I am doing Camp Nanowrimo, so you'll probably be getting a LOT more writing from me! This is the continuation of the last scene/chapter. Let me know what you think of my method for writing time passing - I wanted to get to the point without rushing things, and allow some important information to seep in what I did write. Does it feel jumpy? Does it flow? Neither?

I'm really excited for everything that comes next! I honestly really like King Eno - this is my first time writing him so I haven't nailed his character down, but I know I like his character whatever it is. 

and, yeah, this is long lol. 

--

They stopped by the library as planned, but Lucius did not get any reading done before he collapsed into bed. He was asleep in minutes. 

The next morning, he rose early and was able to read during breakfast for the better part of an hour.  He skimmed a copy of the original treaty, signed by his great-grandfather and the King __, ___ years ago. Realistically, they were calling this an official ‘re-signing.’ The title implied that King Eno and Lucius would merely sign and shake hands to seal the deal. 

But, considering the fact that King Eno had an ulterior motive, it might be necessary to renegotiate some of the terms. The King’s Court had the same idea. Lucius spent the next three hours talking in circles with the smartest men in the kingdom. They sent out the Duke’s invitations first thing, of course, but afterwards their discussion turned to frivolous speculation. 

“The situation in the mountains is one of the only things we can pinpoint,” Balec was saying. They were walking together to the King’s dining room, speaking in hushed voices. “But everything else mentioned in court has no real grounds. The group of mercenaries sacking villages on either side of the border isn’t helping either, of course.”

Lucius nodded, his brows furrowed. “Should we bring that up, or wait to see what King Blakshir thinks?”

“It could be pertinent to mention it as an afterthought. If anything, resources could be pooled to take care of the raiders. I would be surprised if he didn’t mention anything, though.” Balec readjusted his spectacles on his nose. They were almost to the dining hall. “I’ll speak with you more in private, your majesty. I’m going to do some more reading to prepare.”

“Do you have anything you recommend I should study?” Lucius grasped Balec’s arm before he could scurry off. “I’ve been trying to prepare myself for the negotiations as well, but I am at a loss for what to look for.” 

“Yes, of course. I am glad you are doing your best to be prepared.” Balec listed off a few recommendations that Lucius hadn’t already thought of. “We must try to foresee all possible outcomes, so we may not be taken by surprise. Fortunate is the man who prepares. But, seeing as neither of us have the gift of foretelling the future, expect the unexpected.”

Lucius blinked. 

“I’ll send a list of the books to you this afternoon,” Balec said with a laugh. “Go and rest your mind. You obviously need it.”

“Are you my handmaiden, now? I have been in need of a new one.” Lucius chuckled as he returned the jest. He waved goodbye to Balec before the man could respond in kind. It was time for lunch!

His mother didn’t join him in the hall, although she had the courtesy to leave a note excusing herself. She and the Master of Ceremonies had been steadily busy. Ever since Lucius asked the queen to help with the traditional side of planning, he had hardly seen her. He wasn’t avoiding her - but he was glad she hadn’t confronted him about their last conversation. It was good they were busy.

The three weeks passed quickly. With everything Lucius had to do, it was no surprise that it was a blur.

Balec and Lucius found themselves in the King’s Court room the day King Eno was supposed to arrive. The court had finished it’s final meeting and had disbanded for lunch. They remained, staring blankly at an opened letter. 

“What do you mean he can’t come?” Lucius finally spoke. It was difficult to keep the anxiety from his voice. Over the last two weeks, responses from his dukes had not been pleasing. Most of them were not going to make it to the capitol for King Eno’s stay. “Leopold now, too? He’s only a day’s ride from here. What’s his excuse?”

Balec swallowed thickly. “The correspondence we received is actually from his wife. Apparently, she has been waiting to see if he would return from his hunting trip. He hadn’t returned at the time of her message.”

“That’s Simmons, Callaghan, Rivera, Haynes, and Delacruz that all can’t make it.” Lucius sunk into his chair with a sigh. “I suppose it is understandable, considering they were just here for an extended stay.” Most of the responses from his dukes had explained their workload was too heavy to allow for another trip to the capitol so soon after the last – especially because no one knew how long the negotiations would take. “Understandable, but disappointing. Have we heard from Duke Orth, yet?”

“No, nothing from Duke Orth. But, considering the amount of time it takes to travel here, as soon as he got your invitation he would have had to pack up and leave. If we haven’t heard from him, it may be because he is travelling.”

“I certainly hope that is the case,” Lucius sighed. He ran a hand over his face. “Can you let the representatives know they will be sitting in for their Dukes at all official events, including feasts and celebrations?”

“Yes. Of course, your majesty. Duke White and Duke Cooley will be here, so I shall refrain from telling their representatives.”

“Thank you.”

The King’s advisor wrote a few notes on the scroll in front of him. He paused for a second, pressing the quill to his lips, and then looked up to his king. “Your majesty-”

The door opened abruptly. Lucius’ right hand stood, breathing heavily. He swallowed and gasped for air. “Your majesty, they have arrived. King Eno is here!”

Shocked silence rolled over the two men.

“Already?” Balec squeaked.

 “They just entered the city. The procession will arrive at the castle shortly.”

Lucius stood from his chair. “Spread the word, boy. Make sure Jaque knows immediately. Balec, come with me.”

Balec hurried to stick the scroll in his robes and follow Lucius, who was quickly exiting the room. Oliver fell into step behind him, and Balec ran around him to be next to Lucius. “Are you ready, sire?” He peered at Lucius’ face, trying to catch any sign of uncertainty. There was none. The king’s expression was stony – confident. It took Balec’s breath away how much he looked like Ignes.

“I am ready, Balec. We are just greeting him at the moment.”

“Of course. I have the utmost faith in your abilities, Lucius.”

Lucius smiled at Balec and reached over to squeeze his shoulder. “I value your encouragement.” 

They continued their walk in silence. Balec watched Lucius’ serious expression return as they rounded the corner that led to the castle gates. Deanna was waiting for them. “Lucius! Balec! They’re almost here. Wait, stop walking.” She hurried over to Lucius and began to straighten his crown, his hair, and his robe. He was wearing ceremonial attire - the maids had spent 3 days washing the delicate furs and silks it was made of. “You really do need a new handmaid,” she scolded while brushing a hair off the end of his robe. “But I guess I can do it in a pinch. Come on now, you three. Jaque’s already out there.” 

Lucius resisted the temptation to itch under the crown on his head. He glanced at Oliver and frowned. “I know you’re laughing inside. Stop it.”

“I have no idea what you’re referring to, your majesty.” Oliver spoke with a straight expression, but there was definitely amusement lining his voice. He gestured towards Deanna, who had already begun to move forward, with his eyebrows raised. Lucius chuckled and kept moving. 

The inner castle gates were already open. The sun streamed in through the doors and illuminated the large courtyard. There was a path, surrounded loosely by trees, that led to the outer gates. Jaque was standing by the door, his face red from shouting at his soldiers. They could make out some of his comments despite the distance between them. Deanne shook her head and exchanged a humored look with Oliver before beginning to organize the royal party, albeit with more grace than Jaque. 

Lucius, Balec, and Deanna stood in the front. The King’s Court was trickling in, and she arranged them in some fashion behind Lucius. He wasn’t fully aware of the details. His eyes were locked on the gate - his breath hitched as the sound of horses began to grow louder. There was a shout, then the sound of grinding gears as the bridge began to lower. The gates creaked and whined for what seemed an eternity.

There was a thud as the bridge met land, and then silence. 

King Eno, seated at the front of the large group, sat upon a golden white horse. He kicked his heels into the beautiful steed, and his deep green cloak fluttered behind him at the sudden movement. For a moment, only the sound of horses’ hooves against heavy wood could be heard. The group slowed to a stop before Lucius’s party and descended from their horses. King Eno handed the reins to a servant and stepped forward. 

Lucius held out his hand. “Welcome to Belfriese, King Eno.”

“Thank you, King Maelfesta. It is a pleasure to meet you as a man - the last time I was in Belfries you were but a child.” He had a thick grey beard down to his chest, and his peppered hair was cropped short. His grasp was firm as he shook hands with Lucius. Then his attention turned to the queen and knelt to kiss her hand. “The lovely lady Deanna, you’ve hardly changed.”

“You are too kind, King Eno.” 

He waved a hand and laughed. “And you are as humble as I remember. Here, your majesties, let me introduce you to my son.” He stepped back and brought his arm around the young man behind him. The boy - for he looked to be 17 at the oldest - was short and stout like his father. He offered a bow to Lucius, and kissed the hand of the queen. “This is Prince Ramir Blackshire.”

“Welcome to Belfriese, Prince Ramir Blackshir,” Lucius greeted. He offered the young man a nod of the head. “I trust your journey went well? Although I am certain you must be exhausted.”

“Of course one can only ride a horse for so long without getting sore, and I am getting old.” King Eno laughed. His eyes were a bright blue - a rare feature in Vamir but one that was supposedly common in Temellon. He turned to wave at a servant behind him. “First, I would like to present you with our gifts. A token of goodwill from my kingdom to yours.” The crowd behind him parted to reveal servants with ornate chests. “As a token of gratitude, I had the finest craftsmen build the chests. They are yours to keep, as well as the gifts inside.” 

Lucius’ eyes widened at the number of chests presented. “You are too gracious, King Eno.”

“It was the least I could do in light of your recent troubles. As condolences for your loss of King Ignes, I also prepared a gift of mourning for his resting place.” Out of the back of the of the procession came a servant carrying what looked to be a tree. “The southern city of Temllon is famous for it’s Bershia trees. Terpa, the man carrying it, is available to consult with your gardeners about the proper care.”

“How wonderful!” Deanna gasped, stepping forward to stroke the leaves of the small tree. They were a soft, deep purple color. “What a thoughtful gift.”

“It was the least I could do.” King Eno said with a nod. He clasped his hands behind his back and smiled at Lucius. “Where shall I put the rest?” 

“I will have my servants direct the traffic. Thank you again, King Eno. I do have gifts prepared for you, but plan to present them when you have a chance to rest from your travels.” Lucius gestured to a nearby servant. “We will make sure your horses are well taken care of.” He whispered some instructions in the man’s ear, and then moved to stand by King Eno. “You’ll be taken well care of as well, of course. Let me take your party to their chambers for a rest before dinner. Introductions and official tasks can be taken care of at a later date.”

“Of course, of course. I look forward to our time together. I know the start of your reign must have been tremulous, but I hope that I will be able to give you peace of mind about your security. You have an ally and friend in me.” Again, the two men shook hands. Lucius found himself holding King Eno’s piercing blue gaze, and found himself smiling. There was something to be trusted in the kindness of his gaze. 

They began to walk, the two parties merging together, and became immersed in conversation. Lucius and Deanna explained some of the events that had been prepared, and King Eno and Prince Ramir quickly opened up. They were comfortably asking questions about expectations, directions in the castle, and accommodations. 

“I once stayed in a cave for three weeks, so anything bigger than a broom closet will be quite alright with me, King Lucius.”

“A cave? For three weeks?” Deanna gasped. “Whatever for?”

“Hunting.”

Deanna sighed and the three men laughed. “Of course it would be for hunting.” 

“I was looking for a white dog of the south,” King Eno explained. “Ramir here was probably too young to remember the whole ordeal, but half the kingdom lost it’s head when I didn’t return after week one. My men and I were hot on one’s tail when we were stormed in.”

“Well I can assure you that your accommodations are much better than a cave, although I can’t guarantee the same level of excitement.” Lucius laughed. “Hunting wolves isn’t a common practice, although it occurs occasionally up north. We thrive off deer, elk, and prairie birds here.” 

“We shall have to exchange hunting locations occasionally, then. We lack such in Temellon.”

“I shall see what can be done.” Lucius smiled at Jaque, who was lurking in a corner looking rather upset ever since the topic of hunting came up. His expression read ‘I told you so.’

Deanna paused before a large door. “This wing of the castle has been emptied and prepared for your arrival. I believe there are enough accommodations for your party, but if not, you can speak to Jaquelyn. She is your contact should you need anything hospitality-wise.” 

“Thank you.”

“And if you have any questions about the plans during your stay, she also will know the answers.”

“We shall see you at dinner, then.” King Eno shook hands with Lucius and again kissed the hand of Deanna. His son did the same, and the large parties quickly headed in their opposite directions. 

Lucius breathed a sigh of relief. “I feel that went well.”

“It has been some time since I have seen King Eno, but he is just as friendly as I remember.” Deanna agreed. 

“I have high hopes,” Balec added. 

It would turn out alright. Lucius felt his early worries fade, replaced with confidence gained through their easy fellowship. If both Deanna and Balec, the two people whose opinions he trusted most, also agreed, it would certainly turn out alright.

--

Thanks for reading!!! What are your thoughts on the characters and their interactions? First impressions of the King and the Prince? What vibe did Lucius give off during their conversations?

Thankkks

I'm uploading this from my phone, so we will see how it works! I will note that my writing quality is probably going to go WAY down from this point onward for a couple of reasons. 1) I have never written this part before. Everything else you have head up to Balec and Lucius' argument is a second draft - from this point onward I'm writing a first draft! Because of that, the territory is a bit unfamiliar. I do know the plot but most of the stuff is made up on the spot lol. 2) I'm doing nanowrimo. Writing fast and good isn't the most possible feat. I am editing stuff before I upload, though! 

Anyways, speech over. Here ya go! And... yeah. Brace yourselves. 

The largest room in the castle, with vaulted ceilings and high-reaching windows, was packed. The doors that led to the outside were propped open for ventilation; the cool breeze just barely helped the heat. Tables filled with food and lively conversation lined the walls. Queen Maelfesta, King Maelfesta, King Blakshir, and Prince Blakshir sat at the head of the room. 

The feast had been magnificent - if the chef didn’t freely give away her recipe for pork marinade, armies might fight over it - and the conversation enjoyable. King Eno and King Lucius publicly addressed the crowd, each sharing their excitement for the future, and introduced their party members. Lucius leaned back in his chair with a laugh at the antics of their current entertainer- a musician from Portton. He danced and jived and joked with the audience. 

King Eno wiped his eyes and leaned toward Lucius. “This is brilliant! Wherever did you find such talent?”

“You’d have to ask the queen about that,” Lucius leaned back to gesture to his mother. 

“I’ll most certainly ask her about it later.” King Eno turned his attention back to the entertainment and found himself laughing again at the man’s antics. 

Prince Ramir wore a smile, but his mind seemed to be thousands of miles away. He briefly caught Lucius’ eye for a moment. The smile he offered was hesitant - his brow was almost furrowed in worry. Lucius had little chance to interact with the prince; Ramir seemed to be much quieter than his father. He, being the heir to the Temellon, would be a useful ally, but Lucius wasn’t sure how he could ensure good rapport between them. They were only 8 years apart, but he felt miles away. 

His brow furrowed in thought until Deanna drew him into a conversation with Balec about some of the plans for the week. Their seated dinner gradually turned into a traditional celebration over the hour. The tables were pushed to the side, musicians began to play, and the dancing began. 

For a while, Lucius and King Eno stood to the side of the excitement, They introduced members of their parties to each other in a less-formal fashion. Balec and King Blakshir were excitedly chattering about the tree Lucius had been gifted when Deanna approached. She wore her hair up, braided in a circlet upon her head which held a golden band for a crown. Her dress, light and flowy for dancing, was a dark green. Lucius was just about to excuse himself to ask her to dance when King Eno stepped forward and bowed.

“Your highness, would it be discourteous of me to ask you to dance?”  He brushed his lips against her ring. 

“It is only proper,” she replied. Her eyes met Lucius’ for a brief moment, questioning, and he shrugged. The corners of her lips tilted up in a smile. King Eno took her arm and escorted her to the nearest circle of dancing and laughter. 

Lucius and Balec watched them go with amusement. “He has no idea what he signed up for, really.” Balec chuckled. “The queen does not go easy on dancing, although I am not sure what Temellon’s customs for dancing entail.”

“King Eno was mentioning the musicians he brought; I believe he intends to show us some of their traditional dances during the next feast.”

“How truly delightful!” Balec chuckled. “Deanna will enjoy that.”

“It’s a shame Tahlia(?)  isn’t here to enjoy the show. I know the Duke Callaghan and his daughter are in mourning for their mother, but the timing of it is quite unfortunate.” Lucius’ mind trailed for a moment as he pictured Tahlia's captivating brown eyes, but he stopped himself with a sigh. “I’ll teach her later.”

Balec nodded. His eyes, however, were furrowed at something across the room. Lucius followed his gaze and noticed Jaque. He rarely attended events like this, instead choosing to manage the security from a distance. He was inching around the corner of the room, a foul look on his face. Lucius’ raised his eyebrows at the man. 

Jaque caught his gaze and immediately gave up the unobtrusive approach to rush across the floor. He pulled Balec and Lucius aside. “Did you two hear anything about this sickness? Half of the men I assigned tonight are out sick. They’ve already been replaced but I just now caught wind of this. If they’re all truly ill, it could be a serious plague on our hands.”

“Where did you hear this from?” Lucius leaned down towards Jaque, “Have they been reporting this to you?”

The man shook his head. Sweat was dripping into his eyes, and he hurriedly wiped his forehead. “No one told me. They just swapped positions. Which is fine, if they actually are sick, but I needed this reported immediately. The fact that this has happened on 5 confirmed accounts is frightening.”

“And suspicious,” Balec whispered with a frown. 

Lucius’ eyes widened. “Do you think this is more than a common sickness?”

“The timing is too precise. They happen to get sick tonight? Jaque, you need to find where your men are. Immediately.”  Balec turned to glance at Lucius, who nodded approvingly. “Send Oliver over. He should stay with Lucius.” 

The soldier nodded and turned on his heel. He didn’t run out of the room; to do so would have created panic in those who knew Jaque’s role. There was a rush to his walk, however. Lucius turned to Balec with wide eyes. “Poison?” 

“I don’t know, Lucius. In truth, I am not sure which I would prefer. A plague or deliberate poison.”

A wry smile formed on Lucius’ face. He chuckled darkly. “Am I too young to retire, Balec?”

“Yes. I, however, am not.”

“I’ll have your head for treason if you leave.” 

The two laughed. “I’d never dream of leaving your side, your majesty,” Balec smiled. He held Lucius’ gaze for a moment, and then swallowed thickly. The panic in Lucius’ eyes was contagious. Thankfully, Oliver had joined their huddle in the corner. 

“Your majesty, Balec, Jaque explained the situation to me. It would be best to remain by my side until this matter is resolved.” 

Lucius glanced out to the crowd. Deanna and Eno were still dancing. By the smiles on both of their faces, they were both enjoying themselves. “Deanna is keeping King Eno distracted, but King Eno is keeping her distracted as well. What should I do, Balec?”

Balec glanced at the pair and grimaced.

“It would appear you have a dilemma.” A voice called from behind Lucius. Oliver’s hand flew to his sword in an instant, and Lucius jumped around. His heart was racing, and the person speaking didn’t calm the tension. 

Prince Ramir smiled at the group. “I understand you’d like to speak with the queen, but are hesitant to interrupt my father?”

“Of course. We don’t want to appear rude,” Balec hastily lied.

“Let me speak with him. I’ve been meaning to ask him a few questions anyways.” The prince smiled. The emotion didn’t reach his eyes. 

Lucius ignored the shudder that ran down his spine and attempted to smile back. “I’d greatly appreciate the help.”

Ramir nodded and walked away without another word. Before he could get far, a servant ran through the courtyard doors. His gaze darted around the room until he finally found Lucius, and then he bolted towards the king. The room had gone silent at the commotion. 

“Your Majesty!” The boy exclaimed. 

Balec pulled him by the sleeve and hurriedly silenced him. “Explain quietly, child. You’ve attracted enough attention already.”

The boy flushed, but did as he was told. His voice was barely audible. “A messenger from the Duke Orth was found dead.”

“Dead?” Lucius hissed. He had hardly spared a thought for the absence of Duke Orth after Eno arrived. “Was there a message? A letter?”

“No sign of one, sire.”

Lucius looked at Balec and cursed. “There’s something going on. We need to find Jaque, appearances be darned.”

“He’s coming right now.” Oliver’s eyes were focused across the room.

Jaque was running. His eyes were wide as he came to a halt. “They’re dead. All five of them. More, too. Dead and the bodies hidden. We need to get you out of here before-” before he could finish, there was a scream.

It was followed by the sound of unsheathing swords and more panicked cries. Lucius hardly had time to turn and scan the scene - women and men alike from Temellon were bearing arms - before he was shoved through a door. The kitchens were just as chaotic as the outside. 

Jaque was shouting orders to lock all kitchen entrances when Oliver shouted, “The queen!”

Lucius’ heart stopped. He looked up at Jaque with wide eyes. “I’ll get her, son, you get out,” Jaque replied. Without a moment of hesitation he lept back into the hall.

Balec and Oliver scrambled to bar the door behind him.

“What’s going on?” Servants were yelling. 

Oliver’s piercing whistle silenced the storm. “Arielle,” a servant girl stepped forward. “You know the backways, can you lead us through?” The girl nodded. He turned to the staff. “Give us 10 minutes. Keep the doors barred at least until then. Come up with some story to save yourselves, and the king. Don’t follow our path.” He grabbed Lucius’ arm again and drug him towards another door. 

“Deanna.” Lucius’s fractured voice was hardly recognizable. 

“She’ll be alright. We need to get you to safety, Lucius, come.”

He finally let himself be drug through the dark doorway. The door was shut and barred behind him with a resounding sense of finality. 

“Can you get us to the King’s Chambers from here?” Oliver asked the girl. He handed her a torch and drew his sword.

“I think so. Follow me.”

They set off at a run. 

--

Hopefully the format works. I won't ask any questions for this part; just lemme know your thoughts! I hope this was a shock.  

I also highly reccomend listening to the songs Run Boy RUn by Woodkid and Viva La Vida by Coldplay at some point. They really fit the action well from this point onwards

Whoop, here's some more wriitng! Thanks again SO much for reading. This one is long too.

--

The back ways for servants went all throughout the castle. They were small, narrow hallways that ran alongside the larger halls of the castle. They were dusty and smelled of forgotten air, but used frequently by the castle staff. Lucius had played in them as a child, many years ago. The pathways Areielle led him through were now unfamiliar. 

The group hurried through the passageways without ceasing, up stairways and around tight corners, until the servant girl stopped them before a door. “This is near the royal chambers,” she explained. “At the bottom of the stairs. This is as close as I can get you.”

Oliver sheathed his sword. “Let me around you, Arielle. I must check the coast is clear, and on my word we must hurry up the stairs.”

“I will stay-” the girl began, but was cut off by Oliver’s stern gaze.

“The whole kitchen staff knows you played a hand in the king’s escape. You can’t stay here.” He held her eyes, his dark brows furrowed, until she nodded. He glanced over her shoulder at Balec and Lucius. “Be prepared to run at my word.” As soon as he got confirmation, he turned and twisted the door handle. It creaked, and his breath caught. There was no sound on the other side. He opened the door and peeked out, looking left and right, and finally breathed a sigh of relief when there was no one to be seen. “Come on,” he hissed, throwing the door open and rushing across the hallway. 

Balec closed the door quietly behind them.

They hurried up the steep stairway, only pausing to catch their breath when Oliver stopped them to look around the corner. There were guards, some of Jaque’s men, stationed at both ends of the hallway. He turned to Balec, “Can they be trusted?”

“Are their faces familiar?” The advisor questioned. 

“Their names as well.”

“Then maybe they can be.”

Oliver squared his shoulders and stepped out into the hall without another word. “Guards, have you not heard the commotion? We need reinforcements immediately!" 

The two groups exchanged glances. “We were told to remain here under all circumstances.” 

“By the order of whom?”

“Jaque sent a servant.”

Oliver paused to think. He glanced back at the group, and finally gestured for them to come forward. “We need to get the king to safety.” 

The soldiers drew their swords instantly. Oliver charged at the closest men, not hesitating for a moment to bring them down. One fell quickly, but the other held his position well. The two on the opposite end of the hallway reached him in a matter of seconds and began attacking Oliver on all sides. 

Lucius ran in front of Balec and leaped towards the body, picking up the discarded sword. He attacked the man at Olliver’s back, running him through from behind. His presence offered enough distraction for Oliver to take down the other two. “Hurry,” he cried, “Dispose of the bodies before their blood stains. We can’t leave a trail to be followed.” 

Between the group of four, they were able to carry the bodies to the Queen’s chambers and hide them in her bedroom. Arielle found a dirty cloth to wipe up the blood, and they drug a carpet over the scene to hide any further stains. “It will do for now,” she said, wiping her brow. 

They hurried inside Lucius’ room and locked the door. “Barring it with other furniture would lead to more suspicion. The better we can hide our trail, the longer we have to run.” Oliver explained. Balec was already moving a rug on the floor. There was a trap door underneath, which led to a long, winding set of stairs. Only a few people knew about the secret exit. It was specifically built for the safety of the royal family; there were rooms atop the tall towers and nothing underneath but an escape route. “We’ll need to find help in the city.”

“There won’t be any help.” Lucius called from the window. He was leaning over the edge, staring out at the city beneath. It was in flames. “Listen!” There was screaming rising up from the streets. He could see the open gates of Belfreise from a distance and the army that was pouring in. It wasn’t just the castle that had been lost. His voice wavered. “We’ve lost the whole city.”

“What?” Balec ran to the window and gasped at the sight. For a moment he stood frozen, captivated by the sight. He wrapped an arm around Lucius’ shoulders. “Your majesty. We must get you out of the city.” The king was pale, and his body moved mechanically as Balec pulled him towards the trapdoor. Balec glanced up at Oliver. “Grab anything small and valuable. We will need money.” 

Arielle and Oliver scoured the room for valuables while Balec and Lucius started down the steps. The height was dizzying. Some part of Balec felt sick, but a greater part pushed down the feeling and he held tightly to Lucius’ arm. Arielle, a bag wrapped around her shoulders, stepped down the stairs. Oliver followed behind. In order to cover the trap door, he had to lay down and pull an end of the rug over the door and let go at the last second. There was no one to tell whether the rug lay flat, but they had no other choice. 

“Tie these around your faces. We will need them.” Oliver handed out four ripped fabrics that looked suspiciously like Lucius’ sheets. “The path out of the city leads through the sewers.” 

Lucius blinked. “I forgot about that.” Balec looked up abruptly at his voice. He leaned in to scan his face, but Lucius waved him away. He stepped out of Balec’s grip to tie the cloth around his face. “Let’s hurry. If we are quick, we can find some horses and get to the Simmons’ dutchy in a day.”

The group began the winding descent. There were dust and cobwebs that covered every wall. Some of the old stones had even begun to crumble at the edges. The lower they travelled, the stronger the smell got. There was a section of the Great RIver that channeled through Belfriese. The old architects had directed the currents under the city and the castle, as well as through the moat, and it ran all the way to the cliffs of Tione. There, the sewage was dumped into the ocean. 

Oliver turned right at the bottom of the staircase. “I was recently through here to make sure the route was secure. We will reach the cliffs and there will be a ladder leading us up to the land.” 

“Do you regularly make an effort to travel through the sewers?” Balec asked through his pinched nose. 

“When did you go through my rooms to get there?” Lucius asked at the same time. 

Despite the world falling apart above them, Oliver chuckled. “It is my job to make sure this escape is secure.”

The seriousness of the statement didn’t escape Lucius’ notice, though. He was wading through sewage, his kingdom was on fire, and his mother was missing. She was probably dead, he realized with a start. The burning in his eyes wasn’t just from the smell. Lucius swallowed and put the thought from his mind with a vicious shake of his head. Leopold’s dutchy had the largest population of soldiers; they would be able to take back Belfriese. They had to. Hayne’s, too, had soldiers that could be rallied within a number of days. 

There was hope. 

His voice caught as he spoke; “I owe you all my life.”

Oliver didn’t chuckle, this time. His tone was resolute. “It is my job.”

The others didn’t say anything. Lucius, now finding it difficult to breathe and talk and walk, pulled the cloth closer to his face. The stench burned tears into his eyes - the situation launched his heart into his throat. He ran through plans and armies and tried to work out how, exactly, King’s Eno’s army had made it through Vamir unnoticed. How his spies failed to catch work of the plot. How horribly, terribly, inexcusably he had messed up. He found his racing thoughts turning to prayers - did Kalo Nima look at the situation and laugh?

Look at him and laugh?

So round his mind went. Finally, after about a half hour of dreadful wading, a fresh breeze lifted the sweat from their bodies. Oliver stopped the group about a yard from the exit. “We need to be careful. One slip could send you over the edge.” He walked slowly, feeling with his feet for a secure grip, until he was inches away from the ledge. The sewage poured over the edge of the old tunnels into the ocean below. He gripped a ledge on the wall and leaned sideways, reaching for something, until he grunted in satisfaction. He pulled a rope ladder into sight. 

“I’d like to go first. I can’t guarantee there isn’t someone at the top waiting for us. Your majesty, i’ll need you to find your way here and help the others get on the ladder.” 

Lucius, who had been lagging at the back of the group, stepped forward. The rocks were slippery, and the slight current added tension to his traction, but he managed to find footholds and make it to where Oliver stood. He glanced out over the edge and felt suddenly sick. Oliver pushed him back. “Don’t look down. Just - here-’ He grabbed Lucius’ hand and guided him to a secure hand hold. “Don’t let go, don’t move. When I reach the top and give you the go-ahead, help Balec into this position. Watch what I do and walk them through it.” Oliver let go of the rocky handhold and leaned to grasp the ladder with both hands. He pulled himself onto it quickly, causing the ladder to jump around a little bit, and then began to climb. Lucius watched him with wide eyes. 

Finally, a few minutes after his figure had disappeared over the top of the ledge, Oliver’s face appeared and he waved. “All clear. Next!”

Arielle came forward tentatively. Lucius guided her steps, and then helped her find the handhold. He had to lean back perilously in order for her to get around him. She grabbed the ladder with both hands and gasped as she pulled herself up and it began to swing. “Don’t let go!” Oliver shouted from above. 

“Do I LOOK like I’m about to let go?” She shouted back. Her mouth was set in a grim line of determination as she began to climb. 

Balec began to make his way to Lucius already. He paused a few steps away, digging his feet into a secure foothold, and reached out to support himself on the wall. “Is it a long climb?” 

“It’s not terrible,” Lucius replied. He glanced up at the servant girl; she was almost to the top. “Just don’t let go. Make sure your hands are dry before you start climbing - I don’t know how much grip the ladder has.” 

Oliver shouted down once Arielle reached the top for Balec. He snuck around Lucius like Arielle had done, and hurried up the ladder. Lucius followed behind. The fresh air felt incredible on his skin and to his nose, but his limbs were shaking with exhaustion by the time he reached the top. The others were seated on the grass, their mouth-covers discarded on the ground. 

Oliver helped Lucius over the edge, and placed his hand upon his back until they were far away from the ledge. They could see the city from here. It sat high on the distant cliffs, it’s outline defined by flame.

Lucius’ knees hit the ground with a soft thud. He grasped the fabric of his tunic with shaking fists. The city was on fire - his people were on fire. He felt as if he was on fire, the way his throat stung and heat rushed to his face. He bent over himself, tearing his eyes away from Belfriese, and pressed his hands to his mouth. 

Balec rushed to his side, dropping to his knees beside the king. “Your majesty, we must not lose hope.”

“How can you call me by such a title?! I am no king - “

“Lucius,” the advisor’s voice softened as he leaned down to wrap his arms around the hunched over figure. “Hope is not lost.”

“I failed.”

The crack in Lucius’ voice caused Balec’s vision to blur. He gripped him by the shoulders and pulled his body up - his gaze was hard as he spoke. “Your majesty, we will travel to Simmons for aid.”

“Yes - yes, we must hurry.” Lucius took a shaky breath as he stood. Oliver’s hand hovered behind him, ready to offer support should it be needed. Balec stepped back, although he held his hands out warily. Lucius looked between them and smiled wryly. “I am alright. Balec-” he locked eyes with him, “I shall never ignore your advice again.”

“Even I could have never foreseen such circumstances, Lucius.”

“I just- I don’t understand-”

“We will find the answers, but first we must run.” 

“I might have some answers for you.” The girl had nearly been forgotten. Her voice was firm as she turned to wave the group over. She stood by the cliffs, peering over the edge.

They rushed over and were silent as they surveyed the scene.The Island of Delacruz was visible from the land. The strait of water between the two sources of land was wide enough for a large number of ships - and it was filled with boats. There were boats anchored near the rocky cliffs and large, wooden ladders that leaned up against the edge of the land. 

“Good lord, that isn’t how the army arrived, is it?” Oliver asked.

“THey must have. IF the ocean was any wilder the attempt would have been a disaster. I can’t believe it.” Balec’s skin looked particularly pale underneath the twilight sky. 

Lucius’ eyes were locked on the Delacruz island across the way. His fists clenched until the knuckles grew white. “Either someone wasn’t keeping watch, or we’ve been betrayed. There’s no way all of these ships would have made it through the straight if Delacruz was keeping watch. Even under cover of darkness he’d have to notice lights and shadows.”

“It’s possible, your majesty -”

“Darn right it is! The measures taken to accomplish this -” Lucius could take it no more, he turned his back to the ocean and stalked away from the edge. “Let’s go. We need horses. Where’s the closest village?”

After a few moments of discussion, they decided to walk directly through the land. A diagonal to Simmons’ dutchy would be the shortest route. It was important to hurry, but the group was winded after the trip through the sewers. They walked quickly, but couldn’t find the energy to run. The hope of horses, food, and rescue spurred them on. 

After only a half hour of walking they approached the field and farmland outside of Belfriese. A plume of smoke rose still in the distance- undoubtedly from the sacked capitol. Lucius tore his gaze away from the sight and set his mind to scanning the horizon - any sign of structure would undoubtedly lead to life. 

A small farming village lay just to the west of their path. It took a few minutes to creep their way into the town. The sky was dark, and the town quiet, so most everyone was asleep. “Are we going to steal the horses?” THe servant girl leaned to ask Oliver. 

“Borrow.” He replied. 

She narrowed her eyes but said nothing more. The community stables held about 6 horses total - 4 of which were a stout, farming breed. Only two looked as if they could handle a long-distance ride at a decent speed. 

“We’ll just take the two,” Oliver decided. “The others are old, and I’m certain the town will miss their work significantly.”

“Will they be able to handle the weight of two people?” Balec was already working to saddle up the bold, brown horse. 

“They look sturdy enough.”

The group rushed to get the two horses ready. They fit Arielle’s bag of valuables into one of the pack saddles, and filled the rest with oats for the horses. Food for the humans would have to wait. The silence of the night grew thick while they worked until they were finally ready to go.

Last minute, Lucius grabbed a gold chain from the pack. He placed it on the stable door handle - somewhere that could easily be spotted from inside the horse’ stalls. “To satisfy the owners before we can return the horses, “ he explained when Balec looked at him questioningly, “It’ll have to do.” 

Oliver helped Arielle onto a horse - she was light, but Balec was far lighter. He was tall and skinny in his old age, so Oliver sat in front of him on the horse. Lucius was stuck with the servant girl behind him.

The fit was uncomfortable, to say the least. 

“Oliver, maybe I should stay. I’ve gotten out of the castle - don’t you think I’ll be safe here? Will my presence not slow you down?”

The soldier’s lips thinned as he looked up at the girl. “If you were found out- I don’t want to think about what they would do to you. You will join us until you’re somewhere safe. Assuming that is fine by you, your majesty?”

He wasn’t about to argue, so Lucius just nodded in response. HIs eyes were growing heavy. If they didn’t get moving soon, he was going to fall off his horse. “Let’s go.”

They walked the horses out of the stable and the village, trying to stay quiet, and only began to rush once they were well out of sight of the houses. 

The night was cold - it was the height of autumn. The fields that they rode through, illuminated under the light of the moon, were almost completely devoid of crops. The harvest season was coming to a close. The horses ran - tails blowing in the frigid wind - their hooves thudding against the dirt of well-worn pathways through the crops. Trees started appearing eventually, first individually, then in small clusters, until they were finally covered on all sides by a thick forest. There were paths cleared - they had no choice but to stay on the paths with the horses. Oliver only allowed them a rest under such cover, and only then because the horses were growing restless. 

A small stream relieved their thirst, the horses had a small snack, and the group moved on shortly after rinsing their sewage-stained garments in the cool water. The idea of food carried them onwards. 

Eventually the trees faded into more endless fields, now illuminated under the light of a golden sun. It provided relief for their cold fingers and shivering limbs - Lucius felt as if his fingers were frozen to the reins, and it was quite possibly the only thing preventing him from falling off the horse. 

Arielle and Balec clung to their riders - and at some points had fallen asleep. Oliver had to wake Balec up when he started sliding off. 

A few more hours of riding, some of which involved avoiding farming villages and houses, finally brought them to a large town by a lake. It was surrounded loosely by trees, which allowed the group to dismount and plan their entrance. Leopold’s home was on the far side of the lake - isolated from the town only partially. It was possible they would be seen, even if they went far away from the town, but at this point they would be safe.

Even if King Eno’s men caught onto the trail, and somehow were following their tracks, there would be resistance from the army here. There would hardly be any time to rest, but Lucius knew that it would take a few hours to gather forces. Leopold could handle the work while he bathed, ate, and rested. His body was trembling from the exertion it had undergone over the last day. 

It was mid-afternoon - they had managed the trip in under a day, miraculously. 

Lucius supposed that dire circumstances often produced such speed. 

On their horses again, they raced around the lake with renewed vigor. Their bodies were on the verge of collapse, but hope often has a way of energizing those with nothing left to give. The horses slowed inside the stone courtyard of Leopold’s residence. Servants bustled about, pausing to glance at the strangers, but otherwise paying them no heed. 

Lucius slid off from the horse and felt his legs collapse under him - Oliver barely caught him by the arm. He hoisted him onto his feet and turned to help Arielle down. She collapsed as well. Her legs were trembling, unused to horses, much less riding one for such a long period of time. Balec was talking quietly to a doorsman, waving his hands as he explained the situation. 

“Lucius!” A woman ran down the entrance steps, ivory skirts gathered in her hands. Her dark hair flew freely behind her. “Your majesty, what are you -” just as quickly as she approached, she recoiled. “What is that smell?”

“I’ll explain later, where is Leopold?” His words were slurred with exhaustion. 

“He’s hunting, did you not receive my message? What’s going on-”

Lucius looked at Balec and groaned. How could he have forgotten? He ran a hand over his face. “Never mind - just, we’ve been riding all night. We need a bath, sleep, and food, then I’ll explain.”

Her eyes went wide, but she nodded. “Yes, of course. Eliza!” She waved down a young servant girl. “Let the staff know I want four hot baths drawn - prepare just as many guest chambers with food. Immediately!” 

The rest of the hour was blurred together, yet it still took far too long to get into bed. The four individuals were asleep before they hit the covers.

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Thoughts? What do y'all think is going to happen now? TTFN!! <3