The Wingfeather Saga Sequel

A Promise Life Must Break

Janner's heart stopped. Sara was being held against Lingston's chest with a knife to her throat while he smiled smugly.

Janner saw the look of terror in her beautiful eyes. If they don't surrender, the kingdom will still stand to fight. But his wife will die. Janner fought with himself restlessly. He would never forgive himself if Sara was killed.

Her eyes were pleading with him. She shook her head slightly. Do not surrender. Her eyes were screaming the phrase. Janner knew she was trying to be noble but how could he be noble? He was about to watch his wife be killed!

Janner looked at his mother, her hands held behind her back and she was staring wide eyed at Sara. Janner's siblings were both looking at him, begging him to make a choice. But what choice was there to make?

"Kalmar!" Galya's voice cut through the silence. Kal whipped around and was wide eyed. Her hands were bound behind her back and she was being pushed by one of Lingston's men. Along with the rest of the family.

"Galya! Are you guys alright?" Kal yelled in terror.

Galya started to talk,"Yes but-"

Then, a gaurd slapped her across the face and said, "No more talking!"

"Hey! You do that to her one more time and I will!-" Kalmar started to go towards them but Lingston cut off his walk and his words as he held Sars tighter and closer to the knife.

Janner was breathing fast. He looked at everyone. His wife with the weapon to her throat. His mother, for the first time with visible fear and tiredness in her loving eyes. He looked at his family being held back. Leeli looked at Thorn with fear and worry. Kal was trying to mouth comfort to Galya. Arundelle was frantically searching around. And that's when he realized...his whole family was not there.

"Where is my uncle Artham?" Janner asked Lingston carefully.

That's when a cool, evil smile stretched across Lingston's face. "Thought you'd never ask. Bring in the former Throne Warden!"

Janner and his siblings watched in horror as three of Lingston's men hauled Artham into the circle. He was being dragged on the floor and he had cuts and bruises all over his body. He was half dead.

"No!" Leeli cried. A sob escaped her throat at the sight of her uncle like that. He opened his eyes halfway and grunted in pain. Jabber looked at Arundelle and she had silent tears running down her face.

"Now, Throne Warden. I have your whole family. Everyone is here. If you do not surrender, you wife will be killed right in front of your eyes. And your family? Well, you wouldn't want what happened to poor Artham here to happen to all of them would you?" Lingston said with a smirk. "But if you do surrender, no harm will come to your loving family. You will all be together in a comfortable cell until my coronation where you will sit and watch your High King Kalmar crown me. Then you must all leave Anneria. But you get to do it together. And alive. What do you say?"

Looking around, Janner knew that this was him home. This is where his father ruled. This is his brother's kingdom to rule. But what would his father do? Would he look around and see a kingdom he needs to protect or a family that he needs to protect?

In the end, Janner knew what he had to do.

"Alright Lingston you win." Janner looked at his siblings with sad eyes but they nodded. They agreed with the choice. "We put Anneria into your hands. We surrender."

The second the words were out of his mouth Lingston removed the knife and pushed Sara away. His family was unbound. Artham was left lying in the ground. But that all happened with Lingston's men cheering at the victory.

"Sara!" Janner cried as he ran up to her. She had a cut on her throat where the blade had gotten to close. Janner hugged his wife tightly and fought back tears. "I am so sorry, Sara. I should not have left you! You were almost killed!"

"Shhh. Janner it's okay." She said as she pulled away and put a hand on his cheek. "It's going to be okay." Janner leaned into her palm and sighed. He was so tired. So so tired.

"Uncle Artham!" Leeli cried as she let go of Thorn and ran to his side. Kal and Galya ran over and so did Sara and Janner. Nia reached for her children and hugged them tightly as they knelt beside Uncle Artham.

He was very badly beat. He was having trouble breathing and was shaking violently. Janner couldn't even imagine what they did to his strong, resilient uncle to make him like this. Janner did not want to know.

Arundelle held Artham's head in her lap as she spoke softly to him. She was speaking in a hushed voice and softly brushed his graying hair from his eyes.

"It's going to be okay Uncle Artham." Leeli said softly. "You are going to be okay."

Artham opened his eyes and smiled a bit at everyone. "Janner." He whispered softly. Janner's heart raced but he leaned in closer for Artham to speak. "You have...made your father very...proud today...Don't forget that...I think you did your kingdom well...I am proud of you too, Throne Warden..."

Janner's eyes filled with tears as he looked at his uncle. "Thank you Uncle Artham." He said with a lump in his throat.

Artham smiled softly. Everyone knew this was it. No matter how many promises Lingston made about them all making it out alive, he could not change what had been done.

Artham's eyes grew wide and he smiled, "Esben..." He said with a happy voice. Then, his eyes closed forever. His ragged breathing stopped. His shaking came to a halt.

Artham Wingfeather had finally rested.

Finally my Wattpad works! Sorry for this not being so long, sorry for the typos and...sorry for the ending :(
New part is coming out soon!
God bless and Stay Gold!