Chapter 13: The Black Death

--A week ago at the capital, right after Allana took her own life--

Lord Randal and Declan had presented themselves to King Hans Mendelos.

"Your Grace" Lord Randal greeted as he fell on one knee, right hand clasped in a fist over his left breast, saluting and bowing before his king and sovereign. He motioned Declan to follow his lead and bow before the king.

The angel reluctantly bowed, since he will only bow to his master, but he also cannot disobey an order.

"Stand up you fool!" King Hans Mendelos said in a voice that was seething with rage.

"Do you really think I am stupid to not realize what you have been planning Lord Randal?! These things that you have been doing as of late must end, one way or another!" Continued the king slamming his fist at the arm of the throne.

The whole court composed of thirty five nobles and lords from all over the land was silent, none of them dared to speak, none of them wanted to get embroiled in the quarrel of the king and the most powerful lord in the entire kingdom.

"Your Grace, you got it all wrong…" Lord Randal calmly started.

"SILENCE!!! I will not allow you to summon anymore abominations like THAT!" King Hans yelled as he pointed his finger towards the still bowing Declan.

"Five hundred years ago, all of us would have perished because of fools like you who dabble with forces that are too great for men to control. We got lucky that time, but I would be damned if I let another Godsbane war happen during my time!"

Lord Randal just stood still and silent, he let the king vent out his anger, and took all of the insults directed at him stoically. The king's voice faded from his mind as he was already planning his next move.

He already had many nobles that were supporting his cause, these like minded nobles also wanted to obtain the powers of the primordials. But they have a very huge obstacle to their plan; the king himself.

"May I take my leave then if his Grace has nothing more to say?" Randal said it with such a cold voice that even the king was taken aback.

Hans Mendelos then waved Randal away, dismissing him from his presence.

"Get out of my sight!"

Randal bowed as he left the courtroom. Making sure that he was already out of earshot, Lord Randal started to casually stroke his mustache.

"The king must be removed from the equation then…" and that was a rather pleasant thought.

A few steps behind him, Declan nodded in agreement.

The pair started walking along the length of the palace corridors, until they finally reached their destination; the western veranda.

Turning to face Declan, Lord Randal took out his brass cigar case from his heavy coat inner pocket and started to smoke in the cold night air.

"We must act now, the best time to strike is when your enemies are caught unawares. We must first eliminate the strongest supporters of the crown, those people will become a bigger problem if they are not dealt with earlier… Let's start with the king's closest friend and champion; Lord Arsenon Regnum."

"As you command master" Declan replied, then spread his wings and flew up, completely understanding what his master wanted to happen.

Lord Randal looked on as his familiar took to the skies and disappeared from sight. He then continued to smoke his cigar in peace.

"You finally made your move, eh Randal?" A disembodied voice whispered.

"You will have what you want… just remember our deal; I will get you the Key, and you give me the whole kingdom…" Randal replied calmly.

"But of course…" the voice said as it faded.

"So it begins…" Lord Randal said in a low voice as he flicked his cigar into the darkness.

………………….

Soaring high up the sky, over the clouds during night time is the only time Declan is truly content, up above with the clouds, a deep sense of tranquility rules his...