Chapter 4
Two, unnaturally handsome men looked at the chessboard, eyeing it warily. The chestnut haired one moved his bishop, taking the blonde's knight.
"She is stunning isn't she?" The fair haired one asked, moving his pawn forward.
The darker one pondered this, carefully moving his white bishop back to its place, "Something designed to kill is not stunning, your grace. It is deadly and should be treated the same way as a sword and a bludgeon, with great care and coldness. Be wary your majesty, a snake strikes when you sleep peacefully."
The King looked at his lieutenant, a laugh in his eyes, "Enough of your silly proverbs Garrett. She is a woman, a beautiful woman, and with a bit of wining and dining, she could become a lady again."
"That thing could be no more a lady than a donkey could be a bird. She has one purpose and that is to kill." Garrett snorted. He moved his queen next to Rordan's black king.
"Checkmate."
"Next time, knock." Phoenix commanded as she unpinned the maid's sleeve which was caught between the door post and the knife.
The cow eyed maid nodded and quickly set about straightening up the room. Phoenix eyed her hotly and ducked into her small dressing room. She put on the silky, viridian dress, cursing under her breathe. She looked at the floor length mirror with hate dripping out of her hazel eyes.
"I despise dresses!" the assassin exclaimed as she squeezed out of the dressing room.
The maid looked at Phoenix, panic in her eyes.
Seeing this the ebony haired woman smiled kindly, "Don't worry, little mistress, I wont be throwing anything. But…well, I was wondering if perhaps you might fix my hair? It has been a long time since I have attended court and I am far behind the latest fashions."
"Yes, lady, you need all but to command it and it is yours. Didn't his majesty tell you we servants at your will?"
The killer sighed, "To command and be obeyed is what can be expected, but to question and get an answer is the true surprise. I don't want you doing anything you don't want to."
The servant grinned, relaxing a bit, "Sit down Miss Phoenix and I will see what I can do."
"I heard she is a savage with blood dripping from her jagged teeth!" A lady in red commented, sending ripples of laughter through the elite crowd of noble women.
A baroness in green eyed the red one, "Well, Duchess Clydia, I heard she was dressed in furs with leopard prints all over them!"
Another wave of laughter swept over the brightly colored crowd. Each of them, in their new, spring colored dresses, were part of the highest ranking noble families in Lennox. Some were married, some were widowed, other engaged, and the last, smallest part of the group still single. At a first glance it appeared easy to see why the fellowshipped together. But if you went a bit deeper, there was something much darker to it. Each female, married and unmarried, coveted the throne of Lennox. They had (and some still do) thrown themselves at the pale haired king in hopes of being his illustrious queen.
The ladies talked amiably before they dispersed. A few of the younger ones made there way toward Rordan who was pacing quickly by his throne.
"Where is she, Garret? She was supposed to be here by now!" HE said quietly, although his voice betrayed anxiety.
Garrett stood their motionless, hands behind his back like a good soldier, "I am sure she is just running behind. Go, Rordan, and dance with some ladies. Duchess Clydia is looking quite lovely tonight and is partnerless at the moment."
Rordan sat down, "I have danced with Clydia plenty of times, and she only gets more bor-"
The King was interrupted by a slender, yet shapely form crossing his line of vision. The woman was tall, but still graceful. She moved with power and stealth and left a trail of stares, both male and female. Her midnight hair was braided and placed in a bun with dark, plum colored flowers surrounding it. The flowing, iridescent dress brought out her mysterious eyes and her scarlet lips highlighted her cheekbones, which glowed with the radiance of youth and beauty.
She sat down next to the king and raised her glass in a toast, "Let us eat." The congregation sat down and filled there plates. They stole glances at the ravishing assassin, whispering quietly amongst each other. The women sneered and made snide comments, while the men gawked in awe
Phoenix looked around nervously. To be among nobles again, it was all too much. She noted quietly the lustful looks from the men and the envious ones from the ladies. She looked down, her dress was a bit tight and the neck line was far to low to be modest.
She looked at Garrett, who stood at attention next to his beloved leader. Phoenix grinned, if this were another time and place she would have her way with the handsome, dark haired man. Her hazel eyes moved from the lieutenant to his master, Rordan. Where Garrett was dark, the king was all gold. His bright, luxurious hair shinned brilliantly and gave off the effect of a halo. Phoenix exhaled; she hated this man almost as much as she hated the kingdom of Lennox.
Rordan smiled kindly at her and cleared his throat.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, I am pleased to inform you that soon, the prosperous lands of Sinbadda shall be ours!"
Shouts filled the dinning hall as the nobles of Lennox cheered for there glorious king. Phoenix looked at hi with disgust, but he continued anyway.
"And as a reward for the woman that will be doing my dirty work-" Rordan winked at Phoenix lustily, "the lovely lady shall receive the highest honow in the land. She will become…"
The rest was a blur to Phoenix, who passed out the moment the reward escaped the angelic king's pink lips…
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Shanice