Now, we can return to our previous party who are within the confines of the castle. Specifically, we will focus upon the three knights who are now alone, standing in a long hallway, before a door. Each is still dressed in their armor and their helmets remain removed and tucked inside the crook of their respective elbow.
The door opens and within its frame stands Gerard, large as life. Yes, it is the king from the beginning of our tale, but the nightmare has yet to occur. At this time, nothing plagues his mind and he's only too happy to see the three, armor clad warriors gathered before his door and he beams with great pride towards his offspring.
"Your highness," the three knights as one address their superior and kneel.
"We have succeeded in our mission," Erica declares as she rises.
"I'm glad to hear it, captain," Gerard replies, as he fires off his own salute. "And what of the criminals that were apprehended?"
"Highness," Cassandra responds, as she rises and steps forward. "They are in the cells awaiting judgment, which the magistrate will deliver upon the morrow."
"Good work, captain," Gerard praises as he salutes back before turning to another matter. "And what's this I hear about a fire?"
All three turn their heads in the direction of Amelia who remains kneeling. She, however, is miles away, as her body may be before the king, but her mind is still surrounded by the raging flames. Erica crosses the floor and taps her shoulder with some ferocity as she clears her throat, a gesture which brings her fellow warrior out of her haze.
The red knight shakes her head, rises and steps forward. "Majesty?" she asks as she's not certain what he wants of her.
Gerard smiles. "I wish to know about the fire I heard speak of," he informs her and fixes her with a soft gaze.
Amelia resumes her proper military decorum. "Highness," she begins and gazes upon her father. "The fire was started when one of the officials, assigned to my command, was attacked. He dropped his torch due to an incapacity and the grass caught fire. The fire brigade was then dispatched and brought it under control."
"Very good, captain," Gerard says as he salutes her and she returns it. The king smiles broadly as he surveys his knights, each a paragon of strength and still quite lovely. "Now, with all the official business out of the way, come to me my daughters."
Both Erica and Cassandra rush to their monarch's side and embrace their father.
"Not so hard my dears," Gerard speaks through a sudden, exasperated breath. "That armor you wear isn't soft.
"Sorry father?" the two speak as one, while they pull back on their collective embrace, but don't break it.
"That's quite alright my dears," Gerard assures his daughters before returning to matter at hand. "Now let's see, there's Cassandra." He kisses the blue knight on the forehead. "And there's Erica." The same gesture is repeated for the green knight. "But someone seems to be missing."
As one, all three stare at the absent daughter, but Amelia is not paying attention. She has returned to the flames and cannot shake them. As such, she does not see the stares she receives, but she can tell something is off. Like a wave, the king's voice comes again and again, wavering in her mind, until at last seizing it.
She stares as if she had just woken and the haze of a dream still remains, which is exactly how she feels. The fire still has hold of her mind and gives no indication of letting up. All the same, she pushes through it, moves forward and accepts her father's kiss and his embrace while she fights to stay in the moment.
"Dear Amelia," Gerard says, as he holds his child at arms length. "How are you, my daughter?"
Like a sledgehammer the word hits her: daughter! The flames intensify in her mind and she finds herself trapped in a sadistic game where every step she takes only limits her options. Everywhere she turns she is met with obstacles slowly herding her to the only exit. Through her ignorance she takes that egress, never fully realizing what it entails.
"YOU ARE NOT MY FATHER!" she screams aloud as she releases her full fury through her throat.
All gathered are in complete shock, neither knowing what had provoked this outburst. Amelia is no more enlightened and turns away before leaving them standing slack-jawed. Her sisters recover and leave their father's side as they hasten after her. They don't know what is going on, but they're going to find out.