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throne of the dark king
chapter five

Written by Ted Spector

After a long conversation, weighing up the potential consequence of choosing the wrong item, the group decided which one to grab for. It was Cassian who reached his hand in, clasped the handle, and pulled the unusual sword out of the vines that trapped it.

Nothing happened at first. The group waited with bated breath for reward or dire consequence. Then, the vines began writhing once more, causing the rogue to jump back, startled. Adair stepped forward quickly, ready to spring into action if it was necessary, only to watch in relief as the vines retreated completely, opening the path for them.

A collective sigh of relief. Cassian turned back to the group and beckoned with his hand for them to move forward.

They moved along the path in pairs. Cassian and Adair in front, Florian and Bruno behind. The lovers discussed their relief of the challenge put behind them, Adair murmuring a confession of “I don’t know what I would’ve done if something happened to you.” to be met with a lovestruck grin that made him roll his eyes.

Bruno peered through the trees that surrounded them, mentally constructing a map of the area they passed through. Florian gaped at the other side a little more mindlessly, and then spotted a figure amongst them. Tall, too tall – and wiry in appearance, almost like a man made of vines. They shuddered, casting a look ahead to Cassian and Adair who were too enthralled in conversation to have noticed it.

“Did you see that, Bruno?” Florian finally voiced, almost a whisper, while pointing into the trees as the scribe turned his head to look. The figure had vanished. Of course it had. Bruno said nothing, simply raising a brow as they all continued forward.

Against a tree sat a slumped suit of armor, rusted metal with a gooey black liquid seeping out from between the slats. The party faltered in their steps, Cassian settling a hand on Adair’s waist. It was Bruno who moved closer, curious and cautious. He tilted his head while inspecting the suit of armor, humming before he turned back to the other three. They stared at him expectantly, waiting for an explanation – which he was more than happy to provide.

“The town fell silent, unheard of from the rest of the kingdom very abruptly. They’d caught the plague. Most succumbed to it, as far as we know. We hadn’t made contact until,” he raised a singular finger for emphasis, “a singular merchant who was simply passing through. Whatever he’d seen there scared him enough that he went running. Before he could tell anyone what happened, his body was discovered just outside of the town…” he grimaced before continuing. “...disemboweled.”

Cassian audibly inhaled through his teeth, Adair cursing quietly and Florian physically recoiling at the thought alone.

“You think the townspeople did it?” Florian asked, curiosity getting the better of them despite their revulsion.

“It’s possible.” Bruno nodded. He brought his hand to his jaw, rubbing it as he thought. “The king was mortified to hear the news, I’d never seen him so frightened looking. But the townspeople, before the plague had hit them-”

A scream, shrill and loud sounded in the distance. The group looked between each other. The noise would derail them slightly from their main path... but someone needed their help.

Art by M4ngey