Tides Of Bones

1. PROLOGUE (Picture of Prince Cyrus)

NOTE: It's very important for you to familiarize yourself with the MAP tbroughout the story. If you Did not read the first part fo back before starting else it will get confusing.

*3 Years Ago*

Blood orange is the sky as the sun rises. It was earlier than usual, Prince Cyrus was expected to be at a meeting with the King and his Royal Household before breakfast. But he had not had the chance to check his traps for food yesterday, and the villagers could use the extra food.

"Nothing in the tree traps, I am afraid." Zav Kaiden, his Lieutenant, comments, jumping down from a tree.

"Let us head north, I have some ground traps that had to have done better."

"It has been a weary harvest, perhaps we should set extra traps next month."

"Lord Chancellor had the same idea at yesterdays council."

"Yesterday's council? I was given instructions today was the council."

"Father has news he would like to share."

"The King and his secrets." Zav mumbles.

"Yes! This trap is full. Come, if we-Zav. Look." Cyrus squints at the smoke coming from an opening in the trees where his trap is.

He puts his ring and pointer fitter together, then motions them in a half circle, towards his chest. A thick branch grows from the tree and he steps on it. in quick succession he repeats the steps climbing up the tree until he's at the top. "Oh no," he whispers in horror.

"The Castle! Head to the castle!!" He screams as he jumps down and they both start running.

They had traveled a few miles into the woods, but do not stop for a breath until they reach the crowd of people pointing and sobbing.

"Prince Cyrus."

"My Lord."

"Prince."

The crowd parts and bows to him until he sees a wall of Knights. The main Castle was up in flames as well as the East wing.

Zav nods once then disappears towards the Castle.

"Princess Caleena?" Cyrus shouts. The Knights hold him back as his father approaches.

"Prince Cyrus. Calm yourself!" The King sharply whispers at him.

"Father-"

"She is not worth the resources. We can not save them all."

Cyrus goes rigid. "Mother?" He asks.

"She did not make it. Boy, do not embarrass your King. Chancellor!" He calls.

"My King."

"Escort the Prince to the west building. We must-"

Screams fill the air as an arrow pierces the King's eye, spraying blood everywhere. His father makes a choked sound before falling to the ground. Someone grabs the Chancellor to shield him.

Calmly, Cyrus looks to the fire, watches as the castle crumbles onto itself.

His time had come. He was the last of the Kingdoms that had his parents on the throne. All of the other Kingdoms had already lost their King and Queen, leaving his generation to step up.

He has been waiting for this.

He feels nothing as the Knights shout and pick up the Kings un-moving body.

His heart may feel heavy but he feels no sorrow.

Only relief.

"My King," a Knight calls.

He does this a few times.

"King Cyrus!"

This breaks Cyrus's trance, and he watches as everyone gets on their knees in a bow.

"Stand. Captain Korsel, Relieve the fire. You, take the villagers back to their homes. Where is Chancellor Gregor! Where is the Lord Chancellor?"

"Cyrus!" He turns his head to Zav's voice. Thank the Gods. Zav was covered in soot, carrying his sister.

"She's unharmed." Zav assures him as Cyrus runs to them. "Maybe some lung damage but I will not know until we get the doctor." Zav's eyes wonder to his father.

"My, King." Chancellor Gregor kneels before him.

"Get the west wing ready for living quarters. The spare room shall be prepared for Princess Caleena. Zav, see to her room."

"Yes, my King." Zav bows quick before heading off.

"Someone call for Doctor Helsint." Cyrus tells Chancellor Gregor. "And see too that the council is prepared for a meeting tomorrow."

"Yes, my King."

Quickly, Cyrus follows where Zav had gone. The west wing of the Castle was not grand, but it would be enough to house them until they could repair the rest of the Castle.

Zav is twisting a rag above a bowl of water. His sisters face is now clean, she is sleeping under the covers.

"He was going to leave her to the fire." Cyrus says, once the doctor leaves and they are alone in the room with his twin. Her long white hair is combed neatly, Zav's doing. In contrast, Cyrus had long black hair. The only similar feature they shared was their pale skin, Cyrus had much sharper features then she.

"The Queen?"

"Dead."

"He said to leave her?"

"He said she was a waste of resources." Zav passes the room, anger bubbling.

"Cyrus, he is gone." Zav reminds him. "You are the King now. We can use all the resources we have now. Anything you declare-"

"Then see to it. Starting in the morning."

"Of course."

Cyrus stops to brush her face with his fingers. His sister had been born mere moments after him, but she did not come out wailing like he had.

While Cyrus grew healthy and strong his sister was never in good health. Until she was ten, she could manage on her own a little. She could walk, had an appetite, and go to lessons. But the older she grew the more sick she became until she was bed bound.

Now they were lucky if she was awake for a few hours.

His parents wanted nothing to do with her. If she lived or died they had not cared and would not spare any time one her.

But Zav, who'd known them since they were in diapers and was his Royal Guard, cared just as much for protecting his sister's life as he did Cyrus's. He handled everything when it came to her.

Whether his parents knew or not they never commented.

"She will be fine, I promise. Go, there will be much to do now that you are King."

He was not wrong. While Cyrus had prepared all of his life for this, just like the other Kingdom's princess and princesses, the transition would be stressful.

The coronation.

Things would change now, he had been thinking about it since the news of the assassinations found their way to his land. Whatever the agenda was for the murderer to kill all of the curtain leaders, he would have his own agenda to fulfill.

Kissing his sister on the forehead, he turns, his cloak rustling as he walks out the door.