{"sf1_id":607234,"sf2_id":"keNga79m","title":"Chapter 2: a deadly pact","author":"HeruAnubisSolares","words":1446,"posted_at":"2013-10-27T17:03:00.000Z","tags":["Anubis","Assassin","Disney","Maid Marian","No-Yiff","Robin Hood","Story Progression"],"url":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/607234-chapter-2-a-deadly-pact","original_url":"https://sofurry.com/s/keNga79m","image_url":"https://cdn.sofurryfiles.com/submissions/thumbnails/84/bd/84bdef52-a931-49b4-b2f5-a74e78a6c172","description":"#3 of operation poison arrow\n\nhere's some more information on the story: http://heruanubissolares.deviantart.com/art/Operation-Poison-Arrow-409797269","content":"The following morning, Daniël set out for the village.\n\nAs he passed the town's gate, he noticed there were a lot of guards patrolling around.\n\n\"Guess John doesn't want to take any chances when he gets here...\"\n\nThere weren't a lot of people in the streets, and all of them really ditn't look happy.\n\nHe could sense their fear. Their hopes crushed under the foot of the tyrant prince...\n\nAnd his minions...\n\nIt was clear that something had to be done.\n\nDaniël stopped to rest in the main square, right in front of the gallows.\n\nAn unfortunate citizen dangled from the rope with a sign strapped to his chest.\n\n-PAY YOUR TAXES, OR PAY THE PRICE-\n\nThe local militia had pinned a poster on a nearby tree.\n\n-WANTED-\n\nRobin Hood\n\nDEAD OR ALIVE\n\nReward: £1000\n\n\"Only that much? The prince is even more greedy than I had expected...\"\n\nHe took the poster with him and continued his walk around town.\n\nSuddenly he heard something very unusual... someone was whistling?!\n\nHe followed the sound until he saw a wolf joyfully walking down the street.\n\nJudging by his cheerful mood... he must be the Sheriff collecting his taxes.\n\nDaniël followed him unnoticed, and saw him ransacking house after house in search of loot.\n\nOne house in particular was horrible to watch.\n\nThere was a young rabbit's birthday celebration going on when he walked in.\n\nThe mother had given her very last coin to her son...\n\nAnd he snagged it right out of his paw, just like that.\n\nDaniël wanted to run in there and kill the greedy bastard,\n\nbut his objective forced him to remain undetected.\n\n\"You'll get what's coming to you, Sheriff. Sooner or later...\"\n\nMoments later a blind fox entered the house, begging for money.\n\nThere was something strange about him...\n\nInstead of tailing the Sherrif when he left,\n\nDaniël decided to stick around some more.\n\nSuddenly the blind man removed his glasses and cape.\n\n\"Green clothes... trademark cap... That must be Robin Hood.\"\n\nHe smiled and gave the little rabbit his bow and arrow.\n\nThe mother received a bag of gold he had stolen.\n\n\"The citizens seem to love him very much...\n\nI almost feel bad for what I'm going to do to him...\"\n\nSuddenly Daniël was shoved aside by a soldier.\n\n\"Get off the street, sir. Make way for the royal carriage.\"\n\n\"Sorry.\"\n\nWhen the jackal looked back up, Robin had disappeared.\n\n\"Not to worry, I've locked onto his genetic signature...\n\nTracking him down will be a piece of cake now...\"\n\nA large, overly decorated horsecoach drove by, escorted by numerous guards.\n\nDaniël followed the parade, but he was apprehended by one of the thugs.\n\n\"Hello, stranger. Have you paid your welcome fee yet?\"\n\n\"Well wadda ya know...\n\nHey Connor, he's the one causing trouble in the tavern last night, remember?\"\n\n\"You're going to regret ever coming here, stranger. Have at you!\"\n\nThe soldier drew his sword, but once again Daniël disarmed him.\n\n\"Don't just stand there! Seize him!!!\"\n\nMore soldiers showed up to fight, drawing the attention from the royal guards.\n\n\"Driver, why have we stopped?!\", cried a voice from the carriage.\n\n\"There appears to be some sort of brawl going on.\"\n\n\"Ha! Who dares to interrupt my arrival with this miserable performance?\n\nThis I gotta see...\"\n\nMeanwhile, Daniël did a great job at defeating the angry soldiers.\n\nHe even had to hold back so he ditn't kill anyone.\n\nThis continued on until all of them were either hurt or uncontinous.\n\n\"Enough!!! This ends now!!!\"\n\nThe last guard aimed his crossbow and shot the jackal.\n\nTo everyone's surprise, he caught the arrow in mid-air!\n\nThe door of the carriage opened, and instantly a row of guards formed a living 'stair' to the ground.\n\nA feline appeared, dressed in a blue robe with a crown on his head.\n\nDaniël instantly kneeled down in respect.\n\nA serpent slithered at the prince's legs, casting a suspicious glance at him.\n\n\"Impressive... No-one has outlasted my men in battle before...\n\nI found your performance... most amusing, brave warrior...\n\nPlease, tell me your name.\"\n\n\"My lord... I am but a mere jackal. I am honored with pleasing the king himself.\"\n\n\"Do you hear that, Hiss? The man says I'm king!!!\"\n\n\"Oh, so you are not the fabled King John?\"\n\n\"Yes I am! I'm the greatest king in the history of all England!!!\"\n\n\"So you are. My name is Anubis. I have travelled a long way just to meet you, sire.\"\n\n\"Oh... so tell me; what does a man like you have to offer to the king?\"\n\n\"Allow me to accompany you and I'll explain...\"\n\n\"So be it.\"\n\nDaniël climbed aboard the carriage and after a while they reached the castle's gates.\n\n\"That's an imposing residence you've got, my liege.\"\n\n\"It doesn't quite fit my status... but I guess it'll have to do.\"\n\nTwo guards opened the large oakwood doors into the main hall.\n\nThe rusty hinges creaked as they turned.\n\nThe castle had seen it's fair share of decay,\n\nJudging by the cracks in the walls and the dusty furniture.\n\n\"This place isn't what it used to be...\n\nAll that remains of it's former glory is just a distant childhood memory...\"\n\nJohn sat down on his throne, and the serpent slid next to him on a chair.\n\nDaniël sat down on the carpet in front of him.\n\n\"The castle... it belonged to your parents, am I correct?\"\n\n\"Yes. It's the only thing they left to me... instead of to my damn brother Richard.\n\nIt kind of reminds me of myself in an obscure way.\n\nJust a hollow shell compared to the royal palace in London...\"\n\n\"I see what you mean... you're not very fond of your brother, are you?\"\n\nJohn ditn't react, but the menacing look in his eyes said enough.\n\nThe jackal stood up and flicked a coin between his fingers.\n\n\"Let's talk about something you like. Let's talk about... money.\"\n\n\"Ah yes... gold... lots and lots of gold! It's the only thing that I really care about.\"\n\n\"You know... I have a deal that will give you more gold than you can imagine.\"\n\n\"Really? I have quite a big imagination.\"\n\nThe serpent gave Daniël a suspicious look.\n\n\"Sssire, I don't trussst thisss man.\"\n\n\"Oh shut up, Hiss. Please, sir Anubis. Tell me more about your 'deal'...\"\n\nDaniël continued to flick his coin, until suddenly he was playing with a knife instead.\n\n\"You rule the land with an iron fist, and yet... the people don't seem to acknowledge your authority.\n\nYour high taxes and cruel punishments create discontent amongst your subjects...\n\nAnd in the center of it all... stands Robin Hood.\n\nHis actions make him the living embodiment of the rebellion.\n\nSo if I kill him, the people will all submit to you in terror.\n\nAnd the more eager they are to submit... the richer you will become.\"\n\n\"What do you think I've been doing for the past 15 years?!\n\nHow are you planning to succeed where even I have failed?\"\n\n\"Skill.\"\n\n\"...wait a minute... my brother once told me about a tribe he encountered in Syria.\n\nThey are expert in the art of killing...\n\nCould you be one of them?\n\nAre you... an assassin?\"\n\nDaniël threw the knife right above the prince's head.\n\nIt pinned his crown against the back of the throne.\n\n\"Don't you dare compare me to those amateurs. They are nothing like me!\"\n\n\"You dare to attack your own king?! What an outrage!!!\"\n\n\"I could have killed you, too... and no-one would have even cared...\"\n\n\"What?\"\n\n\"Look at your guards. Did they react when I was holding the knife?\n\nNo. They just stood there and watched.\n\nI am able to change all of that...\n\nI can make the people willingly stand by your side...\n\nAnd I can make you the richest man in the world...\n\n\"Of course, I do not work for free... I want a part of your wealth in return.\"\n\n\"How much?\"\n\n\"It's not a question of money, my liege... I'll explain the terms later.\n\nFirst, I need a place to reside.\n\nI have to meditate while finding the best way to deal with Robin.\"\n\n\"There is an old guest area at the top of the Eastern tower.\n\nMy servant will take you there.\"\n\n\"B-b-but sssire-\"\n\n\"No 'but', Hiss. Who's the king around here?\"\n\n\"...you are.\"\n\nThe snake got off his chair and slithered down the hall.\n\nDaniël went after him, but prince John gave him one last order.\n\n\"One week, sir Anubis. You have one week to bring me his dead body.\n\nI have but one condition; make. him. _suffer!_\n\nMake him pay for every last coin he took from me!!!\"\n\n  \n  \n\n","series":{"name":"operation poison arrow","previous":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/607225-chapter-1-enter-the-jackal.json","next":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/607288-chapter-3-setting-the-scene.json"}}