GAMBIT 33 033| River

Pureheart mourns. The joy which is always present in the smiles of every individual has withered into sadness, their souls corrupted. This is not the time for festivities nor smiles and ecstasies for it is during these kinds of times when they suffer a great loss, a leader. A queen. Since the advent of the kingdom never once has a queen died because of wars and sieges. It is due to old age or perhaps sickness which takes the life of a queen away.

Avery will be written in history, never to be forgotten by the people of today, always to be remembered by the people of tomorrow. She is the first queen to sacrifice herself with courage and bravery for the sake of a mere p.a.w.n. Quartz even wonders why the queen would do such a thing in the first place.

Back at the fortress, wherein the corridors remain quiet, the princess mourns for her mother's name. The father wraps her with solaces, as much as possible, but even a king like him has shed a tear for his wife. Although being brave, Felix was scared of one thing, and that is to lose his wife, family, or worse, his kingdom.

In her bedroom, wherein she tries to sleep in order to forget whatever is troubling her mind, her father enters with a gift on his grasps. He walks to his daughter, shaking her softly. Jupiter opens her eyes, and is surprised to see the face of his father. She smiles, and leans her upper torso to the end of the bed.

"You might want to have this." His father says, giving an object covered with brown fabric to the hands of the daughter.

"Wh… What is this?" She stutters, opening the fabric slowly. Upon seeing the object, Jupiter's eyes flinch. An array of tears drops to the sword of the queen. However, this is not the sword the queen used during the battle for Wedgehurst. This sword as sentimental value and no gold nor silver can replace it. Invaluable, the sword is.

"This is the sword I've gifted to your mother during her eighteenth birthday. It was so special to her, that she didn't dare to use it during wars and sieges. She treats this sword like you, wherein even a single scratch on it could infuriate her. I figured it would be best if you keep it. You may use it as well, whenever you want to." Felix explains in a voice which matches with the current atmosphere of the kingdom, sad and gloomy.

He then kisses the forehead of his daughter and leaves the room in order to give her a moment of peace. In the doors, the king sighs and prepares himself for the funeral of the queen. He remembers her image for one final time.

"I will avenge you mother." In her bedroom, Jupiter says softly as if her mother is beside her. She clenches the handle of the sword tightly, thinking about the opposing kingdom. She vows vengeance for claiming the life of her mother.

"With your sword, I will finish the war. Witherheart will be crippled, and checkmate shall be proclaimed." She says viciously, nearly throwing the candle sitting on the desk beside her bed.

The following day has arrived. As usual, the skies remain dark, the clouds are thick. The soft drizzle blends with the tears of the kingdom. No one can be found within the walls of the kingdom. Everyone, from children to adults, even to creatures alike, they are in the sh.o.r.es of a river with pristine water. No helmets are worn, no swords, no armory. The people wear their casual attires, even the king, the princess, the pillars and the young man.

In a small wooden boat is where the body of the queen is. Wrapped with the finest wool of the kingdom she is. On her boat are flowers, especially her favorite, Tiger Lilies. Aside from these are candles, extending its orange hues. The gong is banged, and the funeral begins. The king extends the bow, placing the arrow on it.

With the help of Admiral Brook, one of the pillars of the kingdom, the arrow is set on fire. The boat is drifted through the river as the king sets it aflame with the arrow. As the boat moves, the fire burns brightly. It matches the hues of the candles and lanterns. The gong is. .h.i.t again, another signal for the people. From their hands, they release their lanterns, letting it drift across the skies. Their lanterns have brought colors to the thick clouds of black and white.

The queen's both will soon sink into the depths of the rivers, and there, her body will be of the soil, used as an opportunity for trees and young plants to sprout. Due to her death, the ties between the two kingdoms intensify, making situations worse and tougher.