“Mother?!” cried Prince Braylon Rose, the eldest son of Queen Annysha and King Syantus, as he stared at his mother weeping beside his father’s corpse. The dagger embedded in King Syantus’s chest was Queen Annysha’s.
He stood there, confused and enraged, unable to shed a tear.
“No! No! How could you?” Braylon demanded, his voice shaking with fury.
“Aah! I didn’t kill him!” Queen Annysha sobbed. “I don’t know what happened!”
“Guards! Seize her!” Braylon ordered, and his guards moved to restrain the Queen.
“Braylon! No! Braylon! Let me go!” Queen Annysha pleaded as she was bound and led away.
“You will be sent to White Peak, at the Nine Pillars!” Braylon declared, his voice filled with anger.
In the Castle Rose’s hall, the Queen of Thorns was held by the guards.
“What is the meaning of this?” demanded Prince Cardon Rose, the second son.
“She killed our father!” Braylon shouted, his face flushed with anger.
“Mother!” Princess Lyria Rose cried out when she saw her mother being taken away.
“What’s happening?” the bewildered princess asked.
“Lyria, mother will be gone for a while. Stay in your room and try to enjoy yourself,” Braylon said gently, touching his sister’s cheek.
The Thorns prepared for the King’s funeral while Queen Annysha was sent to White Peak in the Northern Lands. She was locked in an iron cage and driven by Sir Dryndon, husband of Madam Prifterley.
“Let me go! We’re too far from Thorns!” Queen Annysha pleaded.
“No! She is not coming home!” Dryndon responded sternly.
“I can offer you gold! I have a luxurious crown!” Queen Annysha attempted to bribe him.
“I will bring you to Castle White,” Dryndon said resolutely.
At Castle Vale, King Orion Vale, from across the nine mountains west of White Peak, arrived on his giant eagle.
“Grandfather!” Braylon greeted, sitting on his father’s throne.
King Orion dismounted his eagle and faced Braylon.
“Braylon! How could you do this to your mother?” King Orion asked, deeply troubled.
“She killed our father!” Braylon responded with bitterness.
“And what of your younger siblings? Who will care for them?” King Orion’s concern was evident.
“You will,” Braylon said curtly and walked away to the room where his father’s corpse lay.
During Queen Annysha’s journey...
“Dryndon! Let me go! We’re too far from Thorns!” Queen Annysha’s pleas continued.
“No! My wife will not return! Two suns have passed!” Dryndon said, his frustration growing.
“I can offer gold! Here, I wear a luxurious crown!” Queen Annysha persisted.
“I will bring you to Castle White,” Dryndon insisted.
At the abandoned Castle Nix, King Orion landed his eagle and entered the cold, dark castle.
“Is anyone here?” King Orion called out.
A figure emerged from the shadows.
“Who are you?” King Orion asked as he saw a man with dark eye bags and trembling hands.
YOU ARE READING
Crowns And The Nine Kingdoms
General FictionNine Kingdoms of Sin, Nine Kingdoms of the World-A Fictional World Reflecting the Faults of Reality It was believed that the world is flat and only has three continents... Winterlands to the North. Greenlands to the East. Desertlands to the West. Ni...
