The Forgotten Kingdom

The Introduction: The Round Table of Corsinian

The King of Corsinian paced from one end of the dreadful, dark room to the other. Only the light radiating from the fireplace exposed his face, and he scrunched in thought as he walked.

His heart became increasingly aroused as reality set in. This would be no easy task. He turned on his heels to address the others in the room: "Men, we know what we must do."

About six men filled the rest of the room's space. They looked at one another as the air seemingly escaped the room. They knew drastic measures must be taken soon but were unsure what the king meant.

These gathered knights, lords, and advisors all felt the hopelessness of being at the mercy of an invading country. Apart from themselves, the public did not know this reality.

The King Yusin of Borschi had positioned his troops along Corsinian's North border, prompting the King's council to gather quickly.

The total number of men Yusin has can only be estimated to be at least doubling that of Corsinian. A Lord at the end of the table looked up from a slew of papers in front of him, "Our only hope is an alliance with Havensoge. His men outnumber Yusin's by a landslide."

The candles now lit on the table dimmed slightly as the King let out an exhasterbated sigh, "I must go meet with Him directly. He won't understand the gravity of the situation unless I go."

Three of the men stood up in haste, beckoning the King to not go. Reasoning with him seemed to be no use as he just paced towards the fireplace in deeper thought.

An advisor on the other end of the table interrupted abruptly, "It is a death wish to go alone. What if Yusin has gotten to him first? What then if you walk directly into the hands of the oppressor?"

A knock at the door ended his lines of questions, and a smaller knight entered. He wore a messenger's bag paired with a look fear, "My Lord, they have crossed the border."

The same advisor rolled his eyes saying, "They would not have done that if they didn't have the confidence of a near by alliance."

The King looked from the advisor to the messenger, prompting the knight to continue speaking, "They have attacked the fleet traveling North, but no casualties when I left. It did not seem the men could hold firmly much longer, My Lord."

The King slammed the table, almost knocking over the wavering candles. He looked around the table of familiar faces, of men who have walked with him consistently through out his reign. He knew their loyalties, and felt comfortable in confiding with them, "I will go alone to Havensoge. The King will not hear me if I bring a platoon of soldiers as protection. If I am alone, He will hopefully see the accurate disposition of my request."

The men all stood now protesting with their King, begging him to reconsider. King Claudius looked at them with a plea in his eyes, begging for their composure to be reigned in.

He swiftly left the room with only one man following him. His advisor, Thomas of Yegens had been a trusted friend since Claudius' childhood. Tensions were high but Thomas seemed to always be still faced. He spoke very little, only asking Claudius' if He was certain of his plan. He followed this with, "It's very stupid what you are doing my Lord. But I believe it is the only viable option we have."

King Claudius continued walking briskly to his quarters, "I know, I know. Inform Brielle she will be coming with me, do not share more than that." And quickly Thomas separated from Claudius and quickly walked towards the castles South Wing. Here Brielle frequented the halls for school and leisure, her residence was at the very end as well.

Brielle was Claudius' only daughter. Her elder brother died in battle only a few years ago now, and her younger brother is off to the North Border to help strategize a defense plan to be put into place.

She sat in the academics room, writing by candle light. She looked up to see Thomas quickly walking past. She knew he was probably looking for her as there would be no other reason for him to be in this wing of the castle.

"Thomas?" Brielle looked to see Thomas double back, breathing heavier then He should've been if He was just walking.

He paced partly across the room when he addressed her, "The King sent me to inform you that you will be attending a journey West with him."

Brielle looked to Thomas with a questioning frown, prompting him to explain a little further, "He is traveling to Havensoge. He is intending to meet with King Romar then to return."

Thomas saw a look of contemplation on Princess Brielle's face, so he turned to exit the room before any more questions would be asked.

Brielle stood quickly yelling, "Thomas! For what reason is my Father going?" She had no knowledge of the now compromised border, and Thomas seemed not wanting to tell her.

She walked towards him, "If the rumors are true of Borschi in the North I must be made aware." Thomas rubbed his eyes, unsure of what to do.

He knew Brielle since she was a baby. Her mother was overcome with joy to have daughter, and the King grew fonder and fonder as Brielle grew.

Now that the Queen has passed, Brielle attended to her father often. She was commonly found reading with him and talking of social/political affairs. She was well versed in history, and enjoyed disagreeing with her father on historical events for the fun of it.

But the present was colored in different light. Her life was at risk without her even knowing it. Thomas turned towards the door saying, "He is meeting with King Romar seeking alliance. Beyond that, there is nothing I can say." He left before she could ask more.

She stood in the room, her quill still in hand. She took in the space, trembling from fear of the unknown.