by N M Zoltack
Finally, she brushed them aside and did her hair herself. She placed some paint on her lips and powdered her cheeks white. Then, she stood and swept out of the room.
The funeral procession would start at the drawbridge and wind through Atlan to a field beyond where a large glass mausoleum rested for the members of the royal family.
Head down, a black scarf covering her head, Sabine walked ahead of the litter that held her dead husband. Behind the litter were his children. She hoped Noll had the foresight to not bring his puppy along. That would cause a scene. She could just imagine the puppy running away and Noll having to chase after it.
Her mother was to be behind the children. After that, any and all persons who wished to show the king respect.
The walk was slow. Whenever Sabine glanced back, she saw that more and more people had joined the procession. Good. Their ignorance concerning just how terrible of a man the king truly was meant that they adored him. They would rally behind his wife in her time of mourning.
Sabine would be queen, the ruling queen. Rosalynne was too young to have that responsibility yet, but that was a thought and a worry for another day.
As the king was shoved and pushed and forced to enter the almost too small door of the mausoleum, real tears trickled down Sabine’s cheeks. The king was so fat that he could not even fit inside.
Eventually, the guards did manage. The king would need a larger glass covering fashioned. The standard size would not cover him.
Contrite, Sabine prayed to the Fate of Death to watch over the king and then to the Fate of Life that she might live for a long, long time. To Peace and Chaos, she said nothing.
The children then took turns praying over their father and holding his hand. Then the others. Sabine and the children had to wait in line and address the persons after they prayed over the king. The entire affair took nearly four hours.
The others had all departed. The children started to leave, when Rosalynne hesitated.
“Are you coming, Sabine?” the princess asked.
“In a moment. Go on. I have something else I wish to say to your father.”
Noll frowned and furrowed his brows. “Father can’t hear you.”
“I know,” Sabine said. “Go on.”
The royal children departed, leaving Sabine in relative peace if you discounted the fact that she was with her dead husband.
“I swore I would not cheat on you. That did happen. I also promised to give you children. As you never once showed any signs of wanting to have relations, that did not happen, but that rests on your shoulders, not mine. Regardless, now, I am free. I can do as I wish, and I shall. You will not hold me back. My mother won’t. No one will. I am my own person, and tomorrow, I will be the ruling queen.”
With a satisfied smirk, Sabine departed the mausoleum. The king had been a weak man, but Sabine was anything but weak. It was far past time for Tenoch Proper to have a powerful and strong ruler once more, and Sabine was going to be just that.
The royal children were not too far ahead that she could not join them, but she hung back, enjoying her isolation and knowing that soon, all would bow before her.
47
Queen Rosalynne Rivera
The day was dark. Clouds were blotting out the sun as if the day thought it should be nighttime still. Rosalynne was dressed all in blue, from her hair down to her slippers. Blue roses had been tucked into her wavy locks. Her gown had a light-blue bodice with blue lace overlay, and her skirt was a darker shade of blue that matched her sister’s eyes.
Although she did not wish to, she wore a sapphire necklace. The neckline of her gown was far too low and appeared strange without something to cover her neck.
Already, Rosalynne’s neck ached as if the weight of the queen’s crown already sat on her head. She wore her dainty princess crown, and as she stood on the dais beside Sabine, who was being named the ruling queen, she struggled to maintain her composure.
Nearly all of Tenoch had arrived because of the tourney, and so it only made sense for them to immediately crown her as queen and dictate Sabine as the ruling queen until such time as Rosalynne was pronounced ready to rule over the land.
As the crowd cheered for Sabine, Rosalynne’s stomach churned with dismay and disillusionment. Sabine waved to the crown, all smiles despite her husband being laid to rest for all of eternity in a glass enclosure. Rosalynne shuddered. She almost wished she would be buried as Bates had been. Nobles and peasants alike were buried. Only royals were to rest above the soil. There seemed to be something poetic about being buried, though, that appealed to Rosalynne. All the world was life and death, and through her death, she might make the flowers grow, but only if she were buried.
How utterly morbid, and yet, how fitting were her thoughts for how life had treated her as of late.
Finally, Sabine stepped back. Her chin was lifted, and the faint smirk on her lips had Rosalynne wanting to slap her. Rosalynne had only ever slapped her sister once before and Noll maybe two or three times. All had been deserved.
Just like it would now with Sabine.
Vicar Albert Leeson smiled kindly at Rosalynne, and she stepped forward. She curtsied low so the vicar could remove her princess crown. The weight of the queen’s crown was even more than she anticipated. Rosalynne remained in her curtsey position as the crowd cheered and applauded, their din drowning out whatever words the vicar was saying. Considering the vicar stood beside her and she could not hear him, the clamor was most impressive.
Try as she might, Rosalynne could not give the crowd a smile. Rosalynne hated that Sabine was queen. Rosalynne hated that her father was dead, that Bates was dead. Rosalynne hated that she knew more would die, and now, it would solely be because of her. No longer would it be Rosalynne acting in her father’s name. Instead, the blame would all rest on her shoulders and no one else’s. Her father might have been a good king at one time, but then, he had failed. Rosalynne would have to be strong.
Because as kind as Sabine liked to pretend that she was, Rosalynne did not trust her. Rosalynne would prove that she had learned her lessons well from her tutors and from the advisor. Sabine would not be the ruling queen for long. Not if Rosalynne had any say in the matter.
And she would.
48
Rase Ainsley
A few days passed before Rase decided it was time to tell Leanne the truth. She had seemed to be doing better while tending to his ankle, but now that he was basically healed, his sister was clearly reflecting on her missing friend more and more.
“Let’s go for a walk,” Rase suggested to Leanne.
“You want to go hunting?” Leanne asked dubiously. “Gathering would be better.”
“A walk,” he reiterated with a laugh.
“What’s so funny?” Leanne grumbled.
“Come on.” He tugged on her hand and waved to their parents who were talking in hushed tones in the corner. “We’ll be back soon,” he called.
Pa nodded. Ma didn’t turn away from him. She seemed happier lately even if she was still as thin and gaunt as ever.
Leanne was silent only until they reached the tree line near their house. “What is it, Rase?”
“Maxene’s alive.”
Leanne blew out a breath. “Where? How do you know? Who told you?”
“I saw her for myself.”
“Why isn’t she here?” Leanne cried. “Did you tell her how worried I was?”
“I did, and she apologized. She knew she should have sent word.”
“Why didn’t you bring her here?”
“She hit her head, but she’s fine,” Rase rushed to say. “She needs to recover.”
“Oh! I can gather some herbs for her and—”
“I’ll bring them to her,” Rase said, “if you find any.”
“Why can’t I go?” Leanne asked suspiciously. “What aren’t you telling me?”
“Leanne…” Rase rubbed the back of his neck. “She’s staying at a noble’s house.”
“What on earth for?”
“Because she was injured on their property. She isn’t to have guests, but I can make certain she’ll have the herbs.”
“Why can’t I?” Leanne demanded.
Rase was torn. Telling the truth didn’t always help matters. He did not want Leanne near Maxene, not while she was at the Snells. He hadn’t liked Linton from the start, and maybe it was wrong of him considering he hadn’t even talked to the lord, but he didn’t like Radcliff either.
If he mentioned the Snells, Leanne would go there. Nothing Rase could say would change that. So, for once, Rase decided that a lie would actually be for the best.
“It took Maxene a few minutes to recognize me,” Rase said. “And a few more for her to remember who you are. I think the blow to her head is affecting her memory, and my being there, well, it frightened her. I’m worried that it’ll hurt you both if you go. I can leave the herbs where she can find them, and once she’s all better, we can let her know that they were from you all alone. I’m sure she’ll appreciate that.”
Leanne’s jaw dropped, and her shoulders slumped. She looked so crestfallen that Rase felt terribly.
“I’m sorry,” he mumbled.
“The last thing I want to do is to upset her more after what she’s been through,” Leanne declared.
Rase grinned. “I’ll help find herbs. Just tell me what to find.”
But Leanne shook her head. “For a couple nights, you were happy. You found a way to get more food, didn’t you?”
“I… I, ah, stumbled into a job, but then I was let go,” he admitted. “I know I can get another position.”
“So I’ll look for the herbs. You find a job. Maybe we can get Maxene an elixir or portion from an apothecary that will help her memory.”
Rase rubbed the back of his neck. The weight of his family and Maxene nearly overwhelmed him.
“Do you think I can get a job?” he mumbled.
“You said so yourself you already got one.” She narrowed her eyes. “Unless you bore false witness?”
“I didn’t lie,” he said hotly.
“Good. Then don’t be afraid. Pa’s doing better. Ma’s happier. Maxene’s found. Everything is looking up.”
Rase reached over and squeezed her hand. “Just stay away from tall buildings with flowerpots.”
Leanne stared at him as if he had sprouted a dragon head. “I beg your pardon?”
He laughed so hard he held his belly.
She huffed and crossed her arms. “How exactly did Maxene hit her head?”
“You can ask her once she’s all better,” Rase said. “Now, are we going to talk all day or look for herbs?”
“But your job search…”
“It can wait a day.”
Leanne froze for a moment before leaping forward to embrace her brother. “Thank you.”
“I haven’t done anything yet,” he protested.
“That is not true at all,” she admonished and the conceded, “but there’s always room to do more. You’ve done enough, but there’s always more.”
That certain was the truth. Rase just hoped that whatever more was to come their way, he could handle it. His family, his home, depended on it.
His stomach grumbled, and Leanne laughed.
His belly depended on it too.
49
Prince Noll Rivera
A week ago, Noll’s sister had been crowned queen. Noll didn’t know what to think about that. Everything was so very confusing. He wanted his father. Yes, he knew that he exasperated and upset the king at times, but he missed his father. He wouldn’t even mind if the king would only yell at him. Noll just wanted to hear his voice one more time.
The king dying and then being placed in the mausoleum only served to remind Noll that he had not been there for Bates’ funeral. The baby hadn’t even been placed in the mausoleum. He had been buried, and his father had never told Noll where. This bothered Noll almost as much as his father’s passing. This realization made Noll even more unhappy with himself. He truly was a terrible son.
That morning, Noll woke and immediately wished he hadn’t. He was so very tired lately. Why was he always so tired? Why couldn’t he feel better?
It was all because of the nightmares that plagued him lately.
Noll wanted to talk to someone about the bad dreams. Not Rosalynne. She was so very busy now that she was a queen instead of a princess, even if she wouldn’t rule until she was ready. Vivian had been very nice to Noll lately, but he did not want her to start thinking he was acting like a baby again.
Sabine? No. She was just as busy if not more so than Rosalynne. Besides, Noll wasn’t sure he wanted to talk to Sabine alone.
Who else could he talk to? Tabes, of course, but the puppy could only bark in return. That wasn’t very helpful.
Finally, Noll determined he would talk to the vicar. Albert Leeson never made Noll feel like he was stupid or less than anyone else.
Noll did not even bother to change out of his nightly clothes and wandered through the castle to the chapel area. The statues of the Fates stared at him, and Noll immediately regretted his appearance.
Behind the altar stood the vicar. His lips were moving, but he did not speak out loud.
Noll hesitated in the doorway. He did not wish to disturb the vicar and waited until he was done praying or preforming a sacrifice or whatever ritual he was partaking in. Only once the vicar waved him in did Noll fully enter the chapel.
“How may I serve you?” the vicar asked.
Noll cleared his throat. “I have been having nightmares lately. I know that’s not a very big deal, but I can hardly sleep. Every night, I have them.”
“What happens in the dreams?” the vicar asked.
While the prince was happy the vicar did not seem to think this a trivial matter, Noll could not help but feel embarrassed.
“I don’t know. I just wake up feeling afraid, and I can’t say why. I just am. I’m terrified.”
The vicar walked around the altar and approached Noll, or so the prince thought. Instead, the vicar moved past him and had Noll follow him around to all four Fates before returning him to the one that was Death.
“It is only natural to fear death,” the vicar said. “Everyone does at one point or another. Do not worry. Do not fret. We all have our purpose. We all have been given the gift of life for a reason.”
“Why was it my father’s time?” Noll asked.
“There is much and more that we cannot ever hope to know. The Fates act as they will. They—”
“Did the Fates have any control over the dragons?” Noll interrupted.
“No. The dragons were above all. Even the Fates could not control them. Some believe that the Fates were created by the dragons. Perhaps the dragons knew that they would not live forever and fashioned the Fates so that we would still have a guiding hand. They know that the humans tend toward violence and destruction. We tend toward Death and Chaos. That is why we need Life and Peace.”
“Can’t we have that without the Fates?” Noll asked.
“Potentially, but I suspect not enough without the guides of the Fates.”
“You do believe in the Fates.”
“I do indeed.” The vicar held out his hands as if to encompass the entirety of the chapel. “I would not be who I am if I did not wish to serve my life to the study and devotion of the Fates.”
“Do you believe that the dragons forged the Fates?”
The vicar hesitated. “My beliefs on that matter do not pertain to anyone save myself.”
“Please tell me,” Noll said.
“We should talk more about your dreams,” the vicar said.
“Nightmares,” Noll corrected, but then the prince shook his head. “The dragons.”
“I do not know what to think of the dragons,” Albert Leeson said. “I do know that many writers believed in them, but sometimes, stories have a way of worming themselves into our collective consciousness as if they are real and true a
nd flesh and blood, but they are not. They are merely figments of our imaginations.”
“Oh,” Noll said, although he didn’t understand what the vicar had just said.
“Back to your nightmares,” the vicar continued, “the nature of the dreams themselves is not important. I believe it is the emotions you feel after that are most important and should be the focus of our concern. Your grief and sorrow over your father’s passing, that is why you are having these dreams.”
Noll shook his head. He knew the truth. “Darkness is coming.”
The vicar said nothing. Noll felt so completely unsatisfied that he turned to walk away, but he did overhear the vicar say something after a moment.
“You have no idea how much darkness will come for us all.”
50
Queen Rosalynne Rivera
Overwhelmed. That was the only word to describe how Rosalynne felt. She was queen and not even the ruling queen, and yet she felt so overwhelmed that she did not wish to get out of bed in the morning. No wonder her father had hardly left his room so much at the end.
However, she wished to be the ruling queen herself even if she lacked a husband and an heir, so Rosalynne never stayed in her bed past six in the morning. Every meeting that Sabine had with the advisor, Rosalynne was there for. If Rosalynne had her way, the vicar would be there as well. Honestly, she would seek out the advice of even more persons if they could prove their fealty to the crown and their knowledge. The more minds working to improve the world, the better, at least in her opinion.
Sabine, however, seemed to place all of her trust in Aldus Perez, and Rosalynne could not fault her for that. After all, her father had only used Aldus as his sole advisor. For the most part, her father had been a decent enough ruler.
Especially when he had me act as king for him.
That was what irritated Rosalynne to no end. While she knew that she lacked experience, she was willing to ask for aid. As such, why couldn’t she be the ruling queen herself? If she had been born a male, Rosalynne would have been the crowned king and in title. Sabine would have no power at all.