The Timeless Library

10. The Seven

The Clairvoyants were the first to speak of the calamity. Cloaked in black from head to toe, these two mysterious individuals roamed the kingdom, casting their warning in every town:

When the Seven are but one, the world's balance will be altered, and our fair kingdom shall fall to ruin amidst the chaos.

Word spread among the common folk, and it spread fast, for they all knew the Seven well. Every living soul had a tale to tell of these soldiers, noble men and women in shining armor who toiled under the kingdom's banner to bring peace and prosperity to all. "The Seven can take care of seven problems and seven more," or so the saying went. To think anything could happen to them after all they had accomplished was practically inconceivable.

Still the Clairvoyants' words spread far and wide, traversing every mountain and valley until at last they reached the noble halls of the royal palace. The Sovereign cared not for these ill omens, however. He had no time for the rumors of the rabble, or so he would tell his superstitious servants before shooing them away.

The Sovereign's eyes were not set on the rumors within, but on the unconquered lands outside. Just beyond the kingdom's borders lay a vast wilderness teeming with riches, claimed only by the tribe of the Mad Ones. Tales surrounding these savages were abundant. Some said the Mad Ones were children of the moon, with blood-red eyes and skin so pale it was almost translucent. Others said the Mad Ones needed no sleep and spent every living minute wandering the wilds, hunting for new prey. The Mad Ones were insane, unpredictable, but above all, everyone knew that they would not bother you, if you did not bother them.

For the sake of land and riches, the Sovereign was ready to put those claims to the test, and no calamitous rumor would bring his plans to a halt.

None dared confront the Sovereign about his decision. He was a ruthless man of unrivaled power, and he did not hesitate to cut down anyone standing in his way—friend or foe. Many had tried to push their beliefs onto him, only to end with their heads on a pike.

So instead of warning the Sovereign, the people warned the Seven. The brave heroes took the pleas of the people to heart, and thought long and hard. After much consideration, they decided to split up so as to cover more ground and solve the dispute before the Sovereign could start his war.

Two of the Seven marched to the royal palace in hopes of talking sense into the Sovereign. They were promptly executed for their insubordination.

The next two met up with the Clairvoyants to gather more information on the rumors. They were found dead the next morning, pierced by their own swords. Perhaps the sight of the inevitable future had been too much to bear; perhaps the Clairvoyants were not what they seemed.

Two more made their way to the kingdom's outskirts, hoping to parley with the Mad Ones. They never returned.

Seven days passed, and but one noble soldier remained. Consumed by grief and loneliness, she sought out her missing friends in the wilderness beyond the kingdom's borders, letting dark thoughts fester on her journey.

Seven weeks later, and the Sovereign was found dead in his chambers, pierced by a spear of the Mad Ones. The tribe had exploited the knowledge of hidden passages and shifts in guard duty bestowed upon them by their three newest members. By the time the nobles realized what had transpired, the palace was up in flames.

After that, the Clairvoyants disappeared. Some say there were last seen with the Mad Ones... planning their next move in hushed whispers and hidden smiles.