5 Years Later...

I crouched low, looking up at the bridge. I turned back to Gale.

"You sure this is a good idea? I mean, Rangers usually protect their second in command fiercely," I hissed at him.

He shook his head. "The Rangers won't know what's coming. Besides, we've already set yup a diversion on the south side of the bridge. It will be fine." He turned and whistled once.

A return whistle confirmed the message: the diversion had started. I took in a deep breath as the top of the bridge enveloped into utter chaos. People trying to find their weapons got run over by the stampede making its way to the south end of the bridge.

I took a running start and leapt onto the bridge. I turned toward the tent, and strode toward it. I heard Gale leap up behind me. I spun around, and whispered, "Cover me." He nodded and followed me to the tent.

I went inside, while he stood guard outside. As I already knew, the second in command was still getting ready. He looked at the mirror, and smiled.

"Let's do this," he told himself.

"Yes, let's," I added.

He turned around and cocked his head in surprise. "Raven?"

"Who's Raven?" I replied, "my name is Thalia Riverwell."

He laughed. "Very funny, Raven. Where have you been? Scouts say you fell off of the bridge nearly 5 years ago. We have been defending against a very skilled assassin for nearly...5 years now." His tone became more shocked as he turned to me and hissed, "You're the assassin!"

I nodded, amused at his shock. "I'm sorry, Raven, but for the good of the people, I must kill you."

I shook my head, and cackled. "You? Kill me? I have trained for 5 years with the Thanuks to become the best assassin in the land, and you? The poor pathetic second in command who is always late whenever a disturbance arouses, kill me? Ha, I laugh at the mere thought of it."

He growled and unsheathed his sword. He swung at me, but I was just too quick. In five minutes, it was all over. My sword pointed at his neck, I panted, "I told you."

He held up his arms in surrender. "You've gotten better, milady."

The nickname made something happen to my brain. I remembered...Landon whispering that name in my ear...

My sword drooped and I set it down. I stretched out my hand, and Landon reluctantly took it. I stared directly at his eyes, feeling weird.

"You seem...familiar."

He nodded, smiling. "They've brainwashed you."

I shook my head in disbelief, yet the memories were coming back. The last finally arrived, and anger surged through my body.

"They killed my father," I spat, "they forced me to kill an old man recently, and he pleaded with me, calling me Raven. He was my father. They manipulated me."

My hand tightened on the leather handle of my sword.

"You know what we're going to do?"

"No, what?"

"Get revenge."