S.O.S Scenes

Chapter 1

It was like every other night on the southern wall: calm, quiet, and uneventful. The cicadas were singing in time with the guards as they marched back and forth. Only a few hours left and they could go home. The soft breeze gave them comfort as they decided to take a "quick" break.

"Hey, did you hear about that cult that keeps threatening the King? Unbelieveable. Who do they think they are?" One says as he leans against the small section of wall meant to keep them from falling over the edge. He friend leaned next to him.

"This isn't just any cult, this is the Cult of the Janus Viper. They've been around for hundreds of years, and have built a small empire out in Persia and parts of Arabia. I think we are the ones that should respect them." The friend tells him hesitantly. The wind started to pick up, forcing the flames of the torch to dance. 

"Why should I have respect for a group trying to exploit our king-" A torch blew out, catching the two guards attention. Normally, torches going out wouldn't be a big deal, but everyone was a little on edge. Another torch went out. The two stood up and drew their swords.  More and more torches went out until the entire southern wall was dark. The other guards stopped moving. There were various shouts of questions and remarks about the absence of light.

 Without a warning, darts starting flying in the air from all around them. A few unlucky men dropped, but the others rose their shields and swords in time. Men from the cult swooped in without warning, weapons drawn. The vipers and the guards fell into a quick-paced fight. One guard ran to signal the other walls of the attack, but was cut down several meters before he could get there. The vipers made quick work of the remaining guards. Once they made sure that there were no signs of life, the snake charmer let loose two Janus vipers into the sea of blood to complete their work, and signal their arrival. They left as quickly as they came. 

The sun started to break through the horizon, lighting up the scarlet massacre. There were screams as various groups of people saw the dripping blood and the mutilated bodies hanging from the wall. The Captain of the guard, Hector Merlo, saw the double-headed snake coiling around the neck of one of his men. He quickly stabbed it with his knife and pulled it off the fallen soldier. He knew instantly that this was the Cult's work, and that if they could get through the southern wall that easily, then no one inside the walls would be safe. There was only one thing he could think of, and he brought this idea to the King.

"King Reyes, I have some troubling news." He says, bowing before the King of Seville. The King looked to his wife before looking down to his Captain. 

"Is it news about the Cult?" He asks grimly. The Captain kept his head down. Although it was news concerning the Cult, it was not the type of news the King would expect.

"Partially, sir. Sometime last night, Vipers attacked our men on the southern wall. There were no survivors that we could find, and prisoners are not likely." He tells him as clearly as he could, all things considered. Those were his men. His responsibility. His family.

"I cannot let more innocent people die." The old Kings says. The prince looks to his father, hoping he wasn't saying what he thought he was.

"Father, we cannot give in to them either." The Prince adds. 

"We don't have to give in to their demands. We can call their enemy, the one group that would be willing to help us for little cost." Hector tells them. The King shakes his head.

"No one would willing go against them, they are too dangerous." He says to the Captain.

"Not necessarily. The Society of the Scorpion who be more than willing to help fight against the cult. There is a sec in Morocco that will come if we send out a S.O.S signal. Your majesty, it is worth a chance." The King looked down at the Captain before sighing.

"Send the signal."

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This is a simplified version of Chapter 1 of Book 1 and is unedited