Assassination

Kirigan's POV

I sat in my study in the grand palace, surrounded by scrolls to read. Since Jane wanted me to learn new things I would do so. 

It was strange but I could slowly feel the knowledge making me stronger. At least I could see myself getting better by the second. Or was it my mind playing tricks on me?

The soft glow of candlelight illuminated the room as I dived into the pages of knowledge. 

The peace was shattered as I felt a presence lurking in the shadows of the hallways outside.

I tried to ignore it but the torches in the hallways strew a shadow my way. Someone was there.

Closing my book, I rose to my feet, a sense of urgency settling upon me. 

My hand instinctively reached for the hilt of my sword, ready for whatever awaited me. I stepped towards the door, cautious and determined to bring whoever was there down.

My maids or servants would make noise around the palace but this person tried walking around like a thief.

I just hoped these were not thieves or rogues for they were going to have a bad night for ruining my pursuit for knowledge.

As I cautiously peered outside, my eyes caught a glimpse of a figure lunging towards me, a deadly blade ready for a strike. 

Reacting with lightning speed, I raised my sword, the clash of steel sounding through the hallway. 

My armor absorbed the blow, the impact vibrating through my body. 

In one swift motion, I retaliated, my blade slicing through my attacker's defenses, blood spraying across the walls as the man slumped to the ground with a thud.

That was quick. 

From his earlier blow that I had felt he seemed trained, but now he was dead not so much.

Looking at him, I found his face to be a stranger's own. He was not from my kingdom. 

I didn't know everyone but I definitely could tell from the tattoos on his face that he was not from my kingdom.

The battle was far from over. Another assailant, emboldened by the chaos, leapt forward, attempting to catch me off guard. But I was prepared. 

With a quick sidestep, I evaded the attack and struck back with lethal strikes. My sword found its mark on his neck, slicing through with ease, and the intruder fell lifeless to the ground.

I slowly watched him bleed and struggle to breathe before giving up the ghost.

He had the same tattoos as the last guy. Were these assassins?

Amidst the chaos, my senses sharpened. I detected movement, a faint sound of footsteps climbing towards the upper floors. 

A surge of rage and protectiveness coursed through me as I realized the intruder was heading towards Jane's room.

This was an assaisnation attempt. I had to stop it.

Without hesitation, I sprinted towards the balcony, my sword glinting in the moonlight. I leaped over the railing, my body soaring through the air, landing with ease. The intruder, caught off guard, turned towards me in shock, but it was too late.

My sword swung through the air with a deadly swipe that sliced through his flesh and bone. 

The intruder's lifeless body crumpled to the ground, the threat taken care of as I stood there for a moment, my chest heaving, eyes filled with anger.

"Okay, who the hell left their post again today!" I yelled for everyone in the palace to be awake.

It wasn't safe for them to be asleep anyway, they needed to be awake.

My guards, alerted by the commotion, rushed into the palace, their expressions filled with confusion when they saw the bloody mess of the three dead men. 

"We heard the ruckus," a soldier said as I rolled my eyes.

"Are you blind?!" I yelled in anger. "Can't you see the dead men lying around? Where were you? I want all men who were to be on duty today brought forward."

But then I noticed that was not a great idea.

"One second thought, join me in searching the palace for any remaining rogue."

They nodded as we searched through the palace.

The hunt was swift, but it yielded no further intruders.

With a heavy heart, I made the decision to double the security in the palace. 

But not without asking for the men on duty for the night.

They were lined before me as I walked past them to look into their eyes.

"The intruders tried to kill your prince," I said. "Anything to say for yourselves?"

They all kept quiet as I sighed before walking away from them.

I was determined to get them and I knew they would come again.

I just needed to be ready.

With the new security I got by the morning, the palace became a fortress with guards stationed at every corner, their eyes ever watchful. 

My generals and I strategized, tightening security measures, and strengthening our defenses. But the unease persisted, a lingering doubt that nestled in the darkest corners of my mind.

They would come again. I could feel it.

Late the next night, as I patrolled the palace alone, a whisper of movement caught my attention. 

My senses heightened, and I followed the sound, my heart pounding in my chest. The sound led me to a hidden chamber, concealed behind a painting.

With withdrawn breath, I pushed aside the heavy painting, revealing a secret passage.

So this was how they were getting into the palace I wondered.

I could easily call for backup but I decided to handle this myself. I had been learning new styles from my general and I could handle myself. My illness would not get the better of me.

I stepped into the darkness, my footsteps echoing through the narrow corridor. The air grew heavy with anticipation as I descended deeper into the belly of the palace.

Finally, I reached a dimly lit chamber, its walls adorned with ancient symbols and old writings.

I could hear muffling sounds as I saw a large sack moving around.