Free The Story of Evil: Volume I - Heroes of the Siege by Tony Johnson Page B

as the south side of Celestial, if not more. He could partially see the east and west sides as well. The fires and plumes of smoke looked like a ring around the outer part of the city. This was because cheaper houses made of straw and wood were farthest away from the castle and closest to the inner wall. They burned more easily than the stone buildings towards the middle of the city. Also, most of the flaming projectiles from monster catapults in the fields could not fly far enough to hit most of the stone buildings.
    The last of the monsters were climbing over the inner wall with their ladders or entering through breaches. Most of the attacking army was in the streets. All looked tiny specs flowing through the city from so high up.
    A hand lightly tugged Steve’s tunic sticking out of the plate of armor at his waist, bringing Steve back to reality. The Supreme Commander was already on the ground kneeling, trying to get Steve to do the same by pulling him down. Steve went down on one knee and stared down into the royal red carpet.
    How could I forget to kneel in the presence of this man? He felt like a low class slave with no manners. Everyone knows you’re supposed to kneel at first sight of the king.
    “What is your report?” The golden armored man asked, still looking out the window. He had known his Supreme Commander would be the next one that walked into his throne room.
    Steve remained kneeled as Sir Lambert rose and gave his answer, “Your honor, this is the largest attack we have ever witnessed. We’ve never had so many causalities in one day. Seventy-five warriors have made it back to provide additional support in the guarding of the castle. As you know, multiplying that number by five would still not be enough men to cover all our stations.”
    “Any word on Prince Silas’s location?”
    “We have searched everywhere, but he is nowhere to be found, your majesty. He ditched his guard and disappeared this morning.” The Supreme Commander cut an angry look at two guards who stood talking to each other. Steve assumed they had been the ones who lost track of the prince.
    The man breathed a deep sigh of frustration. After weighing the possible meaning of his missing prince, he asked, “Who did you bring with you?”
    Steve was amazed that the king knew he was in the room, especially since the king’s back was to them the entire time since they had entered. He must have seen our reflection in the window.
    Steve continued to kneel with his head lowered. He heard the sound of clinking armor and footsteps as the man turned and began to walk towards him. Steve’s heart was beating faster than the times when Ty convinced him to talk to a pretty girl.
    “For his heroic sacrifices on the battlefield, that I observed firsthand, I present to you an honorary Guardian Knight,” Sir Lambert announced.
    Steve saw golden boots enter at the top of his view of the floor. He was standing before Steve.
    “Rise.” The man’s powerful voice boomed as he commanded such a simple word. Steve obeyed and stood up, meeting King Oliver Zoran face to face.

Chapter 8
     
    As Steve stood up, his eyes went from the golden boots, upward to the weapon the king kept in the sheath at his side. There it is. Steve thought. The Aurelian Sword! The very sword Oliver Zoran used to kill the five-headed dragon, Draviakhan. Steve stared at the long, double-edged weapon. The Aurelian Sword (also known as Aurelia [meaning golden] or the King’s Sword) had a curved golden blade, classifying the weapon as a scimitar. The hilt was beautifully decorated in jewels. Five stones representing the elements were attached above the sword’s optional one or two handed handle. There was a red ruby for fire, a green emerald for wind, a blue sapphire for water, a yellow topaz for electricity, and a brown jasper for earth. In the center of the circle of jewels was a large diamond. The diamond symbolized that there was strength in bringing the five elements