Hey guys! Back with another one. Should I be starting a new story soon? This story is nearly reaching its peak, so just hang on!
Predawn
"Knight Iris. Something's arrived in your mail. It's…a letter."
The nun passed her a letter.
As Iris flipped it over, a bead of cold sweat trickled down the nape of her neck.
The letter shocked her physically, and she hated the sinister air that penetrated pure air of the church. The seal of the letter was a blood-red rose, very pretty. Along with the letter, a beautiful blooming rose was placed directly across the letter. Iris bit her lip, eyebrows creasing. Might be from a troubled townsmen, or a terrorist,
Iris flicked her pocket knife out, cutting the letter open instead of opening it, just in case there was a small trap.
Sure enough, a razor blade popped up as soon as the envelope was opened.
She opened the piece of parchment folded neatly in the letter.
My dear Iris,
You might've thought I was dead, from the fire ten years ago. I'm not.
Rosabelle! Iris realized. Overwhelming joy flooded her heart for the first time in years. Iris collapsed, tears of joy flowing down her cheeks. Then she realized that something was wrong. Why would Rosabelle put a razor blade in the envelope. A bad feeling washed over her. She kept reading.
I'm completely different now, and I'm no longer the immature little girl you were once friends with -
And from there, the pretty, cute letters ended in a big ink blot.
The pen must've broke here.
The handwriting changed - the short characters turned into elaborate cursive.
I despise you. Despise Firmament, despise you, Iris. I'll lead my army to where you're at and destroy Firmament. It's amazing, isn't it…that we were once friends. I don't know what you're like right now, and I don't really care. I'm no longer able to feel pain, unlike ten years ago. I used to hurt all the time after I ran away, and I blame you, Iris. I blame you, even if there is no reason for me to blame you.
That's why I'm going to kill you. That's why I'm going to destroy everything you love and have, so you can feel my pain.
Prepare for war, Iris. Warn your precious citizens that it's time for war. I'll find you and take control.
Everything I did - every kingdom I destroyed, everyone I killed - was to build up power to kill you.
I know what I'm saying is stupid and unreasonable, but you need to die.
Farewell, Iris. Goodbye.
Love, Rosabelle?
Uncontrollable tears trickled down Iris's cheeks.
Her shaky hands cupped her mouth.
She hated how her emotions were toyed by this letter - first exulted, ecstatic, relieved, free, then confused, hurt, upset, lastly mad, horrified, shocked.
It really hurt for her. Iris clutched her stomach and sat down. Her emotional eyes turned numb once more, the light draining out.
Then she accepted it.
She didn't except it either. The hole torn in her chest immediately healed, and her face hardened. Eyes narrowing, she stood up. If Rosabelle wants it, Iris would give her it. Iris was sad, but knew that it was inevitable.
She'd also recently become a commander in the soldiers, so she had the entire army under her control.
Entering her study room, Iris pulled out an antique chair and sat herself down. From a nearby bookshelf, she pulled out a war map and a few chess pieces.
Iris began planning.
A chess piece with a rose, a chess piece with a cross…
Other chess plain, normal chess pieces.
"Most likely…hmm…according to the war book…yes, she will be here."
Chess pieces danced across the map, directed by Iris's hand. they danced a speedy waltz, and as Iris fluently and familiarly planned out war, the bright sun sank behind the horizon, dulling the worlds' light.
Iris lit a candle placed on a delicate candle holder. The candle smelt like roses, much to Iris's aggravation. She ignored it, placing the letter aside. Iris couldn't throw the rose away…it was a beautiful flower.
"Ah."
The war map showed every exact landmark of and around Firmament, and updates every few days. Iris spotted it, Rosabelle's castle. It was massive. A huge wall surrounded the castle, and within the walls was a town. There were borders around a huge mass of land, and in the middle marked the words that meant "Crimson Rose" in Firmamentese.
"Land of Crimson Rose, huh. Something Rosabelle would definitely name her land."
Iris smiled coldly, a trace of sadness buried deep beneath her eyes.
Thanks for reading! Please tell me if the quality is going down, since I'd been slightly rushing it. Sorry if it's bad.
