Ultimate Assassin Saga: Tundra

Once the boy was out of the prison cell, the large, hulking man came back to stand in the door. There was no smile on his face and there was no look of pleasure at seeing him chained. It would seem that he was the consummate professional and he was glad to see that. At least someone was doing their job without prejudice.

"Come." the hulking man said once again in his deep, vibrating voice. When he spoke, the hulking man reached out and took a firm hold of the chain in between the iron cuffs. With his grip on the chain, he pulled hard and the Barbarian Prince found himself stumbling forward to prevent himself from falling over. Son of a bitch this was one strong guy!

Darville willingly stepped out of his cell and he stared at the four men that instantly surrounded him. He noted that the hulking man stood directly behind him and he could feel the man's sword point pressing against his spine. It was obvious that he was daring Darville to make one wrong move. If he did, he would be meeting his death, that much was obvious.

Gritting his teeth, the Barbarian began to walk at the insistence of the others. He didn't want to walk to be honest, but he couldn't afford to be stubborn right now. No, his well being was in the hands of these men and he had no doubt that the hulking man behind him was just looking for a reason to sink his blade through his flesh. It seemed that he would relish killing a traitor and it would be best to cooperate so as to give the man no pleasure.

Reaching the door of the prison, the contingent stopped for a moment. The lanky man from before leaned forward and opened the door. Then, he was pushed outside by the point of the hulking man's sword once more. When the cold wind sweltered around him, he shivered a little, but he soon got use to it. He'd lived among this climate his entire life and he wasn't going to allow it to bother him.

Darville gritted his teeth as he was lead across the prison building and towards the palace. He knew that the trial would take place outside in front of everyone and he was sure that everyone was going to be present. After all, it wasn't every day that an heir to the throne killed the late King out of impatience. Everyone - man, woman, child - would be eager to see justice done in the name of the late King by the new King of the Elk.

He gritted his teeth at the thought of Darcine being the new King. He didn't know how yet, but he would return and get justice for himself as well as his father. There was nothing that his brother could do that would stop him from doing thus. After all, he wasn't going to execute him, of that he was certain. He would exile him, that much he was sure of.

Darville was lead closer to the palace.

XXXXXXXXXX

Acheron stood among the crowd of Barbarians, and like them, he waited. What they were all waiting for was simple: the trial of the wrongly accused Darville. Of course, no one but Acheron and Diana believed Darville to be innocent, but that didn't matter. What did matter was Darville's belief that his brother, the new King of the Elk, would merely exile him, not execute him.

From what he understood about Barbarian culture, to be exiled was worse than to be executed for such a crime. It made you live the rest of your life with the crime that you had committed and you lived in shame. You were banned from returning home ever again and you would live out your days alone. He could see where that would work, but at the same time, he would rather be exiled than executed.

That was an easy difference between the Barbarian tribes and Dalkia.

Being exiled from Dalkia would be more of a reward than a punishment. Dalkians knew nothing of shame and they felt no remorse. Execution was the only way to go when it came to Dalkia and they all knew it. That was why there wasn't even the possibility of exile because it didn't exist as a punishment. The only time someone was punished for something they were met with execution.

However, these Barbarians were different. They prided themselves on being a part of their tribe and to be exiled from the tribe would shame them. That was worse than death for the Barbarians and they would prefer execution over exile.

The Chaos Demon turned his head and scanned the crowd, trying to judge the general consensus. It would appear from the looks on the majority of the faces of the Elk tribe that they wanted this over soon. They wanted justice for their King, but their justice would be false. Darville hadn't killed King Darr so exiling him would do nothing for justice. The real killer - Darcine he was sure - would be free to walk around and do whatever they wanted to do.

The Command Assassin found himself wondering though. How had Darcine pulled this off? It was a job that would require more than one person. You would need someone to slip the poison to the King and at the same time get to Darville. Darville wasn't a light person so they would probably need more than one person to carry him to the King's home and do so without being seen. In essence, it was a very difficult thing that required far more than just one person and they all had to be stealthy individuals.

Suddenly, Acheron's eyes lit upon the Barbarian Princess. She was standing not ten feet away from him and she looked miserable. He could only imagine what she was feeling. Her father had been killed and her oldest brother was accused of killing him. Both of them knew that Darville hadn't killed the King, but their words wouldn't mean anything against the words of the new King.

Diana knew that the Chaos Demon was going to leave with her brother if he was exiled. He needed to remain at his friend's side, no matter what. However, there was still the matter of Diana herself. She was his friend as well and over the last month he'd come to think of her as more than that. He'd come to see her as the daughter he was yet to have. She was sweet, kind, and funny just like what he believed his daughter would one day be. However, he had to find Trissieal and get out of this situation long before he had his daughter.

He didn't want to leave her to Darcine's mercy, but he didn't really have much choice. He had to go with Darville and make sure that he survived. After all, it was Darville who would be the one that would take the throne from Darcine if all went well. However, he was still leaving Diana to Darcine and that didn't sit well with him. He had noticed the strange looks that Darcine had been giving his younger sister over the past month and he knew that look well.

It was a look of lust.

The Command Assassin didn't want to leave her to get raped, but what else could he do? He was but one man, and as far as the rape went, it might not even happen. However, what was going to happen was Darville being exiled. He had to figure out how to find a deed large enough that it would overcome the slaying of a King and he would be able to return so he could clear his name. That was what was important right now and both men knew it.

Acheron felt a flicker of something and he turned his head to look. He saw nothing there, but he knew that there had been something. He'd sensed it, but he couldn't quite put his finger on what it had been. What the hell was going on here? Why would there be an otherworldly presence at the Elk tribe's trial of their rightful King? It made no sense, but he reasoned that it could be just a spectator curious about what they were doing.

The Chaos Demon was drawn from looking for that presence when he sensed Darville coming closer. He turned his head once again and he narrowed his eyes, looking out towards where he was sure to come from. In the distance, he could see five dots. Four of those were no doubt the guards and he was sure that the one in the middle was Darville. They would want to cover him and make sure that he couldn't get the drop on him. This was the best way for them to do this.

The Command Assassin watched for a few moments as they walked closer and closer. He thought he heard a sound, and when he cut his eyes to the side, he noted that Diana had tears in her eyes. She was fighting hard to keep them back, but it was obvious that she was fighting a losing battle. Seeing her brother in chains was attacking her emotions and she just couldn't handle it. He couldn't allow her to be alone at this point.

Moving slowly, Acheron walked through the crowd towards the Barbarian girl. She looked up just as he reached her and he saw her attempt to smile. She failed. He said nothing as he slid his arm around her shoulders and pulled her slender frame against his side. He felt a wave of protectiveness wash over him and he wanted nothing more than to punish the one's making her feel this way. He knew he couldn't, but it was still something that he felt and he couldn't shake it off.

Darcine would pay for this.

No one seemed to take any notice of him which surprised him. He was a Demon and he was hugging the Princess of the Elk. That should've drawn some attention, but they were apparently rapt with attention to the coming trial. He couldn't really blame them.

After several minutes, the group of assembled guards lead Darville into the center of the village and he stood there with a straight back. He held his head high with pride and it was obvious that he wouldn't relinquish his pride for anything. The irons that surrounded his wrists were thick and would prevent him from breaking them, but there was plenty of wiggle room in them. He found that odd since the prisoner should be restrained to where he couldn't move at all, but maybe Darcine was attempting to goad his brother into attacking him. That would make sense.

The Chaos Demon watched as everyone else did as the guards moved off to flank the accused in a loose circle. It was obvious that if he showed any signs of aggression that they would rush in and deal with him. Restrained, he doubted that Darville would do anything of the sort, but one could never fully know another's mind. He could at this moment be contemplating how to escape, but he doubted it.

The new King of the Elk stood tall and proud. He was much shorter than his brother so he had to look up at him, but it didn't shrink his power at all. No, everyone present knew that the red haired brother was the King and he was the one who held the power. Darville held nothing, but his life and they all knew it.

The Command Assassin found himself gritting his teeth. He wanted nothing more than to charge in and protect his friend, but he knew that he couldn't do that. He would love nothing more than to tear Darcine to pieces, but he knew that he couldn't do that either. That would only cast more suspicion onto Darville and he couldn't have that. He had to make sure that Darville made it back to the Elk and took his rightful place as their King.

"Darville, Prince of the Elk and former Heir to the throne, you are charged with assassinating the King of our people." Darcine begun, his voice deep and emotionless. However, anyone listening closely could hear the smug sound in his words. "What do you have to say in response to these charges?"

The blonde Barbarian stood there in silence, staring at his brother. The Command Assassin could feel the tightly controlled rage and contempt that rolled off of him in waves. He knew that no one else would be able to sense it, but it didn't matter. He had a feeling that Darcine could sense it just fine, and if he knew Darcine's personality, he would be relishing in it.

Relishing in the anger and the pain that he'd caused his brother. He'd done no physical damage to Darville of course, but sometimes the damage to one's reputation was worse than any wound. Wounds would heal and one could move on, but a damaged reputation could destroy someone. In Dalkia, reputation meant nothing, but he'd come to learn that honor and reputation was important to many people outside of Dalkia.

"What do I have to say in response?" Darville asked in a quiet, but very strong voiced. Everyone was leaning forward to hear him and were hanging on his every word. Then, Darville chuckled in outrage and shook his head. "My response is simple. The charges are bullshit and you know that, little brother."

There was a sneer in the blonde's words as he said them and he knew that everyone picked up on them. He wasn't doing it outright, but he was making the implication that Darcine had something to do with their father's death, not him. If he wasn't careful, that could get him execution instead of exile and he had a feeling that was what Darville was aiming for. There was no way the Barbarian wanted to be exiled, to have his reputation destroyed. No, it was much more likely that he would welcome death more.

The red haired Barbarian's response was nearly instant and very anti-climactic. He sighed and ran a large hand over his face, obviously tired. He pinched the bridge of his nose and allowed his hand to fall to his side. He stared evenly into his brother's eyes and he shook his head from side to side as if he regretted what he was having to do, but the Command Assassin knew better.

He could sense the glee in the Barbarian King's aura at whatever he was considering. No, he didn't regret this at all. Whatever he was contemplating he would do so and not regret it afterwards. It was truly amazing what one's blood could do to one another. His thoughts were drawn to his own brother at those thoughts and he found himself amazed by the similarities.

"I wish I didn't have to do this, but I am the King of the Elk now and our people come first." Darcine said, his voice sounding truly regretful. He sighed and shook his head, but the Chaos Demon could see the light in his eyes. It was a look of enjoyment, though he was hiding it well. "For the assassination of the King of the Elk, I deal out the maximum punishment. You are hereby exiled from the Elk tribe, never to return upon pain of death."

The words seemed to echo through the crowd, and almost immediately, people began to chatter amongst themselves. Some found it hard to believe that this whole thing had happened and were deeply saddened by it. Others wanted blood for the death of their late King, and as they put it, it should be the blood of the King slayer before them.

However, not one of them would step forward and challenge the sentence. None would argue for execution instead of exile. The word of the Elk King was law and no one could oppose it without facing the threat of death. Theirs was a kind tribe, but it could be ruthless as well. It all depended on the ruler of the Elk at the time and he had a feeling that Darcine was going to be a tyrant.

Darville never reacted, having expected this whole thing. He simply stood there and stared at his brother with eyes devoid of emotion. However, Acheron could sense the anger and the hurt seething within him begging to be released. He had better control of his feelings and impulses though. He would not attack his brother and risk being killed. Not right now.

The four guards that had been flanking the small circle moved forward and grabbed him by his shoulders. They began to lead him away from the procession and towards the edge of the village. Acheron looked into the eyes of the Elk King and he saw the man smiling back with a cocky air about him. It appeared that he believed that nothing could unseat him now.

They would just have to see about that.

The Chaos Demon knew that he couldn't leave without speaking with his other friend though. If he were to leave and say nothing to her, she would feel abandoned as if no one cared about her. He cared about her the way one would care about their daughter and he would just have to show her that before he left with her brother.

The Command Assassin turned his attention to the girl under his arm. She had fisted her hands into his side when her younger older brother dealt out the verdict to their oldest brother. She was yet to look away, but he could see her face clearly. She was extremely frightened and unsure of her future now. There wasn't a doubt in his mind that it was because of Darcine.

He continued to stare at her and waited for him to look at him. After several minutes, she must've felt his stare on her because she looked up and right into his eyes. She seemed surprised that he was staring at her, but then, her eyes filled with dread. She knew what was to come now and he could see the tears in her eyes. He gritted his teeth and he knew that he couldn't allow that to sway him. If he did, then Darville would be left out there all by himself and he wouldn't feel right leaving an innocent man alone. He was caught between a rock and a hard place, but he'd made his decision.

He wasn't going to change his mind.

"I have to go." Acheron told her in a soft voice and he gritted his teeth. He didn't want to leave her, but this was the only way that he knew he could protect her without removing her from the tribe. This was her family and he wasn't going to take her away from all of this. He had to protect her. "Your brother is going to need me."

She said nothing, but she nodded her head once. The look on her face was anything but accepting. However, he knew that she wouldn't say anything to stop him. She knew that she could stop him with a single word, but she wouldn't do that. She wanted her brother safe as much as he wanted him safe and they would both make sure that happened.

"Be careful." Diana said suddenly, her voice stronger than he thought was possible of her. She looked up at him and smiled widely although a little sadness remained in her dark blue eyes. "My brother needs you and I'm leaving it up to you to bring him home the rightful King of my people. I have faith in you."

Her words spurred him on and raised his level of confidence. If he hadn't thought he could do it before, that thought no longer existed. He smiled softly at her, and after a second of hesitation, he wrapped his arms around her in a tight hug. She seemed surprised, but she hugged him back. When they pulled apart, he stared into the eyes of the girl he thought of as a daughter and he made himself a promise: he would return and meet this girl's expectations of him. He had no other choice.

Before he hesitated, the Command Assassin took a step back and then turned. He walked slowly across the snow, weaving in and out of the people of the Elk tribe. Not one of them took any notice of him however. He surmised that it was because of what had just happened and that they were all in shock, but it could've been just about anything. He didn't care though. It only helped him at this time.

Acheron saw the exiled Barbarian up ahead of him and he walked faster. The man was waiting for him and rubbing his wrists. The guards had obviously undone his restraints the moment they reached the edge of the village and were letting him go. The guards were still standing there though, obviously preventing him from reentering the village.

He also took note of the fact that Darville didn't have his war hammer with him. It was obvious that they had stripped him of that weapon to keep him from claiming it. In fact, he had no weapons on him, and left to his own devices, he would be weaponless. Fortunately for Darville, he wouldn't be alone and he wouldn't be unarmed.

As he approached the men, the guards turned to look at him. Each of them looked confused, but they said nothing as he came to stand beside the newly exiled Barbarian. He nodded his head to each guard and he clapped a hand on Darville's shoulder, making the man look at him.

"Let's get out of here." Acheron told him in a stern voice, but he wasn't looking at the blonde haired Barbarian. Instead, he was staring at the four guards and he dared any one of them to say a word to him. Not one of them said a word and he could sense nothing from any of them as they looked upon them. Satisfied by this, he turned away and walked across the snow, the Barbarian quickly catching up with him.