Elucard poked his head out of the covered wagon. Marcus sat quietly at the reins, scanning the path ahead. Elucard had not been in Lost Dawns since he slew King Jaelyn. Now, the city was more alive than ever. He had never seen a place as loud and crowded as this. When last he came, everything was so calm. It was as if the city itself was already mourning the king it had yet to lose. But now, the city was bustling and alive with the sound of joy. As the wagon approached the city’s center, Elucard could not help but be amazed by the sight of the elder tree. Its enormous branches stretched far and wide, reaching toward the heavens, and its roots twisted and burrowed along the lowest depths of the city.

Once they arrived, Marcus led Wiccer and Elucard through the castle halls toward the throne room. Elucard was appropriately shackled between them as a precaution. The three pushed through the large ebonwood doors and were met by a gasping court filled with nobles from the seven noble tribes and the countless advisers Koda had in his service.

Upon the sight of the chained assassin, several guards unsheathed their blades and rushed at Elucard. Elucard did not flinch, but held his neck exposed as if greeting his certain fate.

“At ease, men,” Marcus commanded.

Koda raised himself from his throne, his wolf growling with exposed fangs. Koda watched the nobles as they whispered amongst themselves. However, this time Koda was not the child he once was. No longer was he helpless and scared.

Fury set into his face as he raised Elucard into the air with the Magi. Koda walked forward as Elucard struggled with his new situation. With one hand holding the assassin in place, he morphed the other into a frightening mass of tangled thorns. He kept his grip stern so that he could impale Elucard in a single thrust.

“You have a mere moment to explain yourself, Marcus Newsun. I will grant you that much because of the respect I have for you,” Koda said in an angry and impatient tone.

“Father, this isn’t going to work, let’s cut our losses short and just hand him over!” Wiccer lowly said in Marcus’s ear.

“Have faith,” Marcus replied.

Marcus moved Elucard behind him, away from the glaring king and cautiously approached the steps of the throne.

“My king, I bring not a Rabbit, but an ex-Rabbit. He wishes to serve you by hunting down his former clan.”

“Rabbit or not, the kingslayer himself stands shackled and bound behind you. You will hand him over, and he will hang for his crimes!” His voice was sterner and louder. He exuded authority and his words resounded in the great hall, snuffing out the whispers of the noblemen.

“My king, the Black Rabbits have not simply disbanded. They will find an alternative way to increase their numbers, and when they do, they will continue to hold this nation hostage,” Marcus retorted.

Koda approached closer, and although Marcus’ large frame towered over him, he was still the one in control. Wildeye followed closely at his side.

“In which case the soldiers you are to be training will cut down any Black rabbit threat,” Koda spat harshly.

“Your soldiers can not defeat a Black Rabbit. I do not know how to counter their training,” Marcus said flatly.

Koda was silent but furious. The new army was his only answer to the Black Rabbits and here the great Marcus Newsun was telling him that they were not enough to defeat his foe. He looked down at his familiar, as if looking for advice. After a moment, he walked back to his throne and sat down.

“Tell me what this ex-Rabbit is here for, then,” Koda said with defeat in his voice.

“My king, my lords, I propose that we use a former Rabbit to kill Rabbits. Elucard may, at one point, have been your most dangerous fugitive… but now he can be your most dangerous asset. He, under the watchful eye of my son, will train a squad of soldiers to become assassins that will have the knowledge and training to hunt assassins. They will be the ARO, Anti-Rogue Operatives,” Marcus explained, as if he had rehearsed this pitch many times, before.

A Leafsong princess looked eyed the mysterious Elucard with great interest, “I am curious, Marcus, does this criminal really possess the skill to defeat one of our soldiers with such ease?”

Marcus grinned. He had captivated the nobles, and convincing the nobles of this crazy plan was half the work. He winked at Elucard, who was both bored and insulted by the question that the princess had asked.

“My dear, this Black Rabbit would not bother showcasing his skill unless he was fighting at least three men.” Marcus waited as the nobles gawked in shock and excitement before continuing, “And he’ll do it whilst still shackled!”

Elucard did not know how to feel about being on display like some circus animal. He knew Marcus meant well, but he seemed to be enjoying himself a bit too much. It was true, he could take out three soldiers, even while chained, but his skills were never meant for showing off.

Three guards ushered close to Elucard, their swords poised to strike. Elucard stood completely still, his hands, heavy with the iron chains, hung in front of him. The assassin watched as each man got into position, forming a half circle around him, before one man charged, slashing down with his weapon.

Elucard moved quickly, dashing into the swing of the man on his right, thrusting a pin-point strike into the under-arm of his assailant. The attack stiffened the man’s arm, dropping his weapon. Instantly afterwards, Elucard swung the guard in a shoulder throw into the man that was on his left. Both barreled to the ground.

The remaining soldier cleaved horizontally into Elucard. With swift thinking, Elucard tightened his chain straight, blocking the swing. Elucard then flipped over the man and used his chain as a garrote to choke him.

“Elucard, enough!” Marcus broke out, halting the fight.

Elucard kicked the gagging man away from him and bowed to Koda.

Marcus nodded to Elucard, as if silently thanking him before turning to Koda, “Elucard is aptly trained. He told me that before becoming an enemy to his clan, he was of a high rank. All the same, a lesser skilled Rabbit is still capable of defeating our men.”

Koda held his words, watching his nobles discuss what they had just seen. They gobbled up the excitement of such savagery and chirped with thrill. They were like a flock of chickens clucking ceaselessly in a coop. He studied Elucard, and then Wiccer, who seemed to be avoiding eye contact with anyone, caught his eye.

“Wiccer. You have as much justification to despise this elf as I do. I wish for your opinion to weigh in. Can I trust such a person?” Koda asked.

Wiccer, who was leaning against a pillar with his arms folded, walked forward. He jeered at Elucard, before letting out a heavy sigh, “This is beyond a matter of trust, my king. It is a matter of necessity.”

Koda slowly nodded, “What of the other Rabbit? Wouldn’t she suffice?”

Wiccer knew Koda spoke of Elisa. While she could train the soldiers to an extent, Wiccer knew that she would not be as willing or as adept at it. It was true that she was a formidable opponent, but she was not the same as Elucard. Elucard was ARO’s best hope of becoming everything his father wanted it to become.

“My king, Elucard is the only one who can train our soldiers to be strong and brutal enough to defeat the Rabbits for good.”

Koda looked at the wave of interested noble faces that surrounded him. They had bought into this little performance, but he had not. However, it was difficult to argue with such results displayed by Elucard.

“I will need time to make a decision. Until then, Elucard will be held in a cell,” said Koda.

Elucard nodded, allowing himself to be taken into custody.

***

Koda sat with Wiccer for a late dinner in the dining hall. Wildeye curled up against Koda’s leg. Marcus had called it an early night, and was slumbering peacefully in a guest room.

Koda sipped the smoothing honey mint tea, taking in the sweet aroma. Wiccer likewise enjoyed his tea. Their conversation was an echo of the one earlier in the throne room.

“You can’t sit there and tell me that it is not a matter of trust,” Koda said, in between sips.

“Trust could play a small part, my king, but not as much as you might think,” Wiccer strained.

“What’s keeping him from turning around and stabbing me in the back?”

Wiccer bit his lip. He did not trust Elucard either, but he did seem sure he could be trusted enough not to harm the king.

“His vendetta keeps him on our side.”

“Vendetta?” Koda asked, not knowing what brought Elucard to their custody in the first place.

“His clan must have turned on him violently. They left him for dead and now he wants their throats. As far as he is concerned, he would go to any means necessary if it meant it would take down the Black Rabbits.”

Koda tried to imagine what could have pushed a loyalist such as Elucard to the point of no return.

“This vengeance…Will it keep him on our side?

“We can only h–”

“Hold on!” Koda said sharply, cutting Wiccer off.

Wildeye snarled viscously. Koda received images flashing in his head of a shadow in the rafters. Everything in his mind screamed danger. Where was this premonition coming from? Was it from Wildeye? His train of thought was interrupted by the clatter of a figure landing on their table. The figure was draped in a deep purple cloak. He was dressed in black and gray assassin’s garbs. Belts fastened around his waist and legs held knives and utility pouches. His long hair was a vibrant purple, a color similar to Elisa’s. A silver steel clown mask covered his face. In one hand he pointed a sword at Koda.

Wiccer knew exactly who it was, “You!” he roared.

“You are a difficult one to find, my king. Nevertheless, here you are.” Inle’s voice was low, but sounded amused.

“Guards!” Koda shouted at the top of his lungs. Several soldiers with long halberds thundered through the doors to come to their king’s aid.

Inle chuckled, hopping joyfully off of the table. After a sudden flash of blades, he stood atop the table once more, wiping his blade from the collapsing guards’ blood.

Wiccer unsheathed his sword, moving between Inle and Koda, “I do not know why you are here, but I will have my vengeance all the same.”

Inle cocked his head, and snickered, “Yes, yes, you do look familiar. I’m guessing your superior did not survive his wounds that night.”

Wiccer clenched his teeth, his anger overriding his collective discipline, “He was my brother!”

Inle bowed, “I will then take credit for that deed. However, we’ll have to play this little game later. I’m on Black Rabbit business here.”

Wiccer rushed him in a fit of rage, “This is no game!”

Wiccer swept downward but missed as Inle side-stepped him and ran forward toward Koda. Wiccer rotated to his right and swung at the passing assassin. Inle dropped to his knees to slide under the attack.

Between Inle and Koda, Wildeye leaped at the assassin, bearing her fangs. Inle ducked and continued his advance toward the king. Koda jumped backward and manipulated Wiccer’s wooden chair to grow rapidly and knock the attacker sideways. Inle, taken off-guard, spun violently, crashing onto the table. Wiccer did not hesitate as he brought his sword down on Inle. Inle rolled to the left and pushed himself back onto his feet.

“It seems this king has more fight in him than the former one,” Inle said, devilishly.

Koda hovered the chair in front of him, while Wiccer circled behind Inle. The shadow elf put his second hand on his sword, now putting more effort in his advances. Before Inle could attack, Wiccer and Koda advanced first.

Wiccer slashed for Inle’s head, but was parried by the Rabbit’s blade. At that same moment, Koda rushed an overgrown mess of roots from the chair, hurdling at Inle. Always a step ahead, Inle jumped and ran along the roots towards Koda. The king moved backwards, manipulating twisting branches from the neighboring chairs and table, but Inle tumbled and dodged each wild attack.

Inle landed beside Koda and caught him with a side kick, knocking him across the dining table. Wildeye slid into Inle’s peripheral vision, lunging for the shadow elf’s throat, but caught Inle’s forearm as he went to intercept the deadly attack. Wiccer leapt forward with a series of steel flurries. Despite his other hand being held by the wolf, Inle worked overtime to block the majority of attacks, before parrying the last into Wildeye.

Wildeye yelped as she released her grasp on Inle. Inle spotted Koda wincing from an unseen wound before the Rabbit cartwheeled over the table to go after the king.

Wiccer jumped over to follow but was met with a combination of kicks and punches rendering him dazed. Inle grabbed Wiccer by the throat, laying him splayed out on the cold ground.

Recovering quickly, Koda attempted to cast another spell, but a trio of well placed daggers lodged into the king’s hands and arms. Koda hissed in pain as he stumbled backward in fear. Inle dropped down and swept his foot, tripping Koda’s legs. Spinning with the grace that only a Rabbit could have, Inle flourished his blade into Koda’s face.

“Don’t fret, my king. I am only here to bring you a message,” Inle said, grinning wickedly under his mask.

Koda swallowed hard, still frightened by the figure towering over him.

“Know this. We Black Rabbits are not threatened by your attempts to quell us. We still control your roads. We still control your villages. We still control you!” Inle’s emphasis on the word “you” lingered in Koda’s mind as he grabbed the king’s hand. With a vice-like grip, Inle squeezed his finger and removed a golden ring.

“Use this knowledge well, my king, and have pleasant night,” Inle said as he bowed and vanished into the shadows.

After he was convinced Wildeye’s wound was non-threatening, Koda scrambled to Wiccer, who was just coming to, “You were right.”

Wiccer eyed him fuzzily, his head still foggy, “Huh?”

“Bring me Elucard.”