As days turned into weeks, Prince Jamtoe brooded in the cold stone corridors of the Wolfect castle, plotting his next treacherous move against the father he despised. The whispers of power danced in his mind, and he knew that with each passing moment, the throne slipped further from his grasp. It was during this time of dark contemplation that he stumbled upon the name of a feared entity: Trifectus, an assassin's guild notorious for their ruthless efficiency and unparalleled discretion.
"I got it! I'll just hire assassins; what can go wrong with a plan such as this?" Jamtoe sneered to himself, the flickering candlelight casting ominous shadows across his face. The next day, with a heart full of ambition and a mind clouded by desperation, he ventured into the depths of the kingdom, seeking one of Trifectus's hidden lairs.
Upon arrival, he was blindfolded and whisked away into a concealed hideout, the scent of damp earth mingling with the distant echoes of muffled laughter. When the blindfold was finally removed, he found himself before Alexi Centry, the notorious leader of the assassin clan, who lounged casually, smoke curling from his pipe as he regarded Jamtoe with a mix of amusement and disdain.
"So tell me, what brings the young prince of the Wolfect kingdom to my domain?" Alexi inquired, his voice smooth yet laced with a predatory edge.
"I am here because I require your aid in having my father assassinated. I can't kill him myself because that would be considered treason," Jamtoe declared, the weight of his aspirations heavy on his shoulders.
"Okay then! Before I agree to your request, what has your father done to warrant death? Also! You do know that requesting my aid is not cheap?" Alexi's expression shifted to one of stern scrutiny, his eyes narrowing as he awaited the prince's justification.
Jamtoe's heart raced as he formulated his response. "Well, you see, I need him dead because that is the only way I can ascend the throne. And yes, I am well aware your services are not cheap. Should ten thousand gold coins suffice?" With a flourish, he produced a satchel brimming with gold, throwing it at Alexi's feet as if sealing his fate.
The air crackled with tension as Alexi erupted into laughter, the sound echoing off the stone walls. Jamtoe, caught off guard, found himself joining in nervously, unsure whether to share in the jest or feel insulted.
But then, with a sudden shift, Alexi's demeanor darkened, his laughter fading into an icy silence. He locked his eyes onto Jamtoe's, the weight of contempt heavy between them.
"I despise unfilial children like you. You would kill your own father for power? You are disgusting. Be gone from my sight," Alexi spat, his voice a low growl that reverberated through the chamber.
"I guess you are not going to help me then. Very well, I shall take my leave," Jamtoe replied, indignation burning within him as he turned to reclaim his satchel of gold.
"Wait!!!! You may go, but the gold will stay. Now get him out of here," Alexi commanded, his voice booming with authority.
A flicker of anger flashed in Jamtoe's eyes, and he clenched his fists, a sense of betrayal coursing through him. "I shall remember this," he muttered defiantly, the promise of vengeance lingering on his lips.
Alexi merely laughed, a sinister sound that chilled Jamtoe to the bone. In a blur of motion, he lunged forward, seizing Jamtoe by the throat, his grip like iron.
"I don't care what you remember. Just know this: if it weren't for my respect for your father, you would already be dead. Now, I will tell you this one last time—get out of my sight." With that, he released Jamtoe, letting him fall to the ground, gasping for breath.
As Jamtoe staggered to his feet, the humiliation and fury simmered within him. The path to power was fraught with obstacles, but he was undeterred. If Trifectus would not aid him, he would find another way. Shadows danced in the corners of his mind, and he vowed to embrace the darkness that lay ahead. The throne would be his, no matter the cost.
"Dammit! This is a big setback; Trifectus is not going to help me. I will just move on to the next available option," Jamtoe muttered as he began his journey to the nearest tavern, a place where whispers of the underworld flowed as freely as the ale.
The tavern, known as the Scott Ninja Alliance, appeared like any other establishment, yet it was shrouded in secrets. Unbeknownst to most, it was run by a clan of ninja assassins, their skills honed in the shadows.
As Jamtoe entered, everyone stopped what they were doing. The musicians put down their instruments, and the dancers stopped dancing. All eyes turned to stare at him, the air thick with tension. If he didn't know the secret code of their communication, he would be killed on the spot.
Taking a deep breath, he approached the bar, where a scruffy-looking innkeeper polished a glass with a rag, eying him suspiciously.
"Hey innkeeper! I require your special services," Jamtoe said, his voice steady despite the growing unease.
The innkeeper raised an eyebrow as he spat on the rag and then used it to smear the inside of the glass, assessing Jamtoe's appearance and the desperation etched into his features. "You think you can just waltz in here and demand our services? Recite the other half of the code, the sun shines during the day," he said, crossing his arms.
Jamtoe's heart raced; the words danced on the tip of his tongue, as he began to stutter his response. "W...Wh...While The moon illuminates the darkest of the nights," he recited, hoping he had recalled it correctly.
A moment of silence stretched between them before the innkeeper smirked and nodded. The place became lively again, the musicians started to play music once more while the dancers danced.
As the innkeeper had a grin spread across his face, he motioned for Jamtoe to follow him into a dark room, then gestured for him to have a seat.
"Welcome to the Scott Ninja Alliance, Prince Jamtoe of the Wolfect kingdom. Now, what brings you to our humble abode?"
Jamtoe was stunned that they knew who he was. "Is my disguise so easy to see through?" he thought to himself. However, with a glint of determination in his eyes, Jamtoe revealed his intentions once more. "I need your help to eliminate my father. Money is no object."
The innkeeper eyed him suspiciously. "Before we accept your request, there are a few questions you need to answer. This shall determine how much our services will cost." He said with a smile.
"Question one: Tell me, does your father have any special abilities we should know about, such as being a magic user? Question two: Does your father have any known weaknesses?" The innkeeper asked in quick succession.
"Yes, my father is a magic user. He also has the ability to transform into a werewolf; he can transform anytime he desires. However, he is more powerful on the night of a full moon. As for his weaknesses, any weapon made of silver can harm him," Jamtoe said emotionlessly.
The innkeeper scratched his beard. "This is a little unexpected but manageable. However, the price for you will be one hundred thousand gold coins."
Jamtoe's heart sank; the amount was far greater than he had anticipated. "I don't have that much!" he protested, desperation creeping into his voice.
"Oh, don't worry, prince. You can pay us in installments once you become king," the innkeeper said with a grin.
" What if I offer you something of equal value?" Jamtoe asked with a sigh.
"Interesting! You have my full attention. I'm intrigued. What can you offer us that is of equal value to gold?" the innkeeper asked, raising his eyebrow.
With a sigh Jamtoe, took off his red emerald ring.
"This ring has the ability to control ice magic I have this and and the amount of one thousand gold coins left" he said with a frown on his face.
"Ice magic ring! you are right this is of equal value you have yourself a deal. If there is nothing else this should conclude our meeting. someone shall be dispatch to carry out the mission within a week." the innkeeper said with a smile.