Douglas
```LADY ISOBEI de VALOIS
The Crooked Door Inn, a seedy tavern in the village of Mournewood, in the feif of Argentcour```

The hood was drawn over Isobei's aristocratic face as she stood at the window of the room rented at the no doubt lice-infested inn. She'd have to burn the dark cloak she was wearing to make sure she didn't bring any of it home with her, but it was well worth the sacrifice. Isobei had managed to cow her husband and her idiotic stepsons a few years ago, but more and more they made themselves thorns in her sides. She knew that they spoke, and for a time, she allowed them to do so. After all, it was _just_ talk — _just_ gossip. 

_But gossip has roots,_ and more than once in the last several months, that gossip had interfered, making a reputation that _preceded her_ and **Not** In a good way. 

One of her men waited outside the tavern on the porch, sitting lazily in a chair and looking for all the world like any other ruffian. There was another inside, near the staircase that led upstairs to the rooms, supposedly minding his business with grog and a solo game of cards. Another two guards were inside the room with her — one having "Joined" Her in renting the room to give off the impression of a traveling couple, and the other had climbed into the room from the window. She was doing her best to make sure she was protected, for she was sure that her husband and his sons had finally given in and put out a contract for her head. Of course, those morons would quickly run through the money that would be left to them if she died and would turn Argentcour into a pisspot within a few years, but they only thought about short-term gains... Only thought about the ache in their bellies _then,_ and not of the feast they might have down the road.

Isobei was trying not to be impatient. The Merchant who had given her the assassin's name had promised that the assassin would arrive tonight, within the hour. He promised that he would relay all the correct information, but Isobei still felt uneasy. With a light scoff, she moved away from the window. A watched pot never boils, after all.
Jesus
**Aria Griff**
*The Crooked Door Inn, Mournewood*

Aria had been almost baffled by the strange job the merchant Theis had signed her up for. This really was something out of her expertise, and it still was a concept she was wrapping her head around. Assassination? Had Theis finally lost his bloody fucking mind? Aria may be considered a murderer, but one of animals and beasts, not humans. Although, the money promised to her was the tip on the moral skill, as well as the fact that this target seemed to deserve it. 

If she was being honest, it was the underlying curiosity that the young woman had. It had already led her this far into the world, what harm could taking the job honestly be? 

Now here she stood, eyes glued to the front of "The Crooked Door Inn." The noise of drunk and rowdy men echoed out the windows and filled the night air. She took a risky sniff and quickly regretted that decision; it smelled of alcohol and terrible acts. But that matched the deal the girl was here for. With a shrug, she began to head into the building before she was then stopped by the seemingly resting man on the porch. He had moved rather fast, his body now blocked the entrance as he glared at her. She paused, then smiled and whispered "Theis sent me." He nodded his head, finally allowed her inside and pointed toward the direction of the stairs. 

"Thanks." Aria made her way inside, avoided the rowdy crowd while her gaze remained on the stairs. Of course, she was once again stopped by another man, where she relayed her message again. He then gestured up, muttered a room number. "Thanks again." As she climbed up the steps Aria pondered how much she was getting into. Already the girl had run into two private guards, so obviously this client was quite important. *Bloody Theis, what did you sign me up for.* 

Finally, the hunter reached the desired door. There was silence, the only noise came from downstairs. With a heavy sigh, she knocked on the door. "Hello?"
Douglas
```LADY ISOBEI de VALOIS
An upstairs room in the Crooked Door Inn, Mournewood, Argentcour.```

Her head _whipped_ to look at the door in the same moment her guard drew his blade and the other near the door put a finger to his lips the moment after **Aria's** Knock resonated off the thin panel. The voice behind the door was _surprisingly_ feminine, causing the guards to glance at eachother, and then back at Isobei. A gentle frown touched her full lips, turning down the corners and making her noble brows lightly draw together in skepticism. A female assassin? Isobei supposed she shouldn't judge too harshly — after all, Isobei would have killed Marcus and his idiot sons _herself_ if she could get away with it.

Aria was made to stand through several quiet moments before the door opened. The shutters to the window outside was closed, and the guard gestured that she come inside. Isobei was seated in the only chair afforded the room given the tavern's low income level. The only other place to sit was on the bed. A guard stood just behind Isobei, and he scowled at Aria as the _other_ guard forcibly patted her down.

_"You came alone?"_ Isobei asked the assassin, her sharp blue eyes taking Aria's measure. Whether or not the golden-haired woman found the huntress _wanting_ was not shown on her placid, cold features.
Jesus
**Aria Griff**
*The Crooked Door Inn, Mournewood*

The uncomfortable silence that followed just raised the nervousness of the hunter. She had considered abandoning this situation when the door opened. It took a moment for her eyes to adjust to the light, but she was greeted by the sight of a normal small room. However, the thing that made it not normal was the shocking number of people in it. Hesitantly Aria entered the room, and once inside the door closed behind her. Well, there went the last option to escape. 

As she acknowledged her surroundings, one of the supposed guards moved and began to pat her down. "Whoa! Watch those bloody paws." He glared at her as he continued his search, having ignored her protest. She huffed and remained still, a reminder that this job would provide money. *Think of the family, Ari. A snob is paying you to hunt down some other snob.* She lightly snorted as she also thought *Great, I'm getting involved in politics. Pa would have my head.* 

Apparently happy to have found no weapons, the man stepped back and she shot him a brief grin. Her attention then turned to the only other female in the room. Oh yeah. This woman oozed nobleness and power. It almost made Aria cower, but instead the woman stood her ground. "Yes. I don't think bringing along a party would improve the already unsteady impression you have of me." Aria bowed shortly, something she had witnessed many times with certain noble clients of Theis. "My name is Aria. I would assume that you must be the client Theis told me of?"
Douglas
```LADY ISOBEI de VALOIS
The Crooked Door Inn, Mournewood, Argentcour```

_"And you must be the... Mercenary,"_ Isobei said, not quite able to make her mouth for the word _assassin._ The woman that stood before her didn't look older than Isobei was, although she had a far more plucky and light attitude than Isobei's imagination assumed a _killer_ would be. Perhaps that's what made **Aria** So effective?

Isobei reached up and carefully took her hood off her head, revealing her perfectly immaculate hair do in it's decorative net, small, seeded pearls edged into the golden strands in order to keep everything in place. A glitter of gold shimmered for a moment at the base of Isobei's elegant neck; the hint of expensive jewelry beneath. Her long dark cloak was tied at the waist with a sash, hiding whatever gown Isobei might have worn beneath. Even so, the air of superiority and control was impossible to mistake.

_"You're not what I've expected. Have you done something like this before? The last thing I need is a novice making a mess of my request, which would immediately put myself and my children in danger."_

The guards remained still but vigilant, eyeballing Aria the entire time.
Jesus
**Aria Griff**
*The Crooked Door Inn, Mournewood*

She looked over the woman, taking note of the obvious jewelry and gems adorned on the other. *Yep. Definitely noble. This is gonna be interesting.* Happy enough, her attention returned to the words from the woman. Already she felt the judgement and suspicion that came from everyone in the room. Honestly, she did not blame them at all. Aria did not fit the stereotypical assassin type. If anything she was more fitted to the jolly friend everyone looked to for a story and a drink. 

But she owed Theis immensely. *I swear I am going to wring his neck when this is all over.* The hunter crossed her arms and softened her smile. It was time for business. "I am quite familiar with jobs like this. I don't exactly have targets as rich and well-off as your's probably is, but a kill is a kill." Her eyes hardened as her mind locked on the mention of children. So there was more at stake here than assumed. 

"Let me guess: you mentioned your children and your own safety, so I have to assume it is someone of your family. Definitely not one of your own kin, as I can tell by the lovely sum offered up." She pondered for a moment. Then she finally figured it out. "Your fancy Lord finally ticked you off enough? That's got to be the reason you are calling upon someone like me to get rid of your beast. Theis only gives me important stuff like this because he knows I can get the job done." The hunter eased her stance, but there was an underlying sense of *Predator* In her gaze. "I don't mess up my jobs. Whatever you need gone, I can guarantee that you will not worried about for long."