Dark clouds gathered over the busy capital of Pandoria. Lightning danced in zig zag lines across the heavy rain clouds before thunder rolled, shaking some of the windows and part of the ground in the process. Wind Rushed through the leaves and rustled the grass while stray animals fled for shelter from the growing storm, even the people of the large city seemed to sense the impeding danger. Holding their children by their hands, ushering them into near by carriages or down the side walks back towards their homes.
Another clash of lightning flickered over head casting a bright light across the darken alley ways and under the deep bridges of the city. Like a beacon trying to find something or perhaps trying to warn someone, the storm grew worse and closer. The clouds inching towards the castle that sat in the middle of the large city, as if the large they were clawed fingers reaching out to grasp the tower building. Another flash of lightning and a woman rushing from the castle was finally caught in the blinding light.
Her feet stomped through the thick, overgrown, grass while clatter of armor and metal echoed behind her. Trees stood all around her, towering over her almost hiding her from the looming dark clouds over head. Twigs and branches reached out, ripping at her nightogwn, skin and hair. Her panting was heavy, her cheeks flushed but she gripped the bundle in her arms tightly with a fearful look on her face. Her fingers dug into the blanket so hard that her nails bent backwards while her feet pushed against the ground so hard that her bare foot prints were left behind.
The screaming of the metal armored guard drew closer while the womens brown hair trailed behind her, her night gown stained with red between her legs while dirt and grim stained the fabric. Her skin was pale, her feet ripped up from twigs and rocks in the ground while her lips were dried and cracked, but her eyes were wide and alert. As the sound of the rushing river got closer, her strength seemed to surge as she rushed forward.
A loud thunder from above caught her off guard, however, sending her to the ground with a loud thud and a grunt, the bundle in her arms clenched tightly so that the woman landed on her side. Ensuring the bundles safety. Slowly the rain begun to trickle from the sky, the dirt and grass becoming slippery and wet as she gathered the bundle back up and slowly pushed herself forward.
Her body screamed at her, her mind raced, her breathing quick and uneven and for a moment she sat there looking up through the trees towards the dark sky. Letting the rain hit her tired face, the bundle in her lap, her lips quivered before tightening in a thin line.
"Im sorry little one..." She spoke softly, her hazel eyes turning to peer down at the bundle in her arms.
A small sleeping babe resting there unaware of the dangers it. So wrapped up, so asleep from just being born... But danger lurked and the woman staggered to her feet, her legs drenched in red as she tried to make it a few more steps. Her feet were uneasy, her arms started to feel weak, but as the rushing river came into view and the rain continued to pour over head, she dragged herself to the edge of the river just before her legs gave out.
The clattering of armor was right behind her, the sound of their heavy steps filling her ears as she looked down at the river and then behind her. Hugging the bundle as tightly as she could, tears streaming down her face, she tossed the bundle into the water. However, as she did so someone rushed past her and dove in right afterwards. The splash singling something in her mind as the guards grabbed her arms and held her in place as she screamed and kicked. Screaming to stop, don't do it, it needs to be done. Many things that to the people around her, sounded insane.
With a heavy cough, a large man climbed from the side of the river a few yards down, a few guards having raced after the man as he was dragged down the river with the small bundle. Setting the bundle on the ground, he quickly removed the blankets and started CPR as best as he could. He was a knight but he wasn't trained in healing like the priest and medics, still he tried his best. Soon the soft cries of the baby filled the air before the baby was full on screaming and for once a smile crossed the mans features. Relief being evident.
Hugging the baby to his chest, he tired to soothe the child even as the rain poured around them and his soaked body, riddled with fresh battle wounds, glistened red. Wrapping his shaky arms around the babe, he quietly watched as the woman was taken away before looking down at the child, its screams still filling the tree covered space.
"Knight Gaemo."
The voice caused the soaked man to look up at the taller figure above him. A long black robe with golden trim male who had sunken in cheeks, fair skin and dark hair, stood there a few feet from him. His hands were behind his back, his servants standing in the rain while one held up a umbrella to keep the figure dry, but it casted a dark shadow over his face making him look more mincing.
"Just tragic, tragic indeed..." Shaking his head, he gave a bow as if offering his condolences, "Lady Fridomar will be judged fairly, I give you my word..."
The mans stood up slowly, a twisted but small smile on his face as if he was trying to hide it. But Gaemo, the man who saved the child, simply sat there as the guards who had been with him helped him to his feet. He staggered for a moment, gripping onto the shoulder of one of the guards while keeping his arm tightly around the babe whom he was attempting to shield from both sight and the rain.
"No need, I'll have my wife placed in special care, Advisor Quent"
The robed gentleman frowned, but he allowed silence to come over them while the soft sound of the rain hitting his umbrella filled the space between them. The two men seemed to have a silent stare down. Gaemo holding his ground like the proud knight he was, even though he was already pretty beat up, while the Advisor seemed to be thinking of something.
Finally the silence was broken by the chuckle of Quent, a thunder clashing over head before he slowly turned to the side just slightly.
"I see... Well just get better Gaemo Fridomar... The king will be calling on you shortly."
Standing there surrounded by the guards who looked uneasy while the large knight seemed to have his own moment of thought, he glanced down the baby staring up at him with flushed cheeks and watery eyes. In that moment, he knew what he needed to do to protect his little girl, from everyone and everything.
Looking away from the babe, hugging her to his chest to keep her protected from the rain, he started towards the hospital wing of the castle. His steps were slow, slow, but his mind was a whirlwind. Just moments before his wife had attempted to kill their only child and now the Advisor seemed to have an interest. Gaomeo stomach twisted and went into his throat, there had to be something wrong but with ranks and status already in play he knew he had to swollen his thoughts.
For now, he just needed to focus on making sure Aryn had a happy life from this moment onward.