The atmosphere was lively as the nobles waited for Raven's arrival. Many tried to worm their way closer to those of higher power or richer with sly smiles and flattering tounges. Graves watched all this from the corner, his face frowning at the sea of people. He looked at Alfred who also seemed similar to him, before scanning the room.
His eyes fell on Catherine who had all the women of high society surrounding her as she led the conversation. He could see Emilia among the women which made him try and find Harding. "Idiot." He spoke under his breath after realising that both he and the Duke weren't present.
He put down the glass in his hand, quickly pacing through the crowd of people to the side exit. Sneakily opening the side door he snuck out the banquet.
"Go back in." A voice spoke from behind Graves, freezing him in his place. He could recognise the voice from a mile away. His body turned robotically as he looked down at the hunched-back old man. Count Esmond was stoic looking up into the tall man's eyes, but the power radiating off his body caused anyone to flinch.
"I'm sorry to bother you Count, I'm just looking for someone." Graves tried to put a polite smile on, but his twitching lip betrayed him. Esmond didn't move. He remained looking at the man in front with cold eyes. The two remained staring at one another, neither taking a step.
The stand-off lasted for what felt like hours to Graves as hundreds of thoughts ran through his mind, the paranoia that plagued him, creeping back into his mind. Had Harding been killed, was he being tortured for information? One bad scenario after the other ate away at him.
Esmond could see the state of the man in front. Every bead of sweat, the erratic movement of his eyes, the evenly timed twitching of his index finger. He could see the man was about to do something stupid if left like this and couldn't help but exhale walking to the door behind him and giving a gentle knock.
"Who is it?" Issac's voice asked suspiciously.
"Esmond." The response was flat as a series of unlocking sounds followed it. Issac walked out to greet Esmond but stopped seeing Graves, his eyes darting back down to the old man. Esmond just waved him off pushing past. "Hurry it up with whatever you're doing, people are getting suspicious and Raven is almost here."
Graves looked through the crack in the door over Issac's head. He could see the three men in the room, only exhaling a sigh of relief that his friend was fine. The Duke walked out first, giving a probing stare at Graves before walking back into the banquet, followed by his son. Esmond followed with Harding behind him.
"Graves. What are you doing here?" Confused, Harding asked, looking at him with surprise. Esmond walked back into the banquet leaving the two.
"I couldn't find you. I saw the Duke was missing and I put two and two together." He took a pause, looking around checking to see if they were alone. Bringing himself towards Harding's he asked in a hushed tone, "What happened in there? Are we safe?"
Harding pulled himself back, also checking the surroundings. "Safe, probably. He mainly wanted to know what I knew and where my loyalties lay." Graves indicated with his hands for Harding to continue, wondering what he had said. It wasn't just Harding life on the line but his as well. "With the King obviously. You think I'm going to say something outrageous like with him, if I did that I'm practically supporting a coup that may not even exist."
Graves gave an understanding nod placing. "We should return. The main event is about to start." The two snuck back in, quickly blending in with the crowd, as they waited for the anticipated guest.
"Announcing the arrival of his Holiness, Arch-Bishop Raven." The servant shouted loudly, silencing the entire banquet as the double doors opened. Raven walked in flanked by two inquisitors. His pristine white robes with orange markings show his new rank and sword at his waist his newfound privileges. The crowd applauded as he walked down the created path for him towards the throne, a child smiling at him pleased, gently clapping for him.
Raven reached the step to the throne, quickly throwing himself on his knee. "The Arch-Bishop pays his respects to His Highness the King."
"Rise Arch-Bishop, I will not have you stain yourself kneeling for me, that should now only be reserved for His Holiness the Pope and our lord Sol," Alfred spoke in a kind tone as he walked down the steps in front of Raven.
"You are the Lord's chosen, but more importantly you are my King. I bow to you out of respect, not because I must." His voice was polite as he slowly rose to his feet. Alfred stood next to Raven quietly whispering in his ear. Walking back up the stairs he turned to the crowd and held his glass up.
"My people. I know the past few months have been a hectic time, but the future is bright. We are expecting our greatest harvest in recent memory and are to be blessed by the Pope's visit. That is why when I ask you to make one more sacrifice, I hope you understand." Alfred's words were followed by a series of doors opening around the banquet and sceptical voices. The room flooded with soldiers in black-tinted armour, their faces masked.
The inquisitors reached for their blades, quickly stopped by Raven. The boy's smile was still innocent but to the onlooking nobles, it was terrifying as they looked around for a means of escape. His next words kicked off the main event.
"To the Night of the Long Knives." It was the perfect name to call what transpired below. One of the most infamous moments in political history, which allowed Hilter to consolidate his power. Alfred wanted others like him who were suddenly thrown into this world to know that they weren't alone. And although it was bloody and cruel how he made it known, there wouldn't be a person who didn't recognise the name for the events transpiring.
Alfred downed his drink, the burning of the alcohol down his throat as he went back to his throne to watch the events transpiring. He felt his blood rise and his heart begin to pound as in the corner of his mind a little figure watched the events with an evil grin spread across his face. He fought to suppress the smile rising on his face only able to drink to hide it.
The new royal guard closed in on the attendees. Some were stabbed and beheaded on the spot as their bodies were trampled on. Few made a charge for Alfred with broken glass in a desperate attempt to kill him, only to be stopped by Raven's sword.
The woman screamed as their husbands, brothers and fathers were killed and arrested, only to be soothed by Catherine who looked at the scene with sad eyes. The sound of tears and screaming flooded Alfred's ears, who took another drink, trying to drown out the noise but also the influence of the other inside him. He didn't want the emotions he felt to be theirs, but his own. If he was to carry this out then it was only right he face it alone.
William and Issac watched with stern faces. How many years had the Kingdom been plagued by these people, who cared for nothing but themselves? William's mind was calm as he thought this. It was a necessary sacrifice he felt for the future to come.
Those arrested were thrown into the pool of blood. The smell of iron assaulted them as they fought the urge not to throw up, cry or piss themselves, a few unable to. Their faces pale like ghosts as they shook in terror. Those who held no real power and only came as guests of someone else were led out of the throne room.
William, Issac, Catherine, Esmond, Raven and Alfred looked at those on the floor. The original 200-odd guests quickly shaved down to just less than one hundred. "You all have been spared for a reason. Some of you are innocent, some have been faithful servants to the Kingdom and the rest have skills which will be useful for the coming future," Alfred spoke, his voice containing a power that made those shake kneeling with every word.
"Those behind you were filth of the nation. They cared for nothing but themselves. Exorbernet taxes on their realms killing their people, betraying the Lord and his righteous words or just scum. But I am giving you all a chance, the Kingdom is going to change and I need people who can help see this happen. You have been selected. Your wealth and land will remain yours." Alfred stood up, his face once again showing an innocent smile.
"I ask for a few sacrifices on your behalf but I guarantee you that if you do, I will lead this Kingdom to greatness. I will carve our name into history never to be forgotten and every single one of you will be in it, each a building block that laid the foundation for the coming prosperity that we will lead. So I ask, who will work with me, help me create this vision and go down in history as the pioneers of the new future."