It was done. They had succeeded—but at a cost. Harun was dead, her friends were free, and they had saved the King, but Alborz was dead too, and they had been through so much. Esther felt so…tired. Geoffrey sat down next to her, putting an arm around her, and she laid her head on his shoulder. She needed to close her eyes, just for a moment. As she did so, however, shock and exhaustion quickly stole consciousness from her.
CHAPTER 33
Something Unexpected
You would think that nothing would surprise me any longer, but what happened next easily eclipsed everything else. Who could have thought that…
Esther woke slowly, squinting as the first rays of early morning sunlight shone in her eyes. She was laying on a luxuriously comfortable mattress and the room decorations and furnishings told her that she was still in the palace. She sat up, stretching slowly. She was dressed in a sumptuously fine nightgown and vaguely remembered being led to this room, washing Alborz’ blood off of her hands, and changing clothes. Thinking about Alborz brought tears to her eyes and she quickly wiped them away.
Esther’s trunk sat in the corner of the room open with all of her clothing and personal items inside. Even her sword and dagger were there, which she knew had to be a breach of the Hadiqan’s normally strict security rules. Guests were forbidden to be armed in the palace. Esther felt…vindicated…and reassured by the fact that they had so obviously left them for her.
She walked over to where a wash basin sat upon a small table with a mirror and washed her face. She dressed and belted her dagger about her waist.
Opening the door to her room, she stepped out into the hall. A middle-aged female servant sat in a chair in the hall, obviously waiting for her to wake.
“Good morning, miss. I hope you slept well?” the woman said, standing.
“Yes, thank you.”
“If you will follow me, I will take you to breakfast. Most of your other companions are already there, dining with the King.”
A flutter went through her stomach at the thought of seeing the King again. Esther’s emotions were still in a bit of a mess—she wasn’t sure if it was from nervousness or excitement. She clamped down on her fluttering stomach and distracted her mind with the beauty of her surroundings. She was determined to let go of all the worries and stresses that had weighed so heavily upon her since the raid on Ardmorr. Her task was done. She could return home now.
“That sounds great, I’m very hungry,” replied Esther courteously. The woman led Esther to a room where the King, his advisors, and her companions were eating breakfast. Everyone stood and started clapping as soon as she entered the room. She blushed deeply with embarrassment, but forced herself to keep her eyes up and smile back at her friends instead of looking at the ground like she wanted. She hoped Captain Karlsson would be proud.
Malachi stood and walked over to her, giving her a big hug. “You did it,” he whispered in her ear.
“We did it,” she whispered back, then continued in a more normal tone of voice, “Alborz smuggled your wife and kids out of the city. They’re safe. I’m so sorry about Alborz.”
“I know, me too,” said Malachi, “I’ve been in contact with the man that helped Alborz. My family is on their way back and should be here soon.”
“Oh good,” said Esther, relieved.
“Thank you for letting Alborz know that I had been arrested. If it weren’t for you, my family might have been taken as well and it would have caused them great anxiety, or worse if things had turned out badly.” Esther nodded.
“Come,” said King Asserius, pointing to the seat next to him, “Have a seat as our guest of honor.”
Esther walked over to the seat King Asserius indicated. Before she sat down, she turned to Jeshua who stood a few feet away and smiled. “I don’t know if I should sit so close to the King, armed with a weapon as I am. I would hate to cause you stress, Jeshua.”
Asserius started laughing. Stoic Jeshua just smiled back and nodded. Asserius pulled the chair out for her and she sat. She looked around the table, confirming that all of her friends were there mixed among the King’s advisors. Geoffrey, Malachi, Marigold, Nkiru, Oluchi, Mac, Joel, and Baird sat smiling back at her. The young woman who she’d seen arrested with her other companions sat next to Joel, her eyes fixed firmly on the table. She’d have to ask Joel who she was and what her story was. She wished she could talk with each of them individually right now, but it wasn’t every day that you were asked to sit next to a King as the guest of honor. For the first time in what seemed like a very long time, she felt at peace.
Esther ate and talked with the King, his advisors, and her friends. Esther wanted to find out what had happened to Vana, but was afraid to broach the subject. One of the King’s advisors brought it up, however, and the King said that normally, she would have been executed for treason, but because she was with child, she had been banished instead. Esther didn’t know if that fate was much more lenient, but she was glad that Vana wasn’t going to be killed outright.
After everyone had finished eating, Bassem, an old grey robed Wiseman who sat on the other side of the King, leaned over to him. “I think it’s time, Your Majesty,” he said.
The King nodded solemnly and stood. He looked around the room, gravely. “I owe everyone in this room a great debt for your efforts in support of the Hadiqan Empire, but none more so at the moment than Esther, Malachi, and their companions.” King Asserius turned and looked directly at Esther. “I know that you are weary and anxious to return to your country and family and I hesitate to ask more of you. However, the Madrausan threat is still very real and although you and your friends have thrown a rather large wrench in their plans, I don’t think for a minute that they will stop now. I have lost an Uncle and a Queen. As part of our efforts to face this Madrausan threat and bring our two nations closer together, I propose a union of marriage between us. If you would accept, Esther, I would have you as my Queen.” Esther stared up at Asserius in shocked silence. Had she heard him right? Had he just proposed to her? He smiled. “You don’t have to answer right now, but I would ask you to consider my proposal.”
Esther looked around the room, seeing shock and surprise on her companion’s faces as well. Her eyes stopped on Geoffrey and she could see the hurt in his eyes. He knew her well enough to know that she would have to seriously consider this proposal. Her sense of duty would allow no less.
Esther looked up at the King again, a puzzled expression crossing her face as she tried to think of what possible reason would motivate such an unexpected proposition. Finally she said, “Why would a marriage to me benefit Hadiq? I’m just a farmer’s daughter, not Ardmorran nobility—or even an influential merchant’s daughter. I don’t understand how this would be of any benefit to you at all,” she said, shaking her head in disbelief, trying to grapple with the shock of it all.
Master Bassem stood and spoke, “If I may, sire?” Asserius nodded. “I’ll grant that Esther’s station and lack of formal status does seriously limit the utility of such a union,” said the old man, addressing all those present, “However, there are several key points that marriage to someone of noble birth would not give us. Esther is Ardmorran and the Hadiqan people now view her as a hero of the people. In their eyes, she is nobility. Even now, the news of what she did is being talked about throughout the city and people have gathered, chanting her name in the streets and just outside the palace gates. Not only that, but she was directly impacted by the raid on Ardmorr and assisted in defeating it. Such a union will give us the excuse we need to dispatch a fleet to defend Ardmorr.”
The man paused, pacing, “Now that the assassination plot has been foiled, the Madrausan’s may yet be hesitant to attack Hadiq directly, however, the threat to Ardmorr is very real and the Northern Kingdom’s are not prepared. The others won’t be able to help Ardmorr. Here in Hadiq, the nobility would baulk at sending a fleet and risking Hadiqan lives to save Ardmorr in a preemptive manner when we have not been directly attacked. The peopl
e have an isolationist mentality and wouldn’t understand it either. They would just see it as Madraus flexing its muscles as it has done many times in the past. They don’t understand the level of threat that this new united Madraus poses. However, if Esther were Queen, then it would be different. The Hadiqan people would demand that their Queen’s people be protected, and we could finally pull them out of their isolationist stupor.”
“I’ll be honest,” interjected Asserius, “There are those in the Hadiqan nobility who want to use Esther and the presence of any fleet sent to protect Ardmorr as a pretext to ‘annex’ Ardmorr. Because Ardmorran culture and customs align more with the Northern Kingdoms than Hadiq, an annexation attempt would be extremely foolish and met with extreme resistance. We believe that Ardmorr will be of much greater use to us in the coming war as an ally rather than an unwilling vassal state. I and my advisors, however, will use the reactionary nobility’s greed against them if it lets us get a fleet to Ardmorr to protect it long enough to survive to be of assistance to us. This union with Esther sets us up politically to do just that. What the nobility won’t expect, however, is for us to send Esther as our official envoy with the fleet back to Ardmorr, with all of the powers and rights of my station. That should go a long way towards preempting any annexation movement. You’ll still have to deal with the Appointment Committee’s chosen admiral for the fleet. They are a very reactionary bunch and there’s no way I can get around that, but we’d at least be able to begin to establish the beginnings of a real alliance to face Madraus. I have an idea or two on how to deal with the Appointment Committee as well, if you choose to accept my proposal.”
A million thoughts and questions were running through Esther’s mind. Did she agree with their analysis of the political situation? What would a marriage to the King mean for her future? She was so young. She had hoped to spend the next few years experiencing life and exploring the world, but if she committed to this course of action now, would she be stuck in the palace and be forced to give up her freedom, her intellectual pursuits, and simply be expected to produce an heir and remain here for the rest of her life? What about Geoffrey?
As her mind contemplated these questions and more, she began to feel a peace settle over her. Examples of great women in history came to her mind, all of whom had become mothers and done amazing things. Astra, the ancient queen of Ciaphas—one of the early Northern Kingdoms—not only governed her nation well, but participated in one of the largest and well known naval battles in history. Zenaria inherited the Qadisian throne after the death of her husband and conquered the unruly western provinces while raising her two sons to become one of the earliest rulers of the present day Hadiqan Empire. Miriam Trask had ruled in Ardmorr with absolute power. She was succeeded by one of her sixteen children, all of whom became influential throughout the Kingdom. Esther realized that her destiny was her own to make, whatever path she chose. Asserius’ assertion that she would be appointed as an official envoy when the fleet was sent to Ardmorr at least gave her an idea of what they expected of her and that she wasn’t just to be kept in the palace.
Two doors lay before her and she only had a vague idea of what lay on the other side of each. On the one hand, Esther’s love for Geoffrey was just beginning to develop and she really wanted to see where that would lead. That path led to freedom and adventure. On the other hand was Asserius and what she perceived as her duty. If she chose that path, she hoped, in time, that she might develop similar feelings for the young ruler, but one way or the other, it would be different than what she felt for Geoffrey.
She thought about where she was and why she was there and suddenly, she felt a flash of inspiration surge through her mind. It was almost as if she had a momentary heightened understanding of things, as if seeing clearly for the first time, and she suddenly knew—without a doubt—which path she should take, regardless of whether it was what she wanted for herself.
She stood and slowly looked around the room, her eyes settling on Geoffrey, knowing that what she was about to say would cause him great pain. It was a pain that she felt herself. However, she needed to focus on what she knew she must do, and there was one other unpleasant and uncomfortable piece of information that she needed to share. She turned and looked at the King.
“Before any final decisions are made,” she said, “there is something that you should know. While aboard the Ngozi, I—”
“No Esther!” Marigold stood suddenly, “You don’t have to do this. What happened there is none of their business.”
Esther paused, turning to her friend, painful tears forming in her eyes. “Unfortunately, Marigold, given what has been proposed, it has become their business.” Before her friend could say anything more, Esther turned back and boldly continued, “While onboard the Ngozi, I was assaulted and raped by one of the midshipman.” The King’s eyes narrowed and grew hard. Esther couldn’t tell if his anger was directed at her or what she had said and she had no inkling of what he was thinking. “The young man was punished according to the laws of the Easterners,” Esther continued, “and I accepted the judgement that was wrought upon him. I do not know if this information would change your decision or the way you feel about me, but I thought you should know before a final decision was made.”
The King’s eyes softened and compassion replaced the hardness. “What was done to you was wrong and I am pleased that the Easterners dealt with him appropriately in your eyes.” He paused a moment. “Given this information, if the duties of a wife and queen would be too difficult for you, then I will respectfully withdraw my proposal. I do not want you to feel pressured to accept something that would be too uncomfortable for you to be a part of. However, I see no reason why this information should change my mind, or our plans from our perspective, do any of you?” asked the King, looking around at his advisors.
Esther saw heads shaking around the table and relief flooded through her.
Master Bassem spoke again, “This crime against you in no way diminishes what you have done, or who you are. Fortunately for us, if this news does become general knowledge, which it won’t from any source here at this table, the Hadiqan people will feel the same. We are aware that misogynistic cultures exist in the world. The Madrausan’s are prime examples of such. However,” he said, standing a little straighter as the grey robed man seemed to fill with pride, “Hadiq is not one of those societies. We may not be as progressive as Ardmorr when it comes to the roles of women in our society, but these types of actions are just not tolerated. Crimes like this are extremely dishonorable in our eyes. Precedence has shown that the dishonor is placed solely on the one who perpetrated the action, not upon the victim. Several of our most revered Queens throughout history have had similar experiences—unfortunately times haven’t always been as civilized—but that has in no way diminished who they were or what they accomplished. I don’t believe that this knowledge has any bearing on our decision, and we would be proud to have you as our Queen.”
Esther couldn’t stop the tears from spilling over onto her cheeks, washing away the fear of contempt that she had been so worried about. To say aloud, in front of strangers, the awful thing that had happened to her had been immeasurably difficult. A couple of weeks ago, she wouldn’t have been able to do that. Today, she felt stronger.
“Then I graciously accept His Majesties proposal.”
CHAPTER 34
Retribution
Esther didn’t get much time to get used to the idea that she would be Queen. Immediately after breakfast, she was carted off to her new quarters—the Queen’s quarter’s—and dressed in fine linens. She was introduced to her household staff (she still couldn’t believe that she now had a staff!) and provided an overview of the inner-workings of the palace and all of the myriad of tasks she was expected to direct. Just that had been a lot to take in, but then Asserius had showed up and kept her by his side in a whirlwind of meetings and briefings with his advisors. It was all very overwhelming.
In a way, she was gratef
ul for the overload because it helped allay her fear that she would simply be a political pawn and remain in the palace to produce an heir. She was also privy to a lot more information than she had before. When they’d met with their military advisor (it seemed weird to call him ‘their’ advisor. She’d never had an ‘advisor’ before), he had informed them that the purpose of the initial raid on southern Ardmorr had been to capture slaves for the Madrausan war machine. Fortunately, the raid had been less successful than the Madrausan’s had hoped.
According to current intelligence, a large Madrausan fleet was being assembled and instead of targeting Hadiq directly now that the assassination plot had been foiled, the fleet would likely be used to invade Ardmorr in an attempt to isolate Hadiq by removing potential allies and obtaining the slaves necessary for the Madrausan economy and warships.
The advisor explained that the Madrausans believed that Hadiqan isolationism would keep them from interfering with an attack on Ardmorr. What the Madrausan’s hadn’t counted on, however, was Esther. She was Ardmorran born and now beloved by the Hadiqan people. That might be enough to overcome their isolationism. However, from what the spies in Madraus were saying, the invasion fleet would be ready to sail in less than three months. That didn’t give them much time. A royal wedding took months to prepare and plan, and unless they were formally married, the King’s political maneuvering to break the Empire’s isolationism wouldn’t work. Unfortunately, the timetable had been set and they didn’t have that kind of time. Therefore, they had decided that they could not wait and she had worked night and day planning the wedding set to take place just three weeks after Asserius’ proposal, in addition to all of her regular duties.
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