September 28, 870 AD
Kingdom of Burgundy
King Rudolf I lay in his feather-stuffed bed. His eyes were closed, and a soft smile rested on his bearded face.
The young maid, Mathilde, was sitting near the hearth on the other side of the royal bedchamber.
She was quietly singing a sweet melodic southern folk song.
Her voice was like honey, washing away the stress of ruling an entire medieval kingdom.
Rudolf took a deep, relaxing breath, letting his muscles sink into the mattress.
He was going to sleep for a week...
Bang!
The doors of the royal bedchamber were suddenly pushed open, hitting the walls with a deafening crack.
Mathilde shrieked, dropping her sewing needle.
Rudolf bolted upright in his bed, his heart hammering against his ribs as he reached for the dagger resting on his nightstand.
"My King!" a frantic voice yelled.
It was Bernard, the captain of the royal guard.
The man was pale, entirely out of breath.
