I walk past the inn, and toward a tavern, with the goal of gaining information. As I enter the tavern, the patrons are quiet, watching me warily. I head toward a table in the very back, far enough so that I can listen without being stared at, and close enough so that I can hear what's being said.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwJiD4Cew1
"...I heard that two prominent council members are coming here..." One of the tavern patrons, a dark elfmaid with a torn ear, said quietly. Her companions nod in response.
"...Nettle and Lungwort right? The Healer and the Shield?" One of her companions, an elf with bandages covering his face. "I hope nothing happens to them." The elfmaid shoots him a look, and he lowers his voice.
"Haven't you heard? Someone's going around and killing the council members," He continues, leaning forward. "Some say it's His Majesty," He whispers. "Cloaked in shadow, slaying the council members with the brutality of a dragon." His companions give him fearful looks. The elfmaid nods.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyaZ188jmv
"Some say...His Majesty is a dragon," She whispers, and her companions stare at her in surprise. "Or turning into a dragon. In any case, someone's killing the council members, and that someone will most likely kill Nettle and Lungwort." 266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2ovt0q3hU
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When Nettle and Lungwort arrive, a crowd is there to greet them. I take this opportunity to slip away. I find a tree, and climb up it, watching the two council members from the tree. I watch as the two council members retire to a nearby inn. I scrabble down the tree, making my way to the inn. Spotting an open window, I climb, using my claws to grip the uneven stones that made up the inn's wall. I climb into the inn, landing heavily on the ground. I look around warily. The inn is pitch-black, and I make my way around quietly. I slink up the stairs, stepping lightly, as to not make noise. I look down the hallway. One room's door is ajar, and I enter the room, dagger raised. Nettle is in the room, Lungwort as well, their backs to me, whispering to each other.
"So, both Hyssop and Calamint have been killed," Nettle says quietly, his voice trembling with anger. "His Majesty is carrying out his word. He's disbanding the council. Permanently." Lungwort gives him a nervous look.
"Are you sure it's the king?" She asks, oblivious to my walking towards the two. "I mean, it could a number of things." Nettle scoffs angrily.
"Who else could it be?!" He asks angrily. "The sheer brutality of the murders, the mere fact that it's only the council, and the two dozen converts. I've no doubt in the slightest that it's-" I stab him, the dagger going deep. He turns to look at me, going pale. I pull the dagger out, and he slumps, falling out of the chair, bleeding out on the floor. Lungwort grabs her sword, pointing it at me.
"I'm sorry Your Majesty," She murmurs softly, and I notice that she's trembling. "I can't let the bloodshed continue." She lunges at me, sword raised to strike. I drop to the floor, and Lungwort misses her sword swing, the blade getting stuck in the desk. As she struggles to retrieve her sword, I leap onto her back, clawing at her face. She screams as I claw out her eyes, and I fall off her back, watching as Lungwort stumbles about blindly, falling out of the window, landing on the ground below with a thud. I grab Nettle's cloak, Lungwort's sword, and leap out the window, aiming the sword, so that it pierced Lungwort, pinning her to the ground, and killing her. 266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkLtmLaW3ot
"4 down...8 to go..." I leave the town, and the two dead council members behind me, putting on the cloak as I do so.266Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8Td0wjUQ1
