The clearing was quiet now. Every last one of the fake assassins was now lying on the ground, their eyes glazed over. The silence was even more eerie than before. Although this could technically be labeled as self defense, it still didn't make me feel any better. With the solem looks on my comrades faces, I could tell I wasn't alone in feeling this way. This on going investigation was not only wearing out myself and my people, but it was involving others who could not defend themselves. What exactly where they planning using these simple people?           I crouched near a still body, carefully examining the wounds on his chest from where I had stabbed him earlier. It was still gushing out despite having been dead for ten minutes now. I carefully wrapped my hands around the rough black cloth covering his mouth and pulled it down. My heart sank even deeper, looking upon the face of a boy no more than 14 years old. H

           I turned my head in the direction of Marquise's voice. There was a slight hint of anger in his tone as he grabbed my attention. His body was stiff and his eyes where narrowed in disgust.  Michael looked as pale as a ghost next to him. I could see he was slightly trembling, but I couldn't tell if it was from anger, or distress. It was clear that what ever they found disturbing, and I could only think it was from Jeremiah's body. Which I wasn't far off.              Dragging between them was a very limp and raggedy looking Jeremiah. His once long blonde hair was now matted and caked with mud and blood. The way his body dragged stiffly in between, made me think he had been dead for awhile. Probably even before that letter was sent to us. They dropped him carefully face down in the dirt, blood caked all over his body. My stomach churned at the state of my scout, feeling sorry that he had bee

             Despite how dangerous this situation is, I didn't feel uneasy staring at the large stone walls. Although with how dense and fortified it was, it really seemed like they where trying to keep the people of Stratheom in rather than out. On top of the walls there was large metal rods. Each rod had a ring of spikes protruding from each rod, making a large wall of pointed metal. Thick green and slick vines grew up the wall. Cracks made their way up the wall in scattered rivlets, making it look old and unkept.             The large wrought iron gate creaked loudly as the wind slightly pushed it back and forth. Almost like a loud mournful screech that bounced off the walls and ripped through the air. You could even say it sounded like a helpless abandoned and wounded animal every time it slightly shifted. The door it self was so rusted, it was more orange in color, than it was black. The

           Fingers threaded through my hair as I slowly let my eyes drift open. I was met with two bright golden eyes, so full of sorrow and worry. They shifted slowly back and forth as they looked down upon me. Nicklos had two very dark bags under his eyes. A wry smile formed on his lips as I quietly stared up at him, to tired to form words. He continued to run his fingers gently through my hair as I mustered the strength to greet him.           I glanced around the room, wondering how it matched up with the rest of the inn that we resided in. To my utter surprise, it was smaller than the grand lobby we entered in. There was enough room for one long table, completely filled with herbs and jars of ground plants. Two chairs, one resting next to the table, and the other sat next to the door. Then a metal table which I was sitting upon. Multiple plants hung upside down, tied with a thin twine to keep them

           "You can't make decisions for two people. Respectfully, Nicklos and Alliah are both adults who can make their own choices. You can't force one person to make a decision when the other might not even agree." Marquise angrilly slammed his fist on the table. I was taken aback by his reaction. This wouldn't effect him in anyway, so why would he intervene on my behalf?             Tucks sat quietly, eyeing him up and down. His face remained nuetral so it was hard to tell if he was angry or not. Even though I inwardly agreed with what he said, he still couldn't speak to a member of the royal family like this. It was ground for execution and I really didn't want to lose another member of my military. Gritting my teeth, I stared down at the table. Sorry Marquise, this wasn't your battle to fight.             "Marquise, I appreciate your eff