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Walking up the frozen stone stairway feels more like venturing into a cursed, long-forgotten tomb than it does a return to the the hearth and home you remember. This long hallway where your siblings chased each other, their laughter echoing and bringing smiles to the servants and men-at-arms you each ducked between, empty and silent. That fireplace where Father let you and Damien stay up well past your bedtime as you listened rapt with attention to the veterans of his guard sharing stories of war and glory with one another, desolate and cold. Here the great hall where your people, family and subjects all, took their meals together and lit the nights with sound and song. Hushed and bare, now more a crime scene than a place for feasting.
You find your family seated around the head table in the great hall. Their bodies are desicatted, long having rotted and left nothing for the crows and other scavengers. But it is clear they each met violent ends, ribs shattered, skulls cracked or missing skeletal limbs.
Lord Nikolas Andrei, Father, leans back at the head of the table. His jaw of grey bone is extended upwards in a silent scream of horror. To his left, in various mute postures of terror, your sisters lie in turn. Maryla, the bravest, her courage futile in the end. Halina, book clutched tight to her chest as a futile shield. Anastazja, recognizable only by virtue of the prettiest dress now little more than brightly coloured rags. Roselyn, resigned to an end her schemes could not forestall. To Father's right, the sight of Mother's remains futilely hunched over the youngest twins, Lenna and Aleksy, finally drives you to your knees weeping.
<span class="mu-i">" 'I shall reclaim Ardenne, or die in the attempt.' " </span> A figure stands by a shattered window, the curtain makes no sound as it flaps in the winter wind. <span class="mu-i">"That is the oath you took, isn't it?"</span>
<span class="mu-i">"Brother?"</span> The shred of hope sparked at the sound of Young Lord Damien Andrei's voice wilts as you look at him closer.
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