{"sf1_id":614643,"sf2_id":"AnK9NZoe","title":"Chapter 4: the banquet","author":"HeruSolares","words":1122,"posted_at":"2013-11-16T23:07:00.000Z","tags":["Assassin","Disney","Maid Marian","No-Yiff","Robin Hood","Story Progression"],"url":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/614643-chapter-4-the-banquet","original_url":"https://sofurry.com/s/AnK9NZoe","image_url":"https://cdn.sofurryfiles.com/submissions/thumbnails/f3/ec/f3ec44df-c451-427a-b0f0-e1ae3b839535","description":"#2 of operation poison arrow\n\n-WARNING-\u003cbr /\u003e\n\n\n-THIS IS A DISCONTINUED STORY-\nhere's some more information on the story: http://heruanubissolares.deviantart.com/art/Operation-Poison-Arrow-409797269","content":"Daniël walked through the long corridors of the castle,\n\nOn his way to see prince John.\n\nBut the mission was the last thing on his mind...\n\nAll he could think about was the vixen he saw earlier.\n\n\"I wonder what her name could be... maybe just as beautiful as herself...\"\n\nThe jackal snapped back into reality when he heard her voice behind a door.\n\nShe seemed to be talking to the old chicken again.\n\n\"Young love... it's a wonderful thing...\"\n\n\"Oh Clucky, surely he must know how much I still love him.\"\n\n\"But of course, my dear.\n\nBelieve me; someday your uncle Richard will have an outlaw for an in-law!\"\n\n\"But when, Clucky? When?!\"\n\n\"Patience, my dear. Remember: absence makes the heart grow fonder...\"\n\n\"Or forgetful... I've been away so long... what if he's forgotten all about me?\"\n\nDaniël took a moment to think about what she could mean.\n\n\"...was she talking about Robin? This might get complicated...\"\n\nThe jackal made his way to the dining hall,\n\nwhere a filled banquet was waiting for him.\n\nHe took a low seat at the table, not far away from prince John's throne.\n\nThe 'guests' around him were mostly thugs and solders,\n\nApart from a few corrupt noblemen.\n\nThe Sheriff was there too, snacking down on some random dishes.\n\nPrince John, on the other hand, ditn't seem to enjoy his food.\n\nHe just sat there on his throne, carried away in deep thought.\n\nThe chairs directly next to him were empty... odd...\n\nIt ditn't take long before John's advisor appeared,\n\nSlithering to his place on the right side of the throne.\n\n\"Sssire? I went to see Marion like you asssked. She said she wasn't hungry.\"\n\n\"What?! Go get her at once! I want her to meet our new associate.\"\n\n\"As you wisssh...\"\n\nThe serpent left more to fetch the missing guest.\n\n\"...Marion? Could that be her name? It sounds... familiar.\"\n\nPrince John stood up from his place to address his company.\n\n\"May I have your attention, please!\n\nI would like to introduce Sir Anubis; The solution to our little... problem.\n\nHe has come from a far-away land to aid us in the capture of Robin Hood.\"\n\n\"That's right, my friends! Soon we shall regain control in Nottingham,\n\nAnd together we will... we... will...\"\n\nDaniël froze for a moment when he saw Marion enter the room...\n\nShe was even more beautiful up close...\n\nThe vixen sat down on the empty seat next to prince John.\n\n\"Excuse me, where was I?\n\nWe shall take back England and crush our enemies once and for all!!!\"\n\nHis failed attempt was met by a moderate applause, and even a faint laugh from the vixen.\n\nHe stood up from his chair and walked up to her.\n\n\"I don't think you two have been properly introduced yet.\n\nThis is Marian, my adopted niece.\n\nI've been taking care for her since my sister went to join Richard in the Holy Land.\"\n\nDaniël kneeled down and kissed her hand.\n\n\"It's an honor to make your acquaintance, my lady.\"\n\n\"Please, the honor is all mine.\"\n\nHe sat back down, only this time a little closer to the throne.\n\n\"One thing confounds me, sir Anubis. Where exactly do you come from?\n\nHow did you end up here in Nottingham?\"\n\n\"Well I... I am a traveler. I wander the world in search of fortune and glory.\n\nAt some point I ended up in Cyprus during the crusader attack on Limasol.\n\nI was a contracted mercenary for the Crusader army,\n\nTaking down important targets for gold.\n\nI overheard stories about the beautiful country of England,\n\nand I wanted to seek out this wonder myself.\n\nAfter... acquiring enough funds, I made my journey to the West.\n\nUpon my arrival, however, the magic and wonder was nowhere to be seen.\n\nThe people are all hiding in fear, and darkness consumes the land.\n\nI want to change all that... by the deal I have offered you.\"\n\n\"Interesting... and how will a few golden coins change the state of my country?\"\n\n\"You'll see...\"\n\nMarion looked a bit confused and tapped prince John's elbow.\n\n\"Please forgive me for interrupting, uncle. What 'deal' are you talking about?\"\n\nThe Sheriff laughed and accidentally knocked over a plate.\n\n\"Isn't it obvious?! Anubis here is going to kill Robin Hood!\"\n\nThe vixen turned pale in a matter of seconds.\n\n\"Pardon me, what did you say!?\"\n\n\"You heard me. Soon that meddlesome outlaw will be out of my way. Forever!\"\n\nThe vixen stood up with a shocked expression.\n\n\"E...Excuse me. I... I don't feel so good.\"\n\nShe abruptly left the room.\n\n\"So tell me... when are you going to fulfill your end of the bargain?\"\n\n\"I shall head into Sherwood Forest at the break of dawn. Alone.\n\nYou can place guards at the city's perimeter to prevent anyone from interfering.\n\nMake sure to double the patrols around the castle as well.\n\nThe last thing we need is an angry mob storming the walls...\n\nI think you have a good view over the woods from your private balcony.\n\nI suggest you make yourself comfortable up there and enjoy the show...\"\n\n\"A splendid idea! We can even have a private party in your honor!\n\nCome along, Hiss. We need to make preparations right away!!!\"\n\nPrince John stood up from his throne and walked towards the door.\n\nSuddenly Daniël blocked his way.\n\n\"Allow me, your highness.\"\n\nHe swiftly opened the door, revealing Marian standing right behind it.\n\nShe gasped in surprise, knowing she was caught.\n\nThe vixen ran off through the many hallways, chased by Daniël.\n\n\"Madame, Please! I just want to talk to you!!!\"\n\nAfter a few wrong turns he finally gave up.\n\n\"I guess I should leave her alone for now...\"\n\nThe jackal sighed and returned to the guest tower.\n\nHe locked the door and removed his heavy chainmail armor.\n\nUnderneath the medieval disguise,\n\nthe jackal was wearing a state-of-the-art sneaking suit,\n\nspecifically designed for missions like these.\n\n\"Ahh... that feels so much better...\"\n\nDaniël sat on the bed for a while,\n\nexamining the mask he got from Marcus.\n\nThe skull-shaped design fit his muzzle perfectly,\n\nAnd the pale white color gave a perfect contrast to his black bodysuit.\n\nHe reached under the bed to retrieve his hidden sniper rifle.\n\nAfter preforming the final check-up,\n\nHe loaded a cartridge of arrows into the slot.\n\nHe put the mask on and activated his comlink.\n\n\"Agent Blaze, can you skip me ahead a few hours?\"\n\n\"Don't you want to rest first?\"\n\n\"No. The sooner I'm done with this the sooner I can go home...\"\n\n\"If you say so...\"\n\nThe jackal waited until a white light appeared in the room.\n\nWhen it faded away, Daniël had disappeared ...\n\nThat is, until dawn...\n\n  \n  \n\n","series":{"name":"operation poison arrow","previous":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/607288-chapter-3-setting-the-scene.json"}}