Ruple And Evelyn (Codex Grandomina Volume II)

Chapter One: Clouds of Divinity

~ CHAPTER ONE ~

Clouds of Divinity

1609

The wind could not have been bolder on that night of nights. It howled in the hollows and pounded at the palace walls as if anxious to halt the events that transpired within. The city was tense with expectation, peasants anxiously fashioning their meagre wares while aristocrats dined on the fruits of others' misery. Nobody, rich nor poor, knew what the future held. The possibilities were endless.

But with a clap of thunder and the barking of ghoulish hounds, royalty was gifted by divinity.

It was in a large chamber, on a bed of silk and fur that Queen Augustine of Grand London gave birth to triplets. Her heart had faltered when the midwife declared that the third child might die. For it did not seem strong, and its heart beat much too fast.

As the nurses hurried around, Augustine cradled the triplets in her arms, her mind a melange of joy and terror. Three tiny, soggy beings with thick black hair and identical bright green eyes, so new to the world, so innocent to life's many complications.

"Which one was first?" asked a bold voice from behind her, a hint of fear in its delivery.

"This one," Augustine replied, nodding to the far left child, whose wide emerald eyes were already glancing about the room inquisitively.

"He shall be Rex then..."

The shadows shifted and the man speaking stepped forward out of the shadows, his face wet with tears, but his jaw set in defiance. He was Rex Ruple, King of England and in turn the city of Grand London. A man wracked with paranoia of the most sinister breed, these past years had seen him change from a youth of vibrancy to a Regent deeply burdened by duty.

"I have a question to ask of you, my sweet..." he announced softly. "It will sound odd me saying this. And I know how you hate it when I dance about my words. So I'll speak plain. Will you promise not to murder our children, Augustine?" his hand stretched out, aching to touch his wife's shoulder. "I must hear you say it." His hand inched closer. He so desperately wanted to thank his queen for bringing these beautiful pink urchins into the world. But first...

Augustine turned to look over her shoulder, her mouth twisted into a snarl. "I am not your grandmother, RR! How many times must I pledge this, husband? What could make one think I'd do such a thing?"

RR's outstretched hand snapped back. "I have been... lost, recently, my love. Too many tales and yarns..."

Her anger receded somewhat. "Then you must disregard this nonsense," she spoke in reassuringly. "Divination and prophecy are the realm of fanatics, my love, I promise you, I will not harm our children. But please, let this be the last time I must do this. Will you come and sit with us?"

As Augustine returned her attention to the children, a flash of lightning illuminated the chamber, and the gargoyles through the glass cast grisly shadows across the walls of the chamber.

The king knelt and laid his head on his queen's shoulder. "Which one should we name Ruple?" he asked.

Augustine's lip quivered. "This one on the end..." she said stoutly, endeavouring to avoid a fit of sobbing. "He was last to come and the nurses believe he may die."

RR nodded. "I heard it," he said bluntly.

"There may yet be hope," Augustine stammered, but RR cast his gaze away in shame.

However, a moment later, one of the midwives hurried into the chamber, clasping a goblet of sloshing liquid.

"What is it?" Augustine asked, he eyes flaring with anxiety as the midwife dipped a sponge in the liquid.