Post by Deleted on Sept 11, 2015 13:15:10 GMT -5
A knock at the door come unexpectedly for Julien, who was working on some papers. He had spent many hours in meetings and had just seen out the last of the Lords from the realm. Now, before he spent time briefing his cousin on such events he needed some hours to gather his thoughts and collect his mind. There were some strands of interest here, other information was a waste of his time, but he had listened most patiently, and had worn his most gracious of appearance for the meetings. So, having been looking forwards to some time to himself he was not best pleased when a knock came at his door.
Before he had time to beckon the person on the other side, the door was pushed open and Julien was confronted with a dark figure.
”Who are you, what do you want?”
The movement of his clothes unshaded a knife strapped to a belt, a display of pure intimidation. He gave a grin, a slow, cat like look about the growing grin and stepped menacingly into the room. Everyone knew Julien didn’t know how to wield a blade, that the boy was as vulnerable as a seed in a field when it came to any sort of physical combat -
The hooded figure stepped forwards, seeming to have no awareness of physical or personal space as he came practically chest to chest with the prince; ”You know, as well as I do, Julien that this isn’t right. That a woman- on the throne- after everything that has come to pass- you know that was the decision of a madman. You’re logical, you’re smart- I know you know, in your heart that this whole situation was a mistake.”
Stepping back Julien felt intimidation creeping over him like dust, and it seemed to make his skin itch and his frame feel heavy. He wet his lips, most cautiously, listening with great care to what the man wanted. Fortunately, he was not kept long before an explanation was offered, but backed up against the desk, Julien felt most cornered and – though he was refusing to admit it- afraid.
”I can’t help you- I have nothing to offer you.”
”Now that’s not true- you have so much to offer, my master would be most interested in hearing more from you. He could make you great, Julien- greater than you already are. No more pencil pushing, in dark rooms. ”
”No. Leave before I call a guard.”
”I had hoped it wouldn’t come to this.”
Julien extended his hand, to insist the figure left. But as a hand was extended he was caught by the wrist and used it to turn his cousin onto his front. Julien was weak, it made him easily overpowered and his face was slammed into the oak of the desk;. As he tried to struggle free he was winded, his assailant quickly brought up his knee –hard. Then, from his belt he took that knife that had been so displayed. It was a pretty thing. It was curved; a blade of the eastern lands and would leave a very particular scar.
”Don’t make me kill you, my master would not want that.” The stranger whispered, leaning over the younger man and letting his breath float into the lad’s ear. ”You’re going to do something for me, Julien – you’re going to leave me little messages to show how loyal you can be- short words on sealed scroll in a particular book in the library- do you understand?”
Julien struggled again and snarled; ”Why would I do that?”
”I’m so glad you asked.” The curved blade he sliced across the palm of his hand. The blood smelt hot and sweet and it trickled down over the papers on the desk. Julien groaned with the effort of not yelling out- he was not a coward, after all. ”Careful, little prince, because accidents happen- to you, to your little sister- perhaps one of those pretty little princesses you hold so dearly…be a good boy and do as your told, it’s the only way you can be sure to protect them.”
”You’re threatening me?”
”Yes. And everything you are trying to protect by continually insisting your loyalty to the Princess Regent.” And for good measure he lay the other hand out, palm up on the desk and cut into it with the curved blade of the sandmen.
Julien was released, and he slumped down the side of the desk to sit.
"Okay."
His eyes, dark and deadly, stared up at the door where his cousin had turned tail and left. Blood pooled over him, running from the deep cuts in both his hands and onto the floor around him. He leant his head back against the desk, dishevelled, tears daring to trickle down his face, as he closed his eyes and tried to remember to breathe. The pain was incredible, and his heart was beating so fast. But worse than all of that was the guilt and shame he felt.
But the lasting words echoed over his head. Why would a Sandman assassin care about his loyalty to Nicolette? Moreover, why would a Rohari spare him? Something was amiss…but before he had opportunity to work it out, Julien’s consciousness slipped from his grasp and the loss of blood saw blackness swim into his vision. He staggered, drunkenly to his feet, forcing himself to the corridor, where he fell and was unable to get up….at the mercy of those who kept watch from the heavens.
~~
OPEN
Before he had time to beckon the person on the other side, the door was pushed open and Julien was confronted with a dark figure.
”Who are you, what do you want?”
The movement of his clothes unshaded a knife strapped to a belt, a display of pure intimidation. He gave a grin, a slow, cat like look about the growing grin and stepped menacingly into the room. Everyone knew Julien didn’t know how to wield a blade, that the boy was as vulnerable as a seed in a field when it came to any sort of physical combat -
The hooded figure stepped forwards, seeming to have no awareness of physical or personal space as he came practically chest to chest with the prince; ”You know, as well as I do, Julien that this isn’t right. That a woman- on the throne- after everything that has come to pass- you know that was the decision of a madman. You’re logical, you’re smart- I know you know, in your heart that this whole situation was a mistake.”
Stepping back Julien felt intimidation creeping over him like dust, and it seemed to make his skin itch and his frame feel heavy. He wet his lips, most cautiously, listening with great care to what the man wanted. Fortunately, he was not kept long before an explanation was offered, but backed up against the desk, Julien felt most cornered and – though he was refusing to admit it- afraid.
”I can’t help you- I have nothing to offer you.”
”Now that’s not true- you have so much to offer, my master would be most interested in hearing more from you. He could make you great, Julien- greater than you already are. No more pencil pushing, in dark rooms. ”
”No. Leave before I call a guard.”
”I had hoped it wouldn’t come to this.”
Julien extended his hand, to insist the figure left. But as a hand was extended he was caught by the wrist and used it to turn his cousin onto his front. Julien was weak, it made him easily overpowered and his face was slammed into the oak of the desk;. As he tried to struggle free he was winded, his assailant quickly brought up his knee –hard. Then, from his belt he took that knife that had been so displayed. It was a pretty thing. It was curved; a blade of the eastern lands and would leave a very particular scar.
”Don’t make me kill you, my master would not want that.” The stranger whispered, leaning over the younger man and letting his breath float into the lad’s ear. ”You’re going to do something for me, Julien – you’re going to leave me little messages to show how loyal you can be- short words on sealed scroll in a particular book in the library- do you understand?”
Julien struggled again and snarled; ”Why would I do that?”
”I’m so glad you asked.” The curved blade he sliced across the palm of his hand. The blood smelt hot and sweet and it trickled down over the papers on the desk. Julien groaned with the effort of not yelling out- he was not a coward, after all. ”Careful, little prince, because accidents happen- to you, to your little sister- perhaps one of those pretty little princesses you hold so dearly…be a good boy and do as your told, it’s the only way you can be sure to protect them.”
”You’re threatening me?”
”Yes. And everything you are trying to protect by continually insisting your loyalty to the Princess Regent.” And for good measure he lay the other hand out, palm up on the desk and cut into it with the curved blade of the sandmen.
Julien was released, and he slumped down the side of the desk to sit.
"Okay."
His eyes, dark and deadly, stared up at the door where his cousin had turned tail and left. Blood pooled over him, running from the deep cuts in both his hands and onto the floor around him. He leant his head back against the desk, dishevelled, tears daring to trickle down his face, as he closed his eyes and tried to remember to breathe. The pain was incredible, and his heart was beating so fast. But worse than all of that was the guilt and shame he felt.
But the lasting words echoed over his head. Why would a Sandman assassin care about his loyalty to Nicolette? Moreover, why would a Rohari spare him? Something was amiss…but before he had opportunity to work it out, Julien’s consciousness slipped from his grasp and the loss of blood saw blackness swim into his vision. He staggered, drunkenly to his feet, forcing himself to the corridor, where he fell and was unable to get up….at the mercy of those who kept watch from the heavens.
~~
OPEN