Secrets of the Crown Assassins

20

XAVIER

The Court meeting began.

The Upper Court members sat on the right or left, depending on their Assassin class, still dressed in black. The Crowns sat on their respective thrones, each in official gold and blue, the crowns on their heads standing high. Arielle and I stood next to our fathers, taking our place as the Crown Heirs. As the only Royal Assassin, Damien sat on the steps between the two thrones.

There was a resounding silence until Edsel spoke up. "The Ravens have been slowly building their forces over the past few years. It wasn't until lately that they've actively lashed out and became a threat, first murdering our children and now our Queen. They must not get away without any consequences. They must be dealt with and serve as an example for all others.

"We will begin strategizing, effective and immediately," my father began until a Court member belonging to the Unassailables stood.

"Your Supremacy, may I speak?" she asked.

Father nodded, telling her to continue.

"A pillar of our government was murdered and another has fallen. It is clear that we must act and we must do it immediately. However, they were also dear members of your family. If it doesn't offend you, Your Supremacies, I believe it would be in all of our best interests to allow for someone else to lead the charge against the Ravens as you grieve so that we may retaliate effectively."

And there it was. The first power grab. If we give a Court member the ability to lead the charge, it would send the message that we are indeed weak and cannot handle the weight which comes with ruling. How foolish does she think we are?

Another Court member stood, no doubt ready to defend us in an attempt to win our favor, but Arielle stepped forward first.

"Have you seen the news today?" Arielle asked, posing the question as more of a threat.

The Court member bowed her head. "Yes, Your Majesty."

"So you've seen the dead bodies in Chicago?"

"Indeed, I have, Your Majesty."

"And what did you think of it?" Arielle asked. "Did you note the way the Streeters cowered away? Did you watch the blood spill down the winding road and covering the hill? Did you see the massacre and think of how it was more than you'd done these past few days when you moped around our palace and gave your deepest condolences?"

The insult wasn't quite as veiled as those typically used in the Court, but it had the intended effect.

"I apologize for my poor counsel, Your Majesty and Your Supremacies." The Court member bowed and sat back down.

"Speaking of inaction," Edsel started, "The Governors of Sector 18, in which Indianapolis resides, have proposed not to punish the city for the attack on the Queen. We relented until now, but I demand answers. Come forth and plead your case."

A Court member from each class stood and descended from the seating box. They hid signs of fear, though one's breathing was longer and raspier than normal. The other clasped his hands behind his back to prevent them from shaking. The two walked to the middle and kneeled in an Assassin salute before standing side by side.

The Crown Fortier raised an eyebrow, signaling them to begin.

The Unassailable Court member spoke, "We believe that it would be unwise to punish the city as a whole for crimes only a select group of people committed."

"Nonsense!" an Unassailable shouted. "Do you wish to appear weak? Or perhaps it isn't just in appearances."

"I am not weak nor do I appear to be!" The Unassailable Governor responded. "I know the people that I speak for and I know what they truly see as strong. If we destroy their city immediately, they will believe that the Assassins are weak and overcompensating to keep a facade of strength."