Of Lies and Deception {Yukio and fruity}(private)

[Yukio Takamiya]

 

 

Name: Kaylen Eligerand

 

Age: 17

 

Gender: Male

 

Status: Royalty

 

Description: Blonde hair, ocean blue eyes, pale skin

 

Likes: Horses, archery, adventures

 

Dislikes: Dark enclosed spaces, listening to his parents banter

 

Personality: Kaylen rarely shows any emotion regardless of family or outsiders. He tries to make use of every opportunity to get out of the castle to escape the stiff atmosphere.

 

Short bio: Kaylen grew up knowing that his parents, the king and queen didn't love each other. Their marriage was political and he was a heir born out of need rather than want. Kaylen despised his fate of becoming king but more important than that, he hated that his parents didn't love each other. A year after his father had married his mother, they had him. And a month after that, the king had a concubine, who then gave birth to another son, his younger brother, only eleven months younger than him. As a child, the king rarely paid any attention to him, preferring to spend time with and spoil his younger brother instead. The queen, his mother was the only one who loved him and spent nights with him. Kaylen loved his mother more than anything and despised his father who neglected them. He knew that his father wanted more than anything to make his younger brother his successor but rule was that sons of concubines couldn't ascend the throne.

 

 

 

 

------------------------------

 

The day was spent sitting through another of his parent's political debate and the ministers on their respective sides. The king was a man who didn't think through his decisions and the ministers on his side were no better. On the other hand, the queen was a clever woman who won her debates and made good decisions. If it weren't for her, the country would have long fallen under the king's rule. The ministers who followed her were wise and good in their jobs, never hesitating to give Kaylen any advice if he asked. And Kaylen, for one, was proud to have such a woman as his mother. Her calculations were never wrong, which was why the country's future could be predicted by her decisions or even others. Kaylen had gotten this trait from his mother.

 

Currently, they were discussing the territorial disputes between them and the neighbouring country. Kaylen had chosen to keep quiet and listen instead shoving in his views. Which was what most of the ministers were doing now. They never listened to his mother's logic. However, Kaylen was aware that his father was slowly getting rid of his mother's ministers to make his rule easier. Kaylen had more than once tried to help them, slipping them information on any upcoming dangers to look out for. He found it a pity, how his parents, husband and wife were treating each other like enemies of different lands. When the meeting had final ended in his mother's favour, Kaylen retired to his quarters, relieved that a solution was finally found. Politics. Kaylen shuddered at the thought. It was dirty and corrupted. If possible, he wished that his fate was never connected to it at all.

 

-------

 

When dusk had finally arrived, Kaylen closed his book and prepared to head to bed. But the uncomfortable heat of the day's summer kept him awake. However, hours later, even when the heat had gone, Kaylen still couldn't fall asleep. His thoughts kept wandering to the problems his family and the country was facing currently. Another hour later, it was midnight. Kaylen had given up on rest and changed out of his night garments into presentable ones to take a walk. He left his chambers in silence.

[fruity]

 

Name: Silentio, Silent Hand

 

Age: 25-27, he wasn't too sure

 

Gender: Male

 

Occupation: Assassin

 

Description: White arm-long unkempt hair, right eyepatch, deep indigo eyes, skin that gets tan easily but otherwise fair

 

Likes: Dangers, beds to sleep, pastries with red berries

 

Dislikes: Hunting dogs, wasting money, showing anything that might be perceived as weakness

 

Weakness: Large bodies of water. Although it might not show up, his fear was to die while drowning. He could swim and hold breaths for long, but when he was feeling weak, he got rare panic attacks.

 

Personality: A true professional, he showed no emotions when doing his tasks. It came to haunt him later, which was why he couldn't enjoy the high payment he got from his job, unlike some of his past comrades. Everything had become a routine for him.

 

Short-bio: Once upon a time, there was an independent mercenary guild called Crimson Hand who kidnapped children and trained them ruthlessly to become a "Hand", peerless elite mercenaries. Having his name and past erased, the children took up an attribute that defined them.

 

Silent Hand emerged within the elite group as an assassin. He was barely a teenage when his first mission started, building up reputation as one of the most feared name in the dark world ever since. However, the guild had too many enemies. The Holy Army finally got rid of their roots and leaders, leaving most of the Hands scattered and probably made a life of themselves. Some strayed to the light, but many stayed in the dark, for they knew no other way to live. Silentio was the second name he took up.

 

 

 

Silentio hadn't even batted an eye when he found out about his next target and where the assassination would happen. The Queen of the kingdom where he resided, inside her bed chamber in the palace. If anything, the high difficulty of this job made him a little more excited than usual. When the negotiator explained that at the night of his carried assassination there would be less security, Silentio actually felt slightly disappointed.

 

It was just another job, another day, another night, another payment. He would plan and anticipate the dangers, execute, and move away.

 

True to their words, under the moonless night sky, he had no meaningful resistance. The guards didn't even recognize his presence as he crept to their back and slit their throats with his concealed knife. It took him approximately a candle to reach the bed chamber, unlocked as promised. He made his way in, and didn't miss a single step to approach the bed without sound.

 

So this was the all powerful queen? She looked like a weak old woman in her sleep. Actually, Silentio preferred sleeping targets. This way, their eyes wouldn't haunt him later on. He took a cheap scarf from his pocket and put it against the woman's respiration. It had been dipped with powerful potion that would knock off an elephant's consciousness in the right dose. Then, he let his gleaming knife cut that white column of throat to seal the deal.

 

Red tainted the scarf and bed, though it didn't splash to his clothes. That was another use of the scarf. This was another job done, with mere three other casualties. He would get the full payment.

 

Silentio opened the chamber's door to the corridor and made his way to the escape route, down and out to the garden.

[Yukio Takamiya]

The hall ways were eerily quiet, so silent that Kalen felt uncomfortable. Lighted lamps on the walls lit up the hall way dimly, casting an orange glow. As he moved, his shadow followed, all this add up together made the setting rather scary. Not a servant in sight, nor a night guard which was unusual. They took security extremely seriously so that nothing bad happens. Kalen's footsteps were non-existent as he padded down the corridor. At some point of time, he had expected someone to turn down the corner since it was technically impossible for the palace to be so deserted but no one ever did. Immediately he felt that something was wrong. If there had been any occasion for everyone to be exempted from their duties, Kalen would have heard about it.

 

Kalen stepped out of the building's side doors where cold night air hit him. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, feeling so very refreshed. A stone water basin for the birds stood in the middle of the large space, surrounded by flowers and plants of all kinds. Trees lined the castle walls and the bird cage stood at the end. Kalen was now in the castle gardens, where flowers and trees were all cultivated by he and his mother. Time in the garden with the queen had been Kalen's fondest childhood memories. But now that he has grown, life was swarmed with politics and corruption, he truly hated it. Kalen glanced up at his mother's window and sighed. She had been exhausted by work and viewing the garden from her room helped her to relax, according to her that is. Kalen turned away and started walking to explore the garden. However, moments later, he heard the creek of that particular window opening.

[fruity]

Who was that?

 

From the corner of his eyes, Silentio saw someone peeked from the window. He quickly reached his belt to take his concealed weapons, counting the amount of energy he had to exert to fly a knife accurately to that area. Hm, too far, too tall. He didn't like to leave loose ends, but he had to stick to the timeplan.

 

He couldn't recount how many times he was close to be executed as a scapegoat in the past. That kind of danger would always be included whenever the task involved higher level of politics. Silentio was willing to go down in a fight with a worthy opponent, not from failing to assess the dangers.

 

Dim stars weren't enough to lit his white strands of hair that escaped his dark hood. Silentio took the risk and ran across the shortest path, even though it meant exposing a stranger in the middle of the courtyard. He never looked back to see whether that person noticed him or not, because it wouldn't matter.

[Yukio Takamiya]

Kaylen watched as a hooded figure ran across the garden. He had emerged from the direction of the queen's chambers, so who could he be? Was it a secret lover? Kalen found that impossible. His mother would never do something so disgraceful. Moreover, she didn't have the time for a lover, the queen needed every ounce of rest she could get. So it was an intruder? Kaylen had seen how the man climbed down the balcony wall so quickly. So coincidental on a night where the guards had been sent to god knows where.

 

He waited for the man to be gone before racing in the direction of the queen's chambers. Kalen burst into his mother's room and saw her figure on the bed. Was she still asleep and that man a burglar? He found it impossible that someone would dare to steal from the castle. He came closer to the bed step by step, so so afraid that his suspicions might be true. Kalen couldn't hear his mother breathing at all, breathing which might assure him that she was asleep. He couldn't hear all that at all. He reached the bedside and lifted a hand to push aside the partly see-through curtain. The sight of the queen made him forget to breathe. Her eyes were closed, body deathly white and still, with the exception of blood that splattered across her dress and sheets. Kalen could see the red angry gash which cut through her neck....lines which a sharp blade cut through, still bleeding heavily.

 

The tears fell, it was the first time ever which he allowed himself to cry. The queen, his mother, the most important person who ever mattered to him was gone. Taken away from him so easily and just like that, Kalen placed a hand on her cold cheek. A cry of despair tore from his throat.

 

"WHERE ARE THE GUARDS?! WHERE?!" He shouted as he ran to the entrance of the room, missing the bodies of two guards carelessly tossed aside in a corner. They were the only guards in the palace, easily taken care of by a skilled assassin. Kalen knew now, why there were no guards. They were deployed elsewhere without his or his mother's knowledge so that the assailant had a chance to slip in. Someone had planned his mother's death, Kalen would never forgive that person. He continued to holler his lungs out for the servants or anyone else who might be around. Finally, he heard the soft patter of bare feet running in his direction. It was a small page boy who had heard him and came to see the din.

 

"Your highness!" He called out more in surprise than coming to do his bidding. "What are you-"

 

"Call the guards," he cut off the boy. Kalen was blinded by anger, even a page boy was more competent than a guard. Was there not even one guard posted in the castle? Were they all sent away? Who could be so dumb to do something like that even if they wanted the queen dead. The castle could have been under attack with no guards to protect it. The page boy stood there for a while, shocked by the prince's state before speaking.

 

"Uhh...t-the guards have all been deployed for patrol. They won't be back till dawn." Patrol...they had enough guards posted for that job. The queen never ever made a mistake. Kalen was certain now that the mastermind of his mother's death was someone of extremely high status. Someone like his father...or one of his ministers. Kalen didn't want to believe that his father may be the culprit although it was possible. But for now, he would investigate his ministers.

[fruity]

Right after the canal separating the palace compound was a wide street. Some of the guards were patrolling there. Silentio calmly made his move towards the underside of the bridge. The water was shallow as it was not a rainy season. He moved on the same timing as wind, making the splashes as natural as possible. One of the sewer ahead would lead him right towards the slum area, which he was familiar of.

 

It probably took him another three candles before he reached safety in the bar on the outskirts of the city, bordering the slum and the wealth area. Beeswarm Bar. Obviously, the bar became a hub for those who sought for the help of the underworlds. Silentio got most of his payments there. Unlike his past comrades who owned several places, Silentio also lived in one of the rooms in the upper floor of that bar.

 

That way, he wouldn't grow too attached to any place. For example, he was quite fond of Richard, the owner of that place, but if someone hired him to assassinate the very same person, Silentio wouldn't blink as he fulfilled the duty. In the same breath, Richard would sell Silentio if it would ensure his own safety. Such was every relationship he had in his life.

 

He entered the dim place. Dim, but open. As if time didn't flow inside the dusty bar. Silentio grabbed a stool and sat. Without talking, he nodded to Richard and immediately got a mug of rye whisky. It wasn't enough to intoxicate him; nothing but the strongest poison would. It had been that way for as long as he remembered.

 

"You're done?" Richard, with beard as wild as a mane, asked him. Silentio gave him a glance before returning to his drink. Richard didn't know his current target, but he got commission for every successful task, so he got a right to know.

 

"Morning will come," Silentio replied cryptically. And with morning, answers.

 

It didn't need to be said, though. They both knew that Silentio had delivered as usual.

[Yukio Takamiya]

The night went by with Kalen sitting by his mother's bed, eyes fixated unblinkingly on the ceiling above. He mind was a blank, unable to think at the moment. The shock of the queen's death still hadn't worn down. Gille, the page boy stood by his side, also unable to believe that yhe queen he respected so much was gone. Kalen had thought of going to the king's chambers to look for his father and inform him of the situation. But he decided not to at the end. He could just imagine his father's cold unblinking gaze and sharp unemotional words. 'Dead? That's some news you've got there. My life would be easier now that that woman is gone.'

 

Kalen squeezed his eyes shut and clenched his fists so tight that they drew blood. He felt the sting in his palm and opened his hand, staring at the red fluid. All that didn't matter now, Kalen held back the tears and waited for dawn to arrive.

 

When dawn came, he heard the castle gates open as the guards returned to their posts. The two guards designated to the queen's quarters burst in upon seeing the door ajar. When they saw Kalen and the page boy, they stopped and bowed. "Your Highness, what are you doing here so early in the morning?"

 

Kalen didn't answer their question and Gille too remained silent. He remained seated, face void of all emotions and asked a question of his own. "Where have the both of you been if not guarding the queen?"

 

The guards looked at each other uncertainly before one of them replied. "We had been deployed for patrol Your Highness." They had yet to notice that the queen hadn't rose from her bed.

 

"Didn't you find it weird that so many guards were deployed for patrol?" Kalen asked again. The guards remained silent, uncertain of the thoughts going through their crown prince's head. Kalen beckoned them closer with a finger and they came closer slowly. One look at the body on the bed, the guards staggered backwards in horror. "This is what happens when you let your guard down and leave your post," Kalen said quietly, pain evident in his voice. "What are your brains for if you can't even know that royalty must be protected at all times regardless of orders?" He wasn't usually so harsh with servants or guards. But his mother's death was no small matter, she was his life whom was now gone.

 

Shortly after, the bodies of the two guards were discovered. Kaylen took one took at them then walked away, he couldn't feel a thing currently. Only two guards remained in the palace while the others left. It wasn't surprising at all that they would be killed. He thought back to the hooded assassin, strong enough to kill two guards just like that. Kaylen remember the traces of long white strands that had escaped the hood. At least he knew that the assassin had white hair.

 

------------------------------------------

 

The queen's funeral was held in the town square where citizens from all over the country travelled to pay their respects and mourn their queen. In fact, so many of them came that it took three days for the queue to cease. The king came as well and made a huge display of tears to uphold the image of a loving husband in front of his people. He knelt by the casket and placed his head on the surface, arms covering his face and body shaking with supposed sobs. But somehow, Kaylen had the feeling that he was shaking in laughter instead. His suspicions about his father being the mastermind was still there and intended to fully investigate the matter once everything was over. The concubine and younger prince had to pry the king from the casket and Kaylen saw that his face was dry despite the sorrowful expression. The king didn't grieve his wife at all.

 

Kaylen stood by the casket the whole time, watching his mother's peaceful expression, so unlike the time he found her that night. His thoughts returned to the assassin who had escaped from her balcony and licked his lips to wet his chapped lips. If he had stopped that hooded man instead of running to his mother, perhaps he would have had some answers to who hired him. No....Kaylen didn't hate the assassin who murdered his mother, after all, he was just doing his job. Kaylen knew that an assassin's victims were all the same to the assassin regardless of status. The one he wanted revenge on was the mastermind, and if it really were his father, he wouldn't be an exception.

 

Kaylen watched as the casket was lifted into a carriage drawn by two majestic horses. He saddled his own black stallion and rode by the carriage till it reached the burial ground. A hole had already been dug and ready for the casket to be buried. Once the burial procession was over, Kaylen proceeded to return to the castle. Moments later, he felt a firm grip on his shoulder and looked up to see Jerald, his brother, on a brown horse, giving him a concerned look. He gave Jerald a small smile to assure him that he was fine and moved on. He found it ironic, how his father, such a ruthless man could produce such a gentleman like Jerald. Kaylen had once hated Jerald with a passion. But the young Jerald had continued to treat his half brother with the kindness that Kaylen had never given him. Of course, Kaylen had given in eventually, seeing the sincerity in the younger prince's actions. The king may favour him more and showered him with love. But Jerald had never been arrogant of that or scorn Kaylen for being neglected. Kaylen eventually decided that he didn't need his father's attention, as long as he had his mother and brother with him. But the queen was gone now, only Jerald was left. "Tell me brother, what do you think of His Majesty," Kaylen asked. He had stopped addressing the king as 'father' once he was old enough to realise that he wasn't seen as his son, so there was no point in treating the king like his father.

 

"Father?" Jerald asked then shrugged. "It is not my place to say anything but he could be better," was his reply. "Why do you ask?"

 

Kaylen looked ahead and replied. "I just wanted to tell you something and I trust that this shall be between us brothers only." Upon seeing Jerald's nod, he continued. "I intend to pursue the mastermind of my mother's murder," Jerald's expression was grave but he gestured for Kaylen to continue. "As you know, she has always gotten in the way of our father in the affairs of this country. And in the possibility that the culprit might be him, I hope that you won't stop me."

 

Jerald looked at him in alarm," you intend to take his life?!" He whispered fiercely.

 

Kaylen's expression remained still. "Only if he is the mastermind. He shall be safe if he isn't, I'm just saying that there's a possibility," he replied calmly. "But you got me wrong brother," he suddenly said. "I don't intend to kill him if he is the one. We do share the same blood after all, i'm not as heartless as he is. I shall reveal it all to you in the times to come." Kaylen trusted his brother with his life, but his brother still shared a connection with the king. There was a possibility that his plans may be leaked out in Jerald's fear that his beloved father would be harmed.

 

Jerald sighed but nevertheless nodded. "I just want you to know that i do care for father. He may spoil me and favour me more than you, but i do agree that his decisions for this country are never the best." Jerald paused as they turned a corner headed towards the gates of their destination. "If father is truly the culprit, i shan't stop you. The queen was like a second mother to me although we aren't related. She treated me like her own although my own mother looked at you with disdain. Her death was terrible for me as well and i want the truth out as soon as possible too. So how do you intend to investigate? There were no traces left at the scene."

 

Kaylen turned his head to look at the younger prince and smiled slyly. "Believe me or not, the night my mother died, i was in the garden taking a breather. I saw him leaving her room by the balcony, the assassin who murdered her." Jerald's eyes widened in disbelieve at this. "I intend to search for him, having not stopped him from leaving before. You will help me won't you?"

 

"Of course brother, anything for you," Jerald replied with a smirk. "But for now, how about a hunting competition tomorrow before we begin our task?"

 

"Of course," Kaylen replied as they entered the castle.

[fruity]

The kingdom-wide funeral was disconcerting for Silentio, to say the least. The crowd spilled to all around the capital city, including the slum area. It was too bright even at night, with candles lit to honor the late queen. His latest target, he dubbed. In his sleep last night, the eyes which had always been closed were open. In them were abyss, threatening to swallow him whole. Silentio woke up clutching his chest, as usual.

 

His day also started as usual. When he didn't have any job, he strolled around the city for food. He changed the way he walked. With crouched back, croaky voice, and dusty hood, he looked like one of the slum dogs. A bigger and thus more useless one. No wonder why some places wouldn't allow him to enter the restaurants at all. The bakery in the corner of the plaza was always sold out these past three days, so he was a little glad they still got some stocks this afternoon. He had to go out of a pattern, so he chose a chocolate croissant along with his glazed berry pastry.

 

Red, which was so unlike blood.

 

They were both vivid, but he enjoyed this one. Silentio didn't reply to the owner's thanks as he went out of the door, not forgetting to drag his feet extraordinarily to leave some impression.

 

Impressions were important. For shallow observers, a mere different expression would do. For social butterflies, different pattern of speech. For the more observant ones, he needed to put a red herring that would distract them from digging further. Pretending to be crippled was one of the easier ones. He didn't even exaggerate; he knew firsthand how painful a broken arm was, back then.

 

"You've been out for long," Richard greeted him as he entered the Beeswarm Bar. The owner passed him a piece of paper with a number on top of it. The tables here had invisible numbers that only Richard's clients knew. He memorized it and crumpled the paper before tossing it to one of the more unassuming glass on the counter.

 

New client, then.

[Yukio Takamiya]

Kalen knew how much his mother cared for the citizens. He knew that she visited them occasionally and sometimes went with her. This day, he was with Jerald in the forest, and even so, he still couldn't stop thinking about her. The queen loved animals too, which was why Kalen never hunted in front of her. He remembered how she wept when he once shot down a hare. Fortunately, they were alone with no one to see her in one of her weakest moments. His mother brought the hare back to castle to have it treated and returned to the wilderness. Kalen at that time had no clue why injuring the hare was such a big deal, but panicked at seeing his mother's tears. Still, as a prince, he had to display his strength, obligated to join hunting parties occasionally. But today, it was his choice to hunt with his brother. He couldn't let memories of his mother hold him back, else he would never be able to go against his father.

 

Kalen nocked an arrow into the crook of the bow and aimed. He heard the rustle of grass and an inhuman cry of pain when he released the string. Jerking the reins, he urged his horse forward to the injured doe. The doe squealed in fright as he came closer, but was too weak to escape. Kalen got off his horse to examine the frightened animal. It was young, probably just a few months old and still had much of the world to see. It would be a pity for it to die so early into its life. Kalen removed the arrow carefully and pressed a scarf against the wound to stop the bleeding. Using his own personal supply of medicated ointment, he treated the doe and left it to be found by its herd. Looks like it would be Jerald's victory for now. In the end, he shot down a bird and two squirrels while Jerald took down a boar. Of course it would be the younger prince's victory.

 

Two days later, Kalen found himself in the midst of a busy town, which he had to pass through. How the people received notice of his approach, he didn't know. But the town held a huge welcome for him, to which he accepted gratefully. He smiled at the excited citizens as he passed by on his horse, holding some of the hands that reached out to him and then placing his palm to his chest to let them know that he acknowledged them. The people cheered loudly and some of their children even asked him to stay. But Kalen hadn't the time to rest. Before the assassin got too far, he had to catch him. Some offered their condolences for his mother's death, to which he could only smile sadly and move on. He stayed only for the day and left by dusk. When night fell, Kalen and his loyal knights had set up camp a little ways from the town, well hidden in a forest.

 

As Kalen slowly drifted off to sleep, his long thought out plan replayed in his head. Soon, he would play his cards and the ones who planned his mother's death would pay dearly.

[fruity]

Already memorizing the number, Silentio walked towards the table. With the old wood plastered around this bar, his steps didn't leave any noise. Learning how to manage his weight was one of the early skills he was taught. Erasing his presence meant removing the noise he might cause as well, and one of the reason why he was called Silent Hand was due to mastering this skill several times faster than his peers, even surprising his master.

 

That didn't matter now, he noted, as he counted the timing the new client had been eyeing people. When they were distracted, for their eyes, Silentio had already sat on the chair across their seats. "No greetings. Just tell me your business," he said curtly.

 

Silentio could see how much fear filled their eyes, from how he just seemingly suddenly appeared in that chair. "W-we're representing someone influential... The falcon is Duke Eisenthal," one of them that Silentio didn't bother to remember, told him. He didn't know where it started, but his clienteles beginning to call his target as 'falcons'. He paid no heed at those codes, it just filled his brain with useless information. The only thing he had to remember was the name.

 

However, a second client came that night, and bearing the blue-silver badge in house's symbol, he realized they came from the house of his target. The second falcon was... "Lord Merraug," they said. Immediately, Silentio realized that these two houses hired the same person to kill the house's competitor's head.

 

He could have laughed from the irony. He didn't.

[Yukio Takamiya]

Daylight broke and the knights awoke. Kaylen laid in his tent still staring up at the ceiling since the night before. He had stayed up the whole night thinking of how to go through with his plan and honestly, he couldn't think of how. Guess he just had to wait for an opportunity. They set off again after a quick breakfast of roasted rabbit, heading towards the next town. But honestly, Kaylen had no intention of ever reaching there. Today, his life would end and no longer would he be a prince. They arrived at a bridge and Kaylen found his opportunity. Thick morning mist obstructed their view, under the bridge was practically bottomless. It was dangerous and reckless, Kaylen knew. But it was worth a shot.

 

They started to cross the bridge. Everyone got off their horses and the knights let Kaylen go first in case the bridge was weak and couldn't take another person once the first one went. But at the same time, it was a risk if the bridge were weaker than they thought and the first person fell. Kaylen decided to let the second option come through. He took a step onto the bridge, then a second. "the bridge is a little too shaky," he commented but continued to walk on, ignoring his knight's pleas for him to be careful. Kaylen took a deep breath. Honestly, he didn't know if he would survive this and he most probably wouldn't. Kaylen continued to walk until he reached the middle where the fog completely blocked the knight's view of him. Slowly, he took one of his many daggers from his belt and sliced through the rope on his left. The bridge gave a violent jerk and he let out a cry.

 

"Your Highness!" One of the knights called out. "Come back here, hurry!" Kaylen kept silent and drew a shaky breath before he sliced the bottom left rope that connected the wooden planks. His right hand firmly held onto the rope on the right. Right now, the bridge was completely slanted to the side and Kaylen's legs dangled above nothing. "I can't, the left ropes have snapped!" As he spoke, the bottom right one snapped. "Your Highness, use your hands to get here!" The knights couldn't go to him in case they broke the last remaining rope. Finally, Kaylen tightened his grip on the rope and sliced the last rope. His body swung and Kaylen dropped the dagger so that both his hands to grab the rope. Kaylen screamed and the knights cried in despair, their last hope after the queen was gone. Such down luck.

 

Kaylen shut his eyes tightly and gritted his teeth when his body collided with the rocks. The rope, fortunately, kept him in contact with the walls although it kept swinging side to side. Kaylen looked down and regretted, realising that he was no where near the ground yet. His hands were shaking violently but he forced them to hold on tightly to the rope else he'd really lose his life. The fog was still thick and the knights didn't know that he hadn't fallen to his death, then they wouldn't see him climbing either. Kaylen released one hand and grabbed a dagger from his belt, stabbing it deep into the rocks before he dared to release his other hand from the rope, the rope swung away. Kaylen retrieved a second dagger and stabbed it into the wall as well. He repeated this process with both daggers, slowly climbing his way up to safe land.

 

By the time he reached the other side of the cliff, his arms were shaking badly and his body was drenched with sweat. But he hadn't time to stop, he had to find that assassin. The knights had ceased their mourning and returned to report the loss of their prince. His father would no doubt be bouncing with glee at his luck, not having to get rid of Kaylen himself. But only one person would know that he lived, that was Jerald. Kaylen allowed himself to rest for a while after his near death experience before he stood shakily and headed deep into the trees.

[fruity]

Silentio made a soundless run, choosing the path with less grass. The night had fallen for a while. It wasn't moonless like his big mission last time, but it was still too small to expose him against any curious onlookers, unless they knew what to look in him. To be honest, he made sure that Richard got the payment beforehand this time, making up some kind of excuse that he would be going far right when the task was over.

 

It was simply a lie he made up on the spot. But it did sound like a premonition.

 

Not minding that he didn't doubt that the house of Lord Merraug would be in commotion within a candle time. They would probably request for any help as well, thus at one point, Silentio branched off from the main path and turned right. Right into the woods.

[Yukio Takamiya]

Kaylen spent the entire day trudging through the woods on foot. His feet ached and his stomach growled, but he continued to move. In all of his life, Kaylen had never felt as physically terrible as he was now. He had never gone hungry or walked till blisters formed on his feet. Dusk came, light was almost fading. Kaylen decided that now was probably the time to prepare to spend the night in the forest. Before light faded, he had killed a rabbit with his dagger and started a fire. At least he knew the basics of surviving in the wild.

 

Kaylen leaned against a tree and closed his eyes, heaving a sigh. The king must have received news of his death by now. And if they couldn't find his body down in that bottomless valley, most likely he would be proclaimed dead. His father most probably couldn't wait to let everyone know that he was dead. And that would only serve to Kaylen's purpose. The old man wouldn't stop him from finding out the truth if he was dead. Sigh....he wondered how the citizens felt, at the news of his death. Kaylen knew that his people were fond of him just as they were with his mother, they would probably mourn him and resent the king. The citizens weren't stupid. Kayen had overheard rumours during his ventures. They were aware of the political situation and how the king was putting up a show when their queen died. But this time, according to how Kaylen knew them...they would probably think that the king killed his own son to get rid of the remaining nuisance.

 

Kaylen shook his head to clear his thoughts, tonight, he wouldn't think of anything else. The night's wind was chilly and Kaylen shivered a little. If he didn't have the fire, his toes and fingers would probably freeze off. Tilting his head, Kaylen stared at the starless skies. He had a feeling that it would rain soon, just his luck.

[fruity]

Silentio made a run across the woods. Tuning down his senses, he focused on getting as fast as possible to his planned vantage point. He made a mental cheer over the clouds forming above the trees. If it was raining, even the best trackers would find a hard time following him. And by then, he would already be gone from the area.

 

Even though he kept a zig-zag move to make it hard and to choose less bushy area, at some points he still had to pierce through the woods plantation. However, there was an element out of his expectation. Someone was camping in the woods. And Silentio didn't notice that until the leaves had rustled. He stopped in his tracks, but it was too late.

 

He had worn his assassins outfit; the moment someone took of his hood, they would see his weapons in plain sight. It must be unmistakable that the person would identify him and heard the news of a noble's death. They would put two and two together. Silentio could fight and win against a squad, but not against an army.

 

Should I kill him?

 

He only had a fraction of time to decide, seeing that the man would notice his presence any time now. Silentio noticed the unlit fire, this wasn't the best spot to camp, though when one was in the woods, place with good protection was as good as any. Best to leave the wood when there was a thunderstorm, but there must be a reason why he didn't leave this spot on time.

 

Or maybe I should leave him to receive the blame of Merraug's death.

 

However, as he stepped closer, he recognized that face.

 

The Prince's. Who was announced to be dead by noon. Silentio remembered thinking that someone might have hired another assassin so people couldn't pinpoint them as the same perpetrator, but this was a rather interesting turn of events.

 

Interesting, if only he cared enough. However, the random person's identity made it impossible for him to take the blame.

 

Then should I carry him away before he could start a fire?

[Yukio Takamiya]

Kaylen had been on the verge of falling asleep, yet he never seemed to truly slumber. Something was keeping him awake, just what? The forest was deathly still and quiet, not even a cricket's cry could be heard. Yet he had the feeling that someone was watching him. He'd like to think that he was just being paranoid, it was possible. By now, everybody thought he was dead, his plan would be ruined if someone were to spot him now. Kaylen warily have his surroundings a once over......nothing. That feeling was still there, stronger than ever. There were eyes on him. Kaylen's heart pounded hard against his chest as he finally dared to call out. "Who's there?"

 

Of course, he never actually expected anyone to reply to him. Why would someone who was watching him so secretively out himself? Kaylen slowly stood up and dusted his pants. He made slow deliberate steps away from the fire, inwardly he counted. '3.....2.......1!' And he bolted.

 

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