by druidrose

You're walking down a quiet cobblestone street, well after the sun has set. Your surroundings seem to be devoid of all light, and you clutch your cloak tighter around your shoulders against the chill night wind that wants to seep into your bones.  And as you walk, quicker than usual, you can't help but feel someone -or something- is following you, yet the constant glances over your shoulder convince you time and again that no one is there.

Or is there?

Instead of looking behind you on that street, you should have been looking up, to the rooftops. But you only think about it when it's too late, and your follower, has descended upon you, quiet as a whisper and as dark as shadows, with a knife to your throat...

The history and lore of assassins intrigues us not only as readers, but in movies, television shows, and even video games.  To be able to be that mysterious individual who can hide in the shadows while leaping rooftop to rooftop has a dark, though morbid, appeal.

But now, the question is why?

Assassins have been mentioned in history dating back as far as the 11th century because, let's be honest, what monarch or lord wants to get their hands dirty while ending an enemy's life?  Who wouldn't want the ability to claim innocence when they, themselves didn't do said dirty work?

Enter the assassins.

Assassins are generally a secret organization maintained in the underworld, known for their  precision and training, called upon in times of need by the wealthy and well-to-do.  Of course their services are always available to the highest bidder... for a price. 

It's expensive, not getting caught while breaking the law.

From a literary standpoint, assassins can span any number of genres.  In fact, you could probably put an assassin in any genre and it could still work.  That's the fun with systematic murderers- there's always an antagonist who wants someone else to do the messy part.  Personally, however, assassins in a medieval setting that may or may not get to play with magic as some of my favorites.

Assassins also need to be certain they're well-aware of their surroundings- everything is an obstacle or a tool for an assassin on a mission.  Rooftops, hanging ledges, even the shadows between buildings can be utilized by an assassin as they zero in on their target.

Which also means they need to be properly trained.

The genre you're writing will determine the types of weapons and training an assassin must endure before their properly let loose upon a city.  As a Fantasy subgenre, knives, daggers, swords, or pretty much anything they can get their hands on can be a deadly weapon in the hands of a well-trained assassin. 

And when you're writing with assassins, especially if they're the main focal point of your story, what's the one point of conflict you must consider when creating an interesting, not-your-average assassin plot?

Getting caught.

Nothing is worse for an assassin than getting caught.  Some even turn their blades on themselves to maintain their silence and as penance for their failures.  Some aren't given the chance, and your story can only grow from there and answers slowly unravel.

Assassins are also versatile, so you can have fun with them.  Anyone can be an assassin- male or female, young or old, gay or straight- which automatically adds to the mystery and intrigue of the subgenre.

Here are some excellent examples of assassins in Fantasy:

- The Farseer Trilogy by Robin Hobb
- The Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas
- The Night Angel series by Brent Weeks
- The Elemental Assassin series by Jennifer Estep
- His Fair Assassin series by Robin LaFevers

Now, why do I write about assassins?  All of the above.  I love having the ability to create characters that can, in essence, do just about anything all while having been trained how to do it and using their surroundings to get it done.  As a writer, it gives me the best chance to fully develop my characters physically and emotionally because no one is perfect- they all have flaws, even being trained killers, and who knows what can happen when they come upon that mark that makes or breaks them?

Example of Assassin Fantasy on Wattpad:
Lady Mutiny by druidrose

Synopsis:

Lady Lilia Cortova, renowned silk merchant by day and deadly assassin by night, mysteriously disappears while on a routine mission during the annual Midsummer festival, leaving her sister, Cassandra, to take her place, not only within the City, but the Underground as well.

But when it becomes apparent that the Guild of Assassins' loyalties may not lie as deep as once believed, Cass must quickly decide who to trust, and who to eliminate, if she's to discover what's truly become of her sister before the same happens to her.

Excerpt:

Most went to the summer masquerade hoping to find love; she went with the intent to deliver death.

With seven concealed weapons on her person, it was two more than she had originally planned, and that didn't include the poison.

The two pins that held her dark hair in its conglomeration of curls and spirals were easily accessible for close combat.

The space between her bosom and the dress' dark corset was sturdy enough to support the weight of the small dagger, and her blossoming cleavage made hiding the hilt just as efficient.

The corset itself was sewn into the body of the dress in the front, so there was no where to stash a knife there, but the trim towards the back was open just enough at the bottom that she was able to store one between the bones, just before her hand would meet the bodice lacings.

Another dagger sat comfortably in the garter on her left thigh, easily hidden under the billowing skirts, and she made certain the boots she wore would conceal a knife at each calf.

One could say Lilia Cortova always arrived prepared.

She leaned over for a closer look in the mirror as she applied rouge to her lips and powder to her eye lids. She had always been told she was a beauty, and it was that quality that made her dangerous. There was nothing overly particular about her appearance, but her eyes were just bright enough, her lips just plump enough, and her bosom just supple enough that she seemed to catch the attention of every man- and woman- she had the pleasure of encountering.

Sex was just a deadly as it was pleasuring, and her victims found that out in the most painful of fashions.

"You're going to die from overheating if you go out like that tonight."

Lilia's gaze shifted to the reflection of the woman standing in the doorway, and she couldn't help but smile at her younger sister's observations regarding her dark attire.

"I need somewhere to hide my knives, Cassandra, and this dress is the safest way to do so."

"I still say you only need one," her sister argued as she crossed her arms upon her chest while she leaned against the doorway.

"And that is why this assignment is mine, and you're still within your first year of training." After slipping on a poison-filled ring upon her left hand she gave her bodice a final adjustment, and with a fluff of her piled hair, Lilia turned to face her sibling.

Where Lilia was darker in complexion, her younger sister was fair, and the assassin always wondered why Cass wanted to follow in her footsteps. She shined like a ray of sunlight, she always told her, not a dweller in the shadows. She should be at court, fawning over this lord, or that prince, instead of hiding behind a curtain, trying to decipher the best way to kill them.

Cass insisted though, and proved her work at the Trials, and now she was preparing for her first year away training. Nothing Lilia could do or say would change her mind. She knew her sister would be taken care of until she was able to manage her herself, but until then, it was in her blood to worry about her.

"Can you at least do something constructive while you stand there?" she finally asked as she held out a necklace to her sibling.

Cassandra furrowed her brows at her sister's smirk, uncrossing her arms with an annoyed huff. "At least Baz will be there to keep an eye on you," Cass taunted as she grabbed the chain from Lilia's hand.

"What?" Lilia asked the younger Cortova incredulously while she turned, pulling her hair gently out of the way. "This isn't his assignment!"

With a shrug, Cass grinned, knowing she had finally gotten under her sister's skin. "He didn't say it was for an assignment. He said he had an invitation."

Glaring slightly, Lilia faced the mirror, letting her rage quietly wash over her. Baz- Sebastian Gaylen - was the leader of the Assassin's Guild, and Lilia's only true competition. There were times she was convinced the reason she wasn't leader was merely because of her gender, as a woman had never led the Guild in its long torrid history. For that reason, other than his insistence on having her sister as a paramour, did Lilia loathe the man.

It shouldn't have surprised Lilia to discover Baz would be there, she considered as she picked up the mask she would hide behind for the night. It's silver accents upon a sea of black matched her dress perfectly, and it would cover her face just enough that a glance would keep her identity secure until the time was right.

Anyone who was anyone within the city of Lathos would be there, and despite being the Leader of a secret Guild, Baz was also a well known diplomat. Fastening her mask behind her ears, Lilia smiled slightly to herself. She also had an invitation, which was rather unfortunate for her mark.

"Your carriage is here, m'lady!" the housekeeper yelled from the stairs below.

Before she could respond, Cass has already found her voice. "She'll be there in a moment, Lucas!"

Perking a brow above her mask, Lilia began her walk to the stairwell. "You really should get used to it - they're not going anywhere, and neither is my title."

"The irony is oozing, Lil," Cassandra grumbled as she followed her sister down the flight of stairs.  "The Lady Cortova- beautiful merchant by day, deadly assassin by night-"

Lilia turned to her sister with a swirl of skirts. "Don't you have practicing you should do?"

Cass only shrugged. "Baz gave me the night off."

"Why aren't you going with him tonight, anyway?"

Cassandra smiled and leaned into her sister, the gleam in her eyes as mischievous as she was. "Because he doesn't need you any more distracted tonight than you're bound to be."

"And what is that supposed to mean?" Lilia asked as she crossed her arms around her tight corset.

But Cass only smiled as she waved her sister off. "Enjoy the masquerade, Lady Cortova!"

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