In the heart of the capital, preparations for Leianara's coronation were underway. The grand hall was filled with nobles, commoners, and the victorious rebels, all gathered to witness the crowning of their new queen. The air was thick with anticipation as Leianara, dressed in regal finery, approached the throne.
An ornate crown, a symbol of her rightful rule, was about to be placed on her head when Raithlin raised his hand and ordered them to stop. “I’m sorry, my love, but you cannot rule anymore. I have spoken with the order of mages, and they agree I should be king.”
Leianara's face was a mask of shock and betrayal. “How could you betray me like this?”
Raithlin's expression was firm and unyielding. “It won’t be forever, only until I have exterminated all the surviving invaders.”
“You’ve subjugated your own soul to power. You’re a traitor!” Leianara's voice trembled with fury.
Thoradin drew his sword, his eyes blazing with anger. “Damn you, Raithlin! You’re betraying the principles we fought for, the oath we swore to serve the princess.”
Raithlin’s eyes flashed with cold determination. “I’m defending the people, and you’re both fools who are too weak to do what’s necessary. Mages, defend me.” His supporters cast spells, and Thoradin’s sword became too hot to handle. He dropped it, his hand burning from the heat. He began casting a spell, but Raithlin countered it effortlessly and paralyzed him with a flick of his wrist.
Leianara’s eyes filled with tears. “I thought you loved me, but your lust for power has murdered your heart.”
Raithlin's voice was cold and resolute. “Good, I’m glad. That’s why I will make a better king than your father, or even King Jesuon himself. I will create a new kingdom, far more glorious and mighty than its predecessor, one that will never have to fear outside invasion.”
“One ruled by a tyrant!” Leianara spat, her voice filled with defiance.
“Have you considered that if you were more ruthless, I wouldn’t be forced to do this? I’m protecting you from yourself,” Raithlin retorted.
“Say whatever you want, lie to yourself if you have to, but we both know the truth,” Leianara said, her voice steady despite the turmoil within her.
She and Thoradin were led away, their hearts heavy with betrayal and sorrow. The grand hall, once filled with hope and anticipation, now echoed with the realization that the struggle for true freedom was far from over. The people watched in stunned silence as their queen was taken, their jubilation turning to confusion and fear.
Raithlin ascended the throne, his eyes cold and calculating. He looked out over the assembled crowd, knowing that his reign would demand respect, even if his servants became afraid. He believed it was the only way to protect the kingdom, even if it meant sacrificing the love and trust of those closest to him.
Thoradin and Leianara were back in her room, a once comforting space now filled with the oppressive presence of soldiers guarding the door outside. The flickering candlelight cast long shadows on the walls, reflecting the turmoil in Leianara’s heart. She sank into a chair, her eyes filled with disbelief and sorrow. “This is all some horrible nightmare. We’ve just exchanged one set of tyrants for another. I can’t believe I used to love him; I no longer recognize who he is.”
Thoradin stood beside her, his expression grave. “Do you intend to oppose him? And if you do, what hope do we possibly have of winning?”
Leianara’s eyes hardened with determination. “I won’t just surrender. My father didn’t raise me to be a quitter.”
Thoradin knelt before her, his voice filled with unwavering loyalty. “Then I pledge my life to defend yours, to serve your mission. You will always be my queen.”
She was deeply moved by his oath, her eyes softening with gratitude. “Thank you, my friend. It is good to know that even during these times of chaos and treachery, you remain steadfast. I hope I don’t let you down.”
Thoradin’s gaze was filled with resolve. “You could never do that, my queen.”
Leianara nodded, her mind made up. “Very well, we must escape before he puts us in a cell. Come.”
She moved swiftly to the door, her hands glowing with magical energy. With a whispered incantation, she cast a spell of paralysis on the guards. They froze in place, their expressions blank and unseeing. Leianara and Thoradin quickly donned hooded cloaks, the fabric concealing their identities as they slipped through the door and fled the castle.
The corridors were eerily quiet, the weight of their situation pressing down on them. They moved stealthily, their footsteps barely making a sound on the stone floors. As they navigated the maze-like hallways, the reality of their betrayal sank in deeper with each step.
The cool night air greeted them as they emerged from the castle. The moon shone brightly overhead, casting a silvery light on their path. They hurried through the shadows, their hearts pounding with a mix of fear and determination. They knew that the journey ahead would be fraught with danger, but they also knew that they could not let Raithlin’s betrayal be the end of their fight.
The pair were hiding in the city, moving cautiously through the labyrinthine alleys and narrow streets. Human soldiers were everywhere, searching for them with relentless determination. They found refuge with one of Thoradin’s friends, a blacksmith named Garik, whose home was tucked away in a quiet corner of the city. The sound of hammers and anvils from the nearby forge provided a steady backdrop as they planned their next move.
Leianara and Thoradin reached out to the rebels, sending a discreet message to Baraden. When he arrived, his face was a mix of sympathy and sternness. “I’m sorry for what befell you, Princess, but you did agree to seek the tome. This is all on your head.”
Leianara’s eyes were filled with a mix of regret and resolve. “Then help me rectify the situation.”
Baraden crossed his arms, his gaze unwavering. “You need to ask yourself why you’re resisting Raithlin. Are you just clinging to power, or is his rule really so terrible? He might not hold a candle to your father, but he’s preferable to the invaders. At least he’s not oppressing the people.”
“He’s not the legal ruler,” Leianara insisted, her voice firm.
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
Baraden sighed. “He makes the laws now.”
“So you’ll just let this usurper have his way?” she asked, frustration tinging her voice.
“He may have risen to power unjustly, but until he does something against the people, I’m unwilling to condemn him,” Baraden replied.
After Baraden left, Leianara turned to Thoradin, her eyes searching his face for reassurance. “Do you think I’m making a mistake? Should I just let sleeping dogs lie?”
Thoradin shook his head, his expression resolute. “No, you’re doing the right thing. Whoever rules the nation will set the course for centuries to come. We need a wise ruler like your father was. Raithlin doesn’t care about the people; they are just pawns to him, expendable pawns. The people love you. They want you to rule them.”
“Then why won’t they fight for me?” Leianara asked, her voice filled with doubt.
“They will, if we can just find the right words to persuade them,” Thoradin said, his voice gentle yet firm.
Leianara sighed deeply. “I feel bad asking people to lay down their lives for me. I feel like I’m betraying them. Like what happened with Aloria.”
Thoradin placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “What happened to Aloria wasn’t your fault. She was too courageous to hide from the fight. This is what’s best for everyone. Trust me, Raithlin will reveal his true face to the public eventually, and it won’t be pretty.”
Leianara nodded, drawing strength from Thoradin’s unwavering support. “You’re right. We have to keep fighting. For the people, for the future.”
Together, they continued to plan, knowing that the road ahead would be fraught with danger but also knowing that they could not give up. The fate of the kingdom rested on their shoulders, and they were determined to see justice prevail.
Raithlin began rounding up and imprisoning rebels, determined to force them to reveal the whereabouts of the princess. The once-celebrated hero now ruled with an iron fist, his paranoia and lust for power driving his actions. The people, dismayed by his tyranny, began to protest outside the castle. Voices called out for the queen to be reinstated, and whispers of rebellion filled the air. Enraged by the dissent, Raithlin ordered the protesters to be imprisoned. However, the more he cracked down, the more the people spoke out against him. The army’s morale plummeted, and Raithlin could feel his power slipping through his fingers.
In a desperate bid to maintain control, he labeled any protesters as traitors and began executing them. At his inauguration in the capital, a riot broke out. In a fit of rage, Raithlin ordered his mages to attack the crowd. The result was a massacre, and word of his brutality spread quickly. Civil unrest gave way to a climate of fear as the people, cowed by the violence, retreated into silence.
Meanwhile, the princess and Thoradin were meeting with some rebels in a hidden location when they were betrayed. Guards stormed in to arrest them, but the two heroes used their magic to escape. They fled through the narrow streets, soldiers hot on their heels. Refusing to use lethal force against their pursuers, they soon found themselves trapped in an alleyway, surrounded by soldiers. Just when all seemed lost, a fireball exploded, killing all their enemies.
Leianara and Thoradin looked around in surprise to find Dalamon and his surviving mages standing nearby. There were twenty of them, their eyes cold and calculating. “What an interesting twist of fate,” Dalamon said with a smirk. “Betrayed by your own servant, and saved by your former enemies. Isn’t life delightfully surprising sometimes? Perhaps we can be of assistance to you. Consider well before answering; your options are extremely limited.”
Leianara’s eyes flashed with anger. “Yeah, we certainly caught you by surprise. I’ll bet you enjoyed that. There’s no way I’ll ally with you, murderer.”
Thoradin pulled her aside, speaking in a low voice out of earshot of the others. “Hold on a minute. Perhaps we should consider what they’re offering.”
“Have you gone mad? They will just use us and betray us,” she hissed.
“Not if we use them first. All we have to do is kill Raithlin, and his hold over the mages will be broken. Then they will destroy Dalamon and his coven for us.”
“No! I refuse to accept their help. They’re vipers with poisonous fangs. They murdered my father and countless others.”
Thoradin’s expression was grave. “Remember what Raithlin said: it takes a monster to slay a monster. This may be just what we need.”
“I don’t care. I’m not accepting their help,” she said stubbornly.
“Princess, please. The rebels betrayed you.”
“Because they were acting out of fear. These men are only motivated by greed.”
Thoradin sighed deeply. “Very well then. I’ll leave you somewhere safe, and I alone will ally with them.”
Leianara looked devastated, her voice trembling. “Are you betraying me too, Thoradin?” Her heart was in her eyes, pleading for reassurance.
“No, Princess, never. This is the best way to serve you. Use our enemies as Raithlin used us, while keeping you safe.” He cast a spell, and she became mesmerized by his gaze, her eyelids drooping until she fell asleep.
Thoradin gently lifted her in his arms and turned to Dalamon. “I have decided to accept your offer. But we leave the princess out of it.”
Dalamon’s eyes gleamed with satisfaction. “Of course, warrior, whatever you say.”
Thoradin took Leianara to their hideout, gently laying her down in a secure place before he left to meet with the invaders. The air was tense as he approached Dalamon and his surviving mages. “Our goal is to either kill Raithlin or steal the tome from him. Either way, his control of the order of sorcerers will be terminated,” he declared, his voice resolute.
The group snuck into the palace through a secret tunnel, their footsteps echoing softly against the cold stone walls. However, upon reaching the exit, they discovered it was blocked by stone. Together, they fired energy blasts against the barrier, and with a deafening explosion, they blew it to pieces. Emerging into the throne room, they found Raithlin waiting with a company of wizards.
A fierce battle ensued, magic crackling through the air and weapons clashing. The invaders initially had the upper hand, and Dalamon almost got his hands on the tome. But Thoradin, realizing the catastrophic consequences of Dalamon wielding such power, turned against him. With a swift and decisive strike, Thoradin killed Dalamon. In that moment of chaos, Raithlin seized the opportunity to blast Thoradin with a spell, knocking him unconscious.
Thoradin awoke shackled, being dragged before Raithlin, who now sat on the throne. Raithlin’s eyes gleamed with a mixture of amusement and disdain. “I don’t know whether to curse you or thank you. For shame, you did a piss poor job of picking your allies. You should have known better. But then again, you were never that smart,” he chuckled. “Now, tell me where the princess is.”
“Go to hell,” Thoradin spat, his eyes burning with defiance.
“Why so nasty? We used to be friends. We can be again. All you need to do is pledge your oath to me.”
“I’d rather die than serve you, traitor,” Thoradin retorted.
“Well, that’s an awful shame. Maybe if your beloved princess weren’t so foolish, none of this would have happened.”
“Don’t blame her for your sins, Raithlin. This is all on your head.”
“You cursed fool, you wouldn’t have defeated the invaders if not for me. But do you show the slightest sign of gratitude? Now who’s the traitor?”
“Slippery words won’t redeem you, Raithlin. You’re lost. Just give up this power before it destroys you.”
“The pain of defeat must have unhinged your mind, traitor. Take him away. I can’t stand listening to his sanctimonious drivel anymore. I’ll have to think of a special fate for him.” Raithlin’s voice was cold and dismissive as Thoradin was led away to the cells.