Role

Chapter 16

I write this as I rest underwater. Why am I resting underwater, you wonder?
It is because an assassin stalks. After intimately studying the records and
stories of Ktaar Kitane, Imperial Shadow Lord, I've come to understand that
allowing any more than eight attempts of stalking while not noticing the
assassin is death. As such, I have formulated a system of surviving
assassins. I move and hunt as per normal for six hours, then I go
underwater (they cannot hide there) for six hours. Also, I have to watch
out especially for this one called Jil. By her claims, she has slain more
than fifteen by assassination. Whether or not it is true, my solid and true
knowledge of what Ktaar Kitane did is enough to warrant extreme prudence. I
pray my fellow soldiers heed the warning I've sent out, for I want them to
live and not die foolishly. I pray the Lords of Light understand why I must
be so careful. There is no point to dying repeatedly, and vaingloriously
(another great word I saw in one of my books) proclaiming one's Courage by
strewing Thera with one's own corpses. If Jil assassinates, and succeeds, I
die. If Jil assassinates, and misses, she runs and tries another time.
I write these arguments down so I may more fully understand and remember
why I must not let emotion overtake me and become reckless. Logically,
mathematically, I cannot win. Jil will win. And despite this fact, I will
not just lie down and admit defeat, and let her stalk and assassinate me.
No, I will not. I will wait. And when the time comes, the judgement shall
be swift, mighty and vicious as Lightning. They will know not to
underestimate a giant of the Storm.