Hey!
This is my first fanfiction, although I've lurked around the site for a while.
Long story short, I dont care if you flame; I really don't
Anyway, I am as big of a Death Note fan as I am of Ranger's Apprentice. I wondered what would happen if there was an "L" like figure in the Ranger's Apprentice world. So, I started jotting down some ideas and stories, and now I'm deciding to upload them.
Ok cool. Lets get to the story.
Prolouge
He only killed at night, perhaps closer to midnight. It was better that way, for no one would notice his dark antics at a time when drunks roam the tavern grounds. If someone were to notice, his targets were usually drugged by the time they were eliminated. If he fled, the pursuer would have the slightest inclination that a killer's target was drugged. It's not typical. What really tickled Howard Carpenter though is the fact that no one has caught on to the recent murders that have been going on as of late. He felt unstoppable. No one could touch him. No, they wouldn't touch him, as he would just eliminate anybody he felt as a threat to him. He only killed criminals; the ones that deserved to die. Ones that couldn't be forgiven for their crimes.
He reached his destination as he entered a local tavern in Redmont. He planned everything flawlessly. Once he'd get there, he'd look for a table closest to the coner. He would take off his hood first to dismiss any suspicion. Carful not to look suspicious through attire, he wore a simple tunic, leggings, and soft leather boots. Nobody would know of his high ranking in the Araluen government. Next, he would by a simple glass of ale. Not anything too expensive, as he was trying to act as common as possible. Learning that his target, Windsor James is a frequent visitor of the tavern and that he takes the seat closest to the door, the criminal would not notice Howard. Windsor James had been tried for mudering a woman, but was dismissed due to lack of evidence, escaping execution by an eyelash. Too bad you are about to meet your unofficial death, Howard thought, followed by a dark grin.
Continuing with his plan, he had concluded that Windsor would leave at a quarter to midnight, but saying his farwells to his drunken friends. He was also easy to befriend. At eleven thirty, Howard would make his move. At a time like that, Windsor would be drained financially. Since his friends would be too, all Howard would have to do is offer a game of dice to Windsor, and his drunken friends would influence him to agree. If he won, Howard would buy Windsor and his friends more brandy.
But there is the possibility that he may win. Howard checked his pockets. Fifty royals should be enough to afford cheap ale for five. But if Windsor did win, Howard would drug his next drink. It wasn't a leathal drug, but it would impair his judgement for a while; just what a killer like him needed. It would be that one mistake that would cost his victim his life.
Deciding that the time for preparation was finished, he glanced over at Windsor. He could tell that he had been taken by cheap brandy once more. Now realizing that the time to make his move was now, Howard slowly rose from his seat; being too jumpy could raise suspicion, even in a tavern as drunken as this one. He had to be careful. Already coming this far, he could not afford to let it all crumble in the midst of his task. He walked over to the table in which Windsor and his companions were laughing, sharing a joke. He made sure to stumble, as if he were unstable, to simulate an impaired condition. Being the only sober one in a tavern like this would raise suspicion as he had found. People here do not go easy on those of authority, he had concluded as he remembered when one of his comrades was nearly beaten to death during an undercover mission a little while back. Reaching the table, he made his move.
"Aye," he started, a master at slurring his words. He pointed to a nearby cask of ale. "That whole cask can be yours, if you can beat me at a game of dice."
While his drunken buddies shouted countless insults at the man standing before them, Windsor decided to accept this strange man's offer.
"Okay." he said. "But be prepared to lose."
Howard smiled that dark, evil grin once more. Everything was falling into plan. He sat down on the seat across from Windsor, and revealed a couple die from a pouch he carried. It was simple.
The game of dice could be completely one sided. This simple game was nicknamed "renegade" for the many who played it. One would guess a certain number, and the other would roll. If the total number of the dice matched with the person's guess, he or she would earn the amount of money wagered in the process. As far as Howard's plan, this was the only part in which nature played it's coure, for the dice were legit and not tampered with.
"One game," Howard said, glancing at Windsor as he held the dice in view.
"Eleven," Windsor guessed, his speech still slurred by the amount of brandy he had taken in. Howard shook the dice in his hands and threw it onto the table. Windsor's friends watched with great anticipation.
The two die landed on eleven; one six, and one five.
Ecstatic and ready to enjoy their winnings, Windsor's friends cheered him on, praising him his endless glamor, like a poor farmer would to his king. Howard had raised from his seat. Turning his back to the men who were jumping around like young toddlers, Howard smiled once more, this time nearly breaking in to an entire laugh. Nature had ran its course, and it had turned out his way. In a sense, it was like a god was watching over him. Finishing the transaction for the cheap drink, Windsor, as well as his drunken friends, downed the cask like water, each of them taking huge swigs.
Howard reached his seat by the corner. Now, he would gather his things and storm out of the tavern, faking his anger. It must be close to midnight, and Windsor's fate would soon arrive. Gathering his things rather fast, Howard swiftly walked out of the tavern, hearing insults from the people around him. It would all play out though, as for when he was out, he hid to the side of the building. It was dark, so the chances of him being seen were low. Even if someone did hear him, he was next to the most rowdy tavern in the fief of Redmont. A person would simply think he was emptying his stomach contents to the side of the foundation as so many people did.
Windsor walked out alone, to Howard's liking. He stumbled onto the main road, but took a detour toward the forest. Not daring to wonder why, Howard crept behind and stalked Windsor until he was close enough to the forest, away from sight. As he predicted during the walk, Windsor had sought as the woods as a more "sanitary place to relieve his stomach.
Feeling a light tap on his shoulder, Windsor turned to see the man he had played dice with a few moments ago. His eyes went wide as he saw the dagger in the man's hands.
A quick thrust of hands, followed by disgruntled cry, and Lieutinant Howard Carpenter had just elimated his next victim.
Well, thats it. I decided to end it because I was currently watching the World Series, and the Cardinals won. Disappointed, I became mentally drained.
Anyway, please review; I like it people think that what I have to say is good :)
Look for chapter one tomorrow. I have a few tricks up my sleeve. . .
Oh and please excuse any errors; I'm using this LibreOffice program.
Bye!
