Twisted (Book 1)

Chapter 2: War takes no prisoners

You need to pull yourself together, stand up, find Father and trudge forward, now is not the time to mourn. My sobs slowly came to a halt whilst soothing myself to the best of my abilities, staggering to my feet I hadn't realized how drained I was it was important for magic users to keep their emotions in check. I never understood the full importance of this; until I saw how the alley was completely covered in rows of sharp ice, piercing through the corpses as well as wooden barrels of water. Keeping myself together had always come naturally to me, but maybe that was because the only things I genuinely cared about was my family, and up until today I never imagined a world where they would be ripped from me.

Steadying my breathe and swallowing the sob that was rising in my throat I began walking towards the castle on shaking legs. Whatever was left of the kingdom would gather at the palace and hold up there, and if there's any hope left for our kingdom we shall see once I arrive there.

The streets were littered with peoples belongings and burning corpses, as I made my way through them. All of the shops were set ablaze along with people's homes, the ash rising and nearly blocking out the sun. Talon was known to be ruthless, however I could never have fathomed such destruction and death especially from a nation you hope to one day rule. These people were innocent, simply trying to get by, they weren't involved in the war. That's the sad reality Talon cares not if you're innocent or which side you're on, in the eyes of the soldiers we're simply here for their amusement.

No prisoners other than the royal family, and they'll only capture them in hopes to set an example, as well as flaunt their power. What senseless barbarian's true power comes in being able to discuss peaceful solutions. If our diamonds are truly so valuable all they had to do was negotiate a trade offer, their blood rubies are far less valuable but still dazzling and rare for us to find in any shops. I'm beginning to doubt that's actually what they're after at this point however.