Shadow in the Night

Chapter 1
Shadow in the Night
The half-moon hung high in the sky, dimly lighting the tall foreboding walls that surrounded the town.  I could see a cat walking along the top making his usual rounds.  I raced up to the wall and started to climb.  Even some of the smallest cracks and bumps in the wall-face that most would think nothing of were the perfect pawholds for me.  I peeked over the top of the wall.  The cat was just feet away looking out at the forest I crossed and dropped down the other side before he could get a good look at me.
“Show yourself!  I know you’re there, come out!”  The cat howled.  I pressed myself against the wall and remained still hoping that the cat wouldn’t see me.  After a tense moment he mumbled something himself and continued about his duties.  I sighed as I crept away to do mine.
Keeping low I picked up my target’s trail.  He’s been dodging me for days now, and he barely got away from me this morning.  He probably thinks he is off the hook now but no one eludes this little black fox for long.  Though I can’t blame him for not wanting to meet me, few do.
Upon finding the room I used a claw to pick the lock and snuck inside.  I found him fast asleep.  I drew my dagger, tip-toed toward the bed, and took a deep breath; this is one of the worst parts of my job.  Without warning I pounced, driving my dagger into the weasel’s chest and, using my free paw to cover the startled weasel’s mouth so he couldn’t scream.
He fought for a short while but his struggle was feeble and he soon stopped.  After wiping the blood off of my blade and returning it to its place under my belt I closed the weasel’s eyes and mouth.  Giving him the appearance of peace is the least I could do.  Aside from the stab wound and the blood staining the sheets he looked as though he was still asleep.
As I reached out to open the door and leave it opened and I found myself nose to nose with a pair of guards who appeared to be just as shocked as I was.  I recovered quickly, knocked them out of my way, and raced down the hall, “Stop!  Assassin!  Assassin!” they roared awaking many and alerting everyone in earshot.
Now things were tougher.  Around every corner more and more people swarmed in blocking off all my escape routes.  I quickly found myself caught between the stone wall, two companies of fully armed guards, and a stained glass window…?  “The window!  Yes!  There’s my way out!”  Dagger in hand I swung at anyone that came near.  Most stayed back too afraid to approach.  A bold mouse ran at me, I easily dodged his attacks.  A few quick jabs knocked him senseless, and a swipe of my tail knocked him flat.
Without warning I threw my dagger shattering the window and leapt out.  I rolled into my landing, bounced up onto my feet, and raced off snatching up my dagger as I went.  I had just clambered to the top of the protective wall when the archers started my way releasing the deadly arrows from their bows.  I jumped down landing gently on the soft grass and yielding earth and ran for the safety of the forest.  Hundreds of arrows rained down all around me, some coming within a hairsbreadth of me.
I scrambled up the nearest tree and, leaping from branch to branch, I headed deeper into the dense foliage.  I slowed down a little to catch my breath.  Any real rest has to wait till I know I’m safe.  At the moment however I have to keep moving as I’m sure that they’ll send a group after me.  Then without warning something hissed past, grazing my head.  Shocked, I lost my grip and plummeted earthward getting bashed, scratched, and bruised before crashing to the ground.
“What just happened?”  I asked myself as I lay half stunned.  Just as I was about to get up and get going again I heard movement and muffled voices approaching.  I closed my eyes and pretended to be dead hoping that whoever these people were that they’d leave me be.  “I don’t see your arrow nowhere…”
“Forget the arrow.  What’s important is getting the bounty for that mutt.” I sighed so much for them leaving me alone... “and make sure you tie his hands and feet.”  Breathing slowly through my nose I picked up their scents.  One was a warthog the other was harder to detect.  I believe he’s a rabbit.
“He’s dead an’t he?” the warthog asked jabbing me in the back with one hoof.  “Why bother tyin’ him up?”
“Fool!  Your idiot cousin thought the last assassin was dead and look what happened to him!  Now he’s nothing but worm food!  I’m not taking any chances, either tie him up or lop off his head to make sure he is dead!”
“Ol’right Sir.”  My mind raced for an idea.  The safest way would be killing them both and to get moving.  But I’ve had more than enough bloodshed for one job.  On the other hand, I am a swift runner and know this forest like the back of my paw.  I could easily lose them in the foliage and maybe even get them so lost that it’d take them weeks to find their way out.
Hearing a sword being drawn warned me that my time to think had run out.  Now was the time to act.  I rolled away; saving myself from being beheaded, scrambled to my feet, and took off.  I won’t bother climbing up any trees as it would only waste time I didn’t have.  But since they don’t have any hounds with I doubt they’d be able to track me far.
Risking a glace over my shoulder, I saw the rabbit hard on my heels.  He was keeping pace with me, “Time to disappear.” I thought to myself.  I changed directions charging into heavier undergrowth running in a zigzag to prevent my pursuer from getting a clear shot.  I regretted looking back as I found that the hare was not only still hot on my tail, but he was catching up.  I could feel a weariness starting to come over me.  I need a new plan and fast.
I soon hurtled headlong into the grassy plain.  Not holding anything back I sprinted up the sizeable hill.  “I’m gonna make it!”  I reached the top.  I started down the other side when an arrow struck me in the leg.  Yelping, I tumbled down flying head over tail in dizzying somersaults before crashing into a bramble thicket.  Ignoring my pains and masses of thorns, I retreated deeper into the brush and hid behind a large tree.
As I sat trying to regain my breath the rabbit was having a fit that I could only compare to a toddler who just had his toy taken away.  Stomping around he roared into the air, “I’ll get you next time assassin!  You’ll see!  No one escapes Chester Halftail!”  I sat listening as the irate hare stormed off.  With a sigh of relief I began to tend to my injuries and find a place to rest.