We stood in the big, dim, empty room. It was strange to be in the throne room with nobody else in sight. I was here, because Jaron told me he'd received some note. I knew some people rumored that I was crazy, but Jaron is crazy at a different level, if you ask me. We'd been here for about three minutes now. I had a sword and two knives at my waist, perfectly willing to use them on black hooded prey, which I had high suspicions had something to do with this. Finally, something fell. Behind us. I turned, hand flying to grab hold of my sword. Sure enough, there was a hooded figure crouched in front of the door, as if he'd just fallen from the roof. He stood and another identical one actually fell from the roof, landing tin the same crouched position. There was no going out that way. Imogen and Amarinda had both brought knives for extra protection, though I doubted they knew how to handle it. Tobias also had a sword, but he didn't know so much as how to pull it out of its sheath.
Two more jumped down on either side of the wall, both had bows, already nocked and aimed. One more jumped directly in front of us all, and I drew my sword. So did Jaron, not looking in the slightest worried. As I said, out of his mind.
"You're brave, young king," said a deep voice from under the man in front of us' hood. "To bring your closest friends along. We doubted, but I'm glad my predictions were correct." I stepped in front of them, sword at the ready.
"What do you want you, you murderer." The man didn't flinch. He was silent for a moment, but out of nowhere he drew a sword and with the quickest movement knocked mine out of my hand and put the tip of his at my neck.
"Watch your tongue, Captain, or you'll lose it," he said, amusedly. Jaron used his blade to lower the man's.
"You promised no one would get hurt. Even someone like you wouldn't lie like that, would you?" I was skeptical. What did he mean 'someone like you'? I took the moment to silently and slowly take out one knife. Apparently the man saw this movement, and made a gesture with his gloved hand, and four more men jumped down with impressive agility to the ground, all with swords. There was fighting, but careful fighting. I realized it was as if they were making sure they didn't actually touch us, but it was so realistic I could help keep blocking. Even Tobias seemed to hold his ground. I fought one-on-one with the leading man, determined to take him down once and for all. But no matter how I attacked, his defense was so spotless I couldn't get anywhere near him.
"You aren't so bad, Captain. You're only blinded by anger." This infuriated me, not exactly the best emotion to go along with his comment.
"You took everything from me! I'm going to take everything from you!" this was followed by a cold laugh, but not in the same deep voice as before. In fact, it was such a familiar voice I nearly fainted. I froze and drew back. I watched in horror as the man removed his hood, revealing that the person under it was not a man at all. It was a girl. It was Asher, and she was smiling wickedly.
