Chapter 9: Stuck

Chapter 9: Stuck

I can already hear their footsteps in the hallways.

‘He’s in here!’ the old man yells.

I run towards the man and punch him in the face. He’s unconscious, but not dead. I pick up the remainders of my sword. His two-handed sword is too heavy for me. The footsteps are coming closer and closer. The door’s still barricaded, so I can’t go through there. There’s only one other way in, but it’s filled with guards. It seems to be my only option, s**t.

I run into the hallway and hide in a dark alley, desperately hoping the guards won’t find me. A group of guards comes running past, scouts. Fast and nimble with little armour.

‘Search the area!’ their leader shouts.

I follow the alleyway deeper into the castle, it’s my only option. It ends in the kitchen, a good opportunity to stock up on knives. The knives are simple and dull, but it’s something. The cooks hide under the tables when they see me, making as little noise as possible. Good.

‘The king’s dead! Find the assassin!’ more footsteps echo through the hallways.

I run further through the halls and alleys, narrowly escaping guards as I go. They seem to be everywhere.

I hide around a corner, waiting for another group to pass. When they’ve almost passed, I jump out, plunging my sword deep into a scout’s throat. I drag him away and disguise myself as him. Somehow, I manage to escape into the courtyard unnoticed. The gates have been barricaded shut to make sure nobody gets out.

‘What did you find?’ a man shouts.

I turn around. It’s the general.

‘We didn’t find anyone, sire. It’s empty’.

He looks at me suspiciously. Thinking about it, it probably didn’t sound very believable.

‘Very well’ he says, ‘but where’s the rest of your group?’.

‘They’re searching the remainder of the catacombs, sire. I was sent here to tell you the throne room’s empty. And sadly, the king’s been assassinated’.

‘That is indeed sad news, scout. Get back to your group now’.

I bow deeply and run back into the catacombs. Time to find another way out.

I get back to the group. We’re in some kind of tomb, filled with the corpses of previous kings.

‘Search the graves! The assassin may still be here!’ the leader says.

I wait for the others to follow orders, then I cut them all down one by one. I replace my sword with that of another scout, so I won’t be seen carrying a bloody weapon. I run back to the courtyard and talk to the general.

‘We found the assassin, sire! He’s in the burial chambers. I was the only who escaped’.

The general seems pleased with this information, ‘Well done, scout. You may rest now’.

He calls together a squadron of soldiers armed to the teeth. They carry large shields and heavy armour plating. All the castle’s exits are guarded, anyone trying to get out will get shot. I climb a tower to get a better view.

‘Excuse me’ I say to an archer, ‘The general has asked me to fetch him a bow, but I couldn’t find one in the armoury. Could you tell me where to find them?’.

The archer inspects me from top to bottom, I make sure to hide my face with my helmet.

‘There’s a rack over there’ he says as he points to a wall in the courtyard.

‘Thank you’.

I write a letter and attach it to the arrow. The bow makes a satisfying noise as I shoot the arrow over the castle walls, I hope Stan receives the note, otherwise I may die out here. Then again, if he does get the note there’s still a chance I’ll die.