Chapter 109: The Queen’s Request
Chapter 109: The Queen’s Request
A Sudden Message
Seraphis and the twins left the Assassin's Guild, their steps light and purposeful as they navigated through the busy streets of the city. The tension of the previous days hung in the air like a thick fog, but the moment had passed. They had earned their victory, and now the next task loomed before them.
As they walked, Seraphis felt the weight of a small, intricate token pressed into her hand. A message, delivered in the form of a small silver insignia. The emblem, a bird encircling a crescent moon, could only mean one thing: a summons from the Queen.
Seraphis glanced at the twins, their expressions curious but unreadable. “Looks like the Queen wants to speak with me,” she said, her voice low but firm. “You two want to meet an old friend of mine?”
The twins exchanged a glance, confusion flashing in their eyes before one of them shrugged. “Sure.”
With a nod, Seraphis led them through the city toward the castle, her steps purposeful. She had no intention of keeping the Queen waiting, though she had an inkling that this conversation would not be like the ones they had shared before.
Arrival at the Castle
As they approached the towering castle, the weight of the stone walls seemed to press in on them. The guards at the entrance recognized her immediately, stepping aside without question. She walked in as though she owned the place, and the twins followed close behind.
When they arrived at the balcony, Seraphis shifted into her raven form, the familiar rush of wind through her feathers sending a thrill down her spine. The twins followed suit, their smaller forms slicing through the air with practiced ease.
They landed with perfect grace on the balcony, the stone beneath their talons cool to the touch. The doors to the Queen’s chambers were open, and Seraphis didn’t hesitate to walk inside. She perched herself on the plush couch, the twins settling on a nearby chair.
It wasn’t long before the door swung open, and the Queen herself stepped into the room. Her sharp eyes swept across the trio, and for a moment, her gaze lingered on the twins.
The Queen’s Surprise
“Who are the other two?” The Queen’s voice was rich with authority, though her gaze softened slightly as she looked at the twins.
Seraphis couldn’t help but smile slightly. “These are my adopted daughters.”
The Queen’s mouth dropped open for a split second, only to snap shut again, her mind clearly struggling to find the words. “I—well, I don’t even know why I’m surprised at this point,” she muttered under her breath, rubbing her forehead as if to ease a sudden headache.
She shook her head and sat down in the large chair across from them, her gaze now directed at Seraphis with a mixture of admiration and curiosity.
“So,” she said, folding her hands in her lap, “I’ve heard what you did to that Assassin’s Guild. Interesting job.”
Seraphis simply nodded, leaning back comfortably in the couch as if this conversation was just another day in the life of an assassin. “Thank you.”
A New Request
The Queen exhaled sharply. “Well, now I have something else for you.”
Seraphis raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. “What do you need?”
The Queen’s tone turned serious, her hands steepling as she fixed Seraphis with a calculating gaze. “There’s this old noble family, one with ties to some of the kingdom’s most dangerous enemies. They’ve been conspiring against us for years, and we’ve been unable to track them down. They’ve gone to ground, hidden themselves within the shadows of the city, and now I need you to take care of it.”
Seraphis remained still, her eyes narrowing slightly as she processed the information. It was a typical request for someone of her caliber—silent, deadly work meant to maintain the balance of power. But the Queen’s voice was laced with something more. Desperation, perhaps?
“I see,” Seraphis said, her voice low and steady. “You want me to find them... and then what? Handle the problem?”
The Queen’s eyes flickered briefly to the twins before returning to Seraphis. “Yes. I need them gone, and I need them gone quickly. They’ve been feeding information to enemies of the crown for too long. They’ve got connections to several assassin guilds, and I can’t have that happening under my nose.”
A Deal Made
Seraphis tilted her head, considering the request carefully. The mission had the usual trappings of a high-stakes assignment—stealth, precision, and a healthy dose of danger.
“Alright,” Seraphis said, standing and walking toward the Queen’s desk. She placed a hand on the smooth surface, her voice firm and unyielding. “I’ll take care of it. I’ll have the job done.”
The Queen nodded, her gaze softening slightly. “I knew I could count on you.”
Seraphis glanced back at the twins, her expression unreadable. She’d already made up her mind. The twins could handle the minor details while she dealt with the noble family—the real problem.
Preparation for the Hunt
As they left the Queen’s chambers, the twin sisters trailed behind Seraphis, their expressions unreadable. There was an air of anticipation about them, a kind of tension that matched their mother’s. The twins knew the dangers ahead, but they also understood what was expected of them.
Seraphis felt a thrill surge within her—a rush of excitement at the thought of the hunt ahead. This wouldn’t be an ordinary job. She could already feel the familiar tension building in her muscles, the eagerness of a fight that was not just necessary, but personal.
The streets outside the castle were bustling, the crowds unaware of the dangerous assassins walking among them. Seraphis glanced at the twins and spoke in a low voice. “We’re not just hunting these nobles. We’re sending a message. And if anyone tries to stop us, they’ll learn what happens when you betray the crown.”
The twins nodded, their eyes hardening with determination. They were ready, and so was she.
Tracking the Shadows
The trio made their way into the heart of the city, navigating narrow alleys and shadowed corners where few dared to tread. Seraphis’s mind was sharp, her senses honed like a blade. She could feel the pull of the noble family’s presence in the air, a subtle shift in the city's energy, as though the shadows themselves whispered their secrets to her.
Soon, they found themselves at a large, imposing estate—the home of the noble family. The house stood tall, its stone walls adorned with symbols of wealth and power, but there was a tension in the air that Seraphis could feel. This was it.
She motioned for the twins to stay hidden as she approached the estate’s entrance, her movements swift and calculated. Her hand rested on the hilt of one of her blades, her fingers itching for action.
“Ready?” she whispered.
The twins nodded. “Always.”
With that, Seraphis kicked the door open, the sound of splintering wood echoing through the night.
The Final Showdown
Inside, the noble family was waiting. The head of the household—a tall, imposing man dressed in dark robes—stood in the center of the room, surrounded by his guards. The moment Seraphis entered, his eyes widened in surprise, but only for a moment. He was quick to mask it with a sneer.
“So, the White Raven comes for us,” he said, his voice dripping with disdain. “You think you can just waltz in here and take us down?”
Seraphis’s eyes glinted with cold determination. “No, I don’t think. I know.”
With a swift movement, she drew her blades. The twins followed suit, and the battle began in a blur of motion. Steel clashed with steel, each strike a whisper of death in the air.
The noble’s guards fell one by one, unable to keep up with the speed and precision of Seraphis and her twins. Each movement was a dance, fluid and deadly, until all that remained was the head of the household himself, trembling in fear.
Seraphis stepped forward, her face unreadable. “I told you,” she said softly, “there’s no running.”
With one clean strike, she severed his head from his body, the room falling into an eerie silence.
Returning to the Guild
Seraphis walked out of the estate, the head of the noble family held firmly in her hands. The twins followed closely behind, their faces set in stone.
They returned to the Assassin’s Guild, the guild hall quiet as they walked through the door. Seraphis, unperturbed, walked to the second floor, where the guild members were already whispering about the mission’s success.
Without a word, she took the noble’s head from her bag and placed it on the table for all to see. “This,” she said, her voice low and steady, “is what happens to those who betray the crown.”
The room fell silent, each assassin’s gaze locked on the grisly proof of Seraphis’s message.
“Consider this a warning,” Seraphis added, her voice filled with resolve. “We are the shadows that protect this kingdom. Don’t forget that.”