User blog:Ihaveawiixboxds/пятнадцать

Two weeks later, business was going just as normal. Darkness was beginning its nightly rule, and Loney was signing some important papers primarily for the purpose of keeping Walden content.

"Thank you Walden, that will be all." he said as he handed the papers to his assistant. Walden gleefully took the papers, rolled them up into scrolls, and was off in a flash. Loney extinguished all but one of the candles which had allowed him to read. He took the single lit candle and began to exit the room. He was stopped, however, by the sound of a door creaking open. Fearing nearly every single possibility, he immediately drew his sword and lay the candle at his side. He heard slow footsteps and was just barely able to distinguish the shadow of a man approaching.

"State your name and business." Loney forcefully commanded, successfully hiding a significant amount of fear.

"Simply put, my business is to end yours."

The footsteps rapidly accelerated. The man drew two swords and sliced horizontally with both simultaneously upon approaching where Loney stood. A simple ddge to the left was sufficient and gave Loney the upper hand, placing him behind his attacker. He attempted to utilize that advantage by quickly lunging forward and stabbing his opponent in the back, but the man spun around quickly and knocked Loney's sword down. With the weapon in his left hand he swung at Loney's neck, but the king ducked. Continuing his left-to-right motion, the mysterious attacker spun away from Loney.

A break in the action followed as the two men circled each other. Eventually the unknown attacker launhed forward, striking first upawrd with his right hand then downward with his left. Loney countered by bringing his sword up to block the first strike and then circling down to block he second. The man loaded up by bringing both weapons to hid left side and Loney took the oppurtunity to kick his right hip. The man lost his balance and staggered backwards. Flustered, he once again hurled himself forward. This time he attempted to strike both the left and the right simultaneously. He brought both arms to the outside and, while leaping in the air, pulled them inward. Loney, however, was smart enough to spot the opening. He, too, rushed forward, sword elevated. As the assailant plummeted towards where Loney previously stood, he was impaled by Loney's sword. The whole bloody mess plopped onto the ground behind the king, and the confrontation ended.

There was a loud gasp, and Loney looked upward. On the balcony hanging above him he saw both of his daughters, loking down upon the horrid scene. On the right was Aravis, her hands clasped over her mouth, and on the left stood Arya, simply staring straight at the dead pile.

"Come down." Loney ordered, picking up the candle by his side. His daughters hurried down to meet him. Aravis wouldn't go too far from the stairs, but Arya approached the gory scene.

"What happened?" she asked.

"Some sort of assassination attempt, I'm assuming." Loney, repulsed by the heap of slaughter, quickly changed the subject. "But never mind about that. Let's get outside, I need some fresh air."

The three walked outside together quietly. Once there, Loney spoke.

"I'm terribly sorry you guys had to witness that."

"You know, we're not kids anymore. It's not like seeing someone die is traumatizing or anything. It's just... Well... It is very unnerving," Aravis explained.

"Well, I suppose I do treat you guys like you're younger than you are." Loney sighed. "You're adults now. It's been that way for quite some time, I just can't seem to get used to it. Maybe the real problem is I never grew up myself..."

"In all honesty..." Arya interjected. "You have sheltered us... Possibly a bit too much. I mean, if that guy had attacked me instead, do you think I would've been able to kill him?"

"Yes, that is a very good point, it's just that... Once you've entered into the horrors of adulthood, there's no going back, so it's best to stay out of them for as long as possible."

"Don't worry, daddy." Aravis reassured. "You've been great, and we couldn't ask for anyone else."

Arya quietly agreed.

"I've at least tried my best, and I suppose that's what's important. Well, it's getting late. I don't know about you guys, but I could certianly use some rest." The three embraced each other, and Loney then sent his daughters on their way. "Love you guys, now go get some sleep."

Too tired to go anywhere himself, Loney sat down on the closest bench he could find. There he dozed out until Walden found him and informed him that the dead body had been identified. Loney did not respond at first.

"Sir, are you okay?" Walden asked after a long period of silence.

"Ah, yes. What were you saying?"

"We have an identification for the dead body." Walden repeated.

"And?"

"His name is Keplers, no known last name. He was seen working for Alemas just a few weeks ago. That's all we know for now."