Resurrection - Fallen Cam - Vanilla

XXI

The lively mood in the grand hall quickly turned sour as a stoney faced Arthur slunk to his throne for ceremony. The children ceased their joyful laughter and the drunken ladies stopped their graceful spinning, to gaze at the solemn king, their cheeks flushed pink from dancing and wine.

The old man adorned in green velvet made his way to the centre of the room, where he began to wave a large golden bell with great enthusiasm, a sound that made the crowd split into two even crowds. Victoria found herself squeezed to the left, standing beside Clemence, Paddy and Paddy's mother Mary.

There was a long silence as Daniel twirled his golden staff in his hand, his face blank as he thought deeply on what had just transpired in the dungeon, Luce's words playing on his mind. While he didn't understand what it all meant, he knew that this was no longer a feast of celebration. Lucile would not be coming back, not for another sixteen years at least.

He rose slowly, Victoria's long blonde hair catching his eye as he did. She stood out painfully amongst the dirty sullen faces of the men and women he ruled. Her beauty was unrivalled, even he could admit that, a fact she seemed blissfully unaware of, which only served to add an air of grace to her demeanor.

He was terrified of her, of what she might represent and he despised both her and Cam more than anyone ever had for how happy they got to be, while he and Lucinda suffered.

The power they displayed in the dungeon had been nothing shy of Godly, something which he ought to report to The Creator, at the first chance he got. There would be no sense in speaking of it to Lucifer, he favored Cam far too much for reasons unknown.

He squared his jaw and looked out upon the mass of the kingdom, he gave a single nod, and the door to the great hall opened, giving passage to the Knights who eagerly marched in, each dressed in their shiniest armor, helmets held proudly at their hips. There was a great chorus of cheer from the people as the marched down towards the throne.

Victoria found herself stifling a laugh at the Nobel women who swooned as Cam passed by.

Back in the castle the events of the dungeon seemed a world away, so much had happened since she arrived in 536 it was easy to forget it had transpired over the course of a week.

Victoria felt changed somehow, holding Abel down in the dungeon made her realize just how powerful she was. Hearing and speaking in Demonic tongue made her feel closer to Lucifer, driving home the newfound knowledge that he was her father.

Cam had been nothing short of amazing, he embraced her every bit the same as he had back at Sword and Cross. Even though she was not the same women he had last seen. Though the events in the dungeon had been dark and confusing, working alongside him had been incredible, and yet Victoria knew it was only a small glimpse of what they were capable of, and what lie ahead.

Her spirits were high, as she stood amongst Clemence, Mary and Paddy, all of whom had embraced her with open arms, welcoming her into their ranks. Just hours ago she had shown up at their door step on Cam's arm, covered in and blood and filth from their efforts. No questions had been asked, Mary made quick work of fixing her hair, insisting she wear her finest dress, refusing to take no for an answer.

"Oh please, what should I wear it for? My husband is gone, bless his soul. I'm happy as an old mistress in my boxy browns! You on the other hand, have a gorgeous Knight's eyes to brighten!" She cried, clutching the pretty blue gown in her hands.

"Please Miss, blue is my favorite color!" Paddy teased, from his seat at the crackling fire where a large tabby cat sat purring in his lap.

"She doesn't need any fancy dress to make 'im happy." Clemence laughed, jeering a thumb at Cam, who was seated at the table opposite him, both men clutching a large goblet of red wine in their hand.