As much as Poe hated Dancing she would always insist on going out before Violet. when Poe was certain there was no threat she would disappear from a party and Violet would enter. For 7 years she had been doing this to keep Violet safe. She had been her bodyguard, her tutor, and sometimes even her friend.
As Poe entered the ballroom for Violets 14 birthday party an arrow entered her chest. The assassination attempt had not just been aimed at her though. everyone in the room was shot other than Violet's parents. Poe had reached out both hands and caught the arrows aimed at them letting the one shot at her enter her chest. The arrow stuck for a second and then fell to the ground. Fast like lightning Poe appears before the assassins killing them with their own arrows. Poe turned to Henry, "we must leave now! I can hear screams everywhere in the city".
"You mean. .. "
"they are killing nobles everywhere this is an invasion!" Poe said cutting Henry off.
"My God!" the Valestroms said almost in unison.
Poe led them to the back and met up with Violet at the hidden safe room she always waited in. She knew something was wrong the moment they walked in. Before she could ask Poe began to explain. The neighboring empire has invaded for their resources and can only truly claim them without consequence if all the nobility dies. Otherwise, their allies will help their scion take back their kingdom. However, no one would bother fighting for a dead lineage.
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For the first time in Violet's life, she was genuinely afraid. The enemies she assumed did not exist had just tried to kill her. She wanted to tell Poe she was sorry but was frozen in place. Poe grabbed her hand "we must leave now".
"Where?" Violet inquired.
"To Angor the King there is a distant relative and our best ally. We share a small section of our border with them but its also the farthest from us, so we must move fast." Poe blurted out panicking a little herself.
Poe had not planned for this outcome. A nation as small as Annoh could be taken legitimately through war easily with him gone. they would have to fight some of their allied forces but only the couple thousand troops they would send to assist. Once again the kingdom of Envis Prove's to be honorless and wicked, Poe thought.
Henry looked meaningfully at Poe "we won't all be able to make it".
There was silence a moment as everyone realized what Henry and Poe were saying. Henry and Jen would have to stay and die to buy enough time for Violet and Poe to get away before the enemy knew they were escaping. It was the only way they could get away and a four-person group would never make it. Violet hugged her parents while crying uncontrollably. Poe could not even understand the gibberish she spouted during that time. Just that they were words of sorrow and loss. Poe gave Violet as much time to say goodbye as they could afford. This would be the last time she ever sees them.
As they started to leave the room Henry called out " Protect my little girl Raylin!"
A smile crossed Poes face as she replied "Always".