Brom, Selda, Tilda, the castle cooks, and a host of servants bustled around the trestle tables, steadily loading them up with every type of food Ferret could imagine, and many she couldn’t. Enticing smells of slow-roasting meats wafted from the kitchens.
Even the dwarves were dressed up in finery, doublet and fancy breeches for Brom, his hair and beard neatly groomed, the women wearing woolen dresses plainer than Ferret’s but still attractive and well fitted. Brom and Selda had been honored and delighted by the invitation to assist with the catering for the coronation, the old dwarf puffing up with pride. Yet he looked as overwhelmed by the bustling chaos as Ferret felt, although Selda maintained the cool calm of a seasoned field commander in the midst of a military campaign.
“Ferret!” Tilda noticed her, and her exclamation drew Brom and Selda’s attention, along with those of many of the nearby servants.
“There ye be, lass!” Brom boomed. He was clearly relieved at an excuse to step away from the tumult. He and his daughter both sized up Ferret, who was annoyed to feel her cheeks grow warm at the scrutiny.
“Ye look beautiful!” Tilda gave her a hug, which Ferret returned. “I love yer dress.” She ran the thin fabric of one sleeve through her fingers with wonder.
“Reiktir’s beard, me daughter speaks true! There’s been a lovely lass hidin’ under that metal and dirt all this time.”
Ferret grinned and hugged Brom as well, then Selda appeared by his side. She straightened the shoulders of Ferret’s dress and gave her an embrace of her own. “Ye’ll knock all those young lordlings dead,” Selda said.
“Aye, mayhap ye’ll find a proper suitor among that lot,” Brom said. “Although these dandies seem to be as interested in powderin’ their cheeks as the noblewomen. Doubtless they’d be unmanned when faced with such a brave lioness as ye.”
Ferret giggled, and Selda cuffed her husband affectionately. A harried cook hailed Selda to come deal with some minor crisis, and she dragged her husband away by the arm.
“Ye’re deserving whatever they give you at the ceremony.” Tilda squeezed her arm supportively then went to aid her parents.
“Ho there, Ferret!”
She turned to see Kulnor swagger up beside her. His hair and beard were neatly trimmed, the latter elaborately plaited, although his hair still stuck out in several places. He wore a neat burgundy doublet and dark breeches with polished black boots. His holy symbol gleamed against his broad chest.
“Ho there, yourself,” she replied.
The dwarf was looking around in wide-eyed amazement at the feast being laid out. “Ye could feed a whole army with all o’ this!”
“An army o’ fat lordlings,” Brom grumped. He hammered a tap into an ale cask with a wooden mallet. “Bah! No proper dwarf would eat all these cakes and pies and whatever the rest of that is.” He waved a dismissive hand at the trays of sweetmeats.
Kulnor stroked his beard. “Aye, reckon not.”
“Brom, Kulnor,” Ferret said. “Kulnor, Brom.”
“Aye, we’ve met,” Kulnor said.
The two dwarves shook hands enthusiastically regardless. They quickly became involved in an in-depth discussion of ale, and Ferret turned away.
“Ye know that handsome lad?” Tilda sidled up beside her, looking at Kulnor appreciatively. She tucked a lock of curly hair that had come loose back behind her ear.
Ferret grinned mischievously at the frank look of appraisal on Tilda’s face. “Aye, I adventured with him. Fought some Nebarans together, traveled to other planes, you know. Sorry to disappoint, but he’s a priest.”
Tilda shrugged. “What of it?”
“Thought they couldn’t have families.”
“Nay, where’d ye come into such an idea? Reiktir is happy to let his priests marry and have young, for our people are few in number.”
“Well, in that case—Kulnor! Come here!”
Tilda blushed prettily. “Nay, Ferret, I…” She trailed off when Kulnor approached then looked down at her shoes.
“Meet my friend Tilda,” Ferret said with gusto. “She’s available.”
“Ferret!” Tilda looked mortified, cheeks turning even redder, but then she recovered her composure enough to smile at Kulnor. “I’m pleased to meet ye, Master Kulnor.”
“Just Kulnor, please, Miss Tilda. I must say ye’re as lovely as a pure vein o’ gold.”
Ferret slipped away with a smile as the pair struck up a conversation, content that she’d done her good turn for the day. She hoped to find somewhere out of the way to sit and take off her uncomfortable shoes for a few minutes. She’d been wearing them less than an hour, and already her feet were growing sore from the pinching of the godsforsaken things. There was no accounting for the tastes of noblewomen who willingly tortured their feet in such impractical footwear.
Just outside the banquet hall, she thought she spotted a familiar figure through the milling crowd. Ferret slipped through the masses and saw her quarry, dressed in blue robes. She tapped Taren on one shoulder. As he turned, she slipped around to his other side and gave him a grin when he turned back, momentarily puzzled.
“You made it back,” she said. “How did it go?”
Taren greeted her with a tired smile. “It was tough, but I think I did well by the two of them. Elyas I buried on my family’s land, where I grew up, beside my aunt and uncle. I took Mira back to her monastery, where they were pleased to inter her in the catacombs. Since then, I feel more at peace with myself and all that occurred.”
Ferret nodded. “Well, it’s nice to have you back. Thought you were going to strand me here alone for all this grand pomposity, as Dak would say.”
He laughed. “It does seem a bit… much. How have you been?”
“Better, I reckon. Though I’m tired of staying around the castle. Brom offered me a job and a place to stay at the inn, which I’ll probably accept. Don’t know how many more ‘your ladyships’ I can take around here.” She rolled her eyes.
“Lady Ferret?” A young page appeared as if on cue and curtseyed before her. She was a young girl of about ten with a round freckled face.
Ferret and Taren exchanged a look and burst into laughter.
The page looked distressed, unsure if she’d offended them somehow.
“Go on,” Ferret prompted. “Don’t mind us.”
“Lady Iris is requesting your presence. The ceremony is about to start shortly.” She glanced at Taren curiously as if she knew he was someone important who she should recognize.
“What about him?” Ferret asked. “Lord Taren stands before you. Surely, he is expected too.”
The page’s eyes widened, and she curtseyed again. “M-my apologies, my lord. Yes, if your lordship pleases, might you accompany me also to see Lady Iris?”
“Lead on,” Taren said.
Ferret sighed. So much for slipping away to rest my feet.
***
Ferret’s hopes to remain anonymous during the ceremony were dashed when she found herself seated in the very front row. The silver lining was that she had a fantastic view of the proceedings.
To the left of the aisle were seated Queen Sioned, King Rukk, King Nardual, and his sister Princess Zylka, who had shown up the past day. The royals’ retainers filled many rows behind them. Seated on the right were Lord Lanthas and his wife and children, Lord MacTaggert and his wife, and a few other nobles. Ferret was squished between Taren and Kulnor on the aisle of that first row, front and center. Chamberlain Iris; Sir Rafe, Commander of Sianna’s Royal Guard; and Jahn, Captain of the Castle Llantry Guard were seated behind them, along with other nobles and courtiers. All were seated on uncomfortable wooden pews, many rows of them filling the hall and bearing hundreds of courtly backsides.
Master Aered, an ancient man who was acting as master of ceremonies, took the dais. Murmured conversation in the room ceased when he raised his hands.
“Majesties, lords and ladies, and fair citizens—welcome. You have traveled from all over Easilon to join us this day
, honored friends and allies, all of you. We come here on this day to crown our new Queen of Ketania. Through trials and tribulations, Sol has seen fit to guide this young woman and deliver her unto this very moment. May I present Her Majesty, Queen Sianna Atreus.”
Well, at least he’s keeping the speech short. That’s a good start.
A trumpet sounded, and hundreds of necks craned to get a look over their shoulders at Sianna coming down the aisle. She moved with a stately stride, neither brisk nor slow, the train of her long white dress trailing on the ground behind her. Hair that shone like molten copper was gathered elaborately atop her head. Emeralds gleamed at her throat and dangled from her earrings. She looked every inch a queen, beautiful and radiant.
Taren’s breath caught beside Ferret. She glanced over, amused at his transfixed gaze upon the young queen. She nudged his leg with her knee, and he looked down, embarrassed.
Lords Lanthas and MacTaggert, an elderly priest of Sol, and several other nobles whom Ferret didn’t know rose from their seats and filed onto the stage. Sianna reached the top of the dais and knelt on a pillow before Master Aered, and the nobles gathered around in a semicircle. Lanthas stood beside Aered and held up a jewel-studded circlet. The crown was the same Sianna had worn earlier in Carran, her preference over something heavier and gaudier, at least according to castle gossip.
“Sianna Atreus,” Master Aered said, “daughter of Clement and Marillee and surviving heir of the Atreus line, today we gather in the sight of Sol and men to crown you Queen of Ketania. Will you swear to rule with wisdom and compassion over the kingdom? Will you swear to be a voice for all peoples, not just those of wealth and influence, and administer justice with an even hand? And finally, will you swear to protect your citizens from harm at all times?”
“I do so swear,” Sianna replied solemnly.
Lanthas stepped forward and lowered the crown onto Sianna’s brow. Master Aered held up his hands to forestall any applause while the elderly priest said his bit.
“By the graciousness of almighty Sol, who has smiled upon your trying path to the crown and continues to bless you this very day as you are crowned queen, we hereby pray that your reign will be long and favorable, Your Majesty,” the old man pronounced.
Aered raised his voice. “Thus are you hereby crowned Queen of Ketania. Rise, Your Majesty. Please congratulate Queen Sianna Atreus, the first of her name!”
The crowd broke into cheers and applause as Sianna rose to her feet and turned to face them. The waves of applause went on and on, everyone standing and clapping and cheering. Ferret was so surprised with how brief the ceremony had been that she thought the applause might last longer than the rest of the proceedings.
Gradually, the hall quieted, and people resumed their seats so that Sianna could address them.
“Thank you for your warm reception,” Sianna said with a smile. “I’d like to express my gratitude to all of you for being here today, for having faith in an untried girl thrust rudely into the role of monarch, and providing your invaluable aid and friendship and counsel during our long journey together. Dark days are now behind us, and dawn shines brightly on a promising future. The time for rebuilding is now—both our local communities as well as our relationships with our neighbors in the Free Kingdoms. Their support has been so vital during this past campaign that I can never repay our friends enough. One of my first acts as queen will be to sign some new trade agreements with the Free Kingdoms, so all can prosper in this time of revitalization. I also plan to extend the hand of peace and attempt to normalize relations with the Empire of Nebara if they are receptive to such a gesture of goodwill. It is my belief the vast majority of the Nebaran people cannot be blamed for the actions of a few bad actors who led our nations into war for selfish gain.” She paused as her eyes roved across the crowd.
“I know you are cramped and hungry, with the succulent smells of the delicious feast being prepared by our hard-working staff, so I’ll keep this brief. I do want to give recognition to those most deserving of such while we are gathered here.” Her gaze took in Ferret and her companions to either side for a moment.
“First and foremost, I’d like to bestow recognition upon some of the bravest heroes in all of Easilon, whom I’m honored to also count as friends. I’m deeply saddened that many of those crucial to our victory cannot be honored here in person, such as Dakarai Creel, Miralei of the Order of the Illuminated Path, Blade Aninyel of Fallowin Forest, and countless others who all paid the ultimate price. None of them joined our cause seeking glory for themselves or to somehow better their station. Instead, basic values inspired them: defense of homes and loved ones, and simple decency and a sense of justice. Yet we are fortunate to have three such heroes here with us today. All three are folks with humble upbringings who answered the call when heroes were needed in such dark times. Through darkness and evil their paths took them, yet they returned victorious, sparing Ketania and all of Easilon from the destructive schemes of Shaol and his warlord servant. I now call before me those heroes: Taren of Swanford, Ferret of Ammon Nor, and Kulnor Strongaxe of Silver Anvil Hall.”
The crowd hushed, and Ferret felt the weight of all those eyes descend upon her and her friends. Taren and Kulnor got to their feet, and she did the same, woodenly, following Taren to stand in front of the dais before Sianna, who had descended to the bottom step. She stood there with her benevolent, queenly gaze upon them. Sianna turned to Lanthas, and he handed her a silver medallion.
“Taren of Swanford, thaumaturge.” Sianna’s face softened when she looked him in the eye. “The heroism and valor of you and your companions preserved not only this kingdom, but the entire Plane of Easilon. Quite frankly, none of us would be standing here today if you hadn’t foiled Shaol’s plans. You were influential in gathering this valiant group of heroes around you. You and your friends rescued me personally from the clutches of the Nebaran warlord, helped rout an army, and ventured into the Hall of the Artificers and planes beyond in order to destroy the infernal machine that would have ended us all. Taren defeated the warlord for good and ended the threat of the Tellurian Engine. I am honored to name you, Taren, Defender of the Realm.” She slipped the medallion over Taren’s head, smiled at him, then turned to Ferret.
Her pulse sped up as everyone’s attention focused on her. She could imagine incensed whispers behind hands of courtiers at the honor being bestowed upon a common gutter rat.
“Ferret of Ammon Nor,” Sianna said with a warm smile. “What more can be said about this young woman’s courage? For it was she who sounded the alarm during the massacre at Ammon Nor when treachery was afoot, saving untold lives and preventing a total slaughter. She stood beside Taren to rescue me from the clutches of the Nebaran warlord. She fought bravely in battle against the foe and joined with me to retake my throne, even apprehending the traitorous usurper Ewan Calcote so he could face justice.”
When Sianna put it like that, Ferret couldn’t help but feel impressed a bit by her own deeds, although she’d have never succeeded at any of them were it not for those around her.
“I am honored to name you, Ferret, Defender of the Realm.” Sianna placed another silver medallion around her neck and gave her a nod and a smile.
The cool medallion’s heavy weight pressed against her chest, and she couldn’t help but smile. The round disc had a likeness of Llantry etched on it, along with the seal of the royal house.
“And finally, Kulnor Strongaxe of Silver Anvil Hall. Although Kulnor is one of Queen Sioned Hammerhelm’s subjects, Kulnor did not hesitate to volunteer his aid in my rescue attempt, though he knew he was risking his life for a queen he didn’t know or owe fealty to. He later fought bravely in battle against the Nebaran host, and his priestly talents saved many lives. Kulnor accompanied Taren to the Hall of the Artificers and helped end the Nebaran warlord. It is my great privilege to name Kulnor an honorary Defender of the Realm.” She placed a bronze medallion around Kulnor’s neck, and the dwarf beamed with pride.
“Now, let us show our gratitude to these brave heroes!” She gestured for the three to turn and face the audience.
The hall practically shook from the applause, nearly deafening in the confines. Ferret could only stand there with a shocked smile on her face, humbled and overwhelmed by the honor shown her and her friends. Even in her wildest dreams, she never would have imagined herself rising to such a position in her entire life.
***
Hours later, Ferret leaned against the wall, safely out of sight for the moment after having declined yet another courtier’s offer to dance. She couldn’t help but think they were approaching her out of some sense of duty, taking pity in the curiosity of the awkward gutter rat graced with an award from the queen herself. Or perhaps it was all some political maneuvering to be seen with a friend of the queen’s. Whatever the reason, Ferret couldn’t say, but she wished she was somewhere else. The heady excitement of earlier had worn off, and she yearned to make an escape.
The ceremony and following banquet had all been surreal—she, Ferret, a young lass without a respectable name, the daughter of a dead whore and unknown father, being honored by the queen herself in front of the assembled combined royalty of humans, elves, and dwarves, along with all the influential people of the capital of Llantry and far and wide. She might have thought she’d dreamed it all, if not for the weight of the medallion pressing against her chest.
She watched the swirl of silk and satins as dancers moved across the floor of the great hall, all of them graceful and lovely as they followed the complicated steps of some dance Ferret didn’t have the first clue about. She was better able to appreciate the skillful craft of the quartet of performing minstrels. Two flutists, a lutist, and a drummer belted out tune after tune, the current one slow and seductive.
Trial of the Thaumaturge (Scions of Nexus Book 3) Page 54