Untitled

Timerin wasn’t sure what he was seeing, but it wasn’t what he expected. No one could’ve expected this. He remained quiet as the two kings argued; they switched between Damarious and Demaris on a whim. Touched by the gods? Timerin thought, shaking his head. It explained a lot, but it also raised more questions. It sounded like they were working together, but for what purpose? Their actions ran…

A click from the large double-doored armoire caught his attention and he stepped back, adhering to the wall and rising up while remaining clear and gelatinous. The doors opened and the deposed king entered. King Damarious shrugged off his cloak, placing it on a hook on the armoire’s door. “I need to find him. He’s a danger to my plans,” he said to himself, pulling his wig off, revealing the…

It was a tight fit, but he slipped through, making sure to adhere to the ceiling instead of the door in case it opened. It took longer than he liked, especially with the royal chambers lit with a large fire and numerous candles. It only took him a minute to make sure the main chamber and privy were empty. He took the opportunity to check around, was empty at the moment, and he took the…

The guards who finished their shift hurried through the doors before they closed. They slowed back into their normal pace as they headed to the armory and then their barracks or homes. It was the standard drill and Timerin made note of it. He continued to move through the castle, moving higher on the wall so he could cling to the ceiling if needed. In time, he reached the royal chambers, but the…

He’d always worked alone for a reason. Others could complicate things and leave him open for an attack or vice versa. He knew he could count on himself, so he kept it simple. Besides, he had enough mistakes on his conscience and didn’t need anymore. Refocusing to the task at hand, he passed the guards as they began to change over, filling the air with their grumblings and greetings. He crossed…

His mind drifted back to after he escaped from the men and considered his options before deciding to make his move. He sat across from the tavern with the barmaid who seemed to head a rebellion. From what he saw, they continued about their business, still wary but trying not to appear so. He thought about approaching them and asking their help with a distraction, but he decided against it. It’d…

Despite how hated the King Demaris was, there weren’t as many guards as he expected. He’d watched for a day, and waited until the new guard shift. It wasn’t chaotic, but the men still went about changing over and the normal camaraderie would give him to slip past. As much faith as he had in remaining camouflaged, he didn’t want to take a chance. He moved up and along the wall while still…

The sound of guards moving down the corridor faded and a gelatinous liquid climbed out of a drain along the base of the wall. It was a small grated opening meant to let the rain water flow from the cobbled street. It was rarely needed, so there were only a few of them. One was all Timerin needed. He moved along the base of the wall until he was fully out of the opening. The light was fading, so…

Timerin waited, having taken the form of a gelatinous human shape as he adhered to the wall. When he was sure the pursuit was halted for now, he began moving, following the marks he’d made directing him to the next exit. He wasn’t surprised the Damarious sent his men after him so soon, but the way they watched him from the rooftops would limit his movements. Even if he chose another disguise,…

Knowing where the crossbow bolts came from, Timerin dove into the alley behind and to the side of the men. As soon as he stepped into the slightly darker area and around a stack of garbage, he shifted into a clear shape and slipped through the storm grate before the men above ran into the alley, looking for him. Back in the sewar, he clung to the side of the tunnel, adhering to the bricks to…

It took a second for the leader to react to his response, and by then it was too late. With a blindly motion, Timerin sunk his knife into the leader’s side between his armor, pivoting him around as a pair of crossbow bolts punched through his breastplate. Holding the leader to fall with one hand, Timerin turned, flinging his arm out. It elongated as he did so, and the clear, jelly-like appendage…

Think, man! Think! Timerin’s mind screamed as he watched the leader step forward. The leader replied, “You don’t have to know him, he knows you. How we bring you to him is up to you. In pieces, whole; alive or dead. The choice is yours, but you are coming with us.” Timerin swallowed, his fear wasn’t fake. “Who am I to refuse a personal invite. I assume you’re my escort?” The group’s leader…

Timerin tensed, knowing the pair of eyes remained on him. If he used his abilities, he’d give away the one edge he had over the deposed king. Still, the idea of camouflaging himself like at the tavern came to mind. Unfortunately, he was sue arrows wee pointed at him for any movement.  In hindsight, had he stayed on the main street he would’ve stood a better chance of slipping away. Cursing…

He could feel someone’s eyes on him as he paused by the barrels, and changed direction. He wasn’t desperate enough to give away one of the entry points to his escape routes. For so many years, he’d been the hunter, but now he felt like the hunted and he cursed himself as he turned another corner and ran into a group of five heavily armed men. “Well, well, well. Just in time to talk to the boss.…

I should’ve left, Timerin thought as he made his way through the crowd. Things couldn’t have gone worse. Timerin didn’t regret trying to learn everything he could. It’s how he’d form a plan on how to deal with things. Unfortunately, he didn’t have an idea of a plan when he started following Damarious. Well, not one beyond trying to understand more. Now, he had no choice but to disappear until…

That could mean one thing: Timerin had his full attention now. He’d not only interrupted his meeting with some of the castle guards, but had one of his personal guards arrested. He looked around, but couldn’t spot the other disguised guard. Still, he had no doubt they were watching him, assessing him. By turning the guard in, he put the target squarely on his back, and he doubted he could…

The reasoning sounded weak to Timerin. While there was little doubt the man intended ill with two knives drawn, taking a coin purse wasn’t easy without a free hand. Still, the officer seemed to accept his statement. “Very well. Thank you for pointing him out before he could do any harm.” With that, the officer turned and gave instructions to his men before they continued on their…