"The Jackal is known to be ruthless, selfish, and murderous," I said.  

School had just finished, and James had taken me to see his father.  I had definitely not been happy about it, but I had sucked up my pride and agreed to work with him.  Now, I was filling them in on what we were up against.

"My father used to say he was as large as the mountains in the Vlaids," I continued. "The Vlaids is this fictional place from the stories my father used to tell me. Its mountains were taller than any normal mountain." I shifted in my seat.  I was standing in front of the king and his closest military men.  His generals, commander in chiefs..."He also has these strange swords that cause more damage than normal swords. They're heavier too.

"As you know, The Jackal has been terrorizing the kingdoms for decades. No one has been able to stand against him--not that many have tried..."

"But you did. And you almost captured him," James interrupted. 

"Yeah, but..." I began. "I don't know. I mean, I nearly died. He's really dangerous."

"If anyone can do it, it's you," James said.

I gave him a small smile, even though my thoughts were anything but positive.

"The Jackal moves around a lot, and where he stays is always unknown to everyone but him," I continued. "He doesn't trust anyone.

"His goons vary depending on his 'jobs'. Usually he can get as many men as he wants. You won't believe what these men would do when their life is being threatened. And if The Jackal gives you a threat, you better take it seriously." I leaned back in my chair. "I actually know this first hand. 

"He threatened my life because he needed my help with a job. I refused and he's wanted me dead ever since. He never forgets anything. He doesn't forgive either. If a man did something to him decades ago, he won't forget. Especially if it hurt his pride.

"His pride is strength but also his greatest weakness. As with many thieves. I use this against them to help fight them. You just need to know what to say."

"Are you going to teach us?" the king asked.

When I didn't answer James spoke.

"It will help us fight against The Jackal."

"Fine," I consented. "You need to get into his head."

"Like trash talk," James said.

"No, not really," I replied. "He loves fear. So don't give him what he wants. His pride comes from the look in someone's eyes when they're terrified--the way someone's arms or legs shake--anything that shows fear."

"So, we have to look confident and not be fearful," James said. 

"I didn't say you shouldn't be fearful," I answered. "In fact, you should be terrified. You just can't let him know that you are."

"Got it," James said.

"The Jackal's sight is impeccable, but his peripheral vision isn't. If you move around a lot and stay away from his straight on gaze you have a better chance of taking him down.

"Movement bothers him. He prefers targets that stand still while they fight. His large, bulky structure makes moving around quickly very difficult. That's why we need more agile people than big strong men."

"If we want to take down The Jackal we need my best men," the king stated. "My biggest, strongest men."

"Please, sir, if you will," I said respectfully. "That might not be the best move--"

"I am the king!" he boomed. "You will not tell me what the best move is."

"If you please--" I began.

"It is final," King Henry replied. "We leave at dawn."

"But--" I tried.  James blocked me.

"His word is final, Lily. There is nothing we can do," he said.

I rose from my seat, pushed James' arm out of the way, and stomped out of the room.  

I shook my head in disgust.

The unhearing ears would bring shame.

The pride would cause loss.

And the stubbornness would be the downfall.

A/N Sorry for the short chapter! You know me. Loving the dramatics.

Ciao,

SiSi

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