The Obsidian Veil

Chapter 6 - Tides of Destiny

"Your Highness, our ship is ready to go. We will depart on the sixth chime," Sir Cassian, the head of the Orion Knight Circle, called out Prince Ronan to prepare.

"Are we the last ones?" asked Ronan.

"Yes, Your Highness. The squadron who left first might be in the sea borders of Verdora now. We need to follow as well," Cassian explained.

"Very well, let's not waste time. Make haste but be still on guard," Ronan instructed. But before Cassian could answer, another knight arrived, apprehensive and out of breath.

"Prince Ronan, Sir Cassian ..." the knight started, panting. Cassian started to worry, Ronan in full alert.

"... The city is closing. Groups of soldiers were lining up the citizens, demanding them to follow the emergency protocol as a drill, commanded by the Princess," he continued.

"What?" Cassian reacted first, brows furrowed. Then he continued to talk, addressing both of the men.

"What is the Princess trying to do? It's as if she's calling for war. I fear she's still unwell, Your Highness. Shall I return to the palace and warn her? I can catch the next ship at once,"

Ronan barely heard Cassian talking. His gaze moved towards the palace, trying to understand the situation. What did Iria see? What is she planning? Do I need to go back? Is my plan wrong? Is the King well? Prince Ronan played these questions in his mind, his plans crumbling before him, so he needed to create another one fast.

"Sir Cassian, how many knights do we have in our group?" Ronan asked again, not answering Cassian's previous question.

"Almost a dozen, Your Highness," Cassian was reluctant to answer, his confusion stirred. But he did not dare question the Prince.

"Gather them and assign them to guard the city's border while the three of us will remain here," the Prince instructed.

"But our ship is leaving in a moment. Are we altering the plan?" Cassian asked. He could not understand the Prince and he hated it.

"Yes, we are, Sir Cassian. Now, please go," Ronan said straightly.

"But ..." Cassian began but Ronan looked him in the eye which stopped him from speaking.

"I know there is something amiss. My sister might have decided what is best for the city. I left her to safeguard the palace, and I need you to understand that I trust her. We have no choice but to trust each other now," Ronan said, his voice firm and resolute. "My trust is in you, too, Sir Cassian," he continued.

Mouth agape, Cassian quietly muttered "Yes, Your Highness," and he left to command the remaining knights.

Ronan started to pace back and forth, making his companion anxious. The night is approaching and without the moon, the stars are exceptionally twinkling, trying to illuminate the looming darkness within Ronan. The port is eerily quiet as merchants and sailors close their business with the Princess' orders. The silence pulls his mind towards the palace, making his resolve if he will return or will wait for Cassian to get back.

"I will now return to the palace," Ronan finally spoke his decision, addressing the knight. "Wait for Cassian and proceed to the town square. Any disturbances, light the torches to warn me," he commanded further. He pulled his horse, ready to mount. But it seemed as though he had been called; Ronan's eyes darted toward the direction of the border. A distant flickering glow was observed. A mere trick of fading light at first but it grew more intense as the seconds passed. A thick, dark smoke followed, curling into the night sky. Ronan's heart quickened. It is an urgent signal.