On the way to the plaza, Luna held on to her mother's hand for dear life. She felt as if she was being swallowed up the tide of people rushing through the street.
At one point, a man bumped into her, making her drop her doll. She tried to look back and pick it up, but found it swiftly disappeared into the rushing crowd.
Luna tugged on her mother's hand. "Mom."
Charlotte looked back at Luna. "Yes?" She asked, still moving forward without stopping.
"I dropped my doll."
Looking at the crowd around them and seeing no way of turning back, Charlotte scowled. Then she smiled and patted her daughter's head. "Don't worry, Luna. We'll find it later."
"Okay," Luna responded, her head hung low.
I feel like I'm never going to see that doll again.
They eventually made it to the plaza. Thousands of other people were there, chattering amongst themselves. Thinking up possible theories for the emergency announcement.
"Do you think it could be an attack from the Leon kingdom?"
"Surely not. If that was the case, we would have heard at least a few rumors by now."
"Then what is it?"
After a while, the king finally appeared on the palace's balcony. His jade-green eyes scanned the plaza. His dark brown hair billowed slightly in the wind, and his ivory skin shone like starlight.
As he spoke, Luna slowly felt the emotions of the people around her transform. First confusion, then fear, uncertainty, inspiration, trust, and finally…
For the first few seconds after the king ended his speech, the people remained silent. Then, a chant began behind her, in the distance. The chant slowly grew, both in size and in volume, until finally, the entire plaza joined.
"Prague! Prague! Prague!" The people cheered their kingdom's name.
Luna looked up at her mother, who had joined the chant as well. She turned back and looked at the northern wall. Many of the soldiers atop seemed to cheer, as well. Her father was probably one of those soldiers.
With her fist pumping into the air, she looked back up at the king and began cheering the name of their kingdom. His sword was raised into the air, shining under the sun.
The people of Prague had made their choice.
***
A bit later, the citizens of Bram were getting ready for the impending battle.
Inside the royal palace, in a corridor leading to the main mess hall, Nova stood. The corridor was wide and tall, with a red carpet stretching the entire floor. It would usually be eerily silent, but right now, it was filled with the sounds of chatter playing children coming from the mess hall. The walls—illuminated by a series of candles—were decorated with many paintings.
Clad in a white suit of armor, he gazed up at a particular painting. That painting… was of his father, Jias Nocturne, the former king of Prague.
He was a formidable man: kind, disciplined, respected. Nova had always looked at him as his role model. Even now, a few years after his death, his image continued to shine brightly in Nova's memory, guiding his actions.
I wonder what he would've done, if he were still here.
Would he have also urged his people to fight a losing battle? Maybe he would have told them to enjoy their last moments in peace, with their loved ones. Or, perhaps, he would have found a different way for them to survive.
Nova shook his head. "Why am I even thinking of such things?" he muttered.
As he gazed up at the painting, Nova heard footsteps approaching from his left. He turned his head and saw Garrick.
"Did I interrupt your brooding?" Garrick asked, warm candlelight fluttering on his olive skin.
"I wasn't brooding!" Nova sputtered. "I was just… thinking about things… somberly…"
They looked at each other silently for a few seconds before breaking into a chuckle.
After laughing, Garrick settled beside him and looked up at the painting. "So, what were you thinking about?"
"It doesn't matter. There's no point in speaking of it now."
"Hmm…"
They both gazed up for a bit before Garrick spoke again: "I still think I should fight with you, in the northern gate."
Nova looked up at him, his left hand resting on the pommel of his sword. "Our people need strong people to lead them into battle, on both gates. You know this."
"I do know. However, I also know that I made a promise to your father: To protect you and help ease your burden as king."
Nova's gaze hardened, his jade eyes searching Garrick's. He hadn't known about that promise. Not that it changed his viewpoint on the matter.
"This isn't the type of battle where you can afford to be looking out for someone else. You'll have more than enough trouble trying not to die, yourself," Nova said, candlelight dancing on his face. "Besides, if you want to 'ease my burden', then you'd do right to go to the southern gate. That would really help me!"
With a smile, Nova returned to looking at the painting.
Garrick stared at him, surprise and pride in his gaze. His dark eyes seemed to shine a little brighter. "Yes, my king," he said, bowing slightly.