The Assassin of Ithildrien

"I'll kill him." The Prince growled.

  Standing atop the parapet, a long sword in his hand, he scanned the courtyard of Castle Ithildrien, using his keen eyes to spot the intruder.

  "There, my lord! He's headed towards the gatehouse!" One of the sentries shouted, pointing to a dark figure illuminated by the moon, sprinting towards his only escape.

   "Close the gates!" shouted the Prince.

   "Yes, Prince Luke." The same sentry repeated the order, cupping his mouth with one hand, and gesturing wildly with the other.

  "Don't let him escape!" Luke called, as he sprinted across the ramparts, beckoning the archers to shoot the assailant as he neared the stairway that descended to the courtyard's stone surface. Arrows flew above him, most hitting the stone of the battlements, bouncing off and hitting the ground, while others were lodged in the cracks of the walls.

  Adrenaline flowed through the young man's veins, his brown hair matted with sweat and blood as he neared the figure.

  The gates were successfully closed, a couple of arrows had hit their mark, but the culprit was strong. He fought skillfully, his attacks quick and agile, even with two arrows embedded in his vulnerable flesh. 

   He wore no armor. No protection, which didn't surprise the Prince, for if you were to invade Castle Ithildrien, you would travel light, and swift. This man did just that.

   Luke's feet finally hit the surface of the courtyard, and he charged towards the figure, his sword at the ready when he met the man with a loud CLANG!

   His knights backed away, ready to help the Prince if needed.

   Luke steadied his breathing, studying his opponent, as they both eyed each other with a fearsome glare. Their swords still crossed, he realized the man was taller than he expected. Leaner, and less brawny, a cowled cloak covering his stubbled face...

  "What's wrong your Highness?" sneered a baritone voice, that could only have come from the stranger, "Too weak to kill a man?"

  Luke glared, his silver eyes flashing dangerously. "You wish, bastard." He quickly cleaved his sword to the right, only to have his opponent deflect it with ease.

  The figure smile, white teeth gleaming in the moonlight. "You have much skill for a spoiled brat."

  The Prince grasped the man's arm, twisting it at an unnatural angle, emanating a grunt of pain, then a... laugh. "So the rumors are true. Shocking, that a Prince should know how to fight. How to protect his royal hide." The assailant kicked Luke in the gut, then slashed a deep gash across the young man's cheek with his sword, allowing the release of his arm.

  Wincing, the Prince proceeded into his battle stance, blood dripping down his handsome face. "Who are you?"

  "Ah, yes. Introductions." The man grinned, "I forgot about that. You'll have to forgive me, my Lord." He bowed mockingly, "And, you'll also have to forgive me for killing you." He jabbed with the blade, but once again, it was deflected.

  "It will take much more than a commoner to defeat me." Luke hissed, "But, it seems to me that you are much more than an ordinary peasant."

  "You're smarter than you look." The man replied, side-cutting, but blocked once more by the skilled Prince's blade.

  "And you're much stronger than you look." retorted Luke, jabbing and sweeping in quick combinations, all deflected and blocked.

  They were a perfect match.