Key of Darkness

[Razgat]

The King of Almadon took a sip of his wine. It was his third cup. Normally, he didn't drink so much, but it was calming to him. It helped to ease him as he sat in front of his enemy. The King of Delmira sat across from him with his hands folded, leaning on the table. The two kingdoms had been at war for centuries, battling over land, resources, territories, even a few battles of spite. Countless lives had been lost on the battle field, and many of the King's best men had been slaughtered. He would never had faced his enemy if it weren't for the problem at hand.

"You have read my proposal?" King Adalric, the King of Almadon, plucked one of the grapes from the platter in front of him.

King Donahue, the King of Delmira, nodded. King Adalric awaited his answer. "I have, and it has brought many things to my attention. One, of course, would be to write up certificates and inheritence issues, and of course decide the territories of the new kingdom. There is also the issue of the war to settle, and I'm sure that many Temples would be very displeased."

King Adalric waved away the comments. "There is no need to bring the knights into this. Their main goal is peace, and I'm sure this would please them. The real issue, I think, would be the people..."

"Father..." A tall boy with raven hair walked in. He was dressed in a tunic with the royal seal but was covered with dirt. He stopped when he saw King Adalric. His eyebrow twithced as a feeling of irritation overcame him. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interupt."

King Donahue laughed and motioned for his son to come to him. "No worries, Dameon, we were just discussing your future."

Dameon glanced at King Adalric who took a deep sip of wine. "Forgive me, but what does my future have to do with our enemy?"

King Adalric choked a bit on his wine and turned away to cough. King Donahue smiled and patted his son on the shoulder. "Why, my boy, he will no longer be your enemy after today. He will be our soon-to-be Father-in-law."

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

The market was filled with many peasants going about their daily errands, trying to find the ingrediants needed for supper. There were many butchers, merchants, and bakers lining the streets trying to sell their stock. The scent of meat, bread, and horses seemed to fill the air. To some it would be rancid, but to William it was normal. He strolled through the town of Elpida as he did every day. The path behind him leading out the city and to the mines where he worked. He was on his way home.

He passed by many women standing by a stall gossiping. He listened in as he passed by. "Have you heard about Milly?" "The baker's daughter?" "Yes, they say she's pregnant." "Already? Who's the father?" "They don't know. She won't tell." "I heard it was that butcher's boy." "You don't say?"

William laughed and shook his head. He had learned not to listen to the gossip the women told, but some of it was useful...rarely. Then one bit caught his attention. "Did you hear about the King?" "King Adalric? He's away." "Yes, but do you know where?" "No, I don't." "He's in Delmira."

Delmira? Why would he go there?

He turned down another path away from the market and headed home.

[Mizagium]

Vensik strolled down the streets of Elpira, keeping his head low. His bō was strapped to his back. He kept a low grade barrier around him, shielding him from the commoners eyes. He was on a mission, but he needed to remain hidden.

Someone was going to die.

[Razgat]

A young girl in a blue hood strolled through Elpida, looking around with amazement. It had been a while since she last ventured outside her home. Edelmira brought the hood on her head lower over her eyes and continued to look around. She jumped as she heard a window open above her and she jumped back to avoid the contents of a waste bucket being poured onto the street. As she did, she bumped into someone. She gasped and turned around to see a boy with a bo strapped to his back.

She lowered her head to hide her face. "F-forgive me."

[Mizagium]

Vensik stopped and watched the young girl leave. How did she see him? His Barrier was supposed to hide him from prying eyes. As he started to walk away, something struck him. He only caught a glimpse of her face, but... it was close. Could it be?

He did a 180 and pushed his way through the crowd. No one saw him, but many were thrown suddenly off their feet. There she was. He began to trail her.

[Razgat]

Edelmira strolled through the streets. It was getting late. Perhaps she should head home. She turned down a side path to head back to the castle. She paused to look back and saw few people. She knew that not many would be in that area, and she knew a spot where she could sneak back into the castle up ahead.

She turned down another pathway and checked behind her. She saw the boy with the bo. She quickly turned away, thinking that maybe he was heading somewhere else. She looked around for any other pathways and quickly turned right, heading towards the castle walls.

[Mizagium]

Vensik saw her turn towards the castle. It had to be her: the Princess! He strengthened his cloaking Barrier and unstrapped his bö. He broke into a run, closing the distance between them.

He planted his staff into the ground and propelled himself high into the air like a professional vaulter. Twisting in the air, he landed on his feet in front of the girl.

He allowed her to see him.

~~~~~~

Father Versai was making his usual rounds about the great castle/cathedral of Almadon. The scribes were working hard, the walls were clean. Everything seemed to be fine. Except for Edelmira. Versai noticed her acting rather suspiciously, and also disapered for the longest time. He ended up leaving a note by her bedroom door, asking her to come and see him immediately.

[Razgat]

She jumped when she saw him. It was the same boy from before. He must have been following her. She took a step back and immediately turned around to run. Her blue hood flew off her head, and her long, red hair flew behind her. She knew she couldn't get away, but she had to try.

[Mizagium]

Vensik sighed. He hated when they run. He got paid in two parts: a down fee (20%) and rest after he completed the job. There was no overtime, so the faster the better. Running only frustrated him.

He gave chase, manipulating his Barrier so that the air slid around him, creating a dead-zone with no air resistance, allowing him to move faster.

When he was close enough to her, he thrust his staff forward, sending a closed Barrier out. It collided with her feet, causing her to trip and fall. Hard.

[Razgat]

Edelmira screamed and fell to the ground, skidding along the path. She looked up at the boy with a frightened face. "What do you want with me?"

[Mizagium]

He lowered the bö to her face, applying dull Barriers to increase its strength. "Sorry, nothing personal, but I need money. Someone wants you dead. Someone with a lot of money," he informed her impassively.

[Razgat]

"Wait!", she screamed. She grabbed the chain around her neck and ripped it off. "It's real gold with a diamond at the end. It must be worth more than what they paid. Please!"

[Mizagium]

"No, I can't take that," Vensik said. "It is a royal jewel. I have no quarrel with the Royal Family." He stared at her a moment longer, then pulled back his staff.

"Ten thousand gilded coins (money) and I won't kill you."

[Razgat]

Edelmira's expression turn paniked. She had no money on her. "I...I have no money with me...But if you let me go, I can bring it to you. I swear I will!"

[Mizagium]

He knelt down beside her faster than she could blink. "I will go with you. You will get me the money, and I will leave. You will never hear from me again. This, I swear to you." He put away his staff and pulled Edelmira to her feet.

"Go on."

[Razgat]

She looked frightened, but she turned back the way she came and swiftly walked towards the castle walls. The castle was surrounded by four massive walls and guards, but there was a section that was unguarded. She lead him to it and stood infront of the vine covered, twenty foot wall. "This way."

She began to climb the wines that lined the wall. She reached the top and climbed back over. She waited for him on the other side.

[Mizagium]

Vensik pole-vaulted over the wall like before and landed next to her.

"for your sake, I would recommend staying indoors. If he finds out I let you live, he'll send more assassins after you, as well as me."

[Razgat]

She nodded and walked towards the castle. There was a side door that the servants sometimes used, and she opened it to go through. She checked the hallways, and they were all clear. She went through the hallway and up three sets of stairs to her room. She turned back to the boy. "This is my room. I have it in here."

She opened the door and went inside. She immediately knealt to the ground by her bed and pulled out a small box. Inside were coins. She counted them, some of them being worth different amounts of money and put them all in a bag. She turned to the boy and held out the bag, hesitating to give it to him. "If I may ask, who is trying to kill me? And why?"

[Mizagium]

"Don't know. Don't ask. He promised me a fee, gave me a initial cut, and told me to find you. And kill you." He took the money without counting.

~~~~~

Outside, Sceltier perched on the wall, willing the wind to carry their conversation to his ear. "Oh, Vensik, you poor bastard. You should have killed the bitch like he said. Oh well," he strung his bow with an arrow and aimed at the window. "Guess I get to kill both of you."

~~~~~~~~~

"Get down!" Vensik threw her to the ground as three arrows shattered her window in succession. Each was accompanied by a high-pitched whine.

"Oh no, he's here!"

[Razgat]

Edelmira screamed and covered her head. "Guards!"

She didn't hear them coming. She figured they were outside. "What do we do?!"

[Mizagium]

"We get the hell out of here that's what!" He scooped her up and ran out into the hall. "Where ARE your guards?"

~~~~~~

Sceltier tilted his head. "Oh, come now, Vensik, let's not do this." A low melody engulfed his body. He vanished. The sound carried into Edelmira's room, where he materialized.

"I do so enjoy the hunt."