The two men, being escorted to the King's throne room, were joined by another man who was escorted by a dozen soldiers. Dante jerked a thumb toward the large man.
"Why's he so special? We only got six soldiers to escort us." Dante smiled at the man, as the groups came along side each other. The man frowned and turned away from him. Dante's smile widened
"A shy one are you? What are you in for? Killing someone? Robbery?
The Archer next to Dante said in a low voice; "He's a bandit, presumably the leader of the ones that have been terrorizing the outer villages."
Dante glanced at him, "Have you met before or something? The Archer shook his head.
"No, I just make it my business to know the criminals in the Kingdom, makes tracking them down easier if I know who I'm looking for. As a matter of fact, after I had killed you, he was going to be my next target."
"After you killed me?" Donte grinned "You never would have been able to get him, because if these fine gentlemen," Dante gestured to the soldiers around them. " hadn't interrupted, you would be dead, and I would be gone."
The Archer nodded, "You're right, I probably would be, so I guess it's a good thing they interrupted."
"For you." Dante said, the King's soldiers had let them keep their weapons. The man that had spoken to them had said, that the King didn't want them to think they were prisoners.
"Name's Dante," he said "We didn't properly introduce each other, we were too busy trying to gut each other."
"Luke" the other man replied,
"How about you big fellow? Dante said as he looked over at the large man, he didn't reply.
"Tsk, tsk," Dante said cheerfully "Just because you've been caught, doesn't mean you have to be rude."
Luke said "Don't antagonize him, he's killed a lot of people, he's especially fond of using his war axe to do it."
Dante turned to him, and said seriously "Just because he's killed people doesn't mean he's not an oaf. We were trying to kill each other a few minutes ago, but now we're as civilized as to old friends talking to each other. This... Man on the other hand is acting deaf and dumb when I know he's not. I've heard of him as well, Luke and the only reason I haven't killed him myself is because, I was waiting for someone to put a price on his head. I may be an assassin but this man goes from village to village, killing as he pleases."
Luke looked at him, with a surprised look on his face. "Do you make it a habit to know the bandits in the kingdom?
"Only the ones who have been operating for years, untouched by the law." Dante replied.
"How is that any different than you? Luke asked, "You've been operating for years as well, killing innocent people."
Dante smiled grimly "You haven't done your research, I'm hired mostly by people who want revenge for those who stole from them, or have killed someone. Granted, I get a job every once in a while where the target hasn't done anything, but most have. Take Sir Jacob for example, he may be old now, but when he was younger he would take rival kingdom's common folk, and hunt them for sport.
I know about you too Luke, you hunt and kill criminals, either way our jobs take lives, but me and you, we have a reason besides killing the wittiness that could report us, yours is probably some form of justice, mine is a less righteous reason, money."
Luke opened his mouth to speak and then closed it. They had come to the entrance to the throne room.
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Luke was surprised at Dante's knowledge of him and the bandit, the bandit less so, because Luke had played it stealthy for the most part. He was about to say how his reason was justifiable, when they arrived at the throne room.
The doors opened, and they were escorted inside. The first thing Luke saw was the King on his throne, talking to the man who had spoken to him and Donte in the tower room. When the King saw them, he stopped, and the man next to him did as well. When that approached the King; the other man stepped forward and said "Kneel before the King!" In a commanding voice.
"Gordon, the King said "Calm down, these men have no allegiance to me. Let them alone, they're more likely to agree if they're treated properly." He turned to them, "Gentlemen I have a proposition for you, accept and you'll be set free, and be rich for the rest of your lives."
"And if we decline?" Luke asked.
"You're all criminals, and have killed many people, so, if you don't accept you'll all be put to death."
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"What do you want?" Liam asked, and the man named Dante said,
"So you can speak, you almost had me fooled." Liam ignored him, and looked to the King. The King replied,
"I want you to go beyond the border, the Barbarians from the North have united with the kingdom of Gelicasa, and I want you to kill their leaders. Get behind their lines, and pick them off. I will give you whatever you need for the journey, if you accept, then armory is open to you as well. The three of you have amazing talents in your separate fields," he pointed at Dante, "You are skilled in moving unseen, and can assassinate anyone needed quietly. You," he pointed at Luke "Are skilled in archery and can pick men off from a distance." And you," he pointed at Liam "Are a strong, capable fighter."
"You will be forced to work together, if you can't do that then you all must be eliminated. However if you do accept, and come back alive you'll be richly rewarded.
Liam saw Dante step forward. "I'll do it, I'd rather risk my life for a reward than be executed. Although what would happen if we accepted and then went our separate ways?"
The King gave him a cold smile, "You would be hunted for the rest of your lives by me, my soldiers, and killed."
Dante smiled back. "That's what I thought you'd say."
Luke stepped forward, "I accept." he said
The King turned to Liam "You're the last one, you can either accept or decline."
Liam stepped forward "I accept."