There would be no hiding his next actions. There would be speculation of assassination, no matter that there was no evidence. Nash marched into the room where King Hugue and his Queen were entertaining well wishers. He unceremoniously plunged his blade into the neck of the King and the Queen. Both fell to the floor as they died. Luckily there was only one unlucky individual looking at the King and Queen at that moment. Nash stabbed them in the neck as well, and they joined the other two on the floor.
This lineage had to end, Nash decided. He crept into the young boy’s room. The boy had pushed the blankets down to cool off, and his chest was exposed. Nash quickly buried his blade in the boy’s chest.
There would be no hiding his next actions. There would be speculation of assassination, no matter that there was no evidence. Nash marched into the room where King Hugue and his Queen were entertaining well wishers. He unceremoniously plunged his blade into the neck of the King and the Queen. Both fell to the floor as they died. Luckily there was only one unlucky individual looking at the King and Queen at that moment. Nash stabbed them in the neck as well, and they joined the other two on the floor.
There would be pandemonium when time began to flow again, and probably a magical investigation. Maybe not, since there would be no one left to rule this kingdom. It might just be chaos for a while.
Nash didn’t care. At this moment, he decided this was his last assignment.
He exited the castle and retrieved his horses by pulling them out of the time-stream. Once he was far enough past the castle gates, he let time flow again.
Nash took his time getting home. King Sargus was conducting business in the throne room when Nash arrived the next day. His advisor, Agamen, waved the guards out of the room.
“Is it done?” Sargus asked conspiratorially.
“It is. There is no chance of an alliance through marriage between Drenad and Praetha,” Nash announced.
“Realllly?” King Sargus said, surprised. “You killed all three Princes?”
Nash looked him in the eye, “Yes, I did,” he said. “All three Princes.”
Sargus wiggled his finger at Agamen. He understood and retrieved a large chest of coins from behind the throne. “I had hoped you would pull through, Nash, so I had this prepared for you,” Sargus said as Agamen struggled to drag the chest forward.
“Thank you, my King, but I have a request as well,” Nash said.
“Go on,” Sargus said indulgently since he was in such a good mood.
“I want to retire. I’m done with killing,” Nash said.
“That’s fine for now,” King Sargus said. “But, you may have to come out of retirement if the kingdom of Kheozia needs you.”
“I don’t think you understand,” Nash said. “The King and the Queen of Drenad are dead as well. I’m tired of palace politics, and I’ll do whatever I have to do to end my involvement.”
Sargus blanched, and Agamen looked like he might pass out. “What have you done?”
“You heard right, I killed the entire family. It was easy, it’s always easy. I could do it to anyone,” Nash said as a thinly veiled threat. “The Soul Assassin is retiring whether his King approves or not,” Nash concluded. He picked up his payment and turned to leave. “I’m done. Contact me again, and I’ll kill you. Attempt to kill me, and you die.
“You have some nerve,” Sargus said, raising his voice.
Nash expected an outburst. He stopped time, set down the chest he was carrying, and walked to the throne. He stabbed his knife into Agamen’s forehead and moved behind the King. He placed his dagger at the King’s throat and let time move forward again.
“These are not empty threats,” Nash whispered into his ear. “I never did like Agamen. You’re lucky, I like you.” Agamen’s corpse stared up at Sargus accusingly.
“This is treason!” King Sargus said.
“Maybe,” Nash said. “I’m not going to kill you,” he said, removing the knife and standing straight. “Yet,” he threatened and moved back to where the chest was resting on the floor. “I don’t want to either, so please do not send anyone after me.”
Sargus wasn’t sure what had just happened, or how Nash had done what he had done, but he now knew Nash was far more dangerous than he had ever imagined.
“Agreed,” he relented. “Get out of my sight,” he said.
“Not a problem,” Nash said. His plan was to quickly and quietly move in the night to never be seen in Kheozia again.