皿 The Mediator 皿

Meanwhile,

To avoid the chaos that had taken over the courtyard, Vitus Aemulus, withdrew from the crowd to find solitude. He hurried his way through the corridors of the castle as he approaches his chambers. He opened the door and shut it behind him. Vitus dropped onto one of the couches by the fireplace. His fingers tapped on the armrest of the chair and his mind went blank, staring into space. Vitus had been the mediator between the sky god and man since the age of seventeen, he had only encountered the god physically on rare occasions and during his thirties, he only received visions and premonitions. But things changed as there was no sight of the god, not even a vision nor a trance. He found it strange that the sky god didn't visit him once or send a message before vanishing for more than 30 years, and now he does nothing but grow grey hair in his chamber that looks like a library. Although he had gained relevance and even earned a place in the castle, his feeling of worthlessness keeps thriving over the years and now the rumours are crashing on his mind like a fallen forte it's simply game over.

He was brought out of his self-pity when a screeching sound from his window interrupted his thoughts. His eyes travelled to see an eagle with a blue crest and gold-like feathers flapping its wings as it touched down on his window. The eagle landed, and it took a stance like someone ready to attack. Vitus stared at the bird, and the bird looked back. There was silence between the two, the only thing heard were tip-taps as he approaches the eagle. Suddenly, it began to caw and screech at a high pitch startling the old man, smoke protruding from under his wings and an outburst of blue flames came later on. The bird was set ablaze in front of him, it kept on screeching and shrieking like it was wailing. These are things he had seen in time past, but this is quite unusual. The noise of flames burning and screeching was increasing over the entire room, driving the old to his mind as he gasped and gawked, holding his head.

His eyes opened, it was a hush. He jerked up from his couch, sitting up, he quickly struck a glance at the window but finds nothing. He strides slowly towards the window hoping to find something thrilling, perhaps a sign, anything, a clue that could indicate his daze, but there was just nothing, nothing but the clear night sky. A look of terror struck his face and he jaw-dropping gawked. "A bad Omen" He muttered and glanced at the city from his window, its lulling appearance was sending a strange signal to his mind. He quickly retreated from the window, grabbed his cloak from the armrest, and darted towards the exit of his chamber. Before he could leave, his eyes found the shelves, he would need his books. He made his way towards them and pulled a few books out, piling them in a sack. "Whatever I saw wasn't a good one" he muttered, tying the sack and dropping it on his shoulder. He made his way to the door and towards the court.

***

The chattering subsided as Valeria proceeds to speak.

"There is something that you all need to know" She started. The crowd grew silent waiting for her explanation.

"We have been betrayed by one of our own, he has been informing the Ronans, and he's responsible for the death of your King, the war is not over yet, but I assure you it will be very soon, our warriors must be prepared". She said sternly.

Everyone remained silent, thinking about what she said, none of them wanted to believe it and they needed proof. The king was their beloved ruler and the reason behind all of their hard work and sacrifices. The news broke the fragile peace they had built, and the tension grows. A voice from the chattering crowd yelled, "My queen, if we may ask, who is this traitor you speak of?"

Valeria continued to speak calmly.

"For now, I ask for everyone to stay inside and stay safe until this is resolved, please remember there is always someone willing to protect us." As her words left her mouth, another voice yelled out,

"Your Majesty, something bad is about to happen!!!"

She turned toward the voice, "Vitus" she mumbled, looking horrifically as the words flew out of his mouth. The audience's attention turned toward their mediator with a fear-stricken look. Suddenly, a bang was heard like the sky cracked open, they all turned around with a chorused gasp of panic as they put their gaze backwards.

"Guards!!" Valeria yelled in dismay, "Go find out what's going on"

An affirmative response was given as the guards marched out of the castle. Cameron dashed towards the queen, his face was filled with concern, it should not be what he was thinking. However, he stretched his hands toward the queen as he spoke "We need to get you to safety."

She shook her head and retorted "Get my son to safety"

"Your safety is yet important, your grace" Vitus spoke as he emerges from behind "Perhaps, you should heed the young man"

"YOUR MAJESTY!!! WE…ARE…UNDER ATTACK!!!" The voice of two soldiers echoed around the hall as they dashed into the court. Valeria gasped and went dumb, only her wide-opened eyes and mouth could tell how terrified she was now. Looking at the commotion the broken news is causing her subjects, the citizens of Mediopolis; she could only stare at the panicking crowd before her with wide eyes full of terror, tears fell like raindrops from her eyes in slow motion as her knees gave way.

"VALERIA!!!!" A woman's voice screamed. She turned away from the commotion towards the source and spotted her son rushing out of the palace with frantic looks plastered upon his face. He was followed by his personal guard, the captain in charge of protecting him and two other soldiers. Seeing his mother, he rushed towards her and hugged her tightly.

"Are you alright? How can I protect you?" He asked worriedly. "You are not supposed to be here, come, you'll be safer with me"

***

The massive door of the court was flung open as the terrified crowd hurtled out to find safety, not regarding the help that the fort could render. But they paused, their eyes were processing what was falling from above the city and more terror was plotted on their countenances. The lights of it painted their face like art, and the sound afterwards was like the sound of extinction calling upon a great city.