The Axe House Massacre

Shiv ShortBow was a wealthy noble, he was second in command of the House of Bows and would handle most affairs. One such affair was listening to messages from his king. One such message came in and said,

"From the king of the Green Swamps, A banquet is to be held in the House of Axes to celebrate the necromancers' recent defeat and how we pushed them back into their homeland once again. We will also discuss several topics and other recent news about our foreign neighbors. We intend to start the celebration next week and will last for five days. Sincerely, your king, King Shakel"

Shive was confused and said "Odd, this message has the king's seal, but the wording isn't consistent with his past messages. I think this is a trap by some enemy. So here's what we'll do-" But before he could finish saying his plan the patriarch of the house, Shrien LongBow walked in and said, "It is legitimate, the king is only trying to keep people away from the feast. He fears the rumors about Noone are true and is trying to keep attention off of Noone as much as possible. However, this means I cannot go which means you will take my place. Be safe and stay away from Noone." Shiv couldn't believe what he was hearing. Why would Noone actually plan a coup? How could he when he was fighting the necromancers on the other side of the country? Also, how does Shrien know all of this? Many more questions began to flood his mind as Shiv walked to his room and began packing bags and chests. It would take at least 2 days to get to the House of Axes and he was not planning on arriving late. He also needed to borrow a couple of servants and guards to show off the wealth of his house as well as take care of protection and navigation.

2 days of travel later and Shiv made it to the House of Axes. The House of Hammers, Knives, and Spears had already sent members to the party. Some had the same idea and sent a representative, except for the House of Magic and Artillery who sent the patriarch himself, Shagic Missile. He was the most powerful magician in the country. If Noone was planning to stage a coup, Shagic showing up may have just single-handedly ruined it, and Shagic didn't even have to do anything. "Ah, if it isn't the representative of the House of Bows," said Shagic as he bowed his head to Shiv and his servants. Shiv felt awkward and out of place. Never once had such a feeling been felt until today. "Please sir, we are unworthy of your being in your presence. Our master was fearful of a trap and thus sent us. I believe the other houses may be doing the same thing." said Shiv. "Oh no, most of the other houses are too busy, too lazy, or like you said, too fearful to come. That is why I am here. To stop any coup from happening, or die trying." said Shagic. "Oh, well then, I guess with you watching over us, we have nothing to fear then. Thank you sir, and have a good rest of your day," said Shiv, again very awkwardly. Even the servants around him felt embarrassed as the meet-up ended. They reached the room where Shiv would be staying. When everything was dropped off, his servants were then led to their rooms. After a couple of hours of waiting in his room, a servant knocked on his door. Shiv opened the door. The servant then said, "Good evening sir, if you would come with me, I'll show you to the banquet hall where the celebrations will be held." Shiv followed the servant to the banquet hall and was amazed by the grand scale of it. Tables that stretched from one end of the hall to the other. Filled to the brim with nobles, representatives, foreign guests of various kinds, and even high-ranking knights. Then the feeling of being out of place began to settle itself in Shiv's mind. The servant continued to guide Shiv to his seat. Shiv's seat was next to a knight named Shale Cutless who was a noble's son. On the other side of him was Lady Paylen Double-Axe whose husband was a part of the effort to push back the necromancers. The trio right across from them was: Lady Zareth ShortSword, Shoren Spears, and Lady Xera Catapult. All of which refused to talk to Shiv for his "inferior" position and class. As the guests were talking loud cymbal bangs drowned out all noise. This was followed by trumpets and at the entrance of the hall King Shakel walked in and right beside him was Noone. Shiv narrowed his eyes on Noone as both the king and Noone walked through the hall. The king sat down at his seat followed by Noone and they were served food first. Then dozens of servants brought food for the rest of the guests. As Shiv ate he continued to eye Noone. Yet couldn't feel any sense of treachery from Noone. No sense of something diabolical or evil.

Was his master wrong about Noone? Did he suspect the wrong guy? No, his master would've been here himself if he knew he would be safe, but could his master just be paranoid? No, that's not his character or personality. No, something is off. Everything here is too normal. No, his master has to be right. He can't get something like this wrong. He couldn't afford to be wrong.

After the evening feast, King Shakel stood up and said "Thank you all for joining us on this humid evening. Like I said in my message I wanted to celebrate our recent victory of the necromancers. One key to our victory was Noone's leadership and tactical abilities. Without it, we would still be struggling to fight the undead hordes. Now continue to enjoy yourself, and in a short while the ballroom will be open for all. Tomorrow night Noone will give a speech about his experience. As for now please, eat, drink, and be merry." he then sat down and the crowd went back to talking. Then after a while the ballroom opened and the guests flooded the room. Shiv couldn't remember the last thing because he took a couple of drinks and went back to his room.

The next day Shiv spent most of the day trying to figure out what to write back to his master about the night before. He also was constantly pacing back and forth trying to figure out if Noone was a traitor or not. He walked around the castle just to explore, since it was his first time and possibly last time. Plus the parties wouldn't begin for another several hours. He ran into several servants and nobles and talked with them about their houses, Noone, recent events, and such. Shiv was surprised by how many nobles actually didn't care what his real status was and only seemed to care about the fact someone cared enough to listen to them or bounce ideas off of them. However, some wouldn't even care to look at Shiv's direction. Then as he was walking around he ran into a group of people who were talking to Noone. Shiv hid around a corner and eavesdropped on the conversation. All of sudden Noone noticed Shiv and walked over to him even though several people were swarming him. Shiv froze in fear and couldn't figure out what to do. He couldn't run, or he couldn't talk his way out. What was supposed to do?

"You're a nobody aren't you?" asked Noone. What kind of question was that? Was it an assumption? What did he mean by this? "Sorry sir, but I don't know what you mean. Can you clarify please, sir?" asked Shiv who was shaking out of fear, whose heart was beginning to race and his breathing becoming irregular. "Do you come from a poor family?" asked Noone. "Poor? Financially? Yes, but I would say in terms of love and opportunity, especially for me. My family has been rich with blessings." answered Shiv. He felt like an idiot when the words left his mouth, it was too corny of a response for such a question. "Me too, I understand. Although you should relax, this is an informal event. I couldn't care less about all of this." said Noone as he pointed to the decorations, walls, and lit torches. "But you're Noone, one of the best generals the Green Swamps has ever had. How can you call yourself a nobody?" asked Shiv. Noone laughed, in fact, he was the only one laughing, everyone else was quiet. "Because my family was dirt poor but because Laraganus Spears declared I was the "Chosen One " I was given opportunities only people in our position could dream of. I rose through the ranks because people have been trying to make me fail and it has backfired. Many people here hate me because I'm not a noble. After all, to them, I'm a filthy nobody. I'm not worthy of my ranks, my place in the world. Yet I have proven them wrong, and I hope to do so too. In fact, I need to be preparing my speech, so if you will excuse me. I'll be in my room if you want to talk." said Noone as walked away. Shiv stood still, shaking, heart racing even faster. One of his servants came to him "Are you alright?" he asked. "General Noone, just talked to me. He somehow knew my family was poor and then said he came from a poor family background. I have no idea how to comprehend this, but I'll be in my room until dinner is ready. I need to write this down. I also don't think Noone is going to do a coup, he seems too confident and busy to do so." said Shiv. "Well, sir is there anything you need to do?" asked the servant. "No, actually if you could walk around and listen for rumors or plans of any kind that might be helpful," said Shiv. The servant bowed his head and left.

Shiv headed back to his room but before he could write anything a different servant came and escorted him to a room filled with seats that encircled a stage. "General Noone will give his speech then the feast will begin." said the servant. "Thank you," said Shiv. He found a seat and looked at the empty stage and after some time more and more of the same guests from last night came and found seats. After people were seated a servant came on stage. "My fellow half-orcs, before the parties continue General Noone would like to give his speech." said the servant who went off stage. The audience applauded as Noone walked on stage. "Thank you all for bearing with me. I wish to not take long, but I have a confession I would like to make. It would appear not a lot of people in this room like me very much. I also know that while these same people eat and drink and are being merry, their servants and those less fortunate are suffering greatly. Now don't get me wrong I love my country, but the class difference, the moral standards for each, and the treatment of our warriors, along with many other problems haven't been solved and I suspect many of these problems aren't being solved either because the nobles don't want to solve them, or can't. Or both. Now I can't allow that, my heart and soul ache every time I see a noble waste food and money while poor starving families could use said food and money to survive one more day or one more week. Hence why I have always hated nobility, the royals have been trying to use me as a political tool that ends today. Today the poor will be free from the weight of the nobles. Today, our warriors will never fear going back home. Today we rise together and build a new nation, a nation that the prophecies stated centuries ago would exist. I am the one they stated would come. I am the one who they were talking about and pointing to, and if any of you understand a lick of what I'm saying then you would know what I am stating the truth. For today the Nocee Empire is BORN!" as Noone finished assassins and soldiers stormed the room and began killing the nobles and any of their supporters. Screams rang throughout the room. Necks snapped, blood spilled, and chairs and other furniture were broken as people tried to escape. All the while Shiv looked downward and looked at the horrors happening below him. His hands couldn't let go of the railing. He was frozen from fear once again. Yet none of the assassins or traitors came to his location. The chaos went from the room to the adjacent ones and soon to the whole castle, all the while Shiv stared at Noone and Noone stared back. A smile cracked Noone's lips. He raised his arms as the chaos continued. He just succeeded in getting rid of much of the current nobility and several of the royals all in a matter of hours. He tricked Shiv into thinking he was too innocent, too loyal. But where was the lie? What did he say that was wrong, or inaccurate? None of this made sense to him.

Once Shiv snapped back to reality he let go of the railing and ran through the blood-drenched halls. Bodies littered the floor. Lifeless corpses sprawled out. Fires started, and screams rang throughout the castle. Shiv was horrified by the sights and sounds he heard as he made his way to his room and found it looted and messy. Anything that looked expensive, valuable, or good to the eyes was taken. The rest were left to burn or taken by those too late. Shiv packed what he could and ran around the castle dodging warriors and hiding around corners, he tried to find the rest of his servants and see if they could escape together. When he made his way to the courtyard a battle was taking place between Noone's followers and Shagic and his servants. Yet one by one Shagic and his party were killed off, but not without taking out many followers in the process. Shiv sneaked his way to the other side of the castle and found one of his servants who was curled in a corner crying. He comforted his servant and walked him around the castle, trying to find any other survivors. They sneaked their way around the burning castle until they ran into Noone, who turned to them and smiled "Have you not realized you are to be spared? My soldiers are under orders to kill all nobles, and to not harm any servants of any kind in the process. In fact, while you're here I want to deliver a message to your master. Tell him "Noone's plan worked. You are next." Now go. I want your master to have a head start so that I can enjoy some peace before I make myself emperor of the now-new Nocee Empire." said Noone. Shiv's heart raced once again but felt relief knowing he was never a target. "I would like to go, but I am missing one of my servants," said Shiv. "Don't worry. Give me a name and position and I'll send my followers to find him or her." said Noone. "Well, she's taller than average and should be wearing a necklace with a carved gem saying M X U. She is a sewer by trade. Once I have her, I will deliver your message," said Shiv. "Very well." said Noone as he turned to his men "You heard him go find her and bring her back. Even if she is dead." ordered Noone. His soldiers scattered and within an hour several of them came back with several servants. Many of the servants were covered in ash, ripped up clothes, and had messy unbraided hair. One of the servants ran to Shiv and hugged him. "Thank you sir for sending someone to us. We were about to die by one of the soldiers when one of these other soldiers came and told him about how they were looking for someone." she broke down crying in Shiv's arms. "I held my end of the deal. Now it's your turn." said Noone. "I will sir. I will." Shiv got his servants together and they walked out the gates of the burning castle and traveled back to the House of Bows to deliver the message.