The Broken Sigil

Chapter 15: The North King

   He was upfront leading the men through the harsh passage that was the northern path, deep in his thoughts as to what he has seen happening across the world, and he could feel it the Northerners as well, the soldiers were uneasy and had a ton of questions. They of course since Aelizia became queen were prepared for this situation all this time. But has it really come to it? Has Echo really returned with the Sigil and Vega? What about Vega? How are they going to defeat that evil without the Sigil? Could they rely on the Protectors? And how much could they do against Vega, without the Sigil? He didn’t dare turn his back at them knowing what kind of faces he will find. Soldiers in need of an answer to know what kind of war they are fighting. Add that to the situation that had just happened at Celvin it was all a mess, he couldn’t get his thoughts right, wondering was it really this hard being a king, he’s heard stories of kings and queens going through hard times, but a time of war for a noble was a nightmare. At least he had comfort knowing that in times like these she was alive, and she was alright, most importantly she was with him. He turned back and saw the soldiers carrying the makeshift stretcher with Isolde laying on it, looking ever so peaceful. He had ordered to make camp for the night before making the final push towards Everpeak. Night fell and the cold swept through the canyon, fog and howling filled the air, he starred at the fire that was set up in front of his tent, sat and thought whether it was a good strategy retreating back to Everpeak now that the world may be in danger, because last time that happened it didn’t end well for Everpeak, and they still live through the consequences to this day. As soon as he returns to Everpeak he would consult with the council to decide the best course of action in times like these, but he also wondered how the council would react once they find out that Celvin has been captured when they find out that the White City betrayed the peace. Would the whole world respond against the White City? Including Yimeon and Steampeak? That for him remained a mystery after all the talents and knowledge he had, the future remained a mystery that he cannot c***k, but live to see it. And on another note, he knew that sooner or later he would have to make contact with the other Protectors, but for now, he couldn’t bother himself with that. She opened her eyes suddenly and gasped for air, sharped pain surged in her stomach, she moaned touching the wound that was all cleaned and covered, the northerners did a great job with it. She could barely stand up, and had no idea what was going on, the soldiers that guarded her tent heard the cries coming from the inside, one of them removed the tarp seeing her all woken up and on her feet barely standing.

    “Get the king!” said the guard to the other, as the other one wasted no time and ran across the snow to the king's tent.

    “Your majesty!” he called out, not even daring to enter the tent, as the king came out and looked at him, wondering what the hell is going on now. It was the same man that saved Isolde, the same man with white hair and blue eyes, the soldiers kneeled as he came out and greeted him like a king should be greeted. “It’s the lady sire, she’s woken up…” explained the soldier as the king zoomed past him walking as fast as he could to get to her. He ran inside the tent barely waiting to take a glance at her.

    “Isolde…” he spoke quietly. She looked at him, but not with the same excitement as he would have expected, maybe she was just hurting and was tired that’s why she didn’t know who he was.

    “Who are you!?” she backed up feeling scared since a man just burst into the tent, not only that but she had no idea where she was, or what has happened. “Stay away from me!” she warned.

    “I am Fra… The king of the north,” he moved closer to her as she backed up too.

    “Where… Where am I?” she looked around confused, it was cold. The king noticed her shivering he took off his cape and moved closer to her offering her the cape.

    “It’s alright…” he wrapped her body with the cape. “You are safe,” he assured. Isolde suddenly changed her expression realizing something, she instantly pushed away from him.

    “Where is my Aldus!!!” she yelled. “Where is my son!? Where is my boy!” she lost it, the whole camp could hear her cries as the king tried to calm her down.

    “Isolde please…” he lifted his arms so that she could see he means no harm and walked closer and closer to her. “You’re safe, that’s what matters, as for…” he stood in front of her with her staring up at him. “As for…” he repeated as he gently placed the two fingers from his right hand on her forehead. Suddenly she felt as if she was falling asleep but remained standing, she closed her eyes and her body took off from the ground and flew all the way up towards the sky, and then fell again to the ground. She landed in the familiar courtyard of Celvin Castle, she looked around, and then all of a sudden noises and screams caught up with her senses. Soldiers bleeding and screaming, some of them dying on the cobblestone whilst the soldiers from the White City ran over them towards the palace, kids being taken away and families torn apart forever was the only thing she could focus on. Time moved faster and she suddenly found herself outside the barn of Celvin. The door opened and suddenly a brown horse came racing out of it. Her son was riding the horse, she could see it clearly, her son ran away from all the danger, from all the chaos. No matter how hard she tried to chase and yell after the horse it was speeding away from her. She looked back inside the barn and saw her own body wounded and on the ground whilst the soldiers from the White City were slowly surrounding her. Isolde yelled and pleaded for her to get up and run, but nobody could hear her it was as if she was voiceless as if she was in a nightmare, and that’s what it was, a vision… The king showed her what happened the living nightmare she had to go through.