“This is your chance, Keir,” said Ocran. “King Amasi is about to make his address to the people. That will be the time to strike.”

“It’s about time!” said Keir. “Do you know how long I’ve waited for this?”

“Three years, I know. Ever since you lost track of your daughter at the border.”

Keir seethed remembering that day. His fists clenched as he thought back to the moment he lost his sweet little Boanne to the King’s knights.

“So how do you propose to do it?” Ocran asked. “Blackstar talisman? You want to conjure a daemon or two to do the deed for you?”

“No.” Keir shook his head and produced a kitchen knife from his sleeve. “I want to feel that bastard’s blood on my hands. I will kill the King of Arx myself.”

Ocran chuckled. “That’s practically a suicide mission, you know. If you run up and stab the King the bodyguards will be on you in seconds.”

“I don’t care.”

“If you do it this way you’ll die, my friend.”

“I don’t care!” Keir gave Ocran the harshest sneer he could. Ocran didn’t understand what it was like to lose a child. How could he? That was a pain no one could understand. The way life was supposed to work was that you grew up, you had children, they grew up, and some day they said “goodbye” to you, as you passed on into the next world. He didn’t fear death anymore because he died the day he lost Boanne. He’d been dead for years. It was about time he stopped walking around, pretending to be alive.

Ocran sighed and shook his head. “Very well, if you’re determined to do things this way I’m sure I can’t stop you. King Amasi will address the people in one hour. Be ready.”

One hour later Keir stood amongst the common people in the capital, all gathered to hear King Amasi’s speech. When the young king, a man with blonde hair and a well-groomed beard, came up to the podium the people roared with applause. Yes, they all loved their murderer king. For a moment Keir wished he could slit all their throats, but he knew he’d only be able to take one life today.

Amasi’s bodyguards stood nearby, but far enough back so that they didn’t distract from the king himself. If Ocran had indeed managed to loosen the soles of their boots, as he told Keir he would, then Keir would have just a few extra seconds to do the deed.

King Amasi raised his hands to silence the cheering crowd, and when they finally stopped their thunderous applause he began to speak. “I’m sure many of you have heard the rumors. The kingdom of Nihilus has been gathering soldiers at our border, and training warlocks for a holy war. Many have said we stand on the brink of war, that we are nearing the End Times. Well, as to the End Times I cannot say, no one knows the future. I can tell you that whatever threat we face Arx will not fall so long as I am your king! I will have scouts look into the matter. They will assess whatever threat Nihilus poses, if any. Remember that our land is a land surrounded by mountains. These mountains are like walls that God himself has built around us, to keep us, those who follow his Law, safe. Have some faith, people of Arx, if not in me then in God.” Amasi pointed to the enormous stone obelisk behind him. “As always, this obelisk, on which the Law is written, shall serve as our sign that God favors us. Whenever you feel fear or doubt look upon this symbol of God’s covenant with us and know that we will be protected. Let’s pray.”

Keir saw his opportunity. The King and all of the commoners in attendance had bowed their heads and closed their eyes for the prayer. The bodyguards’ eyes were still open, but at least King Amasi wouldn’t see this coming.

“Lord our God, Creator of Erets,” Amasi began the prayer.

Keir took a deep breath and sprang into action. He shoved aside the two people in front of him and ran at the stage where King Amasi stood. The bodyguards saw him, drew their swords, and moved to intercept him. Sure enough, just as Ocran promised, the soles on their boots tore off and they all tripped and fell. It only bought Keir a few extra seconds, but that was all the time he needed. King Amasi heard the noise of his guards’ armor hitting the stone ground and turned his head back to see what was wrong. Perfect. His eyes were turned away from Keir. Keir reached into his sleeve and drew the kitchen knife. He was only inches away now. The bodyguards struggled to get to their feet. Amasi’s head began to turn back to Keir at the last second, just as Keir’s knife pushed between his ribs and plunged into his heart.

The King shoved Keir away and stood for a moment with his hand over his heart. When blood poured between his fingers the common people in the crowd screamed and panicked.

Keir fell backwards off the stage and hit the ground hard. In spite of the pain jolting through his entire body, he laughed out loud at what he’d accomplished. The people in the crowd backed away from him, worried that this murderous madman might lash out at them next.

One of the bodyguards immediately rushed to King Amasi’s side, “Get a priest! We need a healer, now!” the bodyguard shouted.

The other bodyguard was closing in on Keir, his weapon drawn. Keir knew that if he were to be captured here they’d torture him for hours, maybe even days, to get the secret out of him. He wouldn’t endure that. He couldn’t risk that in his weakness he’d betray Ocran and the others who’d infiltrated the capital city. He took the knife in his hands, the same knife he’d used to kill Amasi, and plunged it into his own heart. Once the blade was in he wrenched it back and forth to make absolutely sure he’d be dead before the bodyguard got to him.

Sure enough, when the bodyguard reached Keir he was already dead, with a smile spread across his face.

“The King has been slain!”