Creed of Assassins

It'd been a day after Ciaran and the group had fended off the ambush on the island of Thanedd, the place that used to house Aretuza. Fortunately, the force seemed to have been all of the immediately available soldiers, allowing them to scale down the tall rocky island and make their way around the coast, completely avoiding trying to enter Gors Velen as they'd likely be instantly caught.

Most of the group were incredibly tired by the ordeals they'd been through to get thus far, Etredi was still injured and had to be carried by Tildanird, slowing their progress away from Thanedd.

Margarita had exhausted herself casting a hastily made makeshift portal and immediately afterwards engaging in combat, the others questioned her on whether she could make a portal or even knew a safer place than right there they were...

Of course, as an old sorceress she knew many areas that the Vampires wouldn't tread, most being situated far away from regular society. She'd told them that it'd take around a day for her to recover enough to create a portal to take them all there, leading them to have to travel along the coast to find a safe place to rest.

The mages who'd detected the initial portal being open would obviously still be aware of their presence, even more so when they'd find a large portion of their men murdered on Thanedd.

Fortunately, though the group managed to find a small cave along one of the many coast cliffs decorating the continents shores. With that, they set up camp, they didn't have any sleeping bags and were forced to use the spare clothing they had on hand, they'd traveled away from the north so the temperature wasn't too bad, even if the ocean wind did occasionally blow through the cave.

Ciaran had been sleeping enough within her cell and decided that she was fine for a few days, leaving the cave and moving in the direction of distant rising black smoke, indicating that a village or small city would be located there... She might be in enemy territory, but that just meant more opportunities to serve her country. Hopefully her absence would be ignored if she brought back some valuable information, she'd never gone against Reima's orders before and felt shameful to have failed, even if she'd been unwillingly taken.

It wasn't long before she came upon a small town which she soon learned bwas called Caelf, it was situated between Gors Velen and the capital city of Cidaris which happens to share the same name, making it a valuable place to rest for tired merchants. Obviously, as someone well versed subterfuge, Ciaran took advantage of this, walking around and pick-pocketing an easy-looking target before using the coin she'd acquired to buy some "Favours".

She set up shop in a bar and occasionally bought drinks for some of the more wealthy merchants, she'd purchased some peasant clothes as to not look like a begger, and while high society wouldn't usually allow a peasant to approach them, Ciaran's beauty attracted their attention more than her clothes did.

She learned much from her efforts, learning about the various merchant companies, nobles, and recent events. Most interesting to her was the fact that the Vampires seem to have formed some sort of alliance with Nilfgaard, none of them even attempting to harm the Empires interests... Most of what she heard were rumours and gossip unfortunately due to merchants and low-nobles not being privy in the internals of the state, much less what goes on within Emperor Voorhis meetings.

Ciaran ducked out at around 2 am, using the information she'd gleaned on the city and it's layout to find the city's leader's residence, Earl Lalcaero was apparently given charge of this city after Nilfgaard had annexed it. He was known to be a kind and wise man that no one would think to harm... Seemed like he'd live a peaceful heathly life, that is, if he wasn't on Ciaran's radar.

A shadow throws itself silently over the wall of a large mansion, the heavily armed guards outside the estate not noticing a thing... Ciaran slinks close to a window which has dim light coming from it... Taking a peak inside she spots the Earl being "serviced" by a maid, after "finishing" the maid gives a farewell and leaves, closing the door behind her... Not noticing the shadow glaring at them through the window with lethal intentions.

As if the window had been recently oiled, it makes no sound whatsoever as Ciaran picks it and pushes it open. The wind blows through the window and gives the sweaty Earl the chills, the man looking over and frowning at the open window.

Lalcaero "...Now, how did that open?" he wonders aloud, reaching over to the candle on his bedside by finding that it'd been blown out. Shaking his head he gets up and walks towards the window, ignoring the fluttering curtains either side of it...

With a sigh he shuts the window, but somehow still feels the chill, aswell as goosebumps... Realising that what he was feeling isn't natural at all he goes to call for his maid, but has a hand clasp over his mouth, causing him to give a muffled scream while trying to fend off the intruder.

Ciaran's strength far exceeded the man and allowed her to keep him still, holding him in place as she whispers into his ear, "Silence, or I will end you." she states, no hint of hesitation in her voice.

The man's struggling slowly ceases, realisaing that his life was now in this woman hands, the hand releases slightly, allowing him to speak, though, Ciaran remained prepared to shut him up if he attempted to shout.

Lalcaero "W-who are you? Who sent you?"