Allendrie let out a grunt as he hit the ground. "Get up! Let's go through it again." Toriban extended his hand and helped Allendrie up. Allendrie retrieved his sword and the two of them ran through the form again, to the same result. "You're not reacting quick enough! Oh, well, it will have to do. Rest up, we move tomorrow."

"Do you really think we can pull this off, Toriban?"

"No. I think we'll die tomorrow. But to not even try would be a worse failure than dying. Just give it your all, and don't give up unless you're dead."

"That is probably the least inspirational speech I've ever heard. Though I suppose a bitter, vengeful warrior is the last place I should look for inspiration."

"Hmph. We should get some rest. Tomorrow's important."

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"You're sure that this is the right way?"

"Look Toriban, every major room in the palace was built with an escape tunnel in case of emergency. This is the exit for my old room."

"It still looks like a tree to me."

Allendrie sighed and moved to the tree. He pressed a knot in one of the branches and leant against the tree, pushing the entire thing over and revealing a hole beneath the faux tree. "The hinges have started to rust. I guess the caretakers don't take care of these anymore." The two of them jumped down the hole, landing about five feet below the surface. After what seemed like a mile, they came to a ladder leading to a trapdoor in the ceiling.

"Now where exactly does this lead, Allendrie?"

"Well, unless they've changed the room around, we'll end up directly under the bed, so watch your head."

Toriban headed up the ladder and pushed the trap door up. "Hey," he whispered, "the bed is blocking the door."

"Yeah, I know. You'll have to crawl through what space there is."

Toriban slithered through the tight opening and stood up. He turned and looked back at the bed. "Oh crap! Allendrie! Get up here quickly!"

"What do you think you're doing in here!" said the young woman in the bed. "Who are you?!"

Toriban had Crimson out of it's sheath and at her throat in an instant. "Hurry, Allendrie. We have a complication."

Allendrie crawled out from the bed. "So I heard. Leave her. Let's go."

"If we leave her, she'll warn the Royal Guard! It would put the whole mission at more risk than it already is, if that's possible. Kill her or gag and bind her. It's your choice."

The woman's hand went under the covers unnoticed. An instant later her blade knocked Crimson away and she leapt to her feet. "Back away! Why are you here?!"

Toriban, Crimson ever at the ready, took a step back. "Why are we here? What kind of stupid question is that? We're here to kill the emperor, of course."

"Ahh, Toriban? Didn't you just give her a little too much information?"

"It doesn't matter now. I've decided to kill her."

The woman pulled a larger blade from the dresser. "I won't allow you assassins to kill the good Emperor."

Allendrie's eyes widened a bit. "Good Emperor?! Either my brother has become an excellent liar, or you are the most gullible person in Untala. There is nothing 'good' about him!"

"Brother?!" the girl said. "What do you mean?"

"I am Prince Allendrie Merdoon. Selphrin stole the throne five years ago.

"Well isn't that wonderful," Toriban said sarcastically, "Now that we've introduced ourselves to the enemy, how about killing her?!"

"Wait!" the girl said. "If you can prove what you say, then I will help you."

Toriban scoffed. "How would we know that you're not lying?"

"I never lie. I am an initiate priestess of the First Temple of Shinto. It is practically forbidden for me to lie!"

Toriban turned to Allendrie. "I believe her."

"What! How can you believe her based on that?!"

"Because I trained at that temple for four years."

Allendrie looked at Toriban skeptically. "Fine. You need proof? Call a servant."

The woman called for a servant to come to the room. As he entered, he suddenly found Allendrie's hand over his mouth and Toriban's sword at his face. "Ahh!"

Allendrie spun the servant around to face him. "Do you recognize me?"

The servant stuttered and stammered for a few moments until he finally realized who he was face to face with. "Pr-Prince Allendrie?!"

Toriban shoved the servant into the closet and locked the door. "Is that enough proof for you?"

"Yes, but who are you?"

Toriban laughed. "Just a washed up noble who will probably be dead before the day is through. I'm Toriban Fangora. Welcome to the team."

The girl took his outstretched hand. "Zara Ayane. Well then let's go."

Allendrie moved to the door. "You ready? the assault on Dewvron Palace begins now."