(At phoenix gate.....)
Clive tossed and turned in his bed, unable to sleep. It wasn't the thought of the impending war with the iron kingdom that kept him awake, but something else that even he could not explain. With one arm across his forehead Clive stared at the ceiling and thought to himself, " Things would have so much more different had I been chosen as the dominant of the Phoenix..."
Despite the fact that Clive never despised his brother Joshua, he had always felt a bit jealous and anger towards him. When it become clear Clive would not be chosen as the dominant of phoenix, Clive's mother, duchess Annabella cast him aside like he was nothing and began to see him as nothing more than a failure with no place in the royal family. He often longed for the warmth of his mother. A single tear, traced a path down his cheek. Brushing it away, Clive forced himself to focus on sleep, but suddenly the smell of smoke filled the air. He immediately stood up and went towards his balcony. Clive watched in horror as several hundred yards away he could see parts of the castle ablaze, " I must get to Joshua...! "
Clive immeduatiely changed into his tunic and barged out off his room, towards the main castle.
" If i could get to the banquet hall first, i could rally some of the troops to lead a counterattack against the invaders "
After making several more turns Clive finally reached the banquet hall. Bodies of fallen soldiers lay amidst overturned goblets, spilled wine staining the once pristine marble floor. It looked like it was one sided slaughter, Clive wondered " What happened here...? how did they catch so many of our troops of guard "
Clive he spotted a group of six Rosarian soldiers huddled together, their voices hushed in conversation. Clive quickened his pace, walking towards them, " Men, the castle is under attack! We need to..."
Clive stopped dead in his tracks when he spotted a warrior fully clad in metal and the unmistakable colors of the Sanbrequois garb. The men and the warrior slowly turned towards him and drew their swords in unison as they began to circle him.
It was then that Clive realized they were Sanbrequois soldiers in disguise, " That is Sanbrquuois captain. this means the empire betrayed us...!"
Clive knew he was outmatched and outnumbered yet stood his ground and made ready to fight, " I might as well die fighting than flee as a coward"
Just as he readied himself a figure leapt from the balcony above him and landed a blow straight a soldier's head, severing his head and killing him instantly. It was lord Murdoch. Clive was instantly relieved and took the chance to land a blow on another soldier, killing him. As Clive and Murdoch faced off against the invaders with their backs against each other, out of breath and panting heavily. Murdoch uttered, " Ready? "
Clive roared, " As ready as I'll ever be ! " and charged at the soldiers while Murdoch squared of against the Sanbrequois captain. Clive dispatched two the soldiers quickly and turned towards the third one, dropped his weapon and fled through a side door. Clive turned just in time to see Murdoch deliver a final, fatal blow to the Sanbrequois captain, killing him.
After the captain was killed, Clive and Murdoch stood there, panting, their faces slick with sweat and blood.
"Well fought," Murdoch remarked", his face was covered in blood and sweat.
Clive nodded, a weary smile gracing his lips
Murdoch kneeled and searched the corpse of one of soldiers Clive had killed and he retrieved a pouch of rations, " These rations were only distributed yesterday, if these men have it then they must have been amidst us since yesterday "
Clive's blood ran cold as the realization struck him, " We must get to father and Joshua, they might be in danger "
Murdoch agreed and they both rushed in the direction of the fire. As they reached the central part of castle, which was now completely engulphed in flames, panic gripped him. He whispered , " They could be anywhere..."
(Somewhere Deep within the castle's walls.....)
Joshua's jolted awake. He awoke due to the commotion from outside. He scrambled out of his bed and walked over to a desk near his bed. He used his powers and lit the candle wick on the table. A soft glow illuminated the room. By this time he could smell smoke and something burning outside. Just as he put on his garbs and took his sword the door burst open and a young Rosarian shield stood at the doorway panting.
" My lord you probably do not remember me, its me Wade!", He said in a hurried tone.
Joshua remarked, " I remember, what is it ? "
" My lord we do not know who they are but they have set light to half the castle. My orders are to escort you to safety"
Joshua replied, " Very well, I'm ready"
As wade lead Joshua down the dark hallways Joshua conjured a small ball of flame above him. J The once bustling corridor, usually filled with the cheerful chatter of guests after a feast, was eerily silent. After some more minutes of walking they reached the kitchen behind the banquet hall. The kitchen was half consumed in fire and several bodies littered the floor in pools of blood. Joshua caught sight of a Rosarian soldier and walked towards him.
Wade yelled from behind, " Your highness step back ! He's not one of us ! "
But it was already too late. As the rouge soldier took a swing at Joshua's head he tripped on a loose brick on the floor and fell on his butt, narrowly missing a blow to his neck. Wade rushed forward, tackling the soldier to the ground and sinking his axe into his neck.
As Wade took a closer look and found the soldier's uniform to be different. " This is Sanbrequois garb! but why would the empire....."
As the realization hit Joshua he said in an impatient tone, " We need to find my father"
Wade however refused to comply to Joshua's request, " Your highness, your safety is my priority. The Archduke will be protected by his shields"
Joshua protested but Wade simply rebuked him and barricaded one of the doors in the kitchen. After about thirty more minutes, the door shook violently. Wade immediately raised as axe and put himself between the door and Joshua. Someone or something was trying to get to them....