Prologue
From the window of Castle Anvil, Percius could look over the vast ocean. Looking over the endless miles of water gave him his own form of peace and comfort. He stood naked with his arm pressed to the window, his sea blue eyes had focus on the black waves of the water.
The young man of 22 was fair haired. His long cool brown hair fluttered like a flag in the sea breeze that crept into his chambers. He liked the cool ocean air. Even from his own quarters, he could hear the coughing and groaning of his Father. He tried not to think on it but nothing could rid the fear he felt in his heart.
Hold on, old Man, hold on, he thought to himself. His Father, the Count of Anvil had fallen ill, almost out of nowhere. The illness had struck fast and hard and had bewildered the court mage and alchemists. Nothing they did could take the fever that was overtaking the Count.
Percius was not a praying man, but at this moment he gazed into the stars with pleading eyes.
"Save him! Please Gods, save him!" He pleaded aloud.
He didn't know how to pray, he had even considered going to the Chapel, to find the Chapel Priest and beg him to beg the Gods to save his Father.
The groans turned to screams of agony as his Fathers wails echoed throughout the Castle. Angry tears spilled down his face as he returned his gaze to the sky.
"If you're out there! Help him! Gods! Please!" Percius screamed, he slammed his fist hard on the base of the window. His fist ached but he ignored the pain.
He muttered silent curses at the Gods, at the world. It was unfair, all of it. All the faith man had towards the Gods and what good were they here and now. Where were these miracles the Priests talked endlessly about.
He looked back and saw his wife Lucina still asleep. Strangely, the shouting had not woken her up, she had always been a heavy sleeper.
Looking back at the sky, something caught his gaze. Something had changed in the blanket of black and tiny lights that was the night sky.
A ball of pure golden light soared in the distant night sky, its form flickering as golden flames danced as it slashed through the night sky. For a moment, Percius' forgot about the screaming and was mesmerized by the display.
What could it be? The ball of fire appeared to grow closer and closer, its size increasing the nearer it got. Before he knew it, the fire ball soared over the castle with a loud WHOOSH.
The entire Castle seemed to shake for a moment as it passed overhead and suddenly like a blanket, silence overtook the castle.
Whatever it had, it was gone now but it no less perplexed Percius. It was strange how silent the castle had gotten, and that was when he realized that the Castle had grown silent.
Sprinting out of his chambers, he only had time to drape his body in a cloak. He sprinted down the wide hallways of his castle, passing suprised guards whom barely had time to mutter a greeting.
He slammed into his Fathers chambers and gave a tearful sigh of relief when he saw his father still, his chest rising and lowering slowly. Lanius Aetius was finally asleep peacefully.
Percius put a hand over his forehead and stroked him gently. Thank you, he said to no one in particular. Maybe the golden fire in the sky had been a sign from the gods, maybe they had had mercy on his Father.
He regretted doubting them and promised to be an avid church goer after his Fathers recovery. Satisfied, Percius left his Fathers chambers and returned to his own.
He lay next to his wife and relaxed himself. He remembered the motto of his Father and said it to himself.
"Always forward for this to shall pass."