In the silver moonlight that poked through wooly clouds, Ostrom’s room in the castle was lit up; with a small beam of light striking his eyelid. But Ostrom was in such a deep sleep that not even an explosion could wake him. He was having a dream, or rather; a memory. The strangest thing about his dreams was that, no matter what, they were in black and white; as if he lived a long time ago.
His dream was of his younger self having fun with his private tutor, a male Xixiasaurus; which nowadays would be odd, but when he was young, troodontids were much friendlier and less confined to one hold. Young Ostrom was identifying the many different creatures that inhabited the world: from manticores to breezies; from dragons to parasprites; from gryphons to ponies; and his tutor was congratulating Ostrom, and noting that the young raptor displayed a vast array of vocabulary for his age. He ruffled the young raptor’s feathers and said to him, “Come on. It’s time to go home.”
Young Ostrom made a small scrunched-up face, but it quickly faded as he picked up the book he was reading from and held the Xixiasaurus’ hand as they went to the large savannah mansion-castle hybrid that was his home.
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The castle was empty, save for King Unen; and a few guards who were wandering around on patrol. But despite their alertness and their eyes being able to see in the dark, they did not notice a small grey feathered tail poking out from between the giant flowing white curtains. Vic pulled his tail into the curtains, his padded feet not making a sound as he shuffled. He was the only Sickle in this particular hall; but not the only one here. The Linhevenator was located in the hall where the banquet was held. A Jiangxisaurus was by the living quarters; and a Nqwebasaurus was searching the kitchens.
Vic was questioning if he and the other Sickles could even manage to pull the operation off. Even if it was night; there was still enough guards to put every Sickle’s head on a pike. He gulped at the thought; but shook it off as he silently and quickly darted between the curtains; slowly edging closer to the throne room. But before he could move to the next spot, he saw the leg of the Struthiomimus step directly in front of him; and stayed there. His halberd’s blunt end stabbed the ground an inch from Vic’s hiding place; and Vic was certain he was finished.
But before the Struthiomimus (who is called Sedens in case you’ve been wondering since Chapter 4) could unveil Vic’s location, his watch beeped to indicate quitting time. As Sedens left the area to go to his quarters, Vic thought, “Saved by a beep. Thank fuck.”. He waited for all the other guards to leave and he darted to the next curtain.
King Unen got up from his throne and began to walk to his chambers. But before he could, the door was slammed shut by the Segnosaurus; who with a herbivorous head, smiled villainously. The Linhevenator shut the exit to the left, Jiangxisaurus shut the exit to the right, Nqwebasaurus shut the exit behind Unen, and Vic slowly came out from behind the curtain; smirking menacingly.
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Young Ostrom’s eyes looked at his mentor Arin’s face as he looked out at the skyline. “S-sir…is something wrong?” he asked quietly.
Arin only glanced at young Ostrom for a second before replying, “I know it shouldn’t bother you, but I’m worried about my kind. Troodontids have never been in control, and in Mottisfort I’ve heard that a Troodon has been born there. And I’m worried about it. Troodons are among the smartest of all maniraptoriforms, and he’ll be wanting more control, especially because he’s in the smallest hold.”
“That shouldn’t worry you sir. Because I know that troodontids like you will always be friends with us. And you’ll always be here.” Ostrom responded with the childish enthusiasm that all young raptors have.
Arin made a faint half-chuckle and ruffled Ostrom’s feathers. “You’re a very bright raptor Ostrom. One day, you’ll be a magnificent advisor. You may be the youngest of your brothers, but I think you’re the one who is most destined to do great things.”
Ostrom smiled at his mentor as a Xixianykus called, “Master Ostrom! It is time for your dinner!”. Ostrom grunted as he left Arin to look over the skyline of Varez.
Arin eventually left that area and wandered through the castle’s halls. Eventually he bumped into Lady Ada; who apologised to him and he returned the favour. “It’s a lovely evening, Mister Arin.” she noted with a soft voice.
Arin nodded and responded, “It is. But we should be worried. Last I heard, Rhopus had unleashed his Sickles in Venator. I suggest we lock up tightly.”
“I would inform Lord Achilles of this, but he’s not one to take suggestions like that. Do not worry, Mister Arin, I’ll lock up Ostrom, Drom and Zapsal’s room when they go to bed.” Ada said to him. Arin smiled at the kindness of Ada; she clearly has been learning from her cousin Veloci. But he was still worried. The Sickles are the best assassins in the entire world, and them being in Venator meant only bad news. Someone would die on this night, and he didn’t want his best student to be among the deceased.
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That night, Ostrom couldn’t sleep. He had the nightmare again; the one with the Haast’s eagles ripping him to pieces. He got up from his bed and went to the door. He was surprised to see that it was locked, as was the window. He looked through the keyhole; and to this day he wished he didn’t. Arin was in front of the door, but not moving. A black Achillesaurus broke the Xixiasaurus’ neck and slammed Arin’s lifeless corpse into the ground. Ostrom was so petrified he couldn’t say anything; even though he wanted to scream in depression. He heard the Nankangia guards chase the Achillesaurus, and he saw his mother go up to the dead Arin, crying.
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Ostrom woke up from his nightmare/flashback and took several deep breaths. Why was it that tonight, of all nights, that he had that memory? He didn’t want to know, but out of his sheer feeling of paranoia, he got up from his bed and started to wander through the living quarters. The ponies were fine, the dragon was fine, the guards were fine. But where was the King? Ostrom looked panicky, but then he thought to himself, “He always stays up later.”
But he didn’t know what was really happening. Vic and his Sickles started to close the space between them and the elderly king; and then the homicide began. First the Nqwebasaurus bit Unen’s leg and pulled him down to the ground. Then the Linhevenator broke his tail and held him there. Unen’s face showed horror. He was an old raptor, a helpless soul. Surely they would have shown mercy?
No. The pain got more and more excruciating for Unen, with the Segnosaurus slowly edging its long claws along his arm. He looked at Vic shocked. “You traitor! How dare you?!” he shouted, hoping that someone would hear. Vic’s only reply was a dark chuckle as he used his magic to create a sharp sword that pointed at Unen’s neck.
“I’m sorry it had to be this way, Unen. But it’s time for Forsuthion to rule instead of an old croak like you.” Vic laughed. Unen repeated the word, “no” numerous times in a hope for mercy. Maybe the next one would work? The next one? Maybe this one?
But the only thing Unen saw as the sword slowly opened his skin up was Vic grinning as if he’s always wanted to do this. Unen’s blood started to squirt over the marble floor as Unen choked on the blood gargling into his throat. Vic laughed more and more as the sword went deeper and deeper into Unen’s Adam’s apple. He looked at how Unen’s grey feathers were becoming darkly stained with the liquid flowing down his body. Perfect. This is all Vic wanted. To see Unen’s blank expression as he died. It was oddly satisfying for Vic.
Ostrom looked around the library, then saw something he didn’t want to. A book was lying out on the table; with a page hanging by a single millimetre of paper. “What the…?” he thought as he looked at what book it was. The book read, “A Full Guide To The Sickles”. He read the hanging page and gasped. It was the typical Sickle attack plan. His eyes widened and teared up a bit. Why would this book be out? Why is this specific page nearly ripped out? Before he could realise exactly what had happened, every single trace of the Sickles being there had vanished, except the corpse of Unen, lying in the grass in the back garden. Ostrom was too tired now to hear anything. He slept on a bench inside the library as Celestia raised her star to shine over the world.