6 An Image of Death

"My dear. I thought the worst when I saw the bodies outside." The physician crossed the room, pausing as he noted Markus and Evelyn standing between him and the princess.

"I'd hardly require your services if I were dead, now would I?" Rouya sat up in her chair and planted her feet on the table still ridden with arrows.

"Lucky to be alive," he said going down on a knee as he inspected her ankles. He snapped the bone in place, tearing a scream out of Rouya before she slumped her head back and panted. "Thought that might hurt."

"Then why didn't you warn me?"

"Wouldn't have changed anything," he said opening his bag. "I'll need to apply a binding and then infuse some magic to help accelerate the healing process. You'll be able to walk again soon but I need to warn you not to overextend yourself and definitely no running."

"You make it sound so easy after what just happened."

"No, I'm saying this because it's hard. What's important is that you stay alive."

Markus nodded and added, "Running out there now will only get you killed for nothing. You'll probably even be doing the separatists a favor."

Rouya lowered her face, balling her hands to vent off the steam building inside of her. "You expect me to just sit here and let them get away with attacking my family. I want the separatists captured for interrogation. They are all going to pay for what they did."

The physician raised his hands, trying to calm Rouya. Markus went to the window and gazed across the courtyard. He'd sent Mitra out to scout the area for any remaining separatists.

"I have a hideout in the mountains of my satrapy. You'll be safe there and can fully recover while I rescue my wife."

"I understand your concern but this is something I have to do. I can't abandon the people of Aequilla. They need to know that I am unwilling to backdown and will continue to protect them from the people that wish to tear the universe apart. We'll find a way to get Adelaxia back together."

* * *

Shazadi Rouya led Markus through the corridors littered with paperwork, clothing and gemstones inside the palace. She recalled her mother mentioning an appointment they had to celebrate the birth of the new child. She'd despised the affair but father insisted on creating a new family portrait and to include the bastard.

"You know who's responsible for this," Rouya asked as they cut around a corner and entered the waiting room in the section of the palace that the Emperor slept in. He never slept in the same room twice in a row but settled into whichever room he found after wasting away for the night.

"I do," Markus said in and she couldn't help but hear the sorrow in his tone. "Kalim is orchestrating the affair, and he's being supported by the former Shah. Most of his allies belonged to the lower caste of nobility. I assume he gave most of them promises to rise through the ranks when this is over with."

Rouya paused as she passed by the tables still set up with drinks and snacks. Her younger brother was particularly fond of cookies shaped after creatures from the Shadow Realm. He may have only been seven, but he knew he wanted to become a summoner and step in father's footsteps.

The room was empty with the painting still resting on the easel. Rouya moved in closer, searching for signs of where they might have gone. The Guard Post where she was at was overrun and the nearest garrison was Fort Larcin located outside the city.

Evelyn and Markus followed her inside, keeping a watchful eye on all points of entry as they moved. Mitra startled Rouya as she took form beside the easel and pointed to the painting.

The unfinished painting depicted her mother sitting on the couch in front of her in center with her hands on her lap. Her brother Bartel and sister Lilya each rested their heads against her shoulder from either side. It wasn't until she looked closer at the image did she recognize the oddity. What she assumed to be a smear on the canvas was located across the throats of all her family members. Red.

Rouya turned away, feeling the blood drain from her face and a chill sweep over her as she glanced the sofa.

"What's the matter?" Markus asked as he approached her.

A dust cover hung over the sofa but three pairs of shoes were still visible beneath it. Markus lifted the cover and gasped at the sight of the bodies. They were all sitting in the exact position of the painting with blood coating their shirts. Lilya's lips were parted ever so slightly and appeared as if she might whisper at any moment.

Rouya stumbled back, holding a hand to her mouth as she held in her breath. Emotions welled up underneath her skin and threatened to crush her under a wave of which her only option to escape was by moving into action. She fled to the nearest door and into the corridor.

Evelyn appeared in front of her and Rouya ran right into her embrace, shedding the tears she'd been holding back all day.

"I'm alone. They're gone and I haven't been able to help anyone."

Evelyn brushed her hair back and held her chin up to look at her. "You're not alone. I'll keep you safe. Wherever you go, I'll be there with you for the entire way. I want you to be my master."

Rouya marveled at how certain Evelyn sounded. She wanted to trust and give herself fully to her. In the darkness engulfing her, a simple Battle Maiden proved to be her only light of hope.