The Place Before the Core (Reprise)

Chapter 8: Who Is Slathacus?

Slathacus' POV

"Look what we have here." I said enthusiastically with my armor and helmet on moving up to a hooded figure.

"I have another assignment for you, Slathacus." The hooded figured said in a seductive voice.

"It's been a long time since you last assignment."

"Yes it has, and a lot has changed now."

"So who do you want me to kill?"

"Well, I want you apprehend someone for me."

"Aw, no killing?"

"Only if needed. I would pay more if she is brought to me alive but dead would be fine to. For a lesser pay of course."

"Why do you want this one?"

"For private reasons. She looks exactly like me but with blonde hair instead of red. Her name is Justalyne. She's coming from the kingdom of Celvia" The hooded figure removed her hood to reveal the High Empress, Alys.

"Okay then. And why are you here in the icy kingdom of Kristmus?"

"A major plot consulting with the King and the Queen."

"Ooh sounds fun." I began to walk out as snow fell from above leaving an aberrant mist.

"Don't fail me... Slashara." Alys called after me.

"Don't call me that. You know its Slathacus now." I stepped away and headed out of the kingdom.

*

I walk in the forest that leads to the desert just before Celvia. She will have to come through here. I wonder how long it will take for her to come and what is so special about her. Alys seemed so serious about her, even more than our talk about for the High Emperor assassination plan. Also, why would she have such a skilled, handsome, and notorious assassin, such as myself, do such a simple task.

I touched on my left upper arm to feel my hydra armband. It was also my primary weapon, a whip. It slithers down my arm when I need and it extends up to twenty-five feet. Pretty dandy in a crunch. I also carry two swords that are a last resort type of thing. I began to here a rumbling ahead of me and I stayed put as three knights, on horses, came up to me.

"Move, peasant! We don't have time for you!" One of the knights shouted.

They must have come from Celvia "I am no peasant. Do you know who Justalyne is?"

"The one who won the tournament, aye. Now move your arise before we do it for ye." The same knight spoke.

My hydra began to move down my arm, "I don't want any trouble. Just tell me what you know about her."

"We don't have time for this!" Two of the chivalrous men dismounted their steeds "Oh I don't think you ought to do that."

One of the men pulled out his long sword and was ready to charge me. My hydra was now sliding into my hand as the guys got ready. I cracked the hydra to one of the men and my little friend snipped on to the guys exposed neck. He screamed in pain as the hydra latched on. I pulled the whip to the side and crashed the guy into the other guy.

"Wait, it's you!" Said the one still mounted on his horse.

"Finally! Who else would it be?" I hollered back heading for the two grounded men.

One began to get up as I rushed towards them. I jumped onto the guys shoulders and snapped the guy's neck. The other one was still on his back. I pounced off of this knight and landed, feet first, into the gut of the guy on the ground. His legs and his upper body flew up simultaneously and then he went limp. I removed myself from him and moved over to the one mounted. He had a priceless look of shook written all over his face.