Chikadzu: In Fate we Tie

Chapter 5: The Serpent Brothers. Part 2, 'Counterplot'

As Espio was looking for Gilles to come, he saw four hooded figures enter the room, one was carrying two butcher knives, another was holding an electric orb, the other two weren't holding anything. A tall, round reptilian creature entered the room holding several small axes in it's hand, it's sickly eyes and spiked black hair did not distract from the fact it's right eye was concealed in a strange red-diamond, in a semi-poetic chant, it simply said,
"Hail Marchion, true queen of Prague..." to which one of the figures replied

"Hail Miles, minion of the Slav..." then they all had a disturbing conversation

"Hail Miles..."

"Where is your brother, Gilles..."

"He's had a delay..."

"A delay you say?"

"Hail Baeron, kitchen chef..."

"Hey you, I also act in Macbeth..."

"Hail Xalles, electro-maniac..."

"Without suffering I am crack..."

"Hail, who are you?"

"I think his name is, Koow?"

"You're bad at this chanting..."

"Why are you dogs not panting?"

"I'll have you know my name isn't Koow..."

"Then hail, who are you?"

"I can't tell you who I am..."

"Would you fools like some jam?" Espio was getting disgusted, and was even more so when one of them said,

"Enough of this poetry, now here we have the counter-plan, one for Baeron, one for Xalles, one for Miles, one for the other person, one for me and one for Gilles, I'll throw it in the chandelier for him..." Espio caught it very quickly before he read it out, all of the hooded people left, leaving only Miles in the room. The reptile blindly threw an axe at Espio and muttered,

"Don't be alarmed, I recognise you...yes...I knew your cousin John..." Espio started to look puzzled

"Yes John Smith your cousin, I made love to him..."

"Yes...so...person who knew my 'cousin', what are you up to?"

"Oh just poisoning the queen by giving her poisoned wine, reminds me of when I lost John, he drank some wine, and died right on the spot..." in an ironic twist he reached for some wine, and died right on the spot, a kunai had impaled his back, Espio simply whispered,

"Why does everybody say I have a cousin called John?"

Two hours later on the news,

"And the fluffy kitten played with the ball of yarn all through the night. On a lighter note two criminals, Gilles and Miles Serpent were brutally murdered today! Miles died of a stab wound in the back and Gilles' charred corpse left evidence of an exploding mule attack. Our queen Marchesa has assured that the murderers will go scot-free as they were doing a patriotic duty. On a much darker note the wine connoisseur was sacked yesterday for giving the queen 'Spavin' brand wine. She had this to say at the disaster..."

"How dare my servants give me Spavin. Spavin is urine from the fat ugly prostitute who it is named after, and worst of all it completely ruined my mood to have to order the execution of my fifth wine connoisseur today!"

"5-Star French pastry chef Baeron Bae of Baeshire has been hired as a replacement wine connoisseur and also as a cook. We hope that our queen survives longer than his previous client who died of knuckle poisoning and clubbed fingers..." In rapid concern, Espio opened and read the document he caught,

"Attention Miles Serpent, Gilles Serpent, Baeron Bae of Baeshire, Xalles Mina, Azrael and myself, Marchion

We all have a role to play in Marchesa's death so listen up. The plans are listed in order of which they should be carried out, if Marchesa dies at any point cancel all of this and meet me in Duca for celebratory cakes...for I shall be queen!

Miles and Gilles will try to assassinate her during her memorial concert to bribe the local mob lord. If a direct attempt fails then use the transsexual death-ray to kill her, and if she survives...then she can't be queen anymore.

Baeron will then get into the position of royal cook and attempt to poison her during her birthday.

Xalles and Azrael, you two are to receive orders at a future date.

Yours expectingly Marchion White Posh Formality Widow IX..."