Azura
Persian
Silent Assassin
No hope, no love, no glory. No happy ending.
Posts: 11
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Post by Azura on Mar 29, 2007 23:10:40 GMT -5
The grand doors of the throne room opened to let Azura in. She was cocky as ever, the only evidence of that being the way she carried herself as she entered. There was a bag being carelessly carried in her left hand, swinging this way and that as she made her way toward Xerxes.
She stopped some odd feet away from the small set of stairs that led up to the throne itself, giving her the space she needed for her slight dramatization and keeping her distance out of respect for Xerxes. Azura remained still. Silent. Allowing the anticipation of what she had to say to build. Allowing the curiosity of the bag increase. She knew the amount of time it would take for Xerxes to flat out ask her what she was there for, and all would be explained before he spoke.
The seconds ticked by and at the precisely planned moment she broke the still silence. In one swift movement the bag was open and the contents, a human head, was rolling across the floor toward her king, tainting the perfect golden tiles as blood left a trail from the severed part. Azura smirked and bowed deeply as the head hit the lowest step and was essentially stopped from rolling any further. "Jamshid the traitor; just as you requested him, my king." she finally said with a rather proud tone surrounding her words; allowing the bag drop beside her, it was no longer of any use to her after all.
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Post by Xerxes I on Mar 30, 2007 7:39:17 GMT -5
Xerxes reclined in the gilded, golden throne, one leg crossed over the other. He had been deep in discussion with one of the slaves nearest him, but as soon as the enormous doors open, he dismissed the man. Glanced to the entrance of Azura; the king was interested now. He straightened, watching her enter. She was an assassin; at first, he had been reluctant to use a woman, but she proved her worth time and time again. She was one of his best, and hadn't yet failed him.
His eyes fell on the bag that swung with a heavy weight at her side, then flickered to her face with a silent question. She said nothing for a long while, wherein that silence Xerxes guessed, silently, what she might have brought. But when he could not stand the lack of knowledge and inhaled to ask-the head. The head sort of captured his attention, and when it rolled to a stop, his lip curled in disgust, or maybe sadistic pleasure, to recognize the face. Jamshid.
Xerxes smiled grimly. "Well done," he said, looking at her. "I trust it was not too difficult a task?" He enjoyed asking questions, feigning as if he didn't recognize how good she really was. He paused, thinking, "I suppose you want your payment now?"
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Azura
Persian
Silent Assassin
No hope, no love, no glory. No happy ending.
Posts: 11
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Post by Azura on Mar 30, 2007 10:38:22 GMT -5
"Well done," he said, looking at her. "I trust it was not too difficult a task?" "Child’s play." Came her quick reply, despite how lacking in truth it may be. No task had ever proven to be against her abilities, at least, not to the point of needing the help of another. This particular one, however, had proven to be moderately difficult. She had nearly been discovered several times, in which case she would have been lucky to escape with merely death resulting in her capture. He paused, thinking, "I suppose you want your payment now?" Azura nodded sharply, her eyes locked upon her king as she awaited her reward. In all honesty, she cared little for money past the point of fulfilling her needs of food, clothing and shelter. Why she continued to accept his payments was a bit of a mystery. The only other circumstance for purchasing something was usually related to her next kill; disguises, gifts, bribes, or if need be, new weapons. Regardless, when she had nothing at all she seemed to do just fine. Money was simply a helpful perk, but hardly necessary. However, that did raise the question of what she would receive as payment in the stead of gold. Sex was nothing more than a tool she had learned to use, in some cases, to get close enough to make the kill. She cared not for title, land, livestock, or large living accommodations. Perhaps it was simply that she felt that she should have compensation for her efforts and success, regardless of the usefulness the reward provided her.
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Post by Xerxes I on Mar 30, 2007 16:53:45 GMT -5
Xerxes nodded, approving the response. Gazed at the head, and with the slightest of gestures, one of his various servants stepped forward and picked it up, removing the face out of his site. The king would greatly enjoy shoving his skull on a pike as an example to others.
He examined Azura; she was a remarkable woman. More independent, stronger, than he preferred his females, but none the less intriguing. Xerxes had always wondered what set this woman apart-what creature drove her to such a state, but his curiosity was never strong enough to actually ask. He was often distracted, and as long as she did her job, what did it matter anyway?
Xerxes gave a small nod, and another servant brought forth the gold threaded leather satchel, a hefty bag jangling with coins. "As promised," the king replied, "As well as the pair of knives from the Immortals' artillery. They've lately fashioned scythes for themselves-if you'd be inclined to a larger blade, it is in my power to grant you it."
He leaned forward, large elbows propped up on his knees, and stared at her. "Tell me once more, how many have you killed? How many of those were successes?" He liked to hear her statistics, and as he was planning another...political manuever, her skill could be invaluable, so long as he gauged her skill correctly. For this move would not allow for a second chance. To entrust it in the hands of a woman? Xerxes was hesitant.
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Azura
Persian
Silent Assassin
No hope, no love, no glory. No happy ending.
Posts: 11
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Post by Azura on Mar 30, 2007 18:23:06 GMT -5
"As promised," the king replied, "As well as the pair of knives from the Immortals' artillery. They've lately fashioned scythes for themselves-if you'd be inclined to a larger blade, it is in my power to grant you it." With much haste, Azura grabbed the daggers and examined them with judgmental eyes. After a moment she concurred to keep them, placing them carefully into her satchel and then taking the reward, which she fasted to her belt. It was always a pleasure to receive new daggers, especially from the Immortals. Their weaponry was top notch and usually ended up being a gift or extra reward from Xerxes – rewards she could and did enjoy. “Size does not account for much, skill is all that matters.” She replied with a tone that bordered disrespect. “These daggers will serve us well, my king.” Azura added with a cruel smirk, followed by a bow. She was but seconds away from making her exit when he had positioned himself as if to converse with her further, what it would be about she was unsure. That was, unless of course he already had a new target for her – in which case she became very intent on hearing what Xerxes had to say… "Tell me once more, how many have you killed? How many of those were successes?" Azura cocked her brow slightly, trying to figure out what he was getting at. And then…it hit her; something extraordinary was going to happen. It had to be. And it had to be something in which he needed someone to pull off an important assassination to improve the odds. The equation, at this point, had too many variables for her to figure out, but she would be more than happy to oblige her king. "I do not fail." She finally said, her voice was hard and determined. What she said was mostly true. She does not fail now. What she considers failures mostly consisted of other people getting the credit for her work, or her targets getting themselves captured before she could take their lives. "They hand me their vulnerability on a silver platter and I give you their heads on gold." She paused, knowing she had not given him the answer he sought, and she would have to if she expected to learn of his motive entirely. "Jamshid makes thirteen... and one hundred." That is to say, one hundred thirteen with all of the "accidental" kills of servants or some such people that got in the way of a target. She wasn't exactly lying, and in fact would be benefiting both parties. She would finally have a challenge and Xerxes could sleep better at night knowing someone was dead.
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Post by Xerxes I on Apr 2, 2007 12:23:06 GMT -5
“Size does not account for much, skill is all that matters.”
Xerxes' eyes narrowed in suspicious offense, but her next words made him less unsure of the disrespectful tone. If she did it again, he would be forced to correct her. Perhaps it was just the way of an assassin? She was a strong creature. He approved of her adage, I do not fail. Good. Because he didn't put up with failure. It was not something he did either, nor would he suffer those on his payroll to do the same. He smirked, readjusting one of the gold bangles on his wrist.
"I do enjoy my gold," the king admitted. One hundred and thirteen was not a bad number. In fact, it might have been one of the best. Xerxes brooded thoughtfully, considering how much to tell her; best to be honest with Azura. She was very good at her job, and he wanted no surprises to interfere with this affair.
"I see," he said, a little ambiguously. A deep sigh, and Xerxes stared at her. "Doubtless you are aware of my little venture into Greece, yes? Athens and Sparta prove...more rebellious than I would have liked. While Athens is no great nation of fighters, Sparta could prove a thorn in my side. So." He straightened, intertwining his fingers behind his head as he leaned back in the chair and stretched. "Their king must be eliminated. It is he who is the backbone of their country. If you cannot get to the king, kill his wife, or his son. Anyone of enough affluence to ruin him. When he falls...Sparta will fall."
Or at least, that's what Xerxes believed. "What say you, Azura? I assure you, for this you will compensated beyond your wildest dreams. Anything that is in my power to give you, I will give you. I simply wish this one single Greek be taken care of."
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Azura
Persian
Silent Assassin
No hope, no love, no glory. No happy ending.
Posts: 11
|
Post by Azura on Apr 8, 2007 9:55:32 GMT -5
"I see," he said, a little ambiguously. A deep sigh, and Xerxes stared at her. "Doubtless you are aware of my little venture into Greece, yes? Athens and Sparta prove...more rebellious than I would have liked. While Athens is no great nation of fighters, Sparta could prove a thorn in my side. So." This was it. This was the moment she had been waiting for. All of other contracts were beginning to look insignificant in the face of this new one; despite not knowing who or what the contract was about, she KNEW it was going to be big. If she succeeded - which she fully planned on doing so - she very well could go down in history as one of the greatest assassins that ever existed. All of her pain, all of her suffering, everyone who ever questioned her ability to do anything, would see. They would see just how powerful she really was. This was it. He straightened, intertwining his fingers behind his head as he leaned back in the chair and stretched. "Their king must be eliminated. It is he who is the backbone of their country. If you cannot get to the king, kill his wife, or his son. Anyone of enough affluence to ruin him. When he falls...Sparta will fall." His pause was driving her insane; though it was slight, she was all too anxious to be able to stay patient for long. And then...he spoke. He spoke the words she had been waiting for years to hear. She was offered the chance to eliminate one of the strongest families in the world. How wonderful this mission would be. How sweet a victory when she brought the head -- no -- HEADS of Leonidas, his precious wife, and son. Truly, Azura could not have thought of a better target herself. "What say you, Azura? I assure you, for this you will be compensated beyond your wildest dreams. Anything that is in my power to give you, I will give you. I simply wish this one single Greek be taken care of." Azura was savoring the moment, allowing Xerxes's words to repeat over and over in her mind, as well as beginning to develop her plans for this exquisite opportunity. A wickedly pleasurable grin played across her lips before she finally spoke. "I will bring you their royal heads on his very shield." she promised, bowing deeply and grinning once more. This perfect challenge would not go unthanked or unseen. The world would know of Azura's triumph and she would get everything she had ever wanted.
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Post by Xerxes I on Apr 15, 2007 11:54:52 GMT -5
Xerxes enjoyed the suspense, because in her eyes was the most intriguing thing, something he'd never seen in a woman's face before. It was hunger, predatory-dangerous. She relished the bloodlust, the power. When he finally revealed the target, she smiled. It was a striking smile, once Xerxes hoped was never turned towards him in a tense situation-for even gods were wary of those especially talented mortals. But for now, nay, he had bought her skill and her allegiance, and the pleasure she showed was for Leonidas' death.
Yes. He too would relish the sight of the Greek on a platter. He wanted it more than anything in the world.
"I will bring you their royal heads on his very shield."
"I am glad to hear it, and have no doubts," Xerxes replied calmly, though her confidence inspired in him his own expectant glee. The Greeks would fall. They would fall, and he would finally step out of the shadow of his father's conquests-doing what Darius himself could never do. Take. Greece. Leonidas' head on a pike would prove a great banner in battle.
"I do hear Sparta is nice this time of year," he mused after a moment. "Have you ever been before?"
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Post by wowposter on Nov 3, 2008 2:27:03 GMT -5
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