Shrouded

The Birth of an Heir

Queen Ava was screaming relentlessly from the painful labor, she was breathing heavy and grunting to expel the baby from her womb.

"Almost there your Majesty, one more push." The nurse maid said with vigor to help the already exhausted Queen. The Queen's face scrunched up in pain as she gave out another yell. As the queen regained her composure she heard the squalling of her baby. "It's a boy your Majesty." the nurse maid rejoiced handing the baby to the sweat covered mother. Tears of happiness streamed down the mothers face as she hugged her newborn. A shouting in the hall pulled her from her happiness when the king and his guards rushed in the room.

"Arlo, it's a boy we have a beautiful baby boy, the next king of Brair." The queen rejoiced in exhaustion. The king came over and took the baby boy gingerly from her arms and smiled down. That smile was soon filled with sadness as he handed him back to his wife.

"Ava....the castle is under siege, it's Nero, we have to get our baby boy out of here as soon as possible." King Arlo stated grimly.

Ava looked at her husband with frightened wide eyes as she realized what that meant. "Who will be tasked to keep our precious heir safe until he's old enough to fend off his uncle?" She questioned in a sad whisper. Knight Keenan stepped forward and bowed. "I've asked Keenan, he has children so it would be easy to hid him. He can also prepare him for what he will endure to save his country and take his rightful place." Arlo explained to Ava.

"It would be my honor your majesty." Keenan stated with loyalty. Ava kissed her baby boy on the forehead and handed him over to Keenan. She was struggling with the thought of not watching her lovely son grow. But the thoughts of Nero killing him to take the throne hurt her heart more. Keenan was lead to a secret passage that lead outside the castle close to his home. He turned one last time to look at everyone in the room. "May Saint Diana have mercy on your souls." He said in a gruff voice hiding the sadness in his voice. They returned the phrase "And she will be your light through the darkness." They shut the door, and Keenan waited a moment. Soon the sound of booming and yelling entered the room. The sound of swords uniting with each other as the knights on both sides fought. Keenan held the baby close and journeyed down the tunnel. It was daybreak before he reached his house. Maya his wife quickly took the now squalling baby, it was evident he was hungry. She quickly sat down in a chair to nurse the babe. "Keenan if they find out, we will be executed." She said with worry. "They won't Maya, never speak about it to anyone and they won't." He consoled as he planted a kiss on her forehead. "I have to head back and plead my loyalty to the new king to protect us and him, King Arlo wanted to name him Damien River Krayen, his last name will be reverted to ours for now." He explained to Maya and she nodded in agreement.

Keenan climbed the stairs to in dread to the castle. He entered the throne room which was lined with fearful nobles pledging their loyalty to the new king. Keenan waited his turn, just seeing Nero's evil face made his stomach turn. Before long it was his turn. He stepped forward to pledge his loyalty. He quickly noted the past king and queen chained on their knees on each side of his chair. King Arlo was beaten badly and blood was dried in several places on his body. The queen was left bare and exposed for all to see, it's no doubt that he probably rapped her. She had only given birth maybe an hour before the breached the room, no doubt she was bleeding profusely and would day in the next day.

Keenan kneeled before the new king while grinding his teeth to prevent himself from doing anything he would regret.

"I, Knight Keenan Magness, Head Knight of the Kingdom, pledge my loyalty to King Nero Krayen I, the rightful king of the Briar Empire."

"I accept you as my Head Knight and hope you will serve me well. In exchange for your loyalty I will be awarding you a duchy, raising your station to a Duke from here on out." King Nero exclaimed.

"I am grateful your highness." Keenan replied with his arm over his chest.

Keenan stood and bowed once more then stepped out of the way so the next noble could take his place. Soon all the nobles had pledged their loyalty to the new king. They proceeded to the banquet hall where they would celebrate King Nero's first day as king.

Keenan decided to sit as far as way as possible from the king. Even though he had pledged loyalty he hated him with all his being, He only did this out of his promise to Queen Ava and King Arlo. The prince Damien must grow strong to defeat this man in the future. A sudden commotion pulled Keenan from his thoughts. King Nero stood and spoke with a booming voice. "For the crimes of treason my brother, Arlo Damien Krayen is hereby sentenced to death." Keenan quietly snorted at that remark the only one that was guilty of treason was the man giving the punishment. They brought King Arlo broken body forward and placed his neck on the block. Keenan and his eyes locked and Arlo gave one last nod as if to say I'm alright. The executioner brought down the ax swiftly. King Arlo's head bounced down the stairs and the room filled with Queen Ava's screams of loss. "For the crimes of Treason, my brother's wife Ava River Krayen-Rose will be banished back to her home land of Wyndlefell, effective immediately." They drug her down the steps her husband's head had just tumbled down and out of the castle.

One noble stood and boomed out. "To King Nero, a just and fair king, LONG MAY HE REIGN." The room was filled with hoorah and celebration. Keenan decided to take his leave early and head home to begin his life as a duke and protector of the rightful heir of the throne.