A/N: So I tried and failed at writing before, so I'm taking a second swing at it because I love to write so much. I'm just not very gifted when it comes to words. Please review and tell me what you think!
"I really don't understand how all of the Ladies enjoy wearing these." Huffed the frustrated brunet next to me.
I take my time rolling my eyes before raising my arms above my head, "Its not a matter of liking it, but the idea of being presentable." I laugh as she pulls the white robe over my head.
"Why must you be presentable while in the privacy of your own castle?" Red grumbles while adjusting the waste.
"Because it's a sign of respect to my family, and tonight we are discussing Amy's matrimony." I say with as much smile as I can muster.
Red takes a step back from her work and me. She eyes me with a knowing smirk, "You're not fooling anyone Chloe." She chuckles.
"Wha…What do you mean?" I stammer and avert her green gaze.
"Come on. I know you…and your cheeks are almost as red as your hair is." Her eyes dance with amusement.
I huff in defeat, "Okay, so may be I'm not so excited for Amy's hand to be taken." I drag my feet across the wood, away from the mirror, and sit on the edge of my bed.
"Why are you so down about it?" Red plops down besides me, "Aren't you glad to ship her loud personality out of the Gate?" She begins idly playing with my curls.
"I suppose I'm slightly jealous." Red quirks an eyebrow at my words, "Well, its just… well, she gets to have a man her life. Someone who will love her properly and give her a family and all his attention." A sad smile creeps its way onto my face as I speak.
Red takes a second to suck in a deep breath, I look to her and see my expression mirrored in her own features, "Well that makes two of us." She slouches and stops playing with my hair.
I can't help the laugh that comes over me, "Your supposed to tell me I'm going to be very happy one day, not wallow in depression with me!" I give a playful push to Red's nearest shoulder.
"I'm not wallowing!" She pushes back, "I'm just considering your words."
I raise my eyebrows to her response, "Oh really? That's not wallowing?" She shrugs in answer.
We sit in silence for a moment. I glance over my room. I skim over the hardwood floor and I look up at my open closet. Countless dresses and robes are hanging, most already having fulfilled their one use. It's sad really.
"When are we going back to the village?" I turn my attention back to Red.
She gives me an accusing look, "Chloe, we gave away nearly a hundred gowns last week. The Queen would totally notice if a hundred more were missing from your wardrobe."
Ugh, she's right, Mother would notice. For all of Red's quirks her intuition rarely fails her, or me. It may seem like a simple thing, to avoid a scolding from my mother, but Red has done so much more for me in the past years.
I glance over my shoulder to the large glass window overlooking part of the smaller garden we have. A memory hits me quickly. The first time I met Red I was in the worst of moods, Father had just announced that the Arms were going to annihilate the South Crest kingdom. I never liked war much, so I hid away in my room. In between my sobs I heard a squeak. Once I discovered where it was coming from I ran over to the sole window in my room and I saw her. A little tiny black wolf pup. I was eight at the time, so without a second thought ran out into the snow, it was winter, and we instantly became best of friends. I snuck the puppy into my room and the next morning I found a girl my age huddled at my feet. Since that day, Red has been trained as my "personal guard" and is my best friend.
A loud knock forces me out of reminiscing. I'm too rattled to respond, "Ladies, the family awaits. It would be nice for you to grace them with your presence… on time for once." A deep voice calls.
I hear Red stifle a laugh, because she knows it's true, "We will be right down Graham!" She calls back.
A small laugh can be heard followed by footsteps going back down the spiral stairs. Graham is one of the only people that knows that Red is a werewolf. He's the head of the guard and basically my older brother. The only other people that know are my slightly younger sister, Stacie and her "personal guard" Aubrey.
"Come on, snap out of it. I really don't want to hear Amy boast about being tardy." Red moves ahead and holds open the large wooden door. She bows her head slightly and motions with her hand to pass through.
I give a sarcastic smile and skip through the door and down the stairs. Red's smile just grows and she follows behind me. We make our way down the stairs, through the main hallway, and into the great hall. A multitude of guards surround all of the main entrances to the hall and each one of the stained glass windows. It's not unusual to see the armor clad men and women around the castle, Father feel better with a lot of them. Each one of them carries a large traditional sword and silver and red armor. The family seal, a howling wolf and two swords, is on the shoulders of every member of the guard.
Everyone turns in their chairs when they hear Red dragging her feet into the room. I quickly take my seat next to Stacie who twiddles her fingers at me and winks before turning back to her seat and flinging all of her dark brown hair over her shoulder. I don't think she knows how to not be flirtatious. The thing about Stacie is that she is gorgeous and every man in all of the kingdoms would kill to marry her, but she never shows any interest in any of them. She doesn't even realize she is teasing the boys she meets when she smiles at them deviously; it's just her personality.
Red slides into the chair to my left and I see her greet Aubrey who is sitting stiffly besides Stacie. It's a shame I've never seen her smile, she's a pretty girl, frowning doesn't suit her.
"So nice of you to join us, darling." Mother calls down from the opposite end of the table. She has a pearly white smile plastered on her face, it a little disturbing actually.
A loud booming voice comes from directly besides Mother before I get the chance to respond, "Yeah, and Sis. It's about time you get your butt down here!"
"Sorry, I got distracted…" I said with a teeth gritting smile, I almost forgot how frustrating her voice is.
"That's quite alright dear," Father speaks with authority from the head chair drawing everyone's attention off me, "Now that you're seated we may talk about the upcoming events." He smiles over at Amy at the end of his statement. She gives a blinding smile back at him.
"Father, not yet that's at the end." She smiles harshly.
"Alright dear." Father easily digresses and settles back into his chair.
Small conversations soon overcome the large table. They talk about nothing of interest; mostly about how other kingdoms are making trades and marriages that they scoff at. That's one of the things that annoy me about being a Beale; Beales are the top of the food chain, the best of the best. Our royal family has no modesty either and their arrogant comments get old.
I almost completely checked out of all of the talk when the second most annoying voice booms across the whole room and probably rest of the castle, "Did you all here about the most recent murders?" Bumper, Amy's guard asks. All attention is swung at him, and he puffs up his chest.
"Which ones?" The Duke stops talking with Mother and eyes him curiously.
"I heard from sources in the lower village that six men were slaughtered in cold blood yesterday behind an old church." He finished with a half smirk, content that he got to spread the news.
"Did the lower authorities capture the convict?" The Duke asks fully intrigued.
"I'm afraid they were left dead and without a trace of the killer. No one saw or heard it happen." Father speaks up for Bumper.
"Was it the Dark One?" The Duke's wife voice trembles as she pipes into the conversation.
Father slams his fist on the table causing me to jump, "Nonsense that man is but a mere myth. This was simply a person that will be executed." Father sticks his nose in the air.
"If he were not in existence then who killed the men last week, or even one two men from three days ago?" The Duke defends his wife's question.
It's a valid point; so many murders have gone unsolved the past five years. Many men just seem to be brutally murdered without a trace. Some people claim to have seen a figure clad fierce black armor and a black hood disappearing into the night after a kill. I've even heard before that the Dark One carries a massive steel blade that runs with blue energy and shocks it's victims to death. All tales that make the Dark One the number one cause of nightmares. Mothers tell their children to be good or else the Dark One will get them. It's cruel really, but gets the job done.
"Well, whoever the Dark One is in reality," The Duke begins
"Nonexistent!" Father calls to try and hold onto his pride.
The Duke ignores Father's statement, "He will pay for his crimes, and he has no morality. He deserves nothing but to die." The Duke snarls.
An uncomfortable silence falls over the great hall. We all soak in the anger that consumes most people in the room.
"We should get the guard together and go after the fiend." Bumper announces as he rises from his seat.
"Um, how about no." Graham says calmly from his spot a couple of seats down from me, "The guard will not go after a man who may be myth. If such a man exists leave him to Lakra to find and bring to us."
When he finishes the maids bring out plates of chicken. Red doesn't hesitate to dig into her plate and noisily as possible. I take on my meal slowly, trying to pay attention to the discussion that's taking place.
"What makes you think the white hooded girl can bring down the Dark One any more that we can?" Bumper shoots back.
"Well, Bumper she is the single most skilled and strong warrior I have ever seen fight, and she has brought in nearly a hundred times more people than you have, and she doesn't even have a true identity."
"What's so important about not having a true identity?" Bumper sounds hurt.
"It means she doesn't have to boast about everything she does…. unlike some people I know…" Graham shoots him a glare.
I push back from the table a little and lean over to Red, "Do you really think Lakra will take him down?" I whisper.
"Lakra is the single most capable person to take down the Dark One." Red says with confidence.
I suppose she is right. Lakra's legend is far greater than any knight's in the history of Great Castle. Lakra is a translation of the word tiger. In ancient culture tigers are know to be fierce and demanding, but discerning on the inside. She is known to have a massive white tigress that follows her everywhere. The tale goes it attacked her and she flipped it over, a dagger to its throat. She had the opportunity to kill it, but she showed it kindness.
"Enough!" The whole room freezes as my Father's voice booms, "I will not tolerate any more talk of these murders! It is time to discus my daughter." He finishes with a curt smile. The table gives Father the attention he seeks and silently stop arguing.
Not a second later I squirm under the breath that tickles my ear, obviously Stacie, "I heard those dead men killed a family of five." For some reason I feel a chill to my bone. I give her a questioning look and she sits up straight and pretends like she hasn't said anything… typical.
What does that mean though? If they killed people wouldn't they already be put on trail? Well, it will do no good by dwelling on it. I should probably listen to what father is saying.
"In a few weeks time Amy will be marrying…" Father pauses for a moment to smile over at Amy, "Donald Grayson." Seriously? Apparently the rest of the table doesn't find my surprise because they are all giving words of congratulations and how wonderful this is. The only thing remotely good about Donald's reputation is his father is a wealth king. Other than that he is a known brat.
"Shocker…" Red mumbles besides me, her voice laced with sarcasm.
I smile to myself at her words and tune back into Father.
"The Grayson Kingdom has been talking for some time about linking resources, and when I heard young Grayson was looking to marry I introduced Amy quickly." Father announces proudly.
So Amy is getting married to keep money in the Great Castle. This is what royal life is like? Something about it seems not right. But hey whom am I kidding; I've grown up learning to put my kingdom before myself. Marriage is just a part of that promise.
"…And we will take down the scum together! Now that we are to bring together the two great kingdoms we will put an end to the Emberson filth. I can't stand their democratic attitudes. Peasants don't know how to deal with matters that are meant for royals." Something about that statement doesn't sit right with me, "I want them all dead… Percy you hear me, all of them!" Father's voice becomes strong as he points a strict finger at the Duke.
"Yes, your Majesty." The Duke nods slowly and averts Father's demanding eyes.
Yes? Killing people because they wish to have a say in their own lives? That is cruel! "Why?" My voice comes out is a soft whisper, but I know my accusation is visible.
All heads turn to me, but I don't even think to correct myself.
"Because of money dear…" Mother replies as if it's obvious.
Money? How is money a deciding factor in life or death? "Excuse me." I toss my napkin on the table and storm off to my room. I'm just so sick of having to play along with Father's game. Why do we have to kill for money, I mean for God's sakes we are already the richest kingdom in all of the lands. What more does Father want?
I run into my room and slam the door shut. To some this may seem like an overreaction, but in my book, so is Beale Kingdom. I flop onto my oversized bed and heave out a sigh into my pillow. Sometimes I wish I was born in the Emberson Kingdom, at least then I would have some kind of freedom. Everything here is dictated for me.
A knock on the door disturbs my thoughts, "Chloe?" Red's concerned… she knows why I'm here though, "Can I come in?"
I remove the pillow from my face and sit up on my bed, "Yes." I say with a pout to my voice.
"You know he isn't going to change…" Red basically barges through the door and sits on the floor in front of me. I can't help but picture the loyal wolf that only appears when the moon is brightest.
"Yea, I guess I do." I huff.
"Well, you know what screw him. You'll be a great Queen someday and you can make amends." She smiles.
I think about that idea for a minute. Me a queen? I can hardly imagine it. I can't make all of those decisions, "I would fail miserably." I deadpan.
"Are you kidding me?" Red's eyes go wide, "You would be the most kind, caring, conscious Queen ever." She announces with passion.
I sit still for a moment and smile softly, "You know Red, and you're the best guard in all of the kingdoms." I laugh a little and nudge her jokingly.
"Well, I'm just trying not to get banished like the last guy." Red rolls her eyes.
"No one could be so cruel as that man was."
It true though, no one could. Amy's last guard was the most trusted in the castle. He was around my father's age. The man claimed that protecting the royal family was his sole purpose. He dedicated his life to Great Castle. He supposedly fought off a whole army himself when we were attacked, before I was even born. Sadly, Bumper found him standing over Graham's father's bloody body with a marred sword in hand. Graham's father was the Head of the Guard at the time; the man probably wanted his position. He was banished from the kingdom, but I believe Graham hunted him down and killed him a long time ago.
"Ya, well, hopefully we don't meet anyone like that again." Red mumbles from her position on the ground.
"We won't with Graham as our Head Guard. Can you imagine what he would do if someone crossed the Castle?" I flinch at the thought.
Graham went mad when he father died. He went through a dark time, killing criminals in the most barbaric of way. I can imagine all of the blood he spilled. He cut throats and left them to die in the open.
I gasp a little feeling the pain for my own. Being suffocated by their own blood. I quickly stand up and go over to the window. I suck in a deep breath and open my eyes to the village in front of me in attempt to clear my mind.
"Hey, you alright?" Red approaches me cautiously from behind.
I turn to face Red's worried face, "Yea, just remembering what happened after Graham's father was murdered."
Red's gaze drops, remembering the events that followed, "That was a pretty rough time."
"Thankfully he snapped out of it though."
"Yea he…." Red looks up at me, but her gaze trails to behind me. Her brow furrows in confusion, "What is that?"
I spin around and look, "Where?" I scan the large village in front of me. I squint my eyes and in the distance around where the gate is there is a small puff of black rising to the sky, " I think that's smoke…"
"Oh my God… it's a fire…." I turn to see Red panicked.
"That big?" I ask shocked.
A loud banging sounds from the door, causing me to jump in fright.
"Red! Get Chloe to the dining hall and bring your gear, the Gate has been attacked, I'm taking a patrol out!" Graham shouts, and his footsteps are being heard running back down the stairs.
Red spins on her heal and looks me dead in the eye, a determination is hidden under her fear, and "Come on lets go!" She spins back around and grabs her sword belt from under my bed and grabs her wrist armor. She doesn't carry heavy gear, it slows her down.
"What is going on?" I try to hide the shaking of my voice.
"We are going into a lockdown." She hurries me out of my room and down the stairs. "We have to go to the dining hall because it's the most secure room in the castle that can fit everyone in the royal family." It's hard to hear her as she breathes heavily.
"Who would attack us?" I try and keep up with her pace, she turns and notices and slows down, but grabs onto my arm as to keep me close.
"Probably the Emberson…but I didn't think they had balls that big." Red growls.
While running down the hall knights and guards run in the opposite direction to try and get to the Gate. Once we reach the Hall guards line the walls once again, but there aren't as many because they have all gone to the threat. The large table we sat at no more than an hour ago is gone to create room. Graham and his right hand man Jon Snow push us into the main part of the room so that we are standing beside a fierce looking Aubrey, and a very rattled Stacie. Through all of the other royals and their guards I spot Amy and Bumper, who appear to be joking. How can they be joking at a time like this?
Red takes my hand and leads me over to a corner of the large room, "So I can protect you better." She says answering the question before I even think it.
"You think someone is going to get in here?" I search Red's eyes for some kind of an answer, but she seems too occupied by her own thoughts to respond.
Red turns around so that her back is facing me, "Aubrey!" She calls over to the straight-backed blond, "Over here." She waves her now unsheathed sword over in our direction.
Aubrey looks over to Stacie, gently puts a hand on her shoulder and guides her over to where Red and I are. Aubrey stands next to Red and looks at her seriously, like silent communication.
Stacie rushes over to my side and clings onto my arm. She's trying to suppress it, but her shivering carrying over to my body, "So, you think this is actually dangerous?" She makes an attempt to laugh it off, but I know Stacie all too well, she is really scared. I don't blame her; I am too.
"I have no clue Stace." I say honestly.
I bring my attention back to the two guards in front of us, "I don't like this." Red mumbles to Aubrey.
"What do you make of the situation?" Aubrey scrunches up her nose in concentration, she's trying to analyze what's going on in depth.
"Well, I was just thinking…who would attack the Gate? The second most guarded place in the kingdom? Why not go for some sneaky back entrance or something?" Red furrows her brow in confusion. I hate watching this struggle.
Aubrey takes a moment to think. She frowns more than usual while in deep thought. Then a second later she pops her head back up. She definitely just realized something. She quickly draws her sword and stands in front of Stacie and me in a ready stance. Red mirrors her move and looks at her, waiting for an explanation.
"They aren't attacking the Gate, it's just a diversion." She spits out quickly.
I barley get a chance to process what her words mean, but as if on queue two of the large windows shatter open. Glass scatters all over the unsuspecting bodies of guards and royals, showering them with sharp shards. The people dive for cover and hold their hands over their heads and faces. The guards all rush forward after they get over the initial shock of the matter. Not a second later a bunch of black hooded figures fly through the now empty space. It's an ambush! In a matter of moments a bloody battle starts. The sick sound of metal clashing together is the only noise I can hear over the frightened screams of the royals. A few guards have already been cut down by the mysterious hooded figures. At this rate everyone in the room will be dead, but that is probably the plan.
"Don't move!" Red yells to us from over her shoulder. She makes eye contact with Aubrey, "We can't leave them."
"I didn't plan on it." Aubrey responds with determination.
Just then a hooded man leaps forward sword in hand, Stacie screams as he comes closer. Just before landing a blow to Red he is cut down by Aubrey, his body falls limp.
"Thanks." Red breathes out a heavy breath. She didn't see that coming.
"Oh my God!" Stacie squeals and points over Aubrey's shoulder to the far side of the room.
I follow her finger to see two of the hooded figures, slightly larger then the majority, making their way to where Bumper was trying to protect Amy. Amy cowers in the corner literally yelling out for Mother. I would be a funny sight if not for her life being in danger.
"We can't do anything about it." Red mutters. I know it kills her inside to not be able to do anything right now. I can see the wolf in her eyes begging to be let out and defend whom it cares about. "We have to get out of here."
"The east exit is way to crowded. There is no way to get them both out safely." Aubrey states, "It's best we just take the criminals down one by one until they are enough to handle and get out.
"Yea but…" Red begins to protest only to be cut off by a deafening crack followed by a blinding flash of blue light throughout the room.
All fighting ceases and heads turn towards the back of the hall. Standing in a black hood with everything but his eyes covered is everyone's worst nightmare. Heavy armor starts at the shoulders and covers all the way down to his feet, all of it dark as a starless night. Aside from the intimidating armor, he holds a large sword; it has edgy sides and a frightening curved blade. The sword is encased with a rippling blue energy that radiates off of it with a strange humming noise.
"Oh shit." Red says what everyone is thinking.
The Dark One is here.