Mercy

prologue

The birth of a revolution, in the mere palms of a little girl. A saviour, perhaps, but a little girl nonetheless.

     "I come with a request to speak with his Royal Highness."

     The soldiers cackled, mocking the old crone. "Bah! Psychotic fool, your spew of nonsense is not welcome here."

     The crone shook, her onyx eyes glaring at the men before her. It was no secret Bubba had quite the reputation, claiming herself Wendolyn's Oracle. However, it was believed by the commoners she was nothing more but a crazed, worn soul looking to terrorize young civilians with her odd incantations.

     "The Sun has spoken to me," the Oracle hissed. "You dare defy God?"

     The guards swallowed, heads nervously bobbing as they exchanged wary glances. Baba continued to frown, the ends of her ivory locks glinting dangerously in the smoldering heat.

     "Very well," A knight sighed, gesturing for the soldiers to move aside.

     Marching into the castle, Baba's eyes glinted as she eyed the expensive jewels adorning the castle's exterior.

     Oh, the coin I could receive for these gems, she sighed, greed gnawing her insides. The guard glanced at the Oracle, suspicious of her intentions, before hesitantly entering the throne room.

     "King Adonis, Queen Seraphina. A guest awaits you."

     The knight lowered his gaze to the floor, respectful of the royals, but he could not help but marvel at the sight of his king and queen.

     King Adonis was ripe with age, faint wrinkles complimenting his pale complexion. Unruly curls escaped his crown, threatening to shield his eyes. Though the man stood with the arrogance and elegance of a true king, his eyes twinkled with humor and mischief. Upon the sight of his equal, the elder's eyes glowed with evident love.

     The love story of Adonis and Seraphina; an admirable tale to all. It was said a poor, deranged girl had wound up at the castle's gate, grieving after her slaughtered family. The king, sympathizing the woman, had decided to give her a place in his home; the royal palace. Though she was immediately sniffed upon, Seraphina's sweet charisma and beautiful looks made many sought after her; including her King.

     Seraphina's skin was a dark bronze, a gorgeous and unique complexion for a woman of Wendolyn. Hair a thick mane of obsidian, she was the envy of most and the love of many.

     "The scholars will be at midnight," the King stated, perplexed.

     "N-no, sir. It is Baba; Wendolyn's Oracle," the soldier could not help but stutter, taking notice of the Queen's pursed lips. It seemed as if the word of Baba's fanatics had reached the ears of the Royals.

     "Young man!" King sputtered, the expression of disapproval evident on his chubby face. "We run a country. You cannot barge in here, requesting to speak with royals, dismissing our duties as if they are of the less important. Bubba, for that matter! We do n-"

     The regal voice of Seraphina had cut in. "Child, why has she come?"

     "A prophecy," the knight hesitated, his legs shaking from the scrutinizing gaze of the King. However, as his eyes moved to the beautiful Seraphina, he could not help but relax at her gentle smile. "About the war,"

     These three words alone had caught the attention of King Adonis. His wary gaze soon turned to mild interest, as he stared down the guard.

      A gruesome war raged between Wendolyn and Python; two kingdoms thirsty for bloodlust. Though it was the kingdom of Python that had declared war, a mutual bond of hatred seemed to form between the two realms.

     Octavius Donovan, the manipulative and vile King of Python, had voyaged to Wendolyn to negotiate with Adonis. However, his definition of "negotiating" was not at all respectful, or reasonable.

     Octavius had demanded the future child of Wendolyn to wed his own. King Adonis had immediately disagreed, aware the evil schemes of Octavius. It was no surprise what the man had wanted; an equal amount of power over both kingdoms.

     Once having heard King Adonis's immediate refusal, Octavius had asked for half the land of Wendolyn. Yet again, Adonis refused. Blinded by wrath, Octavius raged. Throwing numerous jabs at King Adonis, Queen Seraphina, and the council of Wendolyn, he made an immediate departure back to Python.

     Only a few days later, the quaint village of Kor had been overthrown. Nearly a hundred civilians had been killed, and supplies had been either stolen or wrecked. However, a blank envelope, bearing the crimson seal of Python, had been left in the destruction's wake.

     Queen Seraphina had grieved for days, having heard of the ruin of her birthplace. King Adonis, blinded with rage, had sent for his best knights to assassinate Python, only to have three injured soldiers return, reciting the tale of how Octavius's men had been prepared to attack.

     This war, woven from a petty argument, still continued to this day. Wendolyn had found their numbers dropping, as innocent men had been either slaughtered or dead from lethal wounds. King Adonis had found himself training mere children, late teenagers who had left their families to defend their kingdom, without their consent.

     "Very well. bring her in." Queen Seraphina sighed. As the soldier left the room, Seraphina shot the king a bewildered glance.

     "Why?" Adonis hissed. "She's full of nonsense, anyway. We can deal with the war ourselves!"

     Seraphina shot him a withering glare. "Thousands are dying. Python has already invaded a quarter of our land. We need her help!"

     "Talking behind my back, my Highnesses? I feel honoured..." A sly voice rasped.

     Baba had slithered into the room, so stealthily King Adonis and Queen Seraphina had not noticed her presence.

     She wickedly grinned, her yellowing teeth on display. "I had a vision. The Sun had visited me, and told me of a girl who would end the war between Wendolyn and Python."

     The King could not contain his excitement. Just the mention of restoring fate to his kingdom sent electrifying shivers down his spine.

     "Well, who is she?" He asked impatiently, eager to meet the strong heroine.

     "She is to be born on the day of the Solar Eclipse,"

     The king slumped over. "That's today," he sighed. "Are you telling me the war will progress until this girl is of proper age to fight King Adonis?"

     "Yes," the Oracle responded, stiffly. She could see the judgment and disbelief in both the King and Queen's eyes. Their lack of faith made her angry, and she snapped at them, quickly disregarding their positions.

     "I can see the hesitation in your eyes. May I recite the prophecy?" she sarcastically asked, smirking as rage filled Seraphina's eyes.

     No one dared to disrespect the King and Queen. Not in their kingdom, nor in their castle, nor in their throne room. Seraphina and Adonis could imprison the crone, for her open discontent to the King and Queen.

     Baba quickly opened her mouth at Seraphina's raging eyes, reciting the words engraved in her mind by the Sun's powers.

     She watched as confusion filled the couple's eyes. "She is to choose whether she will side with Wendolyn or Python?" Adonis asked.

     The crone nodded. "Do not perceive this as an easy task, my King. She will suffer from a deep evil, lurking in her soul and penetrating her brain. It is up to her parents to raise her right."

     "Why, we cannot risk that!" the King cried. "We will find her by the start of the Solar Eclipse, and claim her as our own,"

     Seraphina, as if noticing Baba's crooked grin and mischievous eyes, furrowed her arched brows.

     If this child is in allegiance with both good and evil, Seraphina mused. Perhaps she is more trouble than we think.