Various youtube playlist writings: The Guard Series

Guard Series III: Slaying the Monarch

"Wait, that's the signal? Are you nuts?" I propped up my new helmet, getting a good look at my friend. The moon shone brightly above the starry sky and thick foliage, its radiance adding a bit of consolation for the dreaded ballroom night patrol we had been up to.
"It wasn't my idea for once, brother. Give me a break, will you?" He spoke to me, false exhaustion in his voice, almost comical.
"Fine, fine." We looked up at the moon once again, sitting on the ground and lowering our weapons, placing them close by as our helmets came off.
"So, I'm taking your word on this. Furthermore, I'm getting a crumb or two of the treasury and you can't stop me. I'll even get a bit for you, we could retire together if that interests you." His chuckles were the only response to such a proposition. Perhaps a bad thing more than good.
"The general's headed there first. She'd kill you herself if she saw." His laughter subsided as I cursed under my breath.
"I suppose I might not be able to retire, then." Shaking my head, I felt him, a hand on my shoulder.

"You might not need to do that. The general's rather charitable and you've shown a fair bit of martial competence in training. She might just be merciful enough to give us a better spot." His suggestion admittedly lit up my face, and beaming a bit, I replied. "Well, then we might finally get some damn respect around this gold-plated shithole, won't we brother?" Hearing that laugh from him once more, he placed a plated hand on my back this time, patting the unarmored area in agreement.
"Someone'll have to deal with the queen's fell spawn. That'll be you. The prince is all yours to take care of, provided your posts align." Those words resonated with me, throughout the night, even as we fell to silence over the tranquil night patrol.

The days flowed past, the usual dreary conditions appearing to weigh upon no-one. That was, until the day would come that my post shifted.

The night called to us all, a mere two days after that fateful discussion.

The Prince... what was his name? In all my years of service I had but forgotten his name, the stupid boy. Stuck up and annoying, just like his parents, with none of the grace of his mother, nor the sagely appeasement of his father. Stationed outside of his chambers, I awaited the signal-- the light ringing of a hand-bell, and I stood at attention in the mean time, carefully gripping my spear in a bizarre anticipation. For a moment I wondered if anyone else was even in on this plan, though all that doubt subsided as the general herself walked past. In my brief saluting, I noticed a small bell in her hand, perhaps the one that would give the signal, and watched as she gave me a knowing gaze.

"Hail, General." I said quietly, not garnering a single response from her vehement countenance.

The jingling of a bell soon came from the lower level of the palace, the night quiet enough that I could hear it. Letting out a long-held sigh, I entered the chamber unsolicited.
"Your highness, are you alright?" I looked at his green eyes one last time, his messy brown hair, and lithe, athletic frame. A rapier at his side. Perhaps he would not draw it, had I remained steady and calm in my demeanor.

"Yes, guard." He said to me, his brow curling in an almost angry expression. "You may leave at once, I will call you when I need you." 

Stepping forward and closing the door behind me, my expression did not change; a dead tone in my voice, and a grim countenance. "That won't be necessary."
As screaming and fighting could be heard from the lower levels, I watched as the prince drew his rapier, and in his action, I stepped forward once more, lunging toward him as my spear found purchase deep in his chest. Watching as the force took him off his feet and slammed him into the wall, the noise of his blade clattering to the ground overshadowed his own cries of pain.

'I ended a man's life in five seconds.' My patrol-mate had said. And now, I had as well. 'I felt for that man I killed.' He said as well, and now, so did I. 'The aristocracy could end thousands in just as timely a manner.' He was right. The prince's cries of pain were silenced as I ripped my spear from his chest, and watching as he fell to the ground with a final heaving breath, I plunged the point into his side, making sure he did not move an inch. The sight was visceral, and perhaps my stomach would've turned at the thought had my brother in arms not told me of the threats this boy posed. Walking out of the room and looking at my bloody spearpoint, I walked down the staircase without a second thought.

"This had better be worth it."