March 26, 1199

LIMOSIN, FRANCE – King Richard I of England, known as “Richard the Lionheart”, has been struck in the shoulder by a crossbow while suppressing a local revolt. Medics report the wound has turned gangrenous, and fear a grim prognosis.

Surprisingly, the shooter has already been identified—and he is only a teenage boy. The assassin, when questioned, claimed Richard had killed his father and two brothers, and that this was an act of vengeance.

Though the boy, who remains unnamed, expected to be executed, the King has shown clemency to the child by freeing him and sending him away with 100 shillings.

The boy was next seen in a nearby town—where he reportedly took off his face to reveal a young girl with a lean, athletic build, a long face, brown hair and grey eyes. The girl was accompanied by a giant direwolf.