The people of Camelot thrived underground, protected by Excalibur. It was divided into three zones. Lower, Middle, and Upper Camelot. Upper Camelot was dedicated to helping those who stayed outside, protecting the base of Excalibur.

In one of the rooms of the advanced medical bay in Upper Camelot, King Vett rested unconscious. It was in one of the rooms designated for those with heavy wounds and who had to be saved from excruciating pain and suffering. After the disaster that occurred in Highpoint the King was moved quickly there. He was the only one who was alive.

King Vett's once powerful frame lay withered and frail upon the medical bed in the room, walls covered with monitors. His body bore the marks of radioactive poisoning; burning scars crisscrossed his skin, and debris wounds marred his once unblemished flesh. An array of machines and cables surrounded him, monitoring his every breath and heartbeat as they diligently worked to purify his contaminated blood, trying to keep him alive while also alleviating his pain.

Sol Aveline stood by his king's side, watching the man who had always been a symbol of strength now reduced to this weakened state. With King Vett's only son, Auro, having perished in the Highpoint disaster which had also left the king grievously wounded, Aveline knew that should the king succumb to his ailments, he would be the one to inherit the throne as a Seneschal.

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

"His Withering has worsened," Aveline mused quietly to himself, observing how the king's sweat mingled with blood, evidence of the radioactivity's cruel effects. "I fear he may not survive this time."

Footsteps echoed softly through the medical bay as Sol Liora joined Aveline at the king's bedside. Her face was etched with sadness, her eyes haunted by the ghosts of her own family and friends who had been lost in the disaster.

"Alive, yes," she agreed in a sarcastic tone, "but barely living. I suppose we should be thankful for that much."

"Not now, Liora" Aveline asked, narrowing his eyes. "He is our king, after all."

"Those from Highpoint were treated worse than the lowest bandit in the Wastelands," she snapped back, anger flaring in her voice. "You told me that my family was going to be moved to Camelot. Now it's too late, Aveline. They're already dead. They never had a chance to survive like the king."

Aveline sighed heavily, feeling the weight of her words. "I know," he admitted, his voice heavy with regret. "But we must keep moving forward."

"Fine," Liora relented, her anger subsiding as quickly as it had risen. "We're gathering near the heliport. We will be going there with the armored helicraft. We don't know what might spawn from Highpoint. Don't be long."

"Before that, I have to visit someone," Aveline told her, thinking of his own family and the comfort they provided him in these dark times.

The words that Liora spoke were laced with venomous sarcasm as she asked Aveline.

"Tell me, how is it to have a family that loves you and accepts you? I'm sure it must be so wonderful." She spun away from him, leaving the chamber with a heavy heart.

Aveline was forced to contemplate both the future of his beloved king and his own uncertain fate.