[LitF] 0. Prologue (Patreon)

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The stone archway wasn't out of place in the damp brick-walled room, but the open door was. It was made of a metal that consumed all light that touched it. Looking at it was like staring at the abyss.

Richard didn't care about it at all.

All his focus was spent on the four people beyond the door. He stared firmly at their backs as they walked further into the battered-earth corridor.

His resolute son and the girl beside him were clueless about what the future held in stock for them. The king felt guilty about it but was absolutely sure this was for the best. Whether or not they forgave him one day was irrelevant as long as they survived.

The two adults with the kids, however, knew what was going on. They knew they would see no familiar faces when they returned. They knew they were abandoning everything. And yet, they went ahead.

It made the king even guiltier, though in this case, it was for doubting them in the past.

A few moments after the four people disappeared into the corridor, Richard nodded to the only other person in the room, clad in black plate armor, who stood beside the dungeon archway.

The grand knight nodded back and closed the door with his remaining arm. Then he stood guard before it. Even without a limb, he was a force to be reckoned with.

Yet, an old force. At most, he had a decade left in him, his high vitality only bringing him so far. He would spend that time in a silent and lonely watch, dealing with any scouts that found that place after the kingdom fell.

The king hoped the man would resist long enough to let Arthur reach a sufficiently deep dungeon floor.

"Your House will be safe," Richard said, reassuring his knight.

"I know," he replied briskly.

The man had never been a pleasant conversationalist, and his grief and guilt made him even somberer. Yet, Richard couldn't deny those feelings worked in the king's favor. The knight wouldn't be there otherwise.

"Thank you," the king said, nodded again, took a last look at the closed door, and left the room.

It was done.

Now, the Golden King only had to stall the war as much as possible and die the right way.

[A/N: Just a lil' sneak peek of things to come.]

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