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Beta-ed by keeper of logolepsy who made this chapter actually understandable.

Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters.


Isabella gasped in outrage. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. And one could not blame her, for it wasn't everyday you heard the most powerful man in the kingdom, the King himself, had been subjected to death.

"As of yesterday's morrow, Forks was seized by a group of outlaws. Invaders. Rebels. Barbarians really, but the thing about this...group is that it isn't made up of ten men or twenty or even a hundred men, Isabella. In fact, it isn't a group at all but a legion. A bloody army!" Emmett shouted, his face darkened in anger.

"With thousands of soldiers that I hadn't even known existed under his command, that bastard Cullen has succeeded in overthrowing Aro." Emmett stopped and took another gulp out of his goblet, and then with a swing of his arm, he motioned for her to refill it.

Isabella complied and grabbed hold of the jug in front of her with cold, pale fingers, her body seemingly still in shock from the horrific revelation.

"Cullen's army is so bloody large that it is not possible to overthrow him- not unless all soldiers in the surrounding lands are united into one army. With all the feuds that have been going on recently, it's damn unlikely the Lords or their men are going to be agreeable even if it is the only salvation to prevent the ruin of Forks."

Isabella didn't know where this one-sided-conversation was going but kept listening attentively, determined to learn as much of the situation as she could from Emmett. As he'd never shared any sort of developments of the kingdom or its tragedies with her before, Isabella was extremely puzzled and curious as to the possible motive her brother had in telling her all of this. Granted this wasn't an ordinary development, she couldn't help but feel that Emmett wanted something from her… Why else would he tell her all this? But, what could it possibly be? For what could, a young woman of her age possibly do in this situation that would provide aid?

A thought that first came to mind was perhaps marriage. That's what women were most often used for-to create alliances which could help to end a feud between lands, thereby creating a larger army; but, as Emmett had said, there still wouldn't be enough soldiers to defeat the usurper's army. So, what could her brother possibly want from her?

Emmett's next words only served to increase the dread within her that had been steadily rising since his initial announcement of King Aro's demise, and the possible ramifications of these words made her even more cautious than before.

"That is where I come in. I have worked for Aro for years-decades now-and, if anyone deserves the crown, it's me," Emmett snarled. "Me, not Edward Cullen. Damn it! Me! So come the morrow, I'm going to make sure I take back what rightfully should be mine. I'll set off towards court in the early hours of day, and at dusk when I reach the royal castle... I shall declare war," he finished, violently smacking the table.

Isabella flinched. Whether it had been his words that had caused her reaction or his aggressive actions, she wasn't sure, but of one matter she was certain: Emmett was pining on a fool's hope. He, himself, had just said moments before that his army would stand no chance against the one belonging to Edward Cullen; so, what could he possibly be thinking in meaning to send his own soldiers to what would be certain death?

Emmett began voicing Isabella's own thoughts. "But of course there shan't be a real war, Isabella. For if that were to happen, my small army would be crushed; and, as I said before, there is high risk in going to battle against an army of unknown outlaws. To have succeeded in dethroning the king, these criminals and mercenaries must indeed be highly skilled and trained in the art of war and killing. No, this war I'm proposing is going to be nothing more than a facade, a distraction. For the real war shall occur inside Cullen's castle. And that is where you, my dear, come in," Emmett finished, his mouth curving into a sly smile.

Isabella snapped her gaze towards Emmett.

"What?" she breathed in fearful confusion. Isabella was suddenly more afraid of her brother than anyone else in the world.

What has he planned? Anxiety, now a large piece of lead, sank deep into her core. Whatever was about to happen would not end well for her. Oh, not at all.

Emmett pointed at her. "You Isabella, are my secret weapon," he declared. "For it shall be you, who will be fighting this war for me. You'll be going-"

"W-what are you-u-u talking..." Isabella stuttered, unable to keep her voice from shaking.

Emmett continued, ignoring her protest. "With us to Court. Upon arrival, you'll be smuggled into his castle under the guise of a helpless maiden. Fear not; this shall all happen under the dark cover of night, so Cullen shall never see your face until you finish the job."

"What job?" She asked faintly, dazed in disbelief.

"Oh my dear... Cullen's assassination of course," Emmett replied with an easiness one might hear when giving a servant a simple order.

Isabella sat silently stunned. All her life, Emmett had made it abundantly clear that she was incapable of anything that might require strategy or making difficult decisions in complex situations. He had never asked her help, believing her incompetent.

And, now, he wants me to kill the man who slayed our king?

Isabella felt sick. Nausea bubbled in the pit of her stomach, and for a second she feared she'd actually vomit. The feeling didn't last long though, for suddenly she was overcome with such rage that she could barely see straight.

This monster...this spiteful pig!

How dare he give her such an inhumane command! How dare he think to use her like a spineless puppet! Like she was a cheap straw doll to be played with and then discarded when once he gotten what he wanted! Isabella fumed. While she wasn't ignorant or naïve towards the ways of war, the prospect of killing another human-no matter who it was- sickened her; just thinking about such things deepened the feeling of nausea.

And, what of her own well-being? The man her brother was asking her to murder was leading an army of men, whom Emmett himself had moments ago described as "highly skilled and trained in the art of war and killing." From what she had heard, it seemed that Edward Cullen was a criminal who would, without hesitation, strike down those who posed a threat to him. If he was to discover her true identity and the reasons behind her being in his castle, he might very well kill her in retribution.

Isabella grit her teeth until her jaw hurt from the pressure. Never did she think Emmett would stoop so low. She was his sister, for God's sake!

Her distress got the better of her, and before she could think better of it, she was up on her feet and glaring at her brother.

"I won't do it," she cried out, her hands clenched into tight fists at her side. "I won't be a puppet in this deadly game of yours! If you wish to kill someone, order one of your soldiers to do it; or better yet, do it yourself!" She bit out. "Risk your own life if you want the crown that much, but I will have no part in this!" she finished, firmly slashing her arm in emphasis.

Without waiting to see Emmett's reaction, Isabella turned and started towards the doors. She hadn't even managed two steps when she felt the strong, harsh grip of her brother's hand on her arm.

"William. Duncan. Both of you... Out!" Emmett ordered.

She watched the pair walk away from her inaudibly, whilst she tried to come to grips with what Emmett had outrageously demanded of her. Gaining control of the storm of emotions raging inside of her was so very difficult since she felt so much. For one, she felt anger as she never had before. She tried to hold on to that anger so as not to be overcome by the other emotion quickly rising inside of her.

Terror.

Had it been anyone apart from Emmett who had said such a thing to her, she would have laughed, thinking it a jest, but her brother did not joke; and, not for a second did she doubt what he had said.

A light thud told her that the soldiers had left the hall and that they had closed the door firmly shut behind them.

She was now all alone with Emmett.


Thank you for your time. Please drop a review down below for how you think the story is going so far.

-Emerale