King's Field
"Sacrifices"
By: Melissa "Dei" McClendon
The home of Leon Shore; Quist, Verdite
A young David Silviera stood at a silent vigil in one corner of the darkened room, his cool green eyes absorbing everything that was now surrounding him, trying to forget what had happened only hours ago. Even in the fragile safety of Leon's home, the soldier kept a firm hand on the hilt of his sword in fear of the unknown. While his hand may have been firm and ready for battle, the rest of his mind and body were ready to fall apart. It had all happened to quickly... And it had been completely unexpected. How could this have happened?...
Leon Shore, the wise and respected half-elf from Melanat Island, turned from his crouching position in front of the bed in time to see Silviera fall to his feet in tears, clasping his head between his hands. "...How could this have happened ?!"He shouted, more to himself than to Leon.
The craftsman sighed, resting a cool washcloth over the woman's eyes that lay in a state in Leon's bed. She murmered something incoherently before more silent tears made their way down her soot-stained cheeks. " Shouting will not change what has transpired this evening, David ." Leon mildly rebuked the soldier as he stood up and straightened out his trousers.
" This can't be happening... Leon, how can you remain calm in a time like this ?1" Silviera demanded, looking up at the half-elf in disbelief.
" Because by getting upset, my mind will be clouded and I will be unable to think clearly . " There was no edge to his voice, the kind-hearted, middle-aged elf was practically incapable of losing his temper. If nothing else, spending years in Necron's Underworld Prison had taught him patience, a virtue they would all need in the impending events. " Besides, we must think of Queen Noel ." He signaled towards the woman laying in the bed. " Her husband, the Holy King Jean Alfred Forrestor has just transformed into something none of us would have expected and he has attacked his own people. His own family... And now she is here thanks to your skills and quick thinking while her son and husband are still trapped in the castle ."
Leon's lecture seemed to have taken the exact opposite effect on Silviera, who promptly broke down again. " I tried to save him... Prince Lyle... He was with the Lady Gigi--"
" Lady Gigi ?!" Leon chimed, his tone betraying the surprise of hearing her name. What is Gigi doing in Verdite?...
" Princess Gigi Budwell Regginis of Granatyki..." Silviera formerly announced as if Leon did not know who Gigi was. " She had protected Queen Noel and Prince Lyle with her magic from the demons... She held them off as we escaped... But the King came... With more of his monsters... The Queen and I were cut off... Princess Gigi ordered us to seek your aid and that she and Prince Lyle would find another escape route... If Queen Noel had not been wounded--" Silviera paused as he choked up on more tears. Leon knew how much Silviera had respected King Alfred and could sympathize with the fact that the shock of the king's transformation was too much for the young soldier.
Alexander would never have allowed Gigi to travel to Verdite alone. I have to get her and Lyle out of the castle before something happens. Alexander may not arrive in time to save them... No, I remain calm... Not only is Gigi an oracle, she is an ArchMage trained by Meryl.. She will be able to protect herself and the prince... But that is no excuse to just leave them there! Damnation...
" Alexander will surely have my head when he finds out I left his wife and Prince Lyle in the castle... I deserve no less ."
Leon momentarily left his train of thought and looked at Silviera in bemusement. Prince Alexander Thornton Regginis was not a cruel man by far and Silviera knew this. The half-elf simply had to assume Silviera was not thinking rationally, the betrayal of King Alfred and the guilt of having to leave Gigi and Lyle behind was too much for him. " Queen Noel was wounded and you could not reach Princess Gigi and Prince Lyle. Alexander will understand that you had no other choice. You yourself have witnessed--"
" Gigi..." Queen Noel suddenly coughed out, weakly struggling to sit up.
" Your highness !" Silviera rose up and knelt before the Queen of Verdite.
Leon bowed absent-mindedly, the Queen's condition was the only thing he was concerned with at the moment. " Please, your highness, you must rest and allow for your wounds to heal ." With gentle hands, Leon eased Queen Noel back against the pillows, careful not to agitate her wounds with the movement.
" Gigi... And my son... Where ?" Her pale blue eyes looked over to Silviera.
" Your majesty... The Princess Gigi and Prince Lyle are still inside Verdite Castle..." Silviera quietly replied, his feeling of defeat greater now more than ever.
" By the gods..." Queen Noel whispered, closing her eyes as tears began to form. " He's killed them..."
" Princess Gigi and Prince Lyle aren't dead , your highness ." Yet... Leon thought ruefully. " The Princess is a highly skilled mage, she will be able to protect herself and your son until help arrives . "
" Her... Her condition... Alex... Child..."
" Child, your highness? Do you mean the Prince Lyle ?" Leon's eyes suddenly grew alarmed. The Queen struggling had reopened all of her wounds and fresh blood was seeping through the bandages. He moved with skill and urgency, now fearing for the Queen's life as he tried to save her.
With a quiet serenity, she gently lay her hand over Leon's to stop him. The half-elf's eyes looked up to meet the Queen's, who were quietly letting him know it was too late. " The Princess... of Granatyki... is with child... Only a matter of time..."
Gigi is pregnant? Does Alexander know? By Seath, this complicates things! Damnation... Queen Noel's grip on Leon's hand suddenly went limber, causing him to kneel beside her in respect.
" Leon... Please care for my son..." And with that, the Queen of Verdite closed her eyes and succumbed to her eternal sleep.
*****
**The Queen of Verdite**
**Noel Forester**
A deep sadness filled Leon Shore as he gazed upon the tomb of the recently buried Queen of Verdite, a sadness caused by the knowledge that this precious woman had died at the hands of her own husband whom she loved dearly and that her last thoughts were a maternal fear of her son's life. The Queen's death also brought on a sense of dread by the realization that the horrors of the past month were indeed real and that there was no escaping the once Holy King of Verdite.
Silviera had been lost in his own train of thought, all leading to his feelings of failure towards the royal family, when Ed Edmund brushed past him towards the exit of Quist Cemetary and mumbled, "These are dark times we live in..."
" I will not forget this day... Nor will I forget the king's betrayal... He will live to regret what he has done..." Having said that, Silviera bowed towards Queen Noel's grave left Quist Cemetary in silence.
I'm sure nobody will ever truly forget this day... I can only hope we live past it.
It was raining in a steady down pour when Leon finally reached his home along the outskirts of Quist, buried deep in his own thoughts, the half-elf didn't notice the horse grazing near his flower bed in complete defiance of mother nature's tears. As he reached his door, he paused before opening it when he heard voices from within the small home. I wasn't expecting Silviera to return so quickly...
" Your highness."
The only image Leon could see was that of a drinched Silviera bowing, to whom however could not be seen. Hesitant, he stepped into the house, hoping that Princess Gigi had escaped with Prince Lyle but something told him that was not the case.
" Leon !" Prince Alexander Thornton Regginis of Granatyki greeted, all too cheerfully for Leon's taste, which led him to suspect that perhaps the intuitive knight was not fully aware of recent events. Not waiting for his friend's reply, Alexander quickly turned back around to warm his hands by the hearth.
" Alexander... This is an unexpected visit. What brings you here to my humble home ?" Leon found that he couldn't move, his legs seemed to be permanently cemented to the floor. Unsure of what to do, he remained where he stood in the doorway. How can I tell him about Gigi?... And what of his best friend, Alfred?...
Alexander chuckled in amusement, turning to face Leon and warm his backside. " Is it such a crime to visit a friend? What has Alfred's rule done to you, Leon ?" The humor was unintentionally ill-timed and it made Leon dread telling the prince what had happened even more. " So... Forgive my inquisitiveness, but where had you just returned from on such a fine day as this? On the pain of sounding unfriendly, I fear the only thing that kept me from riding straight on into Verdite Castle to see my Gigi was this damnable weather. Has she been to see you since she arrived from Granatyki ?"
Leon hesitated, but decided on the old saying that 'honesty is the best policy'. " I'm afraid not, Alexander. The news of her arrival in Verdite just reached me a few days ago ."
It was then that Silviera lost what control he had managed in the presence of the Prince of Granatyki and quickly found himself at the feet of Alexander, begging for forgiveness. " Your Highness, I have failed... I failed you and the Royal Family of Verdite..."
" What is the meaning of this ?" Alexander whispered, more curious at the moment than alarmed. But as Silviera continued to ramble on about his failure, the prince looked to Leon for an explaination.
" You asked me where I returned from, Alex..." He began nervously. " I just finished laying Queen Noel Forester of Verdite to rest in Quist Cemetary. She died a few days ago..."
" By the gods..." Alexander was shocked more than anything, but once the initial reaction had passed over him, his thoughts went to his best friend. " How is Alfred taking all this? Is Gigi with him and Lyle ?"
This was the part Leon had dreaded the most. Telling Alexander that Alfred was the one responsible for the Queen's death and that his wife and Prince Lyle were still trapped with him inside the castle was worse than facing the Black Dragon himself. " Alfred was the one responsible for the Queen's death. And yes, Gigi and Prince Lyle are still with him..."
" I... I don't understand... Was it an accident ?..." The prince slumped down in a chair, his mind racing.
" I don't think so, Alexander. Something has happened to him... Some sort of transformation... The demons are returning... Monsters have overwhelmed the towns... And most of all, the castle. "
"... Gigi and Lyle are still inside the castle ?"
Silviera finally quit mumbling about his failure and spoke up. " Princess Gigi was with Queen Noel and Prince Lyle when the castle was openly attacked. King Alfred did nothing to stop it, but seemed to openly welcome the invasion. Even when the Queen was attacked, he did nothing... It was Princess Gigi who protected Queen Noel and Prince Lyle... When I arrived to see them safely out of the castle, she had already killed all of their attackers. During our escape, we were overwhelmed by more demons led by King Alfred himself. Queen Noel was mortally wounded... We managed to find an escape route... but I was cut off from Princess Gigi... She ordered me to leave to seek out Leon and that she and Prince Lyle would find another way out. Forgive me, Prince Alexander... Queen Noel was hurt... I shouldn't have left Princess Gigi and Prince Lyle..."
Alexander was silent for what seemed like an eternity to Leon and Silviera. The prince was most likely trying to calm his first reaction, which was to explode at Silviera. Finally, with great deliberation, he whispered, " You did the right thing to follow her orders... Your first duty was to Queen Noel and you fulfilled that duty. Princess Gigi was raised on Melanat Island, she'll be able to protect herself and Prince Lyle until I rescue her... " And ring her slender neck for doing such a damn-fooled thing! Alexander added on a minor note to himself. " Once Gigi and Lyle are safe, I'll deal with Alfred... I can't focus knowing she is in danger..." Damn her! Why did I fall in love with a suicidal archmage?...
Soft violet eyes watched with a quiet intensity from beneath the shadows of an ebony hood at the scurying about occuring in the adjacent room via a minute crack in the stone wall. The demons had succeeded in killing off the room's inhabitants and were now busy disposing of the evidence, unintentionally that is; as long as there weren't any loud noises or sudden movements, the monsters wouldn't notice the two humans dwelling in the next room, one of them watching as they devoured fallen Verdite soldiers.
This is deplorable... She thought with a grimace, finally lowering her eyes away from the sights of the next room. There's been more carnage and senseless bloodshed in a few short hours here than Necron ever accomplished in one of his Underworld Prisons. Thank the gods Alex got Leon out of there before he fell victim to Necron's cruelty... I wonder if word has reached Alex yet of Verdite's current situation here?... He'll be angry with me, undoubtedly. But it couldn't be helped. This was all out of my hands.
"...Gigi...?" Prince Austin Lyle Forester slowly stirred from the makeshift pallet she had arranged for him on the bare floor, his pale blue eyes searching the dim room for the slender form of Princess Gigi Budwell Regginis. " Where are you, Gigi ?"
" Hush, Lyle..." She soothed, almost seeming to float across the room to kneel down beside him. " I'm right here..." Gigi whispered, smoothing down his tousled blond hair.
" Why is it so dark in here ?" He inquired, a slight hint of fear in his voice.
Gigi instantly detected the fear and smiled softly. She had almost forgotten a child's fear of the dark. She had spent most of her life in the darkness of Melanat, so that was most likely another experience stolen from childhood. " The darkness is necessary, young one. For our protection, we must remain hidden ."
Lyle sighed, burying his face in her shoulder. " We're still in the castle, aren't we ?"
The boy is inciteful, perhaps Alex was correct about him. Its still too soon to tell though. Gigi gently patted his back. " Yes, unfortunately ."
" Will Alexander rescue us ?"
Even in the darkness, Gigi could feel the young prince's eyes upon her. " If we have not already escaped by the time he arrives, I'm sure he will ." And then proceed to blister my backside... The princess thought with a cringe. He will think I requested to come to Verdite with full knowledge of these events in the making... And if he discovers that I now carry his child in my womb... Gigi was now the one to sigh. Things were not going to be pleasant for her once her husband ascertained her safety. I would never knowingly risk the life of our child. That is why I lay here in hiding instead of fighting my way free.
" Are you alright, Gigi ?"
" Yes, Lyle... I was just thinking ." Suddenly feeling tired, the princess eased back against the bare stone wall and relaxed for the first time in days.
"...Is it the baby ?" Lyle asked curiously.
Gigi laughed quietly. " Who told you about that ?"
" My Mom told me you were going to have a baby and that I will have to protect it just as you and Alexander would protect me ."
She flashed the boy a warm smile, even if he couldn't see it in the dark chamber. " I would appreciate that ."
"What are you going to name it ?"
" I'm not sure... I thought of the name Teo, after my father. I think it will all depend on Alex, however ."
Lyle nodded and grew silent again, his thoughts trailing from the news of Gigi carrying a child to his own mother, Queen Noel Forester. " Gigi... Do you think my Mom and David got away ?"
David Silviera... He too has an inescapable destiny, and like the others, he will embrace it. He will live for awhile yet... But Queen Noel... Gigi closed her eyes as she reached out to touch Noel's spirit with her own. I knew it... The light that was her life had already extinguished. How can I tell Lyle?... " They got away ."
" Do you think she is safe now ?"
" I believe she is. No harm shall ever befall her again..."
Gigi bit her lower lip, feeling Lyle's gaze turn away. " My Mother... She's dead, isn't she ?" He choked out, covering his face to hide his tears.
" She... passed away... I felt her spirit move on. I'm so sorry, Lyle. I know exactly how you feel. I was around your age when I lost my father ."
" Atleast... She won't have to worry anymore..." Lyle whispered, more to himself than to Gigi as he drew away from her.
Fighting her maternal instincts, Gigi allowed for Lyle to keep to himself. Instead, she tried to focus on their current situation as the prince coped with his mother's death. Feeling somewhat rested, she pushed herself up into a standing position and walked back to the wall with the crack in it. Peering through the minute hole, her violet eyes beheld an empty room. Where did they go?... Oh dear... This can't be good, I should have paid closer attention to them. I hope they didn't detect us...
Sudden fear being added to her already whirlwind of emotions, Gigi was quick to return to Lyle's side as she kneeled beside him in a barely audible whisper. " Young one. You have to pay very close attention to me and do exactly what I say from now on, do you understand Lyle ?"
The prince slowly nodded. " Yes, Gigi..."
" Alright... I need you to stay in here and hide. I'm going to leave and lock the door behind me. You are not to open it for anyone. Not me, not one of the soldiers, not even your father. Especially your father ."
The clashing of swords suddenly echoed throughout the halls and could easily be heard inside the small chamber. Lyle's eyes grew wide in alarm, and in fear. " No, Gigi! You can't go out there! You'll be hurt--"
Gigi quickly covered his mouth to silence him when he grew hysterical. " Lyle, you must remain calm. I will be fine. Just wait here for me, everything will be work out ." The princess hesitantly removed her hand, and sighed with relief when Lyle didn't begin screaming again.
" What about your baby?... Please wait until Alexander comes to rescue us ." He clung to her, not wanting to let go.
" What if Sylviera is out there, Lyle? Whoever they are, I have to help them or they will be killed like all the others ."
Lyle grew silent again. Gigi realized he was thinking about his mother again, so she slowly got up and made her way to the door. " Lock the door behind me, young one ."
As Gigi opened the door and began to leave, Lyle jumped up and ran to her, catching her tiny hand. " Promise me I'll see you again, Gigi. Please don't leave me alone..."
She smiled sadly, bending down to lightly kiss his forehead. " I'll be back. We're leaving this castle together, I promise ."
Lord Olivier Veyrac side-stepped the last skeleton and in one fluid motion, twirled back around and cut the enemy down with his sword. Sweat had already began to collect on his brow, which somewhat worried the middle-aged swordsman in the fact that he hadn't found Prince Lyle or Queen Noel yet. " Damn..." He muttered, wiping the blood off his sword. " Where can they be ?"
A cry rang out and Veyrac barely turned around in time to ward off the swipe of his newest attacker's claws with the blade of his sword. Even though he had reacted in time to block the blow, he was still knocked to the ground by the shear force of the attack. Cursing the constraints of his heavy armor combined with aging, he managed to get back up to face his towering opponent, who was already charging at him again.
As this was taking place, Gigi emerged at the other side of the hall, her slender body and face hidden beneath the folds of her royal blue cloak. Pausing as she witnessed Veyrac get knocked to his feet again, she was quick to react in order to save the knight's life. In the blink of an eye, she whispered a silent incantation, bringing her arms up as a wall of pillaring flames gushed at the demon. It shrieked in agony when the flames scorched and burnt its tough exterior.
Remaining perfectly still, she watched with piercing violet eyes as she waited for the demon to get back up. Veyrac, feeling the danger had passed, started to get back up.
" Don't move ." Gigi commanded, her gaze never leaving the demon. As if rejuvenated by her soft voice, the demon began to stir. Taking in its surroundings, it sluggishly prepared to attack. " Oh no you don't..." The princess whispered under her breath before closing her eyes and summoning the next spell. Before the demon could charge at her, droplets of water began emerging from the ground and landing on Veyrac's attacker. Suddenly, water gushed forth from the ground as if it were a huge geyser, enveloping the monster and disappearing without a trace of its existence.
Veyrac had watched in disbelief, even in the days of his adventures with Houser Forester, he had never witnessed the simulataneous use of such powerful magic, he could only pray the mysterious sorceror was on his side. Standing up, he sheathed his sword and bowed humbly. " I owe you my life ." He began without preamble.
Gigi nodded slightly, acknowledging his gratitude. " Think nothing of it, sir ." She stated quietly, scanning the area for any more potential threats.
" I am a knight, my lady. You have saved my life and I will repay my debt to you. I am Lord Olivier Veyrac, the former teacher of King Alfred and Prince Alexander Regginis of Granatyki ."
" Lord Veyrac ." Gigi acknowledged her husband's former teacher with a curt nod. Now is not the time for protocal and etiquette. I remember Alex mentioning him before though... He's obviously here to rescue Lyle . She removed her hood, exposing her angelic face and rich chesnut brown hair to Veyrac's inspection. " My name is Gigi Reginnis ."
Alexander's wife?... What is she doing in Verdite?... Veyrac quietly mused. " It is an honor to meet you, your highness ." He kneeled.
" I assume you are here to rescue Prince Lyle ." She cut to the point.
" And the Queen Noel. Please tell me they're alright, your majesty ." The knight pleaded.
It is better for the time being that I don't tell him of the queen's death. It may cause him to seek revenge when I must think of Lyle. Gigi smiled reassuringly. " Queen Noel escaped with David Silviera a few days ago. Prince Lyle has been under my protection since then, he is fine ."
" Thank the gods... " Veyrac sighed in relief. " I must get you and Prince Lyle out of here, please take me to him ."
Gigi nodded. " Very well. Follow me ."