Chapter 4

Accidental Assassination

Torrid looked around nervously and in awe as he walked through the grand hall of the castle. Never had he seen such an extraordinary piece of architecture. He carried a small duffel bag with extra clothes and a few vials. In a hidden pouch he had a few ninja stars and a small knife. Without his black mask and hood to cover his face, he looked very young, even though he was about nineteen. He had short brown hair with brown eyes and had a tan skin color. He walked down to the servant's quarters and found his room where Ammi waited for him.

"You're late!" Ammi said, frustrated,

"Truly your forgiveness I implore milord. I was delayed." Torrid fell on one knee.

"Get up you fool!" Ammi grabbed him by the shoulders, "Do you wish to give our cover away?"

"No milord, I apologize again." Torrid got up but kept his head down,

"You are late four weeks!" Ammi continued,

"I apologize milord, but the vial was not ready."

"Do you have it with you now?" she asked him,

"Yes milord." He replied and reached in his duffel bag, pulling out a vial with white liquid in it.

"Good…" Ammi replied as she took it from him to inspect it, "This is truly a rare thing you know."

"Milord?"

"Do you know what this is?" Ammi looked at Torrid, "This is the Silent Harmony's Poison, one of the strongest poisons in the world. Not only can it kill a strong, healthy man within five minutes of drinking it, but it is made of such rare herbs, it took the Assassins' Creed five years to find the ingredients, and another year to prepare it! Not only that, but the greatest scientists in this day and age cannot detect it if one were to drink it and be checked for poisons in his or her body. Do you understand what this means?" Torrid shook his head slowly, "It means," Ammi continued as she handed him back the vial, "do not screw it up!"

"Ammi!" someone called, Ammi stuck her head out the door and walked outside while Torrid followed closely. "Ammi! There you are!" Lullas called again, "The princess would wish for your presence!"

"Mine? Why so?" Ammi asked surprised,

"Well, ever since my sister disappeared, the princess has had no one to speak to at night, so she wishes to see you, since you filled in for her last time."

Ammi smiled, my plan is finally falling into place, she thought, "I am on my way."

"Let me come with you!" Torrid shouted nervously,

"No!" Ammi turned around, "You shall stay here and keep out of trouble."

"But Ammi!"

"Let the child go with you Ammi." Lullas insisted, "I'm sure the princess won't mind and besides, he needs to start to know his way around the castle."

Ammi sighed and wrinkled her brow, "Fine."

They walked quickly to the princess's quarters and Ammi knocked on the door.

"Who is it?" Luna called from inside,

"Tis' your humble servant my princess."

"Oh! Ammi! Come in!" Luna cried with excitement, Ammi opened the door with Torrid following close behind, "Oh I see you've brought a friend!"

"Yes Princess," Ammi replied, "this is my cousin, Torrid."

Ammi made a gesture for Torrid to come forward and greet the Princess but he froze. As soon as his gaze fell upon her, he fell under a trance that made him fall under a state of awe as her beauty seemed to illuminate the room. He felt her beauty flow through his eyes and seep into his brain as a poison did; slowly corrupting everything he once thought or knew of.

Ammi hit him in the arm and he was fixed out of the trance. Torrid fell on one knee and cried out saying, "I am Torrid, Son of Choresha (core-sha) my Princess. It is an honor to finally meet you!"

Ammi began to panic, "Get up you fool!" She tried to whisper to him,

Luna laughed, "Polite, your cousin seems to be Ammi." She smiled and walked over to him. She put her arms on his shoulders and guided him to stand again, "There is no need for such formalities Torrid, Son of Choresha." Her smiled melted every bone in his body and warmed his heart so deeply that one could cook eggs on his chest.

"Now Torrid has some unpacking to do that I'm sure he'll need to start on right away."

Torrid didn't reply until Ammi finally hit him again, "Oh yes! Of course!"

"Do you know the way back?" Luna asked,

"Oh yes Princess, thank you for your kindness." He smiled and bowed and left the room. After about three hours of wandering around, he reached his room again and lay in bed and thought of the Princess. "I think… I think I'm in love!"

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

The next few weeks Luna and Aska were unable to leave each others side. They did practically everything together whenever they had the chance to. If it was swimming, reading, eating, cooking, walking, riding, or even sitting, they were always seen together. The only times they were willing to part, was if they were going to the bathroom, for any reason, or to retire to their rooms for sleep, but even that seemed to be a difficult task for both of them, for neither of them seemed to lose energy while together. Every morning when they awoke, the first thing that came to mind was their significant other and then what to wear for the day. This was true love. It wasn't the kind of puppy love that kids these days would have or a materialistic relationship or lustful one. The couple never told each other the words "I love you" for they always could see it in each other's eyes being said a hundred times over and a hundred times again. The only physical contact they made was either hugging or holding hands. Seldom did they ever do either and they have only kissed once. Luna was looking at a bird fly in the moon's light one evening and when she had turned around her lips accidentally ran into Aska's cheek. So in turn, or, according to Aska, out of all fairness, Aska gave Luna her first kiss on the cheek.

One day, out on a regular day, for a regular walk, Aska and Luna stopped by the lake they had swam in the first night they met. They ate a picnic in the grass nearby and talked, they never did seem to ever run out of things to talk about, until finally, they stopped to clean up. "Dear," Aska began, "could you stand up while I brush off the blanket?"

"Of course." Luna smiled and stood as Aska shifted over by her, "Dear, what are you doing?" she asked as he was at her feet. Then she realized what was happening.

"Luna." Aska said, getting on one knee, "I have only known you for a few months now. But I feel like I've known you forever." Damn that was the lamest thing ever! Aska thought to himself. He paused and continued, "I know you have to approve of the marriage before it can take place, so I ask you now my dearest, wonderful princess. Will you take my hand in marriage?"

Luna smiled, tears coming to her eyes, "Yes, I will."

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

Shortly after, the King was informed and he was overcome with great despair. He sighed but covered his depression up and called out to all his generals and close friends for a feast for the newlyweds. The party filled the entire dining room, which was massive, and the King sat along side his daughter and soon to be son-in-law.

Ammi and Torrid were preparing to serve drinks as Ammi's mind sparked into action. "Torrid!" She called,

"Yes milord?"

"Give me the vial." Torrid took the vial from his pocket and gave it to her, "We'll poison the Prince with the wine for the first toast before the feast."

"Yes milord."

There were three cups, both large, made with real gold and had jewels decorated on all of them. There were three different colors of jewels: pink, blue, and green.

"Here, I will pour the poison into the cup with the pink jewels." Ammi told him, "Make sure this cup goes to the Prince."

"Yes milord."

"Hey!" Lullas called, "Ammi, Torrid! Stop delaying! Serve the drinks!"

"On my way." Torrid replied and grabbed the tray with the three drinks. Torrid rushed out and walked up the small flight of steps as and stopped at the Prince who was sitting closest to him.

"Hello Torrid." Luna called above the chatter in the background,

"Oh!" Torrid smiled and began to blush, "H-h-hello Princess." Torrid placed a drink down, "Are you enjoying your party?"

Luna smiled, "Yes I am, thank you." Torrid smiled and placed another drink to the Princess,

"The pleasure is all mine." He gave the last drink to the King and walked away. He smiled gleefully as he walked down the steps but as he did he caught a sight of the jewel color on the Prince's cup. It was green.

His heart began to race but he couldn't turn to see the color of the Princess's cup or else it may catch someone's attention. He began to nervously sweat and prayed that he had not given to poison to the Princess.

He quickly turned around as he reached the kitchen doors and looked up to see Luna already taking a small sip from her wine cup, "No!" he tried to cry, but Ammi grabbed his mouth, muffling the sound, and pulled him into the kitchen,

"You fool! You didn't give the pink jeweled cup to the Prince!"

Torrid didn't know what to say, 'I apologize' would not help him here, "Milord… I'm…" But he was cut off with the entire crowd outside gasp as a body was heard falling onto the ground with a thud. "No…" Torrid rushed outside, and saw the body fall down the steps slowly.

The Princess screamed. The Prince rushed to the fallen body. The King had just died.