The vibrant silks and delicate makeup of Akio's disguise concealed his purpose perfectly, or so he'd been told, for his deadly mission was cloaked in allure.

The shinobi was ordered by his masters to assassinate the best weapon smith of the provence, as they had been furnishing the ninja's clan's adversaries.

As the lanterns flickered thru the streets, Akio made it's move. Once he saw the weapon smith pass by, he acted as a courtesan would, striking obscene poses and inviting the weapons smith into his "abode", with the pretense of spending the night together. Of course, the weapon smith was charmed, and Akio got to lead them right where he wanted them. Akio pushed aside the intricately embroidered curtain at the entrance, revealing the lavish room filled with incense, velvet cushions and dim light.

As you shared intimate conversation, Akio drew closer with a coy smile, his heart pounding, not with fear but with the thrill of impending action.

He leaned in, whispering sweet nothings in the weapon smith's ear, while subtly positioning himself and readying a killing blow. In that moment, however, the weapon smith could see the glint of Akio's hidden blade, a single flick of the wrist away from ending their life.