Story: A New Beginning
Title: A New Beginning
Written for brigits_flame , week 1, December (topic: cue)
Words: 531
Warnings: mentions of violence
Heliant was greeted by a chorus of cheers as the gates of the city opened. The streets were sprinkled with flowers and people stood in the streets waving in jubilation. Most of the faces were creased and wrinkled before their time. The hardships they had endured during Lord Zephero's reign full of unnecessary violence, poverty and supression showing clearly. Today, they displayed faint hope that their lives had finally changed for the better.
As Heliant rode through the narrow, cobbled streets, he thought back to the time he had been incarcerated in Lord Zephero’s dungeons. He had lost all sense of time in his dark cell with the sound of dripping water and the moans from countless prisoners in other cells the only thing he could hear. Finally, he had been freed by his most loyal supporter, Munon.
After several months spent in hiding, he had finally come up with a plan, supported by Munon and his other followers. In a moonless night, they had gained entrance into the palace with the support of a few of the guards. They had surprised Lord Zephero in his sleep and, before he could even realise what was happening, fatally stabbed the ageing dictator several times.
In the two days that had passed since then, his followers had ensured Heliant’s rise to power. The passing of the old Lord had been declared in the streets of the city and the procession from the city gates to the palace had been planned.
Visits to the most important families had shown that Heliant had their support if he managed to revive the trade with the neighbouring cities and towns. And the common people would continue with their lives as well as they could, hoping that the reign of terror was finally over.
The procession of Heliant and his supporters reached the gates of the palace. A guard, clad in a bright blue uniform, stepped out, bowed low and officially presented the keys of the palace to Heliant. As the gates opened, the procession continued into the hall of the palace where the guests, mostly lords from neighbouring cities and towns as well as influential families from his own cities, were assembled.
As his supporters took seats, Heliant slowly walked to the front of the hall, where Munon was waiting. Heliant knelt before him to receive the crown and thus lordship over the city and the surrounding villages.
Rising again, Lord Heliant turned to address his subjects and guests, when he saw a movement out of the corner of his eye. Without stopping to think, he ducked and took a step back. At the same moment, Munon drew his sword and, having impeded the man rushing towards them with a dagger by a series of well-placed kicks, set the sword to his neck.
The audience gasped and several guards rushed over to the assaillant as well, waiting for the cue to throw him into the dungeons. With baited breath, the guests watched Lord Heliant’s reaction.
Several moments passed in which Lord Heliant looked at the man, recognising one of Zephero’s devoted followers. Quickly, he decided that he was not going to repeat his predecessor’s mistakes.
“Behead him.”
Written for brigits_flame , week 1, December (topic: cue)
Words: 531
Warnings: mentions of violence
Heliant was greeted by a chorus of cheers as the gates of the city opened. The streets were sprinkled with flowers and people stood in the streets waving in jubilation. Most of the faces were creased and wrinkled before their time. The hardships they had endured during Lord Zephero's reign full of unnecessary violence, poverty and supression showing clearly. Today, they displayed faint hope that their lives had finally changed for the better.
As Heliant rode through the narrow, cobbled streets, he thought back to the time he had been incarcerated in Lord Zephero’s dungeons. He had lost all sense of time in his dark cell with the sound of dripping water and the moans from countless prisoners in other cells the only thing he could hear. Finally, he had been freed by his most loyal supporter, Munon.
After several months spent in hiding, he had finally come up with a plan, supported by Munon and his other followers. In a moonless night, they had gained entrance into the palace with the support of a few of the guards. They had surprised Lord Zephero in his sleep and, before he could even realise what was happening, fatally stabbed the ageing dictator several times.
In the two days that had passed since then, his followers had ensured Heliant’s rise to power. The passing of the old Lord had been declared in the streets of the city and the procession from the city gates to the palace had been planned.
Visits to the most important families had shown that Heliant had their support if he managed to revive the trade with the neighbouring cities and towns. And the common people would continue with their lives as well as they could, hoping that the reign of terror was finally over.
The procession of Heliant and his supporters reached the gates of the palace. A guard, clad in a bright blue uniform, stepped out, bowed low and officially presented the keys of the palace to Heliant. As the gates opened, the procession continued into the hall of the palace where the guests, mostly lords from neighbouring cities and towns as well as influential families from his own cities, were assembled.
As his supporters took seats, Heliant slowly walked to the front of the hall, where Munon was waiting. Heliant knelt before him to receive the crown and thus lordship over the city and the surrounding villages.
Rising again, Lord Heliant turned to address his subjects and guests, when he saw a movement out of the corner of his eye. Without stopping to think, he ducked and took a step back. At the same moment, Munon drew his sword and, having impeded the man rushing towards them with a dagger by a series of well-placed kicks, set the sword to his neck.
The audience gasped and several guards rushed over to the assaillant as well, waiting for the cue to throw him into the dungeons. With baited breath, the guests watched Lord Heliant’s reaction.
Several moments passed in which Lord Heliant looked at the man, recognising one of Zephero’s devoted followers. Quickly, he decided that he was not going to repeat his predecessor’s mistakes.
“Behead him.”