By the Request of the MC

Cetus stood in the middle of an empty square. It was in an abandoned part of the capital. The dust had collected in the cracks. Stone had worn away. Whatever magic had been intrinsic here was worn by time. Shadows grew long despite the sun being high in the sky. It was a headstone to another Era. A different city for a different time. This place spooked the locals. They kept their distance. Mages sometimes came here though. Cetus looked down at the knife in his hand. Blood dripped from the point, creating a pool beneath it. Maybe too many. Whoever had contacted him for this job should have chosen better. There were better places for a secret meeting.

The assassin was irritated. Somehow this person had gotten ahold of one of his several identities. That should have been all but impossible. Of his identities, Dubhar was the best hidden. Though Shark might be equal in terms of obscurity. Dubhar's only claim to fame was the destruction of Cedar Village. Something the Magic Council had carefully covered up and were still investigating. That was what Cetus had been told anyway. This little excursion proved otherwise. Cetus was eager to see who had discovered that elusive identity. He'd decide whether to kill them or not based upon their proposal.

Cetus was wearing his customary mask. It looked like a stylized shark head. The jaws closed over Cetus' own and could open if he wished it. His clothing was a dark voluminous cloak meant to hide his weapons. Only a black-clad arm was visible. In that hand was his curved knife. Perfect for slashing or throwing. The blood upon it had congealed enough to stop dripping. The idea was to create an imposing figure. One wreathed in shadows like his identity was.

'Your superiority is questioned, servant.' It wasn't a spoken statement. Cetus felt the words pressed into his soul. Albion had deigned to look upon him. The assassin didn't bow. That was not their way. The White Court was all about power. Cetus proved his power by standing tall. He might be only on the fringes of the Court but he had his pride. Only fools bowed for the Dragon of Supremacy anyways. The White Dragon didn't respect such weakness. "It shall be rectified" He murmured. Once his mysterious contractor appeared that is. The assassin checked his watch. His lips thinned in displeasure. They were late.

WC: 406

Cetus was sure the knife had been seen. Enough with the mess. The blade became clean through the use of his sleeve. Then it vanished into the shadows of his cloak. This must be his client. She was nervous. Her long stare and hesitation were evidence of that. The shark-man smiled slowly behind his mask. There was no mirth to it. It was an involuntary action. A bad habit from his days with the Order. It helped that he was wearing the mask. Which he should honestly change from persona to persona. Having a shark mask for every dark identity was a bit of a giveaway.

The client began rambling. Cetus struggled to keep up as words blended together. However, he managed to get the gist of it all. It was hard to believe what she was asking. Assassinating a member of the Magic Council? It was doable, sure but there were easier ways to get someone off your back. The MC was as corrupt as they came. Bribes worked relatively well on most. Blackmail worked on those it didn't. Cetus took a moment to digest the information.

"Ya wishes are ta take out da Council member Durin? A right challenge tha' 'll be! I'll do it. When da ya want it done?" There was one detail he wasn't looking forward to. Working with the client herself. At least, that was what he assumed she meant by 'his assistance dealing with the matter'. Cetus was a lone wolf. He preferred working alone. Ah well, a cross to bear. "We'll need a righ' bi' amoun' of resources, miss. I hope ya came prepared ta spend."

Cetus began going over what he knew about the MC protections in his head. They had magic wards, guards, elite guards and then they were powerful mages themselves in most cases. Even if both of them were powerful, it would take a Warlord to walk in there unscathed. That or an insane amount of luck. Cetus might be forced to use his new magic gifts. Not that it bothered him. It was a great oppurtunity to unveil himself to the world. Maybe. The assassin shifted to look at his client. "Will we be needed ta be stealthy or are we goin' loud?"

WC: 376
TWC: 782