Chapter 27 - The Queen's Forgotten ArmyThe soldiers did not attack.
They knelt.
Not before King Aldric.
Before Ethan.
Their commander removed his helmet, revealing a weathered face and gray beard.
"Your Highness," he whispered.
Ethan stepped backward.
"I'm not a prince."
The commander raised a silver banner.
On it was embroidered a black crown divided by lightning.
"This symbol has been carried by the queen's loyal guard for thirty years."
King Aldric stared at the banner.
"I ordered your order disbanded."
The commander looked at him with open hatred.
"You ordered us executed."
Aldric stiffened.
"I gave no such order."
Rowan folded his arms.
"Another memory you don't have?"
The commander introduced himself as Sir Garran.
He explained that Queen Eleanor had discovered a terrible truth about the kingdom.
Every few centuries, a child appeared from another time.
That child could open a passage between worlds.
And whoever controlled the passage could rewrite the history of the realm.
"The crown has used these children for generations," Garran said.
Aldric shook his head.
"My ancestors would never—"
"Your ancestors built the coffins."
Silence followed.
Garran turned toward Ethan.
"The queen believed the twelfth child could end the cycle."
"How?"
"By finding the original king."
Aldric frowned.
"I am the king."
Garran's face hardened.
"No, Your Majesty."
He drew a small wooden box from his cloak.
Inside lay a crown of black iron.
Its metal appeared burned and twisted.
"This belonged to the first ruler. The one who was never supposed to die."
Ethan reached toward the crown.
The moment his fingers touched it, he heard a whisper.
I have been waiting for you.
May you like
The torches went out.
Then a pair of golden eyes opened inside the black iron.
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