One should never double-cross or cheat an assassin. Didn’t every fence know that, thought Freya as she stalked through the narrow cobblestoned streets of the city. Amil the Trader evidently hadn’t or just thought being a woman that she was an easy mark. Freya had been trying to track him down since she had finally been forbidden from entering his premises by the two huge half-trolls that he employed as store guards. Freya’s old fence had fled the city months ago just before one of the Prefect’s purges of the non-guild fences. He had never done Freya wrong and from his new home, he had sent word that he was open for business and offered Freya a partnership. She was still considering that offer and each passing day it became more attractive to her in her mind. A wet behind the ears sheep herder or miserable slum dweller may consider her assassin or spying fees as an unbelievable fortune but her expenses were astronomical. First there was the city taxes to be paid to the Prefect of the City. Then the Assassin’s Guild commission and membership levies. And it went on, bribes to the city watch, payment of henchmen, bribes to her victims staff, equipment not to mention the fortune paid to the alchemists for exotic poisons and healing potions. And the potential for additional income was reduced as many of the clients of the Assassin Guild demanded that all the property of the intended victim belonged to the wronged client, the priests of certain temples being the worst offenders. However the Guild would turn a blind eye to small scale pilfering by its better assassins. And Freya was one of their best. On one of her previous assignments, after stabbing the victim in the base of the skull while he read in his study, Freya discovered a small tome in a hidden compartment. The tome of dark incarnations was covered in tanned demon hide and her skin crawled even to touch it. Still many a twisted collector would pay a princely sum to drool over it. She had taken it to Amil to sell on her behalf and the excuses began. The stories kept changing each visit and still no advance or money was forthcoming. To add insult to injury, Amil suggested if she would offer her body to him, things may progress faster. Infuriated, she threatened to cut off his manhood and feed it to him and that was when she was banned from his shop. Freya had considered carrying out a personal freelance assignment to kill him and recover the tome but her research had discovered that Amil paid protection to both the Guild and the city watch. But one of her informants let her know that Amil frequented one of the seedier taverns in the slums. This area of the city was beyond the law and anything that happened there would not be investigated either by the guild nor the city’s authorities. She left her weapons at the door of the tavern and strode in. Many patrons stared appreciatively at her attractive body but even the drunkest seeing the expression on her face did not attempt to approach her. Seated at a corner table, Amil gorged himself on fine wine, old ale and cured meats. Freya grabbed one of the ornamental spears off the wall and thrust it against his neck. “Now you slimy fat toad, give me my money or else….” ******** Something a bit different. Image was created using Poser 5 no post work except for the signature. Selected the content advisory just in case. Enjoy :) Credits Victoria 3 by DAZ3D Medieval Tavern by DAZ3D SkinVue Poser Skin Shader Materials for V3 by Dave Burdick www.SkinVue.net Her outfit by Baron Vlad Harkonnen www.planetvixens.com Legend Hair Apollo Maximus Ultimate Fire Candle Flame by RomanceWorks