<h2> </h2>
CHAPTER 52 – TROUBLED TIMES
The spiral staircase of the Zepathorum City Citadel listed among Anilithyìstad’s least favorite things about the Lion Kingdom. The older he got, the more he dwelled over such a pertinent fact, as he scaled the tower to check in on his sister. There waiting at the top for him was Commander Cel’a.
“You take the early shift in your own regiment?”
“The queen is all my royal guard has left to protect. I’m not taking any more chances, your highness.”
“Some things are out of our hands, commander.”
“I made a promise.”
Anilithyìstad acknowledged her with a head nod. He had a feeling she was referring to Mitakahn. “Is my sister awake?”
“You can find the queen on the balcony, where she spends most of her time these days.”
“Thank you, Cel’a”
Cel’a bowed and let Anilithyìstad into the queen’s chambers.
He joined Adyána out on the balcony.
“Not much of a view.”
“Hello brother. Any news of my boys?”
“Sadly no. I think it is time we start considering father’s involvement, at least until this period of unknowingness is over.”
“I will not let my home be occupied by a foreign army, even if it’s that of my own family.”
“As you wish,” Anilithyìstad bowed, “I did not intend to offend.”
“Think nothing of it, but please do not bring up the matter again.”
“The only thing is…”
“Anilithyìstad, please.”
“I’ve already sent word to Metuchen.”
“Without my consent? How could you?”
“You misunderstand my intentions, dear sister. It is only as a precaution, in case Mitakahn’s visions come to pass.”
Adyána gave no response, which almost meant more than anything she could say.
“You don’t believe him, do you?”
Another pause.
Anilithyìstad followed the cloud-covered sky over to Port Caliber. The port city was almost dark, which was odd because it was still morning.
“Back in the old days, before our time, the evil that corrupted MagnaThora used ancient tricks like dark clouds and night, just like that,” he pointed towards the port city, “They did it as a form of camouflage, a war tactic. By the time their enemies figured out what was going on the invasion was…already…here…” Anilithyìstad trailed off.
“…How much like that?” Queen Adyána asked.
“Exactly like that.”
“That’s no storm.”
With that realization, they noticed a foreign darkness spilling out of the horizon. There were warships in the bay.
“It has begun! Right under our very noses! What Mitakahn predicted has come true!” Anilithyìstad shouted. This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
“Commander Cel’a!” Adyána called out before tending to Anilithyìstad, “Relax brave prince, go get your armor and lead the guard. They will be gathering at the Gatehouse.”
In a frantic haste, Anilithyìstad scrambled out of the bedchambers as Cel’a came rushing in, spear at the ready.
“Commander, there is a foreign presence invading Port Caliber. You are tasked with fortifying Zepathorum and preparing for refugees. You will also need to issue a response team to assist the horse princes. They will need reinforcements.”
Cel’a took a deep breath. The queen’s words etched into her memory. The royal orders planted firmly in her mind. Thank the gods she was good at her job, after all these years, and possessed such a reflex because nothing could take her attention away from what she was looking at outside.
“Yes, your highness. I will see to it right away.”
It took everything she had to pull herself away, but she was able to. Before Cel’a left she stopped and turned around. “Is there anything else I can do?”
“If-” Queen Adyána cut herself off as she completely and utterly broke down. She began to sob uncontrollably. Cel’a threw her spear on the bed and hugged the queen. Without making eye contact, Queen Adyána composed herself and cleared her throat.
“If Theo was here, he would be one step ahead of this. With Mercinestor missing as Liege Lord, it falls upon us to call the banners of the Serengeti.”
“Is this war?”
“We cannot afford to assume otherwise.”
“I can send riders post haste.”
“Thank you, commander.”
“May I speak candidly, your highness?”
“Of course, Cel’a.”
“The king would be very proud of you, my queen, and relieved to know he left his rule in capable hands.”
“I will do what I can in his stead. I will try to make up for what we have lost, but I am no warrior, and a member of the Arkenoir House has always represented the Pride on the field of battle.”
Once again, something beyond the city limits grabbed the commander’s attention.
“I don’t think we need to worry about that.”
Anilithyìstad rushed down the spiral staircase to gather his weapons and armor. He reached his room, pulled chain mail over his head, slid his surcoat over it, and latched his metal chest piece firmly. He attached armor pieces to his arms and legs and tightened his belt around his waist.
Anilithyìstad picked up his sword, practiced his ceremonial pre-battle killing stroke, and then sheathed it. He put the sheathed sword in a slot on his back instead of his hip, the shorelands way, and picked up a spear. On the way out of the armory, he grabbed his silver “U” shaped shield. Anilithyìstad adjusted the straps on his ancestral shield, so it fastened tightly onto his arm. The general was now ready for battle.
Anilithyìstad approached the main gates of Zepathorum. Metuchen cavalry along with mounted regiments of the royal guard gathered into formation around Jericho and Mortikahn, both fully clad in armor and clearly waiting for his arrival.
“Good lads.” He muttered to himself right before greeting them.
“A foreign force is invading Port Caliber,” Anilithyìstad addressed the response team, “We must move quickly!”
The bells of the citadel rang out in response to something. Some of the troops gasped. Anilithyìstad quickly broke down the situation and continued.
“For my troops who are new to this land, those bells mean the Vestige Tower beacon at Caliber has been lit. That means our comrades at the sister city are preparing for a fight. I know for a fact that Galastad is down there. He will take the fight to them. So, we will use our force to secure a safe evacuation. The regiment will split into two groups, one to fight and one to get the townsfolk out. It’s as simple as that. Prince Jericho will lead the group to evacuate, start at the stables and work your way in. I will lead the rest of you to the fight where we will come together and make our stand.”
“What about the Harbor?”
“The Harbor is already lost.”
“Not Seaport Village!”
“The village is impregnable!”
The group shouted all at once, as Anilithyìstad resumed control. “We ride now! We ride to save the kingdom!”
However, something was wrong. This was not his kingdom, and these men knew it. He was standing in someone else’s place. Anilithyìstad had been in battle before. He knew the importance of spirit, and the spirits of the troops before him were weak. As the men passed through the gate, Anilithyìstad trotted his horse along with them.
He gave orders to the gatekeepers. “Lock the gate behind us and make sure not to let anyone or anything in until our return.”
Anilithyìstad exited Zepathorum unsure of himself, his men, and the battle ahead. He looked up at the Citadel tower for his sister. Queen Adyána was still standing out on the balcony with Commander Cel’a. For some reason they were not watching him, and no longer looking out towards Port Caliber. No, they looked out beyond him. Were they pointing at something?
“LOOK!” a guard announced. He motioned toward the road.
The soldiers cheered. There was a rider coming towards them from the Epitaph Road. Their spirits lifted immensely at the sight of the rider’s crimson cloak billowing in the wind. The response team renewed their energy at the sight of his homecoming. Anilithyìstad now with a boost of fresh hope kicked his steed and led the reinforcements towards Port Caliber, behind the return of Zepathorum’s prince.