Prompt Me Short Stories

Revenge

Genre: Revenge, Suspense           Author's Rating: PG         Writing Level: C+

Based on the Prompt:  "Are you really still a princess if your kingdom is in ruins? If there is no one left to rule over but corpses?"

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It had been five years since my Father's death. My mother had been missing for about the same length of time. Since then the Thealan Kingdom had completely gone to ruins. People left the kingdom or died trying. Now it was just a wasteland that even other Kingdoms wanted nothing to do with.

I was Thealan's princess. The only child of King Jakup and Queen Vanessa, the heir to the throne of Thealan. A throne I had every intention of taking.

I was on my way to take vengeance on the one person who had taken everything away from my family.

King Rhyland had cut off our supplies, made our allies break ties with us, snuck into the city, and killed my father right in front of my Mother and I. His cold cold sparkling as the blood pooled on the floor. Then, they had turned on us. My Mother had insisted that I run, so I did. And now, she was missing.

The mountain I was currently climbing made up the Northern border of Rhyland's castle. At the top, there were rumors of a secret entrance to the castle. This would be how I entered, and killed him, just as he had killed my Father.

I scowled as the wind pushed against the thin fabric I wore around me. But I didn't feel the cold. In fact, it spurred me on, making my mission the only thing in the front of my mind.

Bloodlust. A King for a King. It seemed like a fair trade to me.

The higher I climbed, the colder it got. My hands chapped red, but still I didn't feel it. I climbed quicker and quicker. The top just within my view.

Then, I was there. The top of the peak coming level with the tallest tower of the castle.

My hair whipped past my face in the wind. My eyes drawn to the single point of light directly level with my own. A shadow standing in front of the light with eyes sparkling so bright I could see them from a distance.

I smiled. He knew I was coming. Good. The end was near.

I didn't move until the shadow left the window, and the light itself extinguished. Then I slid down part of the other side of the peak, and began searching for the opening.

I found it with ease. It faced the side of the castle, so many people didn't use it for fear of being seen. I, on the other hand, didn't care about being seen. I wanted him to know that the end, his end, was near. To fear death as my Father had years ago.

Steps led down into the mountain, freezing the rest of my body. But I continued on, all the while watching as my fingertips turned from red to pink and then to white.

At the bottom of the steps a large iron door stood as a sentinel to the castle. It opened with ease, and I stepped into a dark hole in the castle wall.

I listened carefully as people rushed by the tapestry that hid me. People shouted, readying the front gate for invasion, and rushed past, down to the floors below.

After a moment of silence, I peeked out and checked the hallway. Empty. I eased out of the hole and made my way up the hallway, the opposite direction of everyone else.

Stalking the halls made me nostalgic for the home I had left behind. Thealan hadn't been rich in resources, but the small kingdom had sat in an advantageous trading position, making it a formidable ally to have for any kingdom.

It had been peaceful. With no reason to betray its allies. Nothing to gain from killing its rulers. And yet Rhyland had done just that.

A person entered my view, clouded and unfocused. But eyes sparkling bright. As my vision focused, the man smiled.

"The throne room is this way." He beckoned for me to follow him.

I hesitated, and he turned back to face me. "You want to do this, right?"

I nodded and followed after him, anticipating a trap. But none came. The halls were empty as I followed the man to the throne room.

It had been set up similarly to the one back home, but this one was significantly larger. Stained glass windows showed torches being lit outside. And golden sconces lit up the inside.

He had sent everyone away.

As if reading my thoughts he spoke as he took the throne. "You must be wondering why I sent everyone away."

I just nodded, keeping my eyes on the target, gloating on his golden throne.

"I know why you're here. I thought it unfair to at least give you a chance to avenge your family. So here I am." He held his arms out. "Take your revenge."

His eyes glinted again as I took a sword from its sheath on my side.

He stood from the throne, reaching for his own. "Begin." He said simply.

I ran towards him and watched as his smile widened and he moved towards me. Steel clashed against steel as our swords connected against each other.

Surprise flashed across his face. He hadn't anticipated that I would be able to hold my own. And now he was left without guards to help him.

Swords connected again and sparks flew from the clash. He pushed me back, taking a step back as well.

"Very good," He purred. "Much better than your Father."

I ran forward again and slashed towards his head, but he deflected. I spun for his torso, but he dodged and swung towards me. I bent back but felt the blade slash my cheek.

"You know it's odd. Your Father screamed and begged for his life." He swung again, slicing my other cheek as I retreated backwards.

"Your Mother said two words. 'Spare her.'" He swung again and I defended, but the swing had so much force behind it that my own sword went spinning.

I continued backing up, trying to figure out how I was going to avoid his sword again without my own. "And you. You haven't said a single word."

My back hit the wall, and his sword point touched the center of my throat.

He grinned, coming closer, keeping the edge of the sword at my throat.

"I hope you scream just like your Father did." His eyes sparkled. "Put your arms above your head."

I did as he commanded and he held them there. He leaned forward to whisper into my ear.

"Tell me, are you really still a princess if your kingdom is in ruins?" The blade rammed into my sternum, just below my ribs.

But, I didn't make a sound. I wouldn't give him the pleasure.

"Especially, if there is no one left to rule over but corpses?" He pulled the sword out from my body and I felt my body go limp, the only thing holding me up were his hands holding mine against the wall.

He let go and watched as I crumpled to the ground. "So disappointing."

He turned around and began walking back to his throne as my hand slowly fumbled into my pocket, pulling out a dagger. Then I silently stood up, Rhyland still walking away.

"I am no princess," I said loudly.

The dagger had released from my hand before the first word had crossed my tongue and as he turned he saw the blade coming straight for him. He went to raise his sword to deflect, but it was too late.

The dagger had impaled itself in his chest. Blood beginning to trickle from the wound.

He dropped to his knees. "How," he whispered. Then he dropped his sword.

I walked over to him and knelt in front of him. His eyes widened as he saw the slashes on my cheeks heal themselves. Then he slumped over, taking his final breaths.

"I have already met Death. And I am his Queen."