| |
|
Adele spent all her time in her room, sometimes crying, but mostly just staring blankly at her walls. When sounds of fighting broke out near the city gates, she craned her neck to see what was going on. But the window in her room faced away from the city, so she couldn't see a thing. Not wanting to leave the safety of her room, she sat on her bed, fresh tears rolling down her face. . Henry was expecting the attack when it came, and he had prepared the soldiers of the Day Kingdom army for that moment. He hollered the charge call and watched as lines of cavalry, infantry, and archers poured out from where they were stationed near the entrance of the city. But the Night Kingdom was more ferocious than he imagined, and his troops were rapidly being cut down. He saw the queen make a break for it into the city, followed by many of her personal guards. Enraged, Henry wheeled his charger around and dashed after the queen and her soldiers. He was soon cornered, and couldn't get to the queen, who was already making her way to the castle. The best Henry could do was call out a warning to the castle's guards, before being swept up in the rush of fighting. The guards at the gate of the castle heard Henry's shout of warning, and readied themselves to protect the castle at all costs. But they were easily dispatched by the evil queen's guards, and left bleeding on the ground. Nothing stood between her and Princess Adelaide. The maid, terrified of the Night Kingdom's new queen, did as she said and led her up to Adele's room. Adele heard a commotion from down inside the castle, but was too terrified and weak to do anything about it. Instead, she donned her sheath and snapped in two daggers, both gifts from Caelan. Tears formed in her eyes at the sight of them, rubies shining brightly. She brushed off the sadness and stood in her room facing the door, ready for anything that came her way. . Thomas heard the cries and clash of swords from up above, and realized this was the perfect time to torment his prisoner. First though, he needed to get him conscious. Thomas grabbed a jug of water and bowl of potato soup, fumbling with the keys to the cell. Eventually he managed to unlock the door, and heaved his bulk inside the cold room. He untied Caelan's hands and retied them in front of him so he could eat, then set the soup down and poured water on Caelan to wake him. Once he had sat up, Thomas spoke. His voice was rough and unfeeling. "I brought you some soup and water." He gestured to the bowl and jug, then watched Caelan like a hawk. Soon, he said, with an evil grin growing on his face, "Hear that?" He nodded up to the ceiling. "That's the sound of the night kingdom, under your mother's rule, killing every defenseless citizen they can find. She's already in the castle, most likely having a talk with your beloved princess." He emphasized the word 'beloved', saying it in a mocking voice. |
|  |
|
| |
|
Caelan woke to the sound of the cell being opened and flinched before sitting up. "Adele? She's with Adele?" He roared, fueled by rage. He shot up, grabbing around the guard's throat with both hands. "Let me out and lead me to her. Now." He demaded in a low, dangerous voice that promised death if not followed. ~
The evil queen circled Adele after breaking in, looking at her like she was prey caught in a snare. "Poor thing...Your protector is dead. Your kingdom is falling. What a pity...and what to do with you?" She snapped, making sure the words cut like knives. "My son--though, I'm ashamed to call him such a close thing to me" She said, rolling her eyes before continuing. "You loved him. He's dead. Because of you. You led that boy to his death." You could tell the queen liked making people hurt by the way she emphasized certain words and made them cut deeper than a rusty dagger. "Now, you get to watch your kingdom fall and your dead boyfriend's mother claim it as my own. And nobody--especially not a scrawny thing like you--can stop me." She said. "Make her watch, then kill her" The queen said, a dismissive wave of her hand. A guard nodded and restrained Adele, throwing the two daggers from Caelan to the side, the metal clattering to the ground. He dragged her to the dungeon, throwing her in a cell beside Caelan with a full, barred -off view of the fighting outside. "How does that make you feel, princess? You subjects falling like rain?" The guard sneered with a wicked smile. |
|  |
|
| |
|
Even though Caelan's hands were around his throat, Thomas simply smirked. He raised his fist, then punched Caelan in the face. Then, dusting himself off, he stood. "There's nothing you can do about it now. I'm sure she's already dead." he sneered, then turned to leave the cell. . Adele kept a staight face through the queen's speech, but inside the words stabbed her heart like the daggers that were now on the floor. Adele fought the guard at first, but eventually she let him drag her to the cell. Adele stood up and brushed off her clothes, trying to portray confidence and bravery. She replied to the guard in as calm a voice as she could muster. "My people are strong. This attack won't weaken them." She spoke as if she were already queen, and she felt a wave of pride at how she sounded. But inside, she could hardly bear watching her citizens fight to the death. But what could she do? She would obey the evil queen, and find a way to excape at the last minute. If she were going to die, though, she wanted to know how Caelan died, and why it was supposedly her fault. She didn't believe the queen that she had led him to his death, but anything was believable now. It felt like she wasn't actually living, but that she was looking down at herself from somewhere up above. 'I need to do something,' she thought in desperation, looking out over the carnage of what used to be a beautiful town square. . (No clue how they're gonna get out of this one lol) |
| |
|
| |
|
same lol) Caelan stumbled back from the blow, barely staying upright. He watched the guard walk away, anger boiling inside him until he heard Adele's voice. No, she can't be alive. She's dead. Mother killed her. She can't be here. He thought, taken by surprise. He didn't have the strngth fro a conversation, so he hummed the same tune he had when they'd found Calvin in the forest |
| |
|
| |
|
(I got this :P) Adele was in the corner of her cell, trying not to see the fight raging outside. It was too much. All of it. Caelan gone, her subjects dying, and her parents who-knows-where. She was about to give up and fall asleep right there on the cold ground, but then she heard something. Someone was humming a melody. It sparked a memory, but she couldn't recall what the song was. The memory was evading her, but it called up feelings of relief, concern, and joy. She sat there, mistified, as the voice kept humming. She didn't know what to do, so instead of doing anything, she sat down and simply listened. . Outside, the battle had moved away from the city and into the forest beyond. The Day Kingdom soldiers had regained position and strength, forcing the Night Kingdom's warriors back. The sides were now equal in number, and both fighting viciously. But the Day soldiers had more to fight for, so they were slowly gaining ground. Inside the city, citizens were regrouping and tending the wounded and dying, though always with an eye in the direction of the fighting. They had lost so many, and hope was dwindling. Finneas, the young guard who had arrested Caelan, had stayed back from the fight and was helping with the wounded. He had seen at least three of his friends dead, and many more wounded. But on his way to the market square where people were giving out bowls of warm beef stew, he saw something that caught his eye. Henry, the head guard of the castle, was whispering urgently to a huge man, who Finn remembered to be a prison guard. Confused on why Henry would be speaking with a lowly prison guard, Finn snuck closer to hear. "...And make absolutely sure that the princess doesn't see him. If she does, both of them will try to escape." Henry was saying quietly, though barely loud enough for Finn to hear. "More prison guards should be on the way to help guard the former king. Once the Night Kingdom army retreats, our plan with the new queen will go into action." The huge guard, confused, asked, "What's our plan with the new queen?" Henry rolled his eyes, exhasparated. "I told you before. Remember...?" Thomas looked at him dumbly. Henry breathed out sharply. "We're going to let her kill the princess, then, once that's done, tell her that Caelan is still alive, and then she can kill him, and then we'll offer the treaty." Thomas was still lost. "Why would she agree to a treaty? She just broke the one with the king and queen." Henry rolled his eyes again. "Because, you fool, it won't be a treaty with the king and queen, because they'll be dead too. It'll be a treaty with me, the mayor of the Day Kingdom." He puffed out his chest at the thought of all that power. "But it won't be called that anymore. I'm going to tell the new queen that we should merge the cities, and train huge armies to go out and conquer all the other lands! Once she agrees, I'll have full control over this side of the night kingdom! It's foolproof." His smile turned menacing. "The only thing that could ruin it is if Caelan or Adelaide escapes. So make sure they don't." He emphasized the last sentence sharply. Thomas, finally understanding, stood taller and replied, "Yes sir. Of course, sir." He strode quickly off to the dungeon, calling for more guards immediately. Though he had arrested Caelan, Finneas was a loyal Day Kingdom guard. That whole conversation went against everything he had been taught, and it was so wrong that he felt his face turning red with anger. Henry was never a loyal guard to the king and queen! He had been planning this all along, and when Finn had captured Caelan, his plan was made even easier. Frustrated with himself, Finn decided he needed to do the right thing. Hardly thinking, Finn made his way to the back of the prison, sneaking in through the back door. He avoided all the guards easily, and made it to Caelan's cell. He used his dagger to cut off the lock, and quickly stepped inside before anyone saw him. He knew Caelan was going to recognize him and want revenge, so Finn lifted his hands to show he wasn't against Caelan. "I'm here to rescue you, your highness." He whispered, hoping Caelan would believe him. . (Also sorry if that post contradicted stuff from before, it's hard to keep track of everything. At least you get the main point.) |
| |
|
Snow and Sleet Mix, Clearing at Night
