The path of Unity

Chapter Three - The Break In

The King was sat on his dark oak throne wearing a royal blue robe lined with silver stitching, which matched the silver velvet mantle. The jewelled, silver crown sat upon his thick, curly, shoulder length black hair. The Captain of the royal guard hastily entered the Castle court room and knelt with his head down before the King with his fist clenched over his heart, as expected of him in the presence of the royal family. As the guard raised his head to speak, he noticed that the sunlight had started to shine through the clouds, lighting up the room and causing the emeralds in the King's crown to cast a glow around the King's head.

"My King, I have urgent information for you." The guard panted while trying to catch his breath still kneeling before the King.

"You may stand Captain. Pray tell, what is this information that you have?" The King's voice was soft but commanded attention, he leaned forward in his throne waiting for the Captain of the Guard to speak. The Captain gracefully stood from his kneeling position, his steel armour proudly displaying the symbol of the Crowns army in the centre of his chest.

"My Lord, there..." the guard paused to lick his lips before presenting the terrible news. "There was a break in at the Vault." he said while bowing his head so that he could not see the King's face upon hearing the news.

"Do we know who broke in?" The King questioned, his voice as calm as if they had simply mentioned the weather. "Where there any casualties?"

"Unfortunately, there were many. There was only one survivor. A man was found near the doors, he has lost an eye and his left arm looks to have been pulled from his shoulder. He seems to be in shock at the moment." The guard replied while thinking about the injured man.

"Such terrible news. Has he managed to tell you anything?" The King asked while shaking his head, a frown on his face as he looked to the stone floor.

"He mentioned that it was a lone man. He described him as wearing a long black coat with a blood red mask that covered most of his face, only his eyes could be seen. Unfortunately he was unable to get a good luck at the man's eyes during the break in. I'm sorry my Lord but this is the only description we have." The Captain of the guard said with a slight tremor in his voice.

"Trelket?" The King exclaimed, shock and pain showing on his face. The guard almost took a step back in shock as it was not like the King to show emotion in front of anyone.

"Trelket, my King? Who is he?" The Guard questioned as he watched the King place his right hand to cover his face.

"He is a murderer and a thief. He is a destructive force who will destroy anything that gets in the way of what he wants. He once tried to take my daughter's life and my own. This occurred before my beautiful, beloved Queen passed, the War Hammer guards managed to fight him off before he could get close to us, however Trelket was skilled enough to get away." The King sighed, suddenly looking like he had aged an additional ten years since the conversation began. "That was ten years ago now. Now he has returned, I am afraid that he may try again." The King rose from his throne and walked towards the window located behind him, he looked down into the courtyard to see all of his subjects going along with their day.

"My King, if he attempts to get near the Castle, the Crowns army will be ready." The Captain of the guards raised his fist back to cover his heart as a sign of his promise.

"You won't be able to stop him." The King interrupted as he spun around to face the Guard, the mantle sweeping the floor with his sudden movement.

"My King, what do you command that we do? Shall we call the followers of War Hammer again? The Captain questioned as he eyed the King worriedly.

"We cannot summon them." The King replied, returning to the window again, looking towards the horizon where he could see the city of Glassmarsh.

"My King?" The Guard asked with his brows drawn together in confusion.

"We cannot summon them, as there are none left." The King responded, as his shoulders slumped in a defeated manner. The Captain took a deep breath, now understanding the King's reaction. "What did he take?" The King finally asked.

"During the break in, most of the items in the vault were destroyed. We do know what he managed to take though." The Captain answered, once again having a tremor in his voice, dreading telling the King what has stolen.

"Which was?" The King prompted.

"The Catalyst, my King." The Guard stated waiting for the King's reaction.

"FIND THE BASTARD! NOW! WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? STOP STANDING THERE AND GO FIND HIM!" The King bellowed, rapidly turning from the window and storming towards the Captain of the guard. His face had turned red by the end of his words, caused by the fury running through his veins.

"Yes, my King." The Captain quickly turned on his heels and sprinted through the doors.

The King turned once again to the window, with a tightly clenched right fist, he punched the glass panel and watched it shatter. He put his fist down to his side and felt the blood dripping from his knuckles and hitting the stone floor beneath his feet.

"Shit."