The chaos was instant.
The sound of the explosion, a massive, muffled KABOOM that shook the very ground, was followed by a terrible, ringing silence.
Then, the screaming started.
The Strathmore guards, who had been standing at a respectful distance, surged forward, their swords drawn, their faces white with terror. "Your Majesty! The King!"
"Treason! Treason!" one of the ancient, fossil-like ministers, who had been watching from the observation bunker, shrieked, his voice cracking like dry parchment. "He's killed the King! Seize him!"
A dozen guards, their minds snapped by panic and accusation, turned their spears toward Alaric.
Alaric didn't even flinch. He was still on the ground, shielding Queen Kate, his face a mask of theatrical grief.
"It was an ACCIDENT!" he roared, his voice cracking with fake sorrow. "The rune! It overloaded! His Majesty... he was too close!"
