Book I: The Three Dynasties
Chapter VII
One Less Warlord
Southern Hungarian Territory, Arthur's Kingdom: 545 AD
Their ride came to an abrupt end, the armed party were quick to dismount and draw their weapons, knights, warriors and hunters all shared nervous glances as they made their way into the eerie silence of the foreboding woods. Even the ferocious blood hounds that had previously been barking at the night fell silent as the party was consumed by the distorted landscape of these savage lands. They were all here for a single purpose, to hunt the creature that used to be known as William Corvinus, for weeks they had been unable to find the hell hound that had spawned this lycanthropic plague, but tonight was different, they had found him… and now the trail was at an end.
Arthur dismounted his horse, and with his sword in hand made his way to the front of the party. Looking beyond the tree line he drew in a deep breath as a soul splitting howl filled the air. "It ends tonight." He spoke coldly.
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Western Hungarian Territory, Castle Corvinus: 545 AD
Alexander Corvinus strode through the halls of his fortress like home, after snatching a few hours of rest he was ready to go back out, to find his son. He once again donned his armour, his short sword strapped to his side. "Helena!" He called out as he entered a small reception. However he did not find his wife sitting there. "Henry." Corvinus spoke softly.
"Hello father." Henry replied before taking another sip from a flagon of wine.
"I have been alive a long time my son, and I have found that wine never solves ones problems."
"Thank you for your advice father." He scoffed.
"I am riding out again soon…" Alexander sighed "…Will you ride with me, help me to cure your brother."
"After what he did to my wife?" Henry nearly snarled "No father… no I will not be joining you."
"You have a good heart Henry, do not allow it to become clouded with hatred. Now I am riding out soon, tell me have you seen your mother?"
"No… like you she is also pining for the monster."
"Enough Henry!" Alexander snapped "What happened to your wife was tragic, but your brother had no control over his actions, he needs out help and he will have it! It is my will, as well as the will of your mother and brother!"
"Ah of course…" Henry laughed sarcastically "…the Immortal club closes ranks."
"I will not listen to this!" Alexander spat "Tell your mother I was looking for her."
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Southern Hungarian Territory, Arthur's Kingdom: 545 AD
The men of Arthur's party had ventured deep into the woods; the sound of howling had lead them to a clearing. "This is the place." Arthur nodded.
"I am not so sure My Lord." One of the Hunters spoke up "A beast would not make its lair in a place so open."
Before Arthur could answer there was a rustle in the bushes, it was getting closer "Defensive positions!" Arthur screamed as a huge Albino Hell hound leapt from the shelter of the trees. The creature was terrifying, its speed, its agility should not have been possible for a creature of this size, the hunters were the first to fall, they had not fallen into defensive columns on Arthur's command, they were easily picked off, William's claws tearing through their bodies as if it were paper. Arthur's men had used their shields to create a shell like defence, with their leader and his archers standing at the center. William finally came to a stop, flinging the lifeless body of a hunter to one side he flexed his gargantuan limbs and let out a howl so terrifying that it chilled everyman to the soul… including Arthur.
The hounds that the hunters had brought with them rushed at the giant wolf, desperately snapping at his monster like frame. William shook them off one by one, sending each blood hound flying off in a different direction. Arthur's eyes narrowed beneath his helmet as his eyes locked with the onyx black spheres that were William's eyes, no matter what form he was in all Arthur could envision was the fact that William had dared lay a finger on his precious daughter. "ARCHERS!" He commanded. Several of his soldiers lifted their shields allowing the archers to step forward, they drew back the strings to their bows and sent a hail of arrows towards the beast. Arthur's archers were amongst the best, descended from the archers of the original army that had left Constantinople more than a lifetime ago, as such each one of the deadly projectiles hit their targets. William let out a howl of agony as the silver tipped arrows singed his fur and burnt his flesh. "AGAIN!" Arthur screamed. A second barrage of arrows tore through the cold night air, hurting the creature in a way he had never been hurt before. Yet despite the pain William was still able to launch himself into the air, towards the awaiting warriors. "PIKE MEN!" Arthur screamed. The shell like structure of Arthur's defences instantly scattered, as his soldiers readied their long spear like weapons. William came crashing down onto the newly forged silver tips of the pikes… the tips pierced his side, his leg, his chest, the wolf let out a cry. "ARCHERS!" Arthur cried, as a third wave of arrows plunged into William, staining his Albino white fur red with blood. Yet William did not go down, with arrows and pikes protruding from his body he lashed out, sending a pike man flying spine first into a tree, one swipe of his claws removed the head of another. The archers that were with Arthur tried desperately to subdue him with fire, yet the sting of the silver seemed to do little more than annoy the beast. "INFANTRY, LOCK SHIELDS!" Arthur screamed as the foot soldiers he had brought with him locked their shields into a wall like defence, as two rows of men stood ready to face William, sliding the blades of their short swords between the shields they began to match towards him, William plowed into the wall, denting the shields of the soldiers, and scattering the line, yet the men were disciplined, a couple of warriors had managed to pierce William's side with their silver etched swords.
William flinched before delivering a death blow to two more of the soldiers, turning slightly to his left he crushed the skull of an infantrymen with his powerful jaws. "I have seen enough." Arthur sneered as he lunged at William driving his sword into the beast ribs, withdrawing the long cavalry sword he again swiped at the wounded William. "My Lord!" An archer screamed as the bowmen began to concentrate their fire, as William swiped at Arthur knocking his sword from his grip a single arrow exploded through William's back, piercing the monsters heart. William paused, his relentless attack had finally been slowed, and for the first time… the mighty beast dropped to a knee. "WE HAVE HIM WEAKEND!" Arthur screamed, as again the fury or the archers was unleashed on the wounded animal, he again roared in pain, as one of the pike men charged him, impaling William, yet he still would not go down. In desperation Arthur grabbed the shield of one of his fallen men, he ran at William, using the shield as a battering ram he flung the full force of his body at William's side, finally the beast was toppled, as he lay writhing in agony Arthur's men began to drive their swords into his fallen form. Despite the pain William still struggled to get to his feet, an archer placed a foot on his chest and fired an arrow at point blank range into his heart.
"We have done it My Lord!" One of his soldiers breathed a sigh of relief.
"No…" Arthur breathed heavily as he regained his sword "Not yet we haven't." Lifting the long bladed cavalry sword high above his head he took aim at the neck of William "Now your reign of terror comes to an end monster."
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Arthur was poised to sever the head of the animal that had brought so much misery to his lands, however fate it seemed would intervene, for before the lethal blow could be dealt a form emerged from the tree line, a rider entered the field of engagement hurling a javelin at Arthur, the Warlord was quick to dodge it however he was forced back away from William. The rider drew a sword and one by one began to cut down Arthur's men. Arthur's eyes flashed with rage as he looked upon this rider, completely concealed with a crimson cloak and hood, who was this maniac? He thought to himself. As the last of Arthur's foot soldiers fell, Arthur had seen enough "Are you a mad man?" He screamed as he swung his sword at the leg of the horse, cutting down the mighty steed and sending the rider flying to the ground. Before the freakishly strong rider could recover, before the rider could even remove the hood that concealed their true identity a wave of cruelty swept through Arthur's body. "YOU DARE COME TO THE AID OF THIS HELLSPAWN? YOU DARE TO SUBJECT MY LANDS TO THIS MONSTERS CURSE… WELL LET THIS BLASPHEMY BE YOUR LAST!" The mighty warlord took a step forward and brought down his sword with every ounce of strength he could muster, the rider fell to the ground instantly, and from beneath that crimson hood rolled the head of the mysterious rider "no…" Arthur whispered as the horror of his actions sank in "NOOOO!"
From beneath the crimson cloak a head came to a rolling stop, its skin was pale, its lips full and vivacious, its hair a long mane of raven, Arthur and his men looked on in shock, the wounded hell hound also stopped struggling, seemingly forgetting its pain for a moment, the terrifying onyx black spheres that were his eyes became locked on the once warm brown eyes of the severed head… the eyes of his mother… Helena Corvinus.
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Though impaled and staked to the floor with pikes, arrows and swords William let out a blood curdling howl before launching himself up into the air, his howl seemed to go on forever as the archers once again tried to put him down, yet now the arrows did nothing, he pounced, killing the archers one by one, then his deadly claws and jaws were turned on the last of the pike men, the poor souls of the Infantry were next, William's claws tearing through their shields as easily as their flesh. Finally the beast stopped for a moment, as if to savor what was coming next. There was only one man left… Arthur himself. William lunged, yet the War Lord was the greatest warrior in these lands, he rolled out of the way slashing at William's side as he did. Yet his attempt to fight was ultimately futile, William plunged a claw deep into Arthur's sternum, as his sword dropped to the ground for what he knew would be the last time, Lord Arthur Vorenus outstretched his arms, causing two daggers to emerge from beneath his gauntlets, he plunged the daggers into William's chest… yet the beast merely brushed them off… then mercifully the end came, William sank his jaws into the neck of Arthur, severing his head from his body… in the same way his mother had been dispatched.
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The wounded beast instinctively brushed the last of the arrows from his gargantuan form, as he alone stood amongst the carpet of corpses that now decorated the clearing, every instinct in the monsters savage mind screamed at him to feast, to devour his kills… yet he did not feed, resting on all fours he let out a low whining sound as he brought the severed head of his mother closer to him, far from feeding the savage affectionately licked at the head, remembering on some level the maternal glow that this woman once radiated, for now at least the beast was tamed, his claws pawing gently at his mothers hair, his ferocious howl nothing more than a whimper… for now at least, the beast would grieve.
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Southern Hungarian Territory, Arthur's Estate: 545 AD
A small riding party made their way through the gates of Arthur's fortress like Estate, at the head of the party, Eli, Arthur's Viceroy and most trusted advisor. "Welcome back Viceroy." A soldier greeted him as he took the reigns of his horse and helped the old man down.
"Thank you." The old war horse choked as he stretched a little "It is good to be back, Viktor's health deteriorates by the day, and his army is not doing well without him. Where is Lord Arthur."
"He has not returned yet sir." The soldier reported nervously "He has been gone since last night, we have sent out scouting parties but so far, there is no sign of him."
A wave of shock went through Eli's body, he said nothing, looking over his left shoulder he saw the lonely form of the Princess Amelia standing there "Keep me informed."
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A small party arrives at a clearing deep within the woods of the savage lands, at the head of this party, Alexander Corvinus "William what have you done?" He sighed as he beheld the small army of corpses that lay around him, dismounting his steed he made his way over to a headless corpse, dressed in expensive custom made armour, he recognized it, after a few more steps he came across a severed head… "Arthur Vorenus." He sighed shaking his head… you deserved a better death than this."
As Alexander surveyed the dead so to did his men, all of them were disgusted by what they saw, however one discovery left a solider frozen to the spot "M… My Lord." He choked
"What?" Alexander spat "Well man what is it?" He demanded as he strode over to the soldier "Oh…" He whimpered as he looked down "Oh please no…"
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Western Hungarian Territory, Castle Corvinus: 545 AD
In the grounds of Alexander Corvinus's ancient family home, three men stand silently in front of a freshly dug grave. Their silence is deafening, broken only by the chilling wind that disturbed their long hair. Alexander Corvinus and his two sons Markus and Henry, stand dumbstruck before Helena's final resting place. "Are you happy now?" Henry finally asked "Not content with allowing William to kill my wife… he has now killed our mother."
"No…" Alexander spat "… I saw the wound, it was clean, struck by a sword, not by William."
"Whomever dealt the fatal blow is irrelevant." Henry sighed "All that has befallen us is William's doing… will you not put my brother out of his misery father?"
"I can not kill my own son Henry… I promised your mother."
"Very well." Henry nodded "Markus… you are the only other person with the strength to stop him."
"I will not harm Henry." Markus spoke coldly as his eyes remained fixed on the burial mound.
"Then I must bid you both farewell." Henry spoke, his voice as hard as steel.
"What do you mean?" Alexander demanded
"I have an army, the support of many local nobles… I will not stay here and be party to this blasphemy… you want William alive, you can capture him without the aid of my men."
"Ridiculous!" Alexander spat "Where will you go?"
"To the new settlement at Pest!" He spoke defiantly "I will forge my own dynasty there… far away from the curse of your bloodline father. Your immortality have brought nothing but misery and death to all of those around you… your first family dead, my wife dead, your grandson left without a mother, your son a raging monster, and your wife… dead. I will be part of this evil no more…"
"Henry please…" Markus pleaded "…We need to stay together, we need family at this time."
"My son is my only family now." He sneered coldly as he turned his back on both of them. "Farewell brother… father." He bid them farewell as he made he made his way away from the castles grounds to join up with his army leaving the Savage lands, leaving his family forever.
"What do we do now father?" Markus asked nervously.
"I do not know." Was Alexander's empty answer.
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Northern Hungarian Territory, Ördögház: 545 AD
A frail Viktor paces up and down his chambers coughing after every step as images of monsters race through his frantic mind. The Great General was no longer the iron leader he had been, his age was showing, and after the attack at Corvinus's fortress he was weak. "Father you must rest." His loyal daughter pleaded "Your physicians have told you so."
"What do they know?" Viktor snapped "I have to think, I have to stay moving, it is the only way we can turn the tide… the only way we can win this war." A loud knock at the door startled Viktor.
"Should I send them away father?" Sonja asked warmly.
"No." Viktor shook his head, his tired body aching all over "Send them in."
"Enter!" Sonja called out.
The door to Viktor's chambers opened, and a tall dark haired noble stepped through, sweeping his hair back over his armoured shoulder he dropped to a knee. "My Lord, Princess." He spoke humbly.
"What can we do for you Kraven?" Sonja asked warmly.
"My Lord I am afraid I have some bad news." Kraven spoke gravely.
"What is it servant?" Viktor asked impatiently.
"A rider from the South has just arrived with a disturbing message… My Lord Arthur Vorenus is dead, he was killed tonight, rumor has it by William himself."
"No." Viktor choked as he leant against a desk "Without Arthur on the field… the armies will fall apart..."
"My Lord, I have sent the Hibernian and a group of our men to try and finish off William."
"There is no point." Viktor sighed "All is lost now… were I but ten years younger."
"You may leave us now Kraven." Sonja spoke up.
"My Lady… My Lord." He again bowed before leaving.
"Father…" Sonja spoke nervously.
"All is lost…" The old warlord choked.
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Southern Hungarian Territory, Arthur's Estate: 545 AD
She sits alone in her room, all manor of terrible images racing through her mind, resting on her bed she reads page after page of her bible. The book was supposed to offer comfort, give some answers to life's questions… yet after hours of reading she found none. Her emerald silk gown that covered her body like a second skin shined in the candle light of her room, she watched intently as the flame flickered and danced about, then she heard it… the sound of footsteps and the clatter of swords against armour. The footsteps got louder and louder, finally coming to a stop just outside her door… then came the knocking. "Who is it?" She asked nervously.
"Open the door please Princess." A stern voice answered her.
She nervously opened the door to her chambers, clinging onto the frame as she did, as the door swung open she saw two men in armour, they were among her fathers personal bodyguards "Princess Amelia would you come with us please?"
"My father?" She half choked
The two guards shared a second of uneasy eye contact, "Please Princess… you must come with us now." The two guards stepped aside allowing Amelia to pass them, she walked nervously through the halls of her fathers Romanesque Estate, flanked by her armed escorts, she did not have to be told where she was going, she knew it would be to her fathers throne room. She breathed heavily as tears already began to well up in her eyes… her heart raced as she approached the doors to the Throne Room, two more guards opened the huge doors for her… she stepped into the usually bustling seat of power only to find it morbidly quiet, there was a small gathering of soldiers, all that remained of her fathers personal bodyguard. She felt a little uneasy as the men who had brought her from her chambers left her side to join the ranks of their comrades. Swallowing hard she turned her head to look upon her fathers Throne, it was empty. Her fathers Viceroy Eli stood by the Throne, his face an expressionless mask, his hands behind his back.
"Come here Amelia." He spoke gently.
The young Princess stepped cautiously towards the foot of her fathers throne, stopping before the ancient Viceroy "Eli… my father." She wept. The old Viceroy said nothing as he brought his hands into view, "No.." she wept as she laid eyes on what Eli was holding, the Gold plated Laurel reef of a Roman dignitary, her fathers symbol of power. "Oh Father.." She continued to weep, pulling away slightly.
"There is no time for tears!" Eli chastised her as he pulled her back towards him.
"LEAVE ME ALONE!" She screamed.
"You have a duty to fulfill." Eli spoke coldly "You must honor your fathers memory by living up to his expectations… I know it is painful… I am hurting as well… but you must brave now Amelia, your people need you."
Swallowing hard and still teary eyed Amelia allowed Eli to take her hand and lead her to the Throne, she was almost grateful for if she had not sat down soon, she would have collapsed. Her slight frame seemed to get lost in her fathers throne, yet she somehow managed to sit up straight, before she realized what was happening she felt Eli walk behind her and place the golden laurel reef upon her head, "Arthur Vorenus is dead!" Eli spoke loudly, addressing the assembled bodyguards "Behold Amelia… Princess of the Southern Kingdom…leader of our people… long may her name be spoken." Amelia watched on in shock as all of the men before her dropped to a knee.
"rise…" She mumbled, between breaths bringing them back to their feet.
"What are your orders Princess?" Eli asked.
She wiped the tears from her eyes and took a deep breath in an attempt to compose herself, suddenly a wave of cold clarity swept through her body, her bloodshot eyes narrowed, her bottom lip stopped trembling and her voice took on an icy cold tone "Avenge my Father."