Hidden in an alleyway between two houses, three Assassins, three Changelings and seven normal pony mares stood facing each other. Ezio was thinking quietly, Aveline was conversing with Yusuf, the assassin pegasus that Ezio ordered to stick with him, and the Elements were guarding Trixie from sudden backstabs, an appropriate phrase considering their current company. Ezio shook his mane and stood.
“Aveline. Per favoure, tell me exactly what happened when Blueblood struck.” The assassin mare blinked and glanced away from Yusuf.
“Well, Master, we were hiding in the rafters of the Great Hall, watching the prince eat his dinner, when I perceived a noise. When I looked around… Several figures in white robes with a red cross had killed the others. I did not look closely, but I believe that Connor must have been among them. I escaped through a window, but I have to question, how did they know where we were? I believe that Blueblood told them.”
“How?” Ezio frowned. “How could he tell them? Did he-”
“He sent a letter beforehand. I do not know who to, but he sent one.”
“Ah,” The master assassin sighed as he felt a migraine coming on. “Then let us act as if he has betrayed us and is, in the very least, in contact with the Templars. Our next course of action is to find out more, investigate. Aveline, you must return to the castle. Disguise yourself as a worker there and infiltrate. Attempt to find out more, from word of mouth or otherwise. Take the Changelings, they will help.
“Yusuf, you must fly to our headquarters. Deliver the news and requisition as many of our order as you can. We must be prepared for a fight should it come to it.
“Elements, Trixie, I now ask you for your help.” Ezio looked Trixie dead in the eye. “I have no doubt that Prince Blueblood will be heavily guarded, so we need help. I ask you all to search Canterlot for Connor. Out of the group who was sent to protect Blueblood, he was the most likely to survive the attack. He has a tomahawk and a quiver of arrows, I have his bow. Return here after three hours, all of you. That applies to Yusuf and Aveline as well, three hours. I will remain here and think up our next course of action.”
The Elements of Harmony nodded, as did the showmare. The assassins placed their hooves over their hearts and left swiftly, the Changelings transforming and following the Earth Pony mare towards the castle. Twilight flicked her mane slightly.
“Okay girls, let’s go,” She turned to glance at Ezio. “We have to find this Connor. Meet you all back here in three.” Everypony left, except for a cyan mare.
“Assassin? You claim your name to be Ezio, correct?”
The assassin nodded silently.
“So, you’re the chump who tried to shoot Trixie back in Ponyville, yeah?”
Again, he nodded.
“I see,” murmured Rainbow Dash. “I have a question. How much were you paid to take her life?”
“One hundred and fifty-five Bits. Not a high fee for a typical life.”
“Is that how you see it? That a life can have value?”
“Si. Is that a problem?”
Rainbow did not answer, turning to leave. The rapidly lowering sun cast a shadow over the alleyway as the Pegasus took off, leaving the Master Assassin to his thoughts.
The knights stood surrounding Blueblood, their blades at their sides and their heads bowed before the Prince.
“All are dead, my lord,” One of them began. “Only three Changelings.”
“Wait,” Blueblood spoke, his brow furrowed. “There were only three Changelings? No ponies?”
“Yes, my lord.”
“Then not all are dead. There were five, two ponies and three Changelings. I see now that you have failed me.”
All of the Templars at once realised what he meant and fell to their knees.
“No, my lord! Please! We will not fail you again!”
“Do not worry, Robert. I know you won’t.”
The prince summoned his magic, pulling Robert de Sable’s sword out from his hip. Before the Templar knight could react, the prince swung the blade into his left foreleg. Robert dropped to the ground, howling in pain as blood flowed from the wound that Blueblood had made.
“M-my lord! I am sorry! I am sorry!”
“I know. And I am too. I merely required knowing that you would never fail me again. After all, you cannot fail in your duties if you cannot even perform them.” The unicorn gently placed the blade back into its sheath at Robert’s hip. “Take him to the medical centre. Make sure he gets the treatment he deserves.” At once, two other ponies grabbed the suffering knight and dragged him away, his cries receding. Blueblood turned to the other knights.
“As for you, you are to search the city. By my guess, there should be three assassins roaming Canterlot. Find them and destroy them.” The Templars saluted and quickly left. Blueblood sat down on his chair and, ignoring the smell of iron that Robert left in his wake, began to write.
Master.
Everything is going by your plan. The assassins are in Canterlot, no doubt already planning a strike against me. I trust you to bring me to safety before they do. However, there is a complication. The Templars failed to kill everypony who was guarding me, two escaped. I have dispatched most of my force to locate them, but Robert de Sable has been injured by one and received a sword wound to the left foreleg. He is in the medical centre currently, receiving medical attention. I suggest removing him from the watch until it heals.
Non nobis Domine, non nobis, sed Nomini Tuo da Gloriam.
Blueblood.
Satisfied, the prince rolled up the letter and sealed it with a stamp. A red cross. He activated his horn and sent the letter, the magic dissolving the parchment and ink and sending the information flowing through an open window.