32. We Live to Die

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Iker stood outside the King's chamber, his ears pressed up against the wooden frame. He had followed Commander Amir up to the King's chamber; unseen of course. That was his idea of keeping and eye on things. Commander Amir was always the one to deal with anything concerning the guards at Area fifteen.

Iker had never thought of it before: is the Commander just simply following orders or was his judgement the same of the King? He knew Commander Amir as a kind person and not one who would turn a blind eye to the things in front of him. Iker placed the thought to the side, focusing on hearing what the two were talking about.

"There's a riot near Area fifteen. They want the Iron Fortress gone, some even want to see their child again." Commander Amir have his report to the King. It was no surprise that Cormac had strike a bit of rebellion in the people's heart. They needed to see things for what they really are not what they think or what the King tells them. "Of course not everyone is joining in. Some have remained hateful." He said. Iker could imagine a look of satisfaction on King Rhett's face.

"Where is that son of mine? He starts his childish games and leave the Kingdom in chaos." King Rhett spoke, more than please with how things are going. Cormac has yet to return and night had already fallen. Iker could only hope that he was spending the night in Peruel or that they hadn't done anything bad to him because he was King Rhett's son.

"I know not where he is my Lord." Amir said.

"Is he in that damned place again?" King Rhett spoke with much disgust. "He's been going for a month and you have not seen him once. Not even the guards." It was clear he was getting angry.

It was all adding up to Amir why the Prince was missing his practices along with his other duties. He wasn't going to blame Iker for lying to him. They shared an unbreakable friendship. He was just trying to cover for the Prince.

"Just yesterday a guard reported seeing three persons escape through a hole in the wall." The Commander informed him. It was an easy slip away since the guards there were slacking off. It was his fault for not managing them better. "From the descriptions, it was the crown Prince fiance along with Princess Arabella and.....Iker."

Iker didn't think that they would get away so freely. Arabella had given him a hard blow, not enough to kill him or for him to keep his mouth shut. This was bound to happen. "Iker." King Rhett said, sending fearful shivers down Iker's spine. The man had it out for him already, even more now. "I'll deal with Area fifteen."

"What are you going to do?" Amir dared to ask.

"What I should've done years ago," he replied. Iker suddenly had a bad gut feeling that something bad was going to happen. "Tomorrow, I'll set those fifteen straight as a lesson to that foolish son of mine." He continued. "As for Cormac I'll handle him myself. He's not the son I hoped to have."

Iker placed a hand over his mouth, thinking that something was happening at a time like this when Cormac was gone. Silence followed then he heard footsteps nearing the door. He suddenly didn't know the castle as he didn't know where to go. He ran down the hall, slipping around the corner as he pressed his back up against it. Iker's heart was racing as he looked to see if Commander Amir had left. The man was closing the door, then he took a different path.

Iker slumped his shoulders, letting out a breath he didn't realize he was holding. He had to go and tell Phoenix. Cormac wasn't here to challenge his father yet again. He had to warn Phoenix about what was going to happen.

-

The next day.......

"Are you going to say yes?" Siobhan asked a daze Phoenix. He was sitting on a rock as he watched a crowd of people push forward to the Iron Fortress. The guards trying to keep them back. A few on the inside joined them, making it difficult for the guards on both sides. "I don't see why you should refuse." She joined him on the rock.

"I feel like your trying to get rid of me." Phoenix joked earning a slap from Siobhan. "He was going to marry someone else and didn't tell me." Phoenix was upset when he said those words just before asking for his hand in marriage. It didn't seem as if he and Princess Ximera was romantically involved but still....

"My answer could wait a bit longer." Phoenix said, thinking of it as a sort of punishment for Cormac. "We won't be seeing each other for a while with the way things are. It's just as hard to get in as to leave." Besides, Phoenix didn't know how well the King took the news. It was obvious he didn't like Phoenix or what Cormac was doing.

"You two sure did it huh," Siobhan spoke, looking at the crowd of people who decided upon a change. "I won't lie, I had my doubts."

Phoenix had his doubts too. He reached for his pendant, continuing the journey that his father couldn't. "This is only the beginning. I don't know what comes next but we aren't stopping yet." Phoenix said with much determination.

"If it's you, I know it can happen." Siobhan wasn't just being hopeful. With who Phoenix truly was he could definitely accomplish what he wanted. "You'll be the hero along with your husband. I could tell stories to Emil and Emilia about how I knew such a great person."

"You really want us to get married don't you." Phoenix said following a chuckle. "The King is already not fond of me. If I marry his son can you image the life in that castle." It wasn't stopping Phoenix from saying yes but he would rather have a life with Cormac where they could live without worries. Not having hateful glared boring hole into him. He knew Cormac would protect him. Phoenix wanted a life knowing there wasn't a threat two rooms or however much rooms down.

He also had to think about Siobhan and the others. He couldn't jump into something until he knew everything worked out well. That they had as good a place as him. "I have my answer he'll just have to wait a bit longer." He finished.

Rebel came and interrupted the two. Phoenix and Rebel had yet to get back to how they were before. Rocco had apologized sometime before. Phoenix patting his head and telling him he wasn't mad at him. Rebel found it hard to look his way, Siobhan giving her a strict gaze. It was time they fixed their issue.

"I-I'm sorry." Rebel finally said. "I shouldn't have said those things. I appreciate everything you've done for us and I'm sorry. I just wished you'd tell us. We're your family, we deserved to know." It felt like a weight lifted off Rebel's shoulder.

"Come here," Phoenix said, outstretched his arms for a hug. Rebel ran into his arms, falling into the hug as she held back the tears. Siobhan smiled happily at the two. It was about time. "I admit I was hurt but never mad." He released Rebel from the hug. "I can never hate you guys." He sent a smile her way. Rebel left soon after. Phoenix turning to see Siobhan smiling happily at him.

As he looked back at the crowd at the gate he noticed something was wrong. The people that were set in the Kingdom started backing away, some shouting but he couldn't hear what they were saying. Those inside the Iron Fortress had frightened looks on their face. Some started running, pulling others along as some waited to see what was happening.

The huge gate opened with a loud creak. People where starting to get pushed down by guards, a fight suddenly breaking out. It was clear who was going to be overpowered. Siobhan held onto Phoenix arm wanting to leave. Things were getting bad and real fast.

A flood of soldiers came through the gates. That was when it all started to go down hill. They started cutting down the people inside Area fifteen along with the others who dared to interfere. A rain of arrows then came down, trapping those who was about to escape further into the Fortress.

"Let's go!" Phoenix said, pulling Siobhan along as they ran. "We have to warn the others." The soldiers were progressing without any problems. Phoenix shouted, trying to warn everyone insight. Some refused to believe him, only doing so when the screams and soldiers got near.

Phoenix first thought was where Cormac was. He wouldn't do something like this, it was the King. He hoped that nothing bad had happened to him. Siobhan was clearly panicking, she wanted nothing more than for her babies to be safe. They neared the house and rushed inside. "What's happening?" Rocco asked, as they two had a panicked expression.

"We have to leave. The soldiers are killing everyone in sight." Phoenix said, grouping the four of them together. Siobhan took up the baby, Phoenix taking the other. They didn't carry anything, their lives where more important. "We have to go find Stella, Nevaeh and Luna." Phoenix informed them as they rushed out the house.

The soldiers were near, a pile of dead bodies on the ground. Phoenix gritted his teeth as he had to look away. Mae was already crying, it wasn't the time to comfort her. To see such a sight was horrible for them. Poppy was trying to hold back her own tears, keeping her gaze fixed ahead, not wanting to see what was happening behind them.

Rocco and Rebel kept their font up. Phoenix knew it was also a hard sight for the two, even for him. If the had to let them make it through it, he had to be the strongest. The sick house came in sight. Stella and Nevaeh came rushing out with Luna in her arms. They were just as frightened as them. Stella looked Phoenix way, this was what she feared would happen.

"There's no time to explain." He looked over his shoulders. They hadn't gotten that far ahead of the soldiers. They were preparing to fire a next rain of arrows. People running about as some desperately clung to life. "We have to leave before--" the arrows came without warning. He knew he was shouting but not knowing what words that left his mouth.

He pushed them along. Telling them to run. Poppy seemed to have panicked and stood frozen in place. Rocco rushed back, Phoenix yelling at Poppy to run and Rocco to stay. He knew not what happened next. He heard Siobhan and the others screaming. Phoenix handed Emilia to Stella then rushing towards the two.

Rocco laid atop a Poppy who was in shock on the ground. Phoenix pulled the boy off, his face pale at the sight. He pulled Poppy to her feet, "You have to run Poppy. Go to Sector three with the others." That was the only place Phoenix thought would be safe. "Go to the book house and close it. Do you remember how I close it?" He had to repeat it three times, his voice raising before Poppy finally nodded.

She rushed towards the other. Phoenix told the others to go along. They were reluctant but went. Phoenix looked at the lifeless body before him. Rocco was gone. He had to break the news to the others. He didn't make it in time to save him. Phoenix looked around him, this wasn't what he wanted. Everyone was dying because of what he and Cormac did.

He held Rocco by his arm, an arrow pierce his neck. He dragged him along the gravel, not wanting to leave him lying around. He pulled him towards the Sick house. Phoenix was caught up with the death of Rocco that he failed to see the soldiers with his sword ready to strike him.

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