggers he had in his possession. A threat? The man started to move, almost gliding to a table. At once, the tavern resumed it’s happenings, but there was a tonal shift. Everyone seemed…scared.

Lewis stood up almost immediately once he heard the sound of the coin hitting the table. A smile spread across his face as he removed the hood shielding his appearance, and he walked to the table. All eyes were on him as he approached the man.

“Well then,” Lewis said, his voice almost hanging in the air. He pulled out the chair across from the man, and sat down, leaning back with a smirk. It was all bravado, of course. Lewis felt nothing for this man, nor his appearances. But for some reason, it was something that cocky humans did, and it indeed made a presence of some sort. Still, those who were perceptive enough would notice it through Lewis’ cold and calculating eyes. The problem was, this man was giving almost nothing away. It was frustrating to say the least, but Lewis did not let this show.

“What services can I offer you?”

Someone approached the table, a young man with silver hair removed his hood and walked towards the table. Marcov's golden eyes stared for an uncomfortable amount of time at Lewis' face. He could see Lewis' cold calculating eyes behind the smile and seemed…satisfied. Thief, assassin, criminal, none of those actual mattered. If the boy was willing to complete one of two missions, then he would be useful. Marcov placed two papers on the table and slid it towards Lewis. 

"Choose one." He instructed, "The first is Caroline Einsecc, a healer whom I do not require anymore. Location is Maisha Maua. Defenses include a knight and herself. An easy kill. The second is a female who is probably going by the name of Asher. Blonde, brown eyes and scars around her wrists. Location is Namiba. A high risk and the most difficult job you'll face."

The two papers had the two subjects and all the information spoken. Caroline's paper had her appearance while the second one only had a description. Even the name for the second one was in quotation marks, indicating it was not the real name. Marcov didn't show any emotion towards either assassination target but his eyes did linger on the second page. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a bag filled with 200 silver pieces onto the table. 

"You'll get the rest of the payment after one of the targets are assassinated. If Caroline is dead, you'll get 400 silver. If Asher is dead, you'll get 600 silver." He explained before a momentary pause, "If you decide on Asher, I want you to cut off a lock of her hair and deliver it to me….a souvenir…." 

The way he said souvenir was unsettling as well. Something about his tone of voice indicated the lock of hair would be more than just a souvenir. He wasn't showing any fondness but rather a type of obsession. The young woman sitting at the table had been staring at Marcov the entire time, not even noticing Lewis. Just waiting for Marcov. Waiting for any command or word. Marcov calmly stood up and looked down at Lewis. His lips curled into an almost smile. 

"If you fail, your targets will kill you. Understood?" He said, "Failure is never an option."

Lewis listened as the man placed the papers on the table, explaining each one. Both of them, apparently, had an advance payment of 200 silver. While it wasn’t much, it was the standard fare for initiating a contract. The assassin wanted to test the weight of the coin bag, but stopped himself. This was a…reputable place, so to speak, and he knew better than to question the validity of a client so soon into the negotiations.

Two contracts. Only allowed to take one? Where is the fun in that… Again, old habits. He wanted to take both, if not to show off. But that wouldn’t be fair for the other assassins. Besides, one target would be enough to distract him for a time. Lewis waited for the remaining explanations about the locket of hair, and despite his cool demeanor, was slightly unnerved by what appeared to be the man’s obsession with the souvenir. Not exactly subtle…

Without another thought, however, he tapped the second parchment. “Asher. There isn’t much information to go on, here…” He smiled. “I’ll take it, but I’ll need some more information. You’ve given me the appearance, which is fine.” He waited for a moment. “How reliable is the source that she’ll be in Nabima?” Sources were important in the assassin’s game. “I’ll also need a point of contact for where we’ll settle once the job is finished.”

Options, options. There was no doubt that the man was something more than human. At least, that was the vibe that Lewis and most of the tavern was getting. Something, though, told Lewis that this contract would be different than normal.

“Oh…” Lewis said, glancing at the sneering man. “I never fail,” he replied with a smirk.

Marcov removed the first parchment, saving it for a later date. He sat back down and his smile faded away back into that settled frown. There was an unmistakable look of satisfaction in his eyes when Lewis chose the second option. The rest of the tavern had chosen to ignore Marcov's presence now and moved on with their own activities. Lewis began to question the source and ask for a point of contact.

"My sources are made to be dedicated. They are reliable." He said, "Your contact will be Faraji Keyon at his small manor towards the edge of the city. Directions towards the manor are on the back of the parchment. The target will head to the orphanage at noon then travel to the cemetery in the evening. She's extremely cautious and if you lose her during your hunt, it'll take us seven months or more to track her down again."

The truth was that this target wasn't difficult because of any strength or major power. It was just the fact that she was crafty and aware that people were still after her. When anybody was aware they were being hunted, they acted to prevent being caught. Marcov  knew that there were other reasons that made her a difficult target but he wouldn't give that away quite yet. He decided to give Lewis something that would help him.

"I will give you something else that'll help you." He said, "If you're uncertain that you have your target, say the name Pillock. If she flees or reacts in some way then she is the one. Be careful with this. It'll also identify yourself as an assassin and alert her to your danger."

Lewis stared at the mysterious man, unsure of how to read into the reaction of what the teen had chosen. His eyes showed satisfaction, but the frown spoke differently. Overall, the assassin figured it was the “correct” choice in this instance, even if there was no right answer. It was unsettling, to say the least, but Lewis refused to show that kind of weakness here.

He listened once more as the man spoke, answering each of Lewis’ questions one by one. Everything seemed settled, then. As the assassin started to accept the term, the man spoke once more. A ‘gift’ of sorts, a codeword that meant nothing to Lewis, but would identify the target at a cost.

“Interesting,” he stated. That small bit of information was crucial. Already the boy’s mind was formulating a series of plans and backups. Rough ideas at this stage, but once he saw the location and target, they would solidify into actions.

“The contract is set then.” Lewis reached for the initial payment of coin. “It will be done.” As he took the pouch, Lewis took one last, hard look at the stoic man. The way he acted, spoke, and even felt…Lewis wouldn’t be shocked if in the near future a contract were to be put on this man’s head. He seemed like the kind of person to make enemies in high places. But that was, of course, none of Lewis’ concern. As long as he was paying, it didn’t quite matter.

“It’s been a pleasure doing business.”

Marcov had a frown on his face and his whole body seemed to be still. His eyes were on Lewis the entire time, almost unblinking. Finally, Lewis accepted the contract and took the coin. Before leaving, Lewis took one last look at him, and Marcov stared back. Once the newly hired assassin left, he turned to the woman still sitting at the table. She had been silent the entire time. Just staring into the distance. Waiting for the word of Marcov.

"Speak." Marcov instructed.

"Do you think he would be a good candidate for the process?" The woman asked.

"Perhaps. But the process is highly damaging. I think I'll use him as a regular assassin if he completes this mission." Marcov explained.

His eyes filled with excitement and he stood up to leave the room. That sturdy frown was still on his face as he stood up to leave. He instructed the woman to stay there the night while he head back to the home.

"Let the games begin." He whispered to himself before walking down the silent darkened alley.