The Marrow Warrior and the Bloodstone

The river ran backwards on the day the Queen vanished.

When she was known as Princess Lin, she was always rambunctious and getting into trouble with the castle keepers, especially Head Keeper Juncho who only wanted to maintain a clean living space for the royalty. Lin was known for sneaking away at all times of day or night with her friend Felix just to mingle with the common-folk or steal away some snacks. She thought this would be her life since she had two brothers several years older than her. Surely the oldest, Dairon, would get the crown and Tomas would inherit the Bloodstone. But civility between their Kingdom of Remulda and the Kingdom of Sidonen rotted away.

Sidonen had launched a full scale invasion. They had hoped to cut off Remulda from their leylines, sacred sites that connected them with the Spirits, before the invasion could be rebuffed. Sidonen was mostly successful and took all but one leyline in the southern region, the one defended by the then Queen Riva. King Casca was forced to march against this foe while his brother, Prince Jaso, commanded the Bloodstone.

An enormous battle ensued that waged relentlessly across untold days. With the power of the remaining leyline fueling the Bloodstone, Prince Jaso was able to beckon aid from on high that saw a surge in Remuldan forces’ abilities. They battled with superb coordination and communication. They were fueled by a fervor that saw them fight through mortal wounds. The battle was tipped in their favor. Until Sidonen unleashed their answer to the Bloodstone, the Marrow Warrior.

A warrior that donned armor comprised of the bones from beasts stepped onto the battlefield. His skeletal helmet resembled a wolf but far more grotesque. Too many teeth far sharper than any known creature. He strutted through the battlefield. Single blows from his sword slayed the otherwise unkillable Remuldan soldiers. King Casca met this warrior in battle for a brawl that brought all nearby to a standstill. Sidonese and Remuldan forces waited for the victor rather than fight each other. Each landed blows that echoed through the valley in which the leyline was located. Their fight raged and saw each of their weapons break. They seemed hopelessly matched until they were caught in a clinch. The Marrow Warrior bit King Casca’s neck and tore away at his flesh. From there, the fight was easy for him and the king fell. The only sound was Queen Riva’s cries as she ran to him.

The Marrow Warrior quickly dispatched the queen as well before she had any time to grieve her loss. A dark presence then emanated from his body and a shadow crawled along the ground. It slithered at an unmatched speed towards Prince Jaso in the support lines. Before Jaso could raise up the Bloodstone, it’s red light was darkened by the shadow and faded to a black darker than night. Jaso’s veins suffered a similar fate when they too turned black and crawled up his body. He turned sickly almost instantly.

The Marrow Warrior let out a horrendous roar and the Sidonese army attacked and found their foes susceptible to death. Remulda began to lose ground. Prince Jaso aged before his men’s very eyes. He nodded to one soldier and sounded the retreat. He ripped the Bloodstone from his neck and handed it to Felix, who had become his squire before the war, and ordered his retreat as well. Prince Jaso unsheathed his sword and walked towards the approaching Marrow Warrior.

When news of this defeat reached the capital, fear and uncertainty ruled the population. Prince Dairon sought to reclaim that rule and was quickly coronated as King Dairon I. Prince Tomas was given the Bloodstone but found it of little use. They lost their connection to the Spirits without the leylines. He carried it nonetheless if only to ease the spirits of their remaining fighters. Dairon was ill prepared for what he was about to face but for all that he lacked he made up for as an orator. He had the army believing they could take on the gods. And they marched to battle with that belief. They marched to battle and Princess Lin was left with a capital full of subjects seeking anything to inspire hope. But they would be left unsatisfied with the last royal in the castle.

Her once freeform mornings were now laden with meetings and reports she only half heard. Head Keeper Juncho found her attention span wanting. The city guards reported more and more minor disturbances as the populace took liberties without a firm hand to guide them. Thefts, mostly. Some people prophesied doom but were quickly drowned out. The mass majority still believed in victory for the royal blood, blessed from the Spirits, still resided in the castle over them. Lin allowed Juncho and his keepers to proceed with whatever resolution needed her the least. The only reports she cared for were when news came regarding her brothers.

For all his talk of large battles, Dairon appeared to avoid them altogether. Despite Juncho’s suggestion to attack the head of the snake, Dairon and Tomas led small skirmishes all over the land. It became clear they were working to reclaim one of the leylines. They wanted to reestablish their connection to the Spirits. They seemed to be making progress. One day, however, instead of news of their progress, the castle was delivered Dairon’s broken shield. No one knew what happened and the Bloodstone was missing. There was no time to grieve.

Lin officially inherited her family throne. Juncho ran through the preparations with great haste. Despite her protests, Princess Lin was coronated as Queen Alixa II, after her late renowned warrior queen great-grandmother. She never responded to the name however. Juncho drew up countless plans for Lin to agree to. To double the guard and punish criminals, to silence the doomsayers, conscript those of age for battle, to wage war upon the Sidonese and reclaim her birthright.

It became too much. She didn’t want any of it. She longed for the days of sneaking away to a grove, festival or anywhere away from royal duties. She missed playing with her friends. The world was turned upside down. Lin was queen and even Felix, who was but a squire before everything happened, was now a commander in the army. It was too much. So Lin left.

The throne was empty. The Bloodstone was missing. The enemy was advancing. Juncho, again, wasted no time in capturing this moment. He called himself steward of the throne and took the crown. But he was not of royal blood. He was not blessed by the Spirits. He did not have the backing of the people. But they needed someone and he pounced on the opportunity.

The Marrow Warrior’s army came to the walls of the capital and Juncho met him. Juncho raised his arm and… opened the gates. The Sidonese poured inside and overwhelmed what defenders Remulda had. Felix retreated with whomever he could save. Juncho led the Marrow Warrior to the throne room and offered him the crown.

The world trembled with this betrayal. Vibrant hues fell dull. The trees shed their spring leaves. The sun’s rays felt cold. The earth laid barren. And the river ran backwards.

Felix eluded capture but didn’t know what he could possibly do in the face of this threat. He felt so alone. Maybe if he could put the blessed blood back on the throne he could start to undo this tragedy. He needed to find Queen Alixa II. No, he first needed to find his friend, Lin.