Meanwhile at the ranch

Her royal majesty, Queen Pamela was in her private chambers, listening to the report of her captain of the guards.

“It is true then. Crown Prince Poron was abducted?”

“Yes, your Grace, that is the most likely conclusion.” The captain bowed deeply. “My men are scouring the town as we speak, but his highness might have already been taken outside of the city walls.”

The queen swirled her glass of deep red wine and drank equally deep. “I trust, I do not have to remind you that the swift recovery of the crown prince is of the utmost importance?”

“Of course. Hence my request to mobilize...”

“Do not vex me, captain. Our Kingdoms brave soldiers are not to be moved haphazardly. Surely, you are aware that the royal coffers are in dire straits.”

“To be sure, but...”

“Enough! You have your orders. See that my will is done.”

The captain bowed once more and excused himself, leaving the Queen to her brooding.

What has that useless ninja done?

Pamelas plan was foolproof. The ninja girl would assassinate Poron, finally opening up the throne for her own son. The assassin would then be arrested and (after a bit of torture) confess to have worked for a foreign power. That would be followed by a swift execution. Maybe she could even use this opportunity to declare war on neighboring Rasheul. Pamela always wanted that city.

It was a beautiful, perfect plan.

How dare that stupid girl make such a botch of this! Pamela angrily smashed the glass against the nearest wall.

The Queens righteous indignation was interrupted by a knock. “Who is it?”

“It is I, Mother.”

The young man in his early twenties that entered the queens bedchamber, looked the spitting image of a fairy tale prince.

“Ah Pitten”, the queen greeted him with a smile.

The prince answered by stroking his luxurious blonde hair. “Hark the castle gossip. Has Poron vanished without nary a trace?”

“He has”, Pamela confirmed.

“Wondrous! Hence, my ascension to the throne should not be barred any longer.”

“No, you fool”, Pamela snapped. She loved her son, but when it came to wits he unfortunately took after his oaf of an father. “As long as Poron is alive your claim will never be secure. He must be dealt with.”

“A query then. Why abduction? What might our nefarious foes plan with this curious maneuver?”

It was a valid question, Pamela had to admit. “If that girl is thinking to blackmail me, I will show her why they call me Pamela, the painbringer.” Of course, anyone who dared to call her that got flailed alive a long time ago.

“It need not come to that. I shall venture forth to deal with my quarry myself”, the prince declared.

“You?” The queen regent led out a laugh at that sudden bout of gallantry. “We try to rid ourselves of this wretched child for years!”

“All the better that he is now outside the castle walls.” Pitten flashed a glorious smile. “It will be easier to accomplish. No more plots and schemes. I will valiantly strike him down where he stands.”

The notion was appealing. Unfortunately there was just one huge problem. “How do you propose to locate him?”

“Perhaps I can be of assistance.”

Pamela almost jumped out of her seat. Pitten immediately had it's sword drawn and pointed it into a dark corner. “Who goes there? Show your face, fiend!”

As on cue a figure, completely clad in black, stepped out of the darkness. “Calm yourself. I mean neither of you any harm. I just couldn't help but overhear this conversation about my former colleague.”

“Former colleague?” Pamela narrowed her eyes. “Who are you?”

The figure chuckled softly. “I have long since abandoned my name for I am a creature of the Dark. You may refer to me as...Darkwing Duck.”

“Darkwing Duck...” Pitten mumbled. “One of the four great avians of the Black Swan clan. It is claimed woe upon anyone who witnessed your beak for they shall ne'er see light's day again.”

“That was the case when Black Swan still existed. Now I am a simple freelance assassin. One that offers you his services.”

“You are able to locate Prince Poron?” Pamela asked warily.

“Yes, it would be trivial.”

“Very well”, Pamela agreed, pouring herself another glass. “We shall employ your services. 100 Gold coins for Poron's head.”

“200. I have to locate them after all. And I imagine you wish to see Clumsy Sparrow expire as well.”

“Clumsy Sparrow...” Pitten mumbled. “The one assassin, so mighty she singlehandedly vanquished Black Swan. If that is our opponent, we mustn't take any chances, Mother.”

“Ugh, very well.” the queen dismissively waived her hand. “We will raise the taxes for the poor or something. Just make sure they are both death.”

“A wise decision.”

“I shall accompany you as well”, Pitten declared. “To ensure no shenanigans shall take place.”

“I work alone.”

“I fear I must insist”, Pitten flashed his charming smile. “Have no fear. I shall not hinder your work. However I must needs witness the vanquishing.”

For a short moment it appeared that the air just got colder, but ultimately the assassin relented. “Very well.”

“Excellent, begin your work at once.” Pamela smiled smugly. “With this we will finally rid ourselves of this miserable little gnat!”