Prologue
“Begin at the beginning,” the King said, very gravely, “and go on till you come to the end: then stop.”
― Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland
The sun was nowhere to be found, grey ominous clouds hiding it well. The courtyard stood tall, large grey stone stacked in a square shape that contained the space, sectioning it off from the outside world. A large wooden door sat in the middle of one of the walls on the far side, thick metal chains hung on either side, ready to support its weight when it was time for it to be lowered to the ground.
The air was heavy and hot with moisture, a telling sign that the clouds above would soon release the liquid they held. The courtyard was filled to the brim with people, making it only seem warmer, the proximity and hot breaths adding to the heat and tension.
Even with all the people there, it was still quiet, a reflection on the coming storm and not the one that hung above them in the sky. The occasional whisper bounced off the walls along with the clattering of hooves on the cobblestone beneath them. The singing of a sword as it was thrust into its sheave rang out like a bell and a few of the onlookers searched for the source. A few of the remaining servants stood watch of the army as it prepared for a long journey. Some even had tears in their eyes at the sight of so many friends and family in the shiny armor of silver and gold.
The young boy stood, watching as the warriors readied themselves. Checking their swords and armor for any possible chinks in their chain. Their horses were unsteady, shifting their weight on their hooves in a constant and ever moving motion that made them look more like waves on the water than noble steeds. Either they sensed the impending battle, knowing full well their masters may not return, or they were giddy for the journey, opening themselves up to a full and exhausting speed. The likes of which they rarely got to do.
They were the royal guard, the last defense of the kingdom, and the only ones left to fight off the Dark Plague that was stretching across Omanum Emporium. It had yet to reach the Kingdom of Ubar, his kingdom, but it was only a matter of time.
The young boy also shifted, but his agitation was from the danger that the soldiers would soon be facing. One soldier in particular.
The woman was young but not as young as some of the soldiers who were saddling up with her. Her face already glistened with sweat from the strain of completing tasks while wearing the heavy armor. It called into question her ability to do anything with such a handicap.
Her hair fell loose in dark waves down her back, her hair and skin color an exact replica of the young boy who stood to watch her every move now. And her armor gleamed without a single scratch, showing how little it had been used.
Finally settling her horse after putting the heavy load on its back, she turned to the small boy. Giving a small bow to the woman who stood next to him, she stooped down low, getting on one knee so that she was face to face with him.
“I must be going now, Gavril.”
“The battlefield is no place for you, Mother. You belong here, taking care of your people.”
She gave a small smile, “I am taken care of them. I am protecting them from this great evil that now threatens our way of life.”
He shook his head, black hair flying back and forth. “It should be me out there, not you.”
She placed a hand on his head, stilling in protest. “You are too young. And too important. You are the crowned Prince and will lead our people someday.” she gestured to the tall woman next to him, “Melania will be staying here to take care of you. As my second advisor, I trust her to take good care of you and guide you in my absence.”
The woman bowed slightly, giving the Queen a small smile that made Gavril uneasy. Her dark red hair spilled like blood over her slim shoulders as she clutched a small fist to her chest and lowered her head before the Queen, “It will be my honor to serve her Majesty and my kingdom. I will not fail you.”
She didn’t look the Queen in the eye as she spoke, something that he had noticed over the years as she served his mother. An act that bothered him to no end but never seemed to be noticed by anyone else. She appeared to be humble when she addressed the court, but how can you trust anyone who won’t look you in the eye.
Satisfied, the Queen turned her attention back to him, her eyes softening as she looked over his small face once more. Baby fat still clung to his cheeks and his bright green eyes shined with the watery tears he refused to let fall. He was still just a child, too young to understand the dangers of this world. With his father long gone, it was up to her to protect him from the horrors that plagued them. And as his mother, she longed to do just that above all else. But as Queen, she had a duty to her people as well. As much as she longed to stay next to him and be the one to guide him into manhood, she must protect her kingdom so that he would have a place to rule someday.
She would not only do this for her people but for her son as well.
Removing the glove from one of her hands, she placed it tenderly on his cheek. “I will return as soon as the danger is repelled and your kingdom is safe. You will have a place to rule so focus on preparing yourself, you will make a great King someday.”
He watched, unmoving as she walked over and mounted her horse with impossible grace. His mother did not look at him again. She now focused entirely on the task at hand. They would now travel out towards Mundar, a two day ride at least. From there they would regroup and gather as many recruits as they could before continuing on into the dark forest of Dunstan and hope to make it through unscathed. It was a risky task, traveling through the forest Dunstan, notorious for keeping its travellers for all eternity locked inside. However, it was the quickest way to Aureole, their neighboring kingdom, who was in desperate need of reinforcements.
With a swift kick to her horse, his mother led the group outwards. Soon their streaming forms were making their way out the gate. The last of them were disappearing over the bridge as the gate began to lower with loud clinks that now filled the space of the courtyard.
He looked around at the lingering faces that still watched along with him. Only a few remained now in what was a large castle. The only one that concerned him stood close by, her hand landing on his shoulder as a means to comfort but only filled his heart with more doubt.
“Don’t worry my Highness, everything will work out as it should.”
Either she thought she was hiding it or that he was too young to understand, but he saw the look in her eyes. It was one of pure evil.
