The night was cold and foggy with the telltale signs of a midnight rain. Under the shadows a lone figure made their way to the sleeping capitol.
Their steps echoed in the dark sky but not a single person stirred in their sleep. And not a single one would believe the tragedy they would wake up to in the morning.
The palace stood tall, its imposing walls guarding the secrets within. Silent shadows danced upon the ancient stones as Claudina moved with calculated precision towards her target. Every step was a delicate ballet, executed with utmost finesse, as she deftly avoided the ever-watchful eyes of the palace guards.
Sneaking past the guards like a slinking cat, Claudina scaled up the outer walls like a phantom by utilizing her nimble frame and acrobatic prowess to avoid the intricate web of security systems. The palace's defenses were formidable, but she had spent countless hours studying their patterns, predicting their movements, and exploiting their blind spots.
The guards patrolled in a rhythmic pattern, their torchlight casting flickering shadows across the gardens. Claudina timed her advance meticulously, darting from one garden arch to another, blending seamlessly with the darkness.
Just as she thought himself invincible, a momentary lapse of concentration almost spelled her doom.
A twig had snapped under her boots.
Claudina laid flat on her stomach behind a large shrub bush.
A knight stopped and waved his torchlight around the same bush
In that precarious moment, Claudina pressed her lithe form against the cold ground as mush as possible, holding her breath as if life itself depended on it. Her heart pounded in her chest, a thunderous rhythm that threatened to betray her. Beads of sweat trickled down her temple, each droplet a testament to the peril she faced.
The armored knight halted and examined the area when another watchman joined him.
The two talked for a while before parting ways.
She sighed in relief and got out of her hiding place.
Finally she made it to the palace. Going behind it she pressed her hands on the stone walls to find the doorknob of the back kitchens. In the darkness she couldn't light a fire without alerting her presence.
Something round and metallic brushed over her hand. Turning her back to the door she gave three light taps, a signal. A large woman wearing a servant's clothes opened it.
Without a word from either of them Claudina entered the kitchen and the woman closed the door.
Taking off her cloak, Claudina revealed to be wearing a palace maid's clothing. A candle was lit.
"This is the map of the interior of the palace." Claudina leaned over the kitchen counter where parchment was spread open. Rows of lines and small boxes were littering the drawing of the mammoth palace. Pointing to one of the rooms, the woman spoke, "...This is the study where the enemy is residing currently. There are trained guards outside the room while the emperor -though young- himself is proficient in the sword. So much so his enemy surrender when he is in the battlefield." The women looked at her, slight in structure, frail limbs and pale face. A look of uncertainty crossed her hardened face. "...A child was sent?"
Claudina looked at her, eyes unblinking in the candle light. "This child fought in wars. Don't worry. I have a trump card in my hand."
The woman didn't question her further and continued to explain the passage ways for her to escape.
"Take the food from the dumbwaiter on the third floor. The emperor prefers silver cutlery," the woman spoke softly.
Nodding, she left the kitchen with the candle in hand. Finding the third floor was not that difficult and she quickly put the food, plates and cutlery in the trolley like how the servants did for her back home. Finding the sharp knife under the plates she hid it under her long flowing skirt.
She pushed the trolly laden with food forward. Arriving at the study she stopped in front of the knights donned in complete armor and metal helmets.
The knights immediately stopped her crossing their spears in front of the door.
She looked carefully at one of the knights. "State your purpose."
"I have bought his majesty's meal."
"You are a new face, aren't you?"
"I was hired today."
"And they sent a new hire to bring food to His Majesty?" the other questioned. They exchanged looks under their helmets.
Claudina kept her poker face. '...I didn't get caught now did I?...'
"Must be one of those…"
"Yeah…alright get in."
She smiled, causing the knights to flinch under their armor. She knocked on the door and waited. "Who is it?"
"Sire, it's your meal."
"...Come in."
"I feel bad for you,'' one of the knights whispered to her.
She glanced at him. 'What is he talking about?...'
But there was no time as the door opened and she was quickly ushered in by a smartly dressed steward. The rich scent of aged parchment and polished wood filled the air. The room was adorned with tapestries depicting scenes from great epics and illuminated manuscripts that chronicled the tales of valor and wisdom.
The centerpiece of the study was an imposing oak desk, its surface strewn with scrolls, quills, and ink pots. The desk bore the marks of countless hours spent in deep contemplation, etched into its surface like a tapestry of the emperor's intellectual journey. Leather-bound tomes, filled with knowledge and secrets, lined the shelves that surrounded the room, reaching up to the high ceilings. These books stood as silent sentinels, waiting to impart their wisdom. A large, ornate chair stood behind the desk, its velvet upholstery worn with use. A small reading table nearby held a flickering candle, casting a warm glow upon the pages of ancient texts and manuscripts. In one corner of the study, a tall bookcase held the emperor's personal collection of rare and treasured works. From historical chronicles to philosophical treatises, the shelves housed the collective wisdom of the ages, its weight imparting a sense of reverence to the room.
Claudina rolled the trolley in as the steward shut the door and locked it. 'Was I discovered?' she thought grimly as she placed the food on the plates and bought them over to a small table by the fireplace.
From the corners of her eyes she could see the emperor watching her like a hawk. This was the man that broke her mother. The one who used her for his obsession with the Heiva race.
Closing her eyes she settled the plates and forks in neat rows and stepped aside. She bowed and was about to leave when the steward stopped her.
She looked up. "I don't recall your face. Who are you?" his glasses glinted at her in suspicion.
"I am the new hire, sir. I arrived today."
"Who hired you?"
"The chef, sir."
The steward let her hand go and looked over to the emperor. He simply nodded. Gulping down a lump, he swiftly left the room and locked it behind him.
Claudina and the emperor Ezra Carmadilis were left alone in the room. The only noise was the fire crackling the coals.
Ezra Carmadilis looked every bit of an emperor. Imposing and intimidating he sat with his head resting on his hands. The crown glistened on top of his shock blonde hair. There was something sinister about his venomous green eyes. Though she can also see why her mother fell in love with him.
A shiver ran up her back as he beckoned her closer.
Something wasn't right…
Regardless she stepped forward and stood an arm away from the table.
"Is there something you require, sire?"
"Yes, there is…" he smiled wickedly. "Go and bring that book from the left on the third row from your right."
She bore her mother's blood; in her veins ran the Heiva blood. The emperor surely noticed it by now.
She nodded and went away. 'This is a trick, Claudina. As soon as he is behind you, thrust out your sword and kill him.' But her feet weighed down her like lead. At the back of her mind something was screaming for her to run. That the emperor posed a greater threat than the Inquisitor.
Shoulders trembling she reached for the book. She could already see the looming shadow. She didn't even hear the scrape of the chair.
She whipped around. Ezra grinned down at her as his eyes speckled with madness.
"You will do. Compared to that spoilt vixen in Chronostis you will do greatly."
His hands reached for her.
Heart thundering, she yelled out the word that protected her in every situation. "σπечwert"
In an instant Baron stood in front of the shocked emperor who backed away his mouth agape. Baron gazed down at him, thousand eyes all swirling in glee.
With the cunning of a serpent, the Emperor leapt back and wove intricate spells of binding and control, drawing upon the darkest energies. The air crackled with an evil energy as the magic entwined around the Emperor, empowering his intentions.
Claudina noticed the dark lighting crackling loudly. The windows were broken and the sharp wind burst in extinguishing the fire.
Gritting her teeth, she summoned her Forbidden Grimoire. She stepped beside Baron, her hair tie flapping away in the wind..
"Baron, we are killing him!"
Baron with his long claws and hungry eyes hunched down on his legs ready to slash the emperor open.
Ezra only smirked. "Come at me if you dare."