Kingdom Come {END OF AN AGE -- BOOK 1}

| Chapter 10: Innocence Comes At A Cost |

Max's breath caught in his throat and he found himself immobilized as his mother was practically thrown down into the dust in front of them.

Her hands and feet her bound, and a cloth was wrapped around her mouth to keep her from speaking. She lay facing her two children, and Max was unable to respond. He couldn't feel anything really. His entire body was tense as he stared at the ground.

"Well?" The official tapped his foot against the ground, clearly impatient. "How do you plead?" After a few more moments of silence he sighed and rolled his eyes. "Refusal to answer will be taken in by the court as a plead of guil-"

"They're innocent!" Their mothers raspy voice brought Max back into reality. She had somehow managed to move the cloth covering her mouth down enough that she was able to speak, and her eyes were wide with panic.

The King narrowed his eyes in distaste and the official jumped in surprise at the fact she had spoken. He glanced down nervously at the paper he held before gazed back at the King. He looked back down at the paper before rolling it up and clearing his throat.

"This is not your trial, so if you can't keep your mouth shut, then I'm going to have you removed." His voice wavered a little as the witch glared him down. He took a deep breath before glaring back.

"Don't talk to my mother like that!" Shelby hissed, having gotten over the shock of the situation. Max looked over at her, eyes wide, before he looked down at the ground again. I'm supposed to be the soldier, but I can't even defend my own mother...

The official looked down at her, lip curled in a bit of a snarl. "I'm done with these interruptions! Guards." The guards that stood behind Max moved to grab their mother, and Max narrowed his eyes.

"Don't touch her." He growled lowly. The official chuckled as the guards grabbed Nadia, forcing her to her feet before they began to drag her towards the exit. Max suddenly began struggling against his restraints, and the guards holding Shelby down grunting as they attempted to grab him.

The official gritted his teeth and opened his mouth to call for more guards before he was interrupted.

"Wait." The King's gruff voice rang out across the area. He stood and the guards carrying Nadia stopped. He motioned for the guards to bring her to the center of the dirt circle before he stepped down and began to make his to them.

His sword was in its sheath at his side and his golden cape fanned out behind him. When he stepped in front of Nadia, he glanced around the arena.

"I believe that these two children didnt know who their mother truely was. From what I have witnessed, I believe that neither of them possess the magic abilities of their mother." Silence fell across the small arena as he spoke. King Skiari looked back at Max and Shelby. "Still, they need to prove their allegiance to this kingdom."

Max glanced nervously at Shelby, and she looked back at him.

"What does he mean by that..?" His sister mouthed silently to him, and Max didn't know what to say. There were so many things he could force them to do, and no matter what, Max highly doubted he'd ever get his postion as a soldier back. He looked back at the King and waited for him to speak.

The King gazed down at Nadia before looking back at the two siblings. He motioned to one of the guards and Max was forced to his feet. The binds on his hands were cut, and he was pushed forward. He stumbled before regaining his balance and glaring at the King.

Skiari chuckled before unsheathing his sword. Max froze and his eyes widened. He quickly took a step back, half expecting the king to kill him then and there.

After a moment the King handed him the sword, and Max grunted. It was heavier than it looked, which he suspected was thanks to the bejeweled hilt. Max narrowed his eyes a little and looked up at the King in confusion.

From this close, he could tell that his eyes were hazel, not black. They had an almost sad look to them for a moment, but it quickly disappeared and was replaced by malice.

The King gazed around the arena again before speaking.

"In order for Maxwell Zion to return to his position as a soldier, and for his sister to be allowed to return to their home, and in order for this to be permanently removed from the court and kingdoms memory, Maxwell Zion must execute Nadia Zion himself."

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I'm going to try and get back on scedule with all my stories, which means a new chapter for The Cons of Being Me, will be up tomorrow!

Hope you enjoyed the chapter!

Any theories on what'll happen next?