Outmaneuvered and without options, the old man bellowed out in a vengeful rage.
“You lot dare to accuse me?
You dare to judge me and call me a traitor?
You are nothing but dogs!
Common street dogs!
You are lower than dogs…you are dog meat.
Rabble like you belongs in the streets!
Not here!
Not in this castle!
What I did, I did for the Kingdom!
For Camarax!”
Turning his hateful gaze to the young king, he continued his rant.
“You!
You are no King!
You are just a boy…where would you be without my help?
Without my guidance?
You have no idea what it takes to run a country…the sacrifices that are required…the sacrifices it demands!
You are too weak and too foolish to wear the crown!
You don’t deserve it!
You never have and you never will!”
He shifted his gaze to the princess as he continued in a fit of rage.
“You!
You are no princess!
You are nothing but a spoiled, intitled, and stupid whore!
I see what you are!
We all see what you are!
You think we don’t know…you think you managed to keep it a secret?
We all know you want that man (Percy) desperately like a whore!
You are nothing but his whore!”
FWIP, FWIP, FWIP
Arthos caught in mid-air three lethal knives aimed at the old man’s chest.
Murderous intent oozing out of Percy.
“Percy!
Stop!
We need him alive…you can kill him later.” Arthos said sternly.
Looking at Arthos the traitorous old man said, “and you!
You are the worst of all!
Your filthy blood is a blight to all humanity!
We should have killed you as soon as we realized what you are…who you are.
You should have NEVER, NEVER, NEVER been born!
Curse you!
Curse all of you!”
Having heard enough of a confession, Arthos prepared to remove the old man’s head from his shoulders.
“Wait!
This is a civil matter.
It’s only proper for Camarax to handle this.” The King ordered, stopping Arthos from executing the traitor.
He continued, “Chief Counselor Thornell, you have been found guilty of high treason.
The punishment is death by beheading.
Guards take him outside and execute him at once.”
“Your Majesty, our intelligence discovered the other counselors also played a role in this coup.
Their plan was to assassinate you and the princess.
Since Prince Luceran is too young to rule, they would assume rulership in his stead.” Percy said unsatisfied with the death of one old man.
“Have mercy!
My King!
Have mercy!” The old men pleaded on their knees in pitiful tears.
“Guards!
Execute them too.” The King said coldly.
Shouts and screams were heard as the old men were dragged outside.
They continued to desperately plea for mercy until they were silenced forever.
[…]
“Sir Arthos and Sir Percy, you and your men have proven yourself true allies of Camarax.
I can not thank you enough for your assistance in uncovering this vile plot.
To think my closest advisors were plotting against me.” The King said solemnly.
He continued, “Sir Arthos, please walk with me.
I have much to discuss with you.”
The two men exited the chamber.
[…]
After the King left the room, Princess Elencia excused herself as well.
She said, “Sir Percy, may I trouble you and your team of shadows to sweep the area for assassins?
Also, could you accompany me to my personal chambers and check there as well.”
“Kage, Sora fine work.
Sweep the perimeter, take Gale and Owen with you.” Percy ordered.
“Rino, Jina, Karuto, you did good.
I see much improvement.
Sweep the roofs.”
“Robin…you were supposed to guard the Princess!
Your reaction time was far too slow, and your aim was off.
Thankfully, Kay’s arrows found their mark.
It was a mistake bringing you.
Stay here and guard the room.” Percy said fuming with disappointment.
In an instant, all the shadows disappeared like ninjas except for Robin.
Robin hunched over and lowered his face ashamed of his poor performance on his first bodyguard mission.
He had worked so hard for the last three months and was excited to finally be allowed to join Percy and the Shadows on an important mission.
This was his chance to prove himself and earn a place among the elite ninjas.
“Hey kid!
Don’t let it get to you…you did good.
Those assassins were no amateurs, and you stood your ground against them.” Kristan said encouragingly.
“I agree 100%, you did good.
Percy would not have selected you for this mission if he thought he didn’t have what it takes…he is hard on you because he sees your potential and knows you can become the greatest ninja of all time.” Wain said with a sincere smile.
Robin was an orphan at the Last Stop Orphanage and somehow managed to successfully lie about his age circumventing NAVA’s age requirement.
He was 13 years of age but had the face and body of a 17-year-old boy.
He worked hard and trained twice as much as any hero.
He idolized both Arthos and Percy and dreamed of standing with them on a battlefield earning glory and honor.
Arthos treated him like a kid brother, often spending hours with him sparing and training.
These personal lessons helped Robin quickly improve his skills.
Percy, on the other hand, viewed him like a son.
Perhaps it’s because Robin reminded him of himself…or maybe remind him or his little brother.
As such, Percy was especially hard on him…pushing him harder than any other shadow in the Scavenger guild.
[…]
“Hey Owen!
Hey bro, do you think Percy and the Princess are “doing it” right now?”
“Maybe, I know I would.
She is freakin hot!” Gale replied with an excited laugh.
Both boys laughed happily at the thought.
FOWP, FOWP
Instantly, two ice-cold blades were held against their jawbones.
“Never drop your guard…especially to gossip about your commander.” Sora said firmly as she snuck up on the two boys and held blades against their necks.
“Sorry ma’am…that won’t happen again,” they said apologetically.
“Good.
A word of warning, if Percy ever hears you talking about him or the Princess, he will skin you alive.
I have seen him skin enemies, and trust me, it’s a bloodbath.”
The two boys gulped.
After months of sparing and training with Percy, they knew not to cross him in any way.
The man was a killing machine…cold, calculated, efficient, and merciless when provoked.
She continued, “oh, and for the record.
They are not “doing it” right now.
Percy is a man of honor…he would never do anything that would harm or taint the princess’s standing or her virtue.”
With that, the two young ninjas disappeared resuming their sweep.
“You set those boys straight?” Kage asked as he approached his wife from behind.
“Sure did.” She replied as they shared a quick tender kiss.
“You know, I do feel terrible for Percy.
Being so close, yet so far from the woman he loves.
It must be torture.”
“Yeah, he is a good young man…and they make a cute couple.
Hope they figure things out.” Sora said with a smile.
“Back to work.
Dinner tonight?” Kage asked.
Sora nodded with a smile as she pulled him in for a kiss.