Hey guys! Sorry this chapter took a while to get out. I've been working on another writing project that I'd like to eventually post. If anyone would be interested to read it, let me know. Also, this chapter involves a little Spanish. I can provide translations if anyone needs them.

Disclaimer: I own nothing!

He knew they would come this way.

The man in stood alone on the road, his blue cape swirling around his ankles in the rising wind, a bow clutched firmly in hand. The French scouts sent ahead of the royal carriage lay under the eaves of an overgrown oak, their throats slit silently by his expert hand. Under the wind he could hear the crunching of gravel under the hooves of the royal guard's horses and the firm roll of carriage wheels. He steadied his stance and pulled his cap down low over his forehead to obscure his face. He knew his mission was suicide, but if he succeeded the all the glory was his to behold.

"Halt!" cried the leading guard, putting up a hand to stop the soldiers and carriage behind him. This was the moment he had waited for.

"What business do you have here, civilian? Clear the road so we may pass."

The man lifted his eyes and swept them across the guards protecting the carriage, his eyes settling on the youngest of them all. He sat nervously on his horse, his hand hovering over the hilt of the sword hanging at his side. He smirked.

"I said, clear away from here," the lead guard snarled. "Do not make me ask again."

But the man did not move. With a nod from the lead guard the men moved to grasp their swords but the youngest was slow; before he was able to withdraw his sword the man's arrow found his neck and toppled him from his horse. The man drew his sword and swung with all his might at the lead guard who wailed as his blade caught his arm. The man drew back, ready to strike again, but a sound from within the carriage made him stop. The carriage door swung open, revealing his true target, King Henry II of France.

"No, your majesty, stay back!" Another guard yelled, swinging his sword at the man. He parried the blow with finesse but fell back to the lead guard, who caught him by the arm and forced him to the ground.

"What is the meaning of this?" the King asked, his eyes hard as flint.

"Traiciono a mi Rey, y para que usted se morira en la mano," he said, the words rolling venomously off his tongue.

"A Spanish assassin then, is it?" Henry crossed his arms over his chest. "Captain Deschamps, arrest this man. He will be held at the Bastille Saint-Antoine until I have heard from Spain."

"Until then," he said to the man. "Pray to your God that He is merciful on your soul. My executioner will be sharpening his axe."

"Si usted me mata, otros entraran mi lugar. Preparelo para su batalla final, Su Majestad."

The man closed his eyes as the guard brought him to his feet, not noticing the short blade hidden in his sleeve. With one quick movement the man sliced at the guards, slashing them soundly across their faces before he dove at the king. Henry reflexively drew the dagger from his belt and plunged it into the man's neck. He stepped back and dropped his bloodied dagger as the man fell to the ground, his life draining from the wound and into the dirt below.

"Si es la ultima cosa esta vida para mi," With a last gurgling breath, the man met Henry's eyes in the darkness. "Yo prometo que se morira."

The man's eyes closed as the remaining guards came to their feet, clutching their bleeding faces and bloodied swords.

"Forgive me Your Majesty, I did not perform my duties the way I should have and put your life and the Queen's at risk." the lead guard said, kneeling before the King.

"You performed admirably Captain; this man was a trained assassin of King Carlos I, sent to kill me and whoever stood in his way," Henry glanced at the young man who had died protecting him, his knotted stomach twisting hard. "If it wasn't for all your bravery, my wife and I would be dead. When we return to the castle I want you to send a search party out for the missing scouts, no doubt he met them first. Dispatch a group of soldiers to de Barbarac manor and check the situation there."

Henry returned to the carriage where Danielle was sitting, nervously avoiding the window and wringing her hands.

"Are you all right?" he asked, settling in next to her.

"I'm fine Henry, but what happened? I heard such noises." Henry took in his wife's frightened face and watering eyes and pulled her close.

"I can't tell you here, darling. We need to get back to Henry Auguste," Danielle paled. "Just promise me you won't look out the window."

He could see his words did nothing to comfort her. As the carriage started rolling again she cried silently, afraid for the safety of her son.

R&R!