Chapter 2: Ruwach
It is evening and the sun has set. Riyu was upstairs sleeping and I had been polishing my armor and spear downstairs. However, this was only a habit of mine that took place whenever I had to sit down in deep thought. I had been very curious on why some of the guilds did not show up. Five guilds is a large number considering there are only eleven major guilds across Rune Midgard. I began to ponder until I decided to merely ask the King. I put down my shield of deaf and slipped on my green boots, deciding that I wanted to save my fledged Sleipnirs for tomorrow. I set off towards Prontera castle.
Upon approaching the castle I noticed the lack of security. Perhaps they were all busying themselves polishing their equipment as well. I walked huskily through the castle gates and down the main hall. I watched the chandeliers flicker shadows across the room, casting the emptiness away with their warm glow. The castle looked quite supernatural in the evenings when the bright white stonework was not showing its radiance. I approached the King's hall, guarded not by men, but by magic. The heavy steel door operated by allowing in only visitors in the company of an authorized person, and if the King was accepting visitors. I stepped forward and the door magically opened for me. I proceeded down a short hallway that led to the King's hall. Upon nearing the end of the hallway the doors magically shut behind me and I stopped in my tracks. That was quite odd. Was it lag or did those doors shut really late? They usually close before I even walk half the distance of the hall. I curse the server under my breath and continue.
"Your Highness, excuse my intrusion but I would like a word with you." I hollered. I could not see the King in sight, but soon enough he appeared from within one of the many chambers attached to the King's hall.
"Why, welcome sir Aki, what brings you here?" The King inquired. Suddenly, I felt a quick movement pass my side and my instincts put me on high alert. I quickly reached for my Horong clip and cast my Sight upon the area and sure enough, a cloaked assassin emerged, sprinting straight for his Majesty! "Your Majesty!" I shouted. Without hesitation I equipped the small lance I was carrying and boomeranged the attacker. I knew it would not connect, but I wanted to distract the opponent so I could rush in close. Sure enough, the assailant stopped for a moment to turn but I was already within striking range. With quick movements, the assassin hit me just under the shoulder, where my arm was exposed. I cringed at the pain when a few more blows attacked my lower sides. I quickly endured and unsheathed my very strong blade. A blacksmith called Nameless forged it for me years ago, as a token of gratitude for helping him collect rare elemental stones for his business. The assassin continued to attack, unaware that I could easily hit him. With any luck, this assassin was a straight critical killer and did not have any vitality – or any resistance to status. I conjured my strength and bashed him with my blade, successfully stunning him. He stood in a daze, fearful as I withdrew my lance again. With a few quick pierces the assassin lay sprawled but alive on the floor.
"Your Highness, I am terribly sorry, he must have sneaked in when I entered. Let me interrogate him after recovery to learn the reason for this deceitful and traitorous act. I only thank the heavens that you are unharmed." I spat out speedily. I felt a wave of guilt mixed with adrenaline enter my body and I began to take deep breaths to calm myself.
"I am quite shocked at this appalling act sir Aki. This may be a small part of a very troubling matter – a defiant guild. However let us not jump to conclusions, this person could very well be acting on his own accord. Although I must admit I am surprised he could find his way to these chambers. Not many know of this place. Do not take the blame sir Aki. This one would have followed the next person that enters, as I am sure he was camping by the door waiting for an opportunity. Sooner or later he would have come in, and were it not you, I may not be standing here with nothing more than a shaken experience. Thank you. Please take this intruder down to the jail cells and assign Maxwell to keep close watch. I am going to inform Beatrix and will retire for the evening when things settle down. I will have her guard me tonight. May I ask you to stay here at the castle tonight as well?" The King closed his eyes and expelled a breath he had been holding for a while.
"Of course your Majesty, at once. Allow me to return home to collect my equipment and I will head over here as soon as possible." I sheathed my weapons, kneeled before the King and then called for some knights to take care of the invader and quickly trotted home.
I ran along the downtown wall, as it was far too crowded to move through the market. Racing through the chilly air I traced the walls to see if any other cloaked intruders were hiding. How many more were there? Surely whoever wanted to murder the King would not send only one killer that could so easily be incapacitated. I kept my guard up and burst into my home. I donned my armor now as I would have much more trouble carrying all that extra weight and changed into my battle equipment: My peerless helm, evil ears, iron cain, shield of deaf, full plate of ghost, immune manteau, clips of muscle and fledged sleipnirs. I sheathed my Excalibur and carried my brionac in my hands. Riyu! I suppose she's still sleeping, I will have someone fetch her in the morning as quickly as possible. With this incident she will be suspect and I should take her into custody, but at the moment my priority is to protect the King. I scrawled a note for her on a worn out scroll and left it on the kitchen table. I left and jumped onto my peco peco and dashed to the castle. Something tells me this is going to spell catastrophe, and something darker seems to be lurking around the corner.