The Keepers of Eternity

Prologue

Regnine Argarwin stood atop a balcony, letting the evening wind brush her veil against her face. The veil, like the rest of her clothing, was black, the color of mourning and of death. Black was the color of the enemy's army which marched  towards her city like a scar upon the land, creeping closer with each passing minute. Black was the color of the ink that had told her of the passing of her husband, and her father, just days ago. Black was the color of the allies that would never come. Black was the color of everything beautiful in this world that would never be, and what the city would look like when the sun rose tomorrow. For atop that balcony, the Queen was waiting for her kingdom to die.

But black was also the color of power. She was glad she wore that color today.

"Leave me," The Queen said, not turning around. She knew she wouldn't be able to stand seeing the faces of those whose freedom she had failed to protect. "Go defend your own families. I have nothing else to offer you. "

"Your Majesty, we--"

"I command you to leave this tower." She said, more firmly this time, replicating her father's commanding tone.  "Once you exit those doors, you are hereby released from your vows. Protect those you love, not those you are obligated to."

They'd done everything they could to prepare for tonight. Regnine had hosted an emergency council with the noble families of the city, and designated soldiers and militia to be stationed at each of the sandstone gates. They'd boarded up the doors and windows of  every home, and raised a chain blockade in the harbor, just in case their enemies decided to make an assault by water. Each household was to take their families into the lowest part of the home, away from the windows, and preferably in a space made of stone--or into any place that wouldn't burn.

These efforts would be futile, Regnine knew. Ever since the invasions began years ago, more and more refugees from the outlying towns had flooded into Summernorth proper. The king, Regnine's father, had wanted to house them all. It was a noble pursuit, but the mass influx of people had only created slums out of the lower districts, and food shortages throughout the city. Her people were strained as it was, and now, they would truly be tested.

Of course, there was nowhere else for them to go. They were the last human kingdom, and everyone in the city, merchant or nobleman or beggar, was chickens trapped in an inescapable coop. And the wolves were at their doorstep.

Regnine took seat when the last of her guards had left. She sat uncomfortably in the cushion chair at the foot of her bed, her breathing shaky. Unconsciously, she put a hand to her abdomen, thinking of the baby she was carrying. A child that would never get to see the beauty of the palace at twilight, or smell the fragrance of roses in the garden, or ride though the city and hear the people dancing and singing to a fiddler's lively tune. Now, she was certain the fiddlers would never play their happy songs again.

A lonely tear slipped down her cheek. She would have built a life so happily with her husband, a life she would have been able to reminisce about in her old age.

There was hope, however, if only a shred.

She reached to the object which hung on her chest, and pulled its chain off of her neck. The face of the medal was etched in with a Cyclonian Clock--the symbol of Summernorth, and of the Last Kingdom.  With a polished fingernail, she clicked the switch mechanism on the side of the medal, causing it to pop open.

A weapon sat inside the locket. It was a relic of a time so long ago--a time even historians had failed keep record of. All she knew was that it was called Saldelude, an Eternity Disc, and it had been entrusted to her family, to guard it until the hour of her kingdom's greatest need.