Episode 2-The castle on the hill

Khyo

"We will be here for a bit" I yell to my crew, so they can hear "Why not soon? Is it that bad?" I hear Josh complain from the other side of the dock. Of course, he's going to complain nobody understands the true meaning of this mission I think to myself "Your brow is furrowed what happened?" I hear as footsteps become closer "I introduce his majesty king of Manitoba." My crew and I begin to bow. "This is stupid why do we have to bow to this guy?" I hear Belle whisper, I quickly whisper trying not to alert the others "It's customary we technically are here on official business" I reply "I am very glad for you all coming here." "We are very glad to be here your highness" I reply quickly but sharply grabbing and shaking his hand. "I apologize if we seem rude we are not used to the Manitobin culture." "That is fine I shall lead the way into the coach" Me and my crew follow him to a bright white and black coach with encrusted diamonds and an engraved symbol of the Manitobin flag. I hastily get in as my crew head into the other coaches "These are some of my most prized possessions, each is worth two years of taxes encrusted with thousands of diamonds" "They are very shiny" I reply but considering his face he didn't seem to hear me "So you are the famous khyo? The dragon slayer?" "Well yes I am but-" He cuts me off "Yes, yes well anyway we have a bit of a beast problem plaguing our forests I need you to get rid of them." "Well how much are ther-" He cuts me off again "You will be paid no more than 50 gold each" I stare at him with a calming smile "That's… Great." "It really is-" I stop listening and start looking out the window. Is this guy crazy? I brought my entire crew here for 50 gold? I am not complaining, but that's barley enough to buy a piece of steak. "Well seems like we're here I hope you will follow through with the plan!" I look at him with a smile as he walks out of the carriage. "May I spend some time to myself?" I reply to the coachman as he closes the door. What plan why didn't I listen… Well this is fun. I get out of the carriage and head towards my crew "I think there are guest rooms in the palace, so we can live there before we head to battle. The raid will start in one week so remember to get prepared we will start training early tomorrow." I inform my crew as I walk away.

Kiran

Seems they got more people to help them. When will they learn they won't win. "Kiran there you are!" I look up to see Zoe "Seems you finally perfected your form congratulations!" I reply with a smile "Yup I can finally hop around the trees like the panda I am!" "Maybe someday you will be able to live in a bamboo forest" I reply happily "Maybe but until we can afford bamboo the trees are good enough!" Zoe yells as she hops away. If only we could get bamboo we're surrounded on the east there the kingdom and the rest is ocean. Maybe if I headed down to the docks I could find some… Yes! That's it I run home and shift back. If I hide my ears I could find bamboo in the market. It's dangerous,, but it's worth it for Zoe. "You're not leaving are you?" I hear Mel question "I have to she can't go on like that it's unsafe for her." I reply "And what if you get caught?" "I won't, ill be careful" "She can handle it, it's not like she will die without bamboo" "Yea but what if she does?" "Why are you being like this?" "The kingdom is planning another attack..." "THERE WHAT!?" Mel yells as I quickly put my hand over her mouth "Quiet!" I silently yell "How do you know?" She looks at my suspiciously "Well I saw more ships coming in carrying weapons" I hastily reply "I guess there relying on the other contents to help them." Mel replies with a grumble in her throat "Mel can you assemble the army and send out more patrols?" "You're going to be at the front line again right?" Mel asks "I don't think I have much of a choice this is our forest and I will do anything to protect it." "Anyway I will be heading to the dock."

Khyo

"Do we really have to do this?" Keb complains "I would cancel this but we kinda kinda got to far." I reply "If we were to leave I bet they would chase after us." Darren comments "It's best if we just listen plus on the bright side we get to see talk trees." I reply trying to change the subject "You guys should watch what you say anyone could be listening." Belle whispers "Well I better head to the meeting." I reply walking out. I walk out from our room to the hallway as I walk farther I see the portraits of past kings. "Seems like the last king wasn't that old before his death." I subtlety talk to myself "Your right, he died at the age of 23" I hear a servant call from behind "I apologize if I scared you I am here to bring you to the war room." The servant adds on "How did he die?" I question with confusion although it's common for most rulers to die at a young age Manitoba has expert healers and food along with that it's a very rich kingdom. "The ruler of the beasts killed him." "Was it a diplomatic meeting? How would that be possible?" I ask confusingly "They can shift turn into humans and look like us. One night he was attacked," The servant replys immediately "Did you guys not have right defenses?" "We did but every night the alarm got set off the king was so mad he turned it off as a faulty alarm." Seems the leader of the forest is quite a skilled assassin. "Then one night there was a scream, I and the rest of the servants rushed to kings room but we were to late. The king was on the floor and the leader of the beasts was there blood dripping from his hands. As we rushed to get him he jumped from the window and ran away into the night." That's terrifying, but why just the king not the entire imperial family? I think confusingly. "We better get going now" The servants says as we walk through the hallway. Maybe we are missing something how can he just break in without being noticed even with a human form.

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