Reynard Reading

I wasn't supposed to be in this position. Not even close. I was just the apprentice, just an observer that day. Yeah, they sat me on the Mages' Council to fill one of the seats vacated due to the war, but they didn't even grant me the title of Master. I wasn't ready. I had no business...

...how did this happen?

The King commanded us to call up the Glittering Shield. The Enemy were almost at our gates, and our armies were nowhere in sight. We didn't have time. I was standing there, watching as twenty-four of the Master Mages, including the Archmage, set up the ritual. But just as it was to begin, and just as we started to hear the sound of war drums in the distance, the Archmage collapsed. Just like that. His heart just gave out, and there wasn't time to find anyone else. Of course I knew how it was supposed to work, in theory. But I'd never gone beyond theory.

There just wasn't time...

The spell got twisted, and shattered. Split into several smaller shields, instead of one. And as the magic twisted back, it...just broke. Exploded the room into a million pieces. The king, the other mages...even some of the guards...they all died. But at least the Shield was raised.

So now here I am, The Apprentice Regent. As the only remaining member of the Council, I suddenly found myself in charge, until the King's children return with the army. If they return.