[PRIVATE] Son of Shadows

The young man quickened his pace as he neared the agreed-upon rendezvous point.

So, the crown of Faywyn finds itself in need of our services again.

His ebony skin and emerald garb unmistakably identified his Ashadi heritage.

Where is this official… my client?

'NO ONE expects the Spanish Inquisition!'

Inquisitor Vito's voice echoed throughout the dark, empty forest as he stepped out from behind the tree, quickly followed by two more inquisitors. The trio ominously surrounded the young man, trapping him between themselves and a thick wall of trees. If he wanted to escape, his path lied directly through them. Upon the completion of their formation, one of the inquisitors turned towards Vito.

'B-but Sir, doesn't this only work when someone says that they didn't expect this kind of--'
'SILENCE!!!' Inquisitor Vito's loud, screeching voice pierced the air, causing a few birds to flee from their nests. The man in red turned towards the mercenary in front of him, his eyes pointing out that he either tried very hard not to think about what had just occurred, or simply doesn't care. 'Some very peculiar information has been reaching my ears, young man! A little birdie told me that your blade doesn't shy from the blood of anyone, for the right price!'

"Yes, yes, Spanish Inquisition. How very quaint," he replied flatly.

Of course. The loudest one of all.
These conscript fools couldn't stalk a deaf ox.
Their numbers are impressive, but battles and wars are not won with bodies alone.
Thus, we professionals remain in high demand.

"You have heard correctly. There remain few who still hold true to the Ashadi way, but those that do… are a force not to be trifled with.
Fortunately, it appears it is well within your means to bargain for my services," he continued with a sly grin.

"So, what will it be this time, captain of Faywyn? I hear from "little birds" that your princess has been… misplaced. And that you yet seek those responsible for the murder of your king.
Either task will suit, or both, should you prefer."

As Inquisitor Vito heard the mercenary's suggestions, he couldn't help but laugh out loud, his laughter being even more annoying than his voice. He turned his head around to each side, looking towards his fellow inquisitors in order to remind them that they were supposed to laugh as well.

'You think you're so informed, but you're actually failing to see the big picture! How typical for you, common lot! I don't care one bit about who killed king Raiden! But with him dead, the only one left to succeed him at the throne would be his daughter, the princess! A daughter who would, undoubtedly, be so grateful to whoever rescued her that she would marry them immediately and give them the crown on a silver platter! So many fools are out there looking for her already, so why would I want to send another? In fact, it would be in my best interest that the princess is never found, for if she isn't, there would be only one man remaining who can lead this kingdom to prosperity - ME!!! So your task, assassin, is to find the princess...'

Vito reached within his robe and took out a large bag of coins, then threw it at the young man's feet.

'And eliminate her'

The mercenary remained expressionless during this speech, save for a slight grimace at the captain's corruption of Asha'zin.
When the payment was thrown before his feet, he threw his head back and laughed.

What a despicable excuse for a human being.
I should kill them all here and now… but that would be no challenge. No fun. No glorious justice.

Facing the captain again, he simply answered, "Very well."
He reached down and seized the satchel, judging the weight of its contents.
With a frown, he inverted it and emptied the coins onto the ground.

"Inquisitor, you know my price. Do you mean to insult me? This is less than the reward to return the princess alive."

'Well, of course it's less, you imbecile! That's only half of it!' Inquisitor Vito yelled out. 'You think I'm a fool?!? I know your kind, assassin! You'd just take the money and run, or worse, go after my own neck! So this is all you get for now. Once the princess is dead, you can have the rest!'

He gathered the coins back into the sack with a single swoop along the ground.

As if you have any room at all to speak of trustworthiness.

"For a task of this degree?
No, this I will accept as one-fifth deposit.
Indubitably, this expense will be negligible in the scope of what you stand to gain."
He turned and made to step past the other two.

"I will contact you when the deed is done.
I suggest you ready my full payment."

'One-fifth?!? Are you out of your mind?!?' the Inquisitor moaned, but gritted his teeth as soon as he realized that arguing was useless. 'For that price, I also expect you to eliminate any witnesses! No one outside of the Spanish Inquisition must be able to connect you to me! Got it?'

"Witnesses?"
He grinned, a malevolent fire flickering in his deep amber eyes.
"Your wit is sharp indeed, Inquisitor. But take care, for some might not take such jests in kind.

"Furthermore, if that is your concern, it would seem you have just created a pair of witnesses."
Does a man so easily corrupted by power really expect his subordinates to be any more loyal?

'You don't need to worry about that, assassin!' Inquisitor Vito grinned. 'My fellow Inquisitors stand to gain nothing upon exposing my plan. Without me, they're nothing more than puppets of the crown! But with me... They can be lords!'

"Very well."
He relaxed his grip on the jade-handled dagger at his waist.
"In that case, I take my leave."

He walked past the other two, soon disappearing behind the treeline.

The fastest way to find this princess… will be to find those who also seek her.
Time to track down this motley crew.