Chapter 3 - Minutes Before

I’m sure father would have agreed to Norman’s proposal by now, Holus knows what kind of treatment I will receive once he and I have sworn an oath of marriage. How Maria detested of such a thought, Holus guide me, what should I do? She prayed even if knowing that the God she reveres wouldn’t answer.

“Princess, we need to leave!”

The loud thud on the door awoke Maria from her thoughts. Her eyebrows creased as she was annoyed by the sudden interruption. She walked towards the door and opened it, standing right outside was a tall, sturdy man. Sweat poured unceasingly from his forehead down to his chin, Maria looked at his hand, and the sword he held. Bloodstains, she thought. “Lord Falstad, why is there blood on your sword?” Staring straight at Falstad, she asked in concern. A mutiny perhaps? Unlikely, there are knights in the castle far better in swordsmanship than Falstad.

“There is no time, princess. They are about to reach this place.” He grabbed her wrist, forcefully dragging her while she tried to struggle. “How dare you!” She yelled, yet gasped the moment she saw the dead—they were bloody, riddled with wounds and bite marks— approaching the passageway. What is happening? She wanted to ask but Falstad spoke of it before she could do so.

“A man of dark magic has infiltrated the castle and has already turned most of the guards into this walking pile of death... I am sorry, princess, but we must leave now.”

“What about lord father and queen mother? I command you to unhand me, Falstad!” Hearing of the situation in the hall, Maria couldn’t help but feel deep concern over her parents’ state, but her fierce shouts were ignored by Falstad, his grasp was too tight for her to struggle, and her voice was eventually overpowered by his as he ordered the men around. They formed a tight shield wall on the passageway, luckily, only two or three men could fit in its width. The shield proved useful to block the undead while they stabbed their swords in between the gaps. Eventually, the first wave of undead was cleared out but Falstad knew there are more to come, and soon they will tire out and die.

Looking at the familiar faces of the corpses lying on the ground, Maria covered her mouth with both hands in shock. “Are those—”

“—The servants, guards, people we once knew. But now they are forced to do that bastard’s bidding, in death that is.”

“How vile must one be to conduct in such doing.” She turned her gaze away from the corpses then looked deeply at Falstad, while her finger pointed in the direction of the hall where the nobles feasts. “And you, why did you come here instead of protecting your king?”

“My duty remains here. It is to protect you, princess, the last of the royal family.” Falstad bowed his head, hiding his expression under this act. “I’ve seen how easily lord Dillan fell under that man’s spells, it was as easy as cutting butter. He had no chance to even respond, not even a second to utter a word.”

“Lord Dillan the kingdom’s champion?”

Falstad nodded. “So my princess, I assumed for the worst. And do you hear those shouts? They aren’t cheers, but the wails of men being culled at the moment.”

Maria sighed, she knew how hopeless the situation is from what Falstad described. However, men would always find hope in times of dire needs. “And the mages? They must have been notified by now,” she said. 

“The Spire mages are most likely burning along with their knowledge right now. Look there, princess.” Falstad looked outside the window, his gaze focused on a large tower surrounded by buildings, the area covered in flames. Maria followed through his gaze, she gasped in disbelief. The spire could be said to be the safest place in the city, it has an arcane barrier surrounding its area, protecting everything inside from disastrous spells, while it also has a large size of guards protecting the mages from melee attackers, moreover— the mages themselves are masters of the arcane, proving that they could also defend themselves in times of danger. For centuries now, even if the city has been besieged by armies in the progress of time, the spire has never once been touched or damaged by any. Holus protect us all, it was a disaster never been seen at all.

“We can’t stay here much longer,” Falstad said. The groans of the undead grow nearer, and there will be no way out once everyone has turned. “Arthur!” He shouted, and there came Lieutenant Arthur.

 “Commander?” Arthur asked.

“Take six of your men to hold off the undead here whilst we leave with the princess. Holus guide you.”

Arthur’s face turned grim the moment he heard the order. Simply suicide, he thought. His eyes scanned the expressions of the six guards under him, they could only nod their heads reluctantly. “Yes, commander, for the princess.” He resolutely said. Maria lightly tilts her head to express her gratitude even if she was unwilling to sacrifice the lives of these men just to save her own, a leader must fight beside her people, her mother once told. However, she could hardly defeat a knight, much less a band of the undead. 

Falstad with the princess took most of the men and went on a corridor that leads to a stairway, there weren’t any undead in their path as the area is mostly restricted to anyone besides the royal family. Tears glittered in Maria’s eyes whenever she heard the horrifying wails of her subjects, she feels as though needles pierced her heart. While walking on the corridor, and oblivious to Falstad’s plans, she asked. “Where do we go, Falstad?”

“To the stables, princess. From there we will rally my men to the barracks.”

“And you briefed the lieutenant of this?”

“Yes,” Falstad nodded. By the time they have reached the castle’s courtyard, many survivors; knights and servants have gathered together, and are about to depart. “Halt!” He yelled, calling for the highest-ranked person in the survivors. A thin young man stepped forward, introducing himself as a knight captain of the kingdom’s army as well as a hereditary baron in rank. His eyes glistened when he saw the princess, thanking Holus for protecting the last royalty. The knights and servants alike cheered, though, for some, it turned solemn the moment Falstad demanded authority over the knights.

“Is this also the princess’ will?” The captain asked. Yet before the princess could express her thoughts, Falstad abruptly spoke. “Yes, the princess wills it.” His brows furrowed, asking suspiciously, “Are you doubting the princess? I am the commander and you, and your men shall do my bidding... My orders are for the princess’ safety.”

“Is it?” The captain clenched his fists, the sound of metal gloves clumping together rang. His suspicion grows, Falstad seems to be occupying power in dire times, and the captain knew himself that the princess will be the key to solidifying such power. This is mutiny! However, most of his knights have already sworn fealty to both Falstad and the princess by kneeling, while those mounted placed their fists on their chests. He looked in disbelief at his men, and then he surrendered to Falsad’s power play. Much to his annoyance, he was ordered by Falstad to stay in the courtyard with more than thirty men to gather more possible survivors, though he believed that this was the last batch and Falstad just wants him to die. He could only agree while he watched the departing army of survivors, his gaze then turned towards the incoming undead, he steeled himself and wore his steel helm. “To battle!”

Maria looked back to see the ensuing battle in time, grasping the reins of her horse tightly. It felt like Falstad had been leaving those men who could bring opposition to his orders. Suddenly, she became more suspicious of Falstad’s intent. Was he really the man she thought him to be, a stoic loyal commander or did this disaster bring an opportunity to show his fangs?

“Must those men need to stay there?”

“Of course,” Falstad smiled. “There must be scattered survivors around the castle, and we are giving them hope. In times of need, these people need hope the most princess.” Though he was smiling, it gave off a creepy chill as if he meant no sincerity in his words. These people are for him to step on in his rise to power, and the prized jewel to the throne rides beside him. 

Unbeknownst to Falstad, his plans are about to be disrupted as the queen survived the culling. The wheels of fate had run their course, and the threads that loom everything together would connect in time. Gods and mortals alike would be a part of a large play culminating in a war that is about to spread all over the lands.