The invading King awaited the return of two scouts who had been sent to attain the whereabouts of the Enemy’s King and kill him in his sleep.
The invading King was in a camp with his main battalion.
As his armies approached the Enemy King’s front line, he had sent many scouting parties ahead to report on the troops, encampments, battlements, as well as the Enemy King’s whereabouts.
The two scouts charged with collecting intelligence on the Enemy King, and slaying him, now stood in front of their King. The invading King knew the Enemy King’s security would be severely lessened if he were to flee from the front lines, and that is exactly what happened. Away from the security of the main high-walled castle, his scouts could gain access to him and kill him while he slept much more easily.
The invading King met with them near the royal fire pit behind his tent.
The invading King Spoke
“Tell me what you know.”
Scout 1:
“The Enemy King fled in the dead of night a fortnight ago. We followed them to the north, to where he summers, Castle Archdale in Irvinestown. We entered his sleeping chamber in the dead of night and cut his throat and that of his queen. Not a sound was made by them as they bled to death, just as you instructed.”
Invading King:
“Did you verify that he, in fact, was in that fleeing party? Did you get close enough to view his face? Did you make sure you were not followed back here? Was it the Enemy King’s throat you slit?”
Scout 1:
“Sir, we were not followed. The full royal detachment left the main castle. Full flags, full guard, the Queen, their children. We saw it all, from a near distance….”
The King cut him off…
King:
“Did either of you verify that he, in fact, was in that fleeing party? Did you verify he was the man you actually killed that night?”
Scout 2:
“Not by direct clear sight of his face sir, but it was apparent. He was asleep in the royal chamber at the summer residence.”
Perfect horror came upon the invading King’s face.
He spoke his last words.
“You have led them right to me you fools.”
With that, a single arrow entered, and then exited the invading King's neck from the longbow of the Enemy King himself.
The war was over.
