Tainted: Love Over Lineage

Chapter 2

The townsfolk went frantic at the horrific event that had just happened. Everyone was at a state of intense panic, and all was just in the brink of disaster. In just a flash, the festivity of celebration turned into a recipe for calamity.

The royal couple looked at each other in anxiety. All the screams of pain and suffering surrounded Alorra, and the two could no longer stand the noise and what was causing it. King Helmsley stood up and walked over to the balcony to see the unbearable sight of the castle town walls destroyed and his kingdom under siege.

Multiple catapults outside launched huge blazing rocks rapidly. Battering rams were being charged at the gate, forcing it open in fast paces with ridiculous force. As the walls crashed down, hundreds of soldiers charged inside and slashed anyone in their path. The long streak of Alorra’s peace has been disturbed, and the rivers rushed angrily for the war occurring inside the walls of the kingdom.

On his chariot, the reflection of burning houses and debris reflected into King Nicholas’ eyes, making him smile with satisfaction and glee. He was glad, seeing and hearing that his perfectly laid out plans were now in reality and action.

By his side, his wife, Valdona, watched on her own chariot as the kingdom went down in flames and ruin. The sight of blood spilling and live flames eating humble hovels managed to dig into her deep pool of emotions and gave her the sense of pity. But in the corner of her eye was the figure of her husband standing there, treating the destruction in his line of sight like a mere performance of a traveling fair, and that pity was drowned once again. She shook it off, and maintained a stern face.

King Helmsley managed to sway away from a flying fire arrow, and went inside in caution. He went for his armor, his shield with the Grey Warden crest on it, and his favorite two-handed sword. Queen Leora scrunched her eyebrows in question.

“What’s the matter, dear?”

King Helmsley clicked the last lock on his armor and grabbed his sword. “We need to hurry, Leora.”

“Why? What is happening?”

“The kingdom is being assaulted. We need to go NOW.”

A servant opened the door and walked in, panting for air. “Your Majesty, the walls!”

“Yes. I know. Go to the storage and bring us as many items as you can give us. Health potions, Lirium potions, Ethers, Phoenix Downs, and don’t forget Elixirs. Go, QUICK!”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The servant rushed down to the storage room and hustled for items. Like the king said, he grabbed a sack and slid his arm on the shelves, wiping it off of items and putting them in the sack. After a few minutes later, he hurried back up to the royal bedchamber, and handed the sack to the king. King Helmsley patted and thanked him, and sneaked items in his hand.

“You will need these, Rob. Use them wisely. Now go to the armory and arm yourself and your family. This is an order.”

He handed Rob 5 potions, both Lirium and for health, 1 Elixir, and 3 Phoenix Downs. Rob nodded with a smile, and rushed to the armory.

King Helmsley browsed the sack for an Elixir and used it on his wife. Queen Leora felt her strength and magic return, and she stood up and dressed in her armor hastily. She armed herself with a poison dagger and a silver staff, and grabbed a white piece of cloth and wrapped Christophe in it. She then put him into her strapped leather carrier and the two went downstairs, holding each other’s hands.

“Leora, take Christophe and exit through the back door.”

Queen Leora’s eyes widened. “I am not leaving this place without you.”

“My dear, as much as I would love to stay by your side and protect you, we do not have a choice. I cannot protect both you and the kingdom at the same time.”

“There is no way you can make me move from where I stand! I cannot leave you here!”

A tear dropped from King Helmsley’s eye. “I am a king, Leora. I have a duty.”

Queen Leora stayed silent. She looked down to avoid her husband’s eyes and the tears started to escape from her own. King Helmsley wept as well, and pulled her wife into a tight hug while she cried on his shoulder.

“I will be fine, my love. You WILL see me again.”

As they pulled away from each other, they both wiped their tears. “I’m counting on that, Helmsley. I will ALWAYS count on that.”

They gave each other a long kiss, before they said their farewells and parted ways.

As soon as King Helmsley stepped outside, he deflected a swinging sword and kicked the soldier in front of him. He slashed and killed anyone who threatened his kingdom.

Queen Leora hurried through the back of the castle and ran as fast as she could, with Christophe crying in her arms. She always stayed on her guard and prepared to grab her weapons if ever an assailant would try and strike them.

King Nicholas shouted for his other men and his officials to charge. His chariot moved with 4 knights on his side. Queen Valdona’s chariot also moved with 4 bishops on her side. As soon as their chariots reached the broken wall, they went off and swung their swords in offense and defense.

Queen Valdona moved deeper into the kingdom and managed to deflect many strikes that were aimed for her. She reached the castle door, only to find that it was tightly shut. She looked around to think of a way to get inside the castle. She then obtains the idea of going around the castle and go through the back door. She looked to the left of the castle rushed to it, with the thoughts of her sister still in the castle.

“Do not fear, sister. I am here and I will not let anything harm you.”

As she was just about to reach the edge of the wall, she stopped in her tracks to hear a cry of an infant.