AN: Second fanfiction here. I've pretty much neglected this place due to really shitty fanfics that keep popping up. Anyways, enjoy.

The front gate of the palace is heavily guarded, with a high gate that prevents climbing for certain. Thankfully though, this time you're going in legally. Who are you? Well,

Your name is Solluxander Captor. You are an elf mercenary, and you have been sent here by the Royal Family of Alternia. You don't know why you're here, hopefully it isn't a trap to get you arrested, because that'd certainly put a huge wrench in your plans.

"Can I help you, sir?" The guard asks.

"I'm the mercenary their majesties called for, Sollux Captor." You reply, pulling out the letter they had sent you. The guard looks it over, nods, and steps aside, signalling to open the gate. He insists he escort you. Accepting his offer, you follow.

The various servants are tending to the gardens that fill most of the estate. The flowers are fuchsia an Violet, the country's colours. You follow him through courtyards and hallways, until you finally enter the building. Trudging along behind the guard as he walked up a flight of stairs, you spot a portrait of the royal family.

The Empress and Emperor are accompanied by their four children in the oil painting. All six of the royals have either purple of pink eyes, and look like clones of one another. Eventually, you enter what appears to be the King's study. The guard asks you to wait, and exit's the room.

Playing with your glove a bit, you scan your eyes across the bookshelf, and damn. Your father would kill for some of these…

"Mr. Captor, I presume?" A man's voice comes from behind you. Turning around, your gaze falls upon the Emperor. The only thing you can think of is how the artist managed to paint his face so well.

"You presume correctly."

"Excellent, please take a seat." He says. The emperor is a well-built man, possibly in his forties or fifties. His face has a clefted chin that is covered in a proud beard, with violet eyes and two scars across his face. Once you are both seated, you get down to business.

"A few nights ago, one a our servants tried to kill me youngest son," He started. "They failed, a course, but it's spooked us fer certain."

"Where do I come in?" You ask.

"Right to the chase, eh lad?", The Emperor replied. "I'd like ye to escort me youngest two out a the city, and into the countryside, where they'll be safe."

"I was under the assumption you had four children?"

"Aye, that's true. But me eldest son took off years ago, and me eldest daughter is too rebellious to take over the throne. Me youngest are the only ones fit enough to inherit the crown." He explained. You nod in understanding.

"Alright, how much are we talking here?" You ask. "I can't accept until I know my pay."

"I was thinking around 3500 gold."

"Make it 4000 and we have a deal."

He sighs, laughing a bit. "Alright, lad. 4000 gold." He hold out his large, ringed hand for you to shake, which you do.

"I'll send some servants to inform them to get ready, I'll have a guard escort you to the front where they'll meet ye." He said, and soon enough, a guard came and lead you out.