Book 1 (Dagger Of Justice Series)

[High Lord J]

"Power Gained & Power Lost"

Prologue: Lord Max head of House Brook, the strongest house in England next to the King's of course, stared at an ex-knight of the English army. Max sighed he didn't like what he was doing, but it had to be done. Max tossed the knight a couple purses of gold, and the ex-knight's servant examined them. "It do be just fine Ben" the servant said with his sickening accent. Ben nodded he stood up and offered a hand. Max didn't want to shake the man's hand but he stood up and shook it. Suddenly, Ben pulled him over the table. Max felt his neck break as his breathing stopped.

Ben studied his work he must be a little rusty since he had broken the noble's arm. This could not have seemed like he had intended when he had planted the alcohol to make it look like the noble had passed out. He took a knife and put it through the noble's heart. Just a year ago this would have made him sick up but now he just worked the noble causing bruises and cuts. He felt like a butcher. He was a butcher. He then turned around and started at his servant whose knees were shaking. The servant had not known about killing the noble. The servant would talk freely he was sure of it. There was only one solution, he punched the man firmly in the stomach with brass knuckles on his fist. The servant fell down dead. He then took the knife he was using and put it in the servants hand. He sighed and left the room, he had began to trust that servant, what a shame.

Chapter 1: King Lance of England got lost in thought as King Jessie Chaput from the small and useless nation of something or another spoke to him about taking troops out of his small land. What did it matter anyway most nobles in the weakest of houses had more land then this so called King amd to even call it a nation...

Lance's thoughts were currently about the murder of Lord Max. The man had been plotting against him he knew but he was sure he would not have to end up killing Max and he had not ordered Max's murder. He also found out that Lady Elnora had also been killed. She had been plotting against him as well, but not with Max because Max had a stronger claim to the throne then her.

That was the only thing in common between the two they both had strong claims to the throne. The only other man left with a claim strong enough to hold England together was his son. He tried to come to any other conclusion then his son had killed the two. He really hoped he had not, Lance's days were coming to the end and if he did not allow his son to take the throne after him the houses would go to war over who would have claim to his throne. He needed to talk to his advisors. He dismissed the so called King in mid-sentence and the man was stunned. He didn't care and he motioned some of his guards to escort the man out of the palace.


(I'll write more later please give me any comments or suggestions you may have)

[Metaliturtle]

Decent teaser, maybe more dialogue, looks like you have a good plan though, I can't wait to see this continue.

[High Lord J]

I have always have had trouble writing with dialogue. I will be looking into how to use it in other stories. Thanks a lot for the suggestion and thanks for those of you that have voted my story as good it is my first try and I hope to be writing many.

[civman2000]

pretty good...a bit more dialogue will be needed if you make it much longer, but the first part could easily stand as it is with little dialogue IMO.

[High Lord J]

OCC: Sorry only a chapter just heading off and felt like writing a bit... I will be writing the whole story Civman and probably a couple more in the series. Well, here comes a short post for tonight...

Chapter 2: Rupert Demart a retired thief who now worked for The King sat in the small room where Lance always met him. He was perfectly aware King Lance had never told anyone about him. Most likely, if anyone ever found out he would be found dead in an unfortunate hunting accident. He was very good at what he did so he wasn't worried.

He worked in the underworld of England finding out any kind of plotting against The King and he had heard something. He had not found a name but some ex-military very dangerous man has supposedly gotten control of a new house that was getting power quickly in the countryside and was almost sure there was something going on. He was ready to inform The King. The King had signaled to come this meeting which was odd because he usually met at the same time every week. There was no need to change days really...

He sensed someone slipping into the dark room. He supposed it was Lance he often tried to sneak into the room to impress him. Rupert decided to play his game and he slipped on his dark cloak. He rolled across the room and got behind the man. He laughed and tapped him on the shoulder. wait... The King was not shorter then him. He knew he had made a mistake he went to move away but was grabbed and knocked out before he could move a muscle.

[High Lord J]

Chapter 3:

Ben Holme walks out of the room wiping his hands. The man he set up might have killed him if he didn't think it was someone else. He needed a fast horse now because he had an extremely important meeting. He stole a horse in the stables and rode away as fast as he could.

"We found a man dead" a palace guard told Lance.
"Bring the body to me." The King replied "Off with you then!" The guard all but ran from the King's famous anger. Lance suspected it might be Rupert one of his secret advisors. It was in the room they usually met in. Why was he there though? It wasn't one of the meeting days. Someone else must have given the signal. Somebody with power and very good network of eyes and ears.

He knew what his next move would be. It was time for him to pull some strings. He can arrange some things now. It was time to show why he is the king. Now he must talk to another one of his secret advisors. They were always much more useful then his official advisors. All of them were either paid off by other houses, or just dumb. They don't matter anyway. He must act alone now and he must act quickly. He could not afford to be weak. Now he must save England.

[High Lord J]

Chapter 4:

Earl Devrick, supposedly The King's French teacher, sat drinking punch with Lance. There really wasn't any problem with his disguise because even though he didn't know a word of French, The King spoke it fluently so he could show progress slowly to anyone who asked.

He really was Lance's advisor in the political game of houses. He came from a long line of nobles and would likely have a strong claim to the throne if his father had not messed it up. He wasn't interested in the throne at all really he was living a live of luxury funded by The King for his "French teaching."

The men sat staring at each other sipping there drinks. Earl was first to speak. "I'm assuming you know that Max Brook's wife Trisha took over House Brook. The first female to ever do so" Lance nodded "Well, she has already strongly opposed House Paxton who are quickly gaining power. They have been a small house in the countryside for some time ruled by an old man for the last ten years. He was found dead inside his sleeping chamber. Seems he was either poisoned or died of old age. A middle aged man who I have never heard of somehow got into power there claiming to be a cousin. He goes by the name Jeffery Paxton but I don't believe to be his real name. The man has made strong bonds with all houses around the country. Trisha is a very beautiful women and she seems to have used her 'charms' to get many houses behind her to stand against the alliance. I fear there may be war between them." Lance stared at nothing for a while.

"I feared it may have come to this. How many men do you have in this new house?"
"Only a few, but I may be able to pay off more."
"All right here is what I want done..."

[High Lord J]

Is anyone reading this or should I start a new story because this one isn't intresting?

[civman2000]

I read it and like it!

[High Lord J]

Chapter 5:

Ben sat at a table staring at the darkness. He knew a man was sitting there but it seemed like the darkness itself was speaking. It certainly would have that voice if it did. He hated this meetings and they often got in the way of his own plans but if he didn't obey he wouldn't live. His hand stroked his sword and he thought of using it. The problem was there may be guards in the darkness as well. The four men with spears shouldn't be much of a problem but it was too risky. So he would listen and obey until a chance opened up for him to make his move.

Ted Paxton rode across a dirt road with guards in front, behind, and on each side of him. He was loyal to the new leader Jeffery Paxton. His direct family was one of the six that survived the last head of the house. Four of them were plotting against Jeffery and the six new familles that were new from either marriage or new found ancestors. He felt ashamed that those four familles against the new head of house were ever his friends. He looked up when he shouts. The two men at his sides dropped from arrows and the two remaining pulled out there bows and fired at the eight men charging forward with spears. They managed to hit ones horse before they both died. The seven men on horses made a circle around Ted and told him to keep riding as the man with the fallen horse jumped up on Ted's horse.

Darryl Brooks walked through the city with a guard. The city streets were safe from footpads but with the houses on the verge of war there was always danger. Years ago he could walk freely around the city and stay at inns and drink at taverns with the commoners and it would not matter. Now he could not drink anything unless he was sure it was not poisoned and sleeping in unguarded rooms often meant death. Several of the Kings guards walked by waving. He nodded to them and kept walking suddenly he was pushed into the alley from behind by four of the King's guards. His own guard managed to pull out his sword but it was no use against the four men surrounding him with blades in hand. The King's guards were very dangerous men. He and his guard were taken into a nearby building.

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Writers Note: Vote for me on the round eight story contest! Good luck to all in the contest with me. Congrats to Bella Hella on winning the round 6 contest! Don't forget to vote in the round seven finals.

[High Lord J]

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[High Lord J]

Chapter 6:

Lance stood out in the city plaza. He had about 20 guards around him. They search for bowmen, and had have spears in hand blocking anyone from running through. Hangings were a large ceremony. The whole town came to watch even the children. Lance opposed this but had to be here for this particular one. He drifted into thought of yesterday.

Lance sat at a meeting with his son Shane. Shane had changed as of late and had now had a less cheerful childish attitude. While it was a sad thing to see it go it had to go for Shane to take the throne. Lance had to admit he was scared. Shane had been away on a tour of France. He had left just a day before the killings had started and now he had returned carrying a sword on his waist. He had a guard at his side just because of the way Shane stroked the sword. He felt so foolish. Lance had never been able to depend on his sword he had quick hands but he had found a hard strike could knock the sword out of his hand.

He talked to Shane of France and told him about what had happened of late. He couldn't tell if Shane just nodded because he knew of it already which he shouldn't or because of how much colder he is. As they spoke a man charged in his sword in hand and killed the guard before he could remove his sword. Shane had his sword out and begun to fight the man. Lance took his sword out but stared at the fight not sure what he could do. The two could have been dancing. They were dancing with the swords. Using there fast feet to there advantage as much as the quick strikes. Lance ran forward sword in hand but the man turned away from Shane spun around Lance and Lance turned around just in time to meet the mans sword but the sword left his hand. The man quickly came up with the sword and dug it into Lance arm. Lance stared at the blood running down his arm.

Shane ran forward in quickly to Lance's aid and the man pulled the sword out just in time to meet Shane's sword. Lance's blood got in Shane's face and the man stepped forward and plunged the sword towards Shane's heart. Lance quickly tripped the man and the sword fell back with the man. Lance quickly pulled his dagger out given to him by the King of France. The hilt was made of pure gold and the blade was as sharp enough to have just come out of a blacksmith's shop. Lance plunged the dagger straight into the mans upper left chest. The man tried to sit up but was sent to another world as Lance turned the dagger and pressed harder. Lance pulled out the dagger and wiped it on the mans shirt and passed out.

The man turned out to be the head of the Paxton house now one of the strongest in England. He also went by the name Ben Carton when he once served in the English army. Some of his best men had found out he was native born in France. The man hanged there in the cheapest commoner clothing to be found. Although he was a noble he was a false one and it had been demanded by house Paxton that he wore cheap commoner clothes and was stripped of anything he owned before he was hanged. It didn't seem to matter he was already dead only that he was executed as a commoner instead of getting the headsman.

The King looked down at his hip where his traditional sword was hanging in a case. He had the dagger bare at his other hip. The dagger had saved his and his son's life. He had sent it to a blacksmith to have it carved in neatly. It read "The Dagger of Justice" for all to see.

The End (Star Wars theme starts to play for no particular reason )

[civman2000]

!

[High Lord J]

Should I write another one of these? I felt like coming back to write a story for some reason would anyone read another one or should I start a completly new one?

[ChrisiusMaximus]

You can do both if you like I will read them ,had not seen this one before so I just read it.Most entertaining.

[High Lord J]

yeah it is really old it was third in something like contest 6 so it was some time ago