Don't Fear The Reaper *Izana x OC x OC* (COMPLETE)

Making Plans

Izana-

Life here at the castle has grown rather stale. It's the same routine over and over, a nonstop onslaught of meeting after meeting, mountains of paperwork, and acting like I truly care about whether or not a man builds his house on a hill or not. There's no way out of it either. I've already traveled the world, though that was for matters of the crown as well, and I have no time to even consider trying to find a potential future bride. That hasn't held much interest to me even before the boredom set in. All the women I've ever met that fit the needed criteria are rather daft and superficial or so intelligent and nice that they drove me crazy. I can't just give up the crown, it's a lifelong commitment where my only way out is to die so my little brother Zen can take over. That is a thought that is increasingly entering my mind. I have nothing left that interests me anyway so my only regret would be not seeing how my brother grows and turns out. I think he'd be alright with me gone though. Zen has created a tight bond with his attendants, some miscreant that he took in, and that redheaded commoner girl he's fallen in love with.

I set aside a stack of papers I'm supposed to be reading over for a meeting later in the week and take a small leatherbound book from my desk drawer. I'd been researching something in secret through books and my own travels. There is a person known only as Reaper that assassinates people. From what I've gathered though, it's not the same person over time. Some people I have spoken to have reported glimpses of the Reaper but with different heights and builds, some even had peeks of hair colors or eyes. But it seems common that one Reaper is only seen at a time, then they disappear and the next sighting is a different one. I'm not sure the system surrounding it, like who gets to take on the role and where these people have come from, but I want to know more. I'm not even sure how their targets are decided. At one point I thought it random, but I've since discovered slight patterns among the different Reapers. I've done what I can to piece together assassinations and their time frames, but thankfully they seemed to all leave a bit of a calling card to mark their hits. Heads are mostly removed and a small X is scratched onto the back of the victim's left hand.

A new reaper has emerged this year based off my research. The killings are still happening, but at a much higher frequency and with a higher skill level. No one has seen this one, not even a glimpse of them, but the calling card is the same. The new Reaper seems to be taking on more high profile targets as well, including a few nobles from Beayar in the past month and one of the Lords in Tanbarun last week. If they follow the trend, there is a chance that this Reaper may come for me. While it would be painful, as I'm certain all deaths are, I feel like this would be my greatest way of escape. If I took matters into my own hands, that would only leave Zen with unanswered questions of why. If I tried to leave a note with my reasoning, I'm not sure I could get the words out in a way he would understand. Besides, while I am skilled with a sword, I have no idea how I'd do it successfully. I'd rather not fail and then have to explain to my brother what I'd done. It's all a mess unless I can have it taken care of for me without me knowing that it's coming.

I tuck the book back into it's hiding spot as a knock sounds at the door. Zen enters with his attendants and they settle against the walls by the doors while Zen takes a seat. We'd been discussing going to Tanbarun to meet with Prince Raji. After the death of Lord Eagan, Prince Raji sent a messenger wanting to meet to discuss precautionary measures between our kingdoms. I don't see the point since there's not much to go on concerning the Reapers. I'm sure Raji is just scared out of his mind and thinks having us there will protect him. My goal is to convince Zen to go alone and I can get some peace. Prince Raji gives me headaches... Unending headaches. He's a rather foolish leader with a lot to learn about caring for a kingdom, but the reluctant friendship with my brother seems to be doing something to help him. If he doesn't straighten up soon, once he actually rules over Tanbarun our alliance will look like a joke. I tune back in to my brother's words and sigh as he mentions not wanting to deal with Raji as well.

"As annoying as that boy is, both of you will stand to become rulers of the kingdoms. We need someone worth being allied with. If that means we sadly have to babysit Prince Raji and gently mold him into a worthy ally, then so be it. You're closer to his age so I feel you can better tolerate him and he is more likely to follow your lead."

"Shouldn't we be allied with him based off his own ability, not us influencing him?" Zen asks and I can't help but to hear his attendants stifling their laughter behind him.

"I'm sure even your attendants would agree that Raji Shenazard barely has the ability to dress himself, let alone ruling over people." He sighs and I hide a smirk behind my hand as I lean forward to prop my head up with my arm. "You don't have to stay there too long, just spend a few days to ease his fears and straighten him up a little, then you can come home."

"It won't be soon enough... I will take Mitsuhide and Kiki with me, but I will leave Obi behind to watch over the grounds. I don't doubt the abilities of our guards and The Points, but he sees more and reacts quicker than they could."

"Are you sure you don't want to take him with you?"