Chapter 2
A New Discovery
Out from the forest edge Gene emerged. Now clad in his usual attire of black pants and shirt, he put on his ragged cloak and tied his sword to his waist.
“Time to collect the pay,” he said to himself as he began the trek back to the Village of Eldor. He put his fingers to his mouth and whistled. As the sounds echoes slowly disappeared into the distant woods, a familiar cry filled the morning air. Out from the treetops like a phoenix bursting from its ashes rose a magnificent hawk, its wings golden brown and tail as red as the bloodstains scattered on Gene’s cloak.
The giant bird proceeded to land on the outstretched arms of Gene.
“Hello old friend,” greeted Gene, “I have a favor to ask of you.” The hawk stared at Gene intently with its sharp amber eyes. “Bring this paper to Ashvin at the village, so he can prepare my money for me.” Gene rolled up the piece of paper and attached it to the leg of his companion. “Make haste Argo,” Gene said as the bird took flight.

That concludes chapter one of my book. I guess now I have to start writing chapter two if I want to get all the posts I need. Sigh, why does this project suck so much, I mean fifty posts! And all of them at least a paragraph in length. Why must you do this to me Mrs. Green?

“That would take the fun out of killing you,” said Gene, as he raised his blade high. “I wouldn’t want to disappoint the townsfolk now would I.”
Deep inside the fortress where the guards stood ready, a scream was heard, one that shook the whole fortress. Then silence, utter silence, all that could be heard was the rapid beating hearts of the guards waiting for the arrival of the killer.
When death had not come, the guards rushed to their lords chamber only to find him dead, his throat cut along with multiple gashes along his blood stained chest. The killer missing, left nothing the carving of a crescent moon in Xavier’s forehead.
Back outside the fortress, a lone figure cleaned a blood soaked sword as it walked back to the village down the hill.

“Sorry I don’ take money from my clients target,” Gene stated.
“Then burn in Hell!” yelled Xavier as he whipped the knife at Gene.
Reacting quickly Gene caught the knife between his fingers and threw it back at Xavier. Xavier screamed in pain as the knife pinned his hand to the table. Walking up to Xavier Gene slowly pulled out his magnificent blade which reflected the moonlight protruding from the window above. Xavier was frantic, finally pulling the knife from his hand he backed himself into the corner of the room. “Stay away from me!” he yelped, “you can have anything you want from me just stop.”

“You know you really should keep more guards around you,” a gruff voice from across the table.
A bead of sweat rolled down Xavier’s face but he calmly replied, “ So they sent you out to get me, eh Gene?”
“Yeah, I guess,” Gene replied, “now if you don’t mind I’d like to finish this and collect my money.”
“Sure, sure,” said Xavier, now sweating profusely, “but can’t we settle this like men and negotiate hmm? I’m sure I could pay you twice what those poor townspeople could.” Xavier’s hand moved silently towards the concealed knife under the table.

Another part:
In the fortress the landlord Xavier was enjoying his nightly tax count when one of his guards came running into his room as if he had seen a ghost, “my Lord, our two sentries posted at the outer wall have been killed!”
“What!” screamed Xavier almost choking on the wine he was drinking. “Mobilize everyone at once!”
“Yes sir!” replied the guard, and he quickly ran off.
Xavier turned back around and began to count his money once again. But something was different, something was wrong.

Heres another part of chapter 1:
When the time came he made his move and jumped from the tree to the unsuspecting guards below. The first of the guards met a quick fate as a knife met his forehead. His cover blown the man unsheathed his sword to finish off the other guard.
The second guard frantically attempted to draw his sword but was quickly cut down. The man pulled out a piece of cloth and wiped down his blood stained blade.
With the sentry guards gone he looked to his new target, the large fortress before him. Made entirely of stone and protected by hundreds of guards it would be no easy task getting inside.