[ WP ] The hero beats the villain by stooping even lower .

The Baron leaned against the balcony railing, considering the sunrise. He always made a point of witnessing the dawn. Every day was a new hope, a new opportunity, and he would never allow himself to forget it. But today, all that optimistic theory was actually true. Today was the day that his plans would come to fruition, his years of struggle and secrecy would pay off. Today was the day that he would claim the throne. 
 
 It was also the tenth anniversary of his wife's death. Her execution, for for role in the failed coup against the king, had been the trigger. He did n't particularly care that she was guilty. He had loved her, loved her with all of his heart. It had been almost a relief, really, when he'd discovered that she was plotting against the King. He had feared that she was having an affair. The fact that it was a simple political matter meant nothing to him. The man on the throne had little affect, really, on the lives of most people. Even as a part of nobility, his position was just insignificant enough for him not to care. 
 
 Many people thought it odd that he had n't been implicated in her crimes. That she had acted not only without his consent, but even without his knowledge. Many people took it as a sign of his incompetence. This was something he'd used in the ensuing years. He had laid out a grand plan for revenge. 
 
 He'd moved slowly, taking tiny steps. Moving pieces, one at a time, into proper position. And no, today, things would fall into place. A young girl, barely of age, promised to the King's only heir. The King himself, clinging to life by a thread. The crown prince, not exactly a young man himself, taking what would likely be his last chance at a child. And a disease, passed between lovers, undetectable in any way, but extremely fatal. 
 
 He felt bad about the girl. She was innocent. But then, so was the child that should have been his. As the sun climbed above the trees on the horizon, the Baron knew the girl would be entering the castle. She would spend the day being prepared for her royal evening. The baron walked down the breakfast, confident that victory, at long last, would be his by midnight. 
 
 On the other side of the city, Sir Calvous sat deep in thought. Whatever he was going to do, it would have to be done today. Fortunately, he had until at least nightfall to figure it out. He had discovered some disturbing information. Someone, it seems, had managed to infect the crown prince's new consort with a fatal illness. A unique assassination attempt, the young knight mused, but what to do about it? 
 
 Calvous was not, unfortunately, well regarded among his peers. That was one reason he spent his time patrolling around the city, rather then out doing adventurous things in the wilds. It also meant that he did n't exactly have easy access to the royal family. Oh, he could arrange a meeting, but it could take weeks. Heck, the last time he needed to talk to the Arbous, the head of royal security, it took three days to set up the meeting. 
 
 If he went to his superiors, who did have the access he needed, they would have to be convinced. They might even decide to check his sources, and who knows how that would turn out. He knew he would have to handle it himself. It took until noon, and several mugs of ale, but he made up his mind. 
 
 Luckily, he had physical access to the castle, though after today that probably would n't be the case. He knew a few ladies in waiting, probably one of the ones that would be attending the royal consort. It would n't be a big deal to convince one of them to let him into her room. He would n't get much time, but he did n't need much. Just a few seconds, and a sharp knife.
