The Burning Kingdom

“Ace, Ace please wake up.” A voice in the dark called out to the young five year-old prince.

“No, please let me sleep in.” Ace said annoyed assuming that it was almost time for breakfast.

“Please Ace wake up.” The voice pleaded once more as they shook him awake from his peaceful sleep.

“Mom? Mom, wha-” “Shhh! I need you to listen to me and remember what I am saying to you.” His mom interrupted in a gentle, yet demanding voice. “You are going to hear a lot of nasty things about me for the rest of your life and they are going to try to-” “Who is mom?” Ace asked cutting her off.

“Please Ace, I need you to just listen. One day you will understand everything I am saying and I am so sorry that you are experiencing this at a young age. They are going to try to make you do things and believe in things that will not sit right for you. Fight for what you believe in Ace. Fight for who you love. No matter what you do, fight. Do not believe in everything you hear. I love you my little spitfire. Never forget that, you are everything I have ever wished for and more.” His mom finished as she pulled him in for one last tight hug before the sounds of iron armor and chainmail from the guards forced their way into Ace’s room.

“Queen Aceline. There is no more hiding from your actions.” One guard spoke out as they forcefully separated Ace and Aceline.

“MOM!? LET HER GO!” Ace cried out as he ran after her and pulling on her night gown.

“King Oliver, the prince.” One of the guards said as the clicking of boots echoed past Ace’s cries. Oliver’s intimidating, towering figure made Ace stifle his cries as all the guards fixed their posture to look equally taller than him.

“Oh Ace.” His dad said as he picked him up.

“PUT HIM DOWN!” Aceline cried trying to break free from the two guards that held her in place. Oliver walked up to her and stuck her with his free hand.

“MOM!” Ace cried as he desperately tried to reach out for Aceline.

“This evil woman is not your mom Ace.” Oliver said as he waved the guards to take her away with one flick of a finger while sitting on Ace’s bed.

“No father, please. Mom is not evil.” Ace said as tears rolled down his cheeks.

“Ace you are too young to understand, but never too young to start learning. Aceline did something horrible, something against the bible. Bad people, like Aceline, have to be punished by burning to atone for their sins. Okay?” Oliver said as Ace sat on the bed more confused than ever.

Before he was able to process anything, Ace watched the growing flames on the pile of hay. They were the brightest light, assisted by the torches and lanterns the Findarians held. The light helped lit up the middle of the public garden in the dead of night. The queen’s contradicting, white hair danced freely in the night's wind while her body was helplessly bound to the stake while the last tear rolled down her cheek as she fully accepted her fate. Suddenly determined, she shot her head up to lock eyes with King Oliver. Little to no fear could be seen in her eyes before she started laughing hysterically.

Ace watch in fear at his mom laughing while she was being burned to death. The five year-old could not understand what was going on, why was his father is doing this to his mom? queen Aceline has always been known to be the kindest, caring, and selfless woman in the kingdom. So why was this happening? What could she have possibly done to deserve this?

"LEAVE DEVIL! Set queen Aceline’s soul free from you!" The priest yelled as he thrust the bible into the air. Ace let his tears run down his cheek as Aceline’s body was engulfed in the flames, the heat eating away her fair and fair skin, but her laughter and toothy grin were burned into the minds of everyone watching.

"Bloody traitor." King Oliver mumbled before turning away from the flames and placing his hand on Ace's shoulder. "Let this be a lesson, sometimes you have to make hard decisions." He said as if he felt accomplished. Ace felt sick, he’s been to many Burnings as per mandatory attendance, but this made no sense to him. He’s use to watching all of his friends burn slowly as they either cry, scream, laugh, or plead their innocence. They never stood a chance in the end; their fate was sealed the moment they were accused of having anything remotely related to 'the devil'.

Now to clarify some thigs… to an outsider, they usually know one of three things. One: Findara is a beautiful, wealthy, and powerful kingdom that is not a force to be reckoned with. Two: Findara is a wicked place that puts up a façade that justifies their horrible actions. Three: They know about one and two, and to avoid the kingdom if they do not meet Findara's standards.

Findara is a tough place to describe. In the best possible way, Findara is a fool's paradise. The people of Findara are always draped in bold and sophisticated dresses or suits that are often accompanied by golden jewels with rubies or monocles. Then, depending on what level of the kingdom a passing traveler is on, they will notice their economic status. The wealthiest people reside within the castle, they are known as The Elites. This particular bunch is of those who mainly come from old money and have ties to the founders of Findara. They spend their time walking around the castle, drinking tea, having pointless chats, or going to parties.

The third level of the kingdoms is known as the Blissful Gardens. This beautiful area covered in flowers and laughter are filled with people who come from new money. They either work closely with the king and his disciples or help organize trading affairs with the other kingdoms. People who live comfortably on the second level are located in Golden City. The name came from all the shops and gold pieces spent in the stores for food, clothes, etc. Although they are the middle class, that does not stop them from enjoying expensive things like those in the Blissful Gardens. Now the lowest level is known as The Slums. This place holds all the housing for the guards and their family, but on occasion there will be people of poverty roaming around and begging for a hot meal and a good night sleep. Past the lower level, beyond the gates is a thick and overgrown forest that no one dares to enter known as the Forbidden Forest. There are all sorts of tales about that place, but a traveler will soon know those tales.

All of Findara is paved with black stone (almost marble looking) and every building was built from either dark oak, stone, or black stone. The only thing keeping the kingdom from being a complete depressed nations was the gardens, greenery, and roses that the Findarians proudly looked after. Almost like how the festivals and tea parties were the plants and the dark, cold buildings were the Findarians being ignorant to the injustice around them. Again, Findara is a fool's paradise. People followed blindly, thinking they are virtuous. They were raised by the old writings that said the devil walks amongst the people of earth. Through the fear of the devil, the Findarians try to cast out anything that slightly remotes to the devil himself.

Black cat? Gone. Quick mood swings? Gone. Left-handed? Gone. Sneezed three times in a row? Gone. It's been like this since the first ruler of Findara, King Finnard. Who would have thought that one spoiled kid’s vengeance and superstition would lead to this. Any magic or love that was not 'normal' was outlawed and anyone going against that would be taken care of by The Burnings. This Ritual was held for ever so-called sinner, where they would be tied or nailed to a wooden stake and burned to death to atone for their sins and to cleanse their soul. King Finnard was paranoid throughout the beginning of the 1000-year war and taught his kingdom the teaching of old writing, the Bible. King Finnard told his people that the reason why there is was is because the devil is walking among the kingdom trying to possess them and do abnormal things. Findarians started to accuse each other of Satanism and witchcraft. Witches and wizards fled in fear of death and those who loved differently were forced into hiding, only to live under the night's sky.

Now back to the story… Ace knew that everyone would go one with their lives, so he made a promise as he collected the ashes of his mom alone in the moonlight. I promise I am going to change this place for the better. I will make history. He thought as his tears rolled down his face and into the ashes.

“Don’t worry kiddo, I’ll be here to help you.” A kind voice said from the dark as she knelt down and help Ace put Aceline’s ashes into a jar.