Chapter Ten

                                    

                                          
(Im so sorry this chapter took so long to write. I've been sick all week, and although I've gotten so many ideas, I just couldn't bring myself to write them down. Over the course of about four days I wrote this chapter, each day putting in 10-200 words. Please enjoy the chapter... But it might be sloppily written until I get a chance to edit it. I just really wanted to get chapter ten out there...I know I have some dedicated readers waiting for this chapter.) 
                          
I walked out of the infirmary, shaking my head. Okay, so he likes me. I like him too. I mean, I would consider him a friend who i could trust... and everyone is acting so weird about it. But i have more things to think about than Jean and the others right now. Right now, i need to be worried about getting better and making a recovery. This one eye thing sucks, but everyone said that i wouldn't be able to see out of it again, even after i make a recovery. 
                          
I hate that i wont be able to use the pistols anymore. I don't have any depth perception like this, so its going to be hard finding a weapon i can use accurately. Not even a sword would work because i wouldn't know how far away or how close the target was. 
                          
"Hey, Mercy, right?" A guy said, jogging alongside me. 
                          
"Yeah...who are you?" I asked and stopped so he could catch up.
                          
"I'm Aaron. Aaron Weaver. Level one newbie." He said and stood up straight, puffing out his chest and saluting me.
                          
"Um... Well I'm Mercy Anxo... I got here this morning so i don't really have a prestige level... And may i ask, why are you saluting me?" 
                          
"Well, I got here two weeks ago. Chief ordered that everyone in rank Soldier and below must give you the respect as a full fledged Assassin until ordered otherwise." He said and lowered his hand.
                          
"Well, could you please explain the ranks to me? Whats high and whats low, i mean?" I asked him.
                          
"Well, from lowest to highest: Newbies, Runners, Lance men, Soldier, Rider, Honorary,  and Assassin. The newbies have to pass several levels until the next rank, Runners have to pass six, Lance Men pass five and so on."
                          
"I haven't passed any levels yet... So what would that make me?" i asked.
                          
"Well, since ranks Soldier and under are below you, i think a Rider... But you need to take a test. Which is actually why i had to find you. It was actually pretty easy since your the only girl here."
                          
I nodded. "Alright, where do i go to take the test? And do i need something to write with? I don't have anything on me." 
                          
Aaron laughed a bit, before realizing i was being serious. "Oh... Your serious. Well its more of a physical test, like they just want to see your thinking skills and strength in a bunch of situations."
                          
"oh."
                          
"Well then, ill take you to the chief in charge. He'll be able to tell you where to go.  I was just sent to fetch you for him." Aaron said and turned.
                          
I followed him to a large building with a sign in front, reading 'NAHQ'
                          
"Alright. I have to go do some training... Boss man is on the fourth floor. You can't miss him." Aaron said and jogged away.
                          
I reached out my hand and pushed open the doors. As i did, i saw Sam walking out. I asked him to please tell Jean i couldn't go with him tonight because i had a test that the boss wants me to take. Sam nodded and we passed each other.
                          
there was a man at a desk to the right and to the left there were a few sets of stairs. 
                          
"Your Mercy, of course. Mr. Black is up the second pair of stairs. Just go up to the fourth floor." He said and did a quick gesture to the second stairway before refocusing on a stack of papers in front of him. 
                          
I nodded and proceeded to walk up the stairs, my footsteps echoing with every step. The stairs went up really high, so high that there had to be separate lights on the walls because the light from the lobby couldn't reach up into the stairwell. 
                          
I reached the top of the stairs... Suddenly feeling self conscious. I flattened my hair as best as I could without a mirror and smoothed out my coat. Once I was satisfied that I didn't look like a slob, I stepped out of the stairwell and into the floor it lead up to. 
                          
It wasn't a bunch of little rooms, though, as I had expected. Instead, it was one enormous space. 
                          
Most of the wall space was occupied by gigantic windows, and between the window frames where guns, maces, bows, knives, swords... Any weapon you could ever think of, hung on these walls. 
                          
One of each, neatly hung and fitted between the windows and alongside each other. 
                          
The floor was a bunch of different woods and tiles, the stain and texture alternating every inch or so. It was quite beautiful, all the woods..... Not arranged in any specific order. 
                          
It wasn't dark stains to light stains, and there was no real pattern. It seems only one rule was made when creating this floor... Never put any two alike pieces together. 
                          
While I was entranced looking at the floor, I heard someone cough impatiently. 
                          
I bolted my eyes to where the noise came from, immediately seeing a big desk, bigger than anyone could ever need, in the center of the room. How did I not see that before? 
                          
"Your right on time, Ms. Anxo. I appreciate your presence here at the NA.... I was informed of what you have accomplished, although you are young. I was told that you have never had any weapons training before, along with a full meal. I'll give you both as often as you like... On one condition. " Mr. Black paused and waited for my reaction. 
                          
Does he want to make a deal? Is he dangerous? Should I run? 
All of these questions flooded my mind... Worry, possible regret... And still, I nodded for him to continue.