The Throne of Deception

"Beyond The Veil"

Queen Akosua

I cut into the tender meat as I slide my tongue back and forth on the roof of my mouth in an attempt to get the dry taste of the liquor out of my mouth.

I glance around the table smiling at the variety that sat amongst the table feeling proud that everyone managed to come and agree to the verbal truce. My face changed as I noticed everyone was having a good time except for Queen Valeria.

Fiddling with her silver fork instead of indulging in the meal raised some concern but I decided to dismiss the thought. I look to Kamali then saw Queen Elizabeth take a sip of water nervously, and I chew the chicken in my mouth. After a few moments I felt a sense of intense sleepiness start to overtake my mind.

Before I knew it, there was a loud bang and the sounds of arrows leaving their bows and hitting to what sounded like a door or a wall. With that I raise from my seat "Secure the doors!"

My men speed to the door holding their swords at attention. But at last it was too late the bandits pushed through the doors with their weapons drawn.

My sight started to rock back and forth slowly and I look down to my hands. "W..hat in the hell..." my voice slurred in an attempt to catch myself as my legs turned to wine "Kamali?" I turned back and noticed everybody was beginning to feel the same effects. Each ruler one by one brought down by whatever was in their drinks.

I take one last glance before my knees buckle causing me to fall to the ground and into a deep sleep.

Queen Kamali

I heard Akosua call my name in a voice so silent that it could be mistaken for a whisper. I turn to face her just in time to see her fall to the ground.

Soon everyone else followed suite, everyone except for Elizabeth. We both looked at each other then looked back at the bandits who had just busted through the door.

"Guards!" I shouted at Nizame. I didn't hear a response and I turned to face him in the corner of the room set up specifically for our special guards. All guards were sprawled out and among them all I saw a familiar face. It was Nizame.

I felt the venom having a small effect on me but I tried my best to fight the toxin off before looking back at the bandits and taking a deep breath.

The men cautiously moved towards me and I staggered towards them. I saw a sword hanging out of one of the men's holster before they ran towards me.

I saw a sword swinging towards me and I dodged it in time to grab the sword out of the man's holster and swing it towards his neck and slicing the skin there.

I shoved the other knife into a soldier's stomach and gave it a small twist before ripping it out forcefully. This forced him to cower over while clutching his stomach but seconds later tumbling over. Two men ran at me and my eyelids began to get heavy along with my arms.

I crossed the swords and shoved then in the empty space between the two men before thrusting them towards their necks. The knife sharply slammed into their necks and both of their heads went rolling onto the floor as their body dropped to the floor.

I shift toward the dining chair landing palms down on the table with a groan before tightening my grip on the two swords. With the swords held as firm as it could get, I held it up to the new invaders breaching the entrance of the dining room. My eyes began to blur but each time my eyes focused back it seemed the army had multiplied.

"Leave, I won't say it again." I managed to yell out before my minds functions started to dwindle away.

They look to the lifeless bodies on the ground then to everyone else. I could tell that something had caught their eye because they walked straight past me and towards the others.

I tried to force myself to move towards them but ended up collapsing. I couldn't move as my body collided with the floor but I could only see glimpses as they moved closer to the others. "Why...why have you d-done this t...to us? To your Queen....." I said weakly, I felt darkness take over and I embraced it completely.

Queen Valencia

My eyes fluttered open as a dull ache rushed through my body. I sit up from the floor scanning the room for signs of the past hours of our night.

I looked down at everyone as they were sprawled out on the floor. I grabbed onto the edge of the table seeing the display of discarded bowls of stew and tipped over cups I glanced at the wall and saw a red substances splattered all over the wall.

"Is that...blood?" The strong smell of metal wafted through my nostrils and caused me to flinch before covering my nose with my glove clad hand. I scanned the room to find the cause of such a grotesque smell and was paralyzed in fear when I saw the source.

My eyes bulged as my feet started to fail me causing me to stumble back. My mind went vacant and suddenly my lungs were producing less and less air, let alone my brain making any thoughts.

Without realizing it I let out a horrid streak. A man I recognized as King Aboyie came rushing in with what seemed like an army behind him.

The fear overtook my body and caused me to use my feet and push myself away from the body lying dead at my feet.

It was Queen Chenhua.