The Dread King: Book One of The Larken Chronicles

by R. L. Poston

  Larken was especially troubled by the demand that he practice wielding the sword with his left hand as well as his right. He understood the need for being proficient with a sword in either or both hands, but his damaged left hand refused to cooperate. Dropping the sword from his left hand for what seemed the hundredth time, Larken was relieved to finally hear Gahen tell him to replace his sword on the weapons rack.

  He stared at Gahen in disbelief, however, when Gahen said, “Come on. If we run fast enough, we can get in another five miles before your hand-to-hand fighting lessons begin.”

  As they ran, Larken struggled just to breathe and stay on his feet. Gahen, however, hardly breathed fast at all. As he loped easily alongside Larken, he explained that discipline of the body was necessary for discipline of the mind, and that discipline of the mind was necessary for control of Talent. “We need to push you beyond your physical limits so you would begin to draw on Talent for support.”

  Larken suspected the real reason for the physical torture was that exhaustion would leave him too tired to be a threat with Talent.

  After a quick lunch that he was too tired to enjoy, the afternoon was almost a repeat of the morning, with various types of weapons training substituted for the fighting lessons that had left him bruised and battered. His relief at the prospect of being allowed to ride a horse for cavalry training soon turned to dread as he tried to control a heavy lance while bouncing on a galloping charger. He unhorsed himself several times before he learned how to balance the lance.

  By the end of the afternoon, he had changed his mind about the need for a Healer to watch over him. He had only grudgingly agreed to Amanda’s demand that a Healer guard him during the day. However, now he treasured Taz’s Healing administrations, which were the only reason he got through the afternoon.

  The call for the evening meal and the end of the day’s activities came much too late for Larken’s wishes. Even with Taz’s Healing, Larken could scarcely eat the evening meal. Healing could speed the natural healing of the body and could provide many benefits, but it could not rid Larken of the bone-tired exhaustion of mind and body that only sleep would remedy.

  Sleep was dreamless for Larken and began as soon as he lay down. He was awakened much too early for a repeat of the first day. By the end of the second day, he was totally numb. At supper, Melona kept throwing questioning glances at Taz when Larken just mumbled short responses to questions. Taz just smiled and assured Melona that all was going according to plan. However, to Larken’s numbed mind, Taz’s smile seemed a little too smug to be totally benevolent.

  After two weeks of this torture called training, which he somehow lasted through, Larken was pleasantly surprised to find that the first part of every morning was taken over by tutors to teach him military tactics and strategy, court and social etiquette, conflict resolution and negotiation, and the place and history of Healers, Warders, nobles, and various other castes in the three kingdoms. He was told that a Warder often needed a detailed understanding of the political and social environments, in addition to skill at arms, to maintain peace in the kingdom. As he learned more about the customs and traditions of Sarkis, he began to feel more at home in the capital.

  Larken spent three evenings per week in private conversations with Leona in which, he had to grudgingly admit, he gained gradual insight into his feelings. Larken slowly began to view himself and his problems more objectively. As he did so, he saw that others shared some of the problems that he had always felt were his alone. Leona encouraged him to take a humorous approach to his own darker emotions. Even though his feelings of guilt and unworthiness and what Leona called repressed anger were remarkably resistant to change, he began to learn to view them dispassionately. He began to understand that his negative self-assessment came from a part of himself that was outdated and inappropriate to his current situation. This growth delighted Melona, as Larken opened up to her more.

  On the evenings that he did not spend with Leona, Larken suffered through verbal examinations by Commander Jaris or another of the king’s advisors. Any lack of understanding that manifested in these sessions was sure to get heavy attention the next day. Sometimes, Larken discovered, through the commander’s questions, that he didn’t fully understand something that had seemed clear in his morning classes. Larken grew to respect Jaris’ ability to focus on the most relevant points of a subject rather than getting lost in the details.

  The weather was becoming increasingly warm, and Larken was thankful for that. The Warders regaled him at meals with stories of their own training and the hardships of weather that they had suffered in comparison to his training. He was sure that some of the stories of ice and winter cold were embellished, but he was nevertheless thankful that his training was taking place in the warm weather of spring.

  Chapter 5: Melona’s Bonding

  Melona’s Bonding had been scheduled to take place six weeks after their arrival at Sarkis. On the evening before the ceremony, vendors had been allowed to enter the castle grounds, and they had quickly set up stalls and carts throughout the grounds. The center of the grounds had been reserved for the food vendors, which would give everyone the opportunity to stuff themselves with a wide variety of delicious offerings without having to walk a long way.

  The day of the Bonding had dawned bright and fair with no clouds in the sky to threaten the festivities. Early that morning, the castle grounds were opened for the general public, and the resulting crowds were in an exuberant mood. All in all, it promised to be a day of tremendous excitement at the castle.

  By tradition, the Bonding ceremony itself was limited to resident and visiting Healers and Warders, court and civic officials, and invited guests, including Melona’s family. Also by tradition, the newly Bonded candidate was entitled to sample the wares of all the vendors free of charge. The vendors really didn’t have to worry about that tradition since the many social and political obligations of the candidate would limit Melona’s enjoyment of that privilege.

  Larken was one of the invited guests at Melona’s Bonding. Larken sat with Melona’s mother, father, and a few of her close friends in the main throne room. The room’s walls were almost totally obscured by greenery and flowers in vases, planters, and hanging baskets. As they waited for the ceremony to begin, Melona’s mother tried to explain to Larken the significance of each type of flower and arrangement, but Larken was hard-pressed to pretend interest in her explanations. Melona’s father completely ignored his wife’s explanations as he gaped at the Warders, Healers, and other officials that were present.

  The windows were opened to the mild summer breezes, and a group of brightly clothed musicians played softly near the front of the room. The light music blended well with the hum of conversation and the sounds of the festivities outside to create a light, cheery atmosphere. Larken, however, was not feeling light and cheery. He was feeling tense and anxious. He knew that Bondings for Healers were pleasant experiences for the candidates that both strengthened and reaffirmed the candidates. The Bonding was not supposed to change the candidate, but Larken was still worried about the Bonding’s effect on their relationship. He had never been totally confident of Melona’s feelings for him. Because he knew that Melona’s Bonding would increase her ability to perceive the true nature of those that she Healed, Larken could not stop worrying about the possibility that Melona, with her new insight into people, might find him less worthy of her affection. He had said as much the previous evening to Melona while they walked on the grounds of the castle.

  “That’s ridiculous!” Melona had exploded. “You think that I like you because I don’t know that you’re obstinate, backward, moody, hard-headed, socially inept, and a lot of other character faults that I could list?”

  “Well, I guess so,” stammered Larken, suddenly wishing he hadn’t mentioned the subject at all.

  “Well, I have news for you,” Melona said. “I like you because of those things. They’re what make you you, and I like you. So, stop worrying right
now, because I have too much to do to stay and hold your hand all night.”

  With that remark, Melona had stalked off. However, after a few steps, she had turned around, stridden swiftly up to Larken, and thrown her arms around his neck. Pulling his head down roughly, she kissed him soundly. Then looking him in the eye, she said, “Now, go get some sleep. You owe me that kiss back after the Bonding.”

  This time she did leave, but Larken stayed motionless for a long while. At last, shaking his head, he’d turned to the Healer and the Warder who were escorting him that evening. Although they had remained far enough away to give Melona and Larken some privacy, Larken was sure that they had heard every word of Melona’s rebuke.

  Larken found them watching him intently. The Healer’s expression was smooth and unruffled, but the Warder was not even trying to keep a straight face. Larken stared at them for a moment, and then, shrugging, turned toward his barracks to retire for the night.

  Suddenly, Larken’s attention was returned to the ceremony as the musicians broke off the melody that they were playing and began a stirring fanfare. As the guests rose, Melona entered, robed in the soft blue of the Healers. Preceded by Taz, who would present her to the king, Melona seemed to float down the aisle between the two ranks of guests and well-wishers. Larken found that he could not swallow the lump that rose in his throat as he looked at her. Nor could he dissipate the dread that formed in the pit of his stomach.

  Melona advanced to stand with Taz before the king on a dais raised by three steps. The king was flanked by First Healer Amanda on his left and First Chair Henkri on his right.

  The ceremony reminded Larken of the few weddings that he had attended. Taz was the first to speak. Addressing the king, she spoke in a clear, ringing voice. “Good King Andreas, I present to you Candidate Melona for Bonding as a Healer of the realm.”

  “Who will attest to her qualifications and right to be Bonded?” asked Andreas.

  “In the name of the Healer Hall and the Healers of Sarkis, I do,” replied Amanda.

  “Has the Council approved this candidate?” Andreas asked of the first chair.

  “The Council has examined the candidate and found her acceptable,” replied Henkri.

  “Then let the Bonding proceed,” concluded the king.

  Taz and Melona took seats in the front, facing the dais. Andreas took his place in an ornate chair at the center of the dais with Henkri sitting at his right. Amanda made a speech welcoming all and explaining the reason and history of the ceremony. She then introduced several Healers, each of whom made presentations about various aspects of Healing, Healer history, Melona’s Talents, and Melona’s future place in the Healing community.

  The first chair made a short speech about the need for Healing, the sanctity of human life, and the improvements brought about by Shropanshire’s Healers in the last few years.

  King Andreas then stood and asked the others to take their places. Taz escorted Melona to the dais while Amanda and Henkri stood on either side of the king. King Andreas made a few solemn remarks about the sanctity of the moment and its importance to all. He then asked Melona to give her pledge to the kingdom. Melona knelt before the king and swore her allegiance to the good of Shropanshire and of humanity as a whole. The crystal that she had chosen was presented to the king by Healer Amanda. King Andreas held it aloft by its silver chain in presentation to the audience. Although the crystal had been on public display in the antechamber before the ceremony, a murmur of approval swept through the crowd. Melona had chosen to have the crystal shaped into a faceted, five-pointed star surrounded by and held in place by a circle of silver.

  Andreas address the audience and reminded them that the five-pointed star was used in Winter’s Eve decorations and symbolized charity and hope. Returning the crystal to Amanda, King Andreas stepped back to allow her to lead the rest of the ceremony.

  Several of the crowd later claimed that they could feel the Bonding taking place, but most were simply caught up in the excitement. Larken was one of the very few who really could feel the Bonding. To him, the Bonding felt like a burst of light, but when Melona was escorted around the room by King Andreas, Larken was unsure that anything had really happened. Melona didn’t look changed at all.

  Feeling much out of place in the excitement of Melona’s family and friends, Larken excused himself as the celebrants went outside for the public presentation of the kingdom’s newest Healer to the public. Knowing that he would be followed by his ever-watchful Warder and Healer escorts, Larken still sought the semi-solitude of an upper practice yard in the rear of the castle. A middle-aged Healer named Ilona and a solemn-faced Warder named Trent dutifully followed him. After half-heartedly practicing a tricky combination of sword thrusts on one of the practice dummies, Larken tried to convince his escorts that it was safe for them to join the celebration. He pledged to them that he would not leave the practice yard until they returned. Trent replied, “That may be so, Larken, but we cannot so easily abandon our duty.”

  Ilona, who had been silently studying Larken, spoke quietly while laying a hand on his arm. “I sense that you are questioning yourself. I don’t understand why, but Melona warned me that you might act so. She seems to know you well. I am not Talented in emotional Healing, but, if Trent will wander to the other side of the yard, I may have some words that may comfort you.”

  With a quick frown and a puzzled look, Trent complied. When he was out of hearing, Ilona told Larken, “Melona discovered last night that I was to be your guardian today and asked me to give you this message if you started acting strange. She said to tell you that you owe her something she gave you last night and she expects payment without delay. Does that make sense to you? Melona said that it would.” Ilona looked questioningly at Larken.

  “Yes, it does,” Larken answered. “But can I ask you something?”

  “Of course. What is it?”

  “When you were Bonded, did it change you? I mean, did it change the way you felt about people?”

  Ilona gazed at Larken for a few seconds before answering. “So, that’s what all this is about? Look, Larken, who we like or dislike is a matter of the heart. Bonding affects the mind and will of a person, but not the heart. Melona isn’t going to stop liking you because she’s suddenly a Healer. Is that what’s been bothering you?”

  “How can you tell that something’s bothering me?”

  “Oh, let’s see,” said Ilona. “It’s the biggest day so far of Melona’s life. The entire capital is celebrating. There’s a carnival going on, and you’re up here sulking about. How’s that for starters?”

  “I guess it is pretty obvious,” admitted Larken sheepishly.

  “And it’s pretty dumb,” said Ilona. “Larken, I don’t know Melona very well yet, but I think that she is head over heels in love with you, and I know that she’s probably very concerned right now that you’re not helping her celebrate. I know that you’ve got a lot going on inside you, but I really think that you need to put all that aside and let this be Melona’s day. Why don’t we go find her and help her celebrate?”

  “I guess I am acting pretty selfishly,” admitted Larken. “OK, let’s go find her.”

  They found Melona, her mother, and Taz at a pie vendor’s booth on the main parade grounds. “Larken!” yelled Melona above the crowd’s noise as they approached. “Where have you been? Here, try some of this berry pie. It’s the best that I’ve ever tasted.” She thrust a slab of pie at Larken, who dropped half of it before getting any in his mouth.

  Melona did not notice the accident, however. She was still chattering about the pie. “We’re trying to get the recipe written down. Mom thinks she can take first place in the spring festival with that pie. What do you think?”

  Larken tried to say something around the pie in his mouth, but was unable to manage much more than a mumble. Melona, however, wasn’t really listening. She pulled Larken to the side of the pie vendor’s cart and fixed him with an examining look.

  “A
re you all right?” asked Melona.

  Larken nodded his head. “Yeah, I’m OK.”

  “Well, then, do I get my kiss back?” asked Melona.

  “Here?” asked Larken incredulously. “There are people about.”

  “So? Are you ashamed to kiss me?”

  “Uh…no. But I’m not used to kissing in public.”

  “Well,” said Melona, “the other Warders are. They kiss real good.”

  “What? The other Warders? What do you mean?” Larken asked.

  “I mean,” answered Melona, altering her stance to a belligerent one, “that it is a tradition that Warders get to kiss a new Healer after Bonding. But, if you’re too embarrassed by kissing me in public, I guess I can find someone else to oblige.”

  “Oh, never mind,” growled Larken as he grabbed Melona and kissed her.

  They were interrupted by a combination of cheers, laughter, and applause from their friends that had found them. Larken released Melona in embarrassment.

  “Here, what’s this?” laughed Taz.

  “Oh, nothing,” replied Melona, fanning her blushing face. “Just starting a new tradition.”

  “What?” Larken was dumbfounded. “What do you mean a NEW tradition?”

  Chapter 6: Audience with the King

  Melona’s duties increased dramatically after her Bonding. She quickly became a very effective and popular Healer. Displaying an instinctive ability to discern the most effective method of Healing for almost any case, she came to be regarded as something of a prodigy by her superiors. In addition, Melona had an uncanny ability to calm a person’s doubts and fears as she Healed. Only a few Healers could do both physical and emotional Healing, and only two had ever been able to achieve both at the same time. Melona brought to the Healer Hall that ability plus an unfailing cheerfulness and empathy that made her popular with both patients and staff. Even though she would be in training for many weeks before she would be regarded as a fully trained Healer, she was already regarded as a valuable resource to the Hall. The downside of this was that Larken saw her far less than he liked.