So, our intrepid heroines begin their journey of international espionage by sneaking into the Emperor’s palace using Scales’ grappling hook. After a few minor mishaps,

Idun and Scales climb through a window onto the third floor of the emperor’s palace.

Scales leads the way along darkened passageways, until they reach a massive set of double doors at the end of a corridor, leading into the Emperor’s bedchambers. Scales picks the lock while Idun stands guard, then the two slip into the darkness within.

Scales and Idun stand before the door to the inner chamber of the Emperor.

Scales turns to Idun and smirks “Well, I got you here. What’s the plan now, Blue?”

Idun draws her sword with a ssnk, striding towards the sleeping emperor beyond that narrow wooden barrier. Scales slides out between Idun and the door, laughing nervously, her palms out and upraised. “Whoa whoa WHOA! What do you think you’re doing?”

“I….I have to. It’s the only way to end this war and protect my people.” Idun looks back at Scales, uncertain, then straightens her back and takes another step forward. “I must save Gelicost.”

Scales blocks her path. “This is an espionage mission! We’re supposed to be cool and save the day, not murder anyone in their sleep!” Idun flinches at the words.

She looks at the engraved wooden doors in front of her, the room beyond surely as free of bloodstains at the neatly polished wood guarding them. The sword hangs loosely in her grip, point down. “I…”

The Emperor, clad in a very fancy bedrobe, walks up behind the two women. “I say, what are you two strangers doing in my rooms?”

Idun and Scales whip their heads in fearful unison. Scales brings her hands up defensively on instinct, fists up in a mock boxing pose as she bounces back a few steps. Idun, on instinct honed by years of training, instead whirls on one foot and lunges with her sword. Her aim was true; Scales eyes widen as she looks onwards, too far away to begin to react.

The point stabs through the back of the Emperor’s robe and into the wall behind him. It impales a hanging tapestry, then the stones behind. Idun’s hand releases on the hilt, shaking. She stumbles backwards, away from the body, and her own sword.

Hands clumsy, Idun staggers herself upright as she pushes stray hair away from her forehead. Scales looking on, is ashen and shocked.“You stabbed the emperor! How could you?!”

Idun slumps into an incredibly ornate chair. Her clothes are dirty from the months in prison, and the night spent on rooftops and bridges, leaving gray streaks on the embroidered upholstery. She looks down at her hands, bloodless and dry. “I did what I had to do.” She whispers, almost to herself alone. “For my country.” Her head slowly slumps down into her hands, covering her eyes.

“How DARE YOU!” the emperor shrieks as he pulls himself off of the wall, Idun’s sword scraping against the stones as it comes free with him.