Chapter 4 The Citizen
Chapter Four
The Citizen
Samuel
Samuel hated this job. He couldn’t stand being stuck pruning the massive gardens every week, but he guessed it was better than emptying the latrines.
He was nothing more than a beggard citizen of Varon these days.
Gods, how he longed for his home in the Seoid Mountains, his little cabin nestled among the trees.
The Rune Province would always be where his heart was.
He felt himself growing more bitter with each passing day that he had to keep up this charade.
Queen Vivian would have him killed though, if he didn’t complete his mission, no matter how long it took him.
No matter the tears in his wrinkled skin from thorn bushes, or bruises on his knees from kneeling for hours every day.
Nevermind that the palace had offered him pads to use for the pain.
He was not an invalid yet and would not suffer to be seen as weak even if his job was less than regal.
Standing and stretching his back, he took in his surroundings.
He was in the back garden today, on the edge of the property that backed up to the cliffs.
The neverending mists that clung to their edge obscured whatever death waited below.
No one ever came out this way really, but Queen Rivka took pride in her estate and often wandered the back gardens in the early mornings, hoping to catch the sunrise as it lit the mists with pinks and oranges.
She really was such a soft queen, he thought, his lip curling back in disgust, always worried about the pretty things in life instead of truly embracing her power as a queen.
I mean, she is constantly parading around the province listening as the citizens snivel about their trivial lives.
That was no way to rule. She wasn’t even capable of producing an heir.
“Get back to work Samuel! It’s no time for daydreams!”, the head landscaper called out.
Throwing a mental dagger in his direction, Samuel headed to the next row of hedges, glaring over his shoulder.
His foot caught on something mid step and he stumbled, face planting right in the bush, body slamming into the rock wall behind it.
Pushing himself quickly to his feet, he looked around to see what he had tripped on, still fuming.
There, peeking out from under the edge of the bush, was a beat up looking box.
He bent and started working the chest free from where it stuck fast, half buried in soil and rocks.
It was beat up, but still seemed to be intact.
Looking around to ensure that no one saw him, he quickly broke the lock using one of the sharper rocks.
Easing the lid open he peeked inside. There were only three items: A small leather bound book wrapped in a swath of cloth, a partially burned black pillar candle, and a piece of rolled parchment, yellowed with age, tied with a thread.
Lifting the book, he carefully unwrapped it and opened it, his eyes growing wide as he read.
Samuel quickly thumbed through the pages, his excitement growing.
He put the book back carefully, before lifting the parchment.
He gently untied the thread and unrolled it, carefully reading what was written, a huge smile lighting his face.
This was it, this was exactly what he had been waiting for.
This was his chance to finally prove to his queen, the rightful queen, that he was worthy of a title and all the riches that came with it. He was finally going home!
Samuel carefully tucked the chest into the hedge and continued working, biding his time, not willing to risk someone else stealing his ticket to freedom.
After his shift he went home like usual, trying not to raise suspicions.
Samuel grabbed a bite to eat and began gathering the things that he would need on his trip.
His plan was to sneak back into the garden after dark to collect the chest and then slip off into the night.
Everything went according to plan, and he was able to slip away unnoticed.
It wasn’t long before the forests swallowed him, on his trek up the mountains.
Walking all night, not encountering any trouble, his singular focus and greedy drive urging him faster.
However, by midday the following day his energy began flagging.
His luck held out though, and a supply carriage happened by, on their way to Rune.
The kind citizens allowed him to hitch a ride the rest of the way, for a small fee.
Normally Samuel didn’t part with coin so agreeably or to anyone he couldn't connive or swindle. However, he would soon have more coin than he dreamed of, so the sting of the fee didn’t sour his gleeful mood.
Sitting in the back of the swaying carriage he slept, clutching the chest to his body, so that no one would dare take it.
After three very long days of travel, the walls of the Rune palace came into view.
The high stone walls blended seamlessly with the mountainside, giving the whole city a powerful look.
The hillside was dotted with cabins, the smell of wood burning fireplaces tickling his nose.
Queen Vivian’s palace was huge. It shone like a polished gem against the rough terrain.
The spires glinted with shades of deep emerald green and gold, shone in the setting sun.
Finally, the carriage came to a stop in the market. Bidding the men farewell, Samuel started towards the palace. He climbed the gray stone steps with confidence but was stopped outside of the massive redwood entry doors.
“Who are you and what business do you have in the palace?”, the guard demanded.
“I am Samuel Vatik and I am here to seek an audience with my Queen. I have been on a mission for her and return with valued information. She will want to see me at once.”
Samuel pulled his shoulders back, standing tall, trying to portray an air of importance.
Looking him over, the guard took in his worn clothing, seeming to be unsure if he should believe him or not.
The guard must have orders to report any visitors to his queen but his pause made Samuel look down at his bedraggled appearance.
Damn, he looked like a beggar. The guard must have decided that orders were orders though, as he gave a curt nod.
“Very well, I will send someone to let her know you’re here and Queen Vivian will decide what to do with you.” With that he turned, ducking inside the big doors, closing them tightly behind him, leaving Samuel standing there with the other guards.
A few minutes later he returned with an escort. “Her Majesty, Queen Vivian, has granted you an audience immediately. Follow him and he will lead you to her.”
Samuel grinned a broken toothed smile and visions of wealth and fortune danced in his eyes but he only tilted his head in thanks as he stepped forward through the massive doors, following the escort down the long corridor, their footsteps echoing off the walls.
Samuel swiveled his head side to side, marveling in the opulence of the palace.
One day soon he would also live in the splendor of the rich.
The escort paused before pushing through another large door.
They had arrived at the throne room, empty except for Queen Vivian and her royal bodyguard.
Samuel could see where Queen Vivian sat upon her throne, her long white hair shining against her emerald green dress.
Perfectly manicured nails tapped impatiently on the arm of her chair.
Her piercing blue eyes watched him approach, with a look ringed with malice.
Nearing the throne, Samuel bowed deeply.
“Thank you my Queen for seeing me on such short notice.”
Queen Vivian watched him for a moment, her eyes burning into the top of his head.
“Rise, what have you brought me that was so urgent?”, she asked, her voice laced with scorn.
Samuel rose but kept his eyes downturned, in a show of respect. “I have returned from the Varon Province. I have worked there for the past few years, under your orders, to find anything that could be used to grant you power over Queen Rivka. I believe I have found just that, your Majesty.”
As he finished his statement, he chanced a look up at Queen Vivian whose eyes sparked with interest. Captain Luther Blackwood, her bodyguard, stepped slightly forward.
His stocky build gave him an imposing presence, but it was his black eyes that held the most power. One look could make a man quake.
”I found a chest, on the edge of the gardens and the cliffs.
It contained a book filled with what appears to be spells, and detailed instructions on how they work.
There is a black pillar candle that accompanies the book, needed for the spells I suspect,” Samuel paused, chancing a glance up at his queen.
His speech was quick, frantic even, worried she might dismiss him before he could prove his value.
She was staring back at him with suspicion.
He rushed on, “There was also a piece of old parchment, that I believe is a prophecy of a future to come. I left Varon as soon as I realized what I had found. I told no one, your Majesty.”
Queen Vivian made a quiet humming noise, “You told no one, you say?”
“No, my Queen. I came straight here.”
“Good. Good.” She drawled, shooting a sidelong look at her guard. With a flick her wrist, “Go retrieve the chest from him. Bring it to me at once. If what he says is true, this is most valuable indeed.”
Samuel smiled to himself, keeping his head bowed, as the guard approached.
He had made the right choice. Captain Blackwood took the chest from him, striding back to Queen Vivian.
He opened the lid, removing the book of spells first, handing it quickly to his queen.
She opened it, a sinister smile spreading across her face.
“Hand me the parchment.” She ordered.
The Captain did as he was told, removing the thread as he handed it to her. Unrolling it, she began reading aloud.
“In the age of splintered lands, when citizens turn blade against citizen, a girl child shall rise from the heart of the strongest province. Born pure of heart, she will carry the blood of warriors and the wisdom of queens.
Marked by the sigil of fate, her cry shall shake the halls of the mighty, and her hands shall bind the fractured throne.
Through trials of loss and sacrifice, she will wield not only steel but the will of the forsaken.
Her leap of faith from the cliffs of the veil will mend the sundered oaths of old.
The banners of strife shall wither in her shadow, and the voices of the lost shall rise in unison. With each step, the land will remember its unity, and with her coronation, the age of discord shall end.
Thus, from the strongest shall come the savior, and in her reign, the people shall be one again.”
Once again, a slow smile graced her face. Rolling the parchment back up, she placed it on her lap.
“Very well done. You have found a great treasure indeed. You were right to bring this to me, and you will be rewarded handsomely.”
Upon hearing this, Samuel’s smile widened, his body beginning to vibrate with excitement.
“Luther,” She barked at her guard, “take our friend here and make sure that he gets everything that he deserves for being such a loyal servant to his queen.”
“Of course, my Queen. I would be honored.” Bowing low, the Captain turned towards Samuel. “Well, come on then, stay close,” he directed as he strode away.
Captain Blackwood led the beaming man back out into the corridor from which he had come.
Samuel hadn’t taken the time to pay attention to his surroundings, simply intent on getting to Queen Vivian as quickly as possible.
They continued through the palace halls, turning every so often until they were in a completely separate section.
This wing of the palace had to have been part of the original build, the fanciful colors and grandeur subdued and waning.
Well, if they want to hide their valuables, you definitely wouldn’t expect them to be hidden here.
The Captain pulled up in front of a set of guards who moved out of his way without so much as a signal, opening a path to a set of stairs leading downward.
The power this man has over his men, that is what awaits me.
The stairs wound down to the dungeons. Wait. That didn’t make sense. Why would we be heading to the dungeons? At the bottom step, a third guard waited in front of a door, and quickly opened it upon seeing his Captain striding towards him.
Captain Blackwood stepped to the side, guiding Samuel in front of him through the door.
The room was virtually bare, apart from a sole chair placed directly over a grate in the center, a wash basin, and a table.
Samuel turned, a questioning look on his face, just in time to see the Captain draw his blade.
“What are you doing?!” he exclaimed, taking a couple of steps backwards.
Captain Blackwood sneered, “You didn’t actually think you would leave here alive, did you? This kind of knowledge must be protected at all costs. Surely you understand.”
“I swear I didn’t tell a soul!” Samuel begged, backing away from him, his eyes wide with fear. The Captain prowled forward, making a tsking noise and shaking his head, as if he were disappointed. “Come now, Simon. Do not prolong this. I have more pressing matters to attend to.”
Samuel continued backing away until his back was against the wall. Tears leaked from his eyes as he begged, incoherent rage spluttering from his mouth. Without another word, the sword descended, slicing through Samuel’s neck in one swipe.