Chapter 381 — The Day That Changed History
Blade of Dawn · Page 4 of 4
Longwind Fortress welcomed its king with a grand ceremony. For this martial frontier fortress city, Francis II returning from Covenant Keep was in another sense a general—a general who had charged into battle and returned victorious.
But the old king, already worn out in body and mind by the negotiations, did not appear before the public for long. After briefly meeting a few of the fortress's personages of note, Francis II retired to his chambers.
Prince Edmund was not with him; the one who had entered the chamber at his side was the legendary mage from Saintfrost Keep, charged with his personal protection.
Throughout the days-long negotiations, this legendary mage had maintained a life-link with Francis II without interruption. Plainly put, at this moment, to Francis II, this legendary mage—who had served the Ansu royal house for decades—was more trustworthy than all his own children.
Stretching his stiff, creaking joints, the old king settled onto the broad, soft couch. His somewhat clouded eyes turned to the old wizard standing attendant at his side—a gaunt man with black hair, a composed bearing, and robes of purple spangled with stars: "You have borne much hardship these past days, Master Duke."
The old man in the star-spangled robes gave a slight nod, his voice low and hoarse: "It is my duty."
"End the life-link," Francis II said. "This illusion of brimming vigor is pleasant enough, but it has gone on too long—it is beginning to affect my sleep."
"As you wish." The old mage waved a hand, and a thin veil of magical radiance swept over him and Francis II. The life-link's effect vanished at once; as his body settled back into its heavy weariness, the old king could not help letting out a soft breath.
He had once been a powerful spellcaster himself, no less gifted than the legendary mage beside him. But as a king, he was fated never to reach that final step on the path of magic—his body had sunk into irreversible decline.
"Your Majesty, I will go outside and set warding runes for you," the old mage said, bending slightly beside Francis II once the life-link was ended.
"Very well. Thank you for your trouble."
The old mage left the room, but just as Francis II was about to close his eyes for a brief doze, he heard the door being pushed open again.
"Master Duke, is there something else—" The old king opened his eyes and looked toward the door with curiosity, but he did not finish. Standing in the doorway was not the legendary master in the star-spangled robes, but an unfamiliar man dressed in an attendant's garb.
During his time away from Saintfrost Keep, in principle no unfamiliar face should ever have appeared before him alone.
Without any change in his expression, Francis II's right hand drifted lightly over a ring worn on his left hand as he looked into the attendant's eyes: "Who are you?"
"Your Majesty," the attendant stepped forward and bowed slightly, all courtesy, "thank you for your efforts toward peace. The Assembly of All-Ending Things sends you its greetings."
As the words fell, the attendant's head suddenly burst apart, and the shattered flesh and blood formed a gaping, distended maw that lunged straight at Francis II!