//------------------------------// // Part Two Prologue // Story: Freedom Through Harmony // by Electricut //------------------------------// Part Two Prologue Eclipse Castle; Four Hours Earlier East Wing Chamber The spires and turrets of the mountainside castle shined in the waning light, brightening the surrounding city before night fell. With the mountain surrounding the castle, light would only be reflected upon the town at this time of day, a symbolic of a final mighty effort before the fall of darkness. Within the castle’s grand halls, the light reflected from the west into the stained glass windows, sending lights of all shades and hues dancing around the castle. Royal guards, clad in silver-blue armor, made their rounds across the gardens and castle. To the east of the central towers, through the older sections of the palace, the eastern chambers lay silent. Several quarters for esteemed guests and the queens own closest allies were located in these halls, all furnished expensively. Only one was currently occupied. Within the furthest room, a boy gazed out his window, admiring the last lights of the sun. His hair and wings were both a dusty orange, and on first glance appeared to be sickly and frail. While apparently content and unawares, his mind was working on the clock, and his heart raced with anticipation. She’s been gone for a good hour now already, preparing to put her master plan of self- glamorization into action. Time’s as prime as it’s going to be. He thought, giving the view one last look before turning and diving to the ground, reaching under his bed frame for a small locked wooden box. He reached under his shirt, a plain white one covered with a light leather jacket, and retrieved a small bronze key from around his neck. Opening the chest, he removed a small collection of silver knives. The biggest of these he clutched backhanded with his right hand, the rest he shoved in his belt and jacket pockets. Seven knives in total. You really thought of everything didn’t you, Celestia? Waiting until I was at my weakest to leave me here alone. But you jumped the line just a tiny bit. He held his left hand out, and was able to generate a small fire between his fingers. I’ve still got a few minutes of flame left in me. He kicked the box back into its dusty resting place, and looked around the room. Odds are good I’m not going to see this place again. Is there anything else I need? A thought occurred to him, and he went over to his bookshelf hurriedly. From it he retrieved a small tome, utterly unremarkable in appearance. In this he had scribbled various bits of ancient language he had come across, and while he had no knowledge of the meaning behind them himself, he had written them down as he located them, in the hopes of one day finding a scholar who could satisfy his curiosity. A few he were convinced were spells of some kind, though the only magic he could use, little more than the most basic of fire spells, were inherent to him and required no incantation. He slipped the book into the inside of his jacket and moved to the door. Keeping his hand in his pocket to hide the weapon, he left the room, and entered the ancient and grand hallways. Much of the castle had been reconstructed after the war five hundred years prior, though this section of the castle had remained solid and cared for. He set off down the hall at a brisk pace. His legs had been gradually weakening over the last few weeks, as had the rest of him, but he knew they weren’t quite at their weakest yet. This was all just one huge gambit- would he have enough energy remaining to succeed without collapsing somewhere along the way? Not many guards patrolled in this part of the castle, but to leave he would have to pass through the central entryway, and both it and the path to it were heavily guarded. While he did have free roam of the castle, his normal privilege granting him the same of the surrounding city had been restricted with Celestia away, so stealth would be necessary. The knives were simply his insurance. He had long been studying the layout of the castle for this day, and had mapped out hidden passages not even the queen was liable to be aware of in his mind. He elected to use one now, slipping into a long unoccupied room and removing several loose floor tiles. A small tunnel down led into an unused shelter, connected to several others around the castle. One of these led to another shelter beneath the kitchens, which at this time of day would likely be empty. It was this that the boy planned to use. He slipped down ungracefully, picked himself up off the dusty stone floor, and stared down the darkened passageway. He looked around for a light source, saw a torch, and lit it with a spark from his fingertip. The ancient cloth and wax slowly came to life, casting a dull but adequate light around him. He held it aloft in his left hand, and set off down the forgotten path. As he approached the central gathering room, much bigger than any of the other shelters, he stopped. There were four other pathways from here, but he had travelled these before. He took the one second to the right, and entered another blank stone pass. He soon came to a shelter nearly identical to the first- it could have fit a good twenty people if it had to, but was sparsely furnished. He climbed the small ladder that led down to it, and did his best to press his ear up to the hatch above. Silence. He doused the torch, tossed it below, and pushed up on the ceiling. He emerged in the empty kitchen as he thought he would. Tables, furnaces and cauldrons made up the majority of the room. He rose from the shelter tunnel and sealed it as it had been before. His next task would be the more dangerous leg of the journey- the grand hall was the only room adjoining this one, and it was doubtful that it would be completely empty. I can still be anywhere in the castle, but can’t leave and be seen. Still, I’m already this far, and I’d have to come up with a good story for why I was in the kitchen in the first place. I’ll need to stay stealthy. He decided to come up with a simple one anyway, and made his way out of the kitchen. The grand hall was far from busy, as supper had been a two hours ago. However, a few people still lingered. When asked, he claimed to have been looking for one of the chefs, who he had been told had gone back to the kitchen for something. One of them told him they had seen the chef in question elsewhere, and he pretended to take the information and go look for him. When he left the grand hall, he went the exact opposite direction, towards the entrance hall and his ticket to freedom. He slid against the wall, allowing the patrolling guard to pass around the next corner, then ran for it. One more turn, and the hall would be upon him. “What are you doing?” A taciturn voice asked from behind him. He turned slowly, and was faced with a royal soldier, who didn’t appear to want any part of whatever was going on. “Uh...” He came up blank. He could have sworn he had the guards patterns mapped out. Perhaps this was one who was on break, or had a more specific assignment. He silently cursed himself for overlooking such an obvious variable. I’ll have to improvise... He dug around in his pockets, coming up with a decent amount of currency. “Don’t suppose you’d like to take this and pretend this never happened?” “You underestimate us, kid. We’re a bit more devoted to the Queen than that. I ought to knock you out and present you to her myself, make her realize what a bad idea it was keeping you around in the first place.” “You ought to... But you won’t?” He was going out on a limb, but was willing to stretch his plans a bit here. “You seem to have several weapons with you.” He pointed out. “I’ll bet that one could fetch a coin or two with the right buyer.” The boy looked to the knife the guard had referred to, and pulled it out of his belt. “Throw that in with the money, and I’ll go about my business.” He handed the guard the coins and knife, who then put away all of it and walked away. That was all the money I had on me. I won’t be able to do that again. He waited until both ways were clear, then slipped through the next hall, into the entrance chamber, and dropped off the railing and behind a great statue. Once again, his landing was clumsy, as his wings were all but useless in his current state. The room was much more lively, and he knew making it through would be much more difficult. And considering he hadn’t even gotten past the easier part cleanly... No. He corrected his own thoughts. I can’t doubt myself now. I won’t get another chance, and I will take this one. He dashed across to a side room, which would interlock with another. Through this room, the exit was only a few yards away. The second smaller room he knew to be full of coatracks for the most part. He ducked in after checking it and confirming it empty, and slipped on a black overcoat he had seen on the way in. This might look a bit odd for the middle of summer, but at least it’ll be less conspicuous than my wings. Sorry for whoever’s this is, but it’s for the good of the country. Just get yourself a new one, prick. He flipped the hood up and left the room through the other door, leaving the castle entryway without being stopped. The outer gates of the palace were still patrolled heavily, but as he made his way through he only attracted confused glances from the guards. However, as he approached the grand doorway leading in and out of the courtyard, he noticed out of the corner of his eye the guards walking up from behind. There’s five of them allocated to me, it seems. On a good day I could take them all down without breaking a sweat, but I’d be lucky to get one of them today. I can only run. He reached the door and tried to get it open, but couldn’t budge the lock. Really?! I didn’t take into account the heavy bolt lock I’ve seen a thousand times?! Stupid! He turned his head slightly, and could see the guards were almost upon him. He began running through his remaining options, but none were very good. In a few seconds he had settled on the option he felt was most likely to succeed, but even then it wasn’t a great plan... He shrugged the coat off, and, turning to face the guards, who had drawn their weapons upon seeing his hair and wings, he lit it aflame. “Catch!” He said, throwing the burning cloth their way and tripping them up. He jumped as high as he could into the air, and used another burst of flame to rocket up over the gate and above the city. I’ve barely got any power left... This is going to either get me out of here or get me killed... It’ll be close. Falling to the ground, he expended what was just shy of the rest of his energy, and a large, sad looking bird took of shakily in his place, skimming the rooftops and rapidly clearing the city, which while a large and proud city in itself, paled in comparison to the castle. It’s not a matter of avoiding the guards anymore. He thought. It’s whether or not I can get far enough away and hide somewhere they won’t find me. And I can only hold up like this for a few minutes more... He shot past the last of the buildings and began coasting over the green hills surrounding them, avoiding the largest roads. His flight was wobbly to begin with, but soon he was barely able to stay on one clear path. They’ll find me if I just collapse here. I need to get further away, and somewhere where the wind won’t get me. If I can find a cave to stay in for a few days... Agh! With a final grunt, the bird rammed into the ground and skidded to a halt atop a small hill, turning up the loose dirt. Using the very last of his magic energy, he returned to his original form with a flash of light, and pushed himself off the ground painfully. I’ll have to go on foot, then. Hup... ah... He began running, but he wasn’t able to make much progress with any speed. His legs were tiring fast, and the moon watched as he stumbled forward, in the direction of the vast forest to the southwest. The forest was about the last place he wanted to hide out, but when it was compared to his only other option, it seemed preferable. His eyes were set on the inky black form looming before him, but when he had nearly reached the tree line, he collapsed. His strength was gone, and his legs had given way as he descended a small slope. My plan failed... Celestia, you knew even if I escaped, I couldn’t get far enough away. Curse you, Queen... ___________________ The boy had accepted defeat, and was content to lie and let fate do with him what it would, but as he lay motionless, another figure looked out from the forest, his boundless curiosity piqued. This man was of above average height, though not inhumanly so. His spiky hair, a longsword hanging across his back, and a knife at his belt were all the very blackest of pitch. A short jacket and tattered brown cape flowed behind him. He regarded the boy, aligning his thoughts. This young man clearly just got done running for his life. He concluded in less than half a second. But he seems to have given up, perhaps too worn by the chase to continue? Let’s see, here... Oh, he was running from Eclipse? Well, the least I can do is speak to him and uncover his motives. He stepped out of the shade of the forest, which would have made him seem to materialize from nowhere, had the boy been looking his way. As it was, his eyes were closed and turned to his side anyway. However, he did hear the newcomer approaching, and his ears pricked slightly. “Why were you scurrying from the castle, boy?” He said in an unusual, almost whimsical accent. “Usual reasons?” “Ugh... How do you know I was?” He replied quietly, though the man was able to understand him without overt effort. “You’re sprawled across the ground, too tired to continue, and facing away from the Shining City.” He answered. “Quite simple if one cares to line up the pieces like such. So, I can guess you were her prisoner or something, and made a break for it while she’s out for tea or whatnot?” “Heh. Something like that. She’s out making herself look good-” “At the expense of others, I presume?” “‘Course. I was something of a curiosity to her, and she thought it wise to keep me under her wing, so to speak. I wanted no part of it.” “Ah, her little pet then. Well, this is fortuitous. You’d doubtless know things that an average captive wouldn't, and I am known to be a merchant of information. Tell you what, kid.” The man crouched beside the disheveled figure. “If you can tell me some things of note, rare, unusual, possibly naughty things... I’ll hide you.” The boys eyes opened at last, taking in the stranger for the first time. He seemed a bit skeptical. “I’m not sure I can give you much... Wait, wait. Can... can you read ancient text?” The man scoffed. “What do you take me for, kid? Of course I can. Wouldn’t be much of an information trader without understanding such a prevalent language. Why, you got some?” “I’ve been around. I wrote down any I found, and I can recall exactly where each entry was, but I can’t decipher it. I have the notes here.” Wearily, he reached into his jacket and retrieved the old tome. The man took it and flipped through the pages idly. “Interesting... Some of these might even take a while to read. This is old stuff... Awright kid, you got yourself a deal. I’ll lug you back to my forest shack and find a bunk for you.” He pulled the boy up and supported him over his shoulder. “What can I call you, anyway? ‘Kid’ and ‘boy’ seem a bit impersonal.” “It’s... it’s Phil.” He said. “And you...?” “For the time being, you can call me Link. Good to meet you, Phil. When we get home, I’ll dig up my finest aged Chateau Romani for the occasion!”