Nighthawk

The Egyptian Shield

July 05 2008


From seemingly out of nowhere, the arrow flew past the fox, skewering a tree trunk. Unluckily for the fox another arrow was not long in coming. This time it did not miss, burying itself in the fox's chest. The hunter stepped out of his cover, picked up the carcass and shoved it in his bag and then noticed someone's presence behind him. It was the messenger he had sent to Silvertongue. What was his name again? Ah, yes, Morndakiel, that was it. "Well what was his answer?"

"Milord, he agrees to all your requests."

"Excellent, Morndakiel, you have done well and shall be rewarded with great opportunity for your efforts."

"Milord, it was nothing, you are too kind."

"No, Morndakiel, it was everything.?
***


The Egyptian sun burned down out of a cloudless sky, baking the earth and shrivelling the few plants that had sprouted after the sparse spring rains. A hot wind from the desert came and scoured the featureless plain. No hills rose on the horizon; there was scarcely a tree to offer refuge from the dry heat. Only a few rivers broke the monotony of the barren desert as they flowed southwards, brown ribbons in a brown void. One gaunt figure stood out from the endless sand. His given name was Lycus Silvertongue, but everyone called him Silva. He was a former General of South Egypt. It was here in this broken wasteland that his work would be finished, and then...and then all those that had opposed him in the past would regret it, and he would finally get his revenge. He stopped, savouring that thought like a cat with a fish in its jaws. . Although he had never consciously realised it, he was not of sound mind and was therefore capable of doing things others would never dream about doing. He thrived on bloodshed and enjoyed inflicting pain on others. He even enjoyed feeling pain. And if the messenger was now indeed ready to become an assassin; not only would revenge be swift; but the desert would soon descend into chaos without their beloved king.


***

Morn made a hand sign, signalling that he wanted team one to follow him and team two to go around back and cover their escape route. They padded silently along, weapons at the ready. Once they got to the entrance Morn threw up a grappling hook, which caught on the castle battlements. One by one his team went up, as the first couple got to the top he noticed that they were winded and smirked, thinking that they had a ways to go before they were real Special Ops. When they were all up there they split up into four groups, one and two going left and three and four going right. The corridors were dark and gloomy, perfect for a stealth operation like this one. As they turned to go into the great hall he noticed a guard. Signalling for his team to hold, Morn took out his bow and aimed, then fired. The arrow hit the guard in the heart, a one shot kill. He ordered Scout to dispose of the guard's body, picked up the arrow and then they moved on into the bedroom chambers. They reached the section they were looking for...and then noticed the two guards standing at either side of the door. Morn ordered a hold and then told Kane and Luke to get ready to fire. Morn drew his bow aimed and then fired, immediately following his shot were another two arrows, one taking the already dead guard through the chest and the other guard through his head. Morn opened the door and ordered his squad to clear the room. Once the room was clear he approached the door to the king's chambers and signalled for his team to hold. He brought the knife out and silently opened the door. Creeping into the room, with Luke covering him, he raised the knife and slit the king's throat. He thought about killing the queen too, but decided not to, his orders had only been to kill the pharaoh. Their escape must be done with even more stealth than their entry. But the risk would be worth the effort. His reward would be huge.

By: Nighthawk