Armor of Deceit

Chapter 2

We both know what that meant; I'm finally being sent off for my quest, the one we've both been dreading. I take a deep breath and feel hot tears streaming down my cheeks. I open my eyes and look at Jarin one more time, nodding with affirmation.

"Farewell, my good warrior," he kisses my tear stained cheeks, making me weak. I am no warrior, I'm a murderer. But then again, this wasn't my choice, it's my life.

"Likewise, goodman," I barely manage to say. I regain my strength and stand up straight, I make my way back to the training area without daring to look back. I immediately regret leaving him with a pathetic farewell, but emotions are the most dangerous things that I cannot let distract me from my quests, I've learned that the hard way.

Because of my foolish fears, my mother's life was taken by the hands of the Farraday kingdom in a battle. I was still young and too afraid to fight by my mother's side. I could've been there, I could've saved her. Now, I've learned that there is really nothing to fear, but fear itself.

When the table of rusted equipment comes into view, I lay my long bow beside the other weapons and unlatch my empty quiver from my back.

I walk towards the embrasure, where my arrows are still pinpointed to the metal. One by one, I pull them out carefully, revealing the image on the metal slab. I take my Robin Hood arrows out last, and I glare at the now destroyed image, the Crest of Farraday.

~~~

The soldiers bow and open the gates to the castle of Cedarwood, leading me to King Daniel. I nod at the them and continue to make my way up the grand staircase that seem to glitter, screaming for attention. I adjust my newly restocked quiver, trying to ignore the unsettling feeling in my stomach.

Another set of doors are opened for me and I enter the lavish throne room where King Daniel is seated upon a large, golden chair. I look around the room in awe, pure white pillars stretch up high and the marble floor shines from the sunlight flowing through the large stained glass windows.

"Your majesty," I bow down courteously. I would be pleased to be here, if only it were under other circumstances. He dismisses his stiff soldiers before turning to me,"Lady Arabella Revière, I suppose you know why you are here."

I nod,"Yes, your majesty." What other reason would I be here for? I work as a secret assassin for the king, I'm never allowed to leave the castle without his consent. Nobody knows that I am the reason for the mysterious demises.

Nobody knows me at all.

"Very good, you will start your journey to The Kingdom of Farraday at dawn," I start to answer him when I realize that he isn't finished yet. He calls for a soldier named Gavin, who appears in a blink of an eye. I stand and wait in anticipation as he whispers to the soldier.

Gavin then turns to leave the room. I wipe my sweating palms on my leggings, counting down the time I stay waiting, 2 minutes and 13 seconds. The soldier comes back as fast as he left, but now he is carrying what looks like an Excalibur sword. This perks up my attention.

He hands it to the king, who admires the design. It is a little rusty yet it still looked majestic, the shine of the gold doesn't dim and the design is breathtakingly beautiful, I can tell it is ancient and carefully crafted.

"Please, come hither," His booming voice resonates in the great room and I hesitantly step forward, kneeling when I am at a respectful distance. King Daniel stands up from his throne and softly lays the sword upon my right shoulder.

He speaks in an ancient language, the words spilling like wine, strong and captivating. I strain my ears and try to decipher the language, but it's unidentifiable. Then he lifts the swords and does the same thing on my left shoulder.

After a minute, I feel the sword's weight lift off of my shoulder again and he gestures for me to stand. He outstretches the sword to me and I look at it in wonder as I take it from him. The moment my hand comes in contact with the sword, a surge of adrenaline runs through my body. Magic, it has to be.

"Take good care of this sword, for you will discover the extreme powers of it in a matter of time," I grip the menacing weapon, wondering what kind of powers it held. Before I could question the king, he sits back down on his throne and dismisses me,"Go forth, and put an end to Farraday's beloved King."