"Your highness, should I be proud? Is this what you ask of me? Such unity is an abomination. It is unnatural. I married Orion and…"
"You were lucky you had the choice!" Ishanna snapped angrily. "Far luckier than most at your position. You had the privilege to choose your husband bearing your same respected name. Pureblood cousins that love one another? Outstanding unity! Yet, that is not how the world works for most of us. Now, in your mature age, you get a taste of truth, and you dislike it? Tough. So do all of us. You still have a name, and for that, you should be very proud. Your unity will bring peace. It will be a deed not forgotten. So yes, you should be very proud this opportunity came to you, whether or not it is a disgusting unity. You are a woman and you have the power to carry burdens mightier than many men. No more feeling sorry for yourself. It is unfitting."
"Am I required to sleep with this beast? Bear his children?" Laella's voice trembled at the idea.
"For Xio's sake, no!" snapped the Queen. "Unless that's your wish. I care not. In fact, just keep that to yourself, but if you had mixed children, I'll tell you right now I'd have them murdered in the night. Leave the breeding to Laelliandir and your other children. They will carry on the Javalla name from here." Ishanna Maelor became even more upset at the thought of Laella's intimate relations. Thus, Laella kept her thoughts to herself as she dared not anger the High Queen any more than she already had. Silence fell over the group as they came down to the foyer where Albatros and the soldiers waited. Ishanna Maelor glowered at Albatros for a moment and flaunted her wrinkled hand toward him, "There, Lady Laella. I present you with your beast husband. Albatros, I give you the wife you never wanted. Introductions official!" huffed Ishanna before turning toward the long hallway in between the dual stairway, motioning the Gargurthian troops to make way. "Move along, you. All of you. Make way and make haste. Coming through." Albatros and Laella caught but a short glimpse of one another, and this time Laella could tell her groom looked as unhappy as she. Although it did not please her to see this, she preferred it to an eager monster she had imagined from a dream. Instead, he looked almost as reluctant as she did. Even though minotaur, as a race, were stoic, excellent at hiding their emotions, her groom's eyes betrayed him, showing dread and hesitancy. As the troops scattered, the High Queen dragged Laella away once more, but this time down the hall leading toward the courtyard.
"High Queen Nova?" Albatros said.
"You wait, you. I'll send for you when it is time," instructed Ishanna Maelor as they moved on. Albatros followed her directive while watching his soon-to-be bride rushed down the hall as fast as the High Queen could drag her. The Gargurthian soldiers and Albatros looked at one another in uncomfortable silence. This grand wedding was shaping up to be a grand mess.
"And where is Lord Laelliandir, our little White Lion?" Ishanna questioned as they continued down the hall with the guardians lingering behind. Laella shut her eyes and wanted to scream but didn't.
"He wants no part of this. He won't be at the ceremony.” Lady Laella braced herself expecting to get yelled at again. To her surprise, Ishanna just laughed.
"I surely don't blame him for that. This union comes as an insult to those seeing it through fervent eyes. I wanted to send the High King, but with his temper, I think I'm the better choice." Ishanna looked at Laella with a smile, but Laella kept her mouth shut, not knowing how to respond to that. "Oh, I know what you're thinking. Thinking me an insufferable mean old woman. You'll understand when you're older that this was for the best. I am sorry I cannot be a mother figure, but Xio stripped me of that emotion when he made me. It would have kept me from making the hard decisions. Blessed be Xio. Regardless I need to speak to Lord Laelliandir, or you must relay a message to him after I leave today. Laella wondered what else her High Queen wanted with her son.
"I will relay whatever message you ask of me, your Grace."
"Good. As you know, since we crushed Casen's crusade, we adopted all the kingdom's that fell in his wake. Re-governing each of them will be costly, and it is looking like a pointless task."
"Yes, my Queen."
"After six months of deliberations, we've decided we will send notice to the final few kingdoms left standing. At this point, we are holding eight of the twelve kingdoms and caring for each of them. As of now, they are leaderless. Queen Offedius is keeping those other lesser Kings and Queens and we've decided the fallen kingdoms shall reappoint no one in their stead. It is Nova's responsibility to take care of them. It's a mess. We can't afford to rebuild all their precious homelands and help restart their governments for them. It is out of the question. So instead we will keep their forces and unite them under one supreme rule. One army. A new order in the South. No more twelve kingdoms, but one united instead. The Kingdom of Divox, Magwhen as its capital. The New Order. Much like it used to be in ages past. As it should have been before that first sarding war years ago. One kingdom. Sard it all. We'll make a dynasty to carry Divox into the future and put away this pesky division. What is divided will always squabble. We'll get nothing done fighting like we have."
"But, your highness. What of the free kingdoms unscathed by the crusade? They took no part in-" Laella asked, fearing she already knew her answer.
"Does not matter. No more of that,” she interrupted. "We share our wealth and power, and that is the end of it. We are sending word to the other lords to either submit to Nova or pay the consequence. Like I said, we've all suffered enough this last decade, and this Casen crusade mischief drives the point home further. It's time we all straighten up and quit making fools of ourselves. Maybe if our kingdoms were peaceful like Cassenneth and Pallaecious of the North Realm, things might be different, but we are quick to rip our own throats out. It's an unpleasant business and embarrassing. We can’t risk another civil war. It makes us look weak. Neighboring countries see this as an opportunity to invade what is ours. We're assured Lamisdoria remains at bay, but what of Tragmont?” In disbelief, Laella listened as the Queen tried to make a case for turning all the kingdoms in Divox into one empire which she and her husband would rule. With such a heavy weight already on her shoulders, Laella could barely focus on the woman’s words, but felt yet again the loss of her husband. She knew what his stance would have been on this so-called ‘New Order.’ Yet Ishanna was not finished yet.
“There is word from up north that a scoundrel killed the King of Cassenneth, and this murderer is somewhere hiding in our lands. Chancellor Lucas Dawnhand sent us hundreds of posters of their wanted fugitive. What if they come looking for their fugitive and discover us at war with ourselves? What if they believe we are behind the murder? In the last few months, the foreign lords across the Pallae Sea have sent an elf strategist, Elzeenor Zavon, bearing gifts. They claim they have gotten word of our misfortunes and wished to bring us offerings. Shite nonsense! From Kaelliakie, the Eastern Realm saw what happened in our lands as a weakness too. The sly dogs are watching us from across the sea like prey. We must combine our strength as one and let the world know we are united, not a group of rogue nations warring with one another. No more. You should thank your cousin and that Lonewolf character for bringing this to our attention. We've been hard at work trying to secure our future.” With this, Ishanna gave Laella a self-satisfied smile. Laella started to respond, but the High Queen cut her off. “Laelliandir needs to have the soldiers here ready in case any of our fellow kingdoms decide they don't want to surrender and attempt another crusade." Ishanna Maelor finished as the two neared the end of the hall and came upon the large oak double doors. Laella did not agree with forcefully taking the other kingdoms’ independence, and without thinking, she blurted out,
"We are becoming the new King Casen?" Immediately Laella knew those were not the right words to use to her High Queen. Abruptly Ishanna stopped, turned to Laella, and slapped her with all her might. She was an old lady, so she did not hit hard, but three of her fingernails ripped the flesh of Laella's cheek. Her head flung to the side, while the High Queen yelled, blood
seeped from Lady Laella's face.
"This is King Casen's fault. We are fixing his tyranny. He began this when he struck Cassenneth long ago. Ever since, it has been one long avalanche. This mess we are cleaning up is far more important than your stupid wedding, you whiny, selfish woman. It is no easy decision taking over our brother and sister lands! You should be grateful that we trust your family to hold this province, but no, you are too worried about bringing your late husband shame. You would bring us all shame if you refused to help your nation! The state of our country is dire. We're closing off all our borders except to Lamisdoria. It is already in effect. The bridges are being burned as we speak, and until we feel secure, there will be no trade outside Divox. East the sea, Kaelliakie, is also allied with Lamisdoria, so this is an even larger worry of ours. If the East sails in and unites to defeat the centaur, nothing is preventing them from waging war against us. Your position with Albatros is vital to our protection. You report to Laelliandir to have these troops ready. If we need help, then Gargurthian must be ready." The High Queen completed her rant, then sighed and brought her hand to Laella's face, pushing her head up to make eye contact. "Now be a dear and clean off that blood and marry this beast," she said with a wicked half-smile, handing her a handkerchief.
"Yes, my Queen." Laella submitted. Ishanna Maelor looked to her guardians and then back upon the large doors. They could hear the muffled commotion coming from the courtyard beyond. The time was now. The eager audience awaited.
"Splendid! Guards. Open these doors so our bride can greet her people.”
Chapter Three
Binding of Loyalties
T he courtyard of Garroth was both well protected and surrounded by the oval-shaped gray stone walls of the castle. Much smaller than Magwhen’s or Lockage's courtyards, it was still a sizeable area, more than large enough to hold a substantial gathering of nobles and soldiers. This day it was even more crowded than it had been since King Casen had executed his own family a few years prior.
Much like any marriage ceremony, guests sat on both sides of a central aisle anticipating the bride and groom’s entrance. Several musicians on harps played fine tunes from the wooden stage where a priest of Xio, High Queen Ishanna, and Lady Laella waited. As always, a good dozen guardians accompanied the High Queen upon the stage, which was not unusual for royal weddings. The noise of the crowd had died down as the music filled the air. The folks of Gargurthian waited for the minotaur groom to take his leave of the castle and enter the courtyard. Soldiers who would, under normal conditions, obey Albatros' command, this day would escort the groom and follow orders to monitor him to prevent him from trying to escape or create havoc.
Several other civilians gathered on the high walls surrounding the scene to view from above because of the limited space within the courtyard. This group of guests included Laelliandir, Luminear, Bella, and Markus, who stood nearest the stage where the binding would soon begin. Laelliandir, the only one of his brothers and sisters not in the courtyard, wore a hood that concealed his identity to the public. He had not planned to attend the ceremony, but his curiosity had gotten the best of him.
Laelliandir surveyed the scene below him in silence and in deep thought while Markus tried to crack jokes. Bella, although concerned for Laelliandir, focused most of her energy trying to get Markus to behave. Fern had stayed behind. Large crowds made him miserable, so he often tried to avoid such activities. Luminear paid Markus' jokes no mind, so focused on the wedding scene below she appeared almost in a trance as she stood by Laelliandir's side. She had read about many weddings, but this would be the first she'd ever attended, and the whole process enthralled her.
"Just stop it, Mark!" Bella scolded elbowing Mark, who stood behind her, in the rib.
"Ouch!" Markus grabbed his rib with one hand and pointed down into the crowd with the other. "No, just look at the guy. Is it a guy, or is it a girl? I'm serious. I can't tell." He pointed at a chubby old fellow with long hair.
"I think it's a woman. Grow up, Markus!" Bella glowered at him, but Mark just rolled his eyes. Already jealous of the time Bella and Laelliandir spent with one another, he wanted more than anything to get her attention. Markus had a major crush on Bella for the last year, so he resented Laelliandir, and hated seeing her clinging to the other man's hip. Besides, Markus was accustomed to being the center of attention, but in the last several months, he had been ignored. Standing there behind Laelliandir, with Bella and Luminear on both sides of the other man, made Markus jealous. "Maybe I should have stayed with Fern." Markus thought. Of course, he didn't leave, but chose to push past another taller man who stood near Bella and find a place to stand on her right side.
"Sorry, Bella," he muttered.
"All right. Whatever. Just hush. No more games. This is serious. I told you that before we came." Bella lectured one last time before the double-wide brown doorways to the courtyard opened. Everyone grew silent as the people in the yard watched with expectation. The guardians accompanying Albatros opened the door and presented the groom, a sight that made Laelliandir's blood boil. The eight-foot-tall minotaur groom, dressed in armor, looked more ready for battle than for marriage. While the guests engaged in plenty of whispering as they viewed the foreigner, there were no cheers, laughter, or even insults.
"This is revolting. I should shoot that thing down right now!" Laelliandir whispered. Luminear and Bella both looked to him in concern. Bella saw his hands shaking in anger as they rested upon the stone wall, and she reached out and placed her hand on his trembling, pale skin.
"It will be all right," Luminear whispered, not sure if she believed it, but she wanted to for him and Laella's sake. Markus’ jealousy flared as he saw Bella's hand resting on Laelliandir's and then watched the anger in Laelliandir's eyes build as he stalked Albatros.
The small group was not alone as it seemed most of the guests in the courtyard experienced mixed emotions about the nuptials. At the front of the crowd, Ishanna plastered a fake smile upon her face as she stood next to the bride while Laella shuddered as her groom approached. Her fear being not so much of him, but that she might ruin her husband's memory, and her life, as she knew it, was ending. It was over. No words Ishanna Maelor had spoken had eased any of her fears but instead had worsened them. As she saw Albatros stride out of the castle and down the aisle, she sensed her life slipping away with every footstep.
Albatros proudly walked down the aisle, paying no mind to several soldiers escorting him or to the people to his left, right and above. He kept his eyes upon Laella. Minotaur were natural animal tamers, having a soothing look within their eyes that could subdue a beast. As he walked down the aisle, Albatros tried to get into Laella's mind to let her know he meant her no harm. They were both victims. His power did not work on mortal men and women the way it did on animals, but Laella sensed he was gentle somewhere under that fierce brute body of his. He marched through the long courtyard and stopped before the stage where he bowed his head to the elderly High Queen.
"You may rise to your bride, Albatros," Ishanna told him. The soldiers escorted him up the few stairs, and Albatros stopped before his bride while his guides scattered a few paces behind him. So tall, Albatros made Laella seem like a dwarf as they stood face to face. Laella fought back her tears and stared upon her husband-to-be as Albatros did the same. "On with it, you." The High Queen interrupted as she demanded the priest of Xio to begin the official binding of souls. Cloaked in brown with a matching hood, the priest's eyebrows were bushy and white as was his mustache and beard. The priest nodded to Ishanna before looking upon Laella with sadness and then to Albatros with intimidation. Many in the crowd pitied Lady Laella Javalla, but there was nothing to be done. While, of all the guests present, only Luminear empathized with Albatros and wondered how he must feel. She was aware this was not normal as no one else seemed to care about the minotaur groom at all. It was such a peculiar wedding with no happiness or love in evidence. Even though it was as beautiful as the sunrise, Luminear sens
ed the union was most tragic. Memories of what Zynoa had told her about her marriage made Luminear wonder if her grandmother's wedding had not played out similarly to this strange gathering at Garroth.
"Children of Xio. Children of Xio's blessed southern realm, and beloved Gargurthian of Divox, we come together as one this day to unite the souls of the great Lady Laella of house Javalla, and the minotaur, Albatros, of our neighboring Xio worshiping country, Lamisdoria. Forget our conflicts, for as long as our Lord is one and the same, we are never truly different at all. In the eyes of God, we are all his beloved children, and thus, we should act it. The binding of these two souls as one will bring not only love and prosperity to our nations, but cement our friendship going forward." The priest understood this was no unity of love, but political gain. He wasn't even sure if his Lord would forgive him for such acts, he, deemed unholy and wicked, and although Lamisdoria worshiped Xio too, the priest was not sure Albatros did and feared the beast's ax in case he was wrong. In truth, Albatros came from a very religious country that followed Xio's teachings, but he did not. Over time he had learned to lesson his tongue on such matters as to avoid worrying or offending his Queen or fellow countryman. Thus, the priest's assumption did not bother him. "If either of you has any words, you'd like to share with one another or vows you wish to take, we will hear them. If either of you wishes to object and walk away, then you may. Now is the time." Almost everyone expected one of them to speak up, and try to escape this unity, but if either were considering it, there was no time to speak of it.
Medley of Treason Page 3