Crowned a Fallen King

Chapter One Armour of Shadows

Feeling the cold air of the winter soloist approaching, seeing the darkening storm clouds rolling in over the horizon, making shades of grey roll over the land, dimming any colour that was left in the darkened forest. Turning the shadows of the trees into something sinister. Esters small frame shivered and shook with the cold air washing over him, his dark chocolate hair swaying in the wind. Ester's eyes danced over the mossy underbrush, searching for the frostwraith mushrooms. Eyeing for these green and blue mushrooms, but having close to no luck. He doesn't want to be out here for too long, the trees towering over him making him feel smaller than what he was and the storm coming from the south, leaving sounded like a great idea. But, he needed to get at least a couple more before returning to the castle gates. He was sent out here by the promise of gold from the court mage who needed frostwraith desperately and Ester being far less than wealthy really needed the gold, so a few rain drops won't stop him but if it gets any darker he will not be able to find his way back and will be stuck out here to perish, if that be to the storm or to animals or if forest goblins find him.

Stumbling around a tall, mossy tree, he manages to find another one but step on another retrieving it. cursing at himself, the sound of distant thunder pulled his head to south where he had seen the storm brewing. Knowing he had to leave now with the few mushrooms he had in his basket. Today the forest wouldn't be claiming another soul. Turning and leaving the largely over grown thicket and heading back towards the almost non existent path among the forest, Ester heard the distant thud of a horse's hooves. The sound grew louder, sending a shiver down his spine. Horses weren't uncommon in these lands, reserved for the wealthy and powerful, why would they be up this way or more of who could be coming this way? He clutched his weaved basket tightly, his heart racing. The forest grew quiet, even the thunder has come to a halt and he knew that something was wrong. Sensing that danger was approaching he quickly leaped into the thicket praying to see what was causing such an uneasy feeling.

Through the veil of leaves, a figure emerged: a knight in tarnished armour, their visor obscured by shadows. His steed was as black as a moonless night, its eyes gleaming with an unnatural red. The man looked weary, his shoulders slumped, as if the weight of his journey had been too much to bear. He stopped a few feet from Ester, his horse snorting. Instead of the typical neigh a horse would normally make, the horse let out what could only be described as a blood curdling shrill. Esters hair stood on end watching this otherworldly knight look about the shadowy trees. It felt like hours Ester was hiding, covering his mouth and nose with one hand until he felt the cold wetness of a single rain drop and hearing the thunderous sound of a trembling rumble overhead. Looking back in the directions of where the figures once stood, they had disappeared. Ester felt as if he could breathe again he still waited just a little bit longer in the sharp bushes before finally emerging feeling the frozen rain drops becoming heavier.

Ester stumbled along the path running as far as his legs will take him. Feeling the new sting of the tiny slices and scapes he collected from the pointy bushes. It was unpleasant feeling the rain dancing over his skin. Ester knew by time he reached the village, he would be completely soaked and washed up. With burning legs and skin, Ester could make out what looks to be a distant glow in the distance, a glow that could only be made by candle light, he knew he was approaching the castle gates. Seeing the grey of the rocky wall, he knew he would be safe from the evils the outside world has to offer. Approaching closer and closer the safer he felt. With a sigh of relief, he walked through the gates as if everything that happened was just a distant memory. Seeing the thatched rooftops of the village homes, and the constant flow of village goers he shuffled past a crowd of gossipy woman and towards his almost rundown homestead. Ester didn't live a life of wealth and fortune he lived in the shadow of a great castle that gleamed and glimpsed with every strike of roaring lightning that struck the storm filled night sky.

Opening the creaky door that lead into a small dusty room with a tiny fire place in one of the far corners and a old table with a few broken chair in the other. Ester place his basket on the small, creaking wooden table and headed upstairs to where he shared a room with another villager, his best friend Willem. Willem was a very upbeat soul, he always saw the positive side of everything and to him, everything can be made funny. With every step up the raggedy stairs, his foot steps grew louder and louder until he reached the top of the stairs and to his right was an old, grey door and to his left was another door but this one looked a lot more newer than the one to his right, being made of a finer wood and had wooden handle unlike the other doors around his home. Ester went through the newer door to find his dresser and a cot. The room was almost pitch black, the only light he could see was from every lightning strike which made the room light up an brilliant white than returning to a darkened black. With one smooth action, Ester removed his drenched clothes and leaped into the cot, pulling his thicker fur blankets over himself and trying to keep warm, slowly drifting off to a restful slumber.

Ester was awoke with a tug of his furs. Still with the distant sound of rolling thunder, Ester looked around his room to feel a hand cover his mouth. Looking up, Ester recognised Willems blueish eyes staring down at him, with a slender finger over his lips. "Ester please be quiet" Willem whispered in hussed tones. Ester even with just the light of the moon bouncing around the room igniting up only Willems face, he could see the fear ridden tall over Willems pale face sweat filled, dusty blonde hair drooping over his forehead. Ester quietly stood up pulling on a dry pair of clothing, he could see Willem looking out of the window down the street. About to shuffle closer to the window, Ester could hear the same blood curdling shrill he had heard before in the forest. Freezing in place, in a panicked voice he told Willem to get away from the window. "Too late," replied Willem. He saw Willems eyes widen. Willem had looked directly at the knight, meet eyes with the knight who had removed his helmet. Amber filled eyes were staring into his soul reading Willem as if he was an open book. Willem without looking away from the knights catching eyes said to Ester in an urgent but scared voice "We need to leave... NOW".