Soft beams of light from the full moon filtered in through the windows as the Queen fidgeted restlessly beneath the covers, an almost silent sigh passing through her lips is she stared at the canopy of the bed overhead and listened to the gently rumbling snores of the King laying close by. She often found herself coping with troubles sleeping, So it was not surprising in the least when she came to the conclusion that sleep would continue to be an elusive companion until she had had the opportunity to relax more fully. Which meant only one thing: a walk in her private garden.

Quietly as she could manage, the young woman slid out from between the sheets and rose from the downy mattress, fingers reaching instantly for a dressing gown she kept hanging from a peg nearby for just such an occasion. Stepping into a pair of silk slippers, Queen Ismari gathered her golden tresses back into a loose ponytail that trailed down one of her shoulders before she quietly slipped through The door in the bedroom, slowly closing it behind her, and headed towards a pair of rose colored glass doors that faced out onto the immaculate palace gardens awash in moonlight. Almost instantly, a soft smile of contentment spread across her lips as her gaze swept around the flowers and bushes, Immediately lingering on some of her favorites. Gathering her robe close to her body, the queen began to move among the carefully tended flora on silent slippered feet, her fingers trailing over the petals of blossoms, the leaves of The foliage.

She never saw the figure that slowly stepped up behind her.

The shadow reached out with both arms carefully, the left glinting with the reflection of the moon's light off a blade they gripped in a gloved hand. As the queen bent over a blooming rose to sniff at its distinctive fragrance, they closed strong fingers tightly around her mouth and chin, the blade of the knife sliding across her exposed throat, The skin parting easily and spilling Crimson over her neck and chest, droplets falling among the rosebush. The queen gave a small jerk of surprise at the contact, fingers flying fruitlessly to scrabble at the hand clutching her face, a muffled scream managing to escape. But her useless struggles quickly began to slow, Her body growing limp, and the black garbed figure quietly released their hold and allowed the dying woman to crumple to the ground, not making a sound as they watched her choking and writhing limply at their feet. As she finally grew still, eyes glazing over, their hold on the knife was released, dropping the blood spattered weapon onto the ground near the corpse of the queen. Without a word, the assassin turned away from the quickly cooling body, slipping back into the shadows and disappearing back into the night once more.

They found her body after several hours had passed, dawn light beginning to touch the world as the sun rose over the mountains. One of the palace gardeners, a diligent man who always appeared first thing in the morning to attend the queen's favorite plants, discovered the body soon after he began trimming the rosebushes, immediately sending up the alarm. Guardsmen swiftly gathered to investigate, the king notified, and the investigations commenced. But after one of the Younger recruits inspected the bloody knife that had been discovered by the body, instant recognition blossomed across his face and a look of true terror lit his eyes. It was shortly after this that the pounding on the captain's door began...

Adrian was abruptly awoken from his heavy slumber. He normally was awoken by another guardsman when it came time to serve his duty to the Queen. He'd gotten quite used to his life in luxury, and took full advantage of it. Whether it be sleeping in as much as possible, or falling behind in his training, the captain was enjoying his quaint life. He was so used to it that when he heard the alarms, he was more confused than he was worried about anyone within the castle. After all, he did lead a well trained guard that he handpicked himself. Assuming it was nothing more than a scare, Adrian decided to put off going to check. He knew that his right hand would take care of any minor problems, and the Queen wouldn't need him for a bit, so he decided to lie down for a bit and enjoy his soft sheets.

Soft sheets...he thought to himself, remembering times where there were no sheets at all. He often thought back to his upbringing as a peasant in a family that scrounged to survive. It was difficult not knowing if you could even eat a single meal a day and having to work all day possibly for nothing. His poor family...the only member that was still alive was his younger brother who enjoyed his quiet life as a farmer. Adrian had offered his brother help on many different occasions, but he declined every time, claiming that "The royal life wasn't for him." But it was definitely for Adrian. After the childhood he served, this was the life he deserved. He had always hoped to create a better life for himself, and that's exactly what he did. Not being born into royalty or riches, being a guard to the beloved Queen was all he could hope for. Never did he think he would accomplish it, but here he was. The Queen's guard. The captain of the Queen's guard.

After relaxing for a short time, Adrian thought he should go to the Queen and make sure there were no problems from earlier out of formality. He began to get dressed, but just after he had put his underclothes on, an aggressive pounding began on his door. The captain furrowed his brow, and calmy walked to the door. "No need to be so violent, I'm coming to the Queen right now," he said with a sigh as he opened the door swiftly.

Derek Bringer watched with a sad light in his eyes and a downward twist two his lips as the door to The captain's room opened, revealing a half dressed figure that he had grown quite familiar with. Second in command of the Royal guard, he had taken his orders from this man, served next to him, and now the dark truth had finally come out. Standing with him, dressed in fine pieces of armor and each with a sword and staff, A half dozen of the other guardsmen stood at attention, a few holding shackles, another with rope, waiting to apprehend the trader. He choked back his discussed and sorrow when he stepped forward, one of his hands going to a sword at his hip. A heavy sigh blasted from his nostrils, His hand twitching as if it wanted to run through his dark brown hair in frustration. "By order of His Majesty, King Darius Marr, I hereby place you under arrest for the murder of her Majesty, queen Ismari Lanar. Take him to the dungeon, the second cell on the right." He growled brusquely, The deep rumble of his voice authoritative. "Strip him of his current clothing and then dress this worthless cur in the standard prisoner's attire."

The soldiers nodded to the new captain, Readjusting their shackles and bindings before stepping forward towards Adrian, reaching to place the cuffs around his wrists and ankles.

Captain Bringer watched them move forward, the sorrow melting into a cold anger that made his blue eyes look like ice. He reached into one of his pockets, withdrawing a folded piece of cloth and opening it to lay bare an ornate gilded dagger, Dried blood crusted on the blade. "The damning evidence... The very dagger that the majesty herself presented to you when you became her captain. " he said in a disgusted voice, his fist tightening around the pommel of his sword. After a moment, he turned on his heel, heading for his own quarters, His mind already planning for the upcoming execution. "Take that filth away."