Alex bowed to those before him for a silent five minutes.
Never before have any of the people of Ra’van seen a king or any noble bow to them for causing death of another when it was all too common. Deeply impressed, a woman stepped forward and stopped when she reached the front of the crowd and began clapping. Another began to join her and within a minute every dignitary and person of standing felt the heavy heart this new heir carried.
When the clapping finished Alex stood proudly and Ava readjusted her stance. A scribe then approached as he met the woman’s eyes and she began writing quickly so that nothing of this conversation would be missed. “Thank you, I appreciate it. But now comes the time you have all been dreading, what I will change now that I’m King. But before that you must understand what I’ve gone through to reach this point. ” Some sighed, looked eager, but the majority looked on in apprehension. They listened nonetheless till he finished.
Then came the new laws.
“The first and foremost order is that the war ends, here and NOW! I have behind me both the King and Queen of Alluan, the greatest land to stand against a tyrant.” He turned. “Your majesties, what say you to a cease of all hostilities and a truce between our peoples.”
The two approached and Allahandra rubbed her belly meaningfully. “If our lands are to have any hope of a future, one must be forged or two great lands will be irreparable if conflict is prolonged. I want my son to come into a world where my time might be better spent nurturing him rather than spending my days sending men to their death in a meaningless war with no conceivable end or meaning. I Allahandra, Queen of Alluan hereby also cease hostilities with Ra’van, but I request aid in returning my people home to their anxious families.”
“Granted.” Alex declared an turned back to the people. “I will also offer restitution to the families of both Alluan, Gagiat and Ra’van to the families of those whose children and parents were destroyed by my uncle’s petty ambition. I am also going to order food and transports to keep you from going hungry on your long journey home. I’ve gone over the palace treasury’s funds and it can easily be achieved.
“As my second command I’m dissolving the Royal and Kings Guard immediately. You will no longer be forced to serve if you do not wish to. I will establish the Defenders for any who wish to defend Ra’van and protect it from any dangers. Children will not be taken from their parents and be forced to become Kings Guard ever again. All children and adolescents will be reunited with their families. On this I will not budge. Family is the most important thing for I have lost most of my family because of Runkamon. I will not see it happen to any other child under my protection. And like my grandfather, the last true king, all the orphans will be given proper shelter and food. I can see from reactions that a few of you have children in the Kings Guard, I promise you they will be in your arms by tomorrow at the latest. I will need the help of the currently active Kings Guard to help return them before it’s dissolved, to show what happened to you, will not happen again.
“All who wish will be welcome to defend and uphold the honor and justice our lands will regain. Warriors will not be the primary force behind the Defenders.” That confused the crowd.
“For my third edict is to abolish the law that states your occupation will be chosen by the item you wield. I mean that in all seriousness. If you wish to do something with all your heart, you will be finally given that chance. For instance, if a warrior class person wants to become a culinary chef, he can do it instead of being ordered to kill. A person can become a healer even if they are a seamstress though you will need to learn the skills. And if you have a utility item and you wish for adventure or to fight you can become a part of the Defenders. The warrior class will no longer be feared on the streets or force people to bow when they believe something different. People will be judged as themselves, not the item they were born with.
“This next law will cause much anger, but it will be done. Slavery is abhorrent and will end right now! Most of the slaves have lost an item and as such, under Runkamon’s laws, were forced to become a slave to whoever bought them since they couldn’t have a trade that an item required. Few of you know about Furions, but we weren’t born with an item in the usual sense. That being said, I was considered a slave and if not for my uncle Gambit owning me, in only the legal sense, my life would have been much worse. Think about that for a minute, your new king was considered a slave. I know most who lost their item aren’t as they were, but they still function and have dreams of a better life and future. Under my rule, they will have it.
“But I will allow you to speak with the men and women that have been enslaved first and if you want them around and they wish it too, keep them as servants who get paid a reasonable wage for their valuable services. The slave markets will be repurposed into low income public housing until the freed slaves figure out what they want and can support themselves. If they wish to return to their families in another land they are more than welcome to do so.
“Furthermore I’m abolishing Sacrifice as a mandatory teaching method or enforcement. In Alluan children are taught freely about the world and I’m going to adopt the same method here, but instead of all children coming to the palace I’m going to have a grand library built and it will be a learning center unequaled. There will be a restricted section only for the most dangerous subjects, but there will not be a ban on any books. Schools will also be built so that children can learn to be better adults than what their parents are, as is the hope of parents everywhere.” He smiled to Allahandra. “Sorry, but you know I’m competitive. Very soon Ra’van will be the most intellectual in all the lands.”
“We’ll see.” She smiled back. “My people are fiercely competitive also.”
That humble remark pleased the gathered.
“From today onward you may believe what you wish without persecution of this government. So long as you are within Ra’van’s territory all will be taxed equally at ten percent of all yearly earnings, but you can live however you wish. There won’t be a village, town or city that will be ruled like it has been. There are many ways to live a full and happy life and I will not have them submit to me just because I don’t like what they do, unless its human or fiend sacrifices. That, I will not tolerate and any who disobey will receive ten years in prison for every offense and if its murder you will be executed if found guilty.
Alex then spread his arms to point out the unique guests surrounding them. “As even the blind can tell, fiends are not what we’ve been taught. They are sentient creature as you or I. Aye they look different, but they are not the nightmares we’ve been taught that kill indiscriminately or for personal pleasure. They are not pets, nor are they controlled.”
He then changed his voice and began barking, snarling and making other disconcerting sounds and the people grew uneasy hearing such sounds. The fiends began retorting for nearly ten minutes before he began speaking like a human again. “As you can understand, I can speak to all manner of creatures. I’ve spoke at length about this with them and they all agree. From this day forth this Royal City and that of all Ra’van will be open and inviting to all fiends. They will have the same rights as humans and should you kill them it will be the same as murder. It will be the same if they kill a human. So long as we treat them with the same respect and honor they will be our allies. The Bend Mountains will be their home or kingdom, if it will be easier for you to understand, and off limits to hunting and trapping, but they want their young to learn as we do and will gladly bring them to learn in the schools. The Orggian are great teachers and have offered to gladly work with human educators in guiding the young into a new and unexpected future. It will be better than this generation’s.
“Allahandra and I have also been working on expedient measures to traverse the large distances between the lands. Like how the Quad River links Nicronane, Alluan and Gagiat, I will work in establishing a project with the other leaders to create a manmade river that will connect all lands. It will take abou
t ten years to complete it, but it will bring us closer to our neighbors, allies and friends. I will call it Unity River when it’s complete. This dream will have a great many opportunities and most likely run the Byro River near Mylan’s city to connect it to a large river that connects to Point Lake.
“And lastly for my plans tonight I, Allahandra, Lady Hanna, leader of the council of Gagiat and the new king of Nicronane, Moro, will create a new and neutral nation out of the Waget Islands so that one country doesn’t declare war like the one my insane uncle created. I never want to see another war and if this new council works as we hope, our lands will become greater than any in recorded history.
“I will now allow any who wish, to leave so that the entire kingdom will know what will become of our future, but if you wish to stay I will address a few of your questions and concerns.”
Nearly a tenth quickly exited the partially melted doors to spread the news.
The woman who clapped earnestly the first time he asked for forgiveness was the first to be allowed to speak. When the crowd wouldn’t quiet Shade howled and they ceased. “King Alex, I must ask two questions if that would be allowed?”
“Go ahead.”
“I get the feeling you do not wish to be king… Why?”
“You’re right, I don’t.” Such open honesty baffled the people more than anything he said thus far. He looked at the two rings on each index finger, one from his kind uncle and the other from his grandfather. “I wish I wasn’t born from royalty for the freedom I love will be weighed down by responsibilities. I would be happy to be a simple farmer, but life doesn’t work out as you expect. It’s like a cruel joke, but many hopes and dreams have been placed on my shoulders and I’ll not see those who died be let down.” He then easily pulled his sword from the ground and held it out “Although you have no reason to trust anything I said because I haven’t earned it, this I swear, I will protect this…my kingdom with my very life.” before sliding it in its sheathe.
She considered it for a moment. “And my second is why is Princess Zara standing alone and silent?”
Zara stepped forward and in seconds stood to Alex’s side. “I’m here to show I support everything my cousin has said here so far. And please do not call me, princess for I truly wasn’t one. I’m Zara, that is all. I haven’t a title nor do I seek one. I want to live like a woman, as all women do, with a love and have children with that special someone. Under my father, I didn’t have a choice, but Alex changed all that. I can finally find happiness thanks to him. Few of you know me because I’ve been towered most of my life, alone with Kyri. Though you may not believe me, I know that if you follow Alex as your new king you’ll find his rule refreshing and Just. I trust him and that is why I’m supporting him as king, my king.”
The questions continued till midnight until Alex adjourned the gathering saying that he needed to check on his injured wife. The feeling of the crowd swayed in many directions, but the truth was until he is officially crowned king they would be hesitant, but the general motion was positive and obviously refreshing.
While Alex and the others left to get much needed rest, Zara and Kyri stayed below and continued speaking to the nobles since they wanted as much information as possible and how to gain favor.
Janken waited outside the tapestry that hid the now guarded stairs. The first thing Alex asked was “Janken, please escort Allahandra, Rakkian and Beta to the royal chamber. They can have it to themselves tonight.”
“That is very kind of you, Alex.” Allahandra admitted. “After today’s events it will be most welcome, but what about you? Where will you sleep?”
“In the guarded guest room where I left Lily. From what I’ve been told, the king’s bedroom is five floors up where I’ll be on the sixth. The seventh is for the bell and the eighth is for the garden.”
They began walking behind Janken.
“It is odd” Rakkian stated “that there are fewer floors, but the height of each room is nearly twenty feet tall while the main hall is sixty.”
“Gerieg once told me the palace was originally designed so that the Fury had enough room to fly should they roost within. My ancestors once lived with their large bodied partners and it made sense to have large rooms and passageways.”
They spoke about the mundane until they reached the fifth floor and Allahandra and the guards entered the king’s chamber while Alex and the others went up another flight of stairs.
At the heavily guarded door, the eight warriors stationed outside bowed and reported that none had entered or left her room as he ordered.
Inside he spotted his beloved laying on a large bed with Krum sitting on an open windowsill above the bed, thumbing through a book he found somewhere. She lay still and asleep a she had been placed earlier. With the help of two servants they undressed her from Elo’s fur and redressed her in a red silk dress. He knelt at her side, took a hand and its weaker warmth in comparison to his made his worry alleviate.
Niranene broke out her item and pressed it to Lily’s breast. In a whisper she explained “The bones are knitting rapidly and properly. If it were you I’d know you would be healed by now with your unique physiology, but she’ll be better by morning with the judgment I made earlier more reasonable with the differences I now see.”
Marlin placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. “If you need anything, Alex, we’ll be next door like always. Get some rest, my friend. You’ve had so little since your capture.”
“Thanks again… both of you.” He sincerely said.
Krum whooped softly and he translated. “He says he’ll stay here with us tonight since he slept well while we were gone. He wants to be here if an emergency should occur.”
They left with Clift not long after.
Alex gently slipped into the bed and lay beside her. When he settled, Shade and Ava climbed up too and the four of them slept so comfortably that it was as if they had never been separated at all.
Bright and early the next morning Lily opened her eyes to find Alex gently snoring by her side. She smiled tenderly, almost thinking it to be another dream, and caressed his scruffy jaw line. She then began combing her fingers through his silky mane of black hair.
At the delicate touch his eyes shot open and he sat up. He began speaking so fast she placed a finger over his lips. “Shh, you’re so excited I cannot understand.”
“Hold on a moment. Don’t sit up till we know it’s safe.” And he disappeared. He rushed to the door, spoke quickly to a guard and returned to her bedside. Already Shade and Ava were wide awake and fussing over her like he was.
Niranene, Marlin and Clift entered a few moments after and the healer made a quick examination and said proudly “Your broken neck has healed enough so that you can get up and move around, but I must stress that you do as little as possible so that there aren’t any complications. Take it easy, my queen.” she grinned.
“Queen?” Lily asked in confusion as she sat up. “I don’t understand.”
Marlin smiled wryly. “Now that Alex is king… and you are his wife… think about it.”
It donned a moment later and she looked to Alex with wide eyes of pure disbelief. “Does that mean yesterday wasn’t all a dream?”
“I’m afraid so.” Alex admitted in all seriousness. “Would you like to hear what happened after you were put to sleep?” She nodded and before he began speaking Marlin went to a guard and had him send someone go bring up a meal for them all. Alex then spoke of all that occurred during the rest of the day and night. At many points she smiled or laughed lightly. On other parts she stared dumbstruck till both Niranene and Marlin said it was true. She also sighed when she found that her swords had been located and returned to her possession.
After the meal had been delivered both Rakkian and Allahandra arrived and were both gladdened to see Lily well again. They both enjoyed the night and thanked Alex for such hospitality. Together they made plans for the rest of the day.
When they all had a much needed bath, chang
ed clothes and freshened up Shade too bathed in a recess similar to the pool the guest rooms Allahandra’s palace had. It had been the first bath Shade had in about two months and it showed from how dirty the water looked afterwards, but he never looked so great.
The palace was alive as Alex and the others returned to the hall and found that there were nearly as many people as there were last night, but both Zara and Kyri had gone to get some sleep when he inquired about their whereabouts.
The crowd had change little, but when Alex raised his hand they stopped talking. They noticed Lily by his side and all were amazed at her remarkable beauty and strength in the perfect proportions. “Today is another new day. I have been informed by the elders that they will reach a decision by nightfall as has tradition always been. According to tradition not much will be done today for this day is a time four mourning the passing of a great king. We will not honor Runkamon at all for he is nothing more but ash. Today we will mourn the death of my grandfather, the original king and his partners. At noon we will bring out their shrouded bodies and lay them here in the center of the hall. Any who knew him will get a chance to pay respect for three hours. After that we will bury him in the royal crypt beneath the palace where many of my ancestors now reside with their partners.
“But I will slightly break the tradition for my order still stands that all children are to return to their parents this day. If they have been taken from other Ra’van towns or cities I will commission a fleet of battleships and cavalry to see them safely returned. I have had documents of each children and the list to which parents bore them and gave them to Veign, the newly appointed general of the Defenders and those who already willingly joined overnight. Each has been tested for trustworthiness and have sworn to safely return the children as their primary order this day.
“For now I must get to work. Please keep order and at noon be prepared for the funeral. Go in peace.”
Ra' van (Book Three of the Items Trilogy) Page 55