by Mira Zamin
Shock fluttered over every inch of my body like thousands of trembling butterfly wings. I could hardly believe it. I turned to Kershid for confirmation. I must have misheard, I told myself, but he nodded magnificently. To my surprise, he clasped his fist to his chest and bowed to me, as subject to sovereign. It was real. I had become queen.
Shit. Suddenly, I could feel the responsibilities of a nation dig into my body and I almost sagged with the sheer physicality of it. I do not think that I ever actually believed that I would win and I had been fine playacting, producing solutions to problems that a part of me believed I would never have to solve. I had strived for it, hoped for it, worked for it, but expected it? Absolutely not.
Breaking through the falling cacophony of my thoughts, Liem requested, “Let us move for universal accord. All rise to support Queen Selene.”
I winced at the rhyme. It appeared that I was obligated to bear the couplet until such time as Seasons saw fit to remove my title. Queen Selene had a very funny feelin’ and a peculiar sheen where nothing should be seen…Ugh. I could just imagine the undignified butchering. Turning my attention to the matter at hand, I waited anxiously for the emirs and emiras to rise. Ferdas bounded up while Lyra rose gracefully. Fyodor followed slowly as I stood as well. Liem stood tall beside his brother. But who was the sixth? Laboriously, Corrine pushed herself up and stood straight-backed.
Quenela, Hadil, and Kaladus remained seated. Kneeling before Liem, Corrine, Ferdas, Lyra, and Fyodor in turn, I intoned, “I thank you for choosing me and I will serve Ghalain and your emirdom to the best of my ability.” Each insisted that I rise to my feet and kissed me on one cheek and then the other.
Then, I approached Quenela. Difficult as it was to beseech her, I knew that the well-being of Ghalain stood far above my pride and our animosity. Kingdom first. Its people first. That is what it meant to be Queen. The only pride that can be had comes from ensuring the success of the land you rule. “Emira Quenela, you have not stood for me, but I beg you to reconsider and to know that as Queen I will be your humble servant in all things. I ask you support me for the unity of Ghalain.”
Making no move to bid me to stand, Quenela stared blankly at the veiled windows, a hint of a sneer on her face. Irritated as I was, I knew better than to give voice to my discontent and instead moved to Hadil and made the same plea. I was unsurprised when he too remained seated and ignored me heartily. Kaladus moved his boots away from me as if I were some sort of filthy urchin. It was difficult to curb my temper at that gesture. I returned to my seat. Lyra on my left patted my hand.
Getting to his feet, Kershid formally announced, “Rise, Selene. You have been chosen Queen by this Council and you are bound by the traditional oaths of the Heir-Ascendant until such time as your coronation. You will consult with the Council on any state decision.” He smiled.
“I accept,” I stated clearly. “And I thank the Council for its faith in me.”
While I stood, Quenela, who had remained seated throughout, rose at last. For a moment, I thought she was ready to accept me as Queen. My spirits lifted. I was hopeful that she had last seen the need for unity and I stood prepared to forgive. And then she spoke.
“While this Council may have been bamboozled into making this foolish decision, I refuse to bind myself to the Council’s decree. I and the emirdoms of Viziéra, Darsepol, and Chandon declare war on you Selene Lilah Khamad of Aquia and all of your idiot supporters. When I emerge victorious, then we shall see who deserves to rule Ghalain.” Quenela made to leave. “Come, Hadil, Kaladus. Let us leave these fools to their folly.”
My blood ran furiously hot and then turned icy. “We had an agreement!”
“Oh, this one?” Quenela withdrew the treaty I had been so proud of and shredded it between her long-fingered hands. “Now we don’t.”
“You declare war on me, you declare war on Aquia and are traitors,” I warned grimly to their departing backs. “If I were you, I would reconsider. The punishment for treason lies at the discretion of the monarch, and I tell you now, I will not be merciful.”
Quenela turned to smirk. “I know well. We shall see who rules Ghalain at the end of this.”
Urgently, I called, “Guards!”
Quick as vipers, Quenela, Kaladus, and Hadil left the room. Three guards immediately fell behind them and I was suddenly thankful. If they could be captured before Quenela had time to make good on her promise of war, then so much the better.
“Chase after them!” I insisted, running after the group. But although the men flanked them closely, they did nothing to impede their escape, although more and more armed men joined their ranks. One threw a scornful smirk in my direction.
“Chase them!” I repeated, but my eye caught the sleeve of his jacket. It was exceedingly tiny, but I recognized the miniature pennant of yellow stars against blue stitched into his sleeve. The colors of Viziéra.
Attracted by the noise, at last, several of the castle’s guards appeared. A strong arm pulled me back into the Assembly chamber.
“After Quenela and Hadil!” I ordered but our men had already bared their scimitars. Blades hissed and rang like bells as the rear of Quenela’s guards turned to meet the attack. More guards thundered past our door, in an effort to catch up with the traitors. And I was utterly powerless. Someone moved to close the door against the sounds of clashing sabers, the vision of bloodshed, of men crumpling to the ground. I could hear the moaning of the wounded. Someone tried to close the door.
“No,” I commanded, my arm flying out to keep the door open. “You may avert your eyes. I will watch.” Finally, the last of Quenela’s rear guard folded to the floor and I released the breath bottled in my chest. But Quenela, Kaladus, and Hadil were gone.
Stepping delicately over the dead and injured bodies, the captain of the guards, a tall, wiry man with grim silver eyes explained what had happened. “As they rushed through the castle, their men popped up to defend their exit. A total of four men dead from our side and six from theirs. Double that number in casualties.” A bewildered expression crossed his lined face. “Why did they flee?”
“They chose to defy the Council’s will when it came to the election of a ruler for Ghalain,” pronounced Kershid gravely.
Surprise flashed across his face. “Who?”
I stepped forward. “Me.”
He fell to his knees. “Your Majesty,” he breathed.
I withstood the urge to roll my eyes in awkward embarrassment. Surely this seasoned man felt no respect for me, a young girl whose very election had ripped the country into civil war within minutes, who was the wife of an accused murderer. Still, the devotion in his eyes was true and I was struck at that moment how deep respect and need for monarchy was ingrained into the people, so much so that it lifts a girl who had been a rambunctious governess a year ago to an honorable queen, a goddess on earth.
“Rise Captain…” I fished for his name; I had made it a point to learn the names of all of the Alhazar’s officials. “Rian. Tell your men to fortify the castle and Nyneveh against the traitors and have them search the city. Perhaps they are biding their time until nightfall. I trust orders have been sent for the gates to be closed?” When he shook his head, I quickly said, “Issue the order to close the city gates straightaway and have a double force of your men search the city. Please, see to it that a message is sent to General Niara to meet my in my chambers. And if any of the injured are Quenela’s, question them.” For a moment, I wondered if it were presumptuous of me to command this man like an errand boy but he did not appear chagrined at his use and nodded firmly.
As soon as he was out of sight, I sagged imperceptibly against the doorway, heavy with the knowledge that I had already failed as Queen of Ghalain. I had no idea what to say to the people that had just elected me Queen and had pushed their land to the edge of civil war.
My mind circled back to Quenela’s and Hadil’s emirdoms of Viziéra and Darsepol. Both were fabulously wealthy—especially Viziéra, with its famous ports
like Clemen—with more than enough resources to hire a greater number of mercenaries and expand their armies, despite the reparations they owed Aquia. I had done what I could to provide them with a fair deal, leaving their coffers and armies largely intact. Now, the kingdom would pay with blood.
Although Gwydion had managed to defeat them at Maidan, I knew that our victory had been chance as well as poor planning on the parts of their captains. If I knew Quenela, she would not repeat such a mistake. This time, it would be a harder fight, especially with Kaladus’s forces thrown into the mix. The emirdom of Chandon was known for two things: its wine and its soldiers. The remainder of Ghalain’s emirdoms had the impossible task of meeting their assault. Aquia was in a reduced state, Bahart and Aawset largely agricultural, leaving Murban, Nehajan, and Tirahm. There was Ghalain’s army but that was perhaps the size of Chandon’s army without the fearsome reputation.
Taking a deep breath, I focused on Liem’s warm honey-brown eyes. “While we are all together, we might as well draft a resolution against Quenela.”
Fyodor blinked in bewilderment. “Is this not moving too rapidly?”
“I would remind you, Fyodor, that it was Quenela who first declared war against us like a willful child.” Corrine snorted. “We were well not to elect her. The sooner we declare that trio traitors to the realm on paper the better.”
Kershid produced a large sheet of parchment. “What shall I write, Your Majesty?”
I looked at that blank sheet of paper and felt yet another moment of insurmountable panic. My next words would kill young men and tear apart families. I considered them carefully.
“Write: The Kingdom of Ghalain strips Quenela of Viziéra, Hadil of Darsepol, and Kaladus of Chandon of their royal titles and lands. They are to be arrested on sight to be brought to the justice of the Crown and Council. Anyone who aids them will be charged with treason. If Quenela or Hadil or Kaladus surrender themselves, we will be magnanimous in our justice. If they continue in this folly, we will be wrathful.”
Kershid peered at me confused. “That is no declaration of war.” Belatedly, he added, “Your Majesty.”
“Yes, Kershid.”
“But Your Majesty!” objected Corrine.
Deftly, I signed my name to the paper. “If a declaration of war is necessary, I do not fear to declare it. But I do not wish to begin my reign under the ill-omened shadow of war. I will allow the three of them to return themselves to the crown and meet their punishment in peace, but if they insist on war, I am more than amenable to showing them that the will of the Council is not to be trifled with.” My eyes narrowed. “Although I fear none of the three are very likely to yield their ambitions.”
Even Corrine could not find fault with me. “So much for the impetuosity of youth.” I thought I heard a satisfied grin.
Stifling a smile, I inclined my head. Ready to leave and meet with the general, I made to leave the room but not before I took care of the little matter of coronation.
“Lord Kershid, please convey to Lady Avera my wish that she organize the coronation for the end of the week. Deliver my apologies for the short notice and my color choice of silver for my coronation gown. Also, I would like to announce my election as Queen to the populace within the next two hours.” I felt preposterous ordering anyone who was not a servant to do my bidding. I half-expected him to laugh in my face and tell me to come off it. But he bowed and went on his way.
Despite the lack of official announcement, word had escaped of my rise in fortunes, and suddenly my path was lined with an unusual number of servants, all of whom bowed deeply as I passed. I plastered a warm smile on my face for their benefit although I would have very much preferred to hide under my covers. Lost in dreams of warm blankets, I collided with a mass before my door. Hastily looking around to ensure no one had noticed—thankfully the servants had tactfully dissipated before my door—I peered up to see whom I had bumped against.
“My apologies,” I said abashedly.
“I apologize, Your Majesty.” She bowed, her russet braid swinging past her shoulders. “I am General Niara.”
“Yes, I know. I saw you at a dinner some months ago, but did not have the chance to introduce myself.” I opened the door. “Please come in, General.” I gestured towards a comfortable chair.
Reyal and Miri both appeared. “Your Majesty.” They curtsied in unison, with identical, fiercely proud expressions. Suddenly, they had been elevated to the damsels of the Queen. It was quite a rise for the daughters of a farmer and a cobbler respectively.
I grinned. “Some refreshments please. Pear cider, I think. With the small almond cakes?” I looked in the General’s direction for confirmation.
There were many burdens to being Queen, to be sure, but who did I have to squeal with about my own rise? A gaping ache opened in my chest for Auralia or Oelphie. After all this, Auralia and I would have been past petty, youthful jealousies and I could just imagine us leaping around the room in excitement. For a moment, it was as if she were before me.
“Your Majesty?” The General’s brisk voice held a lower-class lilt, so unlike the refined, polished voices I had grown used to. It reminded me wistfully of life in Clemen.
She was awfully young to be a general, and a woman to boot, but the way she carried himself confirmed her rank. We had heard, even in Clemen, the scandal that her promotion over other men had caused. Although women were well-respected in the politics and bazaars of Ghalain, the military remained a stronghold of men. I enjoyed then that my reign would be led by strong, young women, the very forward-thinkers I had pledged myself to during the Assembly.
She coughed uncomfortably. “I know your brother, Captain Necolai. He served under me some years before. A good man.”
I smiled. It warmed me that she knew my older brother, and I suddenly felt much more at ease with her. “Thank you, General. Now, what can you tell me of our military?”
“When Admiral Kharset and General Baswor,” she began, naming the other two generals of the army, “come to Nyneveh, they will be able to apprise you in further detail, however...” With little prompting, she launched into a recital of our forces, our chances, what she thought was the best way to defend Ghalain, occasionally pausing to sip at the cider. Nervously, I crumbled a cake in my hands, trying to keep everything she told me straight.
An hour later, Kershid appeared at the door. “Your Majesty, it is time.”
Rising, I thanked Niara. “We shall discuss this in further detail tomorrow, General.”
She bowed. “Best of luck, Your Majesty.”
I walked swiftly beside Kershid who guided me to an immense, marble balcony that curved out from the palace and looked onto an vast public square. The plaza teemed with hundreds of thousands of people. Their shouts were deafening and only grew louder as I appeared and walked to the edge of the balcony, flanked by the Assembly. The crowd was a massively colorful blob, squirming and alive and they were mine. I swallowed my fear and waved. The roar was instantaneous. I waited for them to quiet.
“Ghalain!” I boomed. My voice echoed against the buildings, resounding and reverberating. “This afternoon, the Council has elected me as your Queen. I will serve you and I will serve Ghalain to the best of my abilities, leading us to a better, more prosperous future.” I paused. “And those who have betrayed our kingdom will be punished!”
Their cries grew louder, more jubilant, and I was buoyed up by their support. Heavier thoughts could not but sink me to reality. What have I done to deserve this loyalty? But more importantly, What will I do?
Chapter Twenty-Four