Chapter 12 - THE HOUSE OF THE FORGOTTEN DEAD
Elara returned to Valtherion disguised as a healer.
Theron wore the robes of an elderly traveling priest. Both entered through the northern gate among refugees fleeing the shadow creatures appearing along the border.
The capital had changed.
Black banners hung from the walls.
Food lines stretched through the streets.
Soldiers carried children too weak to walk.
The markets that once overflowed with silk, fruit, and spices were nearly empty.
Elara watched an elderly woman divide a single loaf between four grandchildren.
Her chest tightened.
She remembered Seraphine’s royal banquets.
Tables overflowing with food while servants were beaten for stealing crumbs.
Then a child screamed.
A shadow creature emerged from an alley.
It moved on four twisted legs, its body formed from smoke and black bone.
The creature lunged toward the food line.
Elara reacted.
She raised her marked hand.
Golden light struck the creature and threw it against the wall.
The crowd screamed.
Elara realized too late that she had exposed herself.
A royal soldier turned.
“The golden mark!”
Theron grabbed her arm.
“Run!”
They fled into the old merchant district.
Behind them, guards sounded their horns.
Elara and Theron entered an abandoned apothecary.
A woman emerged from behind the counter, holding a crossbow.
“One more step and I shoot.”
Elara raised her hands.
“We need shelter.”
The woman studied her face.
Then noticed the golden mark.
Her expression changed.
“You’re the girl from the palace.”
Elara nodded.
The woman lowered her weapon.
“My name is Mara Solen.”
Elara froze.
“Solen?”
The woman looked at her sharply.
“Did you know my daughter?”
Tears rose immediately.
“Mira.”
Mara’s face crumpled.
For two years, she had believed Mira was imprisoned somewhere beyond the capital.
She had written petitions.
Bribed guards.
Waited outside government offices.
Nobody told her the truth.
Elara’s silence answered the question before she spoke.
Mara sat heavily upon a wooden chair.
“No…”
Elara knelt beside her.
“I’m sorry.”
The woman began crying.
For a long time, neither said anything.
Finally, Mara looked at Elara.
“Was she frightened?”
Elara swallowed.
“I don’t know what happened at the end.”
Mara closed her eyes.
Then she whispered, “She was brave even when she was little.”
Elara took her hand.
“She was my friend.”
Mara nodded through tears.
Then she rose.
“Come downstairs.”
Theron frowned.
“Why?”
“Because my daughter wasn’t the only one who disappeared.”
Beneath the apothecary lay a hidden cellar.
Inside were nearly twenty people.
Former servants.
Disgraced soldiers.
Families of executed prisoners.
They had been gathering evidence against the Queen.
Mara introduced their leader.
A young woman named Tessa, whose brother had vanished after discovering royal records about the Golden Dynasty.
Tessa studied Elara carefully.
“People say you’re the rightful Queen.”
Elara shook her head.
“I’m just trying to save someone.”
Mara stepped forward.
“Then you should know there’s an uprising forming beyond the eastern walls.”
Theron looked alarmed.
“A rebellion?”
Tessa nodded.
“The people are starving. They know Seraphine has lied.”
Elara felt the weight of every frightened face.
These people were risking their lives.
Not for a crown.
For the hope that their children might live differently.
Then the cellar door opened.
A wounded royal guard staggered inside.
He wore Aldric’s insignia.
“The Prince…” he gasped.
Elara rushed forward.
“What happened to Kael?”
The guard looked at her.
“He’s been crowned.”
Elara felt cold.
The soldier continued.
“Not as king.”
May you like
He swallowed.
“As the Queen’s executioner.”
