by Mike Shelton
Richard stood and walked to the podium. “Councilors, Ambassadors, Mayors, and Nobles, this day is a sorrowful one for the Realm. Our beloved King Edward DarSan Montere has passed away.” They all had been informed already, but it was the official role of the First Councilor to direct the meeting. “He has left us saddened at his passing but has named a new Protectorate and King for our Realm, continuing a long line of kings. We are here to crown our new King, Darius DarSan Williams, friend of the people, protector of the people, and one of the people.”
Darius saw a young man come out from behind a small door holding the crown and the royal staff that had been used by many kings in Anikari over the ages. Darius walked toward his father and knelt. His father placed the crown on his head and handed him the staff. Darius thought of how difficult this must be for his father. He should have been the King.
The ceremony was simple. A more formal larger one would be held in the arena the next day for all the people to attend. But as of now Darius was officially the King of the Realm.
As he held the staff he sensed a great power, similar to that of his sword. He wondered how many other objects of power survived, scattered throughout the Realm, and if Edward had known about any of them. He concluded that King Edward, not being a wizard himself, probably had not known. There had been no sign of wizardry or power in him that Darius knew about.
Darius stood and replaced his father at the pulpit. Many of the crowd squirmed in their seats. He began his acceptance speech.
“I am Darius DarSan Williams, newly crowned Protectorate of Anikari, King of the Realm, and still named as commander of the King’s Elite Army. I am the defender and the servant of this great people. I ask now for your pledge of loyalty and support, that you, along with me, will serve according to the laws of this great kingdom.” Darius paused, scanning the crowd before starting his next sentence. “Are there any who protest this motion?” This was the official wording to be recorded. He hoped everyone didn’t get up and run out.
An elderly man in front stood up… Jonathan, one of King Edward’s councilors. The man’s hair was gray and receding, but his large frame stood in defiance. Before he could say anything, Darius spoke out first.
“Jonathan San Alver, is it only I whom you protest as king—or anyone else other than yourself?” Some of the crowd looked puzzled, others worried. “Do you deny that even before the announcement naming me as King; you were scheming in secret against King Edward, to position yourself as the next heir to the throne?”
The long-standing councilor cleared his voice and began to protest. “There was no heir before.”
Darius cut him off before he said more. He had something more incriminating. “And do you deny it was you, along with your supporters, who let the Preacher and Sean San Ghant out of prison?”
Many in the crowd gasped.
“I do not have to take this harassment,” Jonathan stated as he turned to leave.
“Guards!” Darius called them forward. “This man may leave the castle with an escort in peace, stripped of his rank, never to return, or you have my permission to take him to the dungeon. He is no longer welcomed in Anikari.”
Darius could see his father out of the corner of his eyes. They had discussed this earlier. His father did not agree with Darius’s approach. Darius knew he had to show firmness to the other leaders at first. His father thought a more softened approach would best support his new reign; but he in turn supported the new king.
“Are there any others among you?” asked Darius, hoping for one more.
“You are too young. You do not understand any of the politics of the Realm,” shouted another of the councilors.
“Aaron San Silva, I am surprised. I am surprised at all of you. You sit here in your cozy rooms in Anikari, thinking you know her people. How many of you have slept for a week in the Superstition Mountains alone? How many of you have led an army to Denir in the middle of the winter and conquered without losing a soul?”
Darius let some of the power come through his voice and magnified it louder. “How many of you have marched across the Black Forest? Or through dark and ancient tunnels into Belor?” He could see heads dropping. Good! It was working. “When was the last time any of you walked out in the fields surrounding our great city to consider how much work goes on out there in order for you and your families to have food on your tables?”
Darius moved away from the podium and paced the length of the stand as he spoke. “I may be young. And I do admit I have things to learn. Many things. But so do each and every one of you. We will council together to meet the needs of our great land, but I am the King.” Darius hoped he wasn’t shaking as badly on the outside as he did on the inside.
The group sat stunned. They didn’t know whether to call his bluff or not.
“Aaron, would you like to resign from the assembly of councilors?” Darius was giving the man a way to leave on his own terms. Aaron was not a bad person and had not worked behind the King’s back as Jonathon had done, from what Richard’s research showed. Darius wanted to encourage opinions spoken by his councilors, but he couldn’t have one of the councilor’s voice concerns about his leadership at this point and time.
Aaron nodded once, but kept his chin up.
Darius softened his words. “You may retain your home here in Anikari, your riches, and any estates accumulated during your term as councilor. Thank you for your service to the Realm.”
Aaron looked mildly surprised at the concessions and left without any further problems.
There were only a few young men and women in the crowd. That would need to be remedied. Age brought experience and wisdom, but youth brought enthusiasm and new ideas. Once again he asked, “Any more objections?” No more objections were raised. Darius’s plan had worked. The councilors would follow him. Darius realized they would test him at every turn. But he would be ready. His power would guide him, and his power was centered in his heart. He would temper firmness with compassion for all citizens of the Realm.
Darius continued his speech and announced the Preacher would be sentenced to death for his crime of attempting to assassinate King Edward, for murdering and torturing, and inciting rebellion in the Realm. Sean would be sent to the Twin Cities to work in the mines there. The prisoners brought in by Jain and the farmers would be led around the Realm for two years, performing manual labor for the King in rebuilding roads and homes, and then returned home to Belor.
Richard returned to the pulpit and announced that the next day an official declaration and ceremony would be made to the entire Realm in the coliseum. It was there Darius would announce his new councilors. And one other surprise! Darius thought.
Afterward, some came up to Darius, congratulating him and trying to get into his good graces before the announcements. Weakened and tired inside, he smiled and continued to visit and talk to people. He would have to get used to the new hectic life of a king. He reminisced inside on the easy days at the academy with Kelln.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Just outside of the city walls two men came riding out of the gates. Christine and Jain had just left Anikari and were walking back home to see their mother. Lightning had been left behind this time and had not accompanied Christine to the city. One of the men kicked his foot out and hit Jain in the head, knocking him to the ground. “Stay out of our city, outsiders!”
Christine screamed and moved out of the way, barely missing the kick of the other man. The two riders started to move in closer but stopped at the sound of riders coming fast down the road from the direction of the farmlands.
“Go back to your mud,” said one of the young men as they turned the other way and rode out toward Forest View.
Christine leaned down to see how Jain was doing. His arm had hit a sharp rock, and a small amount of blood dripped to the ground. She helped him sit up. Four horses came into view from the farmlands. Christine flagged them down for help. It was Karel, Thomas, Anya, and Stephanie. In quick succession, th
e friends ran to Jain. Scrapes and bruises already showed up on his dirtied face.
Christine explained what had happened. She expected sympathy but only got cold looks from her friends.
“Well, what did you think would happen?” asked Anya. Her lips were pursed, and a scowl covered her face. “One minute you are fighting against them, and now you are cozying back up with them in their big castle. They will never accept us, Christine.”
“I will always be from the farmlands. I might have gone about things the wrongway, but it was all I knew to do at the time. I still want peace for us.”
Karel nodded his head, but no one else said anything.
“All I want is peace. Real peace. For both peoples. There shouldn't be any differences in how we are treated.”
“Some of them might like us now.” Jain added his support to his sister. “We did help to stop the Preacher’s army in Forest View.”
“I’m sure they will find a way to explain the battle to make them look better than us,” Karel said. “Christine, you think peace can be found. I just don’t know if it can.”
“A way will be found, Karel. Darius…I mean the King, is fair-minded. When I live in the city I will find help for us.”
“You are going to live in the city now?” interrupted Anya. Her eyes flashed in anger, and she paced back and forth. “That’s just great.”
Christine tried to calm her friend down. “I’m not supposed to say anything yet until the official announcement, but the King and I are going to be married. I thought my friends should know.”
“Congratulations, my Queen!” said Thomas as he made a mock bow.
Karel stood in shock. “You know, Christine, I may have been wrong. You’ve always wanted to marry him. I told you it was impossible, him being a city boy and the son of a councilor. But now, who knows, maybe there will be peace after all. If the two of you can marry, maybe there is hope for peace.”
Stephanie and Anya began asking Christine about the wedding plans, what dress she would wear, where it would be held, and the three young men stood off to the side and talked about how it would be to be friends with the King and Queen.
The more they talked the more they felt better about things. Christine and Jain joined two of them on their mounts and soon were riding back into the farmlands. Christine couldn’t wait to tell her mother and sister the news.
Chapter 23
BETRAYAL
That evening while Mezar and Kelln met with Darius and his father to further discuss recent events, a lone visitor made her way through the dungeon tunnels. It smelled of mildew and mice, and the young lady, dressed in black, tried not to touch the cold, hard walls. Up ahead she heard voices. It sounded like two men. They would be no problem to her.
A lone torch flickered against the walls up and down the corridor, sending larger-than-life shadows across her vision. She shielded her eyes and stayed close to the walls. The two men noticed her as soon as she rounded the corner. One of them ran up and grabbed her, forcing her over to where the other was so they could see her better in the torchlight.
“Who are you? What are you doing here?”
“I just came to visit you two lonely men.” She batted her dark eyes at them.
“No one is supposed to be here,” said one of the guards. “Orders.”
“Well, I don't think I can find my way back. So I guess I’ll have to stay for a while.” She moved up close to one of their faces and smiled.
The guard smiled back, but his smile soon turned to horror as a cold knife swiftly appeared up against his throat.
“What... do you want?” his voice was hoarse.
“The keys to the door.”
The other guard tried to back around her. She kicked her foot out and knocked him to the floor. He stared up at her in fear.
“This knife can cut two necks as well as it can cut one,” she said with a gleam in her eyes.
“But we can't... He'll kill us.”
“Who will?” she demanded.
“The new King. We are ordered to guard the prisoners.”
“He won't kill anyone. He’s too soft. But I can.” She pushed the knife a little sharper into the guard’s neck, drawing a small droplet of blood. Her heart beat with wild betrayal at what she had to do. She hated herself for it, but it was the only way she could think of to get the information she needed to find her mother.
“Give her the keys,” the other guard said.
The guard with the keys gave them to her. She unlocked a door to an unused cell, then at knife point pushed the two guards into it, locking the bars behind her. She then stepped over to the cell holding her father, the Preacher.
“Alessandra.” The Preacher looked surprised. “What are you doing? How did you…” His voice dropped to a whisper. “Are you here to kill me?”
“That depends on the answers to a few questions. You’ve lied to me. I heard from Darius that you spent some time in Mar. Why? What did you want in Mar so badly?”
The Preacher laughed out loud, and he grabbed two of the bars that made up the cell door. “Alessandra, let me out of here, and I will make you a queen.”
“I don’t want to be a queen. Why did you go to Mar and lie to me?” Her voice grew louder, and her body shook with anger.
“It wasn’t any of your business, Daughter. Why all of the interest in Mar? It is a dirty city run by criminals, with nothing of worth there anymore. Now Belor...”
“Is my mother there?”
“Your mother is dead. I have told you that before.” The Preacher’s eyes hardened.
“She didn’t die. She left you because you were out of control. You used to preach peace and love, and you would motivate people. Now you teach fighting and death. All you want is power. Now, where is she?” Alessandra yelled, not caring if her voice carried out of the cell. Tears poured from her eyes and streamed down her face.
The Preacher dove for her through the bars, trying to grab the keys, but she jumped out of the way and kicked his hand back.
“Who told you this? Have you been talking to your crazy grandfather again?”
“Do you want out of here or not?”
The Preacher’s eyes brightened. “You would let me out? I am sentenced to die.”
Alessandra knew what she was doing could bring her own death, but her heart ached to see her mother again. “Only if you lead me to my mother.”
“But I said—”
“I heard what you said,” Alessandra interrupted. “Do you want out?”
“Yes.” The Preacher’s lips stretched thin. He never liked relying on others for help.
“Is she in Mar?”
“I don’t know anymore.” The Preacher sighed and his shoulders slumped down. “She once was. I can take you to people who knew her before. Perhaps they know. Maybe she will see you. She wouldn’t talk to me ever again.”
A look of regret flashed across on his face, but was gone quickly.
Her father continued. “Don’t think she is so wonderfully perfect compared to me. She has her own dark secrets too, Alessandra. All of Mar does. As I said, it is a place ran by criminals.”
“Do you promise to help me find her? I don’t want any tricks. I don’t want you to use your power on me as soon as we are out of here. Grandfather told me how to protect myself from your power.”
“Oh, he did.” This perked the Preacher up. “And I thought I had learned all of his tricks.”
Alessandra ignored his curiosity. She had to get this done quickly. “Remember, I have a new friend who happens to be the King now. I walk away from here or turn you in later and you are dead. You lead me to her and maybe you will stay alive.”
The Preacher looked surprised at her vehemence, but Alessandra was beyond caring. “But if they find out you let me go, they will have your head as well as mine,” he said.
“That is a chance I have to take for my mother.”
“I will take you.”
“What about him?” she pointed toward an
other cell where a lone man lay on the filthy ground. He glanced their way but said nothing. She gave the Preacher the keys and a map of the tunnels under the castle.
“Sean may be useful to us,” said the Preacher. “I will see what motivates him.”
“The map should show you a tunnel that leads out the back of the castle under a small hill.” Alessandra directed. “I stole this from the archives. You should leave as soon as you can. You will not be noticed until the guard change in a few hours, and everyone else will be at the ceremony. That’s all the lead you will have out of the city.”
“And where will you be?” asked the Preacher.
“At the ceremony. I can’t give them anything to be suspicious about yet.” Alessandra tried to keep her voice steady. “I will be by Kelln’s side as I’ve been for the last day.” Deceiving Kelln once again was going to be the hardest thing she had ever done.
Alessandra unlocked her father’s and Sean’s cell doors and began to walk away, needing to get back before anyone noticed. She brushed tears from her eyes. Guilt almost buried her at what she was doing. She had committed treason against those who had actually helped her and cared for her. But desperation to find her mother after all these years overcame all of Alessandra’s rational thoughts
The Preacher went over to Sean’s cell as Alessandra turned the corner. Before she was out of earshot, the Preacher called to her, “Be careful my daughter. I will meet you in Mar in three weeks. I will leave a message at the Boar’s Head Inn.”
The plan was foolhardy, she knew, but she couldn’t pass up the smallest glimmer of hope. Her heart ached, and tears burned her eyes for her betrayal, but hope rose inside her as she remembered her mother’s face. It had been so long she could barely make out the features in her blurry mind. She had dark red hair like me.