The Crown and the Throne

Prologue

The king seated on the throne was old and dying. Without an heir, he knew someone would be coming soon to kill him, taking the throne.

His first four wives had failed to bare his children and his current wife was too aged to have any now.

The king's back was straight as he was taught since the age he could sit up. He wanted to at least be killed with a king's posture. He would die with his pride.

Something banged on the throne room doors.

His faded brown eyes glazed over as he ran a withered hand through his gray hair.

The large, golden, gilded oak doors swung open. A woman with long, flowing blonde hair stalked into the room. She wore a sleek, deep blue and black uniform. Her eyes were an ocean blue and her fingers were covered in fire. The flames reflected ominously in her eyes.

"King Troy Montcroix!" She came closer, stopping at the base of the throne's dais. The flames circling her hands rose higher.

"Serefina, leader of the rebellion. Going to assassinate me, I assume?" The king spread his arms, palms facing Serefina in greeting.

Wings burst from between the rebel leader's shoulder blades, made from flames themselves. The fire was all for show, as the king himself was fire. He couldn't be destroyed by it, and would only consume her power. If anything, it would make him stronger.

"Yes. By the end of the day, you will be dead." She declared, waving the mass of followers outside the doors into the room. They walked into the throne room, all the powers swarming around each individual body: water, ice, fire, and so much more filled the room.

The old king stood.

"I would be pleased to die with my head high, if you do not mind."

Serefina wasn't listening. She turned to one of her followers, who stepped forward. She had sleek black hair and deep brown eyes. Her skin was a pretty tan. Small animals and birds surrounded her, and a few sat perched on the deer antlers protruding from her head.

"Karna. Are all the cameras prepared?" Serefina waited for the answer.

Karna turned to the animals around her and spoke their animal language, with chirps and yips and small, nickering noises. She turned back to her leader.

"Yes. They're all ready." Bird-like wings flutter behind her back, "You have forty-seven seconds."

Serefina stood before the king. Soon, the hum of electricity sounded in the air. She turned to face the hidden camera she knew was above the throne room doors.

"Citizens; women, men, and children. I am Serefina Martiane. I am the leader of the rebel group you know as The Fire Embers. You have been ruled by your king, Troy Montcroix. But today is the end of his reign. He has no heir, no successors, and many of the people want to make me queen. The Fire Embers and I have taken over the castle. This old, dying man of a king will kneel before us today and die."

"Troy Montcroix, kneel before me now. Your kingdom will be mine."

The frail king didn't say a word or move. He stared straight at the hidden camera, his face stoic and stone-like.

"Kneel," the rebel leader hissed.

She looked over to two men, who had water twisting around their arms and legs. They silently made their way up the dais steps, standing on either side of the old king. The men grabbed his brittle shoulders and forced him to his knees. Steam rolled off his robes, the only indication of the anger in him.

The king raised his head to the woman standing over him. "You should learn to be nice, Miss Serefina. It would definitely help you in life." A smile cracked his ancient face.

"Troy Montcroix, your death is currently being viewed by every man, woman, and child in this kingdom. Nearly all of them want the old man who sat on this throne to end his reign and for me to take over." Serefina pushed her chest out.

A woman came to her side and held out a silver sword, gilded with sapphires and rubies. Serefina took it.

She turned to the old king.

"Long live the King," all of The Fire Embers chanted in unison.

"Long live the King." Serefina whispered.

She raised the sword, and brought it down on the neck of the king. It went straight through his thin skin and old bones, his head rolling down the steps. Golden blood poured from the decapitated body as it fell to the floor.

Serefina pulled a dagger from her boots. She slid the blade across her hand, golden-red blood beginning to come to the surface. She held out her bleeding hand and slid her fingers through the King's blood.

She added his blood to her own, and her own blood slowly began to turn a more golden color.

Serefina stood from where she had squatted, looking at the men and women who had followed her inside.

"I am Serefina Martiane. I am now the Queen of the Atalum Kingdom." She stared where the hidden camera was.

"Long live the Queen!" Only one person dared to shout it, and soon it became a chant, a rhythm.

Serefina smiled. She felt no guilt, no regret.

Her fire burst upon her head, becoming a crown of flames licking the air.

                                                                                                    ***

                                                                      Do me a favor and toss me a vote!