The Sentinel of Cassendar: Resquarian

Roderick held on to the stones Galen moved from the wall making them protrude out. He reached for the next one to pull himself over closer to the edge, trying to move quickly but not slip. He could hear talking above him, but the wind blowing around him made it hard to know what was being said. The snow was starting to fall a little heavier, and Roderick worried the stones would quickly become slick if they did not make it to the wall pathway in a timely manner.

As he got closer, he heard the clanging together of swords and it worried him. He looked down at Lord Ethen below him seeing the man looking back at him.

“For the gods sake, do not stop Roderick. I am having a hard enough time not looking down while we are moving.”

Roderick nodded and reached for the next stone, putting his foot on the one below it. He finally reached the edge of he wall and put his hands upon it. He could hear Darron saying something as Roderick pulled himself up. There in front of him was Darron holding his sword up as King Leal sat against the wall holding his shoulder.

Roderick did not hesitate he unsheathed his sword and jumped over King Leal to land in front of Darron, holding up his sword to meet Darron’s as it swung down. He seemed to have caught Darron by surprise, and Roderick pushed back causing Darron to stumble backwards many steps as Galen and Lord Ethen joined him on top of the wall.

Roderick looked over to his left to see Dracia on her knees as Belleth moved towards her, her hand outstretched.

“Go to Dracia with Lord Ethen, your majesty,” said Roderick as Galen unsheathed his sword. “Galen and I will take care of this traitor for the Sentinel and our High Captain.”

King Leal scrambled up with Lord Ethen’s help and they moved towards Dracia. Roderick worked to keep his focus on Darron, trusting in the king and Lord Ethen to save his High Captain. Darron walked forward, his sword ready as Galen and Roderick circled around Darron.

“Roderick, you sure you don’t want to make this a more even fight?” asked Darron. “This is between you and me after all. Why not let your brother sit this one out?”

“Alaric was my brother as well, Darron,” said Galen fiercely. “You have hurt my High Captain and betrayed my kingdom and Sentinel. I have every right to fight you as much as Roderick.”

“I would just hate to kill another one of Roderick’s brothers,” said Darron. “I had hope to spare your mother at least one son, but so be it.”

Darron lunged at Galen who blocked his attack as Roderick sliced his sword at Darron. Darron kicked Galen away before turning on Roderick in a series of moves, Roderick blocking each one. Roderick saw Galen throw out his hand in the corner of his eye as Roderick struck out at Darron. He saw Galen shake his head as Darron block Roderick’s strike and push so Roderick stumbled back. Galen moved forward exchanging blows with Darron as Roderick turned for one moment towards Dracia and the others. Lord Ethen was laying on the ground attempting to rise as Prince Leal sat on the other side, his hand close to Dracia’s sword. Dracia was on her back, Belleth over her as the other woman pleaded with her sister.

Roderick turned as he heard Galen make a noise to see his brother fly towards the wall with a push from Darron. Roderick moved towards Darron making the man turn from Galen to face Roderick. They half circled one another before Roderick struck first, his sword meetings Darron’s who turned and plunged his sword at Roderick. Roderick blocked his move and pushed off to strike at Darron again.

Darron used his free arm to elbow Roderick in the chin, causing Roderick to step back and gather himself as Darron lunged towards him. Roderick blocked his sword enough to move it off its target so it stuck Roderick in the upper arm instead of the chest. Roderick felt the hot sting of pain radiated up his arm as he pulled away from Darron’s sword. He pushed the pain away and lunged at Darron. They traded blow after blow, both having the upper hand for a moment or two before the other would gain more momentum.

Roderick turned and saw his brother get up behind Darron as Roderick blocked another strike of Darron’s sword. He was about to attack again when the sound of a woman screaming caused them all to stop and turn. Belleth and her sister were gone. All that was left was Dracia laying on the ground, Lord Ethen walking towards her, and King Leal holding Dracia’s silver sword as he looked over the wall.

Roderick turned towards Darron, and he saw Galen throw his hand up. Darron shot forward towards Roderick in a blast of wind. Roderick caught Darron, immediately burying his sword into Darron’s chest as he stared at him. Darron lurched forward and dropped his sword as Roderick moved his sword all the way through the man.

“You are a traitor and murderer. You never had peace in this life, and you shall never have it in the next. You are a disgrace to the Sentinel and to your father’s name. It shall be as if you never existed,” said Roderick coldly as he pulled his sword out and Darron fell to the ground, jerking a few times until he lay still.

Roderick looked up at Galen who walked towards him, looking down at Darron. The brothers looked at each other until the sound of the king saying Dracia’s name in agony caused them both to turn.

Leal ran towards Dracia, leaving Roderick and Galen to take care of Darron. Lord Ethen joined him as they approached Dracia, Belleth, and Julian. The woman had her hand over Dracia as Dracia was in front of her on the ground folded forward.

“Sister, stop those men from coming any closer,” said Belleth urgently looking at Julian. Julian looked as if she didn’t really want to do anything. “Do it, now, Julian, or I will find a way forward without you.”

Julian raised a shaky hand as she looked at Leal and Ethen with tears in her eyes. Both Leal and Ethen went to move forward towards Dracia when they were both thrown back. Ethen landed hard to the right, rolling over and laying still as Leal hit the side of the wall, leaning against it as he fell down. He sat against the wall, trying to find the will to get up, but found he had none. All he could do was quietly watch what was happening in front of him.

“Now, sister, I know you are in there somewhere,” said Belleth crouching down towards Dracia. “You know what must be done. Reclaim your powers that you wrongly gave up and join us so we can be one again. I will draw you out.”

“No,” said Dracia as she leaned up. “I will not relent.”

Belleth put her hand on Dracia’s head, causing Dracia to lean back and scream.

“You made a mistake, and now you can correct it. You will unleash your power and join your sisters. We shall rule over Resquarian as we should. I command you to join me.”

“No,” said Dracia breathlessly. “A mistake may have been made, but it was not Sophia’s choice to be as a created one.”

Belleth placed her other hand on Dracia’s head with the one that was already there. Dracia groaned and fell down on her back.

“Do not make me hurt you further my dear,” said Belleth. “Do not make me take away all you hold dear, your king, your kin, even your child. Join us now.”

Belleth kept her hands over Dracia, curling them inwards as Dracia lay on her side, holding her stomach.

“Please, stop, sister,” said Julian as she walked over to Belleth. “You are hurting her terribly. You will kill her.”

“She is unusually stubborn, but she cannot withstand the pain for long. She will fight back eventually to save herself and her child,” said Belleth coldly. “She will unleash her power, and then we can join with her.”

“No,” whispered Dracia as she sat up. “I will not.”

Belleth bent down to get closer to Dracia. “You will, because I will do it, Dracia. I will kill your child, and then I will kill your king in front of you. You will not allow it. You will become who you are meant to be, and stop me. Now let Sophia come forward.”

A white light from Belleth’s hands surrounded Dracia causing Dracia to scream as she stared at Belleth. She finally shuddered and collapsed, laying very still as Belleth looked down at her. Leal kept his eyes on Dracia, afraid Belleth had gone to far and that Dracia had been killed. He struggled to move, finding he could almost manage to stand as he watched Dracia slowly sit up as she groaned. She reached up and touched Belleth’s face as Belleth put her hands down.

“I am sorry, sister,” said Dracia in an odd voice. “I did make a mistake. You are right.”

Belleth smiled and touched Dracia’s hand. “I knew you would see it, Sophia. You will come back to me and Julian. We will be as we were.”

Julian knelt down next to Dracia, taking her free hand as Dracia smiled at both of them and then closed her eyes.

“I should have never given you so much time. I thought it was a mercy to give you time to see your ways were wrong, but it was only a continuing curse for both of you. Now, you are too far gone,” said Dracia. “I will correct my mistake and make you as you were meant to be.”

Leal turned his head as a bright light came from the women. He turned back to see Belleth stand up.

“What have you done?” asked Belleth as she looked at her hands.

“I have made you as a created one,” said Dracia as she stood up. “I have done what should have be done in the first place. I can be at peace now and so can you if you choose it. Goodbye, sisters.”

“No,” said Belleth. “No.”

She lunged forward grabbing Dracia as they both fell to the ground. Leal felt some of his strength come back to him and he slowly stood up, grabbing Dracia sword.

“Let her go, Belleth, you will kill her,” said Julian as she reached for her sister.

“It does not matter now,” said Belleth as she kept one hand on Dracia. “Sophia is gone, and Dracia can do nothing for us.”

“Don’t kill her, Belleth, please,” said Julian. “Killing her will do no good. Stop.”

Leal could see large boils forming on Belleth’s arms and he realized Dracia was using Mystics to try to get Belleth off of her. Belleth pushed her hand out at Julian sending a strong wind at the woman. Julian was caught off guard, and she flew towards the wall. Leal made a half attempt to reach for her, but he realized he would never be able to help her. She went over the wall with only a small noise of surprise.

Leal gripped his sword and walked towards Belleth. Belleth had both of her hands back on Dracia, as Dracia seemed to have stopped struggling. The woman looked up at him as he approached. She let go of Dracia, letting Dracia fall completely to the ground as she staggered towards Leal. She looked pathetic and broken, but Leal had no sympathy for her. He reached out and grabbed her arm, feeling some kind of magic come from her, but his power quickly responded, destroying the magic instantly.

“You can kill me Cassendar king,” she said with a slur. “But it will do no good. Your queen is too weak. She will not survive.”

Leal felt his power take over him and saw his green eyes reflected in Belleth’s. When he spoke, it came from somewhere deep within him in the old Cassendar tongue. “You do not know her strength or mine. The legacy of our reign will last far beyond any memory of you.”

She attempted to push him away with her magic, but Leal held on to her. He plunged the sword slowly into Belleth as her eyes went wide. He watched as she convulsed in front of him. He pushed her to the side of the wall before he pulled the sword out of her, letting her fall to the ground below. Leal looked down, watching her fall, seeing her hit the ground to lay amongst the other bodies below.

“Leal,” said Ethen urgently causing Leal to turn and walk to Dracia’s side.

He knelt down and looked at her. Her eyes were closed, and she lay still. He put his hand on her cheek, looking for any sign of life. He looked over at Ethen who shook his head with tears in his eyes.

“No,” whispered Leal as he bent down and kissed her cheek. “No, Dracia, you must not give up. You are strong.”

He half picked her up and held her in his arms, feeling his power respond and flow to her, searching her.

“Dracia,” he said loudly with pain in his voice. He held her to him, willing her to be alive as he heard Ethen quietly cry and the sounds of footsteps heading his way.

“Your majesty?” asked Roderick quietly.

Leal could not bear to look up at Roderick. He could not face reality. This could not be real. She was still there with them, somehow. She had told him to trust, to have faith. He held her close as he felt a hand on his shoulder.

“Leal, I’m so sorry,” said Ethen very softly.

Leal shook his head, refusing to look up or let her go. He heard Roderick cry out and Galen gasp, but Leal kept his arms around Dracia, and his head buried into her shoulder. He felt his tears fall down his cheeks as the wet snowflakes landed on his neck and hands. Everything seem still and unusually quiet. There was shouting in the distance as the battle went on below them, but Leal heard none of it. He held on to Dracia, not believing this could be the end. She had told him to trust her and the gods, he could not give up.

Something caused a small tickle on his neck. He waited, and he felt it again. He raised his head and gently pulled Dracia away from him so he could look at her. He waited for a few long seconds and then he saw it. Her chest rose slightly. He waited another second to see it happen again.

“She’s alive,” he said as he looked at Ethen and then Roderick. “She is breathing, look.”

Galen fell down to his knees and put his hand over Dracia’s chest.

“He is right; she is still alive at this moment,” said Galen. “We need to get her inside.”

Leal stood, picking Dracia up carefully. He carried her into the tower and down the stairs with the others following him. Ethen opened the door so Leal could exit onto the fourth floor of the palace. He walked down the next flight of stairs, about to keep going when he saw the two sets of double doors next to him, knowing they led to the king and queen’s quarters. He turned and walked towards the doors that led to the queen’s room. He stopped and looked at Ethen who opened the door, allowing Leal inside.

Leal passed through the small sitting area and into the large bedroom. He knew the palace attendants had cleaned it and cleared it so Leal and Dracia could move into these rooms when they were ready. Leal gently placed Dracia on the bed, where she lay perfectly still except for the slight movement of her chest.

Galen walked over and hovered his hands over Dracia without saying one word as Roderick caused a fire to spring up in the fireplace. Galen closed his eyes as Leal watched him, waiting for Galen to say something. After several minutes, Galen put his hands down and opened his eyes. He shook his head and looked at Leal.

“She is alive and so is your child at the moment, but they are both very weak. I don’t know how either of them can live,” said Galen sadly. “I am very sorry, your majesty, but I do not believe there is anything we can do.”

“Do you think Sarin could helper her?” asked Leal as he grabbed Dracia’s hand and held it.

“No, because there is nothing to heal or cure. She is just too weak. It is as if she has used every bit of power and life she has. I am not sure how she is alive now,” said Galen. “I do not think she will last much longer.”

Leal heard Lord Ethen take a shaky breath as Roderick paced by the fireplace. Leal sat down on the bed next to Dracia and stared at her. He reached over and moved a piece of hair that had fallen out of her braid and into her face. He smiled slightly as he looked at her, noticing how peaceful and beautiful she looked.

“Leal,” said Ethen quietly. “What can we do for you? Should we go get her parents and brothers?”

“Why?” asked Leal. “She can see them soon enough.”

“They will want to say goodbye,” said Ethen carefully. “They will want to see their daughter and sister one last time.”

“She is not going anywhere, Ethen,” said Leal as he kept his eyes on Dracia. “You forget how strong she is.”

“Leal…” started Ethen as he voice broke. “You must understand that she will not make it. I can tell certain things, and she is already as good as gone.”

Leal shook his head, keeping his eyes on Dracia. Ethen did not understand. How could he?

“Your majesty, I wish it were different,” said Galen. “But what Lord Ethen says is true.”

“Leave us,” said Leal.

“Your majesty, we cannot leave you alone,” said Roderick as he stopped pacing. “Not at a time like this.”

“I said to leave us,” said Leal.

“Leal,” said Ethen as he put his hand on Leal’s shoulder.

“Now,” said Leal loudly as he turned and looked at Ethen furiously. “I will see she is well. Leave us so she may rest.”

Ethen looked at Galen and then Roderick.

“We shall go, your majesty,” said Roderick as he walked over to stand next to Ethen. “Would you like us to have anything brought to you? Perhaps some attendants to see about cleaning and dressing the queen.”

“Tell Malven to bring me some water and some rags as well as a nightgown for Dracia,” said Leal. “I will see to her myself.”

“Yes, your majesty,” said Roderick as he pulled at Ethen’s arm.

Ethen sighed and turned to follow Roderick and Galen. He stopped and looked back. “You will send someone to me if something changes, won’t you? I will come check in with you later. You cannot expect any of us to stay away. I don’t think you should be alone.”

“You can see us in the morning, Ethen. Let her rest until then,” said Leal.

Ethen sighed again but nodded. He followed Roderick and Galen out of the room as Leal looked back down at Dracia. They did not understand how strong she truly was. He knew she would be well. She just needed to time to recover and heal. She needed deep rest, and he would see that she got it.

He sat there and waited for Maven to come with what he asked. The man came in good time, knocking at the door before he entered holding a large bowl, pitcher, and some simple clean clothes for Leal with some rags draped over his arms. Another attendant was with him, holding a tray with some water, cups, and some food on it, a clean nightgown was slung over her arm. The woman put the tray down on a table by the wall and placed the nightgown on the foot of the bed before she curtsied and left.

“I have brought what you asked, your majesty,” said Malven as he placed the bowl down next to the bed. “I had some water and food brought as well incase you are hungry. It would be good to try to get the queen to drink some water as well.”

Leal nodded. “Thank you, Malven, you may go. I will call you if I need anything else tonight.”

“Are you sure you do not want me to call some attendants up to see to the queen?” asked Malven.

“No, I wish to do it. She needs quiet and rest,” said Leal. “Go, Malven, and start packing our rooms. We shall be moving into these quarters permanently.”

“Very good, your majesty,” said Malven with a bow before he walked from the room.

Leal carefully undressed Dracia, taking his time to not jar her too much. He poured the warm water into the bowl, and cleaned her as best he could, taking care over the bruises that had formed on her arms and face. He pulled the night gown over her head and undid the braids in her hair, combing them out gently with his fingers so her hair fell in waves around her face.

Once she was clean and dressed, he pulled the covers from out under her, pulling them over her so she would be warm. He leaned down and kissed her cheek, feeling her gentle breath against his face. Standing up, he quickly changed his own clothes and washed the dirt and blood off of his hands and face before he poured a glass of water and drank it quickly. He walked over and laid down next to Dracia in the bed, moving very close to her, looping his arm around her waist.

“I know you will be well, Dracia, you and our child,” said Leal whispering in her ear. “You can rest as long as you need, and I will make sure you are taken care of. I will not lose hope. I will have faith in the gods and in you.”

He watched her as the sun slowly set outside. He cared not to eat though he should have been hungry. He was aware his shoulder and back were sore, but he paid them no mind. All that mattered was the gentle rise and fall of Dracia’s chest, telling him she was still with him. He watched her as the evening became the night until his eyes grew too heavy to stay awake.

“I love you,” he whispered before he fell into a deep sleep.