FARHAYVEN: VENGEANCE by S. K. Ng

gentleman.
     
         King Fangstrike stared at his guest with the greatest contempt.
         “I’ll do no such thing ! Besides, what makes you think that I need you to take Eastern Falls, Destiny ? ” asked the king.
         “If you could take it by yourself, you would have already done so; would you not ? ” replied the masked figure.
         King Fangstrike turned his face away in a half angry, half embarrassed snarl.
         “You need me ! ” Lord Destiny pointed out.
         “Do I really ? If anyone knew that I’m associated with you, or if they even suspected it, I’d have a full blown mutiny on my hands. Serpentians don’t take kindly to Fallsians, especially traitors ! ” said King Fangstrike.
     
         Lord Destiny shook his head. This action only served to infuriate the king further.
         “Have you forgotten how you got the throne, Fang Patrum ? Have you forgotten that it was my agent who weakened King Deathcoil with poison so that you could kill him in your Trial of Worthiness ? Without my help, you would be dead and Deathcoil would still be king,” reminded Lord Destiny.
         King Fangstrike was silent. It was bitter for him to swallow humble pie. But in his heart, he made a vow to kill Lord Destiny in the most painful manner that he could think of. No one insults him and gets away with it ! Especially not some Fallsian traitor who was delusional.
     
         Lord Destiny savoured his small moment of triumph. Serpentians were always less sophisticated compared to Fallsians, and this very distant relative of the Fallsian king was no different.
         “One of my serpenest will depart at dawn to carry out the raid. Is everything ready on your side ? ” said the king finally.
         “It is. I have engaged a very professional organisation for the job. They have an excellent track record. I doubt they will fail,” said the masked figure.
         “I hope your faith is well placed. Forget not that our target is no commoner. He’ll be well protected ! ” reminded the king.
         “There are contingency plans in place,” assured Lord Destiny.
         “Well, I want this done and over with, the sooner the better. And after that, we’re even. And we’re over ! Do you understand !? I want nothing more to do with you when all this is done, is that clear ? ” said the king.
         “Very clear ! After this, we are over ! ” agreed Lord Destiny.
     
         A dark figure lay hidden beneath one of the windows of the throne room. He was garbed in black clothing, including gloves; and his face was smeared with mud. He has heard as much as he had needed to. The battlelords had stopped talking strategies. They had begun talking about women and sharing dirty jokes with each other. He looked around, and found no Serpentian guard near his vicinity. Gently, he raised his body off the ground and ran in a crouch towards the outer wall of the fortress. His heartbeats were erratic and his breaths were heavy. Anxiety gripped his mind tightly, leaving no room for any thought except one; to escape and live long enough to tell his superiors of what he had heard.
     
        The dark figure made his way through the castle and reached the outer wall. Slowly and silently, he climbed up the stairs to the top of the wall, and then hoisted himself over the parapets and climbed down the other side using a rope that he had prepared. He climbed down the high wall skilfully. As he reached the ground, he felt slightly relieved. So far, his escape plan was going well.
     
         Suddenly, he lets out a soft moan as a sharp pain in his back takes him by surprise. He falls onto one knee. Instantly, the feeling of dread consumes him. Crimson blood flows along the black clothing and drips onto the grassy Serpentian ground. He begins coughing, and blood sprays from his mouth as he does so. He reaches toward his back, feeling for the arrow shaft to confirm his suspicion. He