July 18, 2022 – 3 minutes read – 596 words

Several men sit stand around a table, most of them have the expression of a man who just found half a worm sticking out of an apple.

“What happened to the assassins that were supposed to infiltrate the Snake mansion?” Plotter A

“Today, I saw the kid walking nonchalantly in the Royal Castle? I want to see him dead!” Plotter B

“Well, maybe he’s still planning the hit. After all, he’s only been paid the advance fee and the contingency deposit, I had to bargain him down from the full fee.” Plotter C

“Why are you bargaining with an assassin?” Plotter A

“Because there’s not enough money! What am I supposed to do? My coffers only have 20 gold coins left.” Plotter C

“Ugh” Plotter B

“Right? None of us have the kind of assets we deserve. That’s why we have to be patient, we don’t have the money for speed.” Plotter C

None of the men here know it, but the assassins were captured the day after they had accepted the assignment.

“Well, I’m not worried. This guy came highly recommended. That kid may be good at sneak attacks, but he’ll have a hard time fighting that experienced assassin. He might survive a one-on-one, but our guy knows to bring enough backup to make it a three-on-one.” Plotter B

“But what about the Princess, Sonaris? Doesn’t it make more sense to kidnap her and kill her in front of the kid? Shouldn’t it be a two-part job? Kidnap then assassinate?” Plotter A

“No, Count Busch insisted that Sonaris can’t be killed. He wants her kidnapped and brought to him.” Plotter B

These men are so disconnected from reality, they’re talking nonsense.

Hello, this is Patrick, listening in from the corner of the room.

I’m desperately suppressing my urge to behead everyone in the room. It’s not that I’m being called horrible things, I’m used to being abused, verbally and physically. However, these cowardly fools are involving Sonaris and talking about enslaving her or worse. I need to keep my bloodlust in check and find some hard evidence.

After 30 minutes or so of useless posturing talk, they leave the room together. I followed carefully and quietly behind the group. When they arrived at the office of the house, there was a magic contract on the desk.

“I swear on the blood contract!” Plotter A

“Swear!” Other Plotters

“Squash the Snake under a mallet of justice!” Plotter B

“Justice!” Other Plotters

I rub my forehead with a hand, they’re all terrible. I watch one of the men take the contract and hide it in a desk drawer, then lock the drawer. I wait for them to leave, then I try the drawer, it’s properly locked. I pull a wire and turner out of my pocket.

I hope my skills from my last life haven’t faded.

I insert the wire and turner into the lock and start picking the lock. It took me an hour, but lock was rough and my tools weren’t very good. The lock rattles as it opens.

Ugh, my hand has dulled. It used to take less than five minutes. Maybe I should get better tools made for next time.

I pull out the drawer and check the contract. All the names are properly lined up and each has a thumbprint of blood. None of them are going to escape from this…

I guess I’ll give this to His Majesty tomorrow morning. Wonder what he’ll do?