But A Pawn.

The marble doors of the Throne Room open and you step inside, as you forcefully push them aside they crash into the wall, the loud sound echoing through out the spacious throne room. You pull your weapons out, ready to fight any warriors that will obviously flood out to kill you.

Glancing around the room, seeing marble pillars extending high into the ceiling, a soft red carpet trailing up the path leading straight to the Throne itself. Many smaller chairs made of velvet, wood and gold sitting around the room allowing much Royalty to relax and enjoy their stay. By those chairs are the same matching tables made of fresh wood with golden rings around the outer edges, just screaming royalty.

But that was just it. Empty chairs and tables. No royalty, no guards, nothing.

As you follow the red carpet up towards the Throne, you see someone sitting it, a golden chalice in their hand as they just wait, almost as if they knew there would be no point to run, hide or even fight back.

You walk up the carpet, making your way towards the Throne and the person, most likely the King, sitting there. You keep your weapons ready and your head moving constantly, always scanning the area, looking behind each pillar, each table and towards the corners of every side. Step by step you get closer to the Throne and step by step you come to the conclusion that the King is the only one here.

You finally get close enough to him, standing only about fifteen feet away from him. He's up about six rows of stairs and still seated in his huge Throne. The King looks like ****, extremely old, loose skin, mostly bald and with the little hair he has, completely grey. You remember seeing him at the qualification rounds for Nillix and even though that wasn't that long ago, he looks like he's aged multiple years.

"Came to finish your task?" he sets his chalice on the armrest of his throne, just looking "Well, go ahead then."

You tilt your head up, still holding a weapon in each hand "My task?" you question him "Where is your army?"

"My army?" The King questions "I'm assuming you are slaughtering them as we speak."

"Bullshit." you interrupt him "Where are the rest of them. Where did they go? Where is Commander Rixx?!" you growl at the King.

"Huh..." The King moves slow, moving his hand over to his chalice once more, picking it up and slowly drinking some wine out of it.

"Where is your army?!" you say again "Why did you give up the inner city and the castle so easily? What is your plan!? Your end game?!"

He just looks at you, his head moving to the side as he's reading your body language. "My endgame." he laughs out loud before slowly taking another drink from his chalice "This is my endgame, Darien." he finally says your name. "Betrayal at it's best."

"I don't understand..." you stay un-moving, just waiting for an answer. "Betrayal?"

"They left." The King finally says, trying to stare into your hood covered eyes.

"Left? What do you mean they left?!" you dig for more answers.

"Days ago, Darien. After our scout relayed information about your army taking over Murnic." He brings his chalice up to his mouth one more time, draining the contents. "Would you?" he points to a table next to you, his finger pointing at a vase.

You look between The King and the Vase. With a low grunt you step over, grabbing the vase which was most likely full of wine and bring it up the couple of steps to The King.

"Thank you." he mumbles out as you pour the contents into his chalice.

"Where did they go?" You question as you set the vase down next to his Throne then back down a few steps, gaining some distance from the King again. "Why would they abandon Rathkin?!"

He once more takes a drink from his Chalice, just looking over you, watching your every step "You really don't know do you." he has a confused look on his face.

"What aren't you telling me?"

"Hmm..." he ponders briefly "Strange, I figured you were in on it." he once more pauses, now staring off into the distance "She left but a day or so ago, to find you. I figured you were in on their plan, you did fight for her before."

"She? Huh..." you mumble to yourself, thinking of the situation "Karisi...?" you ponder.

"Now if you'll excuse me. I'd rather be alone now." he pulls out a small vial from his pocket, pouring the contents into his chalice. "My reign is over..."

You look back to him "Wait, what's going on here? And what's Karisi got to do with this?"

He drinks from his chalice, the vial he poured in mixing with the wine. With a deep breath "I suggest you talk with that lady friend of yours." he waves his hand at you "Now please, just leave me be. Let me enjoy one last peaceful moment alone in the kingdom I built."

Karisi showed up just the other day, but if the Rathkin Army left earlier then she knew they weren't here. Why wouldn't she tell you about this? What's this plan the King is talking about? All of this is so confusing and at the moment there appears to be one person who knows what's going on. You must get back to Murnic, to get back to Karisi so you can ask her just what the hell is going on and where the hell the Rathkin army went.

Betrayal? The Rathkin army leaving? Lady Karisi's plan? You snarl under your hood as you're getting frustrated at finding out no answers what so ever. With a turn you start to walk back down across the red carpeted floor, making your way back out of the castle, your footsteps stomping hard on the ground as anger and confusing is coursing through your veins.

"Darien..." The King says, causing you to stop in your tracks, your back still facing him. You turn your head slightly so you can see him out of the corner of your eye "How's it feel to be but a pawn in a game full of Kings and Queens?"