So, update to the posting schedule. I'll be doing it once a week consistently (Though I may rarely post back-to-back or closer in days). Now, back to our regular scheduled programming.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN: ATTACK!
Before Artham could get to the door, it was thrown open by evil looking creatures. They were green like lizards, and unlike anything Artham had ever seen. They were hissing, cursing, and laughing, and Artham felt a little bit startled. He quickly gathered himself, and killed every beast that had entered in.
He rushed to the door and shoved it, pushing all of his body weight against the door to keep out the pounding on the other side. His whole body was shaking, and he was not numb to the screams of his terrified family.
But where was his wife and son?
His heart nearly shattered within him. There were so many of these evil creatures out there, and now his wife was gone. The woman he had been in love with since he was thirteen years old. And his son. His beautiful son who never got a proper chance at life…stolen from him.
He looked back at his daughter, who was terrified, and had big tears streaming down her cheeks. His nephews and niece were all crying. Nia looked horrified, his brother was pale, and Wendolyn and Podo were in a mad state.
He could only focus on keeping the door shut.
Soon, Podo got up and helped him hold the door shut, with many grunts.
“Artham, you need to get my wife and children out of here,” Esben said in a quiet yet commanding voice.
Artham grunted. “I’m going to get all of us out of here,” he said.
“No.”
Esben stood up, his face white. “I stay. Everyone else leaves.”
Artham turned his head, his hair falling in front of his eyes. “What? Have you lost your mind? Either…we…all…leave…or no one does…”
“No. I need to go back for…it.”
Artham turned his head. “It’s not worth your life.”
“It’s worth more.”
“Esben!”
“Artham just go with them.”
“No, I refuse to leave you!”
“As your king, I command it!”
Artham turned away, and planted his forehead against the door, hearing the scrapings and cursing outside.
Artham felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to see his brother. “I release you,” he whispered, and those words broke his heart.
The only way a High King would be allowed to release their Throne Warden would be if there was no other choice, either because of actions committed, or because of circumstances.
It was never done before. Artham now bore the shame of…failure.
He looked at his brother, who was already parting with his wife. “Podo get that table moved over here, I can hold the door.”
Podo nodded and started pushing the table in place. Artham shoved against the door, it opening once or twice and him getting a nasty scratch on his arm.
“Artham, here it is, help me move it in place,” Podo grunted, his face white with terror.
Artham helped him block the door, then he pulled out his sword. Esben slowly walked towards him.
“Protect them, brother.”
Artham nodded, bowing slightly. “At your word my King.”
Esben hugged him shortly. Artham whispered, “I will come back for you.”
“Follow me!” Artham declared in a loud voice. Straightening out the Wingfeather family quickly, and with one quick glance back at his brother, Artham headed for the secret passage, his heart breaking within him.
By the way, the whole thing about High King's discharging their Throne Warden is a head canon hehe. But, I...I don't know what to say...
Tagging @J. M. @Dani B [✨Unaligned✨, BLC, SM, WR, SGC, TALE WEAVER, CLUMSY SAMURAI] @Pai Wingfeather (✨Unaligned✨, Oreo Warrior, BLC, AMLC, SGC) @Marki Sel
😭 I had to give myself a few minutes before reading this.... 😭(I like how you added the discharging.)