Location: Green Palace
It was a hulking structure with a smooth domed fortress with buttresses coming out the sides. Six in the front and six in the back. It stood solo on an island of earth that was wide but wasn't connected to the land. Down below it was a thousand foot drop to a valley and river. A long stone bridge extended from it connected to the mainland. A large gate and walls enclosed the entrance to the bridge. Bird Folk knights clad in heavy green armor patrolled outside the gate and inside the walls. A Bird Folk knight resembling a red hawk looked about and walked towards a subordinate. Conversing with other knights. When they saw the knight they stood at attention and saluted in respect. "Master Dexter" the lead one said. "Have the grunts come back Gaval?" He asked. Gaval had the appearance of a crow. The knight shook his head, "no sir" Dexter looked perturbed. "They were only to find information and return? Who led them?" He demanded. "Yes sir. Carrie lead the men" Dexter became more annoyed. "Of course it was. The boy is thirsty to be prove himself. Seems his very pride may have gotten his team killed. What of the other farms?" He asked. "Haven't heard anything sir. We can send a messenger to the farms if you want sir?" Gaval suggested. "Yes. Send them out and make it clear gather information and come back! No engagement and Gaval be better at choosing the teams. We're now in this mess cause you chose Carrie. Also see if you can send a scout to look for any that escaped we want them for the feast so feel free to bring them back here" he accused. Gaval lowered his head. "Yes sir. I'll send our best scouts" Gaval said looking for redemption.
Dexter left the men and headed back down the bridge. 'The farm of Emerald Forest gave good products for the king. And now it seems to have gone dark. What might be happening out in the realm? The king is too busy worrying about his stomach and saturating his soul core to govern his people' Dexter shook his head thinking of this. He was passed by the guards who saluted him as he entered the palace. He kept moving towards the garden.
Seated by a pond with bird folk slaves that were all in a daze. They wore rags fanning a giant fat bird, some held a tray of food, and another a pitcher. All in a daze staring at nothing. The Emerald King had the appearance of a parakeet with green feathers. Upon his face was a half mask covering his eyes. The mask had multiple eyes carved into the black and green mask. He was eating grilled meat and berries. He was clad in a long robe that didn't hide his big stomach. Next to his seat was a long staff with wings on the side of a ring. "Dexter! How are the plans for the feast coming?" The king asked.
"Guests will be arriving in a few days sire. We have emissaries from the human capital coming, the Pride Chief, and Nobles of the Bird Nation will also be coming" Dexter reported and the king seemed tickled by it. "Very good. What of the farm that fell?" He asked chomping on meat. "It's under control sir. We are still gathering information on what transpired. We will hunt down any that escaped and put them back here for the festivities" he explained. "Pantry is quite full. I think I have reached the required amount. Just kill them and be done with it. When will our otherworldly guests arrive? Our benefactor promised a able bodied warriors to assist in the feast?" He asked with a serious tone. "They have already arrived sire an hour ago" Emerald King finished eating and then stood with a groan. He was very fat but towered over the slaves and his knight. He was a hulking mass of feathers and cloth. He picked his staff and began to walk. "Lead me to them" he commanded. Dexter lead him away. The slaves all collapsed from exhaustion and passed out after he left.
Dexter led the king to a room in the palace. There were three individuals. All clad in black armor and cape. They had masks over their noses and hoods up. They each had two sabers upon their belts and black markings around their blue eyes. They all looked identical. One was seated on a couch. One was watching the window and the other paced the room.
Emerald King entered with a clap. "Hello my guests…" he looked disappointed looking around the room. "I thought he would have sent more men, only three?" He said looking at the three hooded figures. Man on the couch chuckled, "consider this a demonstration then?" The two men still standing all multiplied into five more of the same individual who then multiplied into five more now crowding the room. Then they all vanished. Leaving the man on the couch alone. The king was taken aback and saw Dexter with his hand on the hilt of his sword. "That enough men for you?" Masked man asked. Emerald king said nothing, nodding he then sat upon the opposite couch making the furniture creak and bend. "What's your name?" King asked. "They call me the Con Man, you can call me Con, or man? Don't give a shit. What is it you need me to do, your highness" he asked, annoyed.
"What rank are you?" Dexter asked. "Oh look at you sweetheart? I believe the men were talking? Want to know my pants size too? I'm ranked five if you want to know. Upper tier enough for you? I ask again what is it you need done?" He was more direct now. "I want to eat all my guests? It'll push me to the celestial step. And as I killed your Kingslayer for my faction I asked for assistance from your king, my benefactor. I want them all slaughtered. But my hands must be clean afterwards. You'll have an escape route and be heavily compensated" Emerald King explained. "Yes. I heard you killed the KingSlayer. Funny thing is my King knows better? See we have reports he was in the Land of Madness last. Made quite a stink weakening the Dreaded Faction's numbers further? What's that made now? Four members of the Dreaded faction gone? Seven total" he stated. "And? If you think I'm lying then why are you here? Why send me assistance?" Emerald King asked. 'This man gives off a bloodlust I've never seen. If that goes south I don't think I can beat him?' Dexter thought. It was true that Dexter was a Master Knight. This however was the first time he felt fear looking at this seated man. The Con Man wasn't someone he should turn his back on.
"Oh believe me we know you're lying, let's get that straight. My King has reason to believe he might come here. So to clean up your mess before it goes to fuck all I'm here to eliminate the threat along with assisting your needs. After that you'll owe my king a lot. Thus keeping your secret intact and your realm in order" Con Man never repressed his blood lust. To him he would love nothing more than to kill them both and do what he wanted. He wanted the King Slayer to be a perfect opponent worthy of fighting.
Serving his King and battle were the only things he took seriously. Killing people for money was merely a necessity to living for him. 'I'll assist this fat bastard as long as he gets me what I want' he thought. "You need the fruit of my land that's the only reason he sent you here. I'll take what I can get! As I said, the King Slayer is dead. Assist in killing all my guests to eliminate opposition in my evolution and you'll be rewarded. Feast in a week feel free to sit here wanting anything ask the guard that will be outside your door. We're done here" he threw a bag of gold on the table. "Half now half later. Fucking prick" he then waddled out of the room. Con Man chuckled to himself picking up the bag. He lifted his cape and threw the bag into the cap. It disappeared into blackness. 'Well glad I didn't tell him the slayer is already in town. My king won't mind if this fat bastard dies. He merely wants the chi stones in this realm for himself. It would be nice to fight a master shadow user like myself. Should be a fun fight' he thought standing up. He poured a glass of wine and plopped back on the couch. "What a nice room" he said to himself.