THE FIRST SECRET
She was too young then to realize
what she was to become, or what she was getting herself into.
Then again perhaps she just didn't want to look too closely at
the direction her life was taking. Either way it only took one
person, and a split second decision to change her life forever.
Trust is a commodity, one that she had very little of in those
days. In fact the only person she thought she could trust was
the one who threw her into the lifestyle she was to lead. She
had met a man named Juri when she arrived in Stronghold some
weeks ago, and she was able to keep herself fed by running
errands and taking messages all over the city from Juri and his
business associates. As far as Juri was concerned she had no
idea what was in those notes, after all why would a homeless,
filthy human street rat know how to speak and read her own
language, let alone his? Unfortunately Risa hadn't always been a
street rat, and she knew many languages. His happened to be one
of them.
She soon learned that she was running contraband and messages
for a small resistance cell. Over the course of a couple of
weeks she was able to find out that they were trying to get
close to the local Legate, Nubeer, they had met with varying
degrees of success, the closest they could get was a stable
hand, who turned up dead a few days after getting the position.
The resistance was looking to steal a map that showed troop and
caravan movements in the area, they wanted the map badly and had
sacrificed at least three members of their group in the attempts
to obtain it. They wanted it badly enough to risk a sixteen year
old girls life, and start her down the road to a lifestyle that
would likely end in her death. Then again
what did Risa have to loose that she hadn't lost already?
It took her a few days to build up the courage to approach Juri
after one of her deliveries. "I think I could help you get a
copy of that map you want so badly." She said, watching for his
reaction.
To his credit he lost his composure for only a moment, surprise
and worry lining his face. "What makes you think that I want
anything Risa? I am just a simple business man; I have no need
of any map." He said, patting her arm with a patronizing smile.
"Even if I was looking for something, I wouldn't use someone as
young and inexperienced as you."
"Since you have lost at least three agents that I know of trying
to infiltrate his estate staff, I don't think you can afford to
turn me down that quickly. I would have a good chance to
succeed. They need a new girl on the kitchen staff, and who
would suspect a pretty young girl of being a spy?" she asked
trying to look meek and innocent.
It must have had some effect, because a thoughtful look crossed
Juri's face. He walked around her, not saying a word as he
looked her over. "How old are you Risa?" he asked, his
conscience warring with his need for the map.
"Sixteen summers." She answered, wondering to herself what age
had to do with anything.
"Are you sure you want to get involved with this child? You are
far too pretty to be ignored in a kitchen for long, what will
you do when Legate Nubeer takes an interest in you? You are too
young to understand what you are getting yourself into Risa." He
said with a concerned look on his face.
She purposefully ignored that last comment, sure in the way only
youth can be that she could handle anything. "If he takes an
interest in me all the better. If I play my cards right I can
get closer to him that any of you have ever been able to, and be
more useful in the process." She said smiling. "I know what I am
getting into, and I am a fast learner with skills you haven't
taken into account."
"Meet me here tomorrow at noon, we will need to go over a few
things before you go into that house, and I need to ask a few
people some questions about you." He said making his decision.
With a last concerned look at Risa he turned and walked away. He
never got to see the smile of triumph that passed over her face
before she turned to find her next meal. If only she had known
what she was getting herself into.