The Darkness of Dawn

by Braden Michael

  Black Eyes began to walk through the crowd towards the Emperor. The various servants, attendants, and soldiers in his way quickly cleared the way to allow Black Eyes and his men through. The Emperor and the Sapphire Prince were speaking softly to one another as Black Eyes arrived. Hideki’s ten guardsmen stood vigilantly behind him, and the Emperor’s thirty guardsmen were right behind him as well. They all turned towards Black Eyes once they saw him there.

  “There you are,” the Emperor stated, looking at Black Eyes. He then turned to the Sapphire Prince. “I am ready to begin, your Grace. Will you be showing us to the castle’s interior?”

  “Right this way.” The Sapphire Prince gave Black Eyes another momentary glare before he turned away.

  Once they passed the ship statue, they looked upon the grand entrance to the castle. It was a part of the mountain itself and only a couple hundred feet wide: the wall had been carved to appear as a building, with open slots acting as windows that allowed glimmers of torchlight to seep through. The lights appeared to flicker as people were walking past the windows inside. Black Eyes began to count the flickers to try and gain and headcount on the guards posted inside. There must be at least another twenty men in the wall alone, Black Eyes surmised.

  A modest wooden door sat directly in the middle of the mountain wall, which opened after a few shouts emanated from inside. The Sapphire Prince and his ten guards proceeded through while the Emperor’s group and Black Eyes’ squad closely followed. The air immediately cooled as they passed into the dimly lit hall. Who builds a fucking castle inside a mountain with no light to seep inside? However, hearths and torches that were scattered across the hall were aflame, and plenty of light showered the hall, offering a clear view of its contents.

  The interior hall was modest in comparison to the courtyard. A dark-blue velvet rug encircled a small pond that was placed directly in the center. The sides of the hall were made of walls and torches, no doors to be seen. A great spiral stone past the pond stretched towards the ceiling fifty feet above. Black Eyes saw ramps, stairs, and dense balconies that lined up the outer wall, and a dozen Headland soldiers were looking on the group from above. Dozens more soldiers were posted throughout the hall itself. Even more fucking soldiers, and still no escape route. Black Eyes began to feel truly worried about the odds of him and the Emperor surviving.

  “The staircase leads to several floors above the main hall. At the very top floor is the King’s Quarters. One floor below is the council chamber hall, which the armistice will be taking place in,” the Sapphire Prince informed.

  “Have you received word of when the Rockland and Midland parties are due?” the Emperor questioned, making himself sound innocent and naïve. Yeah, you saw what I saw. Headlanders, Headlanders, and more fucking Headlanders, Black Eyes thought.

  The Sapphire Prince hesitated for a moment, seeming to think of an appropriate response. He turned to the Emperor and politely smiled. “I am afraid they do not travel as fast as you Emberlanders do.”

  Bullshit. Black Eyes strained not to speak his dissent.

  “It’s certainly one of our strengths.” The Emperor glanced at Black Eyes incredibly subtly, but not too subtle for him not to notice. “Also, is his Grace the King not feeling well? I’m surprised he wasn’t here to greet me in the courtyard. Nor the Queen for that matter?” he innocuously questioned.

  “His Grace the King awaits your arrival in the council chamber. As for my mother the Queen, she is, uh, ill, and will—will not be joining us, I’m afraid.”

  “Do you know what she is ill with? Nothing too bad I hope,” said the Emperor.

  The Sapphire Prince shrugged and said no words. That’s not like you at all, is it? I’ve heard you talk more than anyone I’ve ever met. Every fiber of Black Eyes’ being wanted him to lash out and seize him in that instant, but he had more sense than that.

  “I would be delighted to have a personal tour of the castle above.” The Emperor took an incredibly subtle and quick glance at Black Eyes. “Legends of the Furakuhold’s majesty have yet to do this incredible place justice.” The Emperor smiled politely and convincingly.

  The Sapphire Prince began to speak, but he mumbled incoherently and stumbled over a few syllables. “Y—yes, uh, of course, follow me. However, I must ask that you only take five men with you upstairs, as the space is too narrow for such a large party.” The Sapphire Prince offered an incredibly subtle smirk.

  “That’s fair, and I am most humbled, your Grace,” said the Emperor.

  The Sapphire Prince turned to his guardsmen. “Wait here, then visit the King in thirty minutes. I wager he’ll need your help.” He took a quick glance at the men posted near the leftmost balcony, then began to walk towards the spiral staircase just past the pond.

  The King? So King Hiroshi is here, then? Black Eyes thought.

  The Emperor glanced back at Black Eyes and motioned him forward. “Bring four of your men to join me and our gracious host.” He turned toward the thirty of his guardsmen. “Remain downstairs. Join the rest of our people in the courtyard.”

  The Sapphire Prince, the Emperor, Black Eyes, Troy, Dirk, Milton, and Osmund began to ascend the spiral staircase. The armor clanked as their feet advanced to the next step up. Once they had scaled dozens of steps, the group reached the second floor, which was vast with multiple rooms and an expansive hallway covered with blue velvet lining and lined up by multiple torches. Daylight seeped through a large hole that had been carved into the side of the mountain at either side of the floor. The second floor was hundreds of feet long, and over a dozen servants in the hallway bowed as they laid eyes on the Sapphire Prince.

  The Sapphire Prince continuously led the group up the floors above and described the purpose of each floor. Each floor above was smaller than the floor below as the castle itself scaled upwards with the mountain. The second floor was designed to house servants, the third was housing for higher-ranking individuals, the fourth was a kitchen, the fifth contained the council chamber, and the topmost floor was both the most luxurious quarters made for honored guests. They were not allowed access to the King’s bed chamber. All in all, the personal tour took about twenty-five minutes, and Black Eyes was not able to locate any valid escape options, or King Hiroshi. Does the King want to keep father waiting, and greet him later? Black Eyes felt incredibly uncertain, but he could tell they had something bad planned. If we were going to get ambushed, wouldn’t they have done so by now? Why would they wait so long?

  During the tour, Black Eyes noticed the Sapphire Prince was sweating more than any other in the group, and his speech was quicker than normal. Why is he so nervous? Aren’t we the ones about to be ambushed? At any point in time, Black Eyes could have ordered his men to seize the Sapphire Prince, but Black Eyes wanted to do so at the opportune moment: they were being guided through all the castle’s floors and rooms, and more Headland soldiers could be lurking about like rats. He also did not want to do so until he knew for certain the Yamamotos were false. Why would he not take his guardsmen up here if he were planning to ambush us? Sweat began to collect on Black Eyes’ forehead.

  “When and where will I be greeting your father, the King?” the Emperor asked.

  “In the council chamber. I will summon my father. You should have a few minutes to acquaint yourselves with the room.” The Sapphire Prince moved aside from the stairway entrance and gestured with his hand towards it.

  Didn’t you say he was already in there? The Emperor began to descend while Black Eyes and his men closely followed. The Sapphire Prince locked eyes with Black Eyes for just a moment, and their looks were of pure contempt. I know you are planning something, Headlander. Show some balls and reveal your true intentions. I’m growing tired of this façade, Black Eyes thought.

  Black Eyes reached the Emperor in the staircase and was about to speak before being stopped by his fierce green glare. Black Eyes turned around to see the four behind him following single-file, and the Sapphire Prince looking down at him fr
om multiple stairs up. He swallowed his words and continued to ascend.

  Just after the archway that permitted entrance to the fifth level, there was a circular hall that surrounded the stairway, with neatly sanded stone walls and marble flooring. Multiple doors were scattered throughout the hall while the door to the council chamber was unmistakably lavish, with gilded steel door handles and fine Headland Waterspear paintings on either side of the two doors. The Emperor walked calmly and collectedly towards the council chamber entrance and opened both doors, allowing the men to file through.

  “I am anxious to see the King, your Grace,” the Emperor said politely as he began to creep through to the council chamber.

  The Sapphire Prince nodded politely and took one last lingering look at Black Eyes before shutting the door behind him. The Emberlanders were now away from prying Headlander eyes. The Emperor began to pace around the marble council table, studying it carefully. Black Eyes’ men looked at each other slightly confused while they remained silent.

  “Listen carefully,” the Emperor began. Black Eyes and the other men walked forward to be able to hear his hushed voice. “I have already spoken to Black Eyes about this, but the Yamamotos are likely playing us false.”

  No shit, Black Eyes thought as the other men looked on with anguish.

  “False?” Troy asked.

  Black Eyes fiercely grabbed Troy’s shoulder and squeezed it violently. Troy gasped in pain for a moment, but quickly complied as Black Eyes glared at him furiously. “Don’t ask questions, just listen,” he told the men.

  “The King should have greeted me by now. Hideki said visit the King in thirty minutes back in the main hall. I can only surmise that he’s not here.”

  “That sapphire-encrusted cunt also showed us the entire castle.”

  The Emperor sighed but looked at Black Eyes in agreement. “We’re all in grave danger.” He turned towards the four men behind Black Eyes. “You may get out of this alive if you can follow along with his plan.”

  All the men looked at the Emperor with great concern but hid their distress and acknowledged his words.

  “Listen up.” Black Eyes turned to the rest of his men, who looked at him with fierce anticipation. “The Sapphire Prince is needed alive. Once we have him, we need to figure out an escape plan.” Troy opened his mouth to speak before Black Eyes cut him off. “There’s no time for questions, Troy, just do as you’re ordered.” The men all nodded, and Black Eyes started toward the door. “It’s now or never.”

  Black Eyes opened the doors and his men exited the council chamber with him. They stopped their stride immediately as they were greeted by a cross-armed Sapphire Prince and his ten guardsmen, all of whom had their swords drawn. The Sapphire Prince looked at the Emberlanders with great smugness as they appeared dumbstruck.

  “Why in such a hurry?” the Sapphire Prince mocked.

  Black Eyes drew his sword and the rest of his men followed suit. The Headlanders tensed up and appeared even more ready for combat than they had before. The Sapphire Prince laughed deeply and boisterously.

  “I have heard stories about you, freak.” The Sapphire Prince’s cocky attitude turned grim. “How you’re so cruel, terrifying, and one of the best fighters in all the lands.” He uncrossed his arms and took a few steps towards the Emberlanders, chuckling malevolently all the while. “But I see nothing to fear here.”

  “Wanna find out why you’re wrong?” Black Eyes questioned fiercely.

  The Sapphire Prince quickly turned to his men. “Kill them!”

  Three of the Headlander guards charged at Black Eyes while the other seven went for the men. The ear-piercing sting of steel-on-steel echoed through the air on either side of him as he swung his sword methodically in front of him, blocking each attack that came his way. The Headlander on his right flank overstepped and threw off his own balance, which allowed Black Eyes a split-second opportunity. The attacker’s headless body fell to the floor and his head remained inside the helm as it flew off to the side. The other two Headlanders were overcome with surprise, allowing Black Eyes to briefly glance to his sides, where Troy and Dirk were still fighting, but Milton and Osmund lay on the ground lifeless. Of the ten guards who were sent to attack, six remained, and two of them looked upon Black Eyes cautiously. Come now, you pussies. Try me. Black Eyes spun his sword in a grand and flashy display as he slowly walked towards the two attackers.

  The attackers backed away cautiously. The one to Black Eyes’ left stumbled and lost his footing for a moment. Before the Headlander could regain his balance, Black Eyes’ sword ran through his chest after a clean thrust. The lower two thirds of his blade had not run through the man yet, and as the final attacker attempted to thrust his sword into him, he ducked: the other attacker lunged forward. Black Eyes quickly jumped towards him, grabbed the Headlander by the back of the neck, and shoved his head towards his blade’s edge, dragging the man’s throat across it. The newly open-throated man desperately clasped at his neck as the red overflowed through his fingers.

  Black Eyes placed his palm above the entry point of his sword and simultaneously pushed the dead man and pulled his sword out. The dead attacker’s body hit the ground with a satisfying thud, and blood dripped from all along Black Eyes’ blade. He reoriented himself, as four Headlander soldiers approached to encircle him. Troy and Dirk now lay on the ground lifeless. Black Eyes could not locate the Sapphire Prince as he focused his attention on the four Headlanders who encircled him.

  For a few moments no one spoke or moved, except for Black Eyes. He maintained sure footing but turned in circles to keep track of the four hostiles. His sword remained poised and he allowed for no openings for the Headlanders to attack. They looked upon him with great caution, hesitation, and fear. Where’s that fucking sapphire-prick!? Blood continued to drip onto the floor from his sword, pooling by his feet. Not acknowledging the potential hazard with his eyes, he slowly began to move his step away from the blood puddle and towards the attacker who stood back-left of the encirclement.

  Before closing the distance, Black Eyes lightly swung his sword in the general direction of the attacker he was pacing towards, causing the blood from his sword to spray the Headlander’s eyes. Black Eyes took his opportunity and lunged at the guardsman, and slashed the edge of his sword across the enemy’s throat. Black Eyes quickly turned around to see the three men looking upon him furiously. As the open-throated Headlander gurgled and struggled to remain alive, a hostile to Black Eyes’ right began to charge, but slipped on the collection of blood beneath his feet and fell flat on the ground. The two left standing immediately charged at Black Eyes furiously and incoherently, swinging and stabbing their swords frantically. Black Eyes parried and deflected each attacker with precision. As they passed him, he shoved his sword through the neck of one and tripped the other. He quickly pulled his sword out of the corpse he made and executed the final two men who remained on the ground. The circular hallway was now occupied by fourteen corpses drowned by blood. Pained expressions were plastered on the lifeless faces of Troy, Dirk, Nathan, and Osmund. At least you took some of the bastards with you, Black Eyes reflected solemnly.

  The silence was interrupted by a crashing thud that emerged from the council chamber. Black Eyes rushed towards the door without hesitation, using the corpses in front of him as stepping stones to avoid slipping in the blood. He burst through the door and drew his sword. The Sapphire Prince held a dagger to the throat of the Emperor, who appeared calm while the Sapphire Prince seemed volatile and unhinged.

  “Don’t come any closer, freak!” the Sapphire Prince barked. He carefully pulled the knife closer into the Emperor’s neck, drawing blood.

  “Don’t do anything stupid,” Black Eyes said calmly, standing still.

  The Sapphire Prince’s eyes turned crazed and wide open. He glared at Black Eyes with inhuman fury. “How the hell are you alive!?”

  “You’ll need a greater number of less-clumsy men to take me down.” Black Eyes took a
single step towards the two men with his left foot, slightly angling his body, as he maintained his cold and unwavering stare.

  “This wasn’t supposed to happen!” The Sapphire Prince flashed his teeth like a rabid dog and pointed his dagger at Black Eyes. “You weren’t supposed to live!”

  “You’re talking about that sad excuse of an ambush.” Black Eyes chuckled before returning to his calm angry stare. “Your father never intended for there to be an armistice. You conspired with those treacherous cunt Howells to shit on whatever whisper of honor you have left!” Black Eyes inched forward. “He keeps you here to do his dirty work like the pet rat you are while he sends his fleet to attack our country right after you invite us into your fucking home!”

  “Shut up!” The Sapphire Prince returned the knife to the Emperor’s throat. “You don’t have the slightest notion what my father wants!”

  So, your father isn’t invading the Emberlands with his fleet? You decided to go west then, Black Eyes thought.

  “You are going to do exactly as I tell you, you understand?” the Sapphire Prince barked while backing away defensively, pulling his hostage with him.

  “What makes you think I’ll play along?”

  “I have your fake father, you freak!” the Sapphire Prince shouted.

  Black Eyes shifted his gaze to the Emperor, looking at him with subtle melancholy. The Emperor looked back at him, his eyes telling him to get the bastard. Black Eyes looked back and forth between the two men until his cold deadly stare decided to lock on to the Sapphire Prince.