The forty royal guards rallied instantly. They raised their sharp swords and charged forward across the snowy courtyard, yelling battle cries.
But Derek's delay had worked perfectly. He had bought enough time. The Elite shadows had eliminated the archers that were positioned for emergency attacks.
Suddenly, from the high stone walls of the courtyard and the dark roofs of the manor, black shapes dropped down into the falling snow. They moved faster than the eye could follow.
The Elite Shadows had finally arrived.
They landed gracefully between Derek and the charging royal guards. They were dressed entirely in black leather, their faces hidden behind dark masks. They drew their curved, deadly blades in unison, swinging it and took their stance.
"Protect His Grace and Her Grace!" the leader of the Shadows shouted, his voice piercing through the chaos.
A brutal bloodbath immediately occurred in the courtyard.
