As Jade spoke, the thief began to take anything and everything of value from Elia's body. He took a purse most likely filled with coins, a saber, a couple of daggers and knives, a belt, and a cloak. After he was done, the thief stood up and handed Jade Elia's belt and saber. Jade accepted the items and listened to him speak. She inclined her head slightly. "You have my thanks," Jade replied, turning around and making her way back down into the street, relieved that the whole thing had gone much smoother than she'd expected. Most other thieves would have fled or attacked her, but this particular thief had been willing to hear her out. When Jade had gone twenty steps, she realized she never found out what the thief's name was. She made to retrace her steps and ask, but then she realized that he was gone already. Sighing, Jade began the long walk back to the League's headquarters.

*****

Jade walked inside the grandiose marble and gold building in complete darkness. While she and the thief were talking, the sun had slipped down beyond the horizon, leaving the sky pitch-black. The moon was a tiny silver sliver, and a myriad of stars spread out across the night sky like drops of paint on a canvas. She tucked Elia's belongings under her cloak, not wanting to draw unwanted attention. Jade strode briskly through the corridors, nodding politely to any assassins that she happened to come across. The League headquarters was relatively quiet at this time of night, something that Jade was suddenly immensely grateful for. When she reached Syra's study, Jade knocked softly. She wasn't surprised when she heard a stern voice telling her to come in. Syra always stayed late. 

The study was more practical than elegant, but there was grace in its simplicity. The desk was made of fine mahogany, as were the door and chairs. The rosewood paneling was unadorned save for a few small designs carved into it near the ceiling and the floor. A fine Persian rug lay near the door, and cream-colored damask curtains framed the window. There were three bookshelves on the wall closest to the door, and five wooden chairs pushed up against the wall opposite to the desk. 

Syra was rather tall and rather pale. She had a more peachy complexion as opposed to the dark caramel color that seemed to be the predominant skin tone of Valencia. Her ashen brown hair was pulled away from her face in a messy bun. Syra had a strong jawline and piercing chocolate-brown eyes, and she was adept with a variety of weapons. Swords, knives, daggers, crossbows-you name it, and Syra knew how to use it. Needless to say, she wasn't someone that anyone wanted to mess with. 

"Yes, Jade? What is it?" Syra questioned as Jade padded across the study to stand in front of Syra's desk, where she was scribbling away. Syra stopped writing and let her full attention settle on Jade. Her sharp brown eyes met Jade's mossy green ones.

"I saw the man who killed the assassins again today, except he killed a thief this time," Jade began. Syra looked at her expectantly, silently prompting her to continue. "Elia. The thief's name was Elia. Anyway, the man got away, but not before her friend managed to stab him a couple of times. I think he's from Eltevi based on the way he fights. And he's obviously wealthy, and very skilled, so he's most likely a member of the Eltevian League of Assassins, or whatever it's called over there." Jade paused for a second, watching as Syra took everything in. As usual, Syra remained impassive, although Jade detected a small twitch of her lip when she mentioned the Eltevian assassins. She swallowed a tad anxiously before going on. "I talked to the thief who attacked the man. He said Elia was trying to ally the Guild with the man and weaken our control over the island." At this, the small frown that had formed on Syra's face deepened. "But Elia got killed, and her friend said he'd help us. He agreed to do some reconnaissance work, and gave me some of Elia's things." Jade set down the sword and belt on the desk in front of Syra. Then she stepped back and took a deep breath, waiting for Syra's reply.

For a few minutes, none of them said anything. Syra brooded on what Jade told her, and the silence hung heavily in between the two women. Finally, Syra began to speak. "I suppose you handled the situation better than most would have," Syra said with a small grimace. "But there's something that doesn't add up. Why would the thief agree to help us? We're the League, for Pete's sake."

Jade hesitated before responding, knowing that she had intentionally disobeyed a direct order. "I told him that the Eltevian man had killed some assassins," Jade admitted. "He was able to see that the man wasn't specifically targeting just one organization."

Syra sighed. "Very well then," she said, glancing up at Jade. "All we can do for now is try to figure out what his motives are. You said that the Guild was going to set up reconnaissance?" Jade nodded.

Syra made a dismissive gesture. "Tell them not to. [i]We [/i] will get it under control."

Jade furrowed her brow, taken aback by Syra's obvious disdain for the Guild. "You know as well as I do that the Guild must be skilled. Otherwise, how would they have survived this long? We need their help, Syra. The poor won't take kindly to us parading through their streets, stopping everyone who looks suspicious."

Syra narrowed her eyes. "Jade, my decision is final."

"Your decision won't help us at all," she retorted, feeling recklessly bold. "Syra, please, [i]think[/i] about this," Jade pleaded.

The two lapsed into silence again. Jade was worried that Syra wouldn't be convinced, and what she would do if she wasn't. Jade had already questioned her authority twice today. It would do her no good to question it a third time.

But Syra finally nodded. "Alright. We'll let the Guild handle the reconnaissance." Jade exhaled softly, relieved. "When and how are you to get in touch with this thief again?"

"In a fortnight, on a roof near the poor side of the market district," Jade answered. Syra contemplated this for a minute and nodded again. "I will get some of the lower-ranking League members to patrol this section of the island. Lord knows that they need something to do. You are dismissed."

Jade inclined her head respectfully before walking out of Syra's study.

*****

Over the next two weeks, Jade had almost no time to even think about her contracts. Even if she'd had the time, Jade would not have wanted to. She was almost certain that they were all for members of the Guild, and you really couldn't go about killing the people doing your recon, could you? Instead of chasing down thieves through the market district, Jade spent her days on the look out for anything that could provide her a clue as to where the Eltevian man was. She lurked in the shadows long after the sun had set, watching the streets with a couple of assassins Syra had put under her command. Jade never caught sight of the man again, but she found a dead assassin towards the end of the first week who was obviously killed by him. The clean wound said it all; it was the work of a professional, not of a self-made street fighter.

When a fortnight had passed, Jade made her way to the rooftop she'd talked to the blonde thief on. It took her a while to find it again, and she regretted not paying closer attention to her surroundings while following him that first time. But after a few wrong turns and dead ends, Jade managed to locate the rooftop. The thief hadn't arrived yet, so Jade stood there patiently and waited, watching the waves crash onto the shore. She touched Elia's belt, saber, and scabbard lightly. True to the thief's word, no thieves bothered her everytime Jade wore them. Nevertheless, Jade refrained from wearing red and white. Those two colors would only make her more easily identifiable to the Eltevian man. She watched as late afternoon began to make its subtle transition to twilight, wondering how in the world they were going to find the Eltevian assassin.