Chapter Seventeen
Upon entering the throne room, Sir Otto saw no one in attendance. No court pages, no waiting visitors, and notably, no guards. He did, however, see one person, for the Assassin was there, sitting upon the throne!
"How dare you!" Sir Otto roared, charging to the bottom steps that lead up the fifty or so steps to the throne's dais. "I challenge you, here and now! Stand forth, and receive the justice of Heironeous before all present to witness!" Sir Otto railed on. Standing up, quiet as Death, the Assassin, dressed in all grays and blacks, with a long, hooded black cloak, black boots, grey tunic, pants, and a black belt, simply smirked beneath his hood at Sir Otto.
"No!" came a voice behind Sir Otto. Sir Otto turned, hearing the woman's voice, and saw Lady Sandwind standing there, sword also drawn, resplendent in her shining silvery armor. "I wish the right of challenge!" she stated coldly. "He has killed my brothers, sisters, and kin." she said as she spat toward the Assassin.
"We shall all fight him at once." the General piped in, bearing forth his great war hammer, with the Warlords quickly behind him, all bearing similar arms. "He deserves no honor." the General spat, making the choice clear for all.
And as a group, they all charged up the steps to dance the Shadow Spinner's favorite dance, The Dance of Death.
"It is very late, my boy, shall we continue? Or shall we wait until tomorrow for the rest of the story?" Grandfather pauses to ask. "Oh! Do continue!" the boy says, obviously wide awake, and in no way wanting to wait to find out more.