(Over a year ago)

I've always thought the Crastle had too many steps, just from watching the contruction and other people climbing them. But now, royal summons in hand and a guard behind us, it's even worse.

'It'll be ok.' Cub insists at my side. 'We'll be in, we'll say our case, we'll be out. Ren can't do anything.'

'KING Ren.' The guard corrects. We fall silent.

'Anyway, he can't legally do anything to us.'

'He's the king, he can do anything.'

We reach the wooden doors that stood at the top of the stairs. The guards there open them. We enter.

Inside, it's a longer trek to actually get to the throne room and by the time we're there I can't tell if my heart is pounding from fear or exhaustion. And we're not alone.

'Here to see our royal highness too?' They've got long red hair, and a sour expression, wearing dark blue. And then, sticking out their hand. 'I'm Cleo.'

'Cub. This is Scar.' Seeing my lack of comfort, Cub introduces us instead. I give a small wave.

'What are you here for?'

We exchange a glance.

'It's complicated. But we're here to see the king.'

'Alright... anyway, you should know when Ren's ready for you...'

'How?'

'ENTER SQUABS!'

'...ah.'

The doors into the throne room open. I step back, behind Cub, as I stare over at the king.

'ENTER!' Ren declares again. Neither of us move.

'YOUR KING SAID TO ENTER SO YOU ENTER!' Comes a louder yell from the throne next to him. Bdubs. Cub takes my hand, and we walk forwards.

'ONE at a time!'

A glance. Cub reads my uneasiness correctly.

'I'll go first.'

'Thanks.'

He enters, and the doors close behind.

'Friends?'

I turn, looking back at Cleo.

'Yeah. Best friends.'

'Nice. My best friend's here too. Joe. I threaten to break his legs sometimes.'

I laugh as I step further away from Cleo.

'Well... me and Cub started a business together. Anonymously. Then Ren came and... suddenly we're not allowed to rival his shops and... now we're here.' I swallow, silent again.

With a glance at the guards, Cleo speaks again.

'Do you like Ren?'

'What?'

'Ren. Do you like him?'

I shake my head.

'Neither. He's... I mean, he's fine. But he's also awful at being king, so actually no.' 

'Royal Emeralds?'

'Oh my goodness if he changes my pay from diamonds to emeralds, he's out. I'm breaking his legs and leaving because he's... He can't do that!'

'SQUAB ENTER!' The doors open again. Cub's there. He doesn't have time to speak as I'm forced into the throne room, and they're closed behind me.

'Name?' I turn as Ren speaks. His eyes are narrowed beneath his glasses, fur cloak as extravagant as on TV. I give a small bow.

'Scar. I'm...'

'I know who you are. Do you know why you're here?'

'I... no? Except the shops.'

'Well I, joined by my loyal right hand man Bdubs, have been thinking about what Hermit City needs. And what we decided is that we need more people in the court. More normal people. Like you, and your friend Cub.'

'I'm... hired?'

'Yes. You're hired.'

'As...'

'As my official Hotguy.'

'Hotty what now?'

'Hotguy. You will be provided with a suit and a bow and the permission of the king to kill whoever I see fit. Namely, anyone with connection to the resistance. You are to bring them to me. Dead, or if I decree, alive. Is this all understood, Mr Scar?'

'What if I don't want to?'

'If you don't want to you'll be executed.' Bdubs explains

'I don't know how to shoot a bow.'

'Iskall will teach you. Your shooting abilities will not be a problem, rest assured.'

'Alright.' My options running low, I try to find any other questions or outs.

'Also note that you will be provided with a room in the castle, free meals, a seat around my square table and the same luxurious treatment as every other member of my court.' Adds Ren quickly. 

'Fine.'

He approaches, we shake hands, and I'm dismissed. 

'The guard will lead you to your room.' Ren gives one last smile, and I leave the room. Cleo's no longer there, but I'm not given time to look for her as I'm dragged upstairs by the arm. Which is when I make my first mental note that this isn't going to be the 'luxurious treatment' Ren promised.

'Can you... let go?' I ask. They old hold on harder, still not talking. I try to wriggle free as we reach the next floor, go along a small corridor, and reach a door. And then my second note of something wrong as they pull a key from their pocket.

'Wait- I'm part of your court. Ren's- Ren... Why is the door locked?'

'Security measure.' The guard grunts as he forces the door open and shoves me inside. 

I hit the floor, unable to stand fast enough to stop them from slamming the door shut and locking it.

'HEY!' I hammer on it. 'HEY! LET ME OUT!'

'Scar... It won't open by yelling.'

Equal parts of surprise and relief fill me at Cub's voice and I turn, seeing him leaning against the wall, arms crossed. I take in the rest of the room quickly. It's small, barely big enough for two, with just a wardrobe in the corner and a single bed. Nothing covers the grey stone walls except the slightly grotty window.

'You're here?'

'Well, I'm 'court magician' in charge of making whatever Ren wants disappear...' There's a hint of laughter as well as the clear annoyance in his voice. 'You?'

'Ren's personal...' As I sit down, I suddenly realise what my role is. 'I'm Ren's assassin.'

'What?! Dude...' Cub sits down next to me. 'Why?'

'I don't know... I tried telling Ren I couldn't shoot anything, but he didn't listen.'

'This whole thing is a lie.' Figures Cub. 'This is going to be as bad a punishment as being locked up somewhere.'

'Or being fed to the monster under the crastle.' I agree. And then, another thought. 'What about our stuff?'

'Sneak it in during missions. I asked Ren and he said we couldn't bring in old stuff.'

'Why?! Why is Ren so... evil?'

'I don't know. But we're still together. He's not tried to separate us.'

'Yet.'

'Ren doesn't know what's coming when he does.' Cub takes my hand. 'If he does anything to hurt you, I don't care if he's king I'm sending down total chaos on this castle and no one's going to stop me.'

'If he hurts you I'm burning down the crastle!' I declare with a grin. Cub smiles back, then grows serious.

'Seriously, we're staying together through all of this, Scar. You're my best friend.'

'You're my best friend too, Cub.'

'And nothing Ren does will stop that.'

Aww look at the wholesomeness :D

I'm sure that'll last a long, long time

:)