It was getting late. Isoko was still at her desk in the palace, looking over some paperwork. She had been overseeing a great deal of the foreign policy choices the Firelord had asked to be put into affect, which on her end required a great deal of writing. There was simply no reason to go home when she had so much work to do: normally she'd work as late as she could, then catch a nap on the couch in her office before starting the next day.
Bleary-eyed, Isoko put down the blurring piece of paper to run a hand over her face. she was getting to the point where she wasn't awake enough to read. Perhaps a brisk walk might wake her up a bit? Stretching slightly, she got up from her desk.
She wasn't expecting someone to be at the door when she opened it. Two men, dressed entirely in black. Puzzled, Isoko stepped back for a second. Were these night guard uniforms? It wasn't a look she recognized.
The two answered her unspoken question by attacking, one quickly drawing a dagger and lunging at her. Awake enough to defend herself, Isoko dodged this first attack, trying to reach her own blade waiting sheathed on her desk. The second assailant blocked her path, garnishing a rope.
Understanding she would have to rely on barehanded combat, Iso prepared to attack the second man, aiming to get in a few punches to distract him long enough to retrieve her weapon. She managed to land a blow to the shoulder before she felt the sharp dig of a dagger in her lower back. Cursing under her breath, she turned to face the first fighter and steal his knife, only to find the rope lowered in front of her face and quickly tightening around her neck. Struggling for air, with one hand she clawed at the rope while the other sought to hit any part of her hangman that she could reach. She heard him mumble a few curses of his own, but he held tight all the same. Gasping, Isoko felt herself fading out, barely aware as the man let her fall to the floor. They covered her with something, and then... darkness.
Isoko woke later in the dark, uncertain where she was or how much time had passed. Her body ached from the mistreatment earlier. She tried to get up, but found herself bound. She struggled with her bonds, then paused when she thought she heard a noise.
