I stand outside a small cottage, holding a small note in my hands.

"Hopefully the castle guards were correct," I thought, thinking back to my conversation with a couple of them. I knock on the door, waiting for someone to answer. The door opens, revealing, no other than Hyssop scroll, and pen in hand. He freezes when he sees me, and starts to close the door, but I push my way in. I watch as he glances at the letter-opener on his desk, and then back at me.330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcjbnJJvezp

"Don't even think about it, Hyssop," I snarl, grabbing his arm. "I'll rip your arm off if you do." I point to the letter with my other hand. 

"The letter. Give it to me." I let him go, and he grabs the letter, handing it to me. I take it, grabbing his arm in the process. I scan it with a scowl. The letter is in some kind of code, and I can't read it. 

"Read it," Hyssop suddenly looks fearful, and I tighten my grip on his arm, relishing the sound of the bone creaking, threatening to snap. "Read. The. Letter." I growl. "Or," I twist his arm the wrong way, his shoulder popping as it dislocates. "I'll do more than dislocate the arm!" Hyssop gives a pained nod and starts to read.330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NnrIu1Naq

"The sect will meet 3 days from tonight," He reads, trembling. "We will find a new king, a better ruler than His Majesty King Bergamo-" I tear his arm out from the socket, blood splattering everywhere. Hyssop shrieks in pain, clutching at the mangled spot where the arm used to be, staring at me in abject terror. He scrambles away from me, but I start to walk towards him.330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHuEp5QnFv

"Just what I'd expect from a conspiring group of traitors," I murmur, grabbing him by his neck, and picking him up. "To skulk about, plotting ways to betray!" I tighten my grip, watching as Hyssop's face change color. He wheezes and gasps, using his remaining hand to try to pry my fingers from around his neck. 

"Be quiet! It's too late to ask for forgiveness," I tighten my grip, hearing a sharp crack, watching as Hyssop goes limp, head lolling to one side. I release my grip on his neck and the body drops onto the floor with a thud. "You crossed the line when you plotted to replace me." I frown, grabbing the letter. 330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYoG6JtwmX

"One down..." I think, scanning the letter again. It's signed "Calamint."330Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0mxvR7T3D

"Calamint? Wait..." I know her. She's the Duke's aunt, and I know where the Duke's castle is. I feel my face stretch into a grin. "One down... Eleven left..." I mutter, leaving the cottage, and the carnage, behind.