Kimora: The Legend of Nemeton

Everyone in Nemeton knew the story of the blood night, the night when King Mordane and his family fell by the sword of their kin, Ithariel. Who forcefully took the throne. That night plunged the kingdom into darkness, the once beautiful land that was home to sorcerers, users of arcane magic and the simple people who couldn’t. They lived in harmony together, those were prosperous times, food was plenty, crime rate was low and the kingdom was now a shadow of itself and it all started one night during the festival of stars , the land was rejoicing, the queen was in labour. Mordane stood outside her bedchamber alongside other members of his court. The palace was anticipating Screams of pain erupted from the bedchamber and a cry followed shortly.Mordane pushed open the doors and rushed to the bed where Hippolyta lay cuddling the newborn. She was beautiful, silver haired not pale or light blonde, silver like the moon with piercing Emerald eyes. It was as though the world stopped moving at her birth “ she’s like the Goddess Eulalia, beautiful” Eulalia, the river goddess worshipped across the land was beautiful and silver haired as well. History has it that the Vaelith blood line were descendants of Eulalia Sounds of joy erupted in the palace hallways, the heir had been born. Mordane held the child as the midwives began cleaning the queen, he rubbed her plump cheeks softly as she fussed in his arm. Lord Cyren Aethelgard, The high mage and Hand of the king walks in and bows “By the stars, she’ll be one powerful child born on the evening of stars with likeness of Eulalia and her arcane energy is soothing, m’lord.” “We must begin preparations for her naming” “Have you chosen any names my queen” the midwife asked as the queen now dressed in a robe as she holds her child “Kimora in the old tongue for she’ll be our anchor” The happiness is cut short by the ringing of the bell and the shouts of fear from the palace hallways below . The bell was only rung in the events of an attack on the palace Color drained from the queens face , who could possibly be attacking them on an auspicious day like this. The land was at peace. A young knight runs into the chamber halting the queen’s thoughts. His armor covered in blood, his eyes find the kings “Your Majesty, your Brother is attacking the palace his men has broken through the first gate. They’re rounding up families of members of the high council. You have to flee “ “ My wife and daughter” Cyren exclaims “Go to them” “What about you, M’lord” “ Ithariel is my brother” Lord Cyren runs off with the younger knight. News of Ithariel’s army breaking through the first gate had spread like wild fire in the palace causing commotion and uproar, the midwives had already fled the chamber to seek refuge leaving Mordane and Hippolyta and their newborn Mordane quickly wraps a shawl around his wife and covers her hair “ you have to take her and run until you are sure it’s safe to come back. I don’t know why Ithariel is doing this but right now you and her are my priority “ Hippolyta shakes her head in defiance as tears rolled down her cheek “ I’m not leaving you, Mordane. We’re stronger together” “ I’ll not use my magic on my brother and I will not put your life in danger . Now go” The windows are blown away under the pressure of Mordane’s magic. He places a kiss on the child’s head and pulls his wife in for a kiss. She wraps her baby tightly and jumps out the open window . Using her magic to soften and ease her landing . She runs and slips through the back gate without looking back Mordane walks through the racing servants and knights to the throne room where he waits his brother. Ithariel’s forces have broken through the inner gate and were at the steps of the palace. The members of the high council and their families were rounded up and dragged to the throne room where Mordane waited The doors flew open as Ithariel and his men stride in covered in blood and guts “There you are Little Brother. I was thinking you wouldn’t show up to the party considering your wife had just delivered “ Ithariel scanned the room for Hippolyta “Now where might she be!” “ why are you doing this. What has come over you to s*******r Citizens of the kingdom you swore to protect “ Ithariel laughed maniacally like he had finally reached his breaking point. He walked towards Mordane until he was facing him directly “I was the First born but I was sidelined by the seers for the throne all because I was not born with magic. And they chose you my little brother who was favored by the gods with immense arcane power to be King. I went to war! I put my life on the line only to come back and be given a pat on the back and some flimsy seat at the council” He turned to face the other council members “ YOU all favored him because he was the powerful Son. Not anymore” He was now facing Mordane again. His pupils were now Red as scarlet and shadows rose from his body like plumes of smoke “You have acquired Forbidden Magic “ Murmurs and gasps filled the throne room “ you see brother, Arcane magic is not the only magic there is. You just have to be able to sacrifice something to get something. The Rhaetari made me see my true potential and the usurper you are. To think I used to admire you” The Rhaetari were an exiled tribe that practiced Dark magic and corrupted the land. Their grandfather exiled them a long time ago. “I will not fight you. You’re my brother, imprison me if you may but I will purge you of whatever evil they did to you “ “ who said anything about imprisonment, I know a better place for you Mordane plus I need your life force to seal the immortality spell” He plunged his blade into Mordane’s heart. Cries filled the throne and Ithariel’s men forced them to be quiet. Light energy slowly left Mordane and seeped into Ithariel. His face an image of bliss while Mordane writhed with pain beneath him “ Find the queen and bring her to me” Ithariel ordered Mordane lay still He was dead Ithariel turned towards the high council “ his fate will be yours and that of your family members if you don’t bend the knee to your new king Silence The Herald rose tapping his staff three times on the floor as he wiped his tear stained face “You stand before His Imperial Majesty, The Iron crowned , warlord of the spires. Victor of the ageless battle and sovereign of Nemeton, King Ithariel Vaelith” Slowly but steadily members of the council fell on their knees and bowed as Ithariel sat on the throne. All except Lord Cyren, the hand and High Lady Lysander. Mistress of whispers. “I only know one king. Crowned under the summer solstice and he lay dead at your feet. I will never bow to a kin slayer “ Lysander spat “Take them away” Ithariel said with a wave of his hand “ ladies and gentlemen, members of the new council. Welcome to the new order”