Blood and Shadows

The moon hid behind a shroud of thick clouds, its light seemingly snuffed out with deliberate intent. Eastanzarth's castle, a proud symbol of strength and wisdom, now seemed to tremble under the weight of the night. The gentle rustle of grapevines swaying in the wind and the murmur of the nearby river were overshadowed by an unnatural silence. Even the animals sensed the unease. Horses stamped and snorted in their stalls, their restlessness echoing in the stables. The guard dogs, usually alert to the smallest disturbance, whimpered and refused to leave their kennels.

Outside the walls, numerous figures cloaked in black crept closer, their movements blending seamlessly with the shadows. Their faces were obscured by masks, revealing only piercing eyes that darted between the guards. Each step was calculated, each movement was silent. The leader raised his hand, and the group halted, crouching low as they surveyed the gate.

The guards stood rigid, their torches flickering in the cool breeze. They exchanged idle chatter, their vigilance dulled by the routine of the night. They had no reason to suspect danger; Eastanzarth had been at peace for years. But peace had made them complacent.

The first guard noticed it—a candle near the gate sputtering out, then another. His brow furrowed as he stepped closer to investigate. He didn't have time to cry out. A cold steel flashed in the moonlight, slicing through the air with deadly precision. His body crumpled silently to the ground.

The other guards turned, their expressions shifting from confusion to alarm. But before they could react, the attackers descended upon them like a storm. Blades glinted, slicing through flesh and armour with ruthless efficiency. The guards fell one by one, their blood pooling on the cobblestones, dark as the night itself.

Inside the castle, Queen Namia stirred in her bed, her heart restless. The night felt heavy, as though an unseen force pressed against her chest. She sat up, her dark eyes scanning the room. The flicker of the bedside candle cast eerie shadows across the walls, but the stillness outside was what unnerved her. Even the wind seemed to hold its breath.

Her unease deepened when a faint sound reached her ears—an unnatural hush followed by distant, muffled footsteps. Before she could make sense of it, the door burst open, and her servant Myria stumbled in, her face pale and her chest heaving.

"My queen," Myria gasped, clutching the doorframe for support. "The castle... it's under attack! You must leave at once!"

Namia's heart lurched. "Attack? Who would dare—" Her voice faltered as she rose, her instincts taking over. "The children. Have they been warned?"

"I don't know, my queen." Myria's hands shook as she grabbed a cloak and draped it over Namia's shoulders. "The guards are fighting, but they are too strong. We must hurry!"

Queen Namia nodded, her mind racing. From the drawer beside her bed, she retrieved a small dagger. She gripped it tightly, its cold hilt grounding her amidst the chaos. "We need to go to the chambers of my children first. Come with me."

The two of them hurried into the corridor, where the air was thick with the metallic scent of blood. Namia's bare feet brushed against the cold stone, the chill seeping into her bones. They passed a fallen guard slumped against the wall, his lifeless eyes staring into the void. Namia's breath hitched, but she pressed on, her resolve hardening with each step.

At Princess Liria's chamber, the young girl was already awake, her hazel eyes wide with fear. Her servant Tia was fastening a white hooded cloak over her shoulders, her hands trembling.

"Mother!" Liria cried, rushing to Namia's side. "What's happening?"

Queen Namia pulled her into a tight embrace, though her voice remained steady. "There's no time to explain, my dear. We need to find your brother and leave the castle immediately."

"But why? Who's attacking us?" Liria's voice cracked, but Queen Namia had no answers.

"All we know is that we're in danger," The Queen said, gripping her daughter's hand. "Trust me, my love. We'll be safe if we stay together."

The group moved swiftly, but the sounds of battle grew louder. The clash of swords echoed through the halls, mingling with shouts and screams. Queen Namia's heart pounded as they approached Prince Belin's chamber, but her steps faltered when she heard hurried footsteps approaching from behind.

She turned, raising her dagger instinctively. A hooded figure emerged from the shadows, his blade dripping with fresh blood. Queen Namia pushed Liria behind her, her voice sharp. "Run!"

The man lunged, his movements swift and deadly. The Queen sidestepped, swinging her dagger in a desperate arc. The blade grazed his arm, drawing a thin line of blood. He snarled, his eyes narrowing as he advanced.

Behind her, Liria hesitated. "Mother, I can't leave you!"

"Go!" Queen Namia shouted, her voice fierce. "Tia, take her to the servants' passage!"

Tia grabbed Liria's arm, pulling her away despite the princess's protests. Tears streamed down Liria's face as she was dragged into the dark corridor, her mother's silhouette growing smaller with each step.

Namia's heart ached, but she couldn't afford to falter. The intruder lunged again, and this time, she met him head-on. Their blades clashed, the sound ringing through the corridor. She fought with the desperation of a mother, each movement fuelled by her love for her children.

The man's strength was overwhelming, and he drove her back step by step. Her breath came in ragged gasps, her arms trembling under the force of his attacks. But she refused to yield.

"Your fight is with me," she spat, her voice cold. "You'll go no further."

Suddenly, another figure appeared—a guard, bloodied but alive. He charged the attacker with a roar, his sword cutting through the air. The intruder turned to face him, giving the queen a precious moment to catch her breath.

"Go, my queen!" the guard shouted, locking blades with the intruder. "Find the others and go to a safe place!"

Queen Namia hesitated, her instincts warring with her duty. But she knew her priority. With one last glance at the fight, she turned and ran, her footsteps echoing in the dark corridor.

She found Liria and Tia near the servants' passage, their faces pale and tear-streaked. Namia pulled them close, her voice trembling. "We're not safe yet. Stay close to me."

The group pressed on, the distant sounds of fighting growing fainter as they descended into the hidden passage. The air was damp and cold, the flickering torchlight casting eerie shadows on the stone walls.

But Queen Namia's heart remained heavy. She had left her son behind, and the castle above was still under siege. Every step felt like a betrayal, yet she knew she had to protect those she could.

As they emerged into the night, the cries of battle were replaced by the chilling silence of the forest. Namia's gaze lingered on the castle, its proud towers now shrouded in smoke.

"I swear," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I'll come back for you, Belin. I'll save you. No matter what it takes."