A pact has been made, a deed is done... And now, bloodshed has begun.
One will gain, one will perish... And blood shall be punished.
The candle-lighted room was covered with murmurs and buzzing sounds as men filled each and every corner of the room. It is the meeting hall of the Old Coven and two thrones were kept in place, in front of everyone, facing the huge glass window where the sun rises.
The huge curtain behind it swayed as an average-looking man entered the room. He paused and stared at each and every one, as the crowd parted to give him a space to walk to the throne. The man continued and sat on the left throne, abruptly and anxiously. He heaved a heavy sigh seeing the people kept their murmurings and buzzing.
"Silence," The man said and there was huge silence between every one as they stood still; ears open in case the man who seemed to be their king has something to say. He stared at the men gathered in front of him.
"Kill them and burn everything," He ordered.
The crowd was surprised on what they had just heard. Silence was still kept in its right place. "But, my lord, they were the right throne – the blue line of the Wiccans." One of the men broke the silence and the king turned to him and asked, "Yes, indeed. But who is the red line?"
"You..." he stammered, "...a Meagher, my lord."
"And what was written?" the king raised a brow and stared at the man.
"The red line shall lead the Wiccans to success and power."
The king's face meant, let it go and don't interrupt anymore in my decision. But in an unknown reason, the man continued saying, "But the book also states that without one of the lines, the equality wouldn't be balanced. Both lines have equal rights to the throne and the absence of one would mean peace won't reign in this country."
Henry Meagher, the king, glared at the man in front of him and snapped his fingers. Three of the knights wearing metal armors stormed the room and took the man. Henry turned to the crowd in front of him and ordered, "Kill them. Their name wouldn't be mentioned and will be erased from everything. It would be as if they hadn't existed at all."
Henry, then, stood, "Anyone who'll break the law, my law, shall join them in their peaceful rest." King Henry walked away.
Peter Watkins and Roger Baines formed a group and called other heads of each family. Marion Williams, Eugene Phrese, Paul Hiller and Sebastian Tobin followed their 2nd generation leaders. Gilbert Poland and Simon Abaddon followed the others to the sitting room.
"Roger, why should we do this?" Peter asked his long-time friend.
"Because we have to... We need to convince him," Roger replied.
"You know Henry won't listen." Paul stated.
Marion replied quickly, "He should listen. It's for the future of us all."
Eugene frowned, "If he can't be convinced, then we should at least help George."
Simon laughed at Eugene's statement, "Ha! And what could you do? The red line is the leading family and the head of our Council. And they wanted George and his family dead! Why not just follow Henry?"
They are walking down the hall when they felt a certain life force. Everyone stood their ground and stared at the wide open view the veranda provided them with; a smoke rising from the Eastern Castle.
"It has started. Henry has already sent out his knights," Gilbert murmured.
Simon Abaddon gave them a smirk, "This is our choice – join Henry or die with George."
It was obvious that all of them were afraid of Henry. Simon walked away from the castle back to his knights that were waiting for his go-signal. Roger and Peter shook their heads and followed what Henry Meagher wanted.
Sebastian and Gilbert silently followed the others with a mere shake of their head as they murmur, 'Poor Haddan.' Paul just stared at the Eastern castle side by side with Eugene.
"Paul, we need to do something," Eugene stated. Paul gave his friend a nod for he understood what they need to do. His wife, Mathilde Hiller was a Vaughan. The Vaughan bloodline was another line that adjoins the fate of the Haddan line.
"What should we do?" Paul asked, "Mathilde and my son are in danger. Henry would kill them, I know he will."
Eugene frowned for a second and then he thought of something. "Come and ride with me."
Both of them closed their eyes and breathed the air around them. The damp, smoke-filled air is mixed and tainted with the sickly sweet smell of blood.
"We need to act fast," Paul said as both of them trotted away from the Palace.
Henry went to his castle's balcony and watched the nearby castle grew into fire. He smirked as he listened to the sounds of cries and wails of the people. The sound of the cannon balls destroying the walls made him laugh fiercely until he realized something and he called for his servant.
"Martha," He called and a servant entered the room, "Yes, my lord?"
Facing the woman he asked, "Where is Nicholas?"
The servant hesitated then answered, "He wandered alone, sire. He slipped past his guards when he could and they chased him into the woods until they lost him."
The king's eyes widened and he exclaimed, "The forest?!" 'Outside those burning walls is the forest. It can't be.' He thought. "Veldon!" he, then, called to the captain of his royal guards.
Martha stepped out of the room as Veldon bowed down before King Henry.
"Search the entire land! My son is missing! Bring him back!" Henry shouted.
Veldon hurriedly went to summon his troop to look for the prince. Henry was still standing in his balcony as his royal knights fled with their horses. The bloody red flag waved as the Meagher's Coat of Arms vanished in thick smog.
"Henry, where is my son?" Gail Lupton entered the room as her husband walked back inside the room with a frown.
"That kid gets frustrating every day! And now, he's overdoing it! He escaped his guards and went in the forest!"
Gail couldn't hide the horror from her face, "The forest near the fire? B-but how did he –?"
Henry turned to his wife and shouted, "You let him out on his own! You gave him freedom to do what he wills! And now, he's putting himself in the front line of danger! How can you not think about that?"
Gail sat on the bed and tears flown from her eyes. Henry was about to walk away from the room when his wife knelt and grabbed his coat.
He turned as Gail began to speak, "Did you send the knights? We need to bring him back!"
Henry grabbed his coat from her hand, "I sent Veldon."
And left the room as his wife, Gale Lupton, slumped on the cold-carpet floor crying her eyes out. "Please be safe... please... please..."
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