Returning back to King Hydale took the assassin two weeks on foot. Carrying a bag smothered in dark red smudges. The smell of death following close behind. A tall broad shouldered guard in full metal armour greeted her at the castle's gates. His sword pointed at the girls heart ready to pierce it if he thought she was an enemy or threat of his majesty. She lifted her chin, her face covered in dirt,and even though she no longer wore the mask she had used on her mission, the cloak kept her face hidden. He nodded and opened the iron gate granting her entrance. He knew who she was and what she could do if he so much as toke a step closer with his blade in her direction.
She travelled hastly up the many steps, knowing her route to the King's private court room all too well. Pushing open the big white door to the court room she made her way in, following the red carpet laid out in front of her. She stopped just short of three steps leading up to King Hydales throne, empty as always. She dropped her dirty bag and rubbed her shoulder, it had been a while since she had had a good nights sleep and some proper food. Taking in another deep breath she braced her self for the debriefing. As always King Hydale would want the full detail and more. He thrived off the bloody stories that she would tell him of his fallen enemies.
The assassin closed her eyes, listening to the sounds of marching soilders in the yard outside the courts walls, the twittering of birds sat on the windowsill of the back windows and the nearing steps of boots with a rustling of chain attached. She was soon knealing as King Hydale walked in from behind the throne. Only those trusted by the King could enter the court room, and only those special to the Royal family knew of the secret passageway that hid behind the tall throne, hiding an almost impossible to see door.
"Welcome back, I see you have returned from your duty. Do you have what I seek Robyn?" His voice echoed off the marble walls with a slight thrill of knowing what was to come. Robyn kept her head low and gestered to her bag, "Sire, Lord Albert and Lady Martha cannot bother you any longer." He waved his hand for her to show him the items in the bag. The smell of the rotting flesh caused her to turn pale and she could see even he hard a hard time ignoring it.
Throwing the severed hand of King Albert with his familys ring still hugging his middle finger towards the King had his face light up. Flies swarmed around the flesh as dried blood cracked on the surface. The King looked at the assassin questionly. She replied. "He struggled." Answering his silent questions about the uncleanliness of the cut in such a bland tone of voice. Robyn then stood, and looked directly at the King.
"Sir, if we may.." before she could finish the King cut her off, playing with his new toy- the ring from his deceased enemy "my dear sweet Robyn, your pay is in your chamber. That is all, you may leave now."
"Thank you sir." That wasn't what she wanted to ask about but it was clear that the King was too busy with his new trophy to listen to her at this moment anyway. Deciding that it was best to leave the talk about her freedom till the next day, Robyn retreated to her chambers on the fourth floor, leaving the rotting bag with her King to enjoy.
Once Robyn had returned to her chambers she let out a sigh and removed her dusted cloak, throwing it onto the chair near the door.
"Once again, another failed attempt. Don't worry" she reassured herself, brushing her hair from her eyes, "tomorrrow, tomorrow's the day you'll earn you're freedom from this hell-hole of a place and be free to travel like you once were." Looking down she rubbed at her ankles, memories of her shackles still haunted her from her past causing her to shiver at hte thoughts.
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