The Carnival of the Damned

Rosencroix Kingdom loomed overhead as Blood and Ryn drew up underneath the wide stone arch that marked the front doorway. Rose had only just begun to stir, her eyelids flickering slightly as Blood nuzzled her snout in encouragement of the effort. Ryn stopped along side the two and rolled his eyes at the scene, Dimitri still slung haphazardly over his shoulders.

"Can we please just get a move on? You're going to make me sick."

Blood leveled a glare in Ryn's general direction, not once stopping in his affectionate gesture. "You've had your moment already, Kuromaru. Now remain quiet and allow me to have mine."

"Tch..." The blue pegasus scoffed, dropping the gypsy from his back to the front staircase below. His ears remained fully attuned to the surroundings of the shadowed kingdom, a frown marking his features as he looked about. "Do you hear that?"

"What?" The unicorn's tone displayed his annoyance clearly as he reluctantly turned to face the other.

"Silence. Not even so much as gravel under hoof steps. Question is, is that a good sign or a bad one?"

They both looked up at the still castle, as well as the path they had taken minutes ago. Neither had missed the all too evident signs of battle across the kingdom's front grounds. They were told all too plainly through the ashes and bone that littered the ground near the trampled gate. All that remained now was to see who had been victorious in the end. Was it friend or foe who now stood in the halls of the almighty Castle Rosencroix?

The silence soon broke, the large double doors creaking open as Apothecarium, Roma and Luferius came rushing out to greet their returning Lord. Automatically Roma dropped down near her wounded brother, a mixture of sorrowful and happy tears pouring out as she held him close. Dimitri winced as he came to, looking about in confusion before turning to his sister with a pained grin.

"A-ah...Roma...wh-why do you cry? Y-You worry too much, sister. I am fine." She nuzzled against his shoulder, weeping silently as Blood nodded to Apothecarium. The physician bowed in understanding of his Lord's wishes, moving over to begin immediate treatment on the gypsy's wounds.

"My Lord," Luferius saluted Ancient Blood. "The enemy is driven back and we have triumphed fully. Casualties are minimal and the enemy did not breach the doors. We are working to restore the broken gates even at this moment."

"And what of the Lich?" Blood's gaze shifted to the area of battle, scanning the grounds for any sign of the foe.

"Gone, sir. Destroyed. The guards were sent to patrol the forest after he fled. They found this during their watch." The captain nodded to a few guards nearby, one approaching to set down broken bits of the cursed music box at the Lord's hooves, as well as shards of the jewel that could only be recognized  as the charm that once adorned Mortis' forehead.

"I see...Well done, captain. Your troops have proved themselves once again."

"And what of this one, My Lord? What would you have us do with him?" A squadron of the guards circled Ryn, keeping close watch as he glared and whirled his head to keep an eye on each ever shortening distance.

"D-Don't you dare, Blood! You owe me!"

The Lord frowned, glancing to the mare still on his back as well as to the other spectators with their upturned eyes waiting to hear his edict. Finally his gaze returned to the brash pegasus. He stepped forward silently, the guards moving back in unison as the crimson Lord looked down his nose at Kuromaru. The moment was tense, yet only for the first second. Ancient Blood gracefully lowered himself down, carefully setting Rose in front of Ryn's hooves. Kuromaru's glare changed to a look of wide eyed astonishment, holding an unspoken question to hover in the air.

"You once spoke that you had made a promise, correct? Then fulfill it. You are free to leave, however with one stipulation." His eyes lowered down to Rose in concern. "Should she wish to return, you shall bring her here immediately."

"M-My Lord!" Luferius rushed forward, tone conveying a mixed disbelief and annoyance. "Surely you are joking. Sh-she is the flower, isn't she? It only makes sense with what has occurred. She is the symbol, the very foundation of our kingdom. The rose belongs here, locked away from such commoners and...filth." He glared darkly at Ryn as he said this word, turning back to Blood with urgency. "I beseech you, Lord Blood. Give the command and I-" Blood's raised hoof silenced the captain as he addressed Ryn once more.

"Do I make myself clear?"

The pegasus stared at Blood, unsure what to make of this unexpected act. Slowly he nodded, lifting Rose gently from the ground to his back and giving a rare bow. Blood had earned his respect for the moment. Stretching his wings wide, Ryn pushed back the remaining guards that had been reluctant to back down. He flapped the appendages once, taking to the air and leaving behind the darkened kingdom and the realm of eternal night; trading them for the protective boughs of the Everfree and the safety of the town beyond.

Ancient Blood watched solemnly, keeping his crimson gaze on the two until the clouds overtook his vision entirely.

"L-Lord?" Apothecarium silently approached and gestured to the gypsy siblings.

"Ready a caravan and send them on their way. There is much work to be done here and I cannot afford to entertain visitors at this time." The physician nodded , leaving to see to the Lord's wishes.

With heavy steps, Blood walked up the darkened stairs to his home. The solitary castle looming black in it's loneliness.

"Irony..." A single begrudged smirk adorned his features as he slipped once more into the shadows.

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