The Kingdom of Cards

Chapter 5

When Yao couldn't find the King, he sought out the queen. He found Arthur among the wounded and dying soldiers, trying to help where he could in the stables, which was made into a makeshift infirmary.

"Where's the king?" Yao asked.

Arthur quickly shrugged him off, "Ummm... last I saw he was with Berwald."

Yao nodded and ran back toward the castle, where he saw Berwald was still sitting tall on his horse, not moving. Yao ran up to him and shuddered when the tall man looked down at him from his horse, his face stone cold.

    "Berwald, where's the king? I believe he is in peril!" Yao asked.

Berwald stared at him a moment, making Yao shift his weight uncomfortably. Then, finally, he shrugged and looked back toward the castle where the Black army was making advances on the dragon, his eyes fixed on Mathias.

    Yao looked around lost, not knowing what to do. He turned in a little circle, lost in the battle. The noise was intense.

He was suddenly thrown off his feet by a loose cart flying by.

He looked up to see a pale hand in his face. At first, when he saw the green cloaks, he thought it was Ivan, but with upon furthur inspection, he realized it was Roderich. He gripped his hand and stood slowly.

"Roderich, if you're looking for Ivan, I sent him home."
"I haven't come for him, it's the king of spades. Elizabeta believes he is in great peril."

    Yao growled in frustration, "Errr!!!! I know and I can't find him! I know he is here somewhere because he's messing with the dragon..." They both watched as the dragon slowed again and the army moved closer to it at a crawl. The smaller dragon that was protecting the dark beast left and came towards Yao's direction. He followed it's movements to the roof of the West wing, which was across from the main wing where the black dragon stood. Alfred was standing on the roof, his eyes fixed on the battle.

    Yao looked frantically at him, "GET DOWN!" he yelled in vain.

Yao knew he couldn't hear him over the battle that was raging on. He sprinted across the courtyard and shimided up the wall. Roderich stood helplessly below. He searched his photographic memory, desperately searching for something that could help. Suddenly, he remembered something his teacher had once read to him when he was very young.

    "Yao!" he shouted, "their nose is sensitive, as is their hearing. The eyes is a good place to hit, but their belly is much softer, aim for the armpit if possible!"

Yao nodded and leaped onto the roof, "get help!"

Roderich saw a tall dark knight looking at the roof. He ran to him, "Hey! Your king is in trouble, on the roof! There!" He pointed to where the king stood, totally unaware of Yao creeping up behind him. With a quick swipe of his sword, he slashed the dragon's nose. The dragon whimpered like a puppy and took a step back. He continued this crusade, keeping the dragon focused on him and away from the king. But Yao was tiring fast. The king too, was looking weary.

Berwald soon joined them on the roof, trying to awake the king from his dream like state. It must not have worked, for the king limped heavily toward the dragon, using his staff to support his weight, he stood by Yao. Roderich looked around for his king, but he couldn't see him in the sea of blue.

He hoped that he was heading back to the castle to find Elizabeta alive and well.

*Elsewhere*

    Elizabeta paced circles into the carpet in her room. Her best knights Toris, Eduard, and Raivis' heads went back and forth, following her movements. Everytime she swung her sword Raivis shuttered. She ranted on and on about some weather or alerting the other kingdoms or something.

    "If I tell them, they may try to help Alfred and the prophecy comes true, if not... then.. then Alfred might die anyway, which is bad, and if the other kingdoms take advantage of his weakness to gain power, I mean.. I know Francis, is always... charming and he might try something and Ludwig would do anything to please his people, not to even mention the smaller kingdoms that are always trying to get power... and now with what the Aces have done.. Argh!" she groaned in frustration. "Do you have ideas." she said throwing her sword, into the wall near them.

    The three knight whimpered and shook their heads. She sighed and turned away from their trembling faces, "Did he send them here to protect me or am I to protect them?"

    Eduard finally spoke up, "Alfred, seems to be.... This is what I heard in snip bits guarding the king's meeting one time...... He appears to seek peace.... If he falls, what will keep the other kingdoms from war?"

    "Thank you," she said sweetly, smiling. Taking the sword out the wall, she strode toward the door.

Toris stood up straight, "where are you going?"
    "To see Francis," she said, "I believe I need to warn the other kingdoms."

    Toris shook his head, "And leave this kingdom without a queen, king nor jack to protect it?" he asked, "I don't think so. The Spade's king is powerful, he can take care of himself. As for the rest of the kingdoms, they're on their own. Maybe in his death we will realize that peace is the only way." he looked out into the smoke.

    Elizabeta smiled, "Toris, since you and Eduard are so smart, and will have nothing to guard when I leave, I leave you two and Natalya in charge. So Ivan won't freak out, I will bring Raivis with me."

    Ravis sat up at this, shaking, "Ummmmmm....... Take Toris... he is a much better guard... take anyone..... I..."

    "Now, Ravis, you needn't worry, I will protect you." she gripped his hand and smiled. Dragging him along with her. He helped her into the carriage.

Mounting his horse and shooting his brothers a shaky smile, they were off.
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We're writing this while listening to Disney songs like proper teenagers 😂. I just can't wait to be king is literally young Alfred.

Names you need to know:
Gilbert- Prussia
Peter- Sealand
King Ludwig- Germany
Queen Kiku- Japan
Feliciano- Italy
King Francis- France
Queen Lili- Lichtenstein
King Ivan- Russia
Queen Elizabeta- Hungary
Roderich- Austria
Toris- Lithuania
Eduard- Estonia
Ravis- Latvia
King Alfred- America
Queen Arthur- England
Yao- China
Mathias- Denmark
Berwald- Sweden
Lukas- Norway
Tino- Finland
Kyle- Australia
Im Yong Soo- South Korea
Queen Emma- Seychelles

I'll see y'all later 👌🏻