A New Threat

Spring, Year Five Hundred Eighty-one

Snow didn't come this year. It was cold and yet flakes of white didn't fall from the sky. Timothy used the opportunity of a tamed snow season to lick the wounds of the Union. Since Lucia's belly was growing bigger, the responsibilities all fell on him. Holm needed repair. The laws of the Union needed to be amended to incorporate the laws of Vanadis and Castonia. He never knew that ruling could be boring and tiresome at the same time.

But not today. William had returned yesterday from guarding Wismar in case the Wismarines break their promise. The five of them went to the oak tree where his mother and father were buried beneath. Well six of them, Timothy thought as he looked at Lucia's belly.

Ivan as the eldest put the flowers on both the tombstones. The Gardenias were fresh and white as snow. Ivan knelt and lay a bouquet on each of the graves. Her rose after and walked to them.

"Can't we go back now? I'm tired."

Timothy disregarded Ivan's ramblings. Ivan had always been cold to their father and being in the dungeon for so long didn't make him a better son. Well it did, Timothy thought. Ivan was still the fool and hateful but at least his arrogance was now a little tamer.

"I didn't get to meet him but I think I would have liked your father." Layfare said beside William.

"Well he would have pestered you for some good wine." William said. "That's how father is. He also had a foul mouth, a trait you dislike. His actions were dishonorable and dishonest sometimes, or most of the times. And he stinks. He's not very fond of appearing majestic. But behind it all, he was Leopold Castonia. His words were sharp but his heart was soft. His actions were not the most moral but he did those things for family and for Castonia. Yes, I think you would have liked him."

"He loved our mother will all his being. He is a sweet man behind a craggy crust. May the two of them rest in peace. May the Omniscient allow their reunion. As for us, we must make it certain that he will be remembered." Timothy said.

"He will be remembered." Lucia said, huddling closer to his side. "If our child is a son, we will name him Leo."

"Leo?" Timothy smiled. He put his hand on her belly. "Yes, yes. That's a good name. Leo. The lion of the Union. His roar shall never be silenced."

"I think Leo is a dumb name." Ivan said. "You want your child to end up like father?"

"Shut it Ivan or you're going back to your cell tonight."

"I..." Ivan's eyes were bulging. "So you were planning on getting me out of the dungeon?"

"Yes. I'm planning on letting you stay at the palace. Guarded tightly of course but I think you would prefer that over the stinky and damp dungeon. It would look bad on us if my brother is still imprisoned."

"So it's not because of mercy after all? It's all about reputation."

"Shut it Ivan. You are yet to gain my favor. And you will not have it with that attitude. Not until your arrogance is snuffed. Not until you mold yourself into a proper prince of the Union. And if you ever insult father again and back to that cell you would go."

"No, that is not needed. I love father. I... well I'll just shut my mouth."

"Good. Now we need to go back soon." Timothy said.

He stepped toward the tombstones and knelt. He put both hands on both of the marble graves. He didn't know his mother well. She died when he was still a toddler and he heard how she betrayed his father. But to that he didn't feel hate. He just felt it a shame he didn't get to know her.

He looked at the grave of his father and closed his eyes. He whispered, "I don't know if there's an afterlife but if there is I hope you are happy. Thank you. If we ever meet again, I will treat you with a good Hadean. I miss you father. You will have a grandchild soon. It is sad you never got to know that. I think you would have been overjoyed." He glanced behind. "Our family is complete now. I promise to keep my temper regarding Ivan. He is a fool but he can probably better himself. William lost his arms but he is still the William that we know. I will visit you always like how you visited mother. But for now I must say farewell. Goodbye father."

He rose and went to the rest. "Let's go."

Two carriages awaited them. It was a long ride to Nirvana after all. All of a sudden a third carriage arrived. This one was riding fast. It halted in their front and Braun stepped down from it.

The Baron looked worried. "We...we have a problem. A large one. Omniscience. I think the cull has began."

***

Dilram, Levan

The cobbler stood on top of the humble walls of Dilram. The city was burning below him.

Men and women alike were being butchered by those things. They were dark like shadows and shaped like large wolves with long gnarly teeth. Their claws were sharp and one swipe could kill. They vary in sizes with the smallest being the size of the cat and the largest the size of an elephant.

There were also men in shiny armor. He guessed they were officers. Some were riding the shadow beasts. Others were on foot.

The cobbler fell back. His butt hit the wall and his eyes quivered. He was just repairing some shoes when it all happened. The shadow beasts appeared out of nowhere and ripped the city watch into pieces. Beatrice was dead. He saw her swiped in half by one of the beasts. He ran of course. He ran to the wall and now he was probably the only one in the city left alive.

"We are sorry for this" A voice said, one of an old man. He looked and saw a young man instead. He was one of those armored officers.

The officer sat beside him. He didn't run. There was nowhere to run to.

"This is necessary. We are sorry."

"You killed my wife."

"What was her name?"

"Beatrice"

"And yours?"

"Rugh"

"Rugh and Beatrice. I will remember your names. Mine's Ice."

Ice turned to him and put a palm on his chest. "Rest Rugh. I'm truly sorry."

The palm glowed blue and then white. Ice crystals formed on it. A pain pricked his chest. He was soon bleeding as the ice stabbed his heart.

"This is a necessity Rugh. Rest and be at peace."