High up on the towers of the Obsidian Palace, in the royal chamber that overlooks the stars, beads of sweat fall down Queen Caoimhe's brow as she heaves to catch her breath.
With her full body on fire, she looked nothing like the elegant queen she was known to be. Her eyes were wild. Her hair scattered across her face like a bird's nest. Her gentle smile had been replaced with a fiery defiance-- a determination to survive.
"I see the head," she barely heard the midwife say. "Not long now, your majesty. Another push, please."
The tired queen laid her head back and looked at the stars. The Celestial Dome was nowhere near her first choice as a birthing place, but it wasn't such a bad one either. When all you want to do is give up, you look above and you see the universe shining on you—as if telling you to keep moving forward.
Locking eyes with the midwife, she gave a resolute nod. She swallowed a gust of air, pushing as she never pushed before, and bellowed a battle cry into the starry night. In a moment—the most joyous moment--a louder, higher-pitched cry joined her own.
She collapsed into the pillows that support her, only craning her neck to catch a glimpse of her child. "Give her to me," she rasped.
When the child was finally placed in her arms, cleaned and wrapped in soft white silk, Caoimhe smiled wide and shed more tears.
"Isn't she a beauty, Frederick?"
Her husband, having rushed to the dome the moment he was informed, panted as he stood in front of the child. "That she is, my dear," he answered. "Much like you."
"If I may, your majesty," the midwife hesitantly interjected. "The child has a birthmark I thought you should see. It is most unusual."
Turning over the child, they quickly learn of the mark she spoke of: an apple with a dagger run through it, at the small of the princess's back.
"How curious," said the king. "Why there of all places? And with such a shape."
"What could it mean?" asked the queen, her brows meeting in worry.
"A mark from the goddess..." the midwife's voice was barely a whisper. "I've seen something like this in the old books..." she trailed off. "I can't recall exactly, but I'll look it up as soon as I can."
She was in the middle of packing the equipment when the whole palace shook with the unsettling sound of clashing swords and cries of panic. The king cursed and hurriedly put on his armor; he was just about to go when his royal advisor ran into the room.
"They're here. We're outnumbered your majesty, a hundred to one."
"A hundred to one! Did the bandits procured some army across the sea?"
"Sire, these aren't bandits. They bear the green flag of The Bear."
"Impossible!" cried the king. "Veridia? They have no reason to attack us!"
"My brother would never attack this kingdom, surely you must be mistaken!" the queen added.
"Look for yourself, your majesties. Down below!"
Look they did, and sure enough, the citadel is burning as men, women and children run for their lives.
"He... he would never. Merrick would never. Nothing makes sense." The queen whispered under her breath.
"Maybe not, your majesty, but the evidence speaks for itself. Perhaps his soldiers are acting on their own will, or maybe..." the advisor lowered his voice almost conspiratorially "just maybe, his greed goes beyond the boundaries of family."
"I know my brother, Alger!" the queen screeched. "His two sons are in this palace as we speak. The last thing he'd want to do is to harm his own children.
She looked at her husband with pleading eyes. "He is not the one behind this, I know it."
"Well, whatever this is, we will sort it out," said the king.
"Sire," he interjected again. "I know you will do your best to protect this kingdom. But I beseech you, for the good of the kingdom; if there is ever a time to flee, it is NOW. Your safety is our number one priority. Think of your queen and heir."
The king looked back at his queen and newborn child. "Perhaps you are right." He sighed. "But I cannot and will not desert my people."
He walked to his family and kissed them both on the forehead. "You should be safe here, my love," he said as he squeezed the Queen's hand. "I will be back soon, I promise."
His face steeled once more and he gestured to the other man. "Come, Alger, you must advise me. This is not just a battle. This is war."
Left alone, the ladies are agitated. "Elara," she said to the midwife, "if my husband is staying, then so will I." She caressed the baby in her arms and held her out. "But that doesn't mean I will let my daughter die."
"Your majesty!" The midwife can only look at her in shock.
"Go! Take her now! Bring her somewhere safe. We will find you once everything has calmed down."
With great caution, Elara took the babe in her arms, tears welling in her eyes.
"And the boys!" cried the queen. "My nephews. Take them also. Keep them all safe."
Not trusting herself to talk, Elara nodded solemnly and kissed the Queen's hand. She quickly gathered the two princes from the nursery and set down the winding corridors. She knew of one backdoor exit; she just hoped the enemy soldiers haven't gotten to it before them.
"Psst. In here, madam," she heard a young voice from the shadows. "They reached the south gate, already. I know a tunnel that would take you straight out of the palace."
Elara did not have time to hesitate and simply followed the young woman. The five of them walked in silence, traversing under the palace and city walls through the catacombs. Unfortunately, they were not alone--the sound of pursuing soldiers grow louder, and they could hear the heavy thud of boots drawing closer.
They hurried, but it wasn't enough. They won't make it--not like this. As they reached the bend, Elara stopped, knowing what needed to be done.
"Hurry, Mam," cried the maid when she noticed.
"Tell me your name," Elara demanded.
"Mam?"
"Your. Name."
"Cara, Madam."
"Go, Cara. You must carry on alone from this point. I will stay behind and but you some time."
"But Madam—"
"The children's safety is paramount. Promise me you'll protect them as best you can." Elara gripped Cara's hand tight. "Promise me."
Tears welled in Isabelle's eyes, but she knew she couldn't waste time arguing. With a heavy heart, she nodded. "I promise."
"Goddess protect you," Elara whispered as she stared at the backs of the maid and the royal children.
"Goddess protect me," she whispered again, as she faced the blackness of the tunnel behind and waited for the oncoming battle.