Unjust

by Tiffany Lovering

  “Let’s talk about something else. What has been going on with you?” I asked.

  She sighed and said, “I need to make a confession I guess.”

  “Okay.”

  “I have been having a hard time lately. I think I’m developing feelings for someone.”

  “Really? Who?”

  “Does it matter? I can’t be with him anyway.”

  “I’m curious,” I said.

  “Storm.”

  “Do you think he knows?”

  “No. I’ve done my best to hide it, but the more that I get to know him, the more I understand how you couldn’t ignore your feelings for Tyran.”

  “I’m sorry Cali.”

  “Don’t be sorry. It’s not your fault. I just thought I should tell you just in case you notice that I try to distance myself from him.”

  I suddenly felt incredibly guilty because it was in my power to change this ridiculous law. I never liked the idea of preventing the Queen and the assistant from experiencing true love. I could have probably dealt with it if it was only me, but I didn’t like having to watch Cali go through life without a family.

  Talking with Cali about this now made me realize that she was probably the person I should have gone to in the first place. I never should have thought that she would steer me in the wrong direction. We decided to have some lunch in my quarters. I made some coffee for myself and Cali had some iced tea. She made egg salad sandwiches while I gave her details about how angry I was with Lilliana when I first saw her sleeping in my bed. She said she would have probably reacted in the same way, which made me feel a little less guilty about attacking Lilliana.

  Chapter 8

  My First Seer

  After we finished eating, Cali and I went for Sebastian to go on a tour around the kingdom’s grounds. We thought we should take a survey of what was destroyed within our land. All of the farmland seemed to be a total loss. Luckily, we had not lost any of our cows, chickens, or sheep. They were all in a barn, along with the horses, which was back further into the woods. Although we were all vegetarians, we still needed animals to provide us with milk and eggs, and the sheep’s wool was used to make blankets and coats for everyone in the kingdom.

  When we went back inside, Storm came and told me that the guest room meant to serve as the prison area was ready for the night. I had to find Timothy, as he was the first person that would be sent there. Cali and Sebastian came along with me and we found him helping to clear away the passages of the tunnels. This only made me angrier with him because it was mostly his fault that the tunnels were destroyed in the first place. I told him to come with me to the gold room. He followed quietly and I wondered if he knew what was about to be discussed.

  He sat down across from Cali and I, but did not say a word.

  “Timothy, I have received intelligence that you had a part in helping Pyrencia come to our kingdom and to declare war on us.”

  He lifted his head and said, “Queen Jasmine, anything that you have heard I believe would be the truth. That also means that you would know about Tyran. Am I correct? Do you have anything to say about that?”

  “That is none of your concern. Timothy we have decided that you will spend a significant amount of time living in the guest quarters behind sealed doors. You will not be able to leave the room or this palace. Do you understand?”

  With his jaw set, he gave me one short nod.

  “Guard Sebastian is waiting outside this room right now. He will escort you to where you will be staying. Don't you worry, you won't be alone for very long. My Heads will be discussing your final sentence very shortly. Do not attempt to leave. If you do, we will find you and you will be sentenced to death immediately. Do you understand?”

  He gave me another short nod. We did not have anything else to discuss, so I had Sebastian bring him to where he would be staying. I also asked Cali to gather the three Enchanters who were also guilty of the betrayal. I waited in the gold room for them to return. When she came back, there were only two Enchanters with her. I asked where the other was and she told me that she did not know. The Enchanter named Sabrina said that she had run away. She knew that it would be only a matter of time before the plan was figured out and they would be sentenced to banishment anyway.

  “You will not be sentenced to banishment,” I said.

  They both suddenly looked very nervous knowing that the only other possibility would be death. I told them that they would be staying in the same quarters as Timothy. Although this was not an ideal situation, it was the only thing we could come up with. I knew that the Heads and I would have to come up with a better arrangement soon. I did not like the idea of all the guilty parties being together in one place, and possibly giving them the opportunity to cook up another plan.

  When Sebastian took them away, Cali and I stayed in the gold room to discuss things further. She was also worried about keeping this group together. We were both annoyed that everyone involved in the betrayal was unwilling to give us any more information than what we already had. Tyran was the only one who gave the story of his involvement from beginning to end.

  The next morning the whole kingdom was quiet. It was obvious that everyone was mourning those who had been lost. It was only a matter of hours before the mass funeral was to take place. We decided to keep the funeral indoors instead of going out to the gazebo just in case Queen Aella decided to show up. As people started to gather around the inlaid T, I was suddenly overcome with emotion. I had to talk about everyone we had lost, and that meant Orion. I did not feel well equipped to do this since I had not been in Tamporlea very long and didn’t really know everyone personally. Cali told me that she would help as much as possible, she knew everyone in the kingdom.

  Everyone was dressed in white with just a little accent of their tier color. When I went to my father’s funeral, I remember everyone dressed in dark, depressing colors. Although I understood the sentiment behind it, I never liked the tradition. Everyone was already in tears before I even began to speak. Tyran sat in the front with Mykel by his side while the other prisoners were in the back with the rest of the Guards around them. I was glad that Mykel remembered that I didn’t want the kingdom knowing that Tyran was being held prisoner.

  I was surprised to see Timothy sitting in the back with the others. From the look on his face, it didn’t look like it was his choice to be there. Before the services started, he began to cause a scene telling the Guards he didn’t want to be here. Kelly got up from her seat and stood directly behind Timothy. Whatever she was doing, it silenced him and although his mouth was still moving, he couldn’t stand up and no one could hear his yells. He finally gave up and sat there staring at the floor.

  I took a deep breath to ease my nerves before standing up to address everyone. I looked out to the crowd and gave a weak smile. “We have gathered here to remember the loved ones we have lost in the Battle for Tamporlea. As I have learned of the ways in which each person was killed, they all had one common theme - they were all heroes. Thirty-seven people made a conscious decision to give their life so that someone else could survive. I know that this is a hard time for all of us, but there are so many courageous stories that go along with our loss.”

  As Cali and I announced the names of the people we lost in the war, some of the family members came up to talk about their loved ones. Probably the most heart-wrenching story came from a nine-year old boy named Xander. “Shiloh was my grandfather. He told my parents and me to go into the bathroom and lock the door. He said to be very quiet until someone came to get us. I didn’t know what he was going to do, and I was very scared. It was when we were all in the platinum room that we were told that my grandfather sat in the living room while the intruders broke through the door. Somehow, he knew that if he pretended to be the only one in the house, they wouldn’t go looking any further. Grandfather is our hero and I miss him so much.”

  The last person to be remembered was Orion, and I knew that I was going to have to do this myself
since he had no family of his own. “Orion Underhill was a strong man with a gentle heart. He taught me so much in my short time here, not just about being Queen but about being a decent person. He taught with words, but more so with his actions. He was strong and stubborn when he needed to be, funny when the situation called for it, and incredibly caring all the time. He loved this kingdom with all that he was and he will be dearly missed.” I saw Tyran stand up and whisper something to Mykel before he came to stand by my side.

  “Orion was a hundred and seventeen years old when he gave his life for this kingdom. For twenty-two of those years, he was my mentor, guiding me along before I became Head Guard here. It’s no secret that we didn’t always see eye to eye on things, but no matter what, I knew how much he loved me. I knew how much he loved all of us because Orion was so filled with love, it was impossible to ignore. I am sure we have our own personal stories about this man, because he made it his purpose in life to know and love every single one of us. I will always remember Orion and I’m sure you all will too.”

  When Tyran went to take his seat once again, Cali came up to stand next to me. Before I was ready to end the service, she spoke up. “There’s one more left to honor here.” She put her arm around me before continuing. “Casper was one loyal dog who comforted our Queen in the best and worst of times for five years. For the month that I was getting to know Jasmine, I got to know her dog as well because he never left her side. The one time he did, was when he attempted to save Orion. Although he did not succeed, his cries and barks distracted the attackers just long enough to allow some of our people to get to safety. Casper is just as much a hero as anyone else we have lost, and I am so lucky to have known this four-legged hero. He will be truly missed.”

  Cali had to end the services because I was in tears. I was truly touched that she saw fit to honor Casper as one of the other heroes. It was enough that he was going to be in the palace’s tomb, but to recognize his death along with everyone else had me sobbing.

  Almost everyone made their way to their own homes to mourn on their own or with family and friends. When Sebastian was finished helping to bring the prisoners to their room, he came back to where Cali and I were still saying goodbye to the rest of the kingdom. When there were just a few people left talking amongst themselves, Cali said that she would like to go to her room for awhile, but she would come to find me later.

  “Queen Jasmine, I was wondering if you would like to go for a walk with me?” Sebastian asked.

  “Sure,” I said. “Is there something wrong?”

  “I don’t know if you know this or not, but I don’t have a family here.”

  “I’m sorry, I didn’t know that.”

  He led the way out to the waterfall where we sat on a large fallen tree. “My mother died when I was born and my father died just a couple years ago. His name was Sebastian as well. We were like best friends. We told each other everything. When I was growing up, he used to tell me stories to put me to bed at night. ” He was suddenly very emotional and I put my hand over his, squeezing it just a little for comfort. He looked me in the eyes and said, “His story never ended. He started the never-ending story seventeen years ago when I was seven. It was about a beautiful little girl who didn’t know she was a princess.”

  I gasped and said, “He was my first Seer wasn’t he?”

  He nodded and said, “Yes. I was never going to tell you. Only the Seer is supposed to let the Queen know. The only reason I am telling you this is because of Casper. I was nineteen when you got Casper. Although my dad obviously didn’t tell me bedtime stories, he would carry on the story while we’d cook dinner or playing a card game. I didn’t have much contact with Casper while he was here, but I remember so many stories about you that were laced with your dog by your side. I felt like I really knew him and I want you to know that I loved him too.”

  “Thank you Sebastian, that really means a lot,” I said sincerely.

  “Do you think it’s weird that I knew you before you came here?”

  “Everyone knew about me. Some knew more than others,” I said thinking of Tyran. “I used to think it was strange, but I’m used to it now. Although, I feel bad that you didn’t have some more exciting stories. My life was pretty average before I came to Tamporlea.”

  “Well, my dad would add a lot of fantasy to spice it up, but I knew which parts were really you.”

  “Really? What kind of fantasies?” I asked.

  He laughed and said, “Well, there were times that you would fly on a magic horse named Polly.”

  “Oh my God! That was a wooden rocking horse my father got for me when I was two,” I said laughing.

  “Sometimes you ruled a city under the sea where you would have to fight off the evil jellyfish”

  “Wow, my life was pretty exciting!”

  “Dad loved telling me these stories, and I loved hearing them, but I don’t think I really appreciated them until I knew they were about our future Queen.”

  “I would have really liked to have met your father. He sounds like a great man.”

  “He was the best.”

  “Can I ask you something?”

  “Of course.”

  “You might not even know the answer. I was just wondering, if your father was my Seer, that would have meant that he was Lilliana’s Seer as well right?”

  “Yes, that’s right. He would have been.”

  “So how is it that he didn’t know that Lilliana was taken to Pyrencia?”

  “You two were born very prematurely. When your mother went into labor, my father was with the Runners on a run. He didn’t find out that you were born until you were two days old. It took him another two days to get to the hospital and by then, your sister had already been taken by Queen Aella.”

  “So he told you about that then?”

  “Not until I was much older and I found out about Lilliana on my own. He blamed himself for not being there when you were born. When he found out that Emily was in labor, he knew how early it was and he had brought a Healer with him, but it was too late by then.”

  We spent an hour or so talking about his father and the stories he would tell, not just about me but also about the people within the palace. The way he would intertwine reality with fantasy was fascinating to me. When I thought of how Tyran said that Sebastian was shy and mostly kept to himself, I realized that everything he was talking about now was what was bottled inside after losing his father. He had over two years of not having anyone with whom to share stories, and I was lucky to be hearing them now.

  After dinner that evening, Cali followed me to my room to talk about preparing for Lilliana’s funeral. I knew that I was going to have to talk about my sister, but I wasn’t so sure what to say because I had some conflicting feelings about Lilliana's death. I was sad about losing my sister and never being able to get to know her, but I was also very angry about the way she left this earth. In my opinion, suicide is such a coward’s way out. After losing my father at such a young age, I realized how precious life is. I really made an effort not to take my days here on earth for granted. I knew the reality of the fact that life could be taken at any moment. I had been through some pretty rough times in my life, but I can't think of anything that would be so difficult to make me want to take my own life.

  Cali told me that she would be at Lilliana's funeral so I didn’t have to do the eulogy if it was going to be too hard on me. I told her thank you but there were things that I really wanted to say. She told me that all the Heads were having a meeting with their tier, and everyone knew not to go out of a feeling of obligation.

  We decided that Lilliana should be laid to rest in the tomb of Tamporlea. We came to that conclusion based on the fact that she would have been the Queen of this kingdom and I thought it was important not to forget that. Lilliana had done nothing to hurt our kingdom by her own hand. The way in which she was manipulated by Aella was not her fault. There was a place for her next to Casper in the tomb.

  “Did
you know that Tyran wants to go to the funeral?” Cali asked.

  “I have no objections to that. He was the only other person to get to know her as well as I did.”

  “Okay, I will let Mykel know to bring him to the services tomorrow. By the way,” she said nervously, “I have a question for you but I am afraid to ask.”

  “Cali, you do not need to be afraid of asking me anything. What is it?”

  “It just seems as though you and Sebastian have spent a lot of time together recently. I was wondering if maybe there were some feelings there?”

  “No, I don't think so. He and I have been spending time together because you and the Heads decided I needed a Guard around me as much as possible.”

  “Yes, I know that. I just thought I should ask because there have been rumors about you and Sebastian.”

  “Really? What has been said?”

  “People see the way Sebastian looks at you and they seem to think that he is in love with you. He is always smiling when you are around and I have noticed that he tries to spend more time than necessary right by your side.”

  “It is probably just a crush or something.”

  “Do you have a crush on him?”

  “To be honest with you I have not even thought about that. He has been a good friend to me lately. I told you that he let me know that his father was my original Seer. I think we’ve sort of bonded with that, but I don’t think it’s anything more than a friendship.”

  “I don’t know how to tell you this but other heads have been asking about you finding a suitor for marriage as well as bearing the next heir to the crown.”

  “What? Are you serious? I am only seventeen. These are not things that I can even think about right now. I am too young. Besides, look at what we are all going through right now. You would think that would be the last of everyone’s worries,” the words came out frantically and Cali caught my tone quickly.

  “It's okay Jasmine. You still have about another year, but it is something that we will need to think about soon. Marriage, as well as pregnancy for the Queen, usually happens within the first year of being crowned. That way in case anything should happen to the Queen, there is a guarantee that her bloodlines would continue. It is because of everything that’s happened that has the Heads thinking about it.”