Regicide

Prologue

In a room hidden within the royal castle, an organization of people were holding a congregation in secret.

"Gentleman I trust you all understand why we have gathered here this evening, and what each and every one of you is risking by doing so."

A murmur swept through the small cluster of figures arranged along the rim of a large table, until it eventually died out. The figure who had spoken waited for a brief moment to allow any intervention, and when nothing more was said, continued on.

"We have before us an ordeal of the most grievous kind. Many, many long months of struggle and suffer lay in wake. Regicide is no farce my friends. The modus operandi is to turn the plant out of its pot, shake away the soil so as to free the roots, and then select as many pieces of the stouter roots as may be required. We require an alternative to eradicate the king without jeopardising our livelihood. My kingdom-" he starts. "Our kingdom is debilitating. Our reigning monarch has done nothing to stop the Lirovians from conquering our land. We need a potentate who can battle against the unbalance.

"What is our Policy, Acheros? What is our aim? Every bloke here is risking everything they stand for to save this kingdom, and in return we receive some old geezer to rule over us? We may very well serve under the reigning king and turn you amongst the royal guard." another man sniped. His appearance was quite frightening, with a permanent snarl frozen onto his face. He had long black hair that was pulled into a queue at the base of his head. His face was war stricken and riddled with scars from previous battles. In response to his words, chaos erupted throughout the crowd. People shouting and arguing.

"Enough!"

Silence fell upon the room. They all turned to look towards their leader. He had a vexed look upon his face, with one of his hands raised above him, while the other clutched a cane whose handle was the shape of a golden eagle. He was blatantly angry, and the other men knew to cross him again would almost be terminal.

"You ask, what is our policy? I can say: It is to wage war, by sea, land and air, with all our might and with all the strength that God can give us; to wage war against a monstrous tyranny. That is our policy. You ask, what is our aim? I can answer in one word: It is victory, victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory, however long and hard the road may be; for without victory, there is no survival. Now, would any brave soldier here like to utilize his contrivance to form an envisage of dismantling our King?" Their leader lectured confidently. He was amongst the older of men. His almost grey eyes looked hollow and empty, all the kindness and hope drained out ages ago. His hair was an ash grey color, with hints of mahogany at the base of his head, hinting to his better days in the world. This man had seen things that no other man could even begin to comprehend. He was broken.

"We require a woman."

Everyone went silent and whipped their heads around to look at who had spoken. It was a younger looking man. He was tall with chestnut hair and emerald eyes. He seemed timid and was looking directly at the stone floor beneath him.

"What did you say, boy?" Acheros questioned with an almost harrowed look. The young man rose from his seat. He bobbed his mouth open and closed like a fish a few times, before finally answering.

"I- I meant we need a woman to kill the king." He said, barely glancing up, before bringing his gaze back to the floor. "We need to abet the king in a way where he allows his guard to be lowered. Women are more than capable of that. Men cannot resist them." he almost whispers, clearly uncomfortable with making his presence apparent to everyone in the room.

The crowd stood silent, for they knew that what he was stating was anything if not veritable. Their leader nodded, "I agree," he said slowly. "We need a woman to seduce the king and when the moment is right assassinate him without hesitation." He surveyed the room and as soon as he laid his eyes on the younger man he made up his mind.

"William, you have one fortnight to find a worthy woman and bring her to Asterin. Offer her as many riches as she desires and do not inform her of anything beyond the business at hand. We don't need her knowing anymore than that."

William's eyes grew wide and he looked as if he may faint. He stumbled backwards and almost fell back into his seat, clutching the armrest until his knuckles turned a pale shade of white.

"B- but Lord Acheros, I would not know where to commence. Surly you can send one of your noblemen to fulfill this endeavor instead," he stutters, his head darting furiously between all the men that would make better candidates than him. He was absolutely shocked even at the idea of receiving such an important assignment. That fate of the kingdom lying in his hands.

"You were the one to evoke this glorified proposal, so it only seems fitting for you to set it to its course." Acheros states. He stares at the rest of the men in the room for a moment before continuing. "You are all to leave this room at once. Do not speak a word of this to anyone or I can avowal that it shall cost you your continuance." He snipes with a hostile tone.

The crowd slowly starts to diminish out of the six doors laid around the room. Each door leading into a different secret passage heading to disparate parts of the citadel.

Each man carefully cloaks their face and vanishes amidst the dark doorways. Acheros heads to leave, but stops suddenly and looks back with a fiendish smile upon his face.

"Oh and William-"

William turns from the doorway he was aiming towards, and looks frightfully into the old man's eyes.

"Make sure this woman knows what she's doing."