“Who are y--?” the King tried to ask, but another assassin, with bright red eyes, had put a finger over his mouth. “Shhhhhh. Save your breath; you’ll need it for when you die,” said the other assassin as he drew his dagger. The dagger was very ornate, made of black steel with carvings of dragons and skulls in the blade and on the guard. The assassin then leaned over and whispered in the King’s ear, “Who we are is of no importance to you, traitor. Only know that we are the ones sent here to kill you.”

The assassin then plunged his dagger into the left side of King Alexander Proudshine II’s chest. The King gave a last effort to kill these assassins by drawing his knife, and cutting the red-eyed assassin’s left cheek, before finally his body went limp as he dropped his dagger, and knocking the assassin’s own dagger out of his hands. He laid there motionless, breathless, dead. After a moment or two had passed, the assassins were gone, and a guard was walking down the hallway, when he noticed a trail of something red on the ground. He went to follow the trail, and discovered the King’s body, whose skin was now as pale as snow.

The guard, who was an elf named Nicolaus Peregrin, was startled and stepped back. But then he noticed the knife used to kill the king, still covered in blood, and a letter pinned to the King’s chest by the assassins. The guard picked up the knife and the letter, and it read as such, written in Dark Elvish; To whom it may concern, Let this be a warning to all who decide to oppose us in our efforts to unify this world, that insurrection will not be tolerated, and all who betray us will BURN. May Lokir guide you to the Holy Lands. Sincerely, The High-Council of Vuthal.

Gill just stared at him and responded by saying “Um, okay? And this is an emergency how?” with a very passive voice. Nicolaus was shocked by how calm Gill was, and said “What do you mean ‘how is this an emergency’? The King is dead, and all your doing is standing here, with basically no reaction! What the Hell?!” Gill just shushed him. “Shh, lieutenant, look at me. How many Kings do you think I’ve served since I joined the Vidronian Military?” “How would I know that?” said Nicolaus. “I have been in this military for thirty-one years, and I have seen four Kings, counting the now deceased King Alexander, be usurped and assassinated, this is no big deal to me. So just stand straight, shut up, and go tell the prince that his dad’s dead. Good luck… pointy ears.” Gill said, and as he slammed the door, Nicolaus flipped him off. “Prick.”

Later, in his room, an eight-year-old Prince Alexander Proudshine III(Alex) was sketching a suit of armor he had in the corner. The armor was made of white steel, had golden highlights with multi colored jewels in them, and the helmet’s visor was in the shape of a lion’s head. The sketch was very detailed, from the most beautiful jewel, to the most insignificant scrapes and carvings. Then, Nicolaus came into Alex’s room. “Hey, lil’ buddy. How are you?” asked the lieutenant, trying to hide his worry. “Uncle Nico!” alex yelled with excitement “Hey, lil’ Al! Wait, shouldn’t you be in bed?” Alex then began to act very shy and guilty “I couldn’t sleep, I had a nightmare, but I forgot what it was.” he said.

“Oh, look what I drew!” said Alex as he showed Nicolaus his sketch of the suit of armor in his room. “Wow, Alex that’s really good, i’m proud.” Alex gave a smile and said “Thank you, uncle Nico.” Alex said. Alex then climbed onto Nicolaus’s lap as he yawned “I can’t wait to show it to Dad.” and then Nicolaus’s eyes widened as he remembered why he was there. “Alex, I actually came in here to tell you something.” “What is it?” said Alex Inquisitively. “Well, Alex, I don’t know how to word this without both scarring you and breaking your surprisingly durable heart. But, i’m afraid that you won’t be able to show your dad that drawing.” said Nicolaus, in a very serious tone, he looked into Alex’s blue and yellow eyes. “Why? Why won’t I be able to show him?” asked Alex, confused.

Nico hesitated, but he managed to work up the will to say it “Alex, I am very, very sorry that I have to tell you this, but… your father, the King, he’s dead. I’m so, so sorry.” Alex’s eyes widened, his heartbeat began to rise, and his breathing got faster. “What?” he said, as his eyes began to well up with tears, Nicolaus then pulled him close and comforted him. “I’m sorry, Alex, but it’s true.” Alex was bawling his eyes out at this point, tears streaming down his face, his wails echoing through the halls of the castle.

“Don’t insult me, Human, I can end you with a wave of my hand!” said Gabriel. “Listen, I can handle this, let me handle this. You can trust me.” Gill replied. Gabriel then just growled “Fine.” and walked off to the side of the stage.

Gill stepped up to the podium, cleared his throat, and spoke. “Listen, King Alex II might be dead, but the Prince is still alive, Hell, my Lieutenant, Nicolaus, has most likely informed him by now of the King’s passing. But, he is just a child, and tradition says that the prince, or princess, must be at least eighteen years of age to take the throne, so until that time comes, me and my *very* good friend, Gabriel Blacklock, will be in charge, and advise him until he’s eighteen… Do we all understand?” Gill was met with silence. “Good. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m gonna go back to my book, and poor me a nice, cold glass of scotch.” he said as he walked away, back to his office. Then Gabriel stepped up “Alright, then, everyone head home, do whatever it is you do to relax, and we’ll have all of this settled by tomorrow.”

The girl then sat next to him and put her hand on his. “It’ll be okay, your majesty. Things like this happen, sometimes.” she said, as she clenched his hand gently, and leaned on his shoulder. “My name’s Sarah O’Conner, your majesty.” she said. Alex was slightly surprised, and a bit nervous, at the fact that this girl, who he hadn’t even met before today, was talking to him. “You don’t have to call me ‘your majesty’. Just call me Alex… it’s a pleasure to meet you Sarah.” he said, as he gently clenched her hand. As they sat their, in the middle of the garden, the sun was just rising over the wall, catching in the morning dew left over from the blood-stained, moonlit night.