Tales of Avanturia 1

Chapter 27: Royal Plotting

„Fenrock Stormblade, due to your actions before the civil war, you shall now receive your just punishment. You're sentenced for the following crimes;

Murder,

Vandalism,

Disobedience of the law,

Treason of the former High King, Ivoron Whitebeard,

Arson,

Theft,

Blasphemy,

Piracy,

Heresy,

Crimes against the state,

Against the people,

and

against the High King!

Those are but a few of your numerous crimes and yet they are plenty to sentence you to death. Death by decapitation."

The drums started to roll as the executioner walked towards the Blood Rose on this wooden plattform in the middle of the market place in Ravigrad.

Only two weeks ago he was getting drunk and walking around like a free man and now? Now he was facing his crimes. But why would Theon Redmane allow such a thing, after everything he and Fenrock have been through and since Fenrock has been such a crucial part in winning the civil war?

Well, let's turn the clock back a few days...

„We still have almost no money left, thanks to you two drunks." Bella complained.

The three were all sitting in Fenrock's attic, discussing on how to get financially stable again. I mean, who could've known that an airship costs 100 platin coins (10000 gold coins)?

„Come on, we didn't tell them about the second one, that's still lying somewhere in the mountains of Lorindir." Brynjolf replied.

„Better so.. We definitely couldn't have afforded that." Bella said.

Just then Lucia returned from her walk through the city. Apparently she ran into High King Theon and the two had a little conversation. Lucia told him about financial insecurities, quietly leaving out any details... and Theon made a quite lucrative suggestion.

„Fenny has to get sentenced for his crimes!"

„...What are you talking about?" Fenrock asked.

„Your pre-war actions." Lucia explained.

„I thought, he dropped those charges so I could start anew?"

„Yes, yes, but listen! It's all a decoy for an assassination. He told us, that he found out some shifty details about his main executioner and wanted him gone. He's been involved into business with the Dark Ministry and is seen as too dangerous to get jailed."

„Fair enough, I've messed with the Ministry before." Brynjolf commented.

„Indeed, I was there.. Anyway, what's the plan exactly?"

„He said, we should discuss all that with him directly. He awaits us at the palace." Lucia replied.

And that's what happened. The four Blood Roses made their way through the city towards the royal palace in the north of the city.

It was a calm and sunny day, which also reflected in the mood of the people. They quickly reached the royal palace.

„His highness is already awaiting you, please follow me." A man in black and gold ornate clothes was leading them to the conference room, where Theon already awaited them.

„Ah, the four Blood Roses, you're making quite a name for yourselves, as I heard!" he said.

„I guess so." Fenrock replied, „It's an honour, that the High King of Avanturia knows about us."

„How often do I have to tell you, Fenny, spare the formalities! You don't talk to your friends like that!" Theon said laughing.

„Fenny?" he repeated, „From where did you-"

Theon pointed at Lucia, who just stood there, grinning innocently, „Oh, right."

„Anyway, let's get to business, I suppose lady Florentin here already told you about my offer?"

„Indeed, though I don't particularly get, what this has to do with my pre-war actions." Fenrock confirmed.

„It's the best way to strike to action. You see, there is this executioner that has been acting up. I've heard terrible things about him, for example being involved into business with the Dark Ministry. He is too dangerous and has to go. In short, we set up your trial, your execution and the four of you kill him."

And that's basically how Fenrock ended up in this position.

So as the executioner walked up to him, the drums got more intense and the crowd of people, that were there, didn't quite know, what to think of this.

„Say your last prayer, demon." the executioner said as he presented his weapon.

„This is definitely not going as planned..!" Fenrock hissed to himself, „Where the hell are they?!"

Fenrock did his best to act the part, looking frightened and in despair. He got stripped of all his weapons before and was only wearing his boots, his pants and his shirt.

He got pushed on his knees his head placed on a stone.

And the drums got louder and quicker and louder and quicker...

„Your highness, we've managed to capture three intruders, that threatened to disturb the execution," he heard a guard saying to Theon.

„Good, um, have them locked up somewhere." He sounded very nervous.

„You've got to be kidding me..!" Fenrock hissed.

And the axe fell down towards his neck...

BOOM!

A loud gun shot roared through the air, silencing everything for a short moment before the scene broke out in screaming and the rustling of armour.

Fenrock got up, felt his shackles losening by Brynjolf, „Took you long enough." he said.

„Well, everything went as planned, so don't complain." the gambler said.

Lucia handed him his vest, then his coat and lastly his baldric with his sword, as they walked away from the plattform, while Theon tried to calm the situation, „Whoa, your sword is really heavy.. Isn't that just ineffective?"

„Nah, I've always prefered heavier weapons. Just gives me more control and handling over the velocity and the impact." Fenrock explained, „Anyway, where's Bella? Gotta give her probs for that shot. I didn't know, she could handle rifles like that!"

„I think, she's making a go for herself." Brynjolf replied, „I just hope, that his majesty can defuse this situation."

„He's the god damn High King, I think, he won't have any problems."

About an hour later, the four met up with the king again to receive their reward – 100 gold coins each, doesn't that sound delightful!

Anyway, what they didn't know was, that in the shadows many eyes were watching every stop they made, from day to day more attent..

„My lord, it seems as though our three acolytes sent to rescue our brother were caught. Their mission was a failure."

„*sigh* I had a feeling, it was a bad idea sending rookies on a rescue mission of such high level. I suppose those Blood Roses are a force to be reckoned with... Make sure that they receive a final warning, never to cross the Dark Ministry ever again..."