CHAPTER ONE

The only sound was the tapping of finger nails on the large dinning table. All servants stood, trying their best not to fidget, heart hammering, all trying to maintain a calm demeanor, surely panic was the least thing they needed. The large double door opened and in came king Dwayne Cedric, his crown in hand as he scratched what hair was left on his balding head. The faces of the servants looked to him hopefully and he looked down dejectedly. "They are in, nothing can be done" he whispered lowly. Horror struck the faces of all in the room, what semblance of calm they had shattered as the screams from outside filtered into the room. The clashing of steel to steel was well as the gurgling sound of men being slain. With each scream and yell, the servants fled the palace in all directions, taking what they could in haste and confusion. They had been the most loyal and had stood by their King, now it was apparent no man was willing to die for another. Selene stood up, her glare directed to the balding man before her, someone she cursed nature for giving her as a father. "Why must you do this father? Innocent lives will be lost! " she said "I told you to flee with your sisters and mother" Dwayne spat ignorantly, going back and forth between his chamber and the window. "I refuse to leave my home and whore myself! What life awaits me out there?" she replied with a frown, angry tears streaming down her cheeks. Dwayne scoffed and continued his pacing, torn between being a coward and hiding in his own home to be discovered and humiliated or meeting the enemy courageously and being humiliated anyways. "Could you not give her what she wants? You asked for all this father, you did" Selene stated angrily. "My whole land? My labour and sweat, all to a woman who claims I raped her? The Harmony council is blind and so are you for thinking that bastard child is mine" Dwayne yelled "You courted her father, she was your mistress! " Selene retorted! "I never got around to sleeping with Alexandra! She knows that! The wench!" Dwayne replied angrily "You will risk your life! Our lives because of your___" Selene was cut short muted as she heard the soft footstep approach. The little girl in white and green skirt stood not far from the doorway, eyes wet with unshed tears, hand clutching a woolen elephant. "What is happening Selene, people are crying " She asked, no doubt afraid of the ruckus. "Nothing child, come here" Dwayne said and spread his hands for the girl who hurriedly went into the embrace. "Mia please go to your chamber, Mrs. Ronny will take care of you, it's not safe out here" Selene cooed, wiping at her own tears feverishly and running to nudge her sister back to a hiding place. "But Mrs Ronny is not there, she__" the girl's words were cut off as the door flung open and seven men strode in. The unmistakable sapphire blue seal was embroidered into each coat they wore, helmets and armor intact, blood dripping off their swords and daggers. The man with the crown and overcoat stepped foward and Selene shivered in fear, clutching her sister closer. "You have unsettled issues with the Sol Empire, King Dwayne Cedric The second of Riverland" he spoke, tone cold and hard Selene gulped and looked to her father who was unmoving, staring at the men with unmistakable fear. "The Council requests your presence, willing or not" the man spoke and with a tilt of his chin, two men flagging him went for Dwayne. Two Riverland guards stormed in, swords raised to defend their King despite their already wounded selves. The men were killed too easily, each falling in a pool of crimson puddle. It was the youngest princess that shrieked first at the sight and then Selene elicited a scream as the soldiers went after her father who had cowardly fled into the hallway "Noooooooooooo" she screamed as her sister was ripped out of her hands and her world went black.