Breaking the Routine

The tears and pleads were endless as all and sundry ran for their dear lives but it was impossible to run too far because the guards were stationed in all places like the devil waiting for whom to devour.

"Please, do not kill us." these were the words that could be heard throughout the kingdom. The guards took no pity on them as commanded by King Ghardiel. They were slaughtered, some were shot with arrows, and some had to kill themselves to save themselves the shame of being killed by mere humans.

There was a woman with a baby girl in her hand. She was tired from running and the baby was smiling as she watched her mom run for her dear life. The mother couldn't stop the tears that rushed down her cheeks as the baby giggled.

Only if she knew the danger she was in. Her mother thought.

"There's one running away," one of the guards said as some guards ran in the direction he pointed at.

The woman kept looking back and running but she wasn't watching where she was going and her foot hit a stone, making her fall flat to the ground she made sure her baby was protected while she took all the pain. A groan escaped her lips as she saw that one of her legs was bleeding.

She saw a young lady who was also running to safety and she knew if she kept her baby with her, the child would die.

and she couldn't bear to lose her baby. She stretched forth her hand towards the lady, trying to make signals for her to look at her and when she finally did, she said, "I am so sorry to bother you but please help me..." she cried.

The lady turned to look at her and the baby who was smiling before turning to look at the woman again. "Despite how much I'd love to help you..." she shook her head and said, "... I can't."

"Not me," the lady quickly corrected. She revealed her baby to her. The young lady glanced at the baby and she noticed the baby's beautiful blond hair and her blue eyes glimmering with brightness as she smiled. She looked behind her and could see that the guards were getting closer.

She turned to look at the woman who is groaning in pain and said, "I am sorry but I can't..." she was interrupted by the baby crying. She knew if the crying continues then the guards would get them, the woods won't be a shade to them forever so she collected the baby.

"Here..." the mother of the child said, handing an amulet to her. "... Make sure she keeps it safe and ensure she stays away from fire."

Fire? The young lady wondered if she heard right but before she could say anything, the woman gave a bittersweet smile, muttered a few words and a strange portal opened out of nowhere. "Go!" the woman instructed.

"but..." the young lady was about to argue when the woman used her hand and a strange wind pushed the young lady and the baby into the portal and immediately, the portal disappeared.

The woman breathed a sigh of relief when the guards came and without a word, pierced her chest with a sword. She gave up the ghost but with a smile on her face.

***

A few days later after the massacre, the king's son, Prince Edward arrived in the kingdom. The prince was five years old and as the only son of his parents, he was spoilt and arrogant like his father. He got his golden-brown eyes from his mother and his handsomeness was due to the fact his mother was a beauty to behold but his nonchalant attitude was inherited from his father.

Queen Elise was surprised to see the kingdom in such a cold atmosphere. It was like everything and everyone was dead. The absence of the supernatural beings could be felt, she had no choice but to ask her husband what the deal was and urge him to explain what was happening in his kingdom.

King Ghardiel smiled and said, "I got rid of those demons."

Surprised at his words, Queen Elise turned her back to him and with so much anger and disappointment in her eyes, she bowed her head in shame.

King Ghardiel moved closer to his wife and patted her shoulders, "it's necessary that we get rid of them."