Rath - The ancient city of wonder, destroyed.

Chapter 1: Blood

"Izzy," Queen Iz-Apella Hinstan called with a cracked voice from amongst her handmaids and nursemaidens. The young Iz-Fallad stepped back into the room which he had fled a moment before, having been chased away by Shaneen.

Apella spoke softly, "Come in. Come stay with me in my bed."

The boy moved closer, watching the women make a path for him as they cast narrow eyes of suspecion, wide lids and gapping mouths in fear, and pursed lips of disfavor upon him. Someone rushed from the room carrying a blood soaked bundle of rags.

When he reached the bedside, his mother put her hands out and he climbed up and into her arms.

She hugged him close.

He saw the bedclothes stained in deep red, blood, and he trembled as he looked at her, avoiding the gore by her midsection. He looked away, seeing the fever in her eyes and drawn pale skin of her cheeks and blue tinged lips. He asked, "Where's the baby, mother?"

"He's gone. He didnt live."

"But he was to be my brother. I won't have a little brother?"

"You have love. You have my love and your father's. You have life. Keep it safe. Keep it precious for it comes with great difficulty to be endured and is gone too soon. Promise me you will be strong."

"What is wrong?" Tears filled the young boy's eyes.

"I have to go."

"Where are...?"

She released the boy and Shaneen picked him up.

"Mother?"

Apella held his hands and whispered, "I love you, Iz-Fallad. Be strong for me."

Her fingers fell slack and her arms dropped as she slumped.

"I'll be strong. I'll be strong. Don't die. Please don't die."

The nurse turned the boy away as a great roar came from the hall outside.

"Apella! APELLA!" King Iz-Bollad Hinstan roared into the room.

The nurses and healers moved side except for Shaneen, who carried the weeping boy. She stepped between the king and his deceased queen, locking his way as she handed the boy for him to take.

Iz-Bollad stopped and Iz-Fallad climbed into his father's arms.

The king looked at his wife and slowly fell to his knees, hugging the boy and crying into the child's hair.