Chapter 2

The Sainted Queen

The sky was dark, almost black, if one had celestial eyes, they could see the blues and greys that circled as they tried to gain leverage from the all-consuming void that was black and white. It was almost fitting that this day was void of color. Absence of color meant absence of life and soul. And today, as there were many days past and may days that would come, was a day where some wished for the black, or the white, they were not picky, would swallow them whole so they would not have to live with the pain that was ripping their mind and soul into pieces.

Not only was it dark, but it felt like it needed to storm; that feeling of static in the air, so oppressive that it feels as if it should short out the functions of the brain and heart.

Today would be a day to stay in the homesteads and try to wait out the building storm. However, today was not a day for waiting, as every citizen of Camelot stood to watch the crowing of the new queen. For King Arthur Pendragon died defeating Modred; and now his only legitimate heir, his daughter, Sophia, was being crowned this day of his burial.

The new queen was but fifteen summers past her birth day; she never expected to be this young; never expected she would be a ruler this soon. But now she stood here in her finest dress, it was of the finest linens and furs. The broaches that held up her dress were adorned in jewels. She stood here before her people as the crown of gold and rubies was placed up on her head. Anybody who looked at her could see the pain shining through her honey burgundy eyes.

“I am proud to announce Queen Sophia Pendragon! LONG LIVE THE QUEEN!” The bishop screamed to the crowd, which cheered that the Pendragons lived on.

Sophia took a deep breath and stood. “Today marks a new beginning. While we mourn the death of my father, King Arthur Pendragon, we must keep his vision of peace alive and well. To that end, I have agreed to a marriage with the Kingdom of Wessex, I will wed Cynric of Wessex and together we will combine East and West! PEACE WILL LIVE ON! AND UNITY SHALL BE OURS!”

Sophia sits down on the throne as the celebration begins. She whispers into the air, “I just hope I haven’t made a mistake…”

17 Years Later

The last seventeen years had been a time of peace. With Modred gone and the Queen very much like her peace wanting father, the country of Wessex had prospered. There had been ups and downs through the years, as with any nation. The brightness that came after the queen’s crowning was nine months from the wedding date Prince Ceawlin was born and named heir to the throne. A darkness came when the queen lost her King, Cynric passed in 560 Anno Domini.

Queen Sophia Pendragon, and yes, she kept her name, after all she had all the power, was not to upset about the passing of her husband. In fact, if one looked closely at the events leading to his death, they would notice that she had a large hand in his early demise. All to protect herself and her son from the man’s temper. And with his death, she was once more free to do as she pleased.

Which is how this spring day she came to be out among her people; she was taking a walk around the center when she turned her head towards a fight. And she would never have imagined what she did next.

Vapula of Gehenna, Healer. That is how he introduced himself when he moved to Camelot. He has stayed around for the last twenty years, he has watched the sainted soul that was the queen make hard choices, he has seen her grow, and her son was going to follow in her footsteps. He had been coming from the blacksmith’s shop when he heard a yell. He turned and groaned. A Damn Principality.

“FOUL BEAST, HALT!” Harahel, Principality of Heaven, yelled when he found the demon.

Vapula sighed, “I have told you, Harahel, I am not doing any harm. Leave me be. You know my falling was more of being at the wrong place at the wrong time.

“You are but a Fallen Cherubim! I will smite thee! And get a promotion!” The greed could be seen in Harahel’s eyes. Even the angels fell to the deadly sins. “Become a Power or perhaps even a Virtue!”

Vapula snorted, “Virtues do not fall to the sins.” He shook his head, “leave me be.”

Of course, Harahel took the chance to lunge at him. “Your death is neigh!”

Vapula was sick of this damn Principality, he started to tremble in rage, after all, rage was strong emotion in all Fallen, wings rippled along his spine, and he mumbled to himself as he tried to calm down. “Damn Principalities always trying to get promotions.”

“BE GONE FOUL BEAST!” Harahel would be getting a lucky shot, possibly killing Vapula, as Vapula was not going to put the towns people in danger.

It happened all so fast at this point, Vapula noticed the Queen running towards them, he heard her gasp of horror, and she did not even pick up her dress to run towards them. Right as the sword should have entered Vapula, he felt a body fall against him instead and the warmth of blood across the hand that went out to wrap itself around the waist of the queen.

The Queen Sophia Pendragon had taken the angelic sword to the chest for him. She had saved him.

Harahel was furious! “For your interference in Godly work, you shall forever be damned!” He cursed her to go to hell.

Sophia gasped as the blood filled her lungs, but she pulled a blessed dagger from her side, she took it and stabbed it into the neck of Harahel. “Then I will see you in Hell.” She coughed out as blood spilled from her mouth.

Harahel fell to the ground bleeding out, as it was a blessed blade, and they could kill both demons and angels. Vapula moved and held onto the queen as they fell to the ground, the queen now had a gaping chest wound. He moved and pocketed the blade the queen had killed the angel with, after all that could come in handy. He held her and went to place a hand over her chest to heal, but it was too late, her soul was leaving. “Oh, Queen Sophia, why did you do that?”

The queen took gasping breathes, “Because you are one of my people… Demon or not, Healer Vapula of Gehenna… Tell Ceawlin I love him…” With that the queen gave one more rattling breath and then grew still in death.

Vapula was clinching her body as the knights of the round table converged and with a sure stroke the head knight beheaded the bleeding and dying angel. Vapula took this chance to grab the heavenly sword and slip away. After all, he now needed to get back to hell. He had a soul to find.