THE FOLLOWING NIGHT IS a new moon. An ideal time for thieves to take what they want, or assassins to take a life. Both go so well together; hand in hand they work in tandem.
The night is warm; not too warm, but just right for taking a stroll. Crickets chirp their songs while a gentle breeze blows through.
"Hey Mage, will your allies do their part?"
"No need for worry, Two, they'll come through."
"They better."
"Look, one of the torches just went out." Announces the Mage. "That's the signal we've been waiting for."
On the wall that surrounds the castle, torches are spaced out about every thirty meters. Archers routinely patrol the wall day and night. But on this night they are short handed. Making it easy for an unlit torch to go unnoticed for a spell.
"Two, go inform the crew in town to begin; then proceed with your part of the plan."
"On it."
"All right Mage do your thing." Orders One.
"Right. Light Magic: Clarity Manipulation."
"From here on out no more talking, hands signals only," said One, "stay close until we're inside."
One and the Mage moved in swift silence towards the castle gate from the left side, hugging the wall as much as possible all the way to where the wall ends and the gate begins.
Stationed there is a spearman, an archer, and a swordswoman. All three are standing outside the little guard house, enjoying the nice night.
Killing them would be the easiest solution, but the bodies, or lack thereof could draw unwanted attention. And that's a risk One doesn't want to take.
The Mage signals that he would handle it. One steps aside, letting the Mage take point. The Mage pulls out a slingshot; places a rock in it, gets it twirling, and launches it towards a tree near the gate, opposite of them.
"Ouch! What the hell was that that hit me! Son of a bitch I'm bleeding!"
"You two go check it out." Orders the Archer.
"Probably another dumbass trying to sneak in. Not realizing how high the wall is." Complains the Spearman as he opens the gate.
"Why can't we just cut these stupid things down?" Asked the Swordswoman.
"Because the Queen had all the tree's along this road planted on the day Prince Jamison was born." Replied the Archer, remaining at the gate.
The Swordswoman stops her hand on the hilt of her sword. She scans the area to her left.
"You see something?" Asked the Archer, bow at the ready.
"More like I felt something." Replied the Swordswoman, taking a few steps then stopping, scanning the area again.
The Mages heart pounds in his chest. It's so loud he's unsure if she can hear it; being so close he could reach out and touch her. His breath catches when their eyes meet.
"I must have imagined it." She turns to catch up to Spearman.
"Hey you! Get down here!" Shouts the Spearman.
"Climb your ass up here and make me."
"How about I shove my spear up your ass instead!"
"Don't threaten me with a good time."
"Then I'll just shoot you down from here and call it a night." Shouts the Archer.
"Good luck with that!"
Taking it as a challenge the Archer walks a few yards from her post, her attention fully on the man in the tree, the gate unguarded.
One and the Mage slip past her, moving in the shadows they reach the castle, find an open window, and slip inside.
The room is an Atelier. Housing two floor to ceiling bookshelves with a variety of books. Suits of armor stand in each corner of the room, each one holding a different weapon. A table in the center is flanked by cushioned chairs.
Near the window they entered is a half finished painting depicting some type of scenery; paints, brushes, and rags litter a smaller table next to the canvas. Completed paintings are on display, either hanging on the wall or resting on their easels along the wall.
The Mage heads to the door, puts his ear to it, listens, then cracks it open a bit to see who's around. Satisfied he closes it.
"Now we wait for my allies."
"How many allies do you have?"
"Including the man in the tree, I have three more here inside the castle, each one trustworthy, loyal, and they have jobs that allow them to move about freely."
"Good." Replied One.
****
Tabby Cat Bar
"Would you like another drink, ma'am?" Asked the male bartender.
"No. I think I'll call it a night.
"Get home safely." Replied the bartender as he takes her empty glass in one hand, and wipes down the bar with a rag in the other.
Tabby Cat Bar is a popular spot within the capital with good food, drink, and live entertainment. Tonight's live entertainment is a trio of minstrels, composed of young women who are getting ready to perform.
The bar is frequented by soldiers from the castle, and adventurers that pass through. This has kept the establishment relatively safe from crime. Because who would be brazen enough to mess with a bar full of soldiers and adventurers.
The woman is half-way to the door, when in walks a man carrying a bottle with a lit rag. It doesn't register right away with the women; the liquor, having fogged her mind just enough to slow her reaction time. The man throws the molotov cocktail right into her face.
The sound of the women's wailing is like a starter pistol going off for the others waiting outside. They begin running through the streets sowing chaos as they go. Buildings are set on fire, doors get kicked in waking those within from their slumber, monsters are summoned to run rampant.
Two, watches from the shadows before returning to the castle on the outskirts of town.
****
War Room
Kerym sits in the war room looking over the map trying to ascertain what the Black Archers end game is. While lost in thought a woman floats down from the ceiling and hovers just above the table.
She has light gray skin, gray eyes, and her long white hair ripples, even without a breeze. Those who meet her for the first time often mistake her for a ghost because of her transparent figure.
"Kerym, can we go to the festival the humans are having in town?"
"There isn't any festival going on right now." Responds Kerym, not looking up from the map. "Why do you think there is one, Aria?"
"I could see a big fire in town from the rooftop. Like the one they had at the Estival Solstice."
"What?! That was held outside of town, not in town. There's no safe place to have a fire that big."
Kerym, heads for a window, throws it open, and listens. Then he hears it; the night air carries the screams of the townspeople, the sounds of beasts roaring, glass breaking, wood splintering, stones crashing down. The one thing that he should be hearing but doesn't, is the warning bells.
"Kerym, there's a stench of death in the air." Said Aria, floating beside him.
"Look there, the archers on the wall are dead. Aria, call up the wind, and sound the alarm. I'll meet you in the courtyard."
"Right."
Kerym turns and dashes for the door.
Aria floats out the window, calling up the wind as she goes. The bells begin ringing, alerting the soldiers on watch and waking the others.
Hallway
As Kerym runs down the hall he's joined by Nemo.
"Kerym, what's going on?"
"The capital is under attack, and some of the archers on watch have been killed."
"So they've finally made their move, have they."
"I believe so. I'm sending fifty of the Centurion candidates to handle the issue in town. The remaining candidates will remain here to help defend the castle."
"Where are you stationing those candidates exactly?"
"Accelerate!"
Kerym races ahead of Nemo, materializes his bow, turns, draws, and fires at Nemo.
Nemo snatches the arrow out of the air. "What gave me away?"
"I've known Nemo for a long time. And not once did they ever ask me where I station my troops. So which number are you, One, Two, or Five?"
"Maybe I'm Three, or maybe I'm Four. Does it really matter which one I am?"
"Not at all. You'll just be one more corpse." Remarks Kerym, as he fires off a volley of arrows.
Two hours prior.
The Mage has the door cracked open again looking for his alley. Just as he's about to shut it a maid passes by.
"Milly… psst… Milly."
Startled, the maid inadvertently lets out a yelp.
"Shhh. Do you want to get caught?"
"You're the one who scared me."
"Just get in here." The Mage opens the door and steps aside, allowing the maid to slip in.
"I have the layout of the castle," said the maid, as she roots around in her ample bosom.
"Need a hand?"
"Nope— Aha! Here it is." Declares the maid.
Finding what she was looking for she hands over a few folded up pieces of paper.
"Thanks Milly." The Mages accepts them, unfolds each one onto the table, and looks them over.
"Kerym is here in the war room, Headmaster Nemo is somewhere in the castle, Also, I wasn't able to ascertain the placement of all the guards here at the castle, but these markings indicate where some of them will be. Give me a little more time, and I can get you more—"
"You've done enough." One says appearing behind the maid, snapping her neck.
The Mage catches her before she falls, and gently places her on the floor. "Was that necessary?"
One, ignores the question, and studies the maps. Once committed to memory, they're destroyed. Then One asks, "Do you know where you're going?"
"Yes."
"Then get going."
Present time.
Kerym is breathing heavily, sweat pours down his body, his hair and clothing are disheveled. Meanwhile the Nemo imposter stands there hardly tired at all.
"How long are you gonna keep holding back? I'm getting bored."
"What makes you think I'm holding back?"
"You're the Captain of the Royal Archers, who's contracted with the wind spirit Aria, who isn't even here. And yet despite some effort on my part you haven't sustained any serious injuries. You've been playing defense this whole time."
"All right, fine. I'll show you my true strength, but only if you tell me who you are."
The Nemo imposter snaps its fingers, dropping the illusion. Standing before Kerym dressed in their trademark black gear, black bow in hand it speaks.
"I believe proper introductions are in order. I am One, leader of The Black Archers."
"Come Aria, it's time!"
A whirlwind kicks up with Kerym at the center. He disappears from sight. When it dissipates, Kerym's entire appearance has changed.
(Character Bio Update)
Name: Kerym.
Gear: Steel Gorget, White Canvas Tunic and Trousers, Steel Spaulders, Green Leather Brigandine, Green Leather Arm Guards, Green Leather Greaves, Black Bag Belt, and Black Robin Hood Boots.
"Satisfied?" Asked Kerym.
"Not until I see what you're truly capable of. No more holding back." One raises its voice. "Captain Kerym of The Royal Archers, master to the wind spirit Aria, hit me with everything you've got. Win or lose, let's make this a memorable fight neither of us will forget."
****
Earlier outside
"And that makes seven. That should get someone's attention."
Two doesn't have to wait long until the warning bells sound off.
With the soldiers distracted, Two begins scaling the castle wall sticking to the shadows as much as possible. Eventually Two climbs over the balcony, and slips inside.
Two scans the massive semi-dark room, noting the small flames in the fireplace, some tables, chairs, a mirror, a rug, bookshelf, and other things. Then Two's eyes settle on the bed, and its occupant Emperor Maxwell Arsenio Sr. Two steps towards the bed then stops.
"Took you long enough."
"Hello Headmaster Nemo. Here to give me a lecture, are you?"
"My lectures always seemed to fall on deaf ears with you lot. So no. I will not be giving you a lecture, but a lesson. The last one you'll ever get from me."