Excerpt: The Story of Blood (working title)

Kareth was a man of action. If he were to tell you that he would kill you, your relatives would hear of your death the next morning. I had never hated anyone until I met him. Kareth was short, shorter than most men. His head didn't even reach my shoulder. His brown hair was never well-kept, always greasy and stingy. The eyes were always the most frightening: small, black, and colder than a night in the mountains. Even though he was a Gatranian, he was a man that the king sent many of his orders to. It just so happened that Kareth was the one chosen to bring my summons. Imagine my surprise when I opened my door one evening to see him standing there.
“Good evening, Toulith.” Kareth greeted me with that easy smile he was so prone to. He was clothed in black and a dark red color that looked like blood. The black turned his skin even darker than it had been before. It had been over ten years since I had seen his face, but his was not one I could easily forget.
I almost slammed the door in his face. However, I restrained myself. “What do you want, Kareth?”
Kareth raised his eyebrows. “So quick to business.” His voice oozed with condensation. “No wonder you are taking over your father's business. I have a letter for you, Toulith.” A thin hand reached inside his cloak and drew out a letter, sealed with the seal of the king on red wax.
A feeling of dread washed over my body, yet still, I accepted the letter. “Alright, Kareth, your letter has been delivered. Good night.” Ready to make him leave as soon as possible, I closed the door.
If there was one trait Kareth was not known for, it was quiting. While I was closing the door, Kareth inserted his foot in the doorway. “Where are your manners, Toulith?” He slid inside before I could recover and push him out. “Do you truly expect me to return just as night is falling? The world is dangerous in the dark. I know you remember that.”
With a pained grimace, I called for our servant, Kael, and instructed that he show Kareth to a guest room. Straightaway, I left the foyer for my office. When I passed by your mother, I didn't say a word. I wasn't sure what the letter could be about, so I had no desire to needlessly worry her.
Once in my office, I broke the seal and opened it. I still remember what was written inside. The letter read:
Nathren Toulith, you have been called to serve your king. King Salander's spies have informed him of plans made by the Biarn and Gatran immigrants against him. Your skill as an assassin is needed. With your skills, we may be able to stop the threat that the Biarns pose to our country. Let us show to them that they never should have left their country across the ocean.
In one week of receiving this, you are to report to the king. Failure to do this will inform us that you have sided with the lying Biarn and Gatranian scum. If that is so, actions will be taken immediately. You and your family will be declared traitors and executed immediately.
We expect your answer soon.
The letter was signed by King Salander's advisor, Mefin Hawth.
I almost lost my dinner. It was a thinly veiled threat. The reason that Kareth had been sent to my doorstep was made clear. He was to ensure that I returned with him to the king. If not, he would have no reservations against killing my family. I wasn't sure that I could kill him if we were to fight. He was one of the men who had trained me for four years. I knew that there was no way I could answer no to the summons.