Chapter 3 - The Clockwork Map
Arthur stared at the hollow cylinder in absolute despair.
His father was dying on the floor, and their only hope seemed to be a cruel joke.
Marianne knelt beside the prince and gently took the metallic tube from his hands.
She examined the glowing blue symbols carved into the heavy metal.
She noticed a hidden dial perfectly integrated into the bottom of the cylinder.
She aligned the dial to match the exact signature mark her grandfather used on his furniture.
A loud click echoed from the tube as a secret inner chamber slid open.
A tightly rolled piece of ancient parchment fell into her palm.
She unrolled it to reveal a highly detailed map of the catacombs beneath the palace.
Arthur wiped a tear from his eye and vowed to find whatever this map was hiding.
They quickly hid the unconscious king behind a pile of heavy tapestries to keep him safe.
They sneaked out of the forgotten room and hurried into the dark, silent corridors.
Their footsteps echoed softly as they approached the entrance to the underground crypts.
Suddenly, a bright lantern flared to life, completely blinding them.
Lady Eleanor, the most haughty and arrogant candidate of the selection, stepped out of the shadows.
She smiled wickedly as she blocked the narrow stone stairway.
She told Arthur that she had been watching his every move since the ceremony began.
She raised her left hand to snap her fingers into the quiet darkness.
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A dozen heavily armed mercenaries stepped out from behind the marble pillars.
Eleanor calmly ordered her men to kill the prince and capture the girl alive.
