Hi everyone! Here is the third instalment of Destroying the Citadel. If you're yet to read the previous two instalments then please check them out on the sidebar. I hope you enjoy and would appreciate any feedback. Also, you can follow me on Twitter @Harry_Tennison.
A golden palace stood upon the mountain, its many spires twirling so high into the clouds that you couldn’t see their pointed tips. A large portcullis guarded an enormous gap in an otherwise solid wall. The whole building had an air of power about it: there was only one citizen.
Upon the balcony of one of these spires stood a man. His armour was shining, a red feather from his helmet. He glanced uneasily over the empty streets below him. The lack of life scared him. A white dove flew through the sky, circling, before flying through the balcony to perch on the shoulder of a large golden throne. The man returned from the balcony, his face strewn with worry.
“Your majesty, you still hold your previous decision.” The man said.
“The Magisterium does not change his mind Captain Adams: my decision remains.”
Captain Adams sighed and ran a hand through his hair.
“My liege,” he pleaded, “let me find him! I’ll bring him to you, you need not wait!”
The Magisterium laughed. “You are blind Captain. What does Lord Carius want more than anything else?”
The Captain stood awkwardly. The answer to this was well known throughout the heavens. Lord Carius was building an army to launch an attack on the heavens and to destroy the Magisterium once and for all.
“He wants to see you dead.” Captain Adams said gingerly.
“Indeed he does!” The Magisterium cried, running over to his balcony, “He is there!” He says, pointing towards a large hill in the distance, “He is waiting there for the moment to strike. His spies have been captured: I have them in my prisons, and they will rot there!”
“The plan then; your highness?”
“We wait.” The Magisterium spoke calmly. “He will come to us.”
Rumours were rife throughout the lands of this war-bringer. Captain Adams had heard many himself.
“My liege…have you not heard the rumours?”
“Rumours?” The Magisterium asked, barely moving his lips.
“They say he moves at night as a leopard; his army grows by hundreds of thousands each day!”
“Is that all?” The Magisterium laughed.
“That’s not the worst of it…they say he cannot die.”
The Magisterium moved like a shot. He grabbed the Captain around the throat and pushed him against a marble wall.
“Only I can live forever.”
And with that The Magisterium dropped him to the floor.
Captain Adams struggled to his feet. “My lord-”.
“Ready your forces Captain Adams.”
“But it would be certain death! They so greatly outnumber us!”
“I suggest then that Parthillia reconsider their allegiance. If you remain loyal to the heavens then I expect you to engage in battle. If not then I will kill every man, woman and child. And you will be the last to die.”
The Magisterium pulled Adams’ face close to his.
“You have till sunrise tomorrow: I hope you make the right decision.”
