Annoucements:

[Andras Thane]

Andras has reported to Dras-Leona as he was instructed to. He had received a letter not too long ago telling him that someone wished to hire his sword. Not one to choose, Andras had responded that he would meet with this person in the city of Dras-Leona, as the mysterious letter had asked.

He walked into the city and found the tavern he was looking for. He stepped inside and walked over to the far corner, taking a seat. His face was set into a the cold killer's look, so that none would come near him. He could not afford to have any one ruin this opportunity, after all, he needed the money.

[Galbatorix]

Now that he was out of Uru'baen, Galbatorix found that he enjoyed it. He had been in his fortress for far too long. Originally, he had planned to meet this assassin with a hood that would cover his face, but he wanted people to know him, wanted them to fear him.

He strode into the tavern and noticed that the assassin had followed his instructions. He looked at him and realized he was no more than a boy. He frowned, if he failed him then he would personally dispose of him.

He walked over, ignoring the hush that fell over the tavern, and sat down at the assassin's table.

"I assume you are the assassin known as the Dragon's Blade," Galbatorix said with a sneer.

[Andras Thane]

Andras' cold eyes looked up from the table to the king of the empire. He nodded slightly.

"I am the one," he replied.

He had never received an order from someone with so much power. Usually it was just a representative who sent him on his jobs. Obviously this was an important one which meant that there was a lot of money to be made.

"Who is it you wish me to kill?" he asked.

[Galbatorix]

Galbatorix frowned. He had heard that the assassin truly showed no signs of loyalty, but it was still rather aggravating.

"Keep up the disrespect and it is you who will die," Galbatorix warned him.

He took a seat at the table and smiled cruelly. "Andras the Dragon's Blade, you are to assassinate the one named Kerriel. Find her and destroy her and the dragon by her side."

[Andras Thane]

Andras narrowed his eyes slightly and bowed his head a bit to at least pretend that he was showing respect. He did not want to get too involved in loyalties, not now, not ever.

"I am sorry for my lack of manners," he said.

Andras did not know the name, but with the mention of the dragon it immediately caught his interest. "Kerriel and a dragon...I don't mean to sound forward, but how am I to kill a dragon?"

[Galbatorix]

Galbatorix frowned. The boy was most likely feigning fealty, but that didn't really matter at the moment. All that matter was for him to take the job, not that he had much of a choice really.

"If you're lucky the dragon has not hatched from its egg as of yet. However, even if it has, it will be young and weak enough for you to handle," Galbatorix explained. "If you succeed, I will pay you enough so that you will be as rich as the richest noble in all Alagaesia."

[Andras Thane]

Andras thought about it. Killing a dragon no matter what their age would be nigh impossible. For, if it had not hatched, then his sword would not be enough to penetrate its shell and if it had hatched and was young, it would fight him ferociously along with its master. However, the prospect of all that money was too much to turn it down. He stood up.

"I'll take on the job. What would you have me bring as proof of victory?"

[Galbatorix]

Galbatorix smiled. Someone who had willingly taken on the mission would perform much better than someone forced. He thought about what he would want as a trophy. First he thought of his daughter's head, for her betrayal had insulted him more than he could put into words, but then another thought crossed his mind. He would have something else as a trophy.

"I want you to chop her hands off, a thief of her caliber deserves such a fate and I want you to bring them to me so I may mount them on my throne," Galbatorix sneered. He handed Andras a small sack of coins. "This should cover travel expenses while you hunt her down. I imagine she is sticking to the small towns and the wilderness."

[Andras Thane]

Andras nodded in understanding.

"I shall bring them back for you then," he said.

He took the bag of coins and weighed it quickly. A good amount indeed and if that was just for travel expenses, then the King was most certainly going to be paying him a large sum once the assassination was completed. He had not had a job for a few months now and his blade was screaming for action. He stood up and bowed to Galbatorix.

"I will not rest until the job is done," he said.