“W-Where? Where is he?!”

There is panic in the King’s voice.

“W-Where has that sneaky sack of crap run off to?!”

Mor Aurum, the Child of Sunglow, the Fuchsia Flame, the mighty ruler of the Kingdom of Purple & Gold has fallen into despair. An insatiable evil has crept its way through his kingdom, consuming everything in its path. Now that it has reached the streets of his capital city, there is no fight left in the King’s heart.

He struggles to keep his fear hidden but it drips from every word he speaks.

“Move damn it! Your King commands it!” shouts King Aurum, pushing his way through the crowded castle hallways as he desperately searches for their salvation.  

The King is a massive man, who stands head and shoulders above his subjects. His tall frame supports a muscular build, broad shoulders, and a thick, luxurious beard. With such a rugged and dominating presence he is occasionally misidentified as a mountain troll when traveling outside his kingdom.

In addition to his appearance, King Aurum is known to be quick to anger but compassionate and tender to those loyal to him. Not one to shy away from a challenge, King Aurum has remained a prominent figure in many battles that have found their way into the Purple & Gold. Hundreds of enemies laid dead at his feet while he stood tall and ready for more.

But this enemy is different. It is ravenous. Unrelenting. It shook the King to his core and reduced him to a frightened little mouse scurrying around the castle.

“Please listen to me…” the King quietly says to himself as his bottom lip quivers.

Hysteria dominates the castle, and the King is very much part of it.

To combat the fear that gripped his heart, King Aurum called upon every remaining knight, warrior, and mage still loyal to the Purple & Gold. Thousands heeded the King’s call and crammed themselves behind the castle walls. The sight of such a massive army allowed the King a slight reprieve from his crippling terror.

Not wanting to lose his newly found sense of safety, the King forbade his army from leaving the castle grounds. Expecting sound reason behind the King’s order, his army obeyed without question. Their actions of loyalty unintentionally abandoning the city’s most vulnerable residents. They did not fully comprehend the weight of their actions until the pounding and screaming began.

Hundreds of terrified citizens gathered outside the castle’s front gate, desperately crying for help. They pounded on the gate until their skin split and blood spilled onto the ground. Their screams of terror grew soft as their throats became raw. All their hopes and prayers were silenced by their beloved King.

Inside the castle, hundreds of knights outfitted in heavy plate armor rush to receive their final blessings. They remained silent as their thunderous footsteps shook the castle to its foundation. Their hurried pace unbroken.  

Mages of every order push themselves to the brink of death as they cast countless spells throughout the castle. They continuously force their magics upon the King’s army in an attempt to fend off their impending doom.  

Archers and spearmen in thick leather atop chainmail race to every castle tower and walkway. Their bows and spears growing heavy with every step they climb. An uneasiness fills their minds. It questions if their weapons will have any effect against such a formidable foe.

Servants, cooks, and lesser lords try their best to stay hidden as the madness ensues around them. They huddle together in corners and cling to each other, not wanting to get caught up in the waves of frenzied bodies. Unfortunately, many have been swept away and trampled to death under the feet of the King’s impressive army.

Flanked by his royal guards, King Aurum continues to struggle his way through the castle. His wide build hinders his movements as he navigates the cramped conditions.

“Get me out of this mess, this instant!” the King yells as he tries to mask a tremble in his voice.

“Have you all grown feeble and dumb?! Do I need to do everything myself?!”

The King’s royal guards are using all their might to force open a path large enough for the King to fit, but they find themselves surrounded and unable to move.

“Sire! Sire! I have found him! I found Gregory!” Douglas yells excitedly as he squeezes and shifts through the congested hallway. His young body more malleable than the bulk the King had put on over the decades.

Douglas is a proud knight of the Purple & Gold, who stands atop all others. Born to commoner parents, Douglas impressed the King with his speed and exceptional sword skills. Through the Kings personal tutelage, Douglas became the most lethal member of his royal guard.

In return, Douglas is doing his best to honor the King by growing facial hair worthy of a person of his rank. Unfortunately for everyone with eyes, only a few small clumps of coarse blonde hair dot his cheeks. Nevertheless, King Aurum appreciates and values his attempt.

“Fantastic job Sir Douglas!” the King yells back.

“Now that is what true determination looks like, you shabby lot!”

The faces of the royal guards have become red as the raging river of armored bodies pushes against them.

When Douglas gets within reach, the King stretches out his massive right arm and grabs ahold of his collar. Then using his monstrous strength, the King violently pulls Douglas towards him through the crowd, knocking over everyone in his path.

“Take me to him this instant!” King Aurum screams in Douglas’s face.

Douglas is startled by the King’s actions. Face to face with the King, Douglas can fully see the terror in his eyes.

“Y-yes my lord, right away!”

…

Douglas quickly leads the King down the main staircase towards the front gate. An avalanche of bodies preceding them as they force their way down the steps.

A sea of purple and gold has filled the grand courtyard behind the castle’s front gate, as the decorated knights cram together. Their large shields and broadswords fill the space between their bodies as they prepare themselves to fight in the name of their King.

In the middle of the knights gathered a group of a dozen warriors whose appearance was out of place. This group was not outfitted with heavy armor, and they did not adorn themselves with the colors of the King. Instead, this group wore light armor consisting of chainmail and the hides of various magical beasts. On top of it all they wore capes, cloaks, and surcoats dyed dark blue with a crown of flowers sown in silver thread.

The blue represents the deep color of his eyes.

The silver flowers show claim to his homeland.

These were followers of Gregory Blostma, the current Second Seat of the Venusta Magicians.

Within this group stood a stout, balding man wearing a half dozen necklaces of braided flowers over a dark blue cloak. He was unimposing and looked frail with a large belly and soft chubby cheeks, but the group watched and listened intently to his every word.

This man is Gregory Blostma, and in this time of panic he was nothing but calm and carefree.  

The moment King Aurum saw Gregory he went berserk. All the fear and despair that filled his mind was gone in an instant. In its place an overwhelming desire to kill Gregory for making him feel so small.  

“Gregory you slimy arse! How dare you hide from me!” screamed the King, his face turning red.

“Congratulations for making me a fool! Now you will die by my hands, you treacherous pig!”

The King’s voice roars through the crowd, collecting the attention of everyone within earshot.

Gregory looks up to see the King running full speed down the staircase while shouting obscenities.

His followers in blue step in front of their leader and watch along as the King scrambles down the last few steps. They do not take kindly to the King’s disrespectful words.

They reach for their weapons and prepare themselves.  

“No need to worry. All will be well.” Gregory softly says to his followers.

As the King enters the densely packed armored crowd his movements are slowed. The knights surrounding Gregory unintentionally saving him from the King’s wrath.

“Look at the doom and despair you have caused my kingdom! Do you not hear their cries? Their agony?! I will have you join them after I break every bone in your fleshy body!” the King shouts.

The weight of the King’s words do not land as intended, as Gregory calmly watches the King force his way through the crowd. His movements becoming almost feral.  

“Was this your plan?! To hide like a coward?! To cram yourself amongst my knights and shelter from the inevitable fate you have brought upon for us all?!”

“Hide? My Lord, as you can see, I am standing here in plain sight.” Gregory says as he does a little twirl to show the King his whole body.

“I arrived early this morning, before the morning sun broke. Surely you must have seen my plump body, my lord.” Gregory says politely with a lazily forced smile on his face.  

“Horse crap! I have searched the castle twice over to find you! But only now have you decided to show your face!” King Aurum yells as he starts tossing knights out of his way to get to Gregory faster. Their bodies slamming to the ground behind him.

“My kingdom is not to be played with! Nor am I your toy! Your death will be the last gift I can afford before we all succumb!””

“Sire, please refrain from making such threats!” Douglas says, trying to keep up with the King as he scrambles over the knights strewn about the floor.

“As you can see Gregory did not abandon us! But it is imperative you do not make him wish he did!”

“A keen mind as always Sir Douglas.”  Gregory says with a chuckle.

“Enough!” The King screams as he sends his massive fist flying towards Gregory. Its destination the middle of the Magician’s round face.

In a flash a tall muscular woman wearing a dark blue surcoat steps forward and deflects the King’s strike, with one of her own.

Her left fist hits the back of the King’s hand, forcing it off course and away from Gregory.  

The impact creates a loud BOOM!, which is quickly followed by a deafening silence.

The King is stunned as he looks at a small dent in the back of his right hand. The woman’s counterattack was so swift and powerful that he is unable to fully comprehend what just happened.

“W-what?” the King stammers.

“Thank you, Iris.” Gregory says to the woman in a sweet loving tone as she stands ready to fight.  

Just like King Aurum, Iris is an imposing figure in the Kingdom of Purple and Gold. She stands over six feet tall with sun darkened skin, a thick muscular body, and a menacing scowl permanently fixed upon her face.

Though not as powerful with magic as Gregory, Iris is a master of many forms, utilizing her extreme physical strength to make up for what she lacks in skill.

Out of all Gregory’s followers, Iris is the most fanatically loyal. She has proven this time again by silencing anyone who dared speak ill of her beloved Magician. No matter what rank, title, or race you are, Iris will beat her love and admiration for Gregory into you.

A step behind Iris’s attack, the rest of Gregory’s followers assembled around the Magician. Their swords drawn and bows ready, as they look out onto the crowd of stunned knights.

As King Aurum continues to examine his dented hand, Iris’s eyes remain fixed on him. The impact had broken many bones in her hand and left her skin split and bleeding. The chainmail sleeve covering her left arm torn to shreds.

The crowd of knights break their stunned silence before their King does. Their murderous intent fills the air as they slowly close in around Gregory’s group.

With the threat of death surrounding them, Gregory’s followers are riled up and angry. They do not fear the knights, but instead are determined to make the King suffer for his failed attack.

Gregory on the other hand is quite pleased to see the King so upset.

“My lord, I feel that this error is due in part to my misjudgment.” Gregory says with a giggle.

The King looks up at Gregory.

“If I would have known you would act like a child, I would have spoken to you more tenderly and held your hand a bit tighter. Please do forgive me.” Gregory says with a smirk.  

The smirk on Gregory’s face enrages the King.

“You are no Magician! You are a monster!” The King screams as he charges toward Gregory, foam frothing from his mouth. 

But with all his might the King remains motionless.

Looking back, the King sees Douglas and the rest of his royal guards grabbing ahold of his armor and robe. They are latched tight and using all their strength to stop him from moving forward.

“My lord please stop this!” Douglas yells as he pulls back on the King’s right arm.

“Without Gregory your kingdom will fall! It will be you, not him who will have caused it!”

“My kingdom is already lost! He! Must! Die!” The King grunts as he slowly shuffles forward, dragging his guards behind him.

“No! It is not too late! Gregory is still the key to stopping this evil!” Douglas says, fighting hard to stay clung to the Kings arm.

“Sir Douglas speaks the truth my lord. I have not been sitting idly by waiting for death to arrive. But in fact, have been devising a way to save your kingdom.” Gregory arrogantly says.

“You lie! For years You have grown fat off my kingdom with your deceitful words! I will not let your crimes go unpunished!” the King yells, his hands struggling to reach out towards Gregory.  

“Crimes?! What crimes?! Throughout all these years, I have only ever served you to the best of my abilities! I do not scheme or deceive. There are no ulterior motives to my actions. If anything, the only thing I am guilty of is remaining loyal to a King who thinks so little of me!” Gregory shouts.

“My lord, please!” Douglas says, his voice straining as he puts all his strength into stopping the King’s arm.

“If you put your trust in me, I will end this evil. And I will show you how deep my loyalty runs to not only your kingdom, but to you as well, my lord!” Gregory says as he stares the King directly in the eyes.

The King’s massive body is mere inches away from Iris, as she refuses to move from where she stands.

He is huffing and grunting as his mind races, thinking about what to do.

His push forward has lessened but not stopped.   

Douglas used the momentary pause to get in front of the King, stretching his arms out wide.

“Please, my lord! Listen to him! Do not betray your kingdom!” Douglas says as he looks up at the King.

“Yes. Listen to me, for I will not disappoint you.”  Gregory says with a devious smile.