Marked Ones: Advent of the Demon Prince

Richard von Petra sat in his study, slowly grazing a painting of his darling wife and daughter. His daughter before she was corrupted by a Marked One. Before that beast took her away. He should have killed Lucius instead of his father. He should have strangled the cub before it could grow and now… now he infected his family with his seed.

"Uncle. Please allow us. Allow us to help you." Thomas's wife, Brienne stepped up to him, brushing her fingers along the desk. "Thomas and I have the help of Sir Theos, the Thunderking. With Wallace Carmichael out of the kingdom, we can move. Cut the plant out by its roots."

"But my daughter…"

"Uncle." Thomas said gently, with a mockingly sad tone. "My dear cousin has chosen her side. She left the family instead of fighting for a place to return. She bred with a Marked One and from our reports, passed the curse onto her spawn. No one wishes to have a tainted womb join their family, so she cannot marry for an alliance. I am sorry to say that the better mercy would to be end her life along with the child."

"No."

"Uncle?" they said at the same time.

Richard stood, grabbing the sword leaning against the desk. He fastened its sheath to his hip before walking out of the room. "Use the Thunderking as a distraction. My daughter's failings are my own. The fact that Lucius was able to return from the war is my fault. It is my duty to cut the tumors from our nation and our family line. Brienne, inform the church. We march to the capital."

***

Lyrah hummed happily as she penned yet another letter. This one addressed to the merchant's guild. As an organization, it had long since fallen under the control of a third party. Not that any kingdom ever knew. The guild would send copies of this letter to all who needed to see it.

"Soon. Oh so soon. I hope you are alive, brother dearest. Because if not, your wives and children won't live to see the week's end." Lyrah giggled as she dribbled a dab of wax onto the letter. "Nor I, for that matter. Though, I could be wrong. I've never been able to see my future after all."

She grabbed her wax seal from beneath her desk. She could have hidden such an item, but no one ever went through the Oracle's things. Why would they? The Oracle was loyal to Arcadios after all.

Lyrah continued to hum happily as she pressed the seal into the wax before removing it. She lifted the letter from the desk, inspecting the quality of the seal. It wouldn't do for such an important letter to look out of order. Staring back at her was the shattered orb—at least that's what many have called it. In reality, it was a shattered crystal ball. An homage to the fortune tellers of old. Though…they lacked the foresight of a true Oracle.

"Oh, brother dearest. Rena. Kalliope. Even you, sweet Natali. You all danced to my tune so beautifully. Bounding along at the whims of fate, not realizing that her strings were connected to me." Lyrah continued to hum happily, now walking through the halls of the castle. This letter perhaps deserved to be delivered in person this time. After all. It was oh so very important.

Guards would be there to stop her, but with each blink she accessed her Mark's powers, deftly dodging their gazes, missing their patrols by mere moments. Child's play really. Just like when she was young and first escaped the confines of the castle.

The gilded walls of the Merchant's guild approached quickly. The interior was adorned with the finest of silks, velvets, golden and silver decorations. Servants walked around with gold-plated serving platters filled with exotic fruits and drinks for the customers doing business for the day.

The moment she crossed the threshold, the guildmaster was at her side. "Lady Lyrah! Oh my, it is such a wonder to see you in person."

"Ah, yes. I don't stop by too often…after all cant reveal too much."

"Yes, quite. But your reason for showing up again now, my lady?"

She flashed a predatory smile before handing him her letter. His eyes widened in surprise at the direct delivery. He quickly opened it, scanning its contents. Once he had finished his perusal, he gulped. "All of them, Lady Lyrah?"

"All of them."

"Even the ones we've allowed to think they were separate from us by skimming off the top?"

"All of them. Gobally. Chaos. Let it fall. Consume each country in the fires of rebellion. Every sect, every cult, every individual agent under my thumb." Lyrah paused. "Hm."

"Lady?"

"I do believe Lucius has taken a fancy to Aedrider. That new queen's little sister has curried his favor… Father's homeland as well. We can let them be. Have those agents seal the borders. Do not allow them to send support."

"Wisteria Concord, my lady?"

"Oh!" Lyrah clapped her hands together. "I forgot about them. Silly me. Hm. What do you think?"

The guild master gulped. He was an aged man. Easily old enough to be Lyrah's grandfather. The merchant's guild had been under his control for decades. That was until a small child with powers of foresight stepped in to show him the truth. Of her brother's ascension… the coin helped too of course. Few things more lucrative than seeing the future.

"I think they have been quite supportive of his grace. I think that support should be rewarded." He mumbled fearfully.

"Hmm." Lyrah tapped her cheek playfully. "Okay! We will allow them to stay as well. After all, brother dearest will need guidance to control his new world."

Thunder rumbled threateningly in the distance, despite the clear and sunny skies. "Oh my, how frightening. I was never a fan of storms. But one can never expect the flowers of spring to bloom without the rain. Come home soon, brother dearest. I'd hate to be on the losing side of this bet. I'd say… a fifty/fifty shot?"

She skipped along the path to the castle, not shying away from the guards this time. "So very exciting!"