Chapter Twenty Three
"I was their champion! Well before the Order of the Golden Serpent came calling. It was I who first offered to solidify their right to rule over all of Sharapuur. But they spurned me! Saying that I was but only one man. I accepted that fact, and left them to their wiles, almost forgetting the Princess in that time.
But know this, Sir Otto, I was insulted gravely when your Order was created, using My herald! The Golden Asp, for generations has been the calling card of Assassins, not haughty Knights. For that reason alone, I returned, returned to find both my love and my herald stolen by the likes of you!" Spat the Shadow-Spinner.
"Know then, when you walk the wide world, Order less, Loveless, Spurned by your God for failure, that The Golden Asp is your doom! And the doom of the Kingdom of Sauvin, for ever shall my Guild rule this land henceforth, with Hextor as our Liege Lord!"
Sir Otto's eyes widened in surprise at that, for Hextor, Scourge of Battle, was ever the enemy of his brother Heironeous! So… Thought Sir Otto, this is how, this is why. No wonder he hates us so! "I will find you!" Sir Otto yelled, trying to stand up, to no avail, for his wound was too grave.
The Shadow-Spinner, turning to leave, paused, and said, "Every time you look at your own Shadow, Percival, know that you have indeed found me." And with that, the Shadow-Spinner turned and left, to make good on his promise to ruin the Kingdom of Sauvin, and to make Sharapuur a place where Knights are indeed not welcome. A place where only the strong survive, where Sand and Shadows kill as easily as any blade."
The boy, with sudden understanding, stood up in bed. "You are an Assassin! Gran-pa! For you have the Asp on your arm!" says the boy, accusing his grandfather, looking at him warily. "Yes, I was that, my boy, but know this…" grandfather begins. But just at that moment, the door to the bedroom slams open, a large imposing shadow snuffing out the lamp, and blocking the light from the other room.