Chapter 5:
The Royal House Falls
Jira (March) 2, 1547
Same Day
Royal Palace, City of Rammon
Governor General Third Lord of Idonia, Kezem Altran—known as Lord Kezem—strode into the Rammon palace at last. He finished clearing the first floor and grunted at the thought of clearing four more floors before reaching the throne room. He’d already passed more guard posts than he could count and each new one irritated him more than the last. Thankfully, many posts were empty, having been abandoned by those enlightened to join the right side before the palace fell.
By the time he reached the two Royal Guards stationed outside the throne room, Kezem’s anger overflowed, lending strength to his body. He moved with grace for such a large man. He enjoyed towering over lesser men, and almost laughed at the memory of his scrawny self only a few years prior. Surprisingly, he also missed his mother. After all, tonight was the culmination of her hopes, dreams, ambitions, and years of planning. His movements were quick, decisive, and deadly. He might have let one of his eager soldiers gut the hapless guards, but he figured it would be healthier to vent some anger before reaching Queen Reia. It would be a pity if he skewered the young woman without at least gloating.
Despite their vaunted training, the Royal Guards were no match for Kezem. He wasted little time dispatching them with his electrified banistick and kerlinblade. Although banistick modifications could be as simple or complex as one desired, Kezem had chosen shocks because of the delightful ability to torture people while fighting them. He attacked both guards simultaneously. The banistick in his left hand caught one man in the armpit, resulting in a loud shriek as every nerve fired at once. The thin edge of Kezem’s yellow kerlinblade slammed into the other guard’s neck, instantly removing his head.
As the guard on the left breathed his last, Kezem casually punched in the code for the throne room door. Ironically, the traitor had rigged the king’s hov with explosives for next to nothing but demanded six hundred thousand kefs for the simple code. When nothing happened, Kezem cursed in Resh, Hintle, and Borner.
“I will kill him,” he vowed, forgetting that he had already planned on killing the traitorous Captain of the Royal Guard. “I will rip him apart piece by piece! No one betrays me!”
The tone and volume caused his nearby minions to cringe. The soldier stupid enough to be within striking distance paid dearly for it. The banistick slap left him unconscious.
“Deven, get me a prisoner!”
No one moved.
Dark blue eyes blazing, Kezem turned to his soldiers. His high emotional state caused a yellow streak shaped like lightning to slash through either side of his irises. Being one sixteenth Bornovan, Kezem’s eye color shifted shades of blue in accordance with his mood. His chiseled face twisted into a fierce expression.
“You struck him, Lord Kezem,” a brave soul murmured.
“Then you get me a servant!”
The lieutenant bowed and left as fast as his stubby legs would carry him. Luckily, he found a prisoner being led down the hall to the meeting chamber where Kezem’s forces were storing servants who surrendered without too much trouble.
Kezem preferred to keep prisoners alive until he was certain he wished them dead. He could always kill them later. He watched with amusement as his youthful lieutenant struggled to subdue the servant girl. Thin but wiry, the servant used her lower center of gravity to spin Kezem’s man into the wall.
“Enough! Jorg, Makil, relieve Lieutenant Toft of his burden,” said Kezem, recalling that he had a queen to kill.
The twins shared a grin.
“It will be done, Lord Kezem,” they answered, moving to follow his order. What they lacked in intelligence, the twins made up for in blind loyalty and delightful cruelty.
Soon, the pale servant was on her knees before Lord Kezem.
“Give me the door code,” he ordered.
Fear made the girl’s eyes glaze, and Kezem suspected she might pass out.
He deactivated his banistick and returned it to his belt. Then, he changed the kerlinblade settings so that the blade was long and thin before pointing it at her neck.
“Do not faint, or you will never wake.”
“Let Atellia go, Kezem. She does not know the code. I had it changed a hour ago,” said a calm voice.
Kezem spun on his right heel and stared up at the vidscreen showing Queen Reia’s image. She sat erect on her oversized throne, dressed in green and purple ceremonial robes. The hood of the outer cloak touched her forehead, framing her face. Her expression was sad and strained, as if she concentrated very hard on something.
“There has been enough death tonight,” said the queen.
“I should slaughter everyone in this palace,” Kezem said.
Her expression relaxed ever so slightly.
“But you will not,” Reia said with confidence that irked him. She appeared weary, but the coolness of her green eyes helped her maintain the indomitable illusion. “You live by terror, but not even your coldest allies would stand for a complete massacre of the palace staff.”
“You believe that? Perhaps this will change your mind.” Kezem thrust his kerlinblade at the servant’s neck. A scream and curse escaped him as a sharp pain in his blade hand caused him to jerk violently. The blade veered to the left of its target, leaving only a mild burn on the servant’s neck.
The girl looked as surprised as he was that she still lived.
Kezem dropped his kerlinblade which suddenly burned in his hand.
“What have you done? Your tricks will not save you! I knew my cousin was insane to marry a Ranger!”
“Why you think me such a threat, I shall never know,” Reia commented. “I could never protect so many …” A flicker of amusement entered her eyes, and the right corner of her mouth crept upward slowly. “Perhaps Terosh protects this place.”
“It’s not possible!” Kezem hated that her mockery could provoke him so easily.
The queen sighed.
“I claim little by way of goodness, but you are evil, Kezem. The easy paths, fleeting wealth, and power promises may sway people for now, but Reshner will come to its senses.” Her eyes bore into him. “I promise you. My people will not suffer your rule for long.”
He seethed that she momentarily lay beyond his grasp. Snatching his kerlinblade from the floor, Kezem clenched his fists around the weapon and imagined it was her neck. He considered killing the servant for spite but dismissed the thought.
She’s not worth the effort.
“Take her away,” Kezem ordered. “Jorg, Makil, Toft, break down those doors!” He whirled right to face different soldiers. “The rest of you finish clearing the palace. I want every child, soldier, servant, and other being within these walls rounded up immediately!”
His soldiers rushed to do his bidding, but the battle for the palace raged for two more hours. Eventually, Kezem’s soldiers battered through the throne room doors.
Inside, more Royal Guards, Palace Security, and Melian Maidens tangled with his men. Kezem slashed his way through the crowd but only got halfway across the throne room before a dark-skinned Melian Maiden leapt into his path, halting his progress. His red kerlinblade locked with her banistick. He shoved forward, using his superior size and strength to knock her back a few steps. They traded strikes. He added his banistick to the fight. Finally, he smashed the modified banistick under her chin. The blow stunned her and his kerlinblade finished her. Gritting his teeth at the delay, Kezem stepped over the body and continued towards the throne.
Head tilted forward and arms resting at her sides, Queen Reia stood at the edge of the meter-high platform holding the throne. From a distance, she appeared immune to the death and destruction around her. But up close, a steady stream of silent tears spoke her pain at watching good people die in her defense.
Their eyes met and Kezem felt shame, guilt, and grief shoot through him. Her youthful beauty struck him dumb. He despised her for having that effect on him, and the anger drove the feeling away. Kezem wished to possess her, but the people of Reshner would never stand for such dishonor to royalty.
Realizing he had halted, Kezem gathered his courage and marched up to the queen. A triumphant grin spread across his face.
“I am surprised that you have chosen to face honorable death, Your Majesty.”
“There is little honor in this, Kezem,” said Queen Reia, waving around them. “I stayed because my people needed me here.”
“Your people abandoned you, Reia. You lost them long ago when you considered GAPP for an ally.” Kezem shook his head in mock sadness. “When will you learn that people are selfish? They want a strong ruler. They seek money and comfort, and I have promised them both. Their greed makes them easy to manipulate for someone with power, ambition, and—”
“Little respect for life,” Reia finished. “You may seize the throne today, but years of war will follow. Are you prepared to fight for it?”
“Do not concern yourself with my well-being, Your Grace. My men will handle the pathetic peasants sympathetic to you,” Kezem assured her. “And your children will never reach their destinations. Osem is being destroyed as we speak.”
The statement caused a momentary crack in Queen Reia’s sad, solemn expression. She closed her eyes to ward off the pain.
“So the betrayal runs that deep,” Reia murmured, blinking back tears.
Kezem’s kerlinblade blazed red in his right hand. He contemplated it then made a slight adjustment so that the blade flattened and shone bright green on both sides of a thin, purple center.
“I respect you, Your Grace. Were circumstances different, we might have even been friends. See, I shall even kill you in the colors of your chosen House.” A flick of his wrist brought the blade tip to the point of Reia’s chin.
She tipped her chin up but did not retreat.
Kezem secretly admired her nerve.
“You know who your betrayer is, don’t you? He had hoped to woo you, but your death fits better with my plans. Do not worry. My men will kill him soon enough.”
“I do not wish his death. Too much of that has already touched this people,” said the queen.
“Well spoken, Your Majesty,” Kezem sneered. “Fitting words before you die.” He drew his arm back for a killing thrust.
“My death will come but not that easily.” Queen Reia twisted to her right and released the clasp securing the outer cloak and robes to her neck. The ceremonial robes flew away from her like living things. Underneath, she wore a comfortable white shirt and plain brown trousers which allowed free movement, clothing more befitting of a Ranger than a queen.
Her clothes reminded Kezem of her humble roots. Without the ceremonial robes, her appearance matched that of any woman, but she was no ordinary woman. A delicate, deadly looking silver blade appeared in her right hand. She saluted, grasping the smooth handle and turning the blade sideways.
One of Kezem’s eager men leapt onto the dais ready to strike.
“No!” Kezem roared, fearing his underling might kill the queen.
He need not have feared.
Reia spun away from the clumsy strike, using natural momentum and the flat edge of her sword to beam Kezem’s man upside the head.
“I will kill her! All who interfere will die!” Kezem snatched his banistick from his belt and launched his first attack. He struck hard but avoided killing blows, determined to savor the moment.
Their duel lasted untold minutes. Kezem forgot the stress of taking over Rammon. Only this battle mattered. They fought from one end of the throne room to the other and back again several times, dancing over bodies and screaming wounded. His men scrambled out of the way of the desperate duel. The clash of steel on crackling energy mingled with shuffling feet and labored breath. Their weapons met, locked, released, and crashed in a dizzying display of lights and sparks.
Queen Reia drew first blood, catching Kezem’s right forearm with the tip of her blade. She smiled radiantly as if that single touch could win back the world he was so bent on taking from her. One of his banistick slashes glanced off her shoulder, but she fought on. Kezem was surprised she could still hold a blade after the shock that must have gone through her. He then poured all his energy into jarring strikes. Her smile disappeared as she concentrated on catching the blows.
Eventually, his brute strength prevailed. He smacked her blade down with the banistick and swept the kerlinblade at her neck. Kezem might as well have struck rock. He pulled his blade back revealing a faint line of blood. His eyes widened.
That blow should have beheaded her!
Queen Reia smiled faintly.
“My friends don’t seem to want to let me go.”
Though baffled, Kezem redoubled his efforts striking wildly and with more force. Finally, he disengaged and took two steps back.
“Shoot her!” he ordered.
A dozen shots flew toward them.
Kezem jumped aside as one came too close.
For several seconds, Reia did well dodging the energy beams and serlak bullets, but the sheer number proved too much. Three beams struck her in the back, knocking her forward, and a bullet bounced off her head, leaving her dazed.
“Cease fire!” Kezem shouted.
A few steps brought her within striking distance. He thrust the kerlinblade forward and his blade met real flesh and pierced her heart. She winced but uttered only a sigh. Sinking to her knees, Queen Reia breathed her last.
It was over.
As he watched the light of life fade from her eyes, Kezem waited for the sense of joyful victory to come, but he only felt tired.
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