Narrator
Meanwhile in Drayton Empire in the palace of the king, hours before leaving for the trade
The room was nearly dark. The only light came from the moon shining through a high, narrow window. The stone walls were bare. Two men stood facing each other. Their faces were hidden behind masks shaped like grinning demons.
"It must happen during the trade," said the first man, his voice deep and steady. "The princess will die, and the world will blame the Devotion Empire. That will be enough to start the war."
The second man tilted his head slightly, considering. "How do we make sure they take the blame?"
The first man stepped forward. "I suggested the exchange location to the king, choosing terrain that suited us specifically." He paused for a second. "We'll position ourselves near their forces. When the time is right, an arrow will strike the princess down. Their archers will already be in place, so it won't be hard to make it look like one of them fired the shot."
The second man remained silent for a moment before speaking again. "How are we getting this close?" The archers will be watching them. If they see us, they'll stop you before you can shoot."
The first man laughed. "We'll go before they take up positions. I've already sent my best man there. He will disappear into the shadows and move before they suspect anything. By the time they set their sights on the trade, he will already be in place, unseen."
The second man nodded slowly. "What if someone does notice? What if the princess doesn't die? She's not weak, you know."
The first man's voice remained cold. "Yes, I know. For that, I hired more than 500 men. They will only attack Drayton forces, leaving many questions..."
Silence filled the room again.
The second man let out a light laugh and said, "Clever. In this chaos, they won't have time to think. The moment she falls, Drayton's forces will attack without hesitation."
"Exactly," the first man replied smoothly. "By the time they realize the arrow wasn't fired by them, the war will already have begun."
"The king has his plans, but the war must come sooner. This empire needs it," the second man muttered.
The first man turned slightly. "Then let's make sure it happens."
Without another word, they returned to the darkness and disappeared into the shadows as if they had never been there.