Here we are, been a while since this got any love so I decided to update it for my fans who enjoy this story. Now this is an important turning point for the story, mainly because a lot is about to go down from here. Gonna be fun, that I can assure you.
Nothing much other than that really, so read and enjoy.
The Hand of Suffering
Chapter 17: Fallen from Grace
Feoh
The city was on its way to being restored to its former glory, the burned houses and buildings were being reconstructed. Walls, roofs, and new furniture was being made in abundance, it was like the entire city was being renovated and upgraded. These warriors of the Hand of Suffering were experts in more than war it would seem, they appeared to be professional in many other areas.
Construction being one such field they seemed to be proficient in, considering they had rebuilt an entire district in only a weeks passing. Thousands had fallen to task, nearly the entire army had aided in the reconstruction efforts. They were making good time on it, she believed within three months the entire city would be likely be back to what it once was.
Alicia strolled through the streets as they were constructing the houses, watching as these dark robed warriors went about their work. They were efficient and did their jobs well, it was almost enviable how well they behaved and took to their duties without complaint. Not even her own soldiers could hold back a grumble or two at doing menial work, especially when they were forced to do it.
Things were returning to normal, at least for the sake of her city. The people were still mourning, only a week had passed after all, not long enough for them to forget what they had experienced. Bodies were still being recovered, many were still missing, and the despair and dread of the city made the very air heavy and foul to breath.
'I should have stopped this, these people should not have suffered though this.' Alicia thought, walking aimlessly through her city.
People had died because she had neglected her duties, been too proud to admit the possibility that there were traitors within the noble court. Nearly the entirety of parliament was behind Beasley and his scheme, even her father's closest allies and friends had turned on them. Half of the nobility were allies of the Prime Minister, having been on those steps when Vault had proclaimed his mad plan to conquer Eostia.
She had ignored the blame cast at her city and its leaders, and it had cost her. It had cost everyone. This shame she felt was adequate, it was the perfect thing to punish her for her ignorance, she held onto it because it was the only thing she could do now.
"My son! Have you found my son?!"
"My husband is still missing! Why have you not found him?"
"Where is my mother and father?!"
Alicia turned the corner, and in the middle of a market square she found a gathering of people. She recognised this as another recovery base, it was here that anyone missing or dead was brought so they could be identified and recovered for the families still alive. Dozens were here, all shouting to know what had happened to their missing loved ones.
Walking forward she could see many to the far side of the street mourning over the veiled bodies of the dead. Not too far away others were weeping with relieved tears, happily embracing their lost children who had been returned to them. But more were still scared, terrified that they may never find out what happened to those they had lost.
"We will have them buried outside the city, we will inform you of when they are to be laid to rest."
Alicia turned to watch a nun speak with a grieving woman, she spoke without emotion. Not a shred of empathy or guilt as they both stood next to the veiled bodies of four people, three of which were children. That was likely her entire family, she would have nothing left.
"Thank you…" The widow said breathlessly, despair and pain in her words as she turned around and began to caress the cheek of her deceased husband.
Alicia moved forward, the nun was dressed in armour and only the abbot on her head only giving her a clue as to what she was. She had her doubts she was a worshipper of Celestine, and most certainly not part of this cities covenant, perhaps she was one of the cultists. That was to be expected, these things served that werewolf, it was no leap to believe that these were part of that cult from the Valley.
"You should not be here." The nun said, not bothering to look towards her.
"This in my city, these are my streets. Who are you to tell me I cannot be here?" Alicia responded, narrowing her eyes slightly, yet the nun did nothing to respond to her demand.
"Yvette." Alicia turned, a priest this time approached, he was armoured and clothed in the same colours of the Knights of the Hand of Suffering. "Keep to your duties, I will handle this."
Alicia levelled her gaze on the man, even with the cowl over his head she could make out some features. She had a good idea who he was. He must be the Priest that was sent to the Valley a decade ago after he spoke against the Archbishop, it seems that the suspicions of him falling in with the heretics was true. Amintore Giovanni, the Archbishop had been very vocal on capturing this man.
"I think you should leave, it is not good that you are here." Amintore said, his words an emotionless monotone one would associate with anyone from the Hand of Suffering.
It was as if all life and feeling had been stripped from them, it made them more terrifying she would admit. With that dark armour and those cold words they uttered it made them seem like more monsters than men.
"This is my city, I will not be told where I can and cannot go." Alicia replied, they may hold it with an iron fist but she was not going to allow them to reign here without resistance.
He stared at her, expressionless, before he turned around and moved off. Alicia was surprised, she did not think he would give up so quickly. She wondered if they were truly as fearless as they made themselves out to be, perhaps they know better than to try and stand their ground against her.
"Do as you wish, I do not have time to waste words with you." Amintore replied. "But mind the people, do not cause them any duress."
Alicia did not reply, instead watch as the people went about their work. They brought in bodies, wrapped in shrouds and placed down along the long line of dead. It was disheartening to see so many, in just one place, if this was happening in the rest of the districts than more than half the cities populace had been lost.
She turned to the weeping woman, brushing the face and hair of one of her children. How many families had been torn apart? That was a number she could not count, she did not wish to know. The only relief she could take from this, as shallow as it was, that despite her delay her sacrifice had been able to save the city before more lives were lost.
By sacrificing herself to Vault and the city he would have stopped the senseless slaughter and rape, giving it over to him had been the only way to protect what was left of her people. Her family had taken their place, become the font of all the Black Dogs lust and violence, her own mother and aunt had borne the brunt of that sinful desire. Had the Hand of Suffering and Olga Discordia not arrived than in all likelihood herself and Prim would have suffered as well.
But she couldn't be thankful for that, in a way she believed she deserved to be punished for not acting sooner. For not doing more.
"I am sorry for what you have endured, to lose your family… I could not imagine the loss you feel right now." Alicia said, doing her best to try and console this woman who had likely lost everything.
"It's all your fault…"
"What?" Alicia asked, and to her shock the woman leapt up and shouted at her.
"It is all your fault! This would never have happened if it wasn't for you! You did this!" She yelled, screaming with all her grief and anger.
Alicia recoiled, she didn't need that to be said to know it was true. She knew that her foolishness had caused this, that she should have considered the possibility of traitors beating within the city. But her pride blinded her, made her believe that her nation and its rulers were pure and righteous. It was her mistake, one she would shoulder for the rest of her life.
"Beasley's treason is the result of this destruction, of the loss of life…" Alicia said, fighting down her own grief. "I know I did not seek out this corruption as I should have, it is on my shoulders the blame lays."
"Them? You blame them! But it was you who sacrifice the city! Who did nothing when it was ravaged! My sons! My husband would still be alive had you not been a coward!" The widow seeped.
Coward? She fought to the best of her ability, she struggled against insurmountable odds and while it was not enough she did not give up. Only when it came to saving what was left of her city, and the people, did she give herself over to Vault to ensure that no one else would be harmed. She could be blamed for failing to stop this tragedy before it befell Feoh, but they could not think to blame her for not doing everything in her power to stop it when it happened.
"I sacrificed the city, and myself along with my family, to Vault and the traitor Beasley, I did it to protect you all!" She cried out, looking to the many onlookers, watching the scene before them. "I gave myself over to them, I sacrifice myself for your sake, so that the suffering would end. I was not here when the city fell, for that I am sorry, but when the time came to make the choice I gave up whatever I could to make sure you were safe."
She had hoped that they would understand, but she doubted they would know the full grasp of what she endured and gave up in order to save the few that were left. Had she not given herself over to Vault and Beasley, she knew that it would have been worse. The fighting would have continued, the loss of life so much greater, and the suffering so much worse.
"You sacrificed nothing." The widow hissed, turning away in anger.
Alicia looked around, finding the people still watching her, thinly veiled contempt and anger shone in their eyes. They were angry, vengeful, and all of it was directed to her. Why? Why were they looking at her in such a way? She had done this to save them, to try and stop the carnage. It had worked had it not?
The fighting had stopped after she submitted to the Black Dogs, her people were spared any further bloodshed. She did not expect them to be gladdened, they had still lost in the end, but to feel so angry with her decision. Perhaps it was for the best, it was a deserved punishment for her own hubris, for once she would have been angered by their outrage and harsh words.
Now, she felt like it was deserved. That it was the only way that they could heal from the pain they had endured. Yes, that was a fitting punishment as well, if this helped them to grieve and recover than she would not speak up again.
But in time they would hopefully see that she had done right, that she had made the only choice to save everyone. That she did the right thing, if not for her willingness to sacrifice herself and her family, this entire city would have been burned and it's people put to the sword. She had stopped that, she knew that, it was the only way.
"You should go." Amintore said, walking towards her as placing an arm behind her back. "The people are stricken with grief, and you are only causing them more pain."
"They need to know, to understand why I did what I did, I had no other choice." Alicia replied, pushing off the man, why was she arguing? She knew she was right, that there was no other way this could have transpired without serious consequences.
"Not in their eyes." He replied. "Go. Return to the palace, it is not safe for you here."
Royal Palace
"I did not come to argue with you Witch! That throne belongs to my family, and has been so for the last eight generations!" Eos yelled, the portly king was fuming as he had tried in futility to reclaim his lost rulership.
He stood near the base of the throne, behind him was what was left of the loyalists to his claim – there did not appear to be many. Most did not wish to challenge her, after their dismal defeat at the hands of Vault and his army there was few who believed that they could win against herself and her army.
After all, the unstoppable juggernaut that was the Black Dogs had been utterly decimated and destroyed by the Hand of Suffering with minimal losses. What forces they had left barely could put up a fight against a single company of the Hand, let alone an entire Legion and a handful of elite divisions. Her rule here was cemented, and strangely enough it was firmly held not through force of arms but by the will of those that she ruled.
Sadly someone didn't seemed to realise that.
"Return my throne and city! Neither of them belong to you!" Eos cried, behind him the supporters to his claim gave affirming bellowing. They were less vocal when compared to the King, to be expected, they knew the stories of the Dark Queen of Garan, and were afraid to earn her ire.
"No." Olga replied, calmly, casually, and with utter disinterest.
This had been the eighth attempt by the man to reclaim his throne, and honestly she was getting tired of doing this every day. He took up nearly an hour of her time making baseless threats and demanding back this gilded seat. It was amusing at first, but it got old after the third time. She had more important matters to attend to, and more important people to talk with.
"You cannot silence…!" He started, before she raised her hand and locked eyes with him.
"I am going to silence you, but unlike some uncivilised beings I intend to do it without threats or force of arms. I have learned recently that words are quite powerful, as they do more damage than a sword ever could." She replied, smiling widely as she revelled in the idea of tearing down the man, he certainly deserved it.
Also she had an inkling to actually try and replicate the beautiful word play that Reginald could perform on a whim. If she had such skill with words she certainly could win any argument without any degree of difficulty, and also get the satisfactions of making them look like fools.
"Let us start with why me sitting on this throne is not only better for this city, but also the monarchy you so desperately wish to maintain." Olga started. "Firstly: I maintain order. The Hand of Suffering has close to ten thousand soldiers here, all of them are scouring Feoh looking for remnants of the Black Dogs and their orc allies."
Ten thousand, just under half of what the Hand could muster, and they still overshadowed whatever the Alliance could produce. There were more mercenaries in Eostia than there were legitimate soldiers, and there were even less Knights to speak of. Even with what remained of the Knights of Iris and the City Guard, barely three hundred were active, and they were nowhere near the level of skill as these soldiers under Reginald's command.
"Second: We are your only source of food. The farmlands across this nation were devastated by the orcs raids and had no time to recover, and with the recent attacks there is literally nothing left. Refugees and survivors are being brought back to Feoh and Geoff as we speak, thousands of people. I have enough food to feed them comfortably for the next year." Olga continued.
Feoh had been devastated by this attack, most of the country had been lost and every single survivor was being brought back to the cities. Not a single farm had survived, the nation was literally deserted, only the cities had people in them, mainly because this was the only place you could get food and protection.
"Third: I have the manpower necessary to rebuild and fortify this city and this nation, you have no one left to repair your walls, rebuild your houses or simply fill in a hole on the street. Mix that with the fact you have only enough soldiers to keep the peace means that you literally have no way to defend this city from another attack." Olga stated.
"Because you ensnared the city guard! Enchanting that traitor behind you!" Eos yelled, pointing an accusing finger.
Olga knew he was referring to Tykus, the recently promoted Captain of the Guard. He stood behind her throne, along with half a dozen of the other Captain of the Hand of Suffering, including August Ballantine – Reginald's Generals. But where these men served her under Reginald orders, Tykus served her if only to ensure the safety of the city, making him the only human to serve her of his own volition.
The man had not put up much of a resistance, she had thought he would reject her offer and simply spit in her face. But their short conversation ended with him accepting her deal, and the man had taken command over the guard and become the new protector of the city. He reported to her regularly and she honestly had no doubt he was loyal to her.
But it was likely the rising discontent towards the royal family had something to do with his shift in loyalty.
"Captain Tykus does not serve me, he serves Feoh, and protects the people that you neglect. I gave him this role because he is perfectly suited for it, and the people seem to agree. For I do not compel them with an iron fist, I give them freedom to make their choices and speak their minds. I allow him to continue his duty, and the people allow me to sit on this throne." Olga replied.
"What choice do they have but to serve the tyrant who lords over them!" Eos yelled.
"Yes, that seemed to be the case when you sat on this throne, but unlike yourself my rule is not a hollow one." Olga replied. "As is your desire for the throne, so plain and stupid that in spite of telling you the reasons I am suited to sit here you still wish to supplant me. At the cost of this nations security, prosperity and survival."
If she was to give back the throne he most certainly would attempt to force them out, it would amount to a pitiful resistance. But if they did leave, the city would have limited protection, no food, and certainly no means to rebuild itself. It would collapse in on itself within a month, it would descend into anarchy and likely become similar to Ansur.
Reginald didn't want that, he had plans for this nation.
"But if the people wish for me to leave, gather them all and have them shout for you to take back the throne. I will step down, if the people will it." Olga replied, she knew that they wouldn't, even with what support was left it wouldn't be enough to have her step down.
The people saw her as a better leader than this King ever was, if only because she had the power to back up her words and also because she saved them rather than gave in to the enemy. More than that, despite their distrust towards her on infamy alone, they hated the King and his daughter even more for sacrificing the city.
"The people of Feoh will never accept the rule of an inhuman monster, be warned witch! I will gather the people and force you and these miscreants from this city!" Eos yelled.
Now she didn't care anymore.
"I wish you luck then, now leave, I have other matters to attend to." Olga said, looking towards Abraham and Markus, the General and Captain stepped forward and escorted the King from the royal court.
He shouted and raved, while his supporters had remained silent as they followed after their king. If these men had so little faith and resolve to aid the man than she knew that the people were less so. They kept their heads down and waited to see what would happen, but they knew that he would never reclaim the throne again.
Looking around at the crowd, most of them commoners and refugees, they regarded the spectacle with mixed emotion. Although she knew that not all opinions of herself were positive, there was a divide in the city, one that could boil over if not handled properly.
Returning to her business she made a few announcements, mostly on the repairs to the districts, along with housing. Olga had been told to make these announcements personally, to speak with the people and hear them out as well as settle any issues. It was meant to gain the hearts and minds of the people and make them see her as a benevolent and hands-on ruler, the exact opposite of what King Eos Arcturus was.
She felt like she was becoming like Celestine, catering to the people, hearing their every whim and plea. It was simply abnormal for herself to go through this tedious game of politics, but it was one she had been put to. Funny, the previous ruler was looked down on for having no authority upon the throne, and her authority rode on the whims of Reginald.
"That shall be all, you may return to your business." Olga said, ending the session and letting the people ferry out of the hall and palace.
She caught sight of someone outside the door, standing there as the people pushed past her.
"Alicia Arcturus, please, come in." Olga beckoned, welcoming her.
She stepped into the empty chamber, looking to the many soldiers that lined the walls, her scowl was deep. It was no surprise that she hated the idea that the home of her family was being occupied by a sworn enemy and guarded by others was likely an even bigger insult.
"I heard you went out exploring again, I have asked you many times to remain in the palace." Olga said, feeling the urge to sigh.
She knew it was an impossible thing to accomplish, keeping Alicia bound to the palace was never going to happen. The woman was too wilful, unable to accept the commands of others unless she respected them. Olga knew that Alicia had no respect for her, or the Hand of Suffering, any command given would result in childish rebellion.
She would not have cared if Alicia got assaulted or killed in the streets, given the fact that the people had a very negative opinion of her and the Royal Family. Each passing day it grew worse, many times she had received report regarding the rising unrest in the city. Tykus had warned that the resentment towards Alicia was starting to boil over.
Olga wouldn't have cared, but Reginald wanted her to be safe. He had plans for her.
"I am going to ask you to remain in the palace, for all that is good in the world you need to stay here. It is not safe for you outside amongst the people." Olga said, she struggled to keep herself from yelling at the girl, being nice to such an annoying brat was impossible.
"You do not order me, not in my home, not in my city."
"As I explained to your father, this city is mine now, and I make the rules. Besides I am not doing this to be cruel, I am trying to keep you alive." Olga replied, turning and gesturing the Princess to follow.
Chloe followed close behind the two, along with Glan and Tykus, they traversed the halls of the palace. Glan was technically her new body guard, along with his Company, he rarely smiled or made an expression and to pass the time she had tried to get any kind of reaction from him. Flirting and being coy did little, although he often made crude remarks and rebuffed her advances in a way some might see as a put down, it only made it more fun for her.
As for Tykus, she had to speak with him later, he needed to give her a report on the companies current strength. Along with his attempts to get the Knight's of Iris to work with him, as of now they were under Ursula Gauthier's command and she was not willing to break words with them. After they reclaimed the city the woman had taken up residence in the Barracks.
Last she heard they were stock piling weapons, and barring almost everyone that came near, even the City Guard. Although she had gotten some information that not all the Knights are as tightly wound up as their new superior.
"I am certain you have noticed the rising unrest in the people, and likely seen the anger they often direct to you?" Olga inquired, brushing aside her thoughts as she decided to try and reason with the girl once more, it had become a near daily occurrence she had to give her words of wisdom.
"They have their right to be angry, I was not here to protect them when they needed me. I did not do all in my power to ensure their safety, it is just that they feel this way." Alicia replied, being surprisingly open. "I hope they will know that they are not the only ones to suffer, that my family endured as well."
"Not as much as them, families torn apart, lost and still missing, you cannot weight the grief of others and balance them on scales." Olga said.
"But they must know! Know that I sacrificed myself, my family, everyone I care about, just to ensure their safety. To stop the slaughter… to put an end to the fighting." Alicia replied, head bowing as she seemed to fight back tears.
Olga looked at her, what in the name of the gods was she talking about?
"The Black Dogs did not honour their word, you know this, they kept fighting and raping long after you were captured. What you did amounted to nothing Lady Alicia, you didn't stop anything, you just gave up." Tykus said, there was little in the way of understanding or pity in his words.
"No, you are wrong, I saved them with what I did, I made sure it ended without anyone else being hurt. I saved those people, I protected them, the pain and suffering we went through, it was worth it in the end." Alicia replied, she didn't have any bite in her words, it sounded more desperate.
Olga actually felt pity, this girl had nothing left to cling onto. She was hanging on the threats of hope, fragile strings of belief that she had done the right thing and that her choice mattered, that she didn't make a mistake that had all but shattered everything she thought was right. She could never accept she had done all wrong, that she had failed so utterly, she was clinging to the last vestiges of hope that she had done at least one thing right.
As much as cutting away that last threat is something she would not blink an eye at, watching as a sworn enemy break under the strain, she actually didn't have the heart to do it. This girl was a fool, a complete and utter fool that clung to the ideals of others rather than having an original thought. Nothing but a puppet that mimicked what she was told or saw, in her own little world she was perfect because she was doing what others thought was right.
It was so sad. Just how fragile she was, because if everything she knew was wrong, than everything she was meant nothing. That she was nothing.
"The city is too dangerous for you now, there is growing unrest and hostility towards the Royal family, I cannot ensure your safety if you leave." Olga said, this time she didn't feel the need to be forceful with her.
"They are just grieving, lashing out so they can feel some relief, it is natural." Alicia replied, brushing it off, half heartedly.
"People are angry at you, your actions led to the city being taken over, to many people suffering. They may not know the full scope of your actions but they know that you surrendered the city to Vault and didn't put up a fight." Tykus said, Olga had to raise a hand to stop him from speaking further.
"I gave up because it would stop the fighting, and it did. The fighting ended, the pillaging ended, the raping ended. We endured it in the place of the people, we suffered in their place, they should know that, is that not what a Knight is meant to do?" Alicia asked, there was no telling if she was asking them or herself at this point.
"You should go see your cousin and mother." Olga said, gesturing for her to depart, speaking to her like this was not doing the girl any favours.
Alicia did so, hurrying off and not speaking another word. She seemed eager to flee from the conversation, it was wearing down the fragile façade she had build to validate her actions. If that broke, the girl would all but be lost.
"That girl can't accept anything, always denying the truth just to suite her needs." Tykus growled.
"This time however, she does it out of desperation, she holds onto the last remnants of her pride and belief. Shatter that, and she is all but broken." Glan said, the young man had his arms behind his back and looked on impassively as the Princess disappeared around the corner. "Likely she will snap, possibly lash out in one final desperate attempt to resist. And in the end, she will break."
"Why does Reginald want her alive?" Olga asked, looking at her body guard, he must know why that werewolf wants her alive.
"Because once she breaks, she will not be the woman you hate anymore. In her place, something better can be moulded." Glan replied.
Honestly she had no idea if he was being cruel or pragmatic.
Reginald had his moment, often doing things in a certain way and after the fact so that the lesson can be learned. Willing to allow the walls of Geoff to be breached before he allowed his forces to attack. He could have halted the attack on this city but chose not too, using it as a chance to separate the traitors from the loyalists. He left most of the city to burn and get butchered so he knew who to capture when all was said and done.
But he had moved out across the region and rounded up people, often abducting entire villages and getting them to safety before the orcs arrived. He made sure that they were safe, going to great lengths to protect them and lead them away from orc and mercenary forces and then back to the cities.
He was willing to let this city get torn apart, leaving many of its people to be tormented and murdered, just to find out who exactly was the enemy. But he would go to almost unnecessary lengths to protect farmers and settlers. The disparity was not missed. And she had no idea on what exactly he was planning. But it often bode ill for those that live within these walls, especially the Royal Family.
'I hate it when he doesn't let me in on his schemes, the suspense is murder.'
Alicia couldn't find the strength to enter.
All she could do was stand there and look at the door, trying to recompose herself and find the will to knock. It had been some time since she had been able to speak with Prim, who had locked herself away in her chambers, unwilling to let anyone enter. Alicia knew she should have come the moment she had been freed from the protection of those soldiers.
Her mother was in a similar state as Prim, although at night one could hear her screaming. Constant nightmares haunted her, on the occasion she would come to see her she was either praying to the Goddess or curled up on her bed.
With a sharp breath she calmed herself, as much as she could, and knocked. She didn't expect a response, Prim never uttered a word. Not since they had been liberated, but Alicia knew she was suffering, tormented by what had happened to the city and to her mother and aunt. Along with her friends, those nuns that had been chained up and raped, they were well known to her family and to Prim.
"Prim, it's Alicia… I'm coming in."
She entered the room, and found it to be clean and well kept. Even in this state her abode did not shift or change, but it was obvious no one has come in here for some time. A layer of dust covered everything, even the bed that was still made and unspent in. Only the chair by the window was devoid of dust, likely due to the person sitting in it.
Prim looked thinner, her petite figure now looking starved and pale, she was wasting away in this room. Looking out over the city and not even paying attention to anything, even as she approached her cousin did not react. Even when taking her hand and whispering her name she did not respond.
"Are you alright Prim? Have you been eating?" Alicia asked, desperate to hear her say something, she has been silent for a week.
Having not left this room, not even the chair, she had not even attended her own mothers funeral that was held outside the city. They had been unable to recover her body, it had been lost in the scuffle in the recapturing of the city. Attempts to locate her had been fruitless, she had been told that it was unlikely she would be recovered. A service had been held in her honour, but few had bothered to come.
"Father is still trying to reclaim the city from Olga Discordia, the only good thing is that the Dark Queen has been merciful towards the people." Alicia said.
She likely only kept control over them through threats of violence, her words to her father were an ultimatum. Without her army Feoh would collapse, no one to protect, feed or build them back up, it forced them to capitulate. The people were still grieving for their loss, and likely angry at the fact their proud city was under the control of their hated enemy.
"Mother had not left her room, she still has nightmares. Are you sleeping well?" Alicia asked.
Alicia received no answer, not a glance, from her cousin. She continued to look out the window. It was unbearable, to kneel before her cousin and be unable to coax a single word from her. They had suffered she knew, Prim most of all, but she needed something that could help ground her. To give her hope that things would get better.
"They are still having nightmares."
Alicia looked up, her cousin has spoken. She was certain of it, she had not turned or appeared to have moved, but Alicia knew it was her.
"Who does?"
"The Nuns. Judith, Adina, Sharon, Rachel, Magdalena, Ariel, Sarah, Joanna, Lily. I can hear them, all the way from here, they are all crying." Prim said, not turning away from the window.
She mentioned them all by name, Alicia knew that was not all of them, some had not survived their torment. An even more cruel twist of fate, especially since it seems that Prim knows exactly who survived and didn't. To even know which ones were crying, that was even more heartbreaking.
"They suffered because I was not here to save them, had I done more they would be alright." Alicia said.
Again she was met with silence, that was even worse than before.
"Prim, I am sorry for what happened, I am sorry for all you went through and what everyone in this city went through." Alicia said.
No words said in reply.
"I tried, did everything I could, to make sure that the fighting stopped. I had to give up, if the fighting continued it would have only been worse. I know you don't think so, but please, believe me when I say that I did this to save us all from further harm." Alicia said, desperate to hear Prim reply.
"Then why did they still die? Why did everyone still suffer? Who did you save?" Prim said, not turning to look at her.
"No! I stopped the fighting! I surrendered myself and my family to keep this city safe! I did everything that was needed to ensure that everyone that was left survived!" Alicia cried, she felt her heart speed up and thump painfully in her chest.
She did everything right, all that she knew and had been taught, she couldn't be wrong. By sacrificing herself, her own family, they city had been saved from further loss of life. It may have come late, long after many had already endured the torture inflicted upon them by the Black Dogs, but it had ended with them. The pain they went through as slaves to the Black Dogs, it had been worth it, they had saved everyone.
It had to have ended, otherwise it would have been for nothing. Was it all for nothing?
"They didn't stop, you just didn't see it." Prim said, finally looking to her, those cold emotionless eyes looked into her own. "Just like now, you don't see that I am not the one you want to know is alright. To know that nothing is wrong."
Alicia felt numb, the cold had settled around her, everything she thought was wrong. Nothing felt right anymore. Stumbling from the room she didn't even say a word to Prim as she escaped, she couldn't face her.
Had everything been for nothing? Was all that she did up until the battle a complete failure? Her family and their suffering was for nothing. That couldn't be true.
She did everything right. As a Knight and Princess the future ruler of this country she looked to the safety of the people. That was what she did, was that not the right choice? Did she make the right choice?
Her mind was a flurry of thoughts, trying to find some way to compose itself and make a decision. Did she do the right thing?
"You need to face fact Princess."
The word shook her from her revere, looking up she faced the Captain of the Adjudicators, Abraham Whiteford. The man's name was familiar, but that nagging feeling was completely irrelevant to the warring emotions and thoughts going through her.
"Leave me be!" She shouted, trying to push past him, his raised arm forced her to a halt.
"If you keep holding onto your denial the truth will do more harm when it finally hits you. Let go of your pride, of your misconceptions and face the facts." Abraham said, he never raised his voice or spoke ill of her, it was calm and emotionless.
How could she accept what he was saying, that all she had done had been for nothing. That every sacrifice she had made meant little, only a futile and pointless gesture that saw her family torn apart because she made a terrible choice. People said she should have kept fighting, but it would have been bad, how many more would have died if she didn't give in to Vault and his demands?
Was not sacrifice a tenant of being a Knight? Shouldn't she feel at peace knowing that she did what any good Knight would do when they would attempt to save innocent lives.
But she didn't save anyone, people kept suffering, that is what they keep saying. That it meant nothing, that the pain and agony she felt and her family felt was all because of her. If she had kept her sword, and fought on she could have saved everyone.
"I couldn't…. I had to stop, it was the only way… If I gave up then there was a chance… didn't I do the right thing?" Alicia muttered beneath her breath, she didn't know who she was speaking to, her mind was racing and she couldn't bring herself to make some kind of decision.
"You should have fought, stood by your soldiers and Knights and held onto your sword." Abraham said.
"My soldiers… my Knights… they kept fighting… but I didn't…" Alicia mused, and something came to her.
They kept fighting in spite of what she wanted, she latched onto that, focused on it with all her will. Had they stopped fighting, obeyed her command, it could have worked. Yes, they resisted and her sacrifice meant nothing, it was not her fault, it was theirs.
Tykus betrayed them, it was obvious he was a traitor, he now served Olga and helped her rules the city.
Doretha broke rank, openly fought despite her orders, leading her troops when she should have surrendered.
They had turned against her, because of them she had failed to save her people from harm. It was all their fault, she had done everything right and only because of them did they suffer.
"I did everything right!" She yelled, feeling some relief as a smile blossomed across her face. "It was their fault, they didn't obey my commands, had they surrendered as I did, then this city would have been saved. Perhaps we could have even spared it from Olga's control. They are to blame!"
"You are desperate, and that will make it all the more painful for you in the end." Abraham said, shaking his head, looking disappointed.
Who was he to judge her?
"I am firm in my convictions!"
"Because they are the only things keeping you from drowning in your own despair." Abraham said. "Without that single thread that suspends your delusion, you know that everything falls back onto you. And you cannot handle that, so that is why you cling to that flimsy excuse, and believe with all your heart it to be true. Because if you don't. You know what will happen."
Alicia fought down her rising dread, so difficult it was to do anything she couldn't even respond. All she could do was flee, retreating from the man that was testing her and trying to make her succumb to her doubts. But she shouldn't feel this way, there should be no doubts, she was right.
She couldn't be wrong, not again, not anymore.
Abraham watched as the Princess fled down the hallway.
Her steps were erratic and lame, if she took a single misstep she would collapse. There was no way she could sustain herself on such a fragile lie. In time she would come to the realisation that everything she believed in is false and then she would be destroyed.
The truth is a painful thing, he had faced it himself and been broken by what he saw. Everyone in the Hand of Suffering had endured some kind of pain, both great and minor, but what they saw in the Shadows gave them clarity on the agony of their miserable lives. Amplifying their pain and suffering, no matter how small or large, it all became one and the same for them. Even the loss of his wife and children didn't amount to the horror and agony he felt when he journeyed through the Shadow Lands.
Alicia was on the same path as them, only this time she was treading it naturally. But she would have no way to recover from it, she would break and never be remade. He had to wonder what Reginald hoped to achieve by breaking her, as the Death Knight took almost no pleasure in anything. What he does is with purpose, he was practical and methodical with his schemes.
He turned and moved for the grand library, he would need to speak with his master. Either to pry him for information on what was the plan with the Princess or try to convince him to speed up the process. If she was erratic she would be difficult to control, not like she wasn't already, but in this instance it would be detrimental for them.
Entering the library he found a few scribes, most having remained near the entrance and more focused on the other occupants than the books they were meant to care for. They were afraid, expectantly so, the library had been occupied by one of the elite forces of the Hand. Along with Reginald himself taking up residence in the library to browse its contents.
Looking around he found another cadre of robed soldiers present, less armour than the standard for all soldiers in the Hand of Suffering. These elite soldiers were like his own, independent small groups build to fight on their own away from the Hand, but unlike his Heavy Infantry they were mages. These were one of two mage groups within the Hand, the Bloodletters were the combat mages and runic researchers that performed most of their magical research.
It was headed by a former court magister of Zelindo, Uuveld Xellel, a man who had once served the very nobles the Hand was formed to combat. He was a powerful mage, made only more powerful by the wisdom passed to him by Reginald Blackgrave. But like all others who served in the Hand he had been granted the unifying wisdom of the Shadows, and knew the importance of their mission and the salvation it will bring.
"Uuveld." Abraham greeted, finding the older mage perusing through the shelves for books.
"Abraham. I take it that your talk with Princess Arcturus did not go over so well." The mage said, pulling a book from the shelf.
"No, she is unable to accept her failings and the consequences they bring, she is setting herself up for an even greater downfall than originally intended." Abraham replied, he wasn't surprised that Uuveld had discovered his intent with the Princess.
Personal reasons had compelled him to accelerate his masters plan with the Princess, he understood things need to take the right amount of time but Alicia was proving to be someone that doesn't fit with the timetable they have created.
"Yes, she tends to go against all expectations and make things more difficult." Uuveld responded, turning and walking down the isle. "Had she not surrendered things would have gone differently, had we been able to fight by her side we could have formed a mutual bond of comradely. Sadly shame now creates the divide that alienates us further from the Princess."
"Even if it were to happen likely the Princess would have gone down the same route as her Knights." Abraham said, knowing full well that if Alicia's trusted knights had turned on them in spite of aiding them it would have made no different. Although in this instance the divide between the Hand and Arcturus family is not a unique issue.
"We however are not the only ones that are kept out of arms reach." Abraham said.
"True, we have heard of the discontent within the city, word of an uprising."
"Likely started by Tykus' guards, they seem to hold Princess Arcturus in contempt."
"Expected really, she gave up without much of a fight, and the people know that. Likely it has also been dramatised to tarnish her reputation further, emotions are such a troublesome thing."
"We need to advance our timetable, with how things are going now, it is only a matter of time before it gets out of hand."
Abraham knew that it was only a matter of time before the Princess was going to be targeted. Despite Olga's tight control over the city and her rising popularity it would do little to quell the anger and hatred the people felt to their former leaders. The people hated Alicia, they had always had a dislike for the nobility and Royal Family, it would boil over now because of this incident and the fact they had lost a good deal of power.
It was even more surprise that the royal family had absolutely no idea just how angry the people were with them.
Coming to the end of the library he found Reginald reclining on a windowsill and reading through a tome. He inclined his head towards them for a moment but did not speak, waiting for them to address him. Command and authority in the Hand of Suffering was oddly lax, while certain people held rank and authority it didn't exactly elevate them or made them superior.
The concept of rank, position and prestige had been ripped from them, now it was simply following whoever was the most able. Reginald commanded out of respect and his forward thinking, they knew he had the potential to bring about the change they wished. So they followed him. But despite his position and the kind of authority some might think he possessed in the Hand, he wasn't one for stuffy titles and strict hierarchy.
"Reginald." Abraham said.
"Abraham, you have met with Alicia." Reginald stated, closing the book and looking to him.
"We need to accelerate the plan." Abraham stated bluntly.
"Yes, I know, the people are restless and the Princess is not going along with our plans. I had though that delaying the executions would have given her time to come to the realisation. But we must move ahead." Reginald said, standing from his perch. "Get the prisoners, it is time we give the people what they want."
Alicia scowled as she walked with her family and fellow nobleman out onto the palace balcony, overlooking the entire plaza. Thousands had arrived to see the spectacle, whatever was to happen had drawn a large crowd.
She had to appear strong, to let them know that in spite of the Dark Queen ruling the city their leaders were still here and resisting alongside them. She had regained some sense of confidence, to know that she had done right was more enough to keep herself sane. But still dark thoughts moved through her mind, she needed to maintain her resolve so it could not be shaken.
These were trying time, and the enemy now ruled the city, she had to be the bulwark that kept all her people safe.
"People of Feoh, I thank you all for coming, even in these trying times where the future is uncertain and grief still weights on your hearts." Olga said, stepping forward and amplifying her voice for all to hear. "I know that you wish for relief, for satisfaction, know that today, it shall be granted!"
The people looked around, murmurs broke out through the mass, all of them speaking quietly with one another. It slowly began to rise, them shouting for justice and for those responsible to pay. The fever in their words caused her some dread, they were vengeful, some looking near mad as they demanded they receive the heads of those that harmed them.
"The traitors and those that aided the Black Dogs invade this city, will be publicly executed here and now." Olga called, gesturing to the side.
One of the Knights of the Hand stepped forward, it was an aged man with a white beard. He raised his hand and from it Darkness coalesced and then with a gesture it flew forth. Like a wave it washed over the plaza, and in its wake something manifested, a great number of things in fact.
To her rising horror she saw across the plaza were dozens of posts, bound to them were the traitorous nobles and captured mercenaries. All of them stripped of their clothing and looking starved, what kind of hideous execution was this? Were they to humiliate them before they were killed? But how would they be killed? Did they intend to burn them alive.
"These are the men that hurt you, looked down and spat on you from on high and called themselves nobles. They committed terrible acts upon the people they were meant to protect and serve, they betrayed not only you but the very definition of nobility." Abraham said, stepping forward and speaking to the crowd. "Look around these betrayers, at their feet as the very weapons that they would use to kill and harm you, your loved ones, your fellow countrymen."
Alicia had a dreadful feeling rise from her gut, he couldn't possibly be suggesting what she thought he was suggesting.
"You wish for justice, then claim it yourselves." Abraham called out.
There was silence, the people looked on at the prostrated prisoners before them and did not seem to know what to do. Then someone stepped forward, a young woman, barely a woman. She stepped through the crowd, and into the small forest of bound prisoners and approached one. Picking up a knife, she looked at the man before her and with a wail she stabbed him.
Like a stroke of lightning the entire plaza was consumed by the thunder of people roaring and the charging. Dozens, then hundreds rushed forward, madly reaching for weapons and finding the closest person they could use it on.
Alicia believed her people to be strong and honourable, to never succumb to barbarism. But to watch from her perch, as they hacked and tore into the prisoners across the plaza was beyond horrifying. They had to stop, this couldn't continue, it was tearing apart the very foundations that made their nation what it was and turning their people into monsters.
She looked to her family, her father had gone pale alongside most of the nobility. Her own cousin watched the sight without blinking, as if she wasn't even there, as if it was nothing to care for.
Alicia ran, down the stairs and into the chaos, rushing towards the plinth where Olga and the rest had gathered.
"Stop this insanity!" Alicia yelled, grabbing the Dark Elf by the arm and forcing her to look.
Olga appeared to be in shock, the Queen's gaze only staying on her for a moment before looking back at the slaughter with poorly hidden shock. Did she not know? It did not matter, she had to stop this before her people were lost to this savagery.
"End this! This is not justice! It is murder! It is cruelty that these people should not be forced to indulge in!" Alicia yelled.
"No one was forced, they simply lashed out, they bottled up all this rage and pain and now it is unleashed." Abraham said, looking to her and holding no emotion. "There is no stopping this, not until they realise the futility of it all."
Alicia didn't have a chance to respond, the screaming had stopped and she dared to look around. She felt bile rise to her throat as she witnessed the carnage, the prisoners had been torn apart, nothing remained that could be considered recognisably human. Chunks of bloody meat hung from the masts, organs and minced flesh and muscle littered the floor. Some of it seemed to just be blood.
Her people had done that, they had committed this massacre.
Even in the distance she could see a group of nun, the same nuns not so long ago she had learned wailed and had waking nightmares of their torment at the demons hands. All of them had blood on their habits, bloody weapons in their hands and the proof of their deed was sprayed all across the ground beneath them.
"You planned this?" Olga asked, sounding nervous as she looked at the many bloody and still crazed people.
They were standing in the very middle of this slaughter, all around them were the dazed killers that had torn apart all these prisoners without any shred of mercy. Even Alicia felt her nerves slip as she looked at the still crazed people, they appeared unsatisfied with their vengeance, they wanted more blood to satiate their hunger.
"This was the masters plan." Abraham replied.
"It worked quite well. It was a good turnout it seems." Uuveld stated, looking over the crowd like some pastor counting the number of attendees at mass.
"This is wrong, what have you done to these people! What magic did you use to compel them!?" Alicia yelled, taking hold of Olga and forcing the Dark Elf to face her.
"Me? Are you mad girl! I did not start this." Olga bellowed in response.
Alicia would have challenge those word, but she saw a man turn and charge. He rushed forward and towards the Dark Queen's back. Was the man attempting to assassinate Olga? She didn't know if she should feel elated or call for him to stop so he wouldn't have to die. But to her surprise he pushed the Dark Queen aside, and charging her instead.
Alicia was frozen, even as the axe rose up and swung down she couldn't do anything but stare in horror as her death approached.
Until the weapon and the man's arm came to a halt. Looking she found Abraham holding the limb back, before he ripped the axe from his hand and dragged the struggling man back.
"Let me go!" He roared, fighting to get free. "She needs to die! It's all her fault!"
Alicia watched as he was dragged back, held at bay and snarling like an animal. He looked at her with such hate, such burning fury that she was actually afraid of him. But he was not the only one to stand there, everyone else turned to her, the same angry snarls on their faces and they looked at her with contempt.
"He's right! She sacrifice this city! She wasn't here!"
"It's all her fault! All her families fault!"
"Kill them! They deserve to die!"
"My family is gone because of her!"
They kept shouting, all their anger and hate, all of it was directed to her. Why did they hate her? It wasn't her fault, they must know that. She wasn't to blame, not for everything.
Yes. For everything.
No! Not everything! Doretha and Tykus, they disobeyed, and that is what caused this. That was the start.
She could see the people advancing on her, angry, vengeful, willing to kill anyone that gets in their way of their retribution.
"How does it feel?"
Those dark words made her spine tingle and her entire body lock up, they were powerful and terrifying.
"To kill all those responsible for your pain. To hack them apart, to rip and tear until nothing is left. Is it not cathartic? Is it not pleasant?"
Walking down the steps of the palace, the werewolf and a contingent of hooded individuals followed him. He strolled through the crowd as the people parted before the beast. Their bloodlust replaced with apprehension and fear, even in the deepest pits of anger this thing could tear them free and drown them in terror.
"Yes, it is a relief, but only for a moment. No matter what you do, no matter how many you kill, not matter if they deserve it or not. You will never retain that feeling, for it is a hunger that can never be fully satiated."
People began to drop to their knees, begging for help, praying to the goddess and the gods for salvation. To be free, to not have to suffer anymore. Others wept and uttered wordless bellows as they realised the error of their actions. They had done all this, leapt at the chance to try and satiate their pain and found it to be fruitless.
"But there is still hope, still a way to salvation."
Even if the dark words could offer no comfort they seemed to do just that, the people looked on. Desperate for any kind of miracle, no matter from whom, to save them from this torment.
"Look to these soldiers, the ones that liberated this city, they were once like you. Simple people, farmers, villagers, living as you do and by their own means. Suffering under the whips of tyrants, beaten and abused, lives and family torn apart. They have gone through pain no different than yours, and here they stand, renewed and stronger than before."
"You wish to be free of this pain? There is a way, and I offer it to you now. All you must do, is accept my help." He reached out a clawed hand. "Who amongst you wish to be free?"
It took a few moments, before people moved forward, weapons falling to the ground and then they stood before the werewolf. They dropped to their knees, bowing in reverence, in submission, in servitude.
Hundreds followed this example, bowing and scraping the bloody ground as they pledged themselves to the werewolf. Even those in the crowd that had held themselves back from the slaughter stepped forward, bowing their heads and falling to their knees. Her people, once proud and glorious, had been reduced to shells of their former selves, and now slaves to this dark beast.
Alicia did not know what to do, she could only stand there. Watching the horror of this event continue, as her people descended from barbarity and now into slavery. Who was to blame for this? Why was she even asking? They cast blame on her, but it wasn't true.
It couldn't be true.
She had done everything right. She wasn't wrong.
Why was it so hard to find an answer? Was the answer not simple?
It was their fault! But was it not also hers?
Everything… felt wrong.
