SEVEN BLADES-BEGGAR MAN

TIME FLIES STUDIOS

BLADES

BEGGAR MAN-TURKEY

A draped figure couched down in front of an old Turkish tobacco shop. A single wisp of smoke rose out of the robes while several people walked by the beggar. As an older man in a business suit crossed the street, the figure rose and dropped the robe to the ground. A young woman dressed in camouflage pants and a tank top silently stepped forward. She threw down the cigarette and slowly followed him. She carefully hid behind walls and other people as she traced his every step.

Down one street, then the next she kept within feet of her prey. He turned down a small side street when she came up behind him. Tapping him on the shoulder, she smiled as he turned. Before he could say a word, the beautiful woman in front of him took a small dagger and slit his throat. She guided the surprised corpse down to the ground.

“Done.” She spoke out loud as she reached into his robes and grabbed his wallet and a pocket watch. The dark haired beauty glanced around to see if anyone was in the area. She took a small coin out and placed it on the man’s forehead. As silently as she had come, she left.

In the dusty streets of Istanbul, the death of one more infidel meant nothing to the police. She hurried to the docks and slipped into a bar. “ The Ragin Bull” was known for its unsavory clientele and as a good place for a hired assassin to turn a quick buck.

“It’s done and here’s proof.” Tarsi threw the wallet and watch onto the dirty, beer stained table before several scruffy looking men.

“Here’s payment as agreed.” Haddam said as he threw an envelope down in front of the girl. He eyed her combat outfit and he grabbed her hand as she reached for the money.

“I have a bonus for you right here.” He sneered at her as he twisted her wrist. With one swift movement, she drove her dagger into his hand sending him screaming in Turkish.

“Any other takers,” she said as she held her dagger outward. No one moved as she grabbed the envelope and slowly backed out of the bar.

“Wait up.” She heard a small voice behind her and she whirled around with her dagger in hand. In front of her stood a young woman with tears in her eyes.

“You are Tarsi the protector, right.” The young girl looked at Tarsi with pleading eyes.

“Bridle your tongue, young one. The words you speak will bring you a back alley coffin.” She told the girl sternly as she pulled her to the side of the building.

“I am in need of your special kind of protection. It is my husband.” She said firmly and she spun a tale of abuse to the woman before her. After she finished her story. Tarsi looked at her.

“I don’t come cheap.” She said as she looked into the woman’s eyes. She lit a cigarette as she waited for an answer.

“I can pay but he must die tonight.” She said as she held out a piece of paper. As Tarsi grabbed the paper¸ she nodded the okay and watched as the girl disappeared from sight.

She crotched down by the building and looked at the paper. It contained a picture, the name of her victim, the time he arrived home and the address of their home.

“Piece of cake.” She said as she started down the back streets. She soon found her prey walking home.

She bumped into him and grabbed his watch. He yelled at the little beggar as he began to chase her down the street. She slipped into an alley with him close behind. She flipped off her hood and smiled at the surprised man.

“Caught at last. I’ll teach you to disrespect a man.” He said as he reached for the girl. Her lips curled up in a cruel smile as she turned and dropped her robes. She stepped into him with the dagger high and slashed his throat before he could say another word.

“Another job well done,” she said as he fell forward onto the dirt. She grabbed his ring as proof that her mission was done and made her way to address on the paper.

The young girl who looked nothing like she did the night before greets her. She is dressed in fine silk and she is calm and composed.

“Done,” she asked as she handed Tarsi a drink.

“Of course, payment?” She replied as she reached for the drink.

“Right here,” said the woman as she pulled back the curtain. Behind it was the man that she had stabbed in the bar. He lunged forward at her before she could grab her dagger and he slammed her against the wall.

“I have been planning this for months. You have become more trouble than you are worth.” He snarled as he picked her up by the hair. She kicked him in the stomach knocking the air out of him as she pulled from his grip. She ran into the next room pushing the girl down in front of him as she looked for a way out. As she entered the room she noticed dueling swords on the wall and she grabbed for one. The ruby on the hilt gave her a little shock as she gripped it in her hand. He grabbed the second sword and lunged at the girl. She swung the blade and his sword broke in two. With a second swing she cut off his head. The girl stood there with her jaw open, as Tarsi became a fireball of electricity. She rose to the ceiling and fell onto a table smashing it into a million pieces. The girl hid in the corner too frightened to go near the unconscious woman in front of her.

As Tarsi opened her eyes she sees the blood on the sword in her hand beam at her.

“Break free. Save the world.” The words blaze on the blade and it slowly disappeared into the ruby. She shook her head and looked around at the room. As she spied the woman backed into the corner, she looked past her at a window.

She rose and jumped through the window shattering the glass. The young girl screamed in fright and started to cry. Tarsi ran through the back streets with the sword in hand.

“You better get out of here.” She thought as she looked for a safe place to hide. Behind her she heard screaming as her hostess ran into the streets.

She began to babble about some lunatic who had just killed her husband.