Disclaimer: This story is NOT originally my own idea. This is based off of The Crown & The Flame story from the Choices app which was developed by Pixelberry Studios. I highly recommend checking them out if you haven't. I end up falling in love with all their stories. BUT this one particularly has become my favorite as I just love this sort of fantasy setting and I went through all three 'books' in about a day. It really got me thinking and inspired to sort of 'rewrite' it. I don't know if I'll end up writing out the entire story, my focus tends to shift quite easily, but for now, this is where it's at. The story is essentially the same but some people, places, and events may have been changed, heavily altered, or deleted. Others may have been added and not existed in the original story... But either way I hope I manage to do it some justice. Please enjoy!
Side Note: Sorry if the writing feels weird in some places, I couldn't seem to get it going in first or second person so it has been written in third person... However I might have slipped up in one or two places and it may not seem to flow very well in others. This is also unedited as of this moment. Apologies.
Chapter One: The Broken Alliance
"Draw your sword… Or are you worried I'll bruise that pretty face of yours?" taunted Kenna, her silky brown hair pulled back in a simple pony tail. Lifting his practice sword higher a smirk plays at the lips of her opponent.
"Oh? So my face is pretty now?" he replied rather smugly, earning an eye roll from his opponent.
"Typical Dom. You only ever hear what you want to hear. Now get ready for a beating" remarked the young woman, solidifying her stance and tighten her grip about her sword. The man she had referred to as Dom let out a little sigh.
"Oh Kenna. You haven't gotten the better of me in six summers" he said, seeming to relax his posture, the practice sword lowering a fraction as he let his guard down, leaving himself open. Kenna narrowed her eyes not fooled by his care free display. And sure enough not a moment later the man was lunging toward her, sword raised in an attack. Being forced back a step, Kenna managed to block the fierce swing, knocking his dulled blade harmlessly to the side.
"You were saying?" Kenna smirked, over confident from her quick block.
"I'll admit, you're getting stronger…" Dom said, twirling the blade easily around his hand before lifting it in front of him once more, his lips curing into a smug smirk once more. "But not strong enough to win."
Lunging forward, Dom brought his blade down upon her once more, her sword rising to meet his in plenty of time. The two blades locked together Dom presses on, their bodies close together, faces only inches apart. The blades between them the only thing keeping their bodies apart.
"Maybe you should spend more time on your swordplay and less time with the kitchen girls" teased Kenna in an attempt to rattle her opponent as he simply smiles upon her.
"I think I've got time for both." With a swift move he manages to disarm her of her sword. Catching her arm, he pulls her in, pinning her against him as she attempts to take a swing at him. "It was a nice try but you're still a step too slow… Princess" he says lowly, voice slightly husky, his face hovering just above her own as his eyes dart to her lips just inches away.
"I'm just getting started," she smirks, twisting out of his hold fairly easily and leaping forward, tackling him to the ground.
"Kenna!" he exclaims, taken off guard as she straddles his chest and plants her hands on his shoulders to hold him down. Her grin showed she clearly thought herself victorious.
"Ahem!"
Jumping slightly at the unexpected interruption the pair turn both their gazes to the side to settle upon their unexpected visitor. Before them stood a man many years their elder, his face worn with shallow wrinkles and his white beard neatly trimmed. His normally warm dark brown eyes now looked down upon them coldly containing barely suppressed anger. At the sight of him the two quickly separated, Kenna jumping to her feet as though her friend carried the plague.
Sitting up, his eyes wide and almost fearful Dom looked to subdue the old bodyguards anger before he took his head. "Gabriel! I was just – "
"Leaving." Gabriel finished for him before turning his attention upon the young woman, his gaze still cold. "My lady, nobles from the other four kingdoms will arrive shortly. The queen expects you to be there to greet them." He said with a sharpness to his voice.
"Of… Of course!" Kenna stammered quickly, her cheeks lightly flushed as though having been caught in the midst of doing something wrong.
Without further words the normally kindly old man turns from her and begins the walk back to the castle, leaving her scurrying to catch up, fearful what turn his mood might take if she didn't. Casting a brief look back over her shoulder she gave a quick apologetic smile to her friend as he picked himself up the rest of the way and retrieved the practice swords they had been using. Catching her look he returned it with a tight smile of his own to reassure her. Letting out a little sigh she turned back around as she came up to walk beside Gabriel as he entered the castle, moving confidently through its halls.
"Gabriel… About what you saw back there… It was nothing" she spoke, breaking the silence between the two of them as they walked the halls.
"Nothing?" scoffed the old man, his brow slightly raised as he cast her a brief look. His tone still held an edge to it but his eyes had lost the coldness that he had shown toward Dom. "It may not be my place to say it, but that that boy loves you Kenna. More than anything in the Five Kingdoms."
"Gabriel!"
"I'm sorry if I misspoke my lady. But my duty is to you and this kingdom… Dominic is a commoner. Worse, he is a child with no name, a son with no father, abandoned half-dead on the castle steps and covered in burns."
"He's my friend!" Kenna said defensively, a frown at her lips as they approached the throne room.
"He's your childhood friend, but childhood ends. You are eighteen now Kenna. Adults do as they must, royalty most of all."
Letting out a little huff, Kenna kept her lips pressed tightly together as they entered the throne room. This was not a conversation to be had before the queen. And as it was she doubted she could win it. Gabriel was a stubborn old man and he would not change his mind here.
"You've increased security as I requested?" an elegantly dressed woman asked as she stood before the steps to the throne. Her companion gave a sharp nod as he remained at attention, hands folded over the hilt of his sword.
"Yes your Majesty. A dozen guards at each entrance, and a company of archers on every wall" the knight said proudly.
"Very good… Thank you Leon. Nothing can get in the way of this alliance…" the queen said, her tone betraying an almost anxious edge as she turned from her companion. As her gaze fell upon her daughter the wrinkle between her brown smoothed out and a smile spread across her lips. "Ah, there you are. It is nice to see you indoors for once, my little butterfly!"
"Where else would a butterfly thrive if not indoors?" Kenna replied sharply, though a smile pulled at her lips.
"Very funny," the queen remarked. "I trust you'll be on your best behavior tonight."
"Of course mother" Kenna said, giving a small nod as her mother stepped toward her.
"Your best behavior" the queen repeated more firmly. "Tonight is not just for me after all. The lords and ladies of the realm will be accompanied by their sons. You just might meet your future husband among them."
"What?" Kenna choked, taken slightly off guard by her mother's comment. "Marriage?"
"Kenna married? Now that I'd like to see." Leon snorted, a look of amusement about him from where he now stood beside Gabriel. The old man held a similar look about him. "There are beasts in the Blackspine Mountains you'd have an easier time taming."
"Mother I'm not ready…" Kenna said pleadingly, her attention turning back to the queen who gave her a kind look.
"Kenna you are eighteen. It is time to begin planning your future," the queen spoke, pausing as she took in her daughters panicked look. Smiling warmly, she stepped forward, taking the princesses hands and speaking softly. "I am not saying you will marry tonight, or even some time this year. But it is time we began entertaining the idea. You are my only child… the sole heir to Stormholt. I want what is best for you and for our kingdom and I want to know that you will have someone to take care of you and help you when you take the throne. Leadership is a heavy burden. You should not have to bare it alone as I have… And you know from what I hear some of the princes are quite charming."
Giving a small sigh Kenna lifted her gaze to her mothers, giving her a small forced smile. "Very well," she said knowing there was no point in fighting it. "I suppose I can keep an open mind…"
"That is all I ask little butterfly." Her mother cooed, giving her hands a light squeeze before releasing them. "Now… it's time to get dressed Kenna. I had something special made just for this occasion!"
"I don't suppose it's armor like Leon's?" Kenna asked, her gaze turning toward the decorated knight as a smile tugged at his lips. The queen let out a light laugh.
"Better. I had one of the finest dress makers in the Five Kingdoms work for moths on it, it is unmatched in beauty" the queen said clapping her hands and looking toward the door as they flew open to a small barrage of servants carrying a folding screen, one of them holding a royal blue gown with a silver patterning draped delicately over her arms. The young girl walked up to them proudly to present the dress.
"Your Majesty… My lady…" she said, giving a small curtsy, careful to keep the gown presented.
"It's… beautiful…" Kenna said finding herself at a loss for words as she delicately took the dress from the servant to hold it out for a better look. The material felt like silk under her delicate touch and seemed to shimmer when it moved. It truly was a work of art. "And it's for me?" she asked after a moment, finding it hard to believe such a beautiful gown could truly belong to her. If anyone were to wear such a finely crafted garment, surly it would be the queen.
"Of course Kenna. Happy birthday my butterfly! I can't wait to see it on you… And I know our guests will be very impressed!" her mother said, excitement in her tone as Kenna looked up from the gown with a smile. "Well? Don't just stand there! Put it on!" she urged impatiently, waving her daughter to where the other servants had set up the folding screen for her to change behind.
With a light laugh, Kenna hurried off behind it to dress, the servants quick to get her out of her current clothes. Expertly they fit her in the gown, making quick work of her hair as well, pulling it up and doing it atop her head in a perfect bun. Simple, but enough to make her presentable among their guest when they arrived. Within minutes Kenna was stepping back out from behind the screen, giving a small twirl that sent the skirt billowing out around her ankles.
"So? What do you think?" she asked as she looked upon the queen and their two loyal guards.
"Is this really my daughter here before me?" the queen asked, her face alight.
"You look beautiful my lady," Leon said, giving a small bow of his head.
"Absolutely stunning," agreed Gabriel.
"You have grown into such an elegant woman… I couldn't be more proud of you," the queen said lowly as she studied her daughter with a look of pride that had Kenna beaming.
"Thank you mother."
"And I am sure the young men visiting today will be dumbstruck by the very sight of you," her mother said more slyly, laughing lightly at the blush it drew to her daughter's cheeks before adapting a more serious air. "I do wish your Aunt Eloise were here though. She was always the fashionable one… she would be best to advise you."
"She still hasn't returned yet?" Kenna asked taken aback by the news of her aunt's absence. They had expected her back nearly a fortnight ago. Her mother seemed unconcerned however and simply waved off the shock of it.
"You know my sister. Always being entertained by some dashing gentleman off on a foolish adventure. Such is the luxury of not being queen."
"Your Majesty…" interrupted a castle servant as he approached.
"Yes. Trystan isn't it?" the queen said turning upon the new arrival.
Bowing lowly he stopped before them as the other servants carried away the folding screen. "It is" he said almost proudly. "I beg your pardon your Majesty… but the nobles have begun to arrive" he stated coming out of his bow.
"Already?" Kenna asked unable to fully hide her annoyance.
"Come now, little butterfly" the queen said, smoothing out the front of her own royal blue gown and turning toward the front of the throne room. "You just need to smile and look pretty. I'm the one who has to listen to old King Amanth drone on about his hunting conquests."
"You think he will tell the story of how he killed a boar with a rusted spoon?" Kenna mused with a light laugh, turning toward the front of the room as her mother had and folding her hands in front of her.
"He always does" her mother assured her with a light laugh. "And I'm pretty sure the boar gets bigger every time! Come. Let us go welcome our guests" she said as the two royals began to walk the long hall, the queen giving a wave of her hand, the servants throwing open the grand doors of the throne room at the command. Almost instantly nobles and the visiting royals, with their courtiers, of the surrounding four kingdoms began to file in. "Remember this day Kenna…" the queen spoke lowly. "The alliance formed here may stand for a thousand years. Even against our common enemy, the Iron Empire."
"Congratulations, Mother" Kenna said, a courtly smile planted across her lips as she nodded and gave a light wave to their arriving guests. "This alliance will be your greatest legacy."
"Nonsense" the woman scoffed as if the mere idea of that were insulting. "Kenna. You are my greatest legacy" she said catching her daughters eye and taking her hand to squeeze it lightly before the first of the royals approached them.
"May I present King Amanth Drammir of Fydoria… and his son and heir, Prince Tevan Drammir," Trystan announced, standing loyally beside the queen to announce their guests. Two men, quite similar in appearance though the elder of them held more of a gut to him, each proudly donned in a royal purple, the color of their kingdom. They each had brown eyes and black hair, though the elder of them wore a beard, his hair speckled with grey. Prince Tevan seemed close to her in age, perhaps a year older if anything.
"Queen Adriana. A vision as always" exclaimed the King as he bowed, delicately taking the queens hand and kissing the back of it as his son met Kenna's gaze, taking a bow of his own.
"Princess… You're a vision of loveliness. That dress will surely haunt my dreams for weeks to come" the prince stated, his gaze not shy as it looked her over carefully before locking with her own blue eyes. A smile turns at the edge of Kenna's lips but she maintains her composure.
"Why, you make me sound like a nightmare…" she stated as a smile broke across the dashing man's lips.
"I assure you, I'll be looking forward to those dreams. Truly, you're lovelier than the Thousand Statues of Fydoria."
"Prince Tevan… I must say… I've had many suitors but none quite so charming as yourself."
"You honor me, Princess" the young man stated, giving a brief bow of his head as a full smile graces Kenna's lips.
"Hardly. It is the truth."
"I hope I'll get to speak with you later at the feast, if your other guests don't take up all your time."
"I promise I'll find a minute or two for you."
"Princess" he said as a final goodbye before stepping aside with his father. Kenna's eyes lingered upon him as he walked away, a small smile still upon her lips.
"It would seem the son is just as charming as the father" the queen spoke in a teasing tone beside her.
"What?" Kenna asked with a slight start, snapping her gaze to her mother and away from the prince where he now stood across the hall. The queen gave a light laugh as her daughter's cheeks pinkened, before turning to their next approaching guest.
"May I present King Alden Thorn and Queen Cecilia Thorn of Bellmere. And their son, Prince Terence Thorn," Trystan announced as a three large figures approached them.
The King seemed to tower a foot above them all, his son not much shorter than him. Even the queen was much larger than any woman Kenna had ever seen. Unlike Tevan the prince seemed several years older than herself, perhaps in his mid-twenties. All three of them were thin but as far as Kenna could tell they seemed quite muscular as well, the queens arms clearly defined. Though the prince and the King had their arms covered by their tunics, Kenna couldn't imagine they were any different. They had beautiful ebony skin, and coal black hair, each wearing a crow decorated with thorns. Tattoos of thorns seemed to wind around each of them. A thorny vine winding around the princes neck and disappearing under the collar of his tunic. Down the queen's arms in an intricate design. As for the king, the thorny tattoos were displayed proudly across his face and dipped below his collar.
Compared to the royalty of Fydoria the Bellmere royals dressed quite dull. They wore brown leather instead of cotton or silk, an intricate pattern of thorns woven into the material. As fine as the outfits were it seemed as though it were intended to double as armor and Kenna suspected it was meant for just that. Even the queens gown, as beautiful as it was, seemed to offer unnecessary protection. They held the look of warriors more than royals.
"Queen Adriana," King Alden stated grimly, giving a shallow bow. His expression, along with his sons remained serious. The queen however offered a small weary smile.
"King Alden. Queen Cecilia. I thank you for coming," Queen Adriana stated with a smile, giving a small nod to the nobles as they turned to step away.
"Princess," the Bellmere prince stated with a brief look to Kenna before following his parents, his expression and tone as serious as that of his fathers.
"So serious…" Kenna grumbled lowly to herself as the royals stepped away from them and further into the grand hall. Her mother nodded absently beside her.
"The Thorn family is much like the part of a plant they share a name with. Stiff and sharp. They remain serious and from what I hear don't have much of a sense of humor. They are proud warriors, specializing in archery. Theirs is the only kingdom to grow heart oak, a wood that can grow as hard as steel. And they rule from their capitol, Thorngate. I have never been myself but I am told its equal parts frightening and beautiful," queen Adriana said a hint of admiration in her voice. "Honestly it was no easy task getting them to agree to come. The fact that they did holds great promise for this alliance."
"Still… wouldn't kill them to smile," Kenna huffed lightly before turning her attention forward once more as the next group of royals approached them.
The king wore an undecorated sharp steel crown upon a bald head. His face seemed rough and worn, as though he had not had an easy rule and it was taking its toll on him. Yet none the less he approached them with an easy smile. The boy beside him however seemed to have skin as soft as a babies and where his father's gaze held a weary look, his shone with something close to malice. Both the king and his son, who couldn't have been older than sixteen, wore black leather in a similar way to that of the Bellmere royals. Their attire seemed more royal than that of the Thorn family, but it still appeared as though it were a type of armor. Clearing his throat Trystan prepared to announce them.
"May I present King Luther Nevrakis, ruler of Abanthus…"
"Queen Adriana," the King greeted, taking a polite bow.
"And his son, Prince Marco," Trystan finished, no sooner than he had, the Prince's hand came flying across the young boys face, sending him back a couple steps in shock.
"Bow when you announce us, boy!" the prince commanded coldly, his tone sharp as he looked upon the poor cowering servant. His eyes seemed to gleam maliciously at the boys sudden fear. Without thought Kenna stepped forward, backhanding the prince, her ring cutting the flesh of his cheek and drawing a sliver of blood.
"We still honor the old rules in this castle! And even sniveling princes aren't above them!" she snapped harshly, holding her head high as she looked down upon the prince as he brought a hand to his cheek.
"Kenna!" the queen exclaimed, horror at her daughter's actions evident in her tone.
"How dare you! This is the greeting we get from Stormholt?! I'll see you burned for this you insolent wench!" Prince Marco exclaimed as Kenna simply narrowed her gaze upon him.
"Hold your tongue Marco! This is princess Kenna… I must say I had heard the princess was spirited but I was not prepared for this." King Luther stated, eyeing Kenna closely.
"My daughter is passionate about her people… even so I don't know what's gotten into her. Kenna apologize to the prince!" the queen demanded.
"I will not," Kenna stated firmly, her gaze not leaving Marco, eyes narrowing slightly upon him as he seemed to growl.
"No need, no need" Luther said easily, a smile breaking upon his lips. His son shot him a dirty look at his father's apparent indifference. "A little spirit never hurt anyone. I like to see a girl who will fight for her people. In truth she reminds me much of my eldest son," he said. There was something in his tone Kenna couldn't quite place.
"And where are your other sons this evening, if I may be so bold?" queen Adriana inquired as she regained some composure and drew her horrified gaze away from her daughter.
"Diavolos is attending to… another matter for me," king Luther stated a smirk that sent a chill through Kenna. "As for Baltair and Seoras they are seeing to matters at the castle while I am away. As kind as this invitation has been Queen Adriana… you didn't think I would leave my kingdom unattended did you?" he asked his voice seeming to hold a challenge.
"Of course not your grace," the queen stated calmly. "It is simply a shame they could not attend."
"Perhaps another time," the king suggested.
"They aren't missing much. I'm sure they would find the hospitality of the hosts quite dreadful," huffed prince Marco, his hand rubbing absently at his reddened cheek, smearing a thin line of blood from the cut he received. Quickly he shot a final glare toward Kenna before stepping off to follow his father away.
Letting out a little huff as she tore her gaze away from the prince, Kenna's gaze softened as she looked to Trystan, tears welling in his eyes.
"Are you alright?" she asked gently, stepping over to him and placing a gentle hand upon his arm as he slowly lowered his hand from his cheek.
"Yes my lady… I'll be alright… Thank you…" he said trying to put on a brave front though he was clearly still shaken. The harshness of the prince was something new to him.
"Why don't you take a little break… go get a drink of water and some fresh air" the princess suggested kindly. He seemed to hesitate at the suggestion, gaze flicking uncertainly to the queen behind them. "It's alright. Go on."
With a small nod the boy stepped away slowly, wiping at his eyes before he slipped out of sight through a servant's entrance in the back. With him taken care of Kenna turned back around, brushing off her mother's disapproving look. It was no doubt more about her backhanding that pompous prince than her releasing Trystan of his duties. But her mother held her tongue and managed to pull on the resemblance of a smile as the last of the visiting royals approached them. Among them a king, a queen, and a prince.
Each of them wore their kingdoms colors as the rest had, a deep shade of red, gold trimming decorating each of their outfits in a way. The king among them wore a brilliant golden crown inlayed with red rubies, a royal cape, in a deep red, pushed over his shoulders. The queens gown billowed out at her waist the gold trim at her bust bleeding down onto the skirt and weaving an intricate design. It was perhaps one of the most beautiful dresses Kenna had ever seen and the woman wore it well. Her pale white skin seemed almost as paper in the harsh lighting of the great hall and her hair was a silvery blond, pulled back beautifully and decorated with red and gold pins. Aside from her attire the only color about her was her vivid green eyes that shone with kindness. She had a fragile look about her but she was a beautiful woman. And such a contrast to her husband and son who seemed rough in comparison.
The prince himself wore similar robes as his father but spared himself the overkill of a crown or cape. Clothing aside the prince appeared much like his father in every way, the two sharing a similarly round face and pudge about them. Though their skin appeared soft it did not seem so fragile as the queens, Kenna feared a sharp wind might cut her. They each had a finely tanned complexion and light brown hair that was neatly trimmed, though slightly tussled by the wind. Their eyes were a gentle brown and shining with a similar kindness to that of the queen.
"Queen Adriana!" the visiting queen announced with glee, avoiding all formalities and approaching to pull the other woman into a gentle hug before leaning back from it and clasping the woman's hands. "You are a vision as always!"
"Queen Aurora, you honor me so. There is not a woman here tonight that could out shine you" Adriana replied with a kindly smile, looking upon their visiting queen fondly.
"I wouldn't be so sure your majesty. I would say your daughter might very well have me beat" the woman stated as the two queens looked to Kenna beside them.
"You are too kind your grace" Kenna replied formally, allowing a small smile to slip upon her lips.
"Kenna, allow me to introduce King Isaiah and Queen Aurora from the kingdom of Ebrimel. And this must be your son?" Adriana stated as the visiting queen released her hands and turned to her husband and son.
"Yes. Your majesty allow me to introduce our son Leightine, the sole heir to Ebrimel" Aurora said proudly as the prince gave a small bow.
"Your grace… Princess…" he said to each in turn, his voice much deeper than Kenna would have imagined. She gave a small curtsy in return to his courteous bow.
"We are so pleased you could make it" Adriana stated, drawing the royals attention back around.
"We wouldn't have missed it. This day is history in the making" King Isaiah stated blandly, his gaze traveling the room as his queen gave a small nod.
"In more ways than one" she said enthusiastically. "It is your daughter's birthday as well I hear. Eighteen. Time to start looking for a husband perhaps. You know Leightine will be turning eighteen as well within a month."
"Mother!" the prince snapped, horrified at her bluntness, his face having gone beat red. Kenna's was no doubt a similar shade. The two queens only laughed lightly at their children's reaction.
"Come now my love. Leave the boy be. We mustn't consume all of the queen's time, she has other guests to attend to" the king stated, a good natured smile having broken across his lips though he managed not to laugh at the children as the woman had. His wife only rolled her eyes before taking the arm he offered her.
"Very well… But we must catch up later my dear Adriana" the queen cooed as she let her husband lead her away and toward the banquet table at the end of the hall. His cheeks still flushed a deep red the prince gave Kenna a brief look mumbling a low goodbye under his breath before retreating after his parents.
"Why don't you go mingle my dear. You have met the royals… the rest of this will be quite dull I'm afraid" Adriana whispered lowly to her daughter as nobles from the Five kingdoms began to move toward them to have their chance to meet the queen.
Giving a small nod Kenna did not see reason to argue, letting her mother step off without her as her gaze took in the growing crowd, pausing as you spot a familiar face among the assembling masses, his bright blue eyes staring back at her, wandering down her dress with a look of admiration. Taking her gaze off of Dominic from where he stared she turned, a smile creeping upon her lips and a blush upon her cheeks.
"She blushes," spoke a stiff voice, startling Kenna as she turned to meet its source. She nearly jumped back at finding herself brought so close to the Thorn prince, his tall figure towering over her. His gaze lifted lazily above her head to where Dom had been a moment ago before letting his dark gaze fall upon her once more. His face was as stiff and expressionless as it had been in their introduction.
"Prince Terence. You startled me" she stated taking a deep breath to steady herself.
"You should be careful princess. Does your mother know you will blush so under a servant's gaze? It's not proper for a princess to go gallivanting around with the help" the tall man said coolly, his taunt tugging at Kenna. She managed to keep her composure but could not help the disapproving furrow in her brow as she narrowed her eyes slightly.
"I assure you, my lord, I don't know what you're talking about" she stated coldly, a sharp edge in her words. The edge of the prince's mouth seemed to twitch towards a smile but the movement was so brief Kenna couldn't be sure she saw it. "It would be improper for a princess to 'gallivant' with anyone."
"And yet I hear your aunt does just that" he said with something close to amusement, his jest only getting Kenna worked up more.
"My aunt will never be queen" Kenna sniped, turning her gaze from the prince and letting it travel over the room, hoping he would let the conversation end there.
"Not unless something were to happen to you and your mother" he said casually, stepping up beside her as his own gaze drifted lazily along the assembled guests. Turning toward him sharply, Kenna narrowed her gaze, letting her lips twist toward a scowl.
"Is that a threat?" she snapped in a low hiss as the prince looked upon her once more, his amusement clear now.
"Of course not princess. Just a fact" he said turning his gaze back out onto the crowd. He remained silent a moment as Kenna remained watching him with an untrusting air. "The Nevrakis'" he stated, giving a nod off to the other end of the hall, drawing Kenna's gaze. She let her sights fall upon King Luther and Prince Marco where they chatted idly with King Isaiah and Queen Aurora. Kenna found her lip curling in disgust at the sight of the arrogant prince.
"And?" Kenna asked a bit impatiently wondering if there was a point to be made here.
"The Nevrakis family are snakes. They will always strike when you least expect it. They can never be trusted. They will see that this alliance will either never come to pass or that it fails. This I know…" the prince said, his voice suddenly holding a violent edge. "The only way to deal with snakes is to cut their heads off before they can bite."
Kenna found her gaze back upon the Nevrakis royalty, her own dislike and mistrust for them rising. The prince was a piece of work, that much was clear, but the king had presented himself well enough. Hadn't he? Surely her mother wouldn't have invited the Nevrakis royals if she did not trust them. And yet Kenna couldn't help but recall the brief bit of conversation she had overheard her mother have with Leon before the nobles had arrived. The one about tightening security… She had presumed it was for the royals protecting, so many of them gathered here in one place. But could it be something more?
Before her mind has time to wander too far down the path of mistrust the room falls silent as attention turns upon the head of the room where her mother stands, not far off, to address the assembled crowd, lifting a goblet to signify a toast. Around the room others begin to do the same, servants floating around the room with goblets for those that have none. As one passes by them Kenna and Terence each take up a heavy cup of their own.
"For too long, we have fought amongst each other, squabbling over land while our shared enemy abroad grows stronger. Today, we look to change that. Today, the Five Kingdoms will unite as one, a clenched fist that will stand strong against all threats! As the saying goes… the enemy of my enemy is my friend. Now please, my friends… Raise your glasses with me to a brighter future… for us all!"
As the assembled royals and nobles cheer the queens toast and drink. Her own chalice at her lips, Kenna couldn't help but find her gaze turning back upon King Luther and his son, perhaps the only two in the crowd to have not taken a drink to her mother's words. She was not the only one to notice though as the hall grew quiet once more, everyone's attention drifting upon the visiting king.
"King Luther…" Queen Adriana stated, a hardened edge to her voice. "Is there something wrong with your wine?"
"Before my father died…" King Luther began, his voice sounding through the room and drawing the last of the attention he did not already hold "… burned alive by the Iron Empire, he told me one thing… Our lands will never be safe from them until we are one. One Kingdom… One King…" he said, the words sending a pit to Kenna's stomach, a low murmur rising up around the room as an unpleasant smile draws to Luther's lips. "There will be no alliance. But there will be one kingdom. My kingdom."
As he speaks, the clank of armor is heard from outside the doors, coming down the hall. Suddenly the screams of servants can be heard from behind the door before it's thrown open, a battalion of Nevrakis soldiers marching into the room, the panicked nobles stepping away from them and herding together, trying to get away from them. Her eyes wide, Kenna's gaze turns upon her mother whose face has gone pale.
"How is this possible? The gates are sealed…" the queen speaks, her voice cracking slightly.
Kenna took a step to go to her mother's side but found a strong hand coming upon her shoulder to restrain her. He looked briefly behind her where the Thorn prince still stood, his face hard, gaze set forward. He did not look at her but gave a small shake of his head that Kenna was sure was meant for her.
"The secret passage…" Gabriel growled from near the queens side, his rough voice turning Kenna's attention back around as the old knight tightened his grip around the sword at his side. The queen turned her stricken expression upon him.
"How… The only people to know about it are you, me, Leon, and…"
"Your sister, Eloise" Luther said, slowly twirling his goblet between his fingers as he looked upon the queen. "A beautiful woman, but far too trusting. She never even suspected her latest lover was one of my spies."
"No…" Adriana gasped, her face seeming to pale further if that were even possible.
"She struggled valiantly. But you'd be amazed at the secrets a person spills when you gouge their eyes out" he said before lifting his glass to his lips to take a sip before letting out a brief sigh. "Now then. Let's get this over with."
At his words the soldiers that had disrupted the evening drew their weapons, many of them leveling crossbows upon the guests and firing, screams filling the grand hall as the nobles around the room began to fall.
"Kenna, look out!"
Turning at the scream, though she knew not where or who it came from, Kenna's eyes grew wide to face a cross bow leveled upon her.
"Time to die, Princess" the soldier spat from beneath his dark helmet before pulling the trigger to fire the bolt at her.
Frozen in fear Kenna found herself unable to react, her eyes closing and expecting the sharp pain of the bolt to pierce her any second. Instead she found herself getting knocked to the ground, a heavy body pressing her to the floor. Opening her eyes, she looked upon the Thorn prince as he leaned off her, wincing, the bolt intended for her protruding from his shoulder.
"Terence!" she gasped as he reached back, flinching as he yanked the bolt from his shoulder before turning his gaze back upon her attacker. She sights followed him as she saw the soldier that had intended to kill her get cut down by Gabriel.
"Take cover!" he commanded, sparing her only a moments glance before turning to meet another soldier head on, their swords clashing.
Sitting up from the floor she looked about the room with horror, bolts flying through the room to strike down the assembled royals, their shouts echoing in the throne room. Her sights fall upon Queen Aurora where she has already fallen, a lifeless gaze staring into the vastness as a puddle of blood begins to pool around her as though her dress was simply melting instead. The look of fear forever frozen across her face struck Kenna cold as her gaze frantically sought out her mother.
"Princess you have to move!" Terence commanded, still crouching over her his hand coming to grip her arm firmly.
Before she could go anywhere Kenna's sights fell upon her mother as a bolt pierces her just above her heart, her eyes growing wide. Her gaze, seeming more shocked than anything lifts, frantically seeking out her daughter, holding Kenna's gaze for a heartbeat before two more bolts embed themselves into the queen's chest and bringing her to the ground.
"NO!" Kenna heard herself scream, the world around her seeming to fall away as she watched her mother fall. "Mother!"
Yanking her arm free from Terence, Kenna found herself crawling across the stone floor to kneel at her mother's side.
"Mother…" she gasped, hands hovering over her delicately, afraid to touch her.
"Kenna…" the queen gasped, her breathing ragged as she struggled to focus on her daughter.
"Mother… I love you…" Kenna sobbed, tears flowing down her cheeks as she reached for her mother's hand the dying woman's grip weak within her own.
"My sweet daughter… I… I lo—" she began to say before coughing violently, blood coming up with it and spraying the queens cheek. Shuffling closer Kenna pulled her mother's head into her lap to try and clear her airway and keep her from choking upon the blood. She was dying, Kenna knew that. Even if this chaos were all to end right now and the best doctor in the five kingdoms were to appear at her side… she was going to die. The light was already fading from her eyes.
"Nevrakis will burn for this. I swear it." Kenna promised, her grief mixing with anger as she tried to hold back further tears for her mother's sake.
"Be strong… little butterfly… be strong…" the dying queen spoke weakly, putting the last of her strength into squeezing her daughters hand as she drew her last breath, that briefly tight grip suddenly going slack as a sob escaped Kenna's lips. A hand comes to her shoulder, trying to pull her away.
"Kenna, we have to go…" Dominic said as she resisted.
"No! I'm not leaving her! I… I can't." she sobbed, leaning over her mother some and closing her eyes against the onslaught of tears. When she opened them again her sights fell instantly upon Prince Marco as he gleefully disarmed and cut down a nobleman with a flurry of quick strikes.
"Hah! I've had better fights against my stable hands! Pathetic!" the prince crooned gleefully as he engaged a Stormholt soldier. At the sight of the traitorous prince anger bubbled up inside Kenna, replacing her grief with rage.
"Prince Marco" she growled, getting to her feet and stepping around her mother's body toward the prince. She found a hand coming to her shoulder once more to restrain her. Her gaze snapped back ready to spit back at Dominic and tell him to let her go but at the sight of Gabriel her heart softened, the old knight's kind eyes filled with a shared sorrow, a smear of blood across his cheek.
"Kenna, I need to get you out of here. Now" he said firmly, his hand remaining upon her shoulder, Dom standing just behind him, his gaze pleading. Feeling defeated she gives a small nod as Gabriel lets his hand fall from her shoulder, stepping forward to take the lead and clear her a path, raising his blood covered sword. Stepping after him Dom lightly takes her hand in his to lead her after the knight.
"Come on…" he said ever so softly as they flee after Gabriel.
Kenna lets him drag her along, her gaze casting over her shoulder briefly quickly finding the prince of Thorns not far from where she had left him, a Nevrakis soldier standing triumphantly over his fallen body, lifting the princes severed head victoriously. Feeling her stomach turn over Kenna quickly closed her eyes to the sight and turned back around to flee with those she had left. As they approach they door they find the path blocked by a large Nevrakis soldier, wielding a large axe and baring the door to the hall. Keeping the nobility from fleeing. King Amanth approaches, trying to flee and slip past him but the soldier takes one mighty swing of the axe, beheading him instantly.
"Stay back…" Gabriel commands, holding his hand out to signal the two to stop as he begins to approach the soldier standing guard.
"Gabriel!" Kenna cries, her eyes wide with fear as she watches the old man meet the soldier in combat. The old knight seemed so small in comparison to the heavily armored soldier.
"He's going to be okay Kenna" Dominic assured her watching on with equal worry.
They were not given long to stand around and watch however as other soldiers filed in around them while Gabriel was locked in battle. Picking up a sword from a fallen soldier Dominic lifted it to the approaching soldiers.
"Stay back!" he commanded, his voice surprisingly firm despite the fear he must feel. The soldiers before them simply laughed, one of them casually knocking aside the blade, laughing all the harder as Dominic only lifted it again.
Stepping away slowly Kenna's gaze flicked from Dom as he tried to keep the soldiers at bay, over to Gabriel where he struggled to hold back the monsters axe. She felt so useless in this moment, unable to help or protect those she had left. Stopping as she bumped against a table behind her, her gaze flicked back to her mother where another soldier with gold trimming around his armor now knelt over her body, picking the signet ring from her finger as he looted the body. This was hopeless. There's no escaping. They were going to die here…
"You're next princess" crooned a Nevrakis soldier, snapping Kenna's gaze back around as the man approached having taken Dom's distraction with the others to come for her. "King Luther is rewarding those that can bring him a royal's head" the man said gleefully as he lifted his sword towards her.
"I like my head where it is thank you" Kenna said, her voice catching slightly in her fear as the man only laughed.
"And just what is a princess in a fancy dress going to do to stop a soldier?" he taunted as he began to step forward, Kenna leaning away, her hand brushing against a goblet on the table behind her. As he stepped closer raising the sword her hand closed around the goblet, flinging its contents at the soldiers face. Screaming with outrage he dropped his sword to yank off the helmet and rub at his running eyes.
"Kenna!"
Turning, the princesses gaze fell upon Dominic now standing by the open door as Gabriel cut down the last of the soldiers that had laughed at Dom moments prior. The brute of a man that had been guarding the door now lay off to the side motionless. Gabriel had done it! With a final look toward her mother's body, Kenna prepared to flee once more. The soldier that had previously been looting her mother's body catching her gaze and standing, turning toward them. Before he got his chance though Kenna turned, running after Dominic, Gabriel coming in behind her as they fled the room where most of the nobles now lay dead. As she flees into the corridor however, the skirts of her gown tangle up around her feet and send her crashing to the floor, knocking the wind out of her. Instantly Dom is there, reaching out to help her up.
"Thank you…" she says softly, gaze down upon her now blood covered gown. "Dead… all of them… the entire nobility… wiped out…" she said hopelessly.
"Not all of them" Dom replied softly, his gaze bearing into her. "Not yet."
Their brief moment was interrupted however by the sound of clanking armor from up ahead. Quickly Kenna's gaze falls upon Prince Tevan where he appears wounded, leaning against a column as he tries to fight off a Nevrakis soldier.
"Die, Fydorian scum!" the soldier scowls, sword posed to strike but keeping his distance for the moment as the prince brandishes a torch at him, swinging it wildly to keep the soldier at bay.
"Not without a fight…" the prince snaps, his voice betraying no fear but rather a boiling rage.
"We have to help him!" Kenna said anxiously as Gabriel tries to steer her in the other direction.
"It's too risky" the old man huffed, not sparing the prince a second look. "My duty is to you, not a Fydorian Prince. You are the Queen of Stormholt now. You must live."
"And what kind of queen am I if I leave him behind!" Kenna remarks, eyes narrowing stubbornly. "We must save Prince Tevans life. I'm not leaving him."
Gabriel parted his lips to say something but before he could, Kenna was twisting out of his grip and sprinting toward the armed soldier, careful not to trip over her dress again.
"Kenna!" Gabriel and Dom shouted from somewhere behind her. She ignored them however and kept running, the soldiers attention flicking towards her briefly at the last moments.
"What the…?" he managed to say before the woman slammed into him, throwing all her weight into it to knock him over and send the soldier tumbling out of the open castle window. Catching herself on the sill, Kenna looked over the edge and down at the yard below where the soldier now lay broken in his mass of armor, a dark pool of blood beginning to spread out below him.
"Princess Kenna!" exclaimed Tevan, his tone conveying shock though he was grinning as she looked upon him. Despite everything going on around them she found herself smiling upon the charming man.
"I promised I'd find a minute for you, didn't I?" she said tucking a strand of hair that had strayed from her bun securely behind her ear. The prince let out a hearty laugh.
"Who knew it would save my life?"
"Looks like you couldn't charm your way out of this fight." Kenna observed, her gaze flicking toward the window once more where the soldier had fallen.
"You know I tried flirting with the soldiers, but they were shockingly unreceptive" he teased before his smile faltered a moment, expression turning more serious. "I owe you Kenna. My kingdom owes you. I swear on my life, should you ever need me, I'll be there with Fydoria's royal guard at my back."
"Good" she said firmly, the flirtatious air having dissipated and turned serious. "When this is over, I have a feeling I'm going to need them… Nevrakis won't get away with this."
Tevan nods somberly before wincing, his hand traveling to hold his wounded side, settling over a darkened patch of his purple tunic, the material heavy with blood.
"Is it serious?" Kenna asked, taking not of the wound.
"My wounds will heal…" Tevan said simply before letting out a remorseful sigh. "But I fear my tunic will never recover."
A smile tugging at her lips once more, Kenna let out a short laugh before turning upon Gabriel and Dominic, both their faces masks of disapproval.
"That was too risky! You should have let one of us handle it. Your life is too important Kenna!" Dom exclaimed, his face a mask of fear and fury.
"You can scold me later. We have to move" she replied, gaze flicking to Gabriel who gave a curt nod.
"Quickly… This way!" he stated, ushering the three younglings towards the dungeons. As you enter them though he quickly motions for a halt and waves them toward cover before any of them can run head first into the group of soldiers holding the dungeon, the three of them just standing there discussing the battle.
"Wait… that soldier there…" Kenna said, lifting her head a little over the crates they were currently crouched behind. Dominic gave a brief peek over the top at the grouping of men.
"Which one?" he asked, gaze flickering between the men.
"The one with the gold trimming… He took my mother's ring…" she said voice rising in anger as she began to rise, Dominic grabbing her arm to pull her back behind their cover.
Yanking her arm free of him she remained crouched behind the crates for a moment longer, the group of them doing nothing but hiding as the soldiers talked lowly amongst themselves at the end of the dungeon. Gabriel tightened his grip upon his sword from where he hid in the shadows with Tevan on the other side of the hall. He seemed to be calculating their chances of survival and of getting out of here. Kenna's gaze peeked around the crates once more, growing impatient. This cover was hardly full proof. They had to do something quickly, they couldn't just wait around. If another soldier came down to join his buddies he would spot them for sure.
Sight falling upon a fallen dungeon guard, Kenna's gaze flicked between the guard and the group of soldiers at the other end of the hall. Before Dominic could attempt to guess her ploy she slipped out around the crate making a dive for the fallen soldier's crossbow, her friends objective whisper hissing out behind her. Lifting the crossbow, she quickly took aim and fired upon the soldier with the gold trim, the bolt landing right where his helmet meets his armor. Letting out a dying gurgle the soldier fell dead as his friends dive for cover from the apparent ambush. Rushing forward Kenna quickly finds the ring on the soldiers dead body.
"All this for a ring?!" Dominic exclaims as he comes up beside her, Tevan but a few paces behind.
"Never underestimate the importance of the right accessary" the prince states with a brief nod to Kenna. "A queens ring commands respect and will strengthen Kenna's claim to the throne when she returns for it."
"Well what use will it be if she's not alive to use it!" Dominic snaps back, eyeing the two remaining soldiers as they make their way out of hiding, realizing who their attackers actually were.
"Big mistake girl…" one of them growls at her before letting out a strangled cry and falling to the ground as Gabriel withdraws his sword from the man's back.
"Go!" The old man commands, turning to fight off the third as Dominic grasps for Kenna to pull her along, the pair running to the end of the dungeon until there is nowhere left to run.
"What now?! There is nowhere left to go!" Dominic askes as Gabriel catches up to them, his breathing heavy. Giving the young boy a sour look he steps past them and into the final cell, studying the wall a moment before pressing into a stone, the stone sliding into the wall. The sound of shifting stone could be heard from somewhere behind the wall before as section popped open, a smug look passing over the old knights face before slipping away to a look of concentration.
"Gabriel what is it?" Kenna asked, lightly placing a hand upon the man's arm. Something was bugging him.
"Luther tortured and no doubt killed your aunt for the existence of this passageway…" he said slowly as Tevan and Dom began to haul the heavy stone door open.
"Right…" Kenna said slowly, her gaze turning to the open passage, an iron gate laying just behind the wall, the door hanging open.
"But the passage can only be opened from inside the castle…" the man continued, Kenna's eyes going wide with the realizations.
"But… Luther and his son were in the throne room the entire time..." she said a hint of panic in her voice as Gabriel gave a slow nod.
"I know… I was watching them. I did not trust them. But someone had to come down here and open it… someone that Luther trusted enough to tell of its existence and who was already in the castle. Or perhaps someone who already knew where it was…" he said slowly, his implication turning Kenna's blood cold.
"What are you saying Gabriel…"
"Where is Leon?" he growled, gaze flicking to Kenna. "Why was he not at your mother's side protecting her as is his duty?"
Kenna's mind raced as the betrayal gripped her heart. It was true. Leon was sworn to protect her mother, just as Gabriel was sworn to protect her. Leon should have been there yet in her mother's dying moments Kenna couldn't recall seeing him at all. In fact, she didn't recall seeing him at all since the noble's arrival. Could he really have betrayed them?
"They're coming!" Dominic call's drawing their attention from the grim possibility of this betrayal.
Casting her gaze frantically behind her Gabriel ushers her forward after Tevan where he already stands within the passage way wielding a torch to light the way as Gabriel starts to draw the stone wall closed, letting out a little huff half way through before abandoning the task.
"It's no use. They're too close. We won't make it out before they catch us" he said, drawing his sword once more as he marches into the passage.
"We have no choice… We have to try. We'll make a stand and fight if we have to, but only after we've tried to get away" Kenna says, pulling at her faithful knights arm to try and draw him further into the passage way, pleading with him to follow. Casting her gaze back she finds Dominic still standing by the gate, his gaze away from them as he looks back toward the sound of soldiers.
"Dom?" she calls anxiously, catching her friends attention. He looks back around, blinking at her for a moment, his expression unreadable. Taking a half step forward Kenna's heart lifts for a brief moment before his hand closes around the iron gate and pulling it closed between them, the lock clicking in place and trapping him on the other side.
"Dominic!" Gabriel calls as Kenna rushes forward her hands wrapping around the bars.
"Dom! What are you doing!"
"We always have a choice Kenna… I can hold them off. Distract them. Buy you some time to escape" he said solemnly, as tears welled in Kenna's eyes for the second time that night.
"Dom… Don't do this!"
"It's the only way..." he said something in his voice catching before his attention is drawn behind him at the distant shouting of soldiers.
"Dom Please…" Kenna said softly her voice wavering and drawing her friends gaze back around. "I have lost so much already… I… I can't lose you too… I—" she began to say her words falling off as Dom reaches out, covering her hand around the bars with his own.
"Kenna…" he says softly just to her. "I know this is not the time… but since I may not get another chance… I never said this because I knew you were going to be queen some day and a queen could never choose a commoner… But since I might not ever see you again, I want you to know the truth. I love you Kenna… I've always been in love with you."
"Dom I…" she begins to say, her words getting silence this time as he presses against the bars, reaching through them to draw her in and pressing his lips against her own in a deep passionate kiss. The kiss was short lived however as the sound of shouting interrupts them.
"Now go!" Dominic shouts, stepping back from the gate where Kenna remains stunned, tears glistening upon her cheeks. "Gabriel, keep her safe" he asks, looking past her and to the old guard behind her, the man giving a curt nod.
"I will guard her till my last breath" he says, for once his words seeming to hold no malice toward the young man as Dominic gives a little nod before stepping back and beginning to shove the stone wall closed the rest of the way.
"Dominic!" Kenna calls as the wall slides into place, closing them in and blocking out the light of the other side. Tevan's torch still shone behind them, the only source of light in the now secured passage. "Dom…" she called softly one final time before letting her hands fall from the bars, stepping slowly away from the gate, turning to run off down the passage way, leaving her friend behind.
It wasn't long before the trio was exiting the passageway which let out beside the stables which were left unattended. Each taking a mount it wasn't long before they were riding into the darkening forest and away from Stomholt, it's lights fading through the trees. Riding hard they did not slow until approaching a fork in the road, Kenna bringing her mount to a stop as Gabriel and Tevan road on ahead. Realizing she was no longer with them the pair slowed, trotting back toward her.
"Where are we going?" she demanded to know, patting her mount on its side as it gave a little impatient snort and pawed at the ground.
"Don't worry. I'm taking you somewhere safe" Gabriel assured her.
"And where is that?"
"A monastery deep in the woods. I trained with the monks there for years. They'll hide us from Luther. You both will be safe there" the old knight stated, looking to Tevan who gave a small shake of his head.
"No. I must return home. Fydoria will need me. Currently my sister rules in mine and my father's absence. I must assume Luther has something planned for her as well" he said displaying a rare moment of seriousness before his gaze turned upon Kenna, letting a smile spring to his lips and mask his previous concern. "It would seem here is where we must part ways my lovely Kenna."
Shifting the hold of his reigns to one hand the prince reaches within his robes, pulling out a small purple orb and extending it to the princess.
"What is it?" she questions, leaning forward upon her horse and taking the small orb, studying it in the center of her palm.
"A gift of beauty to one so deserving of it. In Fydoria, we use these to speak with those we care about. So that they may never be far from our hearts or minds."
"So this orb…?" she questioned, drawing her gaze up from it to rest upon Prince Tevan.
"It is a fragment of the magic that used to dominate this land thousands of years ago. I hold its match. We can use them to send each other messages."
"Thank you Tevan…"
"A pleasure, my princess… And know this… Luthers Treachery will be punished. When you rise against him to reclaim your throne, Fydoria will be there with you, your most trusted ally" he said, beginning to turn his horse and urging it forward once more along the path. "Farewell my lovely Kenna!"
"Until then… Farewell!" Kenna called after him, closing her hand around the orb and bringing it close to her chest as she watched the prince ride off, her gaze turning sadly behind her where the lights of Stormholt are just barely visible through the trees, a faint glimmer in the growing darkness. "My home…" she said softly, tearing her gaze away and closing her eyes as she collected herself once more. She would not cry anymore. Luther had caused enough tears; she would not give him any more.
"Do not despair. You are alive. That's all that matters in this moment" Gabriel said as she lifter her gaze upon him.
"My mother, my family, my friends…" she began softly. "All my people… They deserve better than what Luther has brought upon them, and my heart breaks with them. Luther took everything from me." she stated, her voice growing stronger and her face setting into a hardened expression.
"You must stay strong. Now more than ever" Gabriel told her as she glanced behind her once more.
"I promise you I will put his head on a pike… Blood. Will. Flow. He's destroyed everything I've ever known… I will take Stormholt back. I swear it!" she stated before turning away and spurring her horse in the opposite direction, riding hard through the darkness.
.
- - -yy- - -yy- - -yy- - -
After leading the soldiers away from Kenna, Dom emerges from the maze of servant's passage ways to find himself in the kitchen, the soldiers he had been distracting not far behind. Stoping briefly to catch his breath he looked about the kitchens not sure how much longer he could keep up the chase.
"You there! Stop!" shouted one of the soldiers from behind him, drawing his gaze back a moment. "Finally ready to stand and fight?!"
"Nope," Dom said breathlessly with a slight shake of his head. "Not even a little."
Spinning around he took off again through the clutter of the kitchen, the remaining soldiers still on his heels, shouting out after him. As he approaches the far end of the kitchen and comes upon a wide and open fire pit, the flames crackling over sizzling coals. Left with little time and simply moving too fast to dodge, Dom holds his breath hoping for the best as he steps upon the edge of the pit to leap boldly over it. Strangely enough as he leaps through the veil of flames he notices no heat or pain, the flames almost seeming to bend and arc away from him as if making a path. He is left little time to contemplate the oddity however as he lands smoothly on the other side of the pit, the soldiers already scrambling around the edges of it.
Left little choice but to keep running, Dominic presses forward, seeking out the main door, quickly spotting it as Margret, the castles main cook, tugs at it helplessly, her gaze looking behind her at the rising commotion.
"Dom, what in blazes are you doing…" she starts, gaze looking past him to the soldiers in pursuit.
Reaching for the door himself he makes a tug at it to find it locked and unyielding. With that, his last escape blocked, Dom finds his heart sinking, turning to face the soldiers for what is to come. It had been silly he supposed but a part of him hoped he might make it out of this alive to see Kenna again someday.
"Margret just stay back!" he said boldly, stepping in front of the short older woman, not wishing her to be put in harm's way because of him as the three soldiers drew their swords, having him cornered.
"No!" Margret said frantically, scurrying out around Dom and trying to put herself between them despite Dom's pleading. "He's a good boy, please don't hurt him! He's just a servant like me!"
"He was running with the princess and her bodyguard. He's going to tell us where they went" one of the men before them said, Dom narrowing his eyes upon him.
"Even if I knew, I'd never talk" he growled back, teeth grinding together.
"Then we'll kill the old woman and see if that loosens your tongue" the soldier replied as his comrade made a grab for Margret, his armored fist smacking into the side of her head and knocking her to the ground as he drew a dagger and took a step toward her. He eyes stared up at him, two wide saucers, one hand holding the side of her head where he had struck her.
"NO!" Dominic roared, something bubbling up inside of him. Rage. Fury. Fire. Letting out a roar he let his anger explode, the fire in the pit behind the soldiers jumping to life and lashing out toward the soldiers like a whip, twisting around them.
"What th—AGHHH!"
Any further words they might have had are drown out in screams as the fire heats their armor and finds its way through the cracks, setting them aflame from the inside of their metal suits, roasting them alive as they write and scream. As quickly as it had begun it was over, all three men now laying burned and charred on the ground, the fire in the pit crackling normally as it had been moments before. Frightened, Dom took a step back that feeling inside him having died out with the fire leaving a feeling of exhaustion in its wake.
"Dominic… What have you done?" Margret asked from where she was slowly picking herself up off the ground, her eyes wide as she looked upon him.
"I… I don't…" he stammered, looking down upon his hands frightfully before his gaze snapped back up as the woman took a step toward him. "No! Stay away from me! I… I might…"
"Oh black hells Dominic!" the woman said exasperated. "You aren't going to hurt me!" she scoffed, giving him a small smack upside the head before taking his hand and pulling him back through the kitchen. "I don't know what that way, but I do know you are still the same old Dominic. Whatever that was… it was in self-defense so don't you fret a second longer about it! Now come, we must hurry! All the servants have been ordered to the throne room! If we mean to live, we must go there now!" she explained as she pulled him back into the servant's passage ways and toward the throne room.
As they entered the grand room, Dom's gaze flicked over to the bodies of the nobles that had been slaughtered, the Nevrakis soldiers piling them into carts to be wheeled away. At the front of the room in front of the throne sat the heads of the visiting royals, Luther just behind them sitting in the throne, a hand dumbing casually atop Queen Adriana's severed head.
"Mother! We were so worried about you!" exclaimed a young woman as she rushed over to Margret's side, a boy a few years younger at her heels.
"Where were you! What were you doing?!" the boy asked, his worry getting the better of him.
"Rose. Trystan," Margret said lowly, looking at each of them in turn. "I was fetching your fool brother Dom here. He'd gone and gotten himself into trouble."
"What…?" Dom asked his gaze turning around to Margret in confusion. A confusion her children clearly shared.
"Our… brother?" Rose asked, her gaze flicking to him from the corner of her eye as Trystan eyed him openly.
"Listen…" Margret said, drawing her children in closer, voice taking on a hardened tone as she spoke lowly to them. "Luther is having anyone he perceives as a threat executed. If he finds out Dom has been in training to be a scout and can use a sword… he'll kill him! Or he might do worse if he finds out he was close with princess Kenna. So from here on out, he's your brother, a knuckle-headed servant in the kitchens. Understand?"
"We're going to have to circle back to 'knuckle-headed'" Dom huffed slightly, earning a deadly glare from Margret.
"I understand…" Rose said slowly, giving Dom a long look before turning back to her mother. "But what if someone else betrays him?"
"I'll get the word out. We're all allies here. The other servants will keep Dom's secret. If they don't it'll be nothing but moss cabbage every night, so help me!" Margret threatened, drawing a small smile from her daughter.
"Silence!" came the booming command of a Nevrakis soldier from where he stood beside Luther at the throne. He was not donned in the usual armor of the others but instead wore a less bulky armor that was more form fitting and allowed for easier movement. He did not have a helmet and instead looked upon them all with unobscured eyes, his dark hair falling over equally dark eyes. "Quiet down all of you! Your new king wishes to speak!"
"Hear me, people of this castle…" Luther began, pushing himself up from the throne and taking a step forward. "I know you have long served the former queen… But as it is plain to see… her reign has ended," he assured them coldly, gaze slowly traveling over the room. "As many of you may already know there is indeed a head missing from my collection here… That of your princess Kenna" he mused as he stepped over the heads of the other nobles. "Now some of you may be entertaining the idea of an uprising at her return. I want to inform you just how foolish that idea is. Your princess will never return and I will see that her head is put upon a pike with the rest of the ones here. Any who attempt to aid her return will be punished."
At that he gave a brief nod to the man that had called for their silence where he leaned against the edge of the throne. Nodding in return he stood up and ignoring the large sword at his side, instead reached for a large war hammer propped beside the throne. Picking it up the man heaved it high before bringing it down along the arm of the throne, crushing the queen Adriana's head beneath it. Luther remained silent as he let the violent act stir the crowd, horrified murmurs and screams rising from them.
Glancing beside him, Dominic studied Rose carefully as she grabbed at her arm, her face having gone pale. "I think I'm going to be sick…" she whispered as she turned away from the throne and turned into Dom, hiding her face against him. Hesitantly he placed a comforting hand at her back.
"The queen deserved better than this…" he stated, gaze turning back upon the now blood covered throne, his eyes narrowing slightly upon the man that had swung the hammer.
"There are no warriors left among you," Luther said, demanding their attention once more. "My warriors have seen to that. And so I now offer you a choice. Pledge your loyalty to me… or add more carcasses to the piles. Should I hint at any act of rebellion or betrayal from you I will have Diavolos see to it that you meet the same fate as the queen."
"So who's first?" the soldier, Diavolos, asked, his fingers dumbing along the war hammer thrown casually over his shoulder as the servants began to shuffle toward the front and line up to swear their fealty to Luther.
"What do we do?" Rose asks, her voice frightful as she's forced to turn from Dom and step forward, his hand falling from her back.
"We pledge our loyalty to the King." Dom said calmly as he takes a step, his voice low for only Rose to hear. "We bend the knee. We promise our service to Luther. And when the time is right for our rightful queen to return… We strike."