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The following morning, Daniël set out for the village.

As he passed the town's gate, he noticed there were a lot of guards patrolling around.

"Guess John doesn't want to take any chances when he gets here..."

There weren't a lot of people in the streets, and all of them really ditn't look happy.

He could sense their fear. Their hopes crushed under the foot of the tyrant prince...

And his minions...

It was clear that something had to be done.

Daniël stopped to rest in the main square, right in front of the gallows.

An unfortunate citizen dangled from the rope with a sign strapped to his chest.

-PAY YOUR TAXES, OR PAY THE PRICE-

The local militia had pinned a poster on a nearby tree.

-WANTED-

Robin Hood

DEAD OR ALIVE

Reward: £1000

"Only that much? The prince is even more greedy than I had expected..."

He took the poster with him and continued his walk around town.

Suddenly he heard something very unusual... someone was whistling?!

He followed the sound until he saw a wolf joyfully walking down the street.

Judging by his cheerful mood... he must be the Sheriff collecting his taxes.

Daniël followed him unnoticed, and saw him ransacking house after house in search of loot.

One house in particular was horrible to watch.

There was a young rabbit's birthday celebration going on when he walked in.

The mother had given her very last coin to her son...

And he snagged it right out of his paw, just like that.

Daniël wanted to run in there and kill the greedy bastard,

but his objective forced him to remain undetected.

"You'll get what's coming to you, Sheriff. Sooner or later..."

Moments later a blind fox entered the house, begging for money.

There was something strange about him...

Instead of tailing the Sherrif when he left,

Daniël decided to stick around some more.

Suddenly the blind man removed his glasses and cape.

"Green clothes... trademark cap... That must be Robin Hood."

He smiled and gave the little rabbit his bow and arrow.

The mother received a bag of gold he had stolen.

"The citizens seem to love him very much...

I almost feel bad for what I'm going to do to him..."

Suddenly Daniël was shoved aside by a soldier.

"Get off the street, sir. Make way for the royal carriage."

"Sorry."

When the jackal looked back up, Robin had disappeared.

"Not to worry, I've locked onto his genetic signature...

Tracking him down will be a piece of cake now..."

A large, overly decorated horsecoach drove by, escorted by numerous guards.

Daniël followed the parade, but he was apprehended by one of the thugs.

"Hello, stranger. Have you paid your welcome fee yet?"

"Well wadda ya know...

Hey Connor, he's the one causing trouble in the tavern last night, remember?"

"You're going to regret ever coming here, stranger. Have at you!"

The soldier drew his sword, but once again Daniël disarmed him.

"Don't just stand there! Seize him!!!"

More soldiers showed up to fight, drawing the attention from the royal guards.

"Driver, why have we stopped?!", cried a voice from the carriage.

"There appears to be some sort of brawl going on."

"Ha! Who dares to interrupt my arrival with this miserable performance?

This I gotta see..."

Meanwhile, Daniël did a great job at defeating the angry soldiers.

He even had to hold back so he ditn't kill anyone.

This continued on until all of them were either hurt or uncontinous.

"Enough!!! This ends now!!!"

The last guard aimed his crossbow and shot the jackal.

To everyone's surprise, he caught the arrow in mid-air!

The door of the carriage opened, and instantly a row of guards formed a living 'stair' to the ground.

A feline appeared, dressed in a blue robe with a crown on his head.

Daniël instantly kneeled down in respect.

A serpent slithered at the prince's legs, casting a suspicious glance at him.

"Impressive... No-one has outlasted my men in battle before...

I found your performance... most amusing, brave warrior...

Please, tell me your name."

"My lord... I am but a mere jackal. I am honored with pleasing the king himself."

"Do you hear that, Hiss? The man says I'm king!!!"

"Oh, so you are not the fabled King John?"

"Yes I am! I'm the greatest king in the history of all England!!!"

"So you are. My name is Anubis. I have travelled a long way just to meet you, sire."

"Oh... so tell me; what does a man like you have to offer to the king?"

"Allow me to accompany you and I'll explain..."

"So be it."

Daniël climbed aboard the carriage and after a while they reached the castle's gates.

"That's an imposing residence you've got, my liege."

"It doesn't quite fit my status... but I guess it'll have to do."

Two guards opened the large oakwood doors into the main hall.

The rusty hinges creaked as they turned.

The castle had seen it's fair share of decay,

Judging by the cracks in the walls and the dusty furniture.

"This place isn't what it used to be...

All that remains of it's former glory is just a distant childhood memory..."

John sat down on his throne, and the serpent slid next to him on a chair.

Daniël sat down on the carpet in front of him.

"The castle... it belonged to your parents, am I correct?"

"Yes. It's the only thing they left to me... instead of to my damn brother Richard.

It kind of reminds me of myself in an obscure way.

Just a hollow shell compared to the royal palace in London..."

"I see what you mean... you're not very fond of your brother, are you?"

John ditn't react, but the menacing look in his eyes said enough.

The jackal stood up and flicked a coin between his fingers.

"Let's talk about something you like. Let's talk about... money."

"Ah yes... gold... lots and lots of gold! It's the only thing that I really care about."

"You know... I have a deal that will give you more gold than you can imagine."

"Really? I have quite a big imagination."

The serpent gave Daniël a suspicious look.

"Sssire, I don't trussst thisss man."

"Oh shut up, Hiss. Please, sir Anubis. Tell me more about your 'deal'..."

Daniël continued to flick his coin, until suddenly he was playing with a knife instead.

"You rule the land with an iron fist, and yet... the people don't seem to acknowledge your authority.

Your high taxes and cruel punishments create discontent amongst your subjects...

And in the center of it all... stands Robin Hood.

His actions make him the living embodiment of the rebellion.

So if I kill him, the people will all submit to you in terror.

And the more eager they are to submit... the richer you will become."

"What do you think I've been doing for the past 15 years?!

How are you planning to succeed where even I have failed?"

"Skill."

"...wait a minute... my brother once told me about a tribe he encountered in Syria.

They are expert in the art of killing...

Could you be one of them?

Are you... an assassin?"

Daniël threw the knife right above the prince's head.

It pinned his crown against the back of the throne.

"Don't you dare compare me to those amateurs. They are nothing like me!"

"You dare to attack your own king?! What an outrage!!!"

"I could have killed you, too... and no-one would have even cared..."

"What?"

"Look at your guards. Did they react when I was holding the knife?

No. They just stood there and watched.

I am able to change all of that...

I can make the people willingly stand by your side...

And I can make you the richest man in the world...

"Of course, I do not work for free... I want a part of your wealth in return."

"How much?"

"It's not a question of money, my liege... I'll explain the terms later.

First, I need a place to reside.

I have to meditate while finding the best way to deal with Robin."

"There is an old guest area at the top of the Eastern tower.

My servant will take you there."

"B-b-but sssire-"

"No 'but', Hiss. Who's the king around here?"

"...you are."

The snake got off his chair and slithered down the hall.

Daniël went after him, but prince John gave him one last order.

"One week, sir Anubis. You have one week to bring me his dead body.

I have but one condition; make. him. suffer!

Make him pay for every last coin he took from me!!!"