Azira's Chronicles: Chapter 4 - A Chance Arrangement

***Azira's Chronicles: Chapter 4***

*A Chance Arrangement- 8 months later*

It was a beautiful evening in Arenjun. I had been on the run for awhile as to not be tracked, left just about everything behind. I wanted to get out into the world and explore. I wanted to venture; I wanted wealth, power and luxury. I gazed at the moon blazing in the night sky. It was full, illuminating and relaxing. A gentle breeze tickled my hair as I sat, legs dangling over the edge of a rooftop. It had been a reasonably cool evening, though I remained comfortable. I now made a living upon an abandoned building rooftop- though with enough cover wherein it appeared there were just some tattered sheets hanging up there, and I kept my living space clean and slightly hidden as to remain unsuspected. I chuckled to myself lightly as a thought came to mind- *...this is probably one of the cleanest areas of Arenjun*. I had to maintain a low profile as to not risk being found and caught as I remained in hiding for at least another four months. After killing that Prince- if I was caught- I was bound to be damned and executed publicly. Given it had been 8 months that I had remained in hiding so far, in the conversations I eavesdropped on, people didn't seem to talk much about the curious assassination here in the city. It was best if I tried to leave Arenjun, though to my understanding, patrols had been increased in and out of Arenjun. I had given myself a new name for anyone I *had* to interact with: *Zefreja al-Saakhbet*. It had worked thus far. I had left *The Silken Leapard* immediately after realizing whom I had murdered that night so many months ago- I needed to find ways to make a living differently now. Whoring around and performing was not going to cut it. I wanted more, *needed* more. I was Riches thirsty. I pondered for a bit longer.

I took into consideration the intel I knew of Arenjun as I'd been in hiding- in a few days' time, patrols and the like were to begin to dwindle down in force. I had four months left before they would most assuredly give up to focus on the new year and new harvest. They would have to reopen to all, and begin preparing for **عيد نوروز** (Nowruz) once again. The day of festivities was to be my time to abandon Arenjun, finally. I did not have the coin needed to last too long outside of Arenjun, so I *had* to find other means of surviving for now and making coin to leave. It was a tough choice, as I hadn't seen my brother for these eight months either- hadn't seen *anyone* from my family. It was time to talk to the Thieves' Guild. Working for them would make me enough coin to leave, though it was dangerous work. I laid on my back and gazed up at the stars as I pondered more, weighing the consequences and risks of working for the Thieves' Guild. I may have to steal from my own family- that would be even harder considering we were still dirt poor for the most part. But we did have a few things of high, and, sentimental value that would make the Thieves Guild quite a large sum. It had to be done if I was to stop hiding and move on in my life. I sighed deeply, took a few breaths, and went to change and begin on my way to speak with the Thieves Guild. After quite some time, I arrived at where I knew they dwelled, and looked around for what could be their Leader's dwelling. I knew it was dangerous to traverse through this side of town- even the guards had stopped trying to come here, so I was safe in that regard. I took a few turns down some alleyways, was traveling for not more than about 10 minutes before I felt a hand over my mouth and I was dragged into a doorway, blade to my throat.

*"What- are you doing here, Stranger."* The voice said- a man's voice, mid-twenties I reckoned. *"I- I'm here to work."* I said frankly- stammering a bit at first- not necessarily because I was scared, only a bit, but because it took me more by surprise than anything... I was then quickly flipped onto my back, knee on my chest pressing down, the blade back on my throat, biting it a bit...a small drop of blood began to trickle down my neck, I avoided flinching when I felt the blood trickle as to not slice a wound open right by my jugular. I gulped and then smirked: *"Name's Zefreja al-Saakhbet...I am here...to work..."* I repeated myself. *"Why, Lady Zefreja."* He replied with a sneer. *"Why does one of royalty wish to work, much less find herself in the most dangerous part of the city."* I furrowed my brow at this considering he titled me... *"L-Lady?"* Then it sunk in and I realized why he had titled me. *"Oh, shhiit-..."* The man at my response then pressed the blade a bit deeper drawing a bit more blood... *"Who. Are. You."* He exclaimed, raised the tone a bit more threateningly as he said this. *I rolled my eyes and said with a sneer:* *"Okay. Fine. Name's Azira- my cover name is Zefreja al-Saakhbet."* *"Can you take that damned blade of my neck, now?"* I exclaimed. He snickered and slowly drew the balde back keeping his knee on my chest, ensuring to slice my neck a bit as he did so. He then raised an eyebrow once I shared my name. *"Come."* He said frankly then helped me back up, though put me into an escort hold and walked me up a few dwellings to what I presumed would be his leader's home perhaps. He pushed me inside, closed the door and I was led into a dimly lit room with nothing but a table, two chairs and some candles... *"Sit."* He commanded.

I had been waiting for what felt like forever before I finally heard some scuffling of feet and an elder hobbled in, his cane thumping lightly on the floor with each of his steps. The elder took a seat across from me, raised an eyebrow upon seeing me roped to the chair on the other side of the table, the man that had captured me standing idly at Guard by the door, blade still in hand. The old man smirked and chuckled. *"So...Azira-Zefreja al-Saakhbet..."* He said chuckling. *"Just call me Azshefa"* I interrupted. The old man's tired look turned into a glare. He beckoned over the man that had captured me whom took his hand and backhanded me across my face. A nostril started to bleed slightly, I sniffled. *"That's one strike before my associate here kills you...Azira-Zefreja al-Saakhbet."* He said. I rolled my eyes and wiped my nose on my Cowel, sniffling again. At this the old man waved his hand again, and without either of them saying anything I was backhanded again, this time to the other direction. My other nostril began to bleed. Before risking a third strike I opened my mouth to say something, but maintained my composure and a blank face despite the pain and my other nostril bleeding. *"That's two strikes. Three, and your dead."* He said almost as if he was bored with the subject. *"Now. Tell me. Why are you here Prince Killer, Lady of many names."* The man that had captured me raised an eyebrow at this though kept his mouth shut. He readied a hand once again, threateningly with a smirk. I got the message. *"I am here to work for you, sir."* I said, quickly adding the basic title in. The old man at that folded his hands upon the table in front of him and offered a half-smile. *"Really, Prince Killer, and why is that?"* He inquired. *"Sir- I... I'd like to work for you so I can get out of Arenjun and start anew elsewhere."*

The old man raised an eyebrow- was silent for a few minutes- and then burst into laughter before wheezing to a stop and once again holding a serious face, clearing his throat. The Guard remained silent and held no reaction. *"And why should we help you Lady Azira-Zefreja al-Saakhbet-Azshefa?"* He asked, mocking me. I stopped myself from another ill-intentioned reaction. *"I- uhhh...I will be an esteemed asset. I have experience thieving and the like...if you hire me and I work for you for a time- I will earn your trust and confidence however I must..."* I trailed off. *"Must...what?"* *"...uhh...even if that means I must target those I love."* I finished, wishing I hadn't needed to. *"Hmmm...I see."* He then rose, turned his back and began hobbling away, beckoning his associate to unbound me and lead me out. The guard began. *"Wha- wait, sir! Don't leave...please? I beg of you!"* He kept walking, almost to the door he had come from. *"I'll do anything- I- I have a...* **هوما آلو** [Hema pelewm (Huma Ploom)]. I exclaimed. At this, the old man, as did his associate, paused in their tracks and slowly turned. *"Bring the Ploom to us and you will be rewarded."* He said frankly. I nodded my head in acknowledgement, bowed respectively and went on my way, smirking to myself. And so it was, by bringing them this Ploom that adorned King and Queen crowns, I could find a place in the Thieves Guild and begin to start making enough coin to make it out of Arenjun. I was pleased. I wiped my nose on my cowel and proceeded on my way, carefully making my way back to where I dwelled, right before the sun rose at dawn. After I slept for a bit, I would go collect that Ploom and bring it back. It may be a family heirloom, per se- but it was now going to be mine and mine alone, and given to the Thieves Guild. I snickered and laid down upon the rooftop and drifted into sleep...