From Ruin to Reign

ace. Seven-year-old Marcus stood behind

oing this?" his mother Helena a

ncle who used to tell Marcus stories now looked l

shouted. "Father gave it to your husband instead

never wanted the throne. I was going to give it to you

assian yelled. "I will not wait.

ard with their weapons. These men had served the ki

ulder. "Marcus, stay with your mother. N

scared," Marc

eing scared is okay. But you must b

ven though tears

with silver markings that seemed to glow. "Hel

. "If you die, I die with yo

ie, who will get justice for us? But if you live and prote

nder used his power to push them

m!" Cassi

mal. His sword flashed and men fell. Blood covered the white marble floor

ke it with his hands and kept fighting.

" Marcus

o, Marcus! We must go. Don't

looked back and saw his father surrounded by enemies.

emy lines. When Helena looked back, her husband was on his knees.

nder shoute

word. Poison dripped from it. "Brother,

u will regret this. My son will grow st

ssian said. "Don't worry. Your w

der's back into his heart. Marcus felt hi

r!" Marcus

r. Tears covered both their faces. Beh

ing them back,

oked away, too afraid to help. The f

r like her husband. She was getting tired. But

the Tiber River, wide and dark. A bridge cross

ere tr

cus, listen. No matter what happens, you must survive. Yo

u doing?" Marcus ask

ran down her face. "I'm

ral named Brutus, laughed. "Lady Helena, surrende

ice cold. "You want m

es holding the bridge. Then she grabb

s reached for her,

ter hard. The cold shocked him. The river

r was fighting the soldiers. Her sword left trails of fro

stabbed her

creamed, but water

's smile. Even dying, she smiled at

g. His small body was thrown around. Water filled h

I will survive. I will grow stron