Wither of Thornes

Chapter 1: Devastation and Desperation

In many ways, words depended on other words. Arine Thorne was familiar with the linking of words, 2 needed to clearly define a situation. In the case of the Rose-Grayen Kingdom, devastation and desperation were 2 words that presented how everyone in the Kingdom felt. 

The Kingdom was formed in the year 1100 and for 400 years, no dilemmas had occurred, except for wars. The Kingdom was well ordered, so anything going wrong seldom ever happened. 

It was the seasons. It was believed that the King and Queen, and their noble men had the blessed power of the God to control the weather, for as long as they served. Never had there been a time where the season of the year was skipped.

There had been many signs of a growing issue of seasons. The winter solstice lasted longer than usual, causing the living conditions of the Kingdom to turn to hardship. 

Many people wailed that the Blessed of the God were frauds. Or they weren't worthy enough. Others were distressed the number of sacrifices made wasn't enough to please the God. 

Arine knew that everyone and the Blessed of the God—which included her mother and father, the King and Queen—would not be forgetful of their sacrifices nor not be plentiful with them. 

Arine was outside, helping the unskilled people of the Kingdom to quickly gather inside the castle. The clouds were dark, the ground a pale white. 

Tailors rushed in with boxes of fabric, fur, threads and needles. Farmers hurried to store their tools in boxes. 

Once everyone had entered the safety of the castle, the doormen shut the doors, and ordering everyone to go to their assigned rooms. Arine though, had to speak with the King and Queen first, before going to her room. 

It was one of the upsides of being a princess, daughter of the King and Queen. You would have more freedom to communicate with the King and Queen themselves. No lower rank ever or rarely had the honor to privately speak with them, with exceptions of messengers. 

Arine went up flights of auburn colored staircases, trying not to trip on the heels she wore. She reached the quarters for the nobles, King and Queen, and Arine's own bedroom.

She had passed these quarters many times, seeking for different things. Comfort. Safety. Forgiveness. Answers. Arine was now going to them for answers.

Once Arine was in front of the door, she noticed no guard was near. She also heard the voices of her mother and father, discussing something. Driven by curiosity, and the hopes of them answering Arine's mysteries, she put her ear on the door and listened.

"This has become such a disaster!" the Queen said loudly and sighed heavily. 

"Indeed it has Lena. The God must be disappointed at us." The King said in a calm voice, mixed with worry. 

"What shall we do! How do we keep everyone safe and not decease them, for death will be looked down as our crime!" the Queen yelled. 

"We must keep them in the castle," the King said firmly. "Everyone in their cottages must stay there. We'll need to put out an announcement."

"What about our daughter's Academy?"

The Royal Academy. For young princesses, princes, nobles and such to train to be who they are supposed to be. Arine had been waiting to go there for so long once she reached the age of 16. Now, because of the lockdown plan, she wouldn't be able to attend. 

At that moment, she pushed open the doors. The King and Queen looked up in surprise, then in light exasperation. 

"Arine honey, were you listening to our conversation?" her father asked. He didn't need to ask, both her mother and father knew.