I dislike knife fighters. Its a sort of a ticklish sort of fighting style. I’m somewhat cramped in the alley but am glad I still have my sword after all. I slash out at his arm. Not elegant and usually somewhat effective but he dose not drop the knife and switches hands. Well trained. He tries to slash me backhanded. I recognize the style suddenly and side step him instead of backing up and he rips my cloak as he goes flying into the second who emerges from the doorway thinking he is about to stab me instead of his partner. He lunges at me and I quickly throw my sword at the second man and finish the fight. I swear. I did not want to kill them. I sit down on the ground and mumble a prayer for thier souls for a moment before I tear open one of the mens shirts. The red dragon brand of the professional assassin from Persia is there all right. Some one hired these men to kill me. The timing is odd though. Almost too perfect a time. Who could have hired them though? I haven’t acquired any major enemies recently except Agamemnon and this dose not seem his style. I doubt he’d actually hire somebody to murder for him someone he considers inconsequential. I don’t think that it could be anybody holding a grudge against me back when I was sailing around and acting the mercenary. My myrmidons are disciplined and skilled enough that I was able to pick my battles so that no one need take my involvement personally. Which leaves who? As I am considering this I notice the sound of a guard rapidly approaching. Several just behind him too actually. Looks like I did attract some attention. Well at least the heightened security is working, more or less. Doesn’t look like I am going away after all though.