You Must Kill the King of Maribah

It wasn't in his nature; in fact, he wasn't one to trust strangers. But against his better judgment, he followed the rich man towards the pathway leading to a quiet and orderly parlor for relaxation and drinks. There was something about the place that made him ponder the life he would have had if the king hadn't killed his father. In that other life, his father would have been one of the most important people in the kingdom of Maribah, and perhaps, he would have enjoyed a beautiful and peaceful existence. 

His teeth gritted in anger as he thought about how his life had fallen apart and how his mother was still married to the man who killed her husband. Even now, she remained in that union, sleeping with the enemy. He had to shut out these dark thoughts when the rich man gestured for him to sit in the private room. His eagerness to understand the man's purpose for rescuing him and wanting to speak to him grew by the minute, but he tried not to appear desperate.

"There's no time so I must go straight to the point and tell you why I saved you from those men before your time runs out?"

"My time? What does that even me?" Elim asked arrogantly. 

"I know you are tough but there are some people you don't want to mess with, especially in a town where you know nobody."

As he listened, Elim wanted to explain that it was never his intention to annoy the man or even sleep with his wife, but he thought better of it, letting the man take control of the conversation.

"That young man is one of the powerful figures in this town. If he decides to make you bleed for whatever you did to him, he will, no matter how tough you are. So, let's make this quick, and you can be on your way soon." The man suddenly paused, casting a cursory glance at the quiet room before speaking in a lower tone.

"I know who you are, no matter how hard you try to hide, and I know the things you've done! Not even your hoods or blank expression can conceal the terrible things you've done," the man asserted.

"What do you mean by that?" Elim blew hot.

"I don't mean it as a threat. I'm just saying I admire all you've done and that I know your history."

"My history?" Elim slammed the table angrily, feeling cornered by the real meaning of the man's words. Something felt off about the man's keen interest in him, and Elim's anger intensified.

The next thing he knew, he had the man by the throat, dragging him to a wall where he pinned him. The man coughed and begged as Elim gripped his fine robes tightly. There was no one there to help him except the owner of the place, who wasn't in the room with them.

"Now, tell me who you are, what you know about me, and why you're here talking to me?" Elim breathed heavily on the man's scared-looking face.

"I mean no harm, Elim, son of Uta..." The man's words caused Elim's grip to loosen slightly, his face displaying a mix of anger and confusion at the mention of his true name.

"How do you know me? Spill it now if you don't want me to harm you. You should know what I'm capable of," Elim warned.

"I do, and that's why I came searching for you. My journey has been quite long, but the last man who recruited you finally led me to you. Please, just hear me out. I am not your enemy, but we have a common enemy that I want you to take down."

Elim slowly released his grip, waiting for the man to reveal the identity of their common foe.

"The king of Maribah is our common enemy, and I want you to end his life."

Elim's hand fell from the man's shoulder, and he stood there, momentarily confused. Someone was asking him to take revenge on the man who killed his father, he should be eager and happy to do it, yet something didn't feel right. Why did rich man come all the way searching for him when there are others who could do it? 

"Did he send you? Tell me! Did he find out I was alive and tell you to trick me into coming to Maribah so he could kill me like he did to my father?" He demanded, shouting with frustration etched on his face.

"No, he has no idea that you're still alive. I don't think many do, but I've heard tales about you, like a few have. Since I was thrown out of Maribah, I've been searching for you. And I know about the burning hatred you have for that wicked king."

"Why do you want him killed then? What has he done to you? And why have you chosen me to do it?"

"He took away everything I had because of a minor disagreement and made me a laughing stock in the kingdom of Maribah. I had to start all over again in a different place, but I want him to pay for what he did to me. I must do this for my poor daughter who deserves justice for what was done against her. Look, I am truly not your enemy. I am hiring you to do what you've always wanted to do! Kill the king of Maribah and set your father's soul free! It will be an honorable thing to do."

The man's words ignited a desire in Elim's heart to take matters into his own hands and seek justice quickly, but he knew he had to be cautious. He could never fully trust anyone from Maribah.

"Do you know how much it would cost to travel all the way to Maribah to kill a king? Do you have that kind of money to pay me for that?" Elim questioned, hoping to make the man reconsider the decision to assassinate the king.

"I have that and more money for anything you need during this tough mission. But you promise if anything goes wrong that you will never reveal who sent you on this mission."

"Why? Do you still have ties to the people of Maribah or the king?"

"Yes, a part of my family is there. And if the king finds out I have a hand in plotting his death, he will have them killed."

"You have nothing to worry about. I don't leave any job unfinished," Elim assured, fueled by the desire to get the job done.

"Good, then you must leave now before the man after comes with his men. I'm sure he wasn't giving an empty threat when he said he's giving some hours to leave!"

Elim stood angrily, ready to depart even without receiving his remaining payment. He regretted ever getting involved with that woman. Now, he had to make his way out of the village before more trouble came looking for him.

But as he strolled to where he had tied his horse, the afternoon sun slowly dimming, he had no idea that someone was watching, waiting for the moment they would attack him again when he least expected it. His entire focus was on finding the man who had recruited him to get his money and flee from the village, never to return again.