The room was highly decorated with several of the kingdom’s most prized artifacts – armor, swords and shields once wielded in epic battles by the knights of old, still polished to a mirror finish; the most famous of which was donned by the First Knight of Eldergate who, according to legend, had sacrificed his own life fighting off a horde of a thousand demons in the Battle of Salvation, sparing the life of his brother and King – the first King of Eldergate. It was the end of that battle that marked the beginning of the time of man, and the end of the Defiant One’s dominance in the world of Hurea. It also marked the end of the First Age nearly 2,500 years ago.
Priceless necklaces made of the finest jewels stood prominently on display in perfectly polished glass cases. Dozens of portraits lined the walls, each depicting kings of the past, all from the great Eldergate family line.
Out of all these wonders, none interested Tyrius more than the books. Overstuffed bookshelves built into the wall on the far end of the circular room stretched to the ceiling and comprised of worn out tomes and parchments, each possessing the knowledge of the ages and were invaluable to the King and his advisors.
As he slowly paced around the room, running his fingers down the familiar spines of the ancient tombs he had at some time or another read over a dozen times each, Tyrius noticed a book that lay open on a small table near the window in the far side of the study.
The book was ancient and fading but Tyrius knew the script. It was one of the most important books on recorded prophecy, and curiously, it was opened to the pages concerning the orb. He silently wondered to himself why the King was looking into the prophecy before his company had yet arrived to inform him of the recent events.
Absorbed in his thoughts, Tyrius suddenly realized he was no longer alone. He looked up from the book and saw General Krauss standing in the doorway to the study, one hand clasped behind his back, his other resting lightly on the hilt of his sword as it normally was, a familiar habit of a war-seasoned general, he presumed.
“What is it, General?” said Tyrius, wondering why the General had come without the King.
“How is it, I might ask, that a man of your reputation and…skillset, hasn’t come to know more about prophecy than the sages of old?” replied General Krauss.
“Where is the King?” asked Tyrius, dismissing the General’s strange question. “I have come here to inform him that the time of the prophecy has come. I sense that something big is on the horizon and must discuss our options with him and the Council.” He began feeling uneasy with each passing moment. Something wasn’t right; he could feel a dark presence overwhelming the usually peaceful aura of the palace.
“I assure you the King is perfectly safe while he is in this palace.” replied the General confidently. “So, the legendary orb has gone missing? Very interesting…” he said, slowly running his finger across a dusty shelf and rubbing his fingers together to remove the dust. He was pacing slowly around the room as he spoke and Tyrius noticed the General’s hand still firmly resting on the hilt of his sword.
Something definitely isn’t right…. he mused.
“Yes, which is why it is of paramount importance that I speak with the King!” said Tyrius, agitated at the General’s games. He closed the book of prophecy and walked over to look out the window. He was starting to worry. The sun had already started setting behind the tops of the trees of the Outer Woods.
“Where is Arjen? It shouldn’t be taking this long…” said Tyrius, mostly to himself. Something was wrong. Arjen would know the importance of such an event and would have seen to it that the King was promptly informed. The King should have been here by now.
“Is something the matter?” asked General Krauss, a hint of concern in his voice.
“My apologies, general. It appears my old friend has gotten lost on his search for the King. I cannot wait any longer. I must go to him myself.” replied Tyrius urgently as he began walking towards the door to the hallway.
The General stepped in front of the doorway, blocking his exit.
“I’m afraid I can’t let you do that.” he said. A green flicker flashed across the General’s eyes as he glared intently at Tyrius, a look that left Tyrius on edge and extremely unnerved.
Suddenly Tyrius recognized why his senses were on such high alert, his heart began racing fiercely with worry for his king. “What have you done!” asked Tyrius, grabbing his staff and taking a step back from the General.
General Krauss casually waved his hand and began pacing slowly back and forth.
“Me? Oh dear, no. It is your king that has done something wrong, or, had planned to, I should say, had I not restrained him.” replied the General calmly.
“What do you mean?” asked Tyrius warily.
“Oh, the irony! A man of such skill in prophecy, yet he doesn’t even know what is happening right in front of his nose!” mocked the General. “Your king has been arrested for treason against his own people, of course.” he said casually.
“Treason! Nonsense! The king has done no such thing and you know it!” replied Tyrius, furious at such a blatant lie being directed towards his king.
“Oh, Tyrius, you have always been blinded by your loyalty to the crown. That will be your downfall.” said the General. “The king was caught plotting to unleash the Defiant One from his eternal prison. Once he heard rumor of the warrior of prophecy finding the Orb, he immediately began acting irrational, frantically searching through the books of prophecy to find the
