The Stormbringer (Starlight #1) - Kim Taehyung/ BTS Fanfic (#SerendipityAwards)

5

                              Neva

“What kind of a name is Zephryn Andonis?” I rolled my eyes at Helia who was in the midst of briefing us regarding the essentials of our infiltration. 

We were seated in her spacious cabin, a plush sofa pushed against the far side of the wall adjacent to her neatly organized desk. Two cushioned twin chairs were placed before it, currently occupied by Jimin and me.

We had been summoned to discuss the details, our departure set for the next day. The past month had been packed with rigorous training and my muscles ached from the pressure of constantly shooting arrows for six days straight. Without a break.

We had also studied the schematics of Westerra, the layout of the palace provided by our most competent scouts and all emergency exits should the need ever arise as well as information on the members of the royal family and their closest associates.

Helia had informed us that we would be assuming disguises to appear unsuspicious. And that required false names.

Zephryn and Xander Andonis, siblings from Carresse, a trade city in Lyceran. Carresse was reputed to harbor some of the best artillery and fighters and Jimin and I would be masquerading as trainers applying for positions within the troupe commissioned to showcase hunting and fighting techniques as one of the highlights of the Solstice entertainment. A perfect job for us. Helia believed that with our skills and abilities, we would fit right in.

“The kind of name that doesn’t give away your identity.” she murmured as if it was the simplest thing in the world, not looking up from the chart she was studying intently. The sarcasm wasn’t lost on me. I felt Jimin swallow a laugh and glared at him. His hair was now a plain black which enhanced his skin tone and brightened his crinkled eyes. In my opinion, he looked hotter than he ever had.

“Well, it’s not that bad if you ask me,” he chimed sweetly, “It could’ve been worse.”

“You’re only saying that because you got a decent name. I don’t imagine you would be smiling with glee if it was something like Bartholomew.” I said stiffly. Jimin simply stuck his tongue out at me. “What’s in a name Zephryn?” he said, drawing the syllables out.

I was about to smack him when Helia looked up sharply. “That’s enough goofing around you two.” she said coldly, a distant look in her eyes.

Helia had been remote these past few weeks, even more so than usual. I had no doubts that it had something to do with our current mission. I was itching to ask her but couldn’t work up the courage.

“Do you think this’ll work though?” I asked instead, my thumbs twiddling with uncertainty. Though it was impossible to vouch for every Lyceranian citizen, there was always a chance that someone might discover that our identities were a sham. “I hear that the Captain of the King’s Guard is particularly alert.”

“He won’t be, not when he isn’t expecting any danger.” Jimin piped up.

I looked at him questioningly while he simply shrugged. “I did some research on him. Apparently, he’s the laziest of them all. Makes you wonder how he managed to become the Captain. All we need to do is steer clear and fool him into falling for our story. Once he does, he’ll crawl back under his blankets and ignore us.”

“Jimin’s right. If you can dupe him, then you can dupe all of them,” Helia added, but her face creased into a frown. “though the Crown Prince isn’t exactly a fool either.”

I waved away her concerns. “It doesn’t matter what he is and isn’t. He’ll be dead soon anyway.”

“He better be. Everything is riding on the success of this mission.” she said, though she seemed far away. Something was definitely up.