Castle Butavia

Castle Butavia-Chapter 9

Chapter 9

King Ulrich sat upon his throne with his head in his hands. His faithful servant and friend, Charles, stood behind him holding a glass of wine ready to carry out any command the King would give.

     "Why now, Charles? Why does he have to show up now of all times? She's so young and I never thought he would find her here of all places."

     "Sire, Lord Sarizin warned you this day would come. He told you that their souls were tied together and eventually would seek each other. It was unavoidable that they would meet. I didn't think that he would be so changed though. I wonder what could have happened?"

     "That's not the only trouble. You know that Lord Alric's father, General Gunnar and I made an agreement that Lord Alric and my daughter would wed after her 16th birthday. What of that now?"

     "I'm afraid Sire, that I have no answer for you on that. I did warn you that this might happen."

     "Yes, Charles you did. I guess it was just my foolish pride that got in the way. I didn''t want to accept it, now the consequences will have to be paid."

     "Unless we choose to let things take its course. Time does have a way of working things out Sire."

     A sudden banging open of the throne room doors interrupted the king's reply. A guard came rushing in red-faced and out of breath. Gasping, he cried out as he turned and slammed the doors shut after him, "Your Majesty, get to safety! The front gates and guard house have been..." His speech was cut short by the slamming open of said door which propelled him forward to land in a heap between the entrance and the throne. Two more guards were thrown through the doorway to land beside him. A woman followed these, stepping into the room and moving with catlike grace. She bore in her hands a sword and staff. Her jet black hair seemed to flow around her and the cloak she wore seemed to shimmer and flicker making her very formidable. Charles stepped in front of the king and drew his sword as the king drew his as well. The air around the woman seemed to flicker and suddenly she was standing in front of Charles her sword prepared to strike. Charles was just as fast, his sword catching hers as she struck. They stood face to face for a moment almost a look of shock upon her face, or at least what Charles knew would pass as shock among Silwa.

     The woman snarled in his face baring her fangs as she did so, "Give him to me."

     Charles snarled back baring his own set of fangs, "I don't think so."

     The woman's eyes glowed with red fury as she stepped back and lunged toward the king.  Charles just barely managed to get in her way to block the sword that would have ended his liege's life.  She was fast! So fast! Charles knew he was out of practice after all there hadn't been too many of her kind around for quite some time.  In fact, it had been years since he had had a chance to spar with someone of her caliber. He had hoped to have had time to practice with the young man but circumstances had worked out otherwise.  Now that same young man was possibly dying in the king's own room and he would do anything to protect his king while he had made such a decision to protect the young man.

     Charles avoided another bone jarring blow catching it on his sword and letting it slide past to the side and responded with a thrust of his own.  His opponent's eyes narrowed as she recognized the move.  Her response was an overwhelming barrage of attacks that ended with his sword buried in the throne just inches above his king's head and her sword at his throat.

     She snarled again, her fangs reflecting the torchlight in the throneroom.  Charles knew it was over but still stepped in front of the king.  He would protect him with his last breath no matter what the cost.