Calradian Chronicles: Coming Darkness

Chapter 3: Spilled Blood

Argoron: Capital of the Calradian Empire

The royal family (excluding Sora and Pethos) sat around the table as they ate. Though while eating, Drosios could not help but notice most of his family not eating.

Drosios:
Is everything alright?

Rhegaea:
What do you mean?

Drosios:
Your eating like a flock of birds. What's on your minds.

Presciana:
We're worried about Sora and Pethos. They've gone to opposite sides of the world, and may not come back.

Vadrios:
I worry for them too, but let's not forget that they left for good reasons. We can only prey to God and hope that they return.

Drosios:
Vadrios is right, in the meantime we must worry about the Empire.

As he finished that sentence, a guard came in through the door. The guard seemed worried, but he lowered himself to his knee, before quickly standing back up.

Guard:
I apologize for disturbing you, m'lord, but I have some very......disturbing news.

Drosios:
What has happened?

Guard:
There was a fire at the church, most of the inside was burnt down but the building did not collapse.

Drosios:
We're there any survivors.

Guard:
None of the priests made it out alive, I'm sorry.

Drosios showed an emotion, but what was it? Fear? Anger? The emperor rose from his seat and stood tall at the head of the table.

Drosios:
I will go and investigate this myself!

Vadrios:
I will go with you, father.

Alea:
So will I!

Rhegaea:
No Alea, it's far too dangerous.

Alea:
Come on, I promise not to get in the way.

Drosios:
Alright then, we'll all go. But be careful.

The royal family then left and headed away from the palace. The five members of the royal family rode along the streets on horses, while eight imperial guards rode on either side of them. The many peasants in the city kneeled in respect as they passed by. Finally arriving at the church, the royal family dismounted their horses. Drosios turned to the guards and placed a hand to stop them.

Drosios:
Wait here, stand guard.

The family entered the church, the inside was indeed burnt down. The many priests that laid dead, that was not a sight to behold. Someone though scorched, the large cross in the church managed to survive. Vadrios unsheathed his sword and took a look around the burnt building. He kneeled down, and found a candle that seemed to have fallen over, but what he found next to it was the body of a priest, and looking closer, noticed that the priest had a wound in his chest.

Presciana:
I just don't understand how none the priests managed to make it out.

Vadrios:
Because they were murdered! We must be the primary target.