CHAPTER SIX- THE ASSASSIN
Early morning in the mountain ranges- the red spilled over the white blankets of snow, and a few flakes began to fall over his black hood. Etienne took out a piece of parchment from his fur-lined pockets, being careful not to meet the eyes of the Imperial inspector. The old man grunted his approval, and ushered the gates open with an affirmative nod.
Etienne absorbed the sights around him, and made a mental map to himself. Over there! The chapel rises tall, almost as tall as the black mountains on the dying horizon. Made of cobbled stone, he imagined that it was very cold inside during the winter season. The houses around him rose high above; their thatch roofs casting the street into a mess of red sunset and black shadow.
And finally, look! A large tower- made of pure-white stone, with an iron, pitched roof [that pitched at strange, sharp angles]. He could barely see the rusty, iron railings run along the open balcony. He turned his head left, and saw what seemed to be the main plaza of Solitude. And the rush of people as they built a stand of some sort... with slippery stairs running on one side of the wooden platform that was being made. Realization hit him.
Kings always attended executions- something to do with officiating the ordeal. He smirked clenching the small crossbow in his pocket.
Etienne Laroche counted the hours he had left until his plans came to fruition. He had everything planned, and he kept running over it in his head. Now, he had only to wait till tomorrow for his majesty to arrive.
His nails grasped the thin, stone edge tightly- his shrouded chest grazed along, as he lifted himself up along the dark wall. He gasped for air, as his arms ached painfully. He pushed on regardless, determined to get his target. As well as the hefty sum of gold that was placed on the High King's head. The wind rushed past him harshly, like it was trying to push him off. A fall now would certainly hurt...perhaps kill. The sun began to rise, behind him.
"Finally! Etienne Laroche is in position. He is far cleverer than I thought, master. Striking afar, from atop. Genius!"
"Ah, but remember, he has no idea of the role he is to play. He is only a pawn in our little play- and therefore easily expendable."
"Of course! But...what happens i-if he fails? Surely, then we can't topple that empire of Men?"
"To think of failure, my apprentice is to seek it. We will succeed in our endeavours, and revel in the fall of Man."
They looked at each other, smiled and twisted their heads back into the crowd. Their eyes flicked left and right, as people milled in to witness an execution. Where not one person would die, but two.