Temple of the King: The First Advent

1

The breeze of the northern winds swept through the small village of Lampier. Almost all houses and huts are of same sizes, made mostly of stones about 5 inches thick. Roof made of straw bundled to survive strong winds and heavy rain. Old houses have chimneys on it, but its been decades since winter visited the small yet humble valley.

Kaye glazed through the small window in her room. the fifteen year old daughter of the village chief is somehow curious on whats happening outside. Their house is the tallest amongst all houses in the valley, with her room at the highest floor.

She can see some houses still have their lights on, but as minutes pass by, their numbers slowly depletes until everything went dark. But the full moon somehow gave her the power to see through the dark areas.

Full moon. The second month of the year. All three moons collided and form the most powerful union of all. And during these times one of the most powerful creature known to the valley ascends to feed. The Wyath.

Known to be the creature from the forest nearby, this monster sleeps entirely all year round, except the second month of the year, the full moon month. Nobody has ever killed a Wyath, its somehow invincible. Legend has it that these creature does not breed. They just dont die and said that there are only five of these beast that lurks in the forest of Calgamia. The deepest of it.

But rumors has it that once in the village on the other side of the forest, Driain, just like this village, once has been the favorite feeding place of these monsters. But one unexpected event happened on the night of the full moon. A nameless warrior, a sorcerer and a saint without a seal showed up and outpowered the scariest creature of the valley. Yet not proven but at least hope is there.

Now Driain lies abandoned.

She heard different stories from patrols and soldiers in the valley. Some says the creature has eyes red as blood that it glows and burns like fire. Size as big as a buffalo yet faster and stronger. A year ago, the king of the Kingdom sent 30 soldiers to the valley to help out with the patrol, only 12 returned. Now, as his father pleaded the Circle, the King sent 50 strong ones including 3 members of the King Squadron.

Its the 12th day of the month, so far, no casualties yet - not just yet.

As the moon ascends perfectly at the sky, she is catching her breathe peeping at a very small hole on the wooden window.

""Ahhhhhhhh!"

A very loud shout envelopes the deadly quiet village. Her heart pumped fast as her eyes quickly moved to the direction of the noise. She is sure its near the village clock tower.

Then she heard metal footsteps of about ten to fifteen men moving through the same direction.

"THE CLOCKTOWER, WYATH AT THE CLOCKTOWER!!!" an unfamiliar voice that confirmed her feeling.

The clocktower is on the northern part of the village, near the village northern gate, perfect on where she is.

"Chief, its in the clock tower." a voice not known to him, yet firm and full of courage.

"How many?" a mans voice she knew for her entire life. A voice of a commander, chief of the village.

Though she knew her dad and some of his men are just below her, she can only see thier shadows.

"Five, my lord. Full five" answers the man with a voice trembling with fear.

"Full. First night of attack. Ring the bell on three. Get everyone down the ground until sunlight."

Three rings of the bell means grave danger.

"Lets go!"

The last word she heard. She tried her best to get a glimpse of her father but the shadows quickly disappeared on the alley.

Her father has a blood of a king. Though he is an illegitimate child of the king he has been considered strongly to ascend the throne. But her father refused. He refused in respect of the Queen who treated him as her own. Thus his half brother, Mateos , was crowned as the king of the where their little kingdom stands.

Her father is yet simple but wise man. Strong willed and has a true blood of a fighter. With a scar on his left cheek when he fought in one of the greatest wars in the kingdom, he is still as handsome as her mother used to describe him.

Minutes later she heard the bell ring. Three rings. Then moments later she could hear very distant voices. She can barely understand but she is certain those are the warriors in the clock tower fighting and saving their village. Her heart is beating fast as she hear shouts of pain and fear. Praying its not her father. Every minute seems forever, she wished for morning sunlight but the moon is still at its peak.

Then she felt cold hands that grabbed her shoulder. She quickly gazed to the person behind her. Its her mother, holding a medium sword on her right hand.

"What are you doing?" her mother whispered. She can hear fear in her voice.

Her eyes quickly wet by tears. She quickly grabbed her mother and embraced her hips. All along she is trembling with fear and uncertainty. Fear for her fathers life and uncertain if tomorrow will still come.

Her mother released herself from her tight embrace and wiped her tears.

"Hey... look at me.." she grabbed her chin to her.

"Everything will be ok." she assured her but she seems unconvinced. "Now get your things quickly and we need to go underground."

She quickly stand and grabbed a backpack made of sack on her bed. Like an emergency kit in times like this. She and her mom prepared it . It has some clothes and some silver coins and a dagger, a gift from her father.

"Are you ready?" her mom asked, whispered while waiting at the door with her pack.

She nodded

"Then lets go." her mom instructed.

They quickly ran downstairs with thier backpacks and torch that guided them on thier way until they finally reached the ground, hurriedly turned left to a sealed room waiting their house maid Martha, holding her own stock, shaking.

"Dearie I just cant stand the shouting outside..." she said but in a whispering manner. Her voice shaking with fear.

"We have no time to waste Martha, fear will slow you down.. did you get all we needed." she asked strongly

"Yes ma lady. I got everything."

They quickly moved and pulled the carpet lying on the floor revealed a wooden door lying on the ground. Mother and martha pulled the door open quickly but I can see on their faces that this door cannot be moved by one man alone. Behind the wooden door is a wooden stair going nowhere. The view is pitch dark and she couldnt see where the other end of it goes.

Her mom led the way in descending on the wooden stairs holding the torch with her and slightly she was able to get a glimpse how deep it goes. She followed her mom and descended then Martha behind her. Martha then pulled the wooden door with all her strength and managed to close it bit by bit.

The underground is not as deep as she thought it is, about 20 feet from the ground. She was expecting it would lead them somewhere but underneath is just a room big enough for five people. Made mostly of stone and clay and wood. On the side a small table with an oil lamp on it. Martha lit the small lamp with the match she brought with her.

Her mom then placed a carpet on the ground and a mat over it.

"We need to rest now and wait til morning" she commanded.

"How about dad" she asked

She looked at me as if she doesnt know what to say. I can read on her face that she is also worried as I am.

"Your dad can take care of himself. He is a warrior you know that, he'll be fine." she said trying to make herself sound convincing.

But she's not convinced but for her moms peace of mind, she pretended she was.

Her mom is a warrior herself. One of the finest at the Kings Court but chose to live with her dad in a simple life in the village.

They lay down the mat and tried to sleep. After a few Martha began snoring. But thats not what keeps her awake. She doesnt want to close her eyes until sunrise. Until the fight ends.