"Close the gates!!
"Close the fucking gates!!
It was the watcher on the high towers screaming.
"Ring the bells! Ring the bells; they are coming! His voice was so loud.
There was confusion and fear as the bellman stared, making his way to the high tower. The drunk fool was using himself at a nearby gutter; he reeked of alcohol.
He climbed to the tower of the bell and started ringing it.
Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding!
The bell jingled, and the noise woke up the whole village.
"What is happening? What is going on? The people began to whisper to themselves.
It was very early in the morning. The morning dew was still pouring like snow, and the cold breeze blew. The cocks were yet to crow, and the kingdom of Decreash was still fast asleep.
"War! War!
The watchman screamed as he looked ahead from where he was standing at the high tower, which was located at the outskirts of the city. The bannermen from Canna with thousands of soldiers were lurching forward, like soldier ants.
"War?! The people became terrified; their blurry eyes became clearer. Everyone began to find a safe place to hide. They had come out to see what was happening, but now they were running back to their houses, scrambling on top of one another.
Some fell on their faces, kissing the dust, but they rose to their feet and continued to run. Mothers were protecting their children, and husbands were guiding their flocks and sheep into their pens.
Drunkards lying on the streets were staggering back home, holding up their slacked trousers.
Soon arrows burning with fire began to fly in the air like rain. Thousands of arrows burning with fire were launched at the city and came pouring down on the people.
Screamed! Agony! Painful groans could be heard. Tears stung the eyes of children as they made a run for their lives.
The commander of the guards, Decreash, was quick in his duties. This was unexpected; a war came to them in their own city. He started gathering his armies and had them marching to the battlefront.
"Ready your weapons! We must not let those invaders get past the walls! The commander said.
When Ragaleon was informed of the war in his sleep, he sprang out of bed in haste and made his way to the inner courtyard. From there he climbed the staircase of the highest tower in the castle.
Only to see his men engaging in a war.
"Get the queens! He commanded as he climbed down the staircase. His shoulder-length hair was bouncing.
He made his way to the main chamber arena.
"Get the queens, and lead them straight to the safe-keep room! He commanded, and the guards sprang to action. The castle was still dark, as it was early in the morning, with the candles and fire touch illuminating the place.
Jazell was already awake in her room; her personal handmaid, Linn, had woken her up.
"My lady…there is war!
Racheal was still in the care of the grand maester when Rosa ran into the room, her body quaking.
When Racheal heard there was a war going on, even with her condition, she rose from her bed and made haste to Amilek's chamber.
The boy was nowhereto be found.
"Where is he?! Where is my son?
There was confusion everywhere….
Tamina was throwing up her guts when the news of the war got to her. Celin, her personal maid, helped her mistress into a more comfortable dress, then held a bucket in her hand as she led Tamina out of her chamber.
At intervals Tamina would stop and vomit in the bucket, then they would continue on their way.
Micah was already being led to the safe room; she had Amilek's hands entwined in hers, with guards behind leading them on. Other queens were coming from behind, but Racheal was still back at the main chamber arena.
"I won't go anywhere until I find my son! She screamed in the face of the knight that was pleading with her to go to the safe keep.
Leah was already heading to the safe, Johanna beside her, the guards accompanying them, when she paused in her tracks and looked around.
"Where is my brother?" She asked, snatching her grip from her mother's in a hurry; she then turned around and made her way to William's chamber.
Leah found her brother banging a maid from behind when she got to his chamber.
"Idiot! She screamed; William stopped what he was doing and turned around to see who it was.
"Dress up and come with me; there is a war in Decreash."
Meanwhile….
"I am sorry, your highness." The knight apologized before sweeping Racheal off her feet; Racheal's body rested across his shoulders as he carried her.
She was proving stubborn, refusing to leave until she finds her son. So the knight had no choice; he had a duty. To protect the queen.
Jia was rather calm; when she got to the safe keep, she sat down and crossed her legs, helping herself to a cup of wine.
Jia, with the help of her handmaid Hahn, had made her way to safekeeping before anyone. Selena was accompanied into the safe keep with two knights behind her and Helena beside her.
William and Leah were now making their way back to the safe-keep room….
"Where do you think you are going? Ragaleon was clouded in his black regalia, black boots, and a shiny iron vest.
"To the safe keep," William answered.
"You are not going to the safe keep; you are coming with me." Ragaleon said before walking away. William's jaws clenched.
"You know I don't have any knowledge of battles on the field! He said with exasperation.
"Then you will learn! Ragaleon fired back before walking out of sight. Leah gazed at her brother, detaching her hands from his.
"Don't die; Mother will be very sad." She said before continuing on her own, her violet hair bouncing as she walked. Behind her were the members of the small council…
Josiah, Drigo, Priest Tailbon, the grand maester, and Brandon.
Immediately the knight got to the safe keep, and he dropped Racheal down.
"You… I will not spare you if anything happens to my son….
"Mother." Amilek called from behind. Racheal turned around; when her eyes landed on her son, she sighed in relief.
"Amilek." She called, and the boy ran to her.
"Shut the door," the knight ordered, and Johanna's heart tightened.
"Don't…. Leah and William are yet to arrive.
Just as she said those words, Leah was suddenly in view, making her way to the safe keep. When she got in, followed by the members of the small council, the knight didn't hesitate before shutting the iron door.
"Where is your brother? Johanna asked, her pupils dilating.
Leah smacked her lips…
"William has gone to fight for us; he will be back." She added the last sentence, uncertain of the future. She could have bet her brother would die a miserable death; he wasn't nurtured for battle, he was born to drink and devour women.
"Why would William go to war?! Johanna's voice trembled.
"Because Ragaleon commanded it." Leah answered.
"Ragaleon wants to push my son to his death! He knows William has no knowledge of battle." Johanna ran her hand through her violet hair, frustrated.
"He will learn." Selena said from where she was seated in the safe keep. Johanna eyed her dreadfully.
"On the field? William will learn how to battle on the field in a war?! Johanna gritted her teeth.
"All William does is while away his time; for once allow him to add value to this kingdom." Selena's words were harsh.
"I know you have always hated me and my children. Are you tired of masking your hatred, Selena? Johanna was furious.
"My son is also out there trying to keep this kingdom standing; you don't see me complaining." Selena retorted, rolling her eyes.
Johanna wanted to say more, but Leah encircled her hand around her mother's and squeezed it gently.
"Brother will be fine; he has always survived. He will today." She said, smiling faintly, Johanna finally calmed down. She sighed before taking her seat.
The safe keep was a large room in the castle. It was located at the inner part of the castle, towards the highest terrace. In the safe-keep there is abundant food and wine.
There are armchairs outlined in a big circle in the middle of the room. That was how everyone was seated right now, in a big circle, with nothing in the middle, because that was how the chairs were placed.
The safe keep was quiet for a while; everyone wanted to leave this place alive. Jazell finally signalled a maid in the room.
"Pour me a cup of wine." She said calmly, then paused and looked around, taking in everyone's faces.
"Pour a cup of wine for everyone." She added, and the maid nodded.
After filling up 15 silver cups with wine, the maid distributed them round, also giving to the members of the small council. Selena was hesitant; she didn't feel like drinking, but she took the cup anyway and just held it.
"You look quite relaxed, Jazell, drinking when there is a war." Leah said, collecting the cup of wine from the maid handing it out to her.
"If I am going to die, I would rather die in comfort, while drinking Decreash expensive wine." Jazell added slyly.
"Nobody is going to die, Jazell." Racheal added. " Taking the cup of wine the maid was passing to her.
Jazell smiles slyly, then said….
"How do you know that?