When Time Stands Still (TomTord)

The Commoner Prince (Prologue)

The warning bells suddenly began to chime, making Tord look up from his book as they went off. The clanging echoed loudly in the otherwise silent night. He listened for only a moment, before carefully setting it on the small, wooden table next to him to keep the page.

Why would the bells be sounding at this time of night? Were they being attacked? This was supposed to be a time of peace!

Nevertheless, Tord quickly made his way to the door of his study, grabbing a lean rapier from the scabbard that hung by his coat on the wall. He threw the garment around his shoulders and poked his head out of the room.

There was no immediate danger or loud booms that shook the castle walls, so Tord allowed a bit of hope to enter his heart. He crept down the hallway, keeping his sword ready against any surprise attacks. The fire that coursed through his veins begged to come out, to show the world that they were ready to burn, but Tord just bit his lip and forced it away.

As he carefully rounded the corner, two of the royal guard disappeared around another. Tord picked up his pace and followed them, careful not to make a sound. He continued to chase them as they almost expertly navigated the halls of the palace, only noticing where they were heading before it was too late.

The only room down this way was...

The clatter of a sword against the cold stone floor joined the bells in the night.

Tord streaked towards the guards, shoving them out of the way without a second thought. He ignored the shouts of protest, stumbling slightly as the tears blurred his vision.

The heavy wooden doors were already open.

Everyone went silent as the prince burst into the room, tears dripping from his face to the plush red carpet. The solemn looks and wet eyes confirmed everything he'd dreaded. He'd been so wrong to hope. Hope had no place for someone like him.

Tord took a few tentative steps towards the bed. Red slowly oozed through the snow-white sheets, pooling all around the king's head and dampening his hair. The line that ran across his neck has stopped flowing, but it still glowed a dangerous, almost fiery red, matching the liquid surrounding him.

Tord couldn't hold back his sobs as he fell to knees, grabbing one of the limp hands and pressing it to his head. He shuttered with each cry, wishing he could once again feel the warmth of the man who'd saved his life all those years ago.

After what had seemed like a life time, Tord hesitantly pulled away and wiped his eyes with the sleeve of his jacket. He let the king's hand fall back onto the soft bed, noticing a dark mark on his arm as he did so. A small burn laid on his skin, but what caught Tord's eye, was that fact that it was fresh.

"There he is!" a voice called from the crowd behind, ruining the peaceful silence that had enveloped the room. "Why haven't you grabbed him yet?!? He killed our king!"

Tord's head snapped up, eyes widening as he stared into hidden face of the king's adviser. The mask that obscured his eyes and nose glinted in the moonlight that shown through the window, making the man even more menacing.

The few guards in the room glanced between themselves, confused. "But sir-"

"Why do you hesitate?" The advisor hissed, head turning towards this who dared speak against him. "Do you not see the burn marks on the body? They are visible even from here! We all know our little prince loves to burn things with his element. Do you people not see!? This... this is the beginning of the prophecy!"

Everyone in the room gasped, making Tord take the smallest step back. Anytime the prophecy was brought up, everyone instantly believed what was said about it. They were all terrified of what was to come.

"We all know that it tells of a commoner who will rise up to be king, that they will send this land to war through their rule and quest for power! I've said it many times before and I'll say it again. How coincidental is it that the king adopted a commoner to be his son?"

"I didn't do this" Tord said quietly, attracting the attention of everyone in the room. "You can't believe what Indigo, what this mad man says. I'm not on some insane quest for power. I want what's right for this kingdom, my kingdom. I don't want to bring war."

Indigo glared at him, before scoffing. He turned to the people, arms outstretched. "Who would you believe? Me, most trusted advisor to the king for many years," He glanced back at Tord, something malicious sparkling in his eyes. "or the common scum who murdered him while he slept?"

Tord's eyes flew open, a hand snapping up to point at the now smug man who stood in front of him. "IT WAS Y-!" He let out a cry as a heavy body slammed into him, sending them both to the floor. The guard attempted to pin him down, snarling something about honor and respect. Tord managed to throw him off and scrambled to his feet. He hurried over to the window and threw it open, ignoring the cool air that suddenly hit his face.

Shouts followed him as he started to climb out, pausing only momentarily to summon a small flame to his hand. With one last glance at his father's peaceful body, Tord raised the fire to the long red curtains and set them ablaze. He turned to view the two story drop into the lush bushes that awaited him.

Then the bullet slammed into his back.

Then down the commoner prince fell.

~

Commoner to rule
Futures entwined
Three to fall
The one left cries
Two trade places
Three forget
And one erases
The only one left

~