Legend of the Twelve Warriors Prologue: The Great War

She ran through the garden as fast as she could, her guards would be looking for her soon, and if they found her missing she’d be in big trouble but she had to warn him. Once she reached the garden wall, she ran along side it until she felt the notch in the stone. As soon as she did, she knelt down and felt around for the handle of the trapdoor she knew was there. Finally finding the handle, she pulled opened the door, dropped into the stone tunnel and began running again. As she ran she kept one hand against the wall to guide her in the darkness, the other was held in front of her to keep her from running into the door when she found it.

Eventually she felt solid wood in front of her and quickly reached for the door’s handle. Upon finding it she turned it slowly, it had a habit of squeaking when turned and she didn’t want to be heard. Slowly she pulled open the door, just enough for her to see into the hallway beyond, no guards, ‘Good,’ she thought to herself as she removed her shoes to make her passage quieter. Setting her shoes inside the door, she opened it just enough for her to slip out and closed it silently behind her then took off running down the hallway.

Her progress was much slower that it had been in the tunnel, she had to run as fast as she could without making any noise and stop at every corner to check for guards. Finally, she reached the door she was looking for. It was larger than the other doors she had passed and it was made of black marble. She carefully pulled it open and snuck inside and pulled it closed behind her. Turning around she met with a sword blade pointed directly at her neck.

“Who are you? What are you doing in the Prince’s chambers?” a deep voice said from the darkness on the other end of the sword.

She wracked her brain. Prince Sereth never had guards in his room but with the trouble recently, he might had been forced to have one present at all times, if that was the case, she couldn’t reveal who she was, she’d be killed on sight. Finally she decided being vague would be the best option, “My name and the reason for my presence here are for his highness’s ears alone. If you are not Prince Sereth, I have no reason to answer your question.”

“I am Prince Sereth, now tell me your business here!” the voice replied, though it had lost some of it’s original tone. The voice now sounded softer and gentler. It sounded like the prince, but without seeing him, she couldn’t be sure.

“I’m afraid I must ask you to prove that you are who you say you are, as we are in complete darkness and I can’t be sure you’re telling me the truth. If I tell the wrong person my name, I may be killed on accident.” she stated calmly.

She heard a slight gasp and then a very hesitant, “Kiriana, is that you?”

“I’ll answer that when the sword is put away.” she replied.

Slowly the sword was lowered and with a whisper the torches in the room were lit and sure enough, Prince Sereth stood before her looking extremely sheepish, “I’m sorry Kiri, I wasn’t expecting you.”

She chuckled, “Well, that was plainly obvious.”

“Why are you here anyway? If the guards had found you, you would’ve been killed immediately.”

All laughter left Kiriana’s face immediately, “I’m here to warn you. Tomorrow at dawn my kingdom is going to attack yours. You, Princess Angelique, and Princess Sophie must get out of here or you’ll be killed.”

“What about you?” Sereth asked, taking her hands in his.

“I’ll be fine, I always am. We’re at war, my brothers are going into battle tomorrow morning, I can’t just abandon them and my friends. You have two younger sisters who need you, you’ve never made any friends in this kingdom so leave, get your sisters to safety and don’t worry about me. I’ll be alright. Promise you’ll get them out?”

Sereth looked troubled for a moment then sighed, “I promise, but I’ll come back, when the war’s over, I’ll find you.” With that he pulled her to him and kissed her fiercely then held her tightly, afraid he may never hold her again.

Eventually Kiriana reluctantly pulled away, “I need to leave, I came here to warn you and my purpose is fulfilled but my guards will be looking for me. I have to get back before they see I’m gone.” She turned towards the door, hesitated, then turned around and kissed Sereth gently, “I love you, Prince Sereth of Atlantis, be careful.”

“I love you too, Kiri, don’t die on me.”

At that she smiled, “Me? Die? Never! I’ll be careful, I promise. Take care of your sisters.” Then, before she could stop again, she pulled the door open and ran back towards the hidden door. Once within it’s confines, she put her shoes back on and ran back towards the gardens. Upon emerging she shut the trap door behind her and covered it with leaves, took a moment to catch her breath then began walking slowly towards the castle.

A few moments later her eldest brother, Prince Christopher, found her, “Kiriana, where have you been? Everyone’s been looking all over for you! We’re about to go to war and you’re out smelling the roses!”

“Forgive me for taking time to smell them for what may be the last time. Are the Twelve ready for battle?”

“Yes, all but Lady Aquarius and Lord Scorpio.”

“Well then, we must find them and let them begin their plans.”

“I’ll send the guards to look for them immediately, if you happen upon either of them on your way to your room, the Twelve are meeting in the planning room.”

“I’ll be sure to inform them if I see them.” Kiriana replied. Her brother nodded and ran off to find a guard. As soon as he was gone, Kiriana sighed, reached into her pocket, and pulled out a silver coin with two overlapping sapphire waves in it. She held it in her hand and stared at it for a long time finally she held it up in the air and whispered “Aquarius.”

No sooner had the word left her lips then the coin in her hand began to glow with a dark blue light. The light made its way down Kiriana’s arm and flowed around her entire body until it engulfed her completely. When the light subsided, Lady Aquarius stood in Kiriana’s place. With one final glance over the garden wall at the spires of Atlantis, Aquarius made her way toward the planning room to plan its destruction.

To Be Continued...