Queen Alpha

Prologue

The sound of heavy sabatons against the stone floor woke me up. I opened my eyes and held my breath. The sound of steel against stone grew louder and louder and I hugged my legs while staring out into the darkness. The impenetrable footsteps passed my room and continued to echo down the hall.

It must have been Nerues who entered our estate. Alexius wouldn't have given permission to anyone other than him to walk our halls at this hour, especially if it wasn't important. I exhaled and stared at the moving shadows cast by my candle on my nightstand. The golden flame danced while I fiddled against the hem of my silk covers. I sat up when I couldn't hear his footsteps any longer before I sneaked out of bed. I slid my thin fingers around the silver chamber stick and stepped out towards the door and reached for the door handle. I slowly pushed the door and it creaked open, allowing myself to enter the dead of night.

The hallway was pitch black with a slight glimpse of light at the end of the hall, from Alexius' room. I inhaled the frozen spring air between my gritted teeth and made my way out to the hall, allowing the light from my candle to guide me forward. The stone floor was rough and cold against my feet. That was all I could feel apart from the warmth the candle provided. I tensed at the sight of the heavy door and I quickly blew out my candle before approaching.

I could see a dim light radiate from deep inside the chamber which escaped through the slit of the door. I crept towards the wall and let the sound of Commander Nereus footsteps paint a picture of what was happening.

''Master, we have received a letter from Head Commander Salvatore Viteri concerning our hunters at the southwestern post'', Nereus stated before his steps travelled farther within the room. I let out a gust of air and leaned my weight against the wall.

Thank the heavens that Salvatore was safe. I hadn't heard a word from him in weeks which made me anxious concerning the danger he was in.

The voices grew softer so I leaned my head towards the door and my fingers curled against the iron handle.

''One of our missing scouting troupes corpses were found to the west of Coari. Their bodies burned as we expected by the Atram-'', Nereus said before being interrupted by another voice.

''The Atram? So they have a name now?'' Alexius voice cut through the air. A moment of silence accompanied his response.

''Yes Master, that is what the solders are calling them. They leave a trail of black ash wherever they have attacked. Burned tribes to the ground, even their bodies.'' Nereus finished.

''And what exactly do you suggest we do?'' the dark voice continued.

''That we send our royal guards to constrain the threat from growing'', Nereus answered by his pacing steps across the room.

''This threat doesn't concern us, we have lost too many men already. I say we withdraw our soldiers '', Alexius voiced curtly. My heart sank deeper into my chest as I felt my body starting to tremble.

He couldn't seriously abandon my family's soldiers across the pacific in danger. All my cousins and my brother were stationed there. The reason behind this arranged marriage of ours was to form an allegiance between our households. To gain support, and now he is breaking that alliance because of selfishness? 

My hands clenched into fists while my heart starting pounding faster and before I knew it, I grabbed the handle of the door and swung it open.

''What do you mean it doesn't concern us? Near all the south American tribes have been slaughtered already! The Atram is targeting our people for a reason and your saying we should just ignore that?'' I yelled into the darkly lit room.