Responsibility of the Crown

by G Scott Huggins

“Well, yes. But we didn’t ever have kings on the Century Ships. Not even in the Grove. The Captains’ Senate decides everything there. Only bar—” she stopped herself. “Only the land peoples have kings.”

  “Yes, well, we pirate barbarians have two monarchs, as I told you. The human Crown and the Dragon Throne. They’re co-rulers. They do everything together, by law. They rule the kingdom together, but their own people separately, so that neither dragon nor human will ever be tempted to rule the other, but only to aid and support one another. However, the Throne’s heir does not serve and will not join the Consortium Navy.”

  “Why not?”

  “Briefly, because neither we nor they want him to. The Consortium does not like or trust non-humans.” They were climbing a long staircase, now. “My mother thinks it is unfair that the Throne can protect her son while she cannot.”

  “The Throne was very kind to me.”

  “You haven’t met her yet.”

  “But…” Azriyqam was confused, “was not that her, sitting beside me last night? I thought you said she and the Crown did everything together?”

  “Oh!” Avnai said. “No, Khiirya is the Crown Consort. The Crown has two wives. His human wife—my mother—is the queen. Her children are the Crown Heirs. Khiirya is his dragon wife. As was your mother before her. Throne Elyoan, likewise, has two husbands. You saw her and her dragon husband last night.”

  “The red and green dragons,” said Azriyqam.

  Avnai nodded. “But the Crown and Throne do not have children together,” he said. “They are responsible for and to only their own people. I hope this will not disappoint you, but halfdragons cannot inherit the Crown or Throne. Just in case you were hoping to be Crown if my mother was right about the Consortium.”

  She turned horrified eyes on him and met a wicked grin. He was joking about this? She would have to get used to his terrible sense of humor. “No,” she managed.

  “Good.”

  They reached a blank wall flanked by two statues of mailed human warriors. Avnai looked at one of them and said, “Admit me.”

  The statue saluted with its fist, and the blank wall slid open, revealing the interior of the tower.

  Azriyqam jumped. Avnai laid a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “It’s part of the sorcery of the Kreyntorm,” he said. “The statues will admit anyone of royal blood or their agents. Others would be denied.” He led her into an airy room carpeted in a deep red with white curtains. It faced slightly away from lightward so the brightening sun illuminated, but did not directly shine in. Crown Da’vid rose to greet her, as did Khiirya. Azriyqam recognized Jo-ad, but there were also three smaller children, one of them a halfdragon. His wings hadn’t yet grown in, and he stared at her openly. So did the two human children.

  The Crown stepped forward. “At last, my family is whole again. And at last, we can be together as one. Children, this is your sister Azriyqam, whom we have remembered for so long.”

  Azriyqam didn’t know what to feel under the stares of the children, but couldn’t hide a smile when the littlest girl, maybe five with strawberry-blonde hair said softly, “Hello, Azriyqam.”

  The Crown smiled as well. “This is Erzsi, your youngest sister.” He moved to the halfdragon boy, whose skin was brassy and looked about ten, with hair that matched his brother’s. “This is Zekan, your brother.” A girl, not much older, with straight black hair that matched Azriyqam’s own. “Your sister, Sarika, and you’ve met Jo-ad.” He smiled. “Let us eat. This is a time for family.”

  Avnai guided Azriyqam to her place to his left and met Jo-ad standing by it. “This is Azriyqam’s place, now, Jo-ad.”

  He glanced at her and then stared at his older brother. “She’s not an heir,” he said.

  Avnai’s voice hardened. “That doesn’t matter and you know it. Move.”

  “Jo-ad,” said the Crown, voice full of disappointment. “Now? You shame us.”

  The boy flushed and moved to the other side of the table, to Khiirya’s right. He looked down at his plate. Azriyqam bit her lip.

  Servants brought plates filled with eggs, fish, cheese, and fruit, and flutes of fruit juice. Azriyqam realized she was very hungry, but the Crown raised a hand. “We honor the gods, the dead, and the absent.” Then he looked at Azriyqam and smiled. “We are grateful that another so long absent is here with us. You don’t know our traditions and have much to learn, so let’s start with this. It’s our tradition that unless we’re traveling apart from one another, we break our fast as a family and reserve this time for ourselves, away from the burdens of state and court. At this time, I’m not the Crown of Evenmarch, I’m your father and anything may be spoken, except politics. Now eat.”

  For some time, little was said as they enjoyed the food.

  “Your new clothing looks well on you,” said Khiirya. “Guildmaster Sheriam is a wonder, isn’t she? You looked beautiful last night at dinner.”

  That was a word she’d never heard applied to herself. Azriyqam managed to swallow, rather than choke on, her bite of fish and said, “They are very comfortable. And thank you.”

  “I am a little surprised that Merav recommended that gown for breakfast.”

  Azriyqam’s breath caught in her throat. She almost avoided the question, but if this were going to be her family, she supposed she had better begin with truth.

  “Merav wasn’t here this morning,” she said, unable to meet their eyes. “I think she wasn’t happy with me.”

  Khiirya’s eye ridges flew up. “Not happy with you?”

  “What in the world about?” asked the Crown.

  Khiirya held up a hand. “Da’vid, please. Here and now is not the time.” She glanced meaningfully at the younger children. “This is a matter for me to discuss with Merav. And her mother.”

  Jo-ad glanced at Sarika, and her mouth formed a silent “oh,” as if she anticipated a consequence.

  “Please, kyria,” said Azriyqam. “Her mother?”

  “Merav is my niece. But while we may discuss anything at breakfast, we do not gossip, so this subject is closed until I have spoken with Uncle Yakav.” She looked meaningfully at the older children. Then she saw Azriyqam’s face. “You didn’t think your father and I were the only people to marry between the Two Peoples, did you?”

  Azriyqam shook her head, but she had, indeed, thought that.

  “Then I shall have to appoint a new lady-in-waiting to you,” said the Crown. He sounded annoyed by the reappearance of a task he had thought completed.

  “Why do I need one?” asked Azriyqam.

  The Crown blinked. “A lady-in-waiting is necessary to the dignity of your station. If you do not need one yet, you will.”

  “What for, kyrion?” she asked.

  He waved that aside. “We do not use titles, here. It’s kyriarch, anyway,” he finished, with a wry smile. “To answer your correspondence. To manage your wardrobe and your other belongings. The beginnings of your household, which is small now, but will grow larger quite soon.”

  “I can’t manage my own household?” She had not thought ever to have a household. Was managing one so difficult?

  “You will have your own duties.” Avnai cleared his throat. “Father, Azriyqam has never owned more than the clothes on her back or managed more than herself. She cannot know what you are talking about.”

  Azriyqam blushed at this truth. The children stared at her.

  Her father’s face darkened, but his anger was not at her. “Yes, I know,” he said, flatly. “Shaaliym told those tyrannical hulk-traders she would burn them from stem to stern if harm came to Azriyqam, did she not?” He fixed Azriyqam with a baleful stare. She nodded. “I must see about finding a way to fulfill that promise.”

  “Da’vid,” said Khiirya, softly but firmly. “We were discussing a lady-in-waiting. Not politics, much less war.”

  “Yes.” The Crown deliberately lightened his tone. “We had hoped Merav would serve you in this capacity, so you would both grow into your duties together
. We hoped she would also serve as a companion to you. Even a friend.”

  “Kyr—” She stopped herself. Took a deep breath. “Father?”

  He smiled. “Yes, daughter?”

  “Could my lady-in-waiting be a human?”

  He looked puzzled. “I suppose there is no reason why not. But why?”

  “It would…it would be easier,” was all she could manage.

  “Very well,” her father said. “Perhaps there is a suitable family I could reward this afternoon at the ceremony.”

  “What ceremony is that? Father.”

  “The ceremony in which I’ll reward everyone for their part in your return, including you. Avnai must be recognized for saving you from the Century Ship.”

  “Yes, for boldly being let out of a cage,” Avnai snorted, sardonically.

  “You were in a cage?” squealed little Erzsi.

  “Yes, I’ll tell you all about it later. Father, I don’t need to be recognized for such a thing.”

  The Crown snorted. “The recognition is for your seamanship afterward. Come now, I’d do the same for any common sailor who accomplished such a thing, and for good cause.” He turned back to Azriyqam. “I’ve already heard the story. And so, I’ll be officially thanking your friend Zhad, as well. Extraordinary fellow, from what I’ve heard.”

  “He is,” said Azriyqam. “He was my only friend. I haven’t seen him since we arrived.”

  “He’s being well-attended,” said the Crown. “You can visit him any time, of course. Then you will be invested with your titles.”

  “Titles?” said Azriyqam.

  He gave her a grin that looked so much like his son’s that it took her breath away. “You are the eldest halfdragon child of the Crown’s House. As such, you are the Countess of the Lightward March and the Holder of the Two Keys. As my second-oldest child, you also receive the title of Baroness of the Blackfish Gulf, one of the Kingdom’s foremost fisheries.” At her appalled expression, he said, “I do, of course, realize you’ve had no training in such things, and I do not expect you to begin actively administrating them anytime soon. After all, Jo-ad hasn’t been ruling Blackfish Gulf, either.”

  Jo-ad’s face was expressionless, but his father turned to him. “Don’t worry, Jo-ad, you’ll have other honors besides the barony.”

  “So, what happened with the cage?” asked Sarika, eyes shining.

  Avnai pushed himself back from the table and spread his hands. “Well,” he said, “there I was, after my airplane crashed into the Endless Ocean…” He launched into the tale like a professional storyteller. Azriyqam found herself drawn into the recitation of events as well, for all she’d been there. He made them all seem a lot more skilled and valiant than any of them had felt at the time. It was less bloody, too: she noticed he left out the part where he killed three men in as many strokes. From time to time, the younger children exclaimed or asked her questions that she did her best to answer. They looked at her with an adoration that she had never seen before in anyone’s eyes. It was very strange. She was afraid to get used to it.

  * * *

  Azriyqam spent the rest of the morning with Guildmaster Sheriam, who had completed another two outfits for her. Elegant, flowing trousers and a blouse-like garment that folded around her shoulders and waist and fastened at the front. It was delightfully easy to move in, and Sheriam informed her this was what most halfdragon women wore on casual occasions. The formal gown for the afternoon’s ceremony, however, was a red so dark it was almost black. It was ankle-length and flowed across her breasts, revealing more cleavage than she had ever thought to, and was laced up the back.

  Sheriam helped her into the dress and left. She was just about to go in search of Zhad’s room when a knock sounded at her door. She opened it, and there stood Jo-ad. He gave her a bow from the neck and said, “Good afternoon, noble sister.”

  “Good afternoon,” she echoed. They stared at each other for a moment. “What is it?”

  “You could invite me in. That’s usually what we do when we visit one another.”

  Azriyqam blinked. On board Ekkaia, no one had ever asked. “Please come in,” she said. “I was just going out to visit Zhad.”

  “I’m afraid you won’t have time. I have been sent to instruct you on your duties as the second-oldest child of the House, for the ceremony. We only have an hour, and you’ll likely need it all.” He gave her a grin that was a bit like Avnai’s, but stiffer and less natural. “I’m afraid you’ll have to get used to it: I’ve been doing it since I was about five.”

  Azriyqam felt her stomach contract. “Is there very much to it?”

  “Oh, there’s quite a bit, but nothing that one of our blood can’t handle. Don’t worry, I’ll take you through it. It’ll be a little different because you’re a halfdragon and a girl, of course, but don’t worry. I’ve seen the Throne’s halfdragon daughters do it all my life.” He led her into the middle of the open space before the balcony. “First, of course, you will walk in and take your proper seat. Oh, do you know how to curtsy?”

  “How to what?”

  Jo-ad rolled his eyes. “I see I got here just in time. You rise to the ball of your left foot and place the right foot behind you, then you bend at the knee.” She tried but wobbled a bit in such a precarious position. “You’re going to want to practice on that. Now raise your gown off the floor. Only a bit.” She did, trying not to fall over. He nodded. “Good. Now, halfdragon maidens curtsy with their wings spread before them, so fan them out.”

  She tried. Her wingtips scraped uncomfortably on the floor. “Like that?”

  “Well, it’s all supposed to be one smooth motion,” he said. “Try again.” He ran her through it about a dozen times, until her foot and wings ached. “You give that first-level curtsy to the chamberlain, right before he announces you, but after Avnai has reached exactly halfway between the door and the dais.”

  “What will Avnai do?”

  “You can’t watch Avnai for clues,” Jo-ad warned. “He’s the heir. He symbolizes authority. As the second child, it falls to you to signify our humility and duty to our people.” He flashed a tight smile. “It’s not as fun.” He sighed. “Now, you recite this verse in a clear voice to the Crown and Consort at the foot of the dais:

  The Crown of Man rules shore and sea

  With sails of white and blood of red

  And takes the fruit of Ship-cut Tree

  In token of his power dread.”

  Azriyqam remembered she was in a pirate kingdom then. “I have to memorize that in an hour?”

  Jo-ad cocked his head. “Well, it’s what’s expected from the second child. Of course, given your upbringing, no one could blame you if you made a mistake, but it would look better if you did as well as you could.” His voice was condescending. The same voice everyone had used when she presented the weaving she had spent hours on and then pronounced her fit for no better work.

  “I’ll manage,” she said, levelly.

  “Excellent. Now, on to the obeisance.”

  * * *

  An hour later, Azriyqam stood behind Avnai, trying not to be terrified. She ran through the instructions Jo-ad had given her. She thought she had them right and hoped she’d leave nothing out. She knew her new home would take some getting used to, but it was so involved. And so mortifying.

  Customs differ from place to place, she told herself.

  Avnai was already walking toward the dais to where the Crown and Consort waited. She watched him, and then the chamberlain tapped his staff on the floor and said, “The Princess Azriyqam.”

  But Avnai wasn’t nearly halfway to the dais, yet. She was supposed to curtsy before she was announced, wasn’t she? All eyes were on her, so she slowly performed the curtsy. The chamberlain’s eyes bulged, but his face remained stiff. He probably hadn’t expected her to do it right.

  She stumbled, stood up, and walked perfectly erect, holding her feet out at a perfect forty-five-degree angle at each step, as Jo-ad had said. Th
e walk down the royal-blue carpet was even longer than last night’s. Why was the Crown looking at her like that? And the Consort, too. And Avnai. Was she doing it that badly?

  When she got to the dais, she stopped, looked her father in the eye, and repeated the verse:

  “The Crown of Man rules land and sea

  With sails of white and blood of red

  And eats the fruit of Ship-cut Tree

  In token of his power dread.”

  No, at least some of that was wrong. Which was probably why the Crown’s face was going red. Only the obeisance was left, though, and then she was done. Best to get it over quickly. She fell to her knees and kissed the floor.

  “Stop!” roared the Crown, shooting to his feet. Around the great hall, the assembled guests were gasping and murmuring. Azriyqam popped back up. What had she done wrong? Suddenly, Khiirya was there, escorting her to her seat beside Avnai.

  “Don’t do anything else until the Crown calls you forth. Then stand before him, bow from the waist, and do and say nothing else,” she whispered, not unkindly. She glanced aside at Avnai, but he did not meet her gaze. Nor did the Consort or the Crown. They all stared at the next person to approach the dais. Jo-ad.

  Who was smiling softly.

  * * *

  Azriyqam never remembered much of the rest of the ceremony. She stood as still as a statue while the Crown created her the Countess of the Lightward March, and the Baroness of Blackfish Gulf. The only thing that stuck was seeing Zhad receive the Crown’s Thanks and dubbed a Knight of the Outer Gate. How she longed to speak with him. At that moment, she longed to be back in her nest on Ekkaia, if only Zhad were there.

  Then the ceremony was over, and the Crown turned to the assembled royal family. In tones of quiet fury, he said, “All of you will attend me in the Blue Chamber.” He stalked off, not looking to see who would follow.

  Consort Khiirya lengthened her stride after him. Azriyqam followed, though she had never been so terrified. Compared to the quiet, white flame of the Crown’s anger, Haraad’s had been a blustering show.