Chapter 11

The queen sat silently in the throne room speaking to Syndra when the large doors burst open. The royal guards that were in the room readied themselves for danger. A noble man followed by four knights with spears came marching with serious looks on their faces. Queen Shalana stood up from the throne and began to descend the steps to greet the nobleman. The people before her were the Shaynore family and the head of the family, Vulmer Shaynore.

"What is the meaning of these outlandish rumors that you banished my son?" Vulmer shouted but stepped when the guards stepped in front of him. He glared at them with a serious look in his worn eyes.

"Bow before your queen before you speak, Lord Shaynore." One of the guards said leaning close to Vulmer.

"Well either he be banished or executed for an act of treason…which would you prefer, Vulmer?" Queen Shalana questioned as she waved her hand at the guards urging them to take a step back. They bowed their heads as they moved out of Vulmer's way.

"Treason? Now that is quite absurd when my family has been loyal to your family for generations." Vulmer scoffed as he thought the notion of his son being accused of treason was ridiculous. "Not to mention I'm told your daughter here is the one who forced him out of the castle." Vulmer groaned as he pointed at Syndra angrily.

"He approached my sister in a threatening manner, killed a few royal guards and then tried to use his spatial tear spell to harm me. If that's not an act of treason then I'm not sure what is." Syndra claimed as she stepped forward causing Vulmer to frown at her.

"You scheming little wench have always been trying to corrupt my dear son." Vulmer said pointing a finger in her direction that caused her to look offended. She placed her hand on her chest as she mocked him with a look of surprise at his claims.

"Careful how you speak to my daughter, Vulmer. She is the heir to the throne after all." Queen Shalana said with a tone that made Vulmer lighten his tone.

"I still don't believe she's fit to be the next queen. The furthest she's ever traveled from the palace is here in the castle. She's never been outside to explore Astria nor the lands beyond." Vulmer said as he then tried to alter the conversation. "Saria spent time feeding the peasants of the outer region most of her teen years. Orym has been great at assisting the people of Athea in their time of need." Vulmer said as he began to smile as he raised his hand toward Syndra. "What has she done for her people?" Vulmer questioned as Syndra became tense because she hadn't done anything. It was true and that was something she couldn't deny.

"All of my children are wonderful and have done a great deal of things for their people. Syndra has done her share of good deeds but she chooses not to be public about it. I hear the rumors about her being cruel and always plotting schemes to create disorder." Queen Shalana said as she walked around Vulmer. "What you people don't know is she takes on all your hatred while she does what she can to protect you." Queen Shalana said as she glanced at Syndra with a look of pride. Syndra never saw such a look from her mother which surprised her. Was she really proud of her or was she merely pretending? "If there is nothing more to discuss then you may take your leave, Vulmer." Shalana said as she returned her attention to him.

"My son has yet to return home and I ask you to anoint him as a knight again." Vulmer pleaded as he bowed his head slowly. Shalana sighed as she glanced at Syndra briefly.

"Unfortunately, since his failure to retrieve the reaper sword your son has not been himself. Syndra was informed that he massacred the people of Eshelon after being banished. He's now being escorted here for trial." Shalana said as she turned away from Vulmer who now had a shocked look on his face.

"Vesryn has never failed or lost a battle for he knows it would dishonor the Shaynore name. Not only that but he'd never waste his time killing fodder!" Vulmer shouted as he started to follow the queen but the guards stepped forward getting in his way.

"The people in the outer region are of fodder but people just like you and I, lord Vulmer. Not only that but Vesryn has always had a grudge against a former resident of that village." Syndra proclaimed as she stepped forward and watched as her mother took a seat at the throne.

"Vesryn having a grudge against a peasant, how absurd?" Vulmer scoffed once more as he waved his hand and took a step away from the guards.

"Vesryn has gotten whatever he's wanted except for the affection of a particular princess. One you had proposed an arranged marriage for years ago. Saria has always had his eye but he believed her eyes were directed toward someone else.You're not all that familiar with peasants but his name was Kyrenic Virkas" Syndra proclaimed as Vulmer's eyes widened with a surprised look on his face.

"How…I thought…" Vulmer stammered as he stumbled back. Syndra's gaze became hardened as she approached him.

"You had thought you got rid of all three of the Virkas children but you were wrong." Syndra declared as Vulmer looked at her surprised and confused.

"Syndra, what do you mean by that?" Queen Shalana interjected after hearing something she never once heard before.

"Twelve years ago we learned that father was plotting to kill you but he had to get rid of the person that overheard his conversation with a few others. Kya Virkas' family was targeted after father found out she knew he was plotting something." Syndra said as she stared at Vulmer with a look of hatred in her eyes. "She reported her discovery to Rosen Ulaven, the former paladin, before fleeing home. The only witness we had for father's trial had suddenly disappeared and her husband had been murdered while her children were no where to be found." Syndra said as she approached Vulmer.

"Though, lack of proof and the sudden disappearance of the only witness you decided to hold off on his sentencing. What you didn't know was Rosen wasn't the only one who Mrs. Virkas had informed about what she saw." Syndra said, glancing at her mother with a softened gaze. "I was quite young so it was hard for me to believe anything she had told me. Though, after her disappearance I had learned Saria was sneaking out to the outer region to feed the homeless which was how she met Ky." Syndra said, growing silent for a brief second before she thought about everything she should say in the moment.

"It was like fate was playing a sick joke on our family for this poor boy was out there alone trying to take care of two other children. Saria's intentions were so sincere so it was hard for me to hear you tell her about Kya Virkas the day you finally decided to carry out your sentence. Despite that, she continued to go to the outer region until the day of father's execution. At last he admitted to his crimes but while his execution took place, little Ky and his siblings were attacked." Syndra said as she frowned unhappily and began to remember that cold freezing night. She remembered her sister returning home panicking and crying. Saria was shivering from the cold temperature and barely could talk. While their mother was busy overseeing their father's execution, Orym and Syndra had to look after Saria.

"The wounds Ky and his siblings sustained were from spears made with armored dragon scales. With that being said it's well known in Astria that only one family uses spears made with that material." Syndra said glaring at the four knights who stood silently with their spears in hand. They looked at their spears and each other with looks of confusion. Vulmer began to stammer upon his words struggling to get out what he wanted to say.

"What you're claiming is an absurd accusation, child! Bear in mind your army consists of my children, nieces, nephews and my sellswords. Not only that but your army has magic rifles and many other high advanced technolgy because of the house of Shaynore. I will not stand for this foolishness so I'll gladly take my people elsewhere. See how well you can defend the people when the demons come without us!" Vulmer snapped as he huffed while turning away from Syndra. She merely smirked as she watched him leave with his knights.

"I believe I handled that quite arrogantly " Syndra said as her smirk faded from her face. She pushed her curly hair from her face as she bit her lip and began to show worry.

"I was unaware of his involvement while you continued to investigate the treachery your father plotted. You're only twenty three years old yet your cunning ways know no bounds, my child." Queen Shalana said as she sat at the throne with a serious look on her face. "I didn't make an effort to improve the structure of this country. Rulers from other lands have wanted to be allies but I've always been reluctant to extend a generous hand to anyone, even our own people. The spirits have warned me of the days to come. I've accepted my fate but you cannot perish even if this kingdom does." Queen Shalana proclaimed in a tone that sent chills down Syndra's spine. She had no idea what her mother was saying to her.

It was clear another act of treason was coming but the way her mother was speaking it seemed that she wouldn't even try to stop what's to come. Syndra also hadn't told her that she sent Amara and Ky to be scouts. It was something that should've been done in the first place instead of sending some of their best warriors out to fight a large group of demons. They'd underestimated the enemy and cost them a great deal. Syndra was going to make that same mistake again which is why she had ordered Solara and Ava to be back up for Ky if things went wrong.

"We have to deal with an enemy from the outside as well as possibly one amongst our own people." Syndra spat vexingly as the doors to the throne room opened once more. Rosaniya and Saria entered with Vesryn at their backs being escorted with chains. The knights pushed him to the ground once they made it to the foot of the steps that lead to the throne. It wasn't long before Vulmer returned, pushing through the crowd of knights.

"Vesryn!" Vulmer exclaimed but Vesryn didn't look to see his father approaching worriedly. "Tell me that their accusations of you being bested and treason are fictitious." Vulmer pleaded as he tried to approach his son but the royal guards stood in his way.

"Go ahead and tell him how your arrogance pushed you to attack me and I made you look like a fool." Syndra teased, causing Vesryn to glare at her wickedly.

"I'll kill you and I'll finish what I started with that peasant!" Vesryn snapped, causing the queen to rise up from the throne. The atmosphere in the room grew heavy as magic energy flowed from her. One of the queen's magic abilities was being able to expand her spiritual essence making her presence be overwhelming. It could get so heavy it could be mistaken for gravity magic.

"To think I'd ever consider allowing you to wed my youngest child. You're certainly powerful but you've been spoiled too much. Being faced with a real enemy your pride couldn't handle it and you snapped." The queen said as she looked down at Vesryn with disgust. "Unfortunately, I must put you down before you become too much of a hindrance. Schedule his execution for tomorrow night when the moon is full." The queen said, waving her hand to dismiss everyone. Vulmer began to protest and had to be escorted out of the throne room. The only people left in the room were Syndra, Saria and the queen.

"This could start a civil war, mother." Saria said nervously as she approached the queen. Queen Shalana sighed as she looked fatigued.

"What would you have me do then, my child?" The queen asked curiously as Saria stood silently. She bit her lip as she looked back at the doors that were shut.

"Have him taken to the Spire for atonement." Saria suggested causing the queen to scoff at her daughter's suggestion.

"That is a prison for beings like the monster goddess. He's but a mere Astren who allowed the people of Astria to boost his ego for far too long." The queen chided as she frowned at her daughter.

"I understand that but he is loved by many people and so many are foolish enough to try to keep him from being executed. This way he'd be punished and they'd know how difficult it was for you to come to this." Saria advised as Syndra started to look at her with an intrigued face.

"I'm quite worried sister…I never expected you to be so willing to deceive people for the benefit of thy self." Syndra teased as Saria frowned in response.

"The demons are our main priority so we can't afford to have the people against the queen because of a dire decision. Regardless of the fact there is proof that Vesryn committed treason, some might turn a blind eye toward it." Saria proclaimed as Syndra nodded in agreement. The queen sighed as she waved her hand before looking at both her daughters.

"Fine. He will be sent to the Spire instead of executed. I'll have an announcement made later so you two go and relax. I must figure out the next plan of action against the demons." The queen started to turn away.

"Mother!" Queen Shalana turned back around to see Syndra standing with a serious look on her face. "I have some spies going to find their hideout. They are also going to see if any of the Arc knights survived. I know we must get the sword back at all costs but that seems unlikely for now." Syndra said, causing her mother to appear to be slightly relieved. The new found information seemed to lift a weight off the queen's shoulders.

"Smart girl….I'm proud of you…both of you." Queen Shalana said before turning away and going back to sit on the throne. Syndra turned toward her sister as they headed for the door.

"Solara and Ava… you sent them out there?" Saria asked worriedly as Syndra gestured for her sister to calm down.

"Yes but they aren't the only ones on the mission. It will be fine so try not to worry." Syndra said as she handed Saria the ankh necklace. Saria stood motionless Ky staring at it as her body began to tremble.Saria's shaky hand grasped Syndra's shoulder and forced her to turn around.

"Why would you send him out there?" Saria asked frantically as Syndra stared at her with a serious look on her face.

"Unlike Vesryn, I know he can get the job done and survive." Syndra said sternly and turned away from Saria. She marched toward the large doors and pulled them open and made her grand exit.