The celebration was in full swing by the time the evening cast the fiery glow of sunset across the land. The new Empress being crowned was an important event and New Empress Talisa Kamer was beside herself with excitement. She was dreaming of her new life, as Empress to Emperor Bastil of the Forest Gate.
As she had the dress tied on, and the beautiful ribbons and trinkets woven into her hair she had no idea what was going on beneath her feet. Even as she prepared for her feast, others plotted to rescue her prisoners from below the land.
Kyera and four silent shifters followed the old servants tunnel from the edge of the forest to the dungeons. It had once been an escape tunnel for the Royal family, but over the years, it had been lost to the sands of time. Shifters used it up until recently as a good place to hide, and change form in order to subdue the beast form's anger.
Currently, it was an underground road for a rescue, that would hopefully be successful. The stealthy landing of the dragons had been rumored as a fly over. No one knew that the four had landed their coaches near by. While Bastil strengthened the guards on the gates and gave orders to shoot the traitors on site, Kyera made her way underground.
Once proud Empress Vivian, but now the prisoner of her own Grandson, was laying in her cell, starved and exhausted. Kyera signaled the serpent shifter beside her toward the guards, and the large snake slithered his way to the men and struck them both. Within Seconds, nonlethal poison entered their veins taking out both threats.
Then Kyera ran to the doors on soft slippers made of rabbit fur so she did not make a sound. "Empress Vivian, are you alright?" She asked as she took the two picks and began working on the lock. Kyera instantly regretted the question, Vivian looked horrible.
Her dress was torn and her hair was messy, granted it showed some signs she had tried to straighten it. Tear trails marked her cheeks like wrinkles, almost permanent. Kyera's heart wrenched at her pale color and surprised expression.
"Kyera you can not be here. He has labeled you and Clovis Traitors… please leave me. I'm old I have lived my life." Vivian urged.
"I will not leave you here. My guards and dear friends did not die so that I could abandon you now. Stop this nonsense and follow me." Kyera demanded, not really caring if she was rude. She left Mally and Lazren to protect Vivian. She had made that call as a Princess and they died for it. Empress Vivian was coming along willingly or would be carried out over Kyera's shoulder.
Vivian hesitated, looking toward the guards. She was even more confused when she saw them slumped over their weapons. Tears filled her eyes "They were just acting on orders. Barely adults."
"Don't worry, Madam Empress Dowager. My venom does not kill. It will only immobilize them for a few hours." The emerald green serpent reassured her before transforming into his human form. The tube like dress he wore fit his snake form but slipped when he turned. The man caught it and slid and arm through. "That was almost a rosy mistake." He winked and the Empress Dowager barely smiled.
"Thank goodness." Vivian took a deep breath and steadied herself, realizing that there was no option except to obey Kyera. The girl had yet to do anything that would endanger her family, and had even rescued them all from the fight. She could hardly believe that there would be a different result now. "Thank you for your service, Serpentine."
"You are most welcome, My lady. I am Cian, Elder brother of Cora, the serpent girl who died here." He told her, a slight bit of accusation in his voice but still kind and amiable. It was clear he held resentment but was unwilling to show it.
"I am sorry." Vivian whispered her eyes were deep and filled with sorrow for all the lives that had been lost since she failed to control her grandson. She never dreamed so much hatred had settled like stone in that boy's heart.