The song of the nightingale cresended as the lone figure approached the gates of the castle. Both sides were massive gardens, laiden with the most precious of roses, tulips and arcasias; buttercups decorated the age-old walls; sea after sea of daisies, edelwiesses, fushias and lilacs were only but a few the infamous gardens the Castle of the East has to boast. Deemed impossible by the local folk, the House of June's passion for its floral cravings seemed to prove them all wrong. The founders of the Eastern Lands brought flower seeds from every part of the Middle Kngdom, even all the way from the fiery pits of the Hazard Lands. There was a war there, all in the name over a supply of seeds of the rare BloodRed rose. This flower was said to be impossbile to grow in humidity, and only grew under the sweet songs of the nightingale. For the Eastern Lands, nightingales were the only mass resource apart from artisan's musicians and poets of love and affecttion. The Hazard Lands were on the contrary, hazardous, as the name says, for the natives in the area were not at all friendly. They prided in calling themselves the Sons of the Stone God, or Stogars. Its ruler, Ruben the Melicious, was as visous as any barbarian warlord could get. And it was no run-of-the-mill tyrant. It was said that this massive brute had the strength to defeat five hundred of the East's border guards alone, unarmed. His people were no different, each possesing the Mighty Ones's bad temper, brutal novelity and untidy character. But they were a force to be reconded with. The last Lord of the East, Lord Bruce IV of June, father of the current Lord Jun I of June, tried to attempt a treaty with the barbarians, for they pillaged the neighbouring villages in search of food and shelter. Instead, when his lordship sent a supply wagon through the Hazard Lands, they were attacked by Ruben's men, and Bruce perished in the war. His son took the throne, and waged war against the Stogars.
Jun swisked his frocks of golden hair backward, as he asways did when he was in a good mood. The guards immediately recognized his lordship's uncanny complexion of every women's desire, and instantly opened the gates, and stood at attention.
'Good morning, gentlemen. Fine day for a song isn't it?' With that, Lord Jun hummed a tune as he skipped across the courtyard, admiring the white roses along the way.
The guards smiled. That was the way Lord Jun had always been. The people of the East loved him. Not only for his charm and witty character, but he was always optimistic, and cared fully for the people. He made sure they had food and wine, shelter and even had the royal medic and his own visor to teach the children about the suns and stars. Inside, Lord Jun indulged himslef in some wine, and prepared for a bath. There were stressing matters on his mind now, but that had to wait. Tonight, he had guests. He undressed, put on the royal robe that bore the crest of the magnificant bird of muisc and sweet melody, and headed for the royal showers.
The castle itself was not large - a coutyard, five massive gardens, a royal court, and around ten rooms for his treasury, his study and his ministers to reside. Compared to the South, the East were not well to do, but they made the best of eveything. Especially when it came to luxury. The loud clanking of metal against metal was audible from the training grounds emmited from the courtyard, where his footsoldiers were undergoing their routine training. He undid the robe, soaked his feet into the warm bath, and relaxed.
'My, my... how you've grown'
Jun jumped, desperately reaching for his robe at the sound of a females's voice.
'When you you learn to knock!' he bellowed, his cheeks blushing red with embarassment.
The lady just stood at the entrance to the royal showers, gazing at the naked Lord naughtily. Lady Veena laughed, and moved towards Lord Jun in a seducing manner.
'Oh come now, little brother, its not like I've never seen them before. We grew up together, ate together, soaked in the tube toge..'
'Oh, I'll have none of that! I'm all grown up now, sister! I'm the Lord and Master of the East!'
'Ah, but to me, ' she said, naughtily caressing her fingers against his still redden cheeks.
'you'll still the little brother I've learn to live with.'
Lord Jun blushed, and kept his head down. Lady Veena was right. They were not of the same blood, the same mother and father, but they were the decendants of the House of June.
Lady Veena continued to tease the charming Lord, undressing her robe and dipping herself into the pool. Lord Jun blushed even more now.
'Oh, come now. I've seen the looks on those maiden's faces when you go on parades down the Land! Oh, how they adore you! Thier screams almost pierce my ears! You're already a grown man, brother. Haven't you considered settling down? Or are you so incapable you cant find a suitor? Oh I know! I'll help. Lets throw a ball tomorrow. I'll invite all the yougn maidens from the Land. We can feast, drink, and oh, we can even...'
Lord Jun pulled himself together, fighting the urge to look at the beautiful lady in the same pool with him. A lady! Oh, the morals!
'Yes.. yes... Just like the last one you threw for me on my 18th birthday? It was a disaster! Veena, I'm not ready for such a responsibility.'
'Oh, but that's because you just ignored everyone!' she drew herself closer to him. He backed away. 'But I know you are! Because your my little brother. You're the Lord of the East. You'll need a companion sometime, don't you? Father would have wanted it.'
There was a long silence.
'I..I'm sorry Jun. I didn't mean to..' muttered Lady Veena.
'Maybe I just haven't found one yet.' said Jun, and rushed off in the direction of his court, his emotions turning sour.
Lady Veena sulked. She knew she just had to bring his father into this. Oh... She loved Jun so. Not the love of lovers, but a sister's love for her little sibling. How she hoped he could find happiness, and not regret it like she did.
She laid there in the waters, staring blankly into space.
Oh, father... If only you were here.
Jun was already dressed and ready for his proceedings at court when Lady Veena arrived. She just stood at the entrance, admiring the charming lad who was addressing his subjects with such vigour. Just like his father. She smiled. The guards had seen her, and was about to announce her arrival, when she stopped them, turned her back, and left to her room.
'...the Sentinels have seen the said monster, milord. It was last seen at the river near Brusells, attacking a barn of an old farmer. The farmer survived the ordeal, but his cattle, crops and pigs were slashed to death. The methods of killing were very similar to..'
'Did they have thier hearts taken out?' said the Lord of the East.
'..Yes, milord. And, there were sightings by our scouts of another similar monster in the West, the South and the Eastern grounds.'
'Then tighten the defences around the city. I do not want that thing near us any time soon. Set up a search party. I want every forest of Norshire scoured and searched. If it is said to be there, it must be headed for another village. We'll be ready for it.'
Just then, the gates were forced open. A soldier barged in, wounded severely. His armour, bearing the crest of the moon, was torn to bits, and blood was oozing out from his mouth. He was bleeding profusely, and his arms looked as if they were broken. The guards seized him, but Lord Jun called him in. He knew that crest anywhere. The man was a MoonGlade. He signalled for his royal medic, and they began treating the wounded man immediately.
'It..it's no use... Save the medicine for another! I .. I bring news from the South Land...' the man said, fighting the medic's hands holing him down.
'Ter.. terri...terrible newwwsss!' he said, blood coughing out at all directions.
'Get the man some water! Now tell me, brave knight, what urgency is this? Did Lord Phillip send you?'
The man was not going to make it, Lord Jun knew that. He was breathing heavily now, and was shaking terribly.
'Lord... Phi..' he coughed. 'Lord Phillip... is dead, milord.'
Lord Jun stared at him.
'What? How is this possible? What happened?! Tell me soldier! Tell me quickly!'
The man tried to speak... but the pain was unbearable.
'Sire.... take... take this.... it... would... explain... eve...everything....'
The MoonGlade handed a seal to the Lord, and with that, the knight drew his last breath. Lord Jun looked desperately at his medics. They shook their heads.
Lord Jun felt the sharp pain in his heart, reached out his hand, and closed the knight's eyes.
'Rest now, brave warrior. Take... take him to the graveyard. I want a proper burial for his bravery.'
His guards saluted, and carried the lifeless body out of the court.
Everyone, including the ministers at court had thier eyes on the seal in Lord Jun's hands now. It was some sort of stone, red as a ruby, but it was soft and cold to the touch.
'Milord,' said the Prime Minister, 'I think it is a crytomine. The South ministers hide thier most precious information inside them with light, most of it about secret meeting places, or names of people they asociate with. I do not know how they do it, but whatever information it carries must be very worthwhile, milord. They don't just give crytomine to anyone else except people they trust the information with.'
'Open it.' said Lord Jun.
The minsiter bowed, and took the stone from the Lord's hands. He lit a candle, and began to burn the stone. It began to fizz, and soon, everyone in the court was amazed, as light began to emerge from its interior. The lights were lines at first, and then, slowly, it began to form words, little by little. Much of the words were unreadable, but all it took was the one sentence in the middle of it all to explain everything.
Lord Jun went pale. Just then, there was a terrible rattling outside the gates. The ground shook a little, and everyone fought to keep thier balance.
'Wha... what was that!' shouted the minister.
Lord Jun was equally shocked.
'General Ordina, take the man and go to the gates, find out what's wrong!'
The general saluted, and was about to turn to leave, when a voice said
'THAT WONT BE NECESSARY'
The guards drew their swords. The general stood by Lord Jun.
'A CHARMING YOUNG LAD... QUITE MY TASTE...'
Everyone in the room was shaking, desperately looking around to see where the sound was coming from. Lord Jun wasn't. He drew his sword.
'Show yourself demon!'
'HAHAHA! IF I DID, YOU WONT EVEN STAND A CHANCE, JUN, SON OF BRUCE!'
Lord Jun looked around. Everyone was stunned in ther positions.
'Guards! Take the ministers to safety! General! Excort me to Lady Veena's chambers! Sound the alarm!'
'FOOL! YOU KNOW NOT THE STRENGTH OF THE SUCCUBUS!'
The gates were open, and the ministers rushed out. Suddenly, a deafening scream filled the air, as blood splaterred on the walls of the East Court. There, outside the court, were three Keepers, blade in hand, bloodlust in their eyes, a dead Prime Minister at their feet.
'Charge!' said the general, and the guards immediately rushed forward, sabre at arms. With two siwft moves, the Keepers sliced the guards in half.
'Protect the Lord!' the general shouted. By now, more and more guards rushed to the courts. Jun and his party of ministers took the other route, and into the safety of Lady Veena's room, who was shcoked and scared at the same time.
'Jun, what's going on?'
'I've no time to explain! Now, general, take my sister to the stables. Prepare a horse and send her to our Allies in the outskirts of the East County! I'll take care of these demons!'
'But milord, you can't just...' the general said.
'I said, GO!'
The general grabbed Lady Veena's hand, and dragged her out of the room.
'But what about you?' she shouted.
'I'll be fine! I'll meet you when it is safe!'
Lord Jun held his sabre.
'Now man... charge!'
The door flung open, and Lord Jun and his men faced the three Keepers head-on.
Down in the stable, General Ordina prepared the horse, and placed Lady Veena safely on its saddle.
'I pledge my life to guard you, milady, but Lord Jun cannot fight these demons himself. I must return to him. Be safe, milady. God Bless you. You two! Excort the Lady to the safe village nearby! We'll meet up when the time comes.'
Lady Veena shook her head,
'I'm not leaving without Jun!'
'Milady, you must! It is my duty to see that you are safe, and it is on Lord Jun's orders! Now, go!'
Reluctantly, the three riders left the gates and into the forest, her eyes tearful and soaked. She looked back one more time, and to her horror, saw the beast for the first time.
It was towering. It was twice the size of the castle itself, and its presence caused the gardens to wither and die, leaving a dead trail of dead leaves and burnt buds. It was nothing she had ever seen. It was vampiric, with sharp teeth and strong claws. But it resembled a female, and one with wings sticking out of her back. The winged-demon, Succubus.
Jun swisked his frocks of golden hair backward, as he asways did when he was in a good mood. The guards immediately recognized his lordship's uncanny complexion of every women's desire, and instantly opened the gates, and stood at attention.
'Good morning, gentlemen. Fine day for a song isn't it?' With that, Lord Jun hummed a tune as he skipped across the courtyard, admiring the white roses along the way.
The guards smiled. That was the way Lord Jun had always been. The people of the East loved him. Not only for his charm and witty character, but he was always optimistic, and cared fully for the people. He made sure they had food and wine, shelter and even had the royal medic and his own visor to teach the children about the suns and stars. Inside, Lord Jun indulged himslef in some wine, and prepared for a bath. There were stressing matters on his mind now, but that had to wait. Tonight, he had guests. He undressed, put on the royal robe that bore the crest of the magnificant bird of muisc and sweet melody, and headed for the royal showers.
The castle itself was not large - a coutyard, five massive gardens, a royal court, and around ten rooms for his treasury, his study and his ministers to reside. Compared to the South, the East were not well to do, but they made the best of eveything. Especially when it came to luxury. The loud clanking of metal against metal was audible from the training grounds emmited from the courtyard, where his footsoldiers were undergoing their routine training. He undid the robe, soaked his feet into the warm bath, and relaxed.
'My, my... how you've grown'
Jun jumped, desperately reaching for his robe at the sound of a females's voice.
'When you you learn to knock!' he bellowed, his cheeks blushing red with embarassment.
The lady just stood at the entrance to the royal showers, gazing at the naked Lord naughtily. Lady Veena laughed, and moved towards Lord Jun in a seducing manner.
'Oh come now, little brother, its not like I've never seen them before. We grew up together, ate together, soaked in the tube toge..'
'Oh, I'll have none of that! I'm all grown up now, sister! I'm the Lord and Master of the East!'
'Ah, but to me, ' she said, naughtily caressing her fingers against his still redden cheeks.
'you'll still the little brother I've learn to live with.'
Lord Jun blushed, and kept his head down. Lady Veena was right. They were not of the same blood, the same mother and father, but they were the decendants of the House of June.
Lady Veena continued to tease the charming Lord, undressing her robe and dipping herself into the pool. Lord Jun blushed even more now.
'Oh, come now. I've seen the looks on those maiden's faces when you go on parades down the Land! Oh, how they adore you! Thier screams almost pierce my ears! You're already a grown man, brother. Haven't you considered settling down? Or are you so incapable you cant find a suitor? Oh I know! I'll help. Lets throw a ball tomorrow. I'll invite all the yougn maidens from the Land. We can feast, drink, and oh, we can even...'
Lord Jun pulled himself together, fighting the urge to look at the beautiful lady in the same pool with him. A lady! Oh, the morals!
'Yes.. yes... Just like the last one you threw for me on my 18th birthday? It was a disaster! Veena, I'm not ready for such a responsibility.'
'Oh, but that's because you just ignored everyone!' she drew herself closer to him. He backed away. 'But I know you are! Because your my little brother. You're the Lord of the East. You'll need a companion sometime, don't you? Father would have wanted it.'
There was a long silence.
'I..I'm sorry Jun. I didn't mean to..' muttered Lady Veena.
'Maybe I just haven't found one yet.' said Jun, and rushed off in the direction of his court, his emotions turning sour.
Lady Veena sulked. She knew she just had to bring his father into this. Oh... She loved Jun so. Not the love of lovers, but a sister's love for her little sibling. How she hoped he could find happiness, and not regret it like she did.
She laid there in the waters, staring blankly into space.
Oh, father... If only you were here.
Jun was already dressed and ready for his proceedings at court when Lady Veena arrived. She just stood at the entrance, admiring the charming lad who was addressing his subjects with such vigour. Just like his father. She smiled. The guards had seen her, and was about to announce her arrival, when she stopped them, turned her back, and left to her room.
'...the Sentinels have seen the said monster, milord. It was last seen at the river near Brusells, attacking a barn of an old farmer. The farmer survived the ordeal, but his cattle, crops and pigs were slashed to death. The methods of killing were very similar to..'
'Did they have thier hearts taken out?' said the Lord of the East.
'..Yes, milord. And, there were sightings by our scouts of another similar monster in the West, the South and the Eastern grounds.'
'Then tighten the defences around the city. I do not want that thing near us any time soon. Set up a search party. I want every forest of Norshire scoured and searched. If it is said to be there, it must be headed for another village. We'll be ready for it.'
Just then, the gates were forced open. A soldier barged in, wounded severely. His armour, bearing the crest of the moon, was torn to bits, and blood was oozing out from his mouth. He was bleeding profusely, and his arms looked as if they were broken. The guards seized him, but Lord Jun called him in. He knew that crest anywhere. The man was a MoonGlade. He signalled for his royal medic, and they began treating the wounded man immediately.
'It..it's no use... Save the medicine for another! I .. I bring news from the South Land...' the man said, fighting the medic's hands holing him down.
'Ter.. terri...terrible newwwsss!' he said, blood coughing out at all directions.
'Get the man some water! Now tell me, brave knight, what urgency is this? Did Lord Phillip send you?'
The man was not going to make it, Lord Jun knew that. He was breathing heavily now, and was shaking terribly.
'Lord... Phi..' he coughed. 'Lord Phillip... is dead, milord.'
Lord Jun stared at him.
'What? How is this possible? What happened?! Tell me soldier! Tell me quickly!'
The man tried to speak... but the pain was unbearable.
'Sire.... take... take this.... it... would... explain... eve...everything....'
The MoonGlade handed a seal to the Lord, and with that, the knight drew his last breath. Lord Jun looked desperately at his medics. They shook their heads.
Lord Jun felt the sharp pain in his heart, reached out his hand, and closed the knight's eyes.
'Rest now, brave warrior. Take... take him to the graveyard. I want a proper burial for his bravery.'
His guards saluted, and carried the lifeless body out of the court.
Everyone, including the ministers at court had thier eyes on the seal in Lord Jun's hands now. It was some sort of stone, red as a ruby, but it was soft and cold to the touch.
'Milord,' said the Prime Minister, 'I think it is a crytomine. The South ministers hide thier most precious information inside them with light, most of it about secret meeting places, or names of people they asociate with. I do not know how they do it, but whatever information it carries must be very worthwhile, milord. They don't just give crytomine to anyone else except people they trust the information with.'
'Open it.' said Lord Jun.
The minsiter bowed, and took the stone from the Lord's hands. He lit a candle, and began to burn the stone. It began to fizz, and soon, everyone in the court was amazed, as light began to emerge from its interior. The lights were lines at first, and then, slowly, it began to form words, little by little. Much of the words were unreadable, but all it took was the one sentence in the middle of it all to explain everything.
'...Succubus is hungry... the sons of the Moon have fallen....... Now the Birds of the East.....'
Lord Jun went pale. Just then, there was a terrible rattling outside the gates. The ground shook a little, and everyone fought to keep thier balance.
'Wha... what was that!' shouted the minister.
Lord Jun was equally shocked.
'General Ordina, take the man and go to the gates, find out what's wrong!'
The general saluted, and was about to turn to leave, when a voice said
'THAT WONT BE NECESSARY'
The guards drew their swords. The general stood by Lord Jun.
'A CHARMING YOUNG LAD... QUITE MY TASTE...'
Everyone in the room was shaking, desperately looking around to see where the sound was coming from. Lord Jun wasn't. He drew his sword.
'Show yourself demon!'
'HAHAHA! IF I DID, YOU WONT EVEN STAND A CHANCE, JUN, SON OF BRUCE!'
Lord Jun looked around. Everyone was stunned in ther positions.
'Guards! Take the ministers to safety! General! Excort me to Lady Veena's chambers! Sound the alarm!'
'FOOL! YOU KNOW NOT THE STRENGTH OF THE SUCCUBUS!'
The gates were open, and the ministers rushed out. Suddenly, a deafening scream filled the air, as blood splaterred on the walls of the East Court. There, outside the court, were three Keepers, blade in hand, bloodlust in their eyes, a dead Prime Minister at their feet.
'Charge!' said the general, and the guards immediately rushed forward, sabre at arms. With two siwft moves, the Keepers sliced the guards in half.
'Protect the Lord!' the general shouted. By now, more and more guards rushed to the courts. Jun and his party of ministers took the other route, and into the safety of Lady Veena's room, who was shcoked and scared at the same time.
'Jun, what's going on?'
'I've no time to explain! Now, general, take my sister to the stables. Prepare a horse and send her to our Allies in the outskirts of the East County! I'll take care of these demons!'
'But milord, you can't just...' the general said.
'I said, GO!'
The general grabbed Lady Veena's hand, and dragged her out of the room.
'But what about you?' she shouted.
'I'll be fine! I'll meet you when it is safe!'
Lord Jun held his sabre.
'Now man... charge!'
The door flung open, and Lord Jun and his men faced the three Keepers head-on.
Down in the stable, General Ordina prepared the horse, and placed Lady Veena safely on its saddle.
'I pledge my life to guard you, milady, but Lord Jun cannot fight these demons himself. I must return to him. Be safe, milady. God Bless you. You two! Excort the Lady to the safe village nearby! We'll meet up when the time comes.'
Lady Veena shook her head,
'I'm not leaving without Jun!'
'Milady, you must! It is my duty to see that you are safe, and it is on Lord Jun's orders! Now, go!'
Reluctantly, the three riders left the gates and into the forest, her eyes tearful and soaked. She looked back one more time, and to her horror, saw the beast for the first time.
It was towering. It was twice the size of the castle itself, and its presence caused the gardens to wither and die, leaving a dead trail of dead leaves and burnt buds. It was nothing she had ever seen. It was vampiric, with sharp teeth and strong claws. But it resembled a female, and one with wings sticking out of her back. The winged-demon, Succubus.
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