Twins

In The Embers

The fires that had engulfed the palace hours ago were nothing but a glowing aftermath of broken rooms that had once formed their home. In the queen's arms was held a soot stained infant that slept as if his life had not been in very grave danger.

"What are we to do now?" The queen asked. The king stood next to his wife, his wild appearance made wilder by the ash that had covered him while he was pulling survivors out of the palace. The rescue efforts were still going on all around them.

"We will stay in the winter palace while we rebuild here." His scarred face spoke of his experience with wars, and with traitors. "Once you and our son are safe we will investigate who is behind this attack."

. . .

The journey through the mountains to the winter palace had been a hard task. With little food supplies, the military scattered, and the people in a panic at the state of the Royal house the kingdom was fit to snap under the tension. The queen bore the weight of this alone as she and a few of her most trusted guards climbed through brush and thorns, eager to keep out of sight. For who knew now whether they met enemy or foe?

The king had quickly gone out to meet the noblemen and ruling families to ensure that this attack would not be the thing to end his reign.

She missed the strength of his countenance already and wondered how she could bear the pain of being separated from two of her men. Her elder son's sleeping face reminded her. She would carry on. 

"Majesty." The younger of her guards, Baek, offered her a helping hand. She stepped over a mossy stone and reached up the hill towards him. It was a steep climb. The air was thick and sricky with moisture. The forest was dense enough to keep even sunlight from filtering through the leaves.

She grasped Baek's hand tightly and climbed the mossy stones with her tattered silk slippers. The days had been long and the scarcity of supplies showed in the leanness of her and her companions.

At the top of the hill the green glow of the forest gave way to fresh sunlight. And in a little valley, quite set apart from the rest of the world the beautifully decorated rooftops and white stone of her palace shone.

The queen breathed a sigh of relief and looked down at the babe asleep in her arms. Her heart ached as she remembered his brother's face. He would never know the face that matched his own. At least not for a very long time.