knights

Chapter Eighteen: Sadness and Sorrow

Chapter Eighteen: Sadness and Sorrow

Night fell upon a kingdom in mourning; many from outside villages in Asthyfra who survived the terrible tragedy that befell their land and beloved capital city. I sat quietly in my bed listening to their cries and questionings. I couldn't even imagine what they were going through, or the loved ones they lost. It saddened me and brought me back to the day my mother passed, and the pain I felt from her loss. This is what they were feeling, but worse.. They didn't just lose their loved ones, but their entire kingdom.. H-How could something like this happen? And who is the cause of it all? One man with the help of that red headed impostor? Using a rune that wasn't meant to be used in such a way.. I didn't even know my kingdom had such a relic till that day in the trials.. How could something such as that even exist?

A soft knock on my door jolted me from my thoughts, and to my surprise, it was my cousin Leanah waiting for me on the other side. 

"Leanah! I-I wasn't expecting to see you this soon.. I-I mean.. w-with that man.. I mean, uh.." Way to blunder it! What if that man passed away, and she came here for comfort.. And why am I still referring to him as that man?

"Daren.." Leanah spoke, almost as if she knew what I was thinking. Which didn't surprise me, she had a way of just knowing. It was something I've always wondered about her, but in turn, loved it cause I couldn't hide anything from her. I guess that's why I've always felt so close to her..

"I-I'm sorry, who?"

"The man you saw injured, his name is Daren.."

"Oh, um, Ellie didn't mean it! S-she just speaks her mind and whatever comes out comes out! P-please don't be.." Oh man, what am I saying!? For all I knew, they probably didn't hear what Ellie said in the first place..

"It's okay Forest, I remember Ellie from when she was little and still training with her brother to be your Guardian. She sure hasn't changed from all those years ago has she?"

"No.." I sighed. 

Walking to my window, Leanah sat herself down on the sill; her eyes closing as she listened to those still lingering at the gates; their questionings and soft cries hanging in the windless air.

"I-is he going to be alright?" I had to ask, otherwise I'd feel rude, or maybe I shouldn't have.. Maybe he's..

"He's hanging on.." Leanah began as tears started to run down her cheeks. "He's in your old bedroom, I guess all your silly drawings are still on the walls from what Uncle told me." Leanah laughed a little through her sniffling, and even though I was kinda embarrassed that the walls were still to this day, covered in my and Ellie's childhood stick figures and deformed monsters, I was glad it made Leanah laugh, even if just a little.

I felt absolutely horrible for her.. And just like me, now she too lost her mother; a whole kingdom.. I wish I could do something, or say something that could help her, but I had no idea what to say.. I was at a loss..