Dream of Empty Crowns

by M. J. Sewall

  The crowd exploded with laughter. A wide smile came across King Stathen's face.

  As the crowd cheered, King Stathen turned back to Gordon, serious again. He winked at Gordon and whispered, “Time for the serious part.” The king motioned for quiet, “Gordon, do you accept this honor and responsibility fate has chosen for you? Or do you put aside the crown for another to be chosen?”

  Trunculin said quickly, “You may put it aside at this point only. It is your legal right to do so,” just loud enough for Gordon to hear him. King Stathen shot an annoyed glance to Trunculin.

  Stathen continued, “…What is your free choice, Gordon?”

  Gordon looked at the king, then uneasily looked at the crowd, “I…I…”

  “If you accept, say I accept.” King Stathen whispered.

  “I… accept,” said Gordon as loud as he could. He hoped it hadn't sounded like a question.

  The king smiled down at Gordon. With both hands, he took the crown off of his head and put it on Gordon's. To Gordon's great surprise, it nearly fit his head, “Now, face your people, our new king…. Gordon!”

  The crowd went on cheering for what seemed like days. King Stathen motioned for Gordon to go through the corridor of guards, “You are king now, Gordon. You should go first.”

  Gordon glanced back to where Loren had been standing, but still couldn't see him. He reluctantly made his way through the guards and their longknives. He tried not to look at their faces. He didn't want to see disappointment on them. He was relieved to see that they all stared straight ahead. King Stathen followed him, then Trunculin and the firstman after. Another guard led Sanjee back down the stone steps of the tower.

  They made their way into the palace until Gordon could no longer hear the crowds. The ceremony was over.

  Chapter 4: Our New King

  As soon as they were all inside, two guards produced a large wooden box trimmed with gold. The crown was quickly removed from Gordon's head to the box, and the crown and the guards were gone before the new king could ask anything. Brenddel made a quick, courteous bow and left as well.

  “The crown will be stored until the crowning ceremony, when everything will be official,” said Trunculin, anticipating Gordon's question.

  “You only have to wear it for special occasions anyway,” offered King Stathen, “thing's heavy, isn't it?”

  Before Gordon could reply, Trunculin interrupted.

  “Yes, now, my king … Gordon. This is my assistant Rolem, who is now also your assistant. He has the list of events and will show you around the palace. If you need anything at all, consider Rolem the man to get it done,” said Trunculin as he left them with a bow.

  King Stathen added, “The first order of business is the king's meal. It will happen in a few hours. It's where we try to eat together, but everyone will be stopping by to interrupt every bite. My advice, eat something before you get there.”

  Gordon said, “I think I do need to eat something. How do I… where…?”

  “Rolem here will get you what you need. Just don't treat him too badly, you don't want Rolem to poison you or anything,” Stathen said smiling.

  Gordon looked with alarm at Rolem, who glanced at Stathen uncomfortably.

  Stathen laughed, “I'm just jesting with you. Rolem's a good man. He's been working here a long time. Knows everything that is going on.”

  Gordon gave Rolem a weak smile, unconvinced.

  “I must be off, a lot to do before I stop being king,” Stathen put a hand on Gordon's shoulder, “You'll do great. There are a lot of councilors to help you. Most of them have been here a long time too. We'll talk more at dinner… I hope,” Stathen said as he left Gordon.

  Gordon turned to Rolem, “Can I get something to eat, please… um…? Ro…”

  “Rolem, my king,” the assistant offered back professionally, “There is a lot to learn, I know. Let me show you around the palace. The kitchens are this way.”

  “Here is the upper council chamber…” Rolem was casually naming each chamber as they passed. Gordon wanted to stop at each room. The main hallway that connected the rooms were massive. He figured at least five of his uncle's entire house could be stacked in the hallway with room to spare.

  His uncle! He had almost forgotten him. It seemed like Uncle Loren must have left the ceremony when he was named king. It was strange that he would do that, more likely he was just swallowed up by the crowds. It all happened so fast. Gordon remembered Loren's expression of horror when he had been chosen, but maybe he was just worried. Loren worried too much. Still, he wished his uncle was here to share in all the excitement.

  “Hey, um, Rolem… Can I ask for my uncle to come visit?”

  Rolem offered a courteous smile as they walked down the great hall, “Well… my king, you can ask for anything you wish. You are king now, almost officially. Anything that the laws allow, of course. I will talk to the firstcouncilor about it.”

  “Of course. I know I can't just do anything I want. I mean, I know I can't just make a law up on my own or anything. That duty is for the upper and lower councils. I just have to agree and sign them, right?” inquired Gordon.

  Rolem laughed.

  “Oh no, did I say something wrong already?” asked Gordon.

  “No, no. I'm very sorry, my king, but that is correct. It's just… it took King Stathen nearly his entire first trial to learn that concept,” offered Rolem, “Oh, I probably shouldn't have said that.”

  “That's okay. I forgot each year of the…my…kingship is called a trial. Why don't they just call it a year? I learned why once… I just can't remember it right now,” Gordon asked, embarrassed.

  “My king, there is much for you to learn, and quickly. No need to be embarrassed that you don't know everything. No king does, even after each successive trial,” Rolem said. “You will be learning how to fight, about the law, dealing with other kings, and much more. It will be a very intense, trying time. Thus each year is called a trial.”

  Gordon stopped suddenly and had to lean against a wall.

  Rolem looked worried, “I'm sorry, my king, I didn't mean to alarm you. Trunculin will council you about…perhaps it wasn't my place…”

  “No, no, I just feel a little dizzy. I do need something to eat. My uncle makes me special… wait, I have some here…” Gordon took a small sweet out and started eating it. Rolem looked at it carefully. Gordon noticed this and put it back in his pocket after taking a bite, “Sorry. I'm thirsty too. How far to the kitchens?”

  Gordon thought he saw a curious flicker on Rolem's face, but the man quickly smiled. “The kitchens are very close. I can fetch some water sooner if you need it. Are you feeling well?”

  “Oh, no, I'm fine,” Gordon didn't want to lie, but he wasn't sure how the news of his sweetblood illness would be received.

  Rolem looked at Gordon for a moment, smiled and said, “This way then, my king.”

  Like everywhere he had seen, the kitchens were massive. Everywhere there were long tables piled with food in different states of readiness. There were easily a hundred people working at the fire ovens, stirring impossibly large pots, and hurrying food out through several different passages and hallways. Gordon wondered if he would ever find out where they all led. Rolem had gone to talk to a man with a red hat. Gordon thought it looked more like a long piece of cloth rolled up and laid onto his head in a kind of orderly pile.

  The man with the red pile went to the table and came to Gordon with a tray full of food and three cups of different drinks. Every bite was like he was eating food for the first time. Everything he ate and drank was better than the last. He spent a lot of time looking around. Everything was enormous; the fires, the ovens, the ceilings, even many of the cooks were large around the middle. Gordon imagined that the first kings must have been twelve feet tall to build such a large palace. He left the kitchens stuffed and happy.

  They went to the seventh and highest level of the palace. Rolem and Gordon came to two giant doors, towering over
them as tall as five men end to end. A guard stood at either side with a long weapon, and at the top of each there was a large blade.

  Rolem said, “This is Gordon, please open the door for our new king,” The two guards did not look at Gordon, but both pushed their doors open to reveal the king's chamber.

  Gordon's breath caught in his throat.

  Rolem smiled, “It is said quietly that a few kings have fainted when these doors opened,” he cleared his throat and led Gordon into the room, “I never actually said that, of course.”

  The chamber was circular and rose to a round dome. As Gordon looked around, he thought maybe the space was shaped a little more like an egg than a circle. The celling was painted with scenes from the kingdom's history: The first thirteen coming to these lands, the first wars, and the great banner of their kingdom.

  It was the best quality banner Gordon had ever seen; much better than the cheap small banners they sold along the roads. It showed the triangle symbol in the middle, surrounded by thirteen longknives radiating out from the triangle. Unlike the cheap versions, the triangle was filled in with the three oak branches that stretched to each corner of the triangle.

  In the middle of the room stood the great king's chair. Gordon felt small next to the chair he would be expected to sit in. He felt that as they went higher into the palace that somehow his body had gotten smaller and smaller. He had a strange thought that he might disappear altogether. Gordon looked up at the ceiling and was feeling dizzy again.

  “Ah, our young king has found his way to his new home.” Trunculin had quietly entered the room. “Apologies, my king,” he bowed. “I didn't mean to surprise you. Thank you, Rolem, I will finish the tour.”

  Rolem nodded at Trunculin and bowed his head to Gordon, leaving the room without another word. “Uh, thank you, Rolem…” Gordon began, but Rolem was already gone. Trunculin took his arm and lead him toward the great chair.

  “Now, there is much to discuss. The king's meal is in a few hours. After the crowning ceremony tomorrow you will officially meet your firstman, Brenddel and begin your fight training. After that, I will discuss all the learning: the law you must study, and really just how it all works. Of course, at high sun is the crowning ceremony. All of Stathen's powers will transfer to you. Officially that is. Your speech has been written, and it would be best to study the copy I left in your chamber. Come this way and I will show you.”

  Trunculin led Gordon behind the King's Chair. If he hadn't been led, he would never have guessed there was a hallway leading in either direction into rooms behind the chair.

  They passed guards along the curved hallways as Trunculin led him into a chamber with a large window. The room was the biggest bedroom Gordon had ever seen. The walls were white, with hundreds of books lining one of the large walls. There was also a bed big enough for three people, comfortably, and a writing table and chair. Trunculin demonstrated how the cover rolled up into the desk and disappeared, revealing pen and paper and lined with small square holes that Gordon couldn't wait to explore. Trunculin let Gordon look around the room and found two doors, one leading to a large bathing room, the other a room for clothes, which was empty.

  Trunculin smiled, “I hope this will be enough space?”

  “Yes…yes, this will be…uh, fine,” said Gordon, looking around.

  “We are bringing some clothes for dinner now. Starting tomorrow your clothier will start making your garments. Tomorrow you will meet all of the important people that will be a help to you…” Gordon was looking around the room, “Is everything alright, my king?”

  “Sorry. It's just… this is a lot to… it's just a lot,” Gordon said.

  Trunculin smiled again, “Of course, my king. I have counseled many kings before you. Every one of them felt overwhelmed at first. But, you were chosen. And I'm sure you were chosen for a reason.”

  Trunculin was smiling the warm smile he was famous for, but Gordon still felt uneasy. A thought occurred to him, “Oh, can we find my uncle? I guess he got lost in the crowd. I would sure like to see someone I know right now. Oh, no offense… I just…”

  “Of course. No offense taken. We are looking for Loren right now, in fact. He will be brought to the palace as soon as we find him, I promise you that,” Trunculin said.

  Gordon replied, “Good, thank you. Wait, how did you know Loren was my uncle? Did I tell…?”

  Trunculin interrupted “…No, no, my king, as soon as a king is chosen, there is a whole army of people whose job it is find out as much as we can about him. Oh, I almost forgot, in the next few days we will also have the firsthealer look you over…”

  Gordon interrupted, “Oh, um, Loren is my healer. He used to work here at the palace. He knows how to….”

  “How to what, my king?” Trunculin looked very interested.

  “…How to… to take care of me.” Gordon didn't know how much to say before he talked to Loren. He never liked talking about his illness with people he didn't know. He wanted to talk to Loren about everything else too, and soon.

  Trunculin said smoothly, “Of course, my king. As soon as he is found, all will be well. I must go prepare the king's meal ceremony. If there is anything you need, just tell a guard. They will know what to do.”

  “Okay. Thank you, um… Trunculin. Is that what I should call you?”

  “Or firstcouncilor if you'd like. Please don't hesitate to ask for anything. I will see you at the king's meal.” Trunculin bowed his head slightly, leaving the room quickly.

  Gordon went to the large window and looked out over all the people. There were still large crowds of people that would stay close to the palace for tomorrow's crowning ceremony. Gordon wondered if the people were truly glad he was king. He was all the way up on the seventh level. The people looked very small from here, as did the purple mountains in the distance. Gordon backed away from the window, realizing how far it would be to fall.

  Chapter 5: What Went Wrong

  Trunculin made his way to the sixth level of the palace. He went past the guards without looking at them, straight to Brenddel's chambers and pushed the door open without knocking, “Where are they?” he demanded angrily.

  Brenddel was signing papers and calmly looked up from his work. His thick arms pushed on the edge of the desk while he raised himself from the chair with a soldier's economy of movement. Taking the name board from his desk, he said, “Room three,” as he led Trunculin back to the holding rooms, “They all claim they switched the name boards. They tell the same details. No one can explain it.”

  “They will explain it to me. How could this happen?” Trunculin fumed as they reached the door. Brenddel had the key ready and unlocked it. The moment the door opened Trunculin heard the tail end of a scream.

  In the room there were six men. Three knifemen of Brenddel's guard stood around three men in the middle of the room. In the middle, the men were hanging from a bar by their arms. Their feet were not touching the floor. Trunculin walked up to the man hanging closest to him, “What happened?”

  “I don't know. I swear it. We switched the name boards like we were supposed to. I swear it!” answered the man.

  “You are swearing that between last night and the choosing, someone else snuck into the tower tunnels and placed name boards like these inside the tower near every door?” Trunculin grabbed the name board from Brenddel and held it up to the man's face. Through his pain, the man saw the name Gordon.

  Trunculin said, “We found hundreds of these – all say Gordon – just behind every locked door, so that his name alone would be chosen,” The firstcouncilor got closer to the man's face, “His name should not have been in the tower at all!”

  “It's not possible. We replaced all of the name boards. I swear…” one of the knifemen hit the hanging man across the rib cage with a wooden training weapon. The man screamed.

  Trunculin got even closer to the man's terrified face, “Every choosing we find men just like you. Men desperate for coin, men that no one will miss. We
hire them quietly, then dispose of them quickly. Not this time. This time it will be slow. Scream all you want; no one can hear you outside this room.”

  The man began to protest, but Trunculin and Brenddel were already leaving the room. As the door was closed to the sound-proofed holding room, they heard the last, “Pleeeeeasse!” anyone would hear from the men.

  Brenddel walked quietly beside Trunculin as he raged, “Never! Never has a name been switched by anyone but us. How could this happen? How many of your men do you think are involved?”

  Brenddel glanced briefly at Trunculin, “I put some of my best on guard last night outside the tower. It was a small, loyal three that stood guard inside while those men changed the tiles from the tunnels under the tower. They witnessed those men switch the boards. I am still questioning those guards separately. The top of the tower was covered just like every choosing, so it had to be from the tunnels. I do not know how this happened, but I will find out.”

  Trunculin said, “I know you will, Brenddel. I apologize for my fire, but it upsets years of planning. Have you found Loren yet? I knew we should have killed him before he became the hero healer of the villages. They must be hiding him in the filthy low lands.”

  Brenddel replied, “That is the first place we looked. We are still doing a house by house search and nothing yet. He couldn't have gotten far, but with so many new faces here, because of the choosing ceremony, many of the houses are empty. Nearly everyone is here in the palace city. My men were ready for the extra crowd control, we are spread thin. But we will find him.”

  “To make this happen, it has to be more than a few. Who is leading them? The conspirers could be many. And I have to go play the kind councilor to our empty-brained King Stathen, and the new boy king from the dirty villages. I'm counting on you,” said Trunculin.

  Brenddel asked, “What will we do with our new king? He may not be as weak as your first choice. We weren't watching this Gordon boy.”