by Nova Rose
Chapter XVII
High King
The week passed quickly as people came from afar to see their new king crowned. Some had even traveled from the western edge of Belyndril. They had the help of Ernayn to thank for the ease of their journey.
Tables lined the valley overflowing with food for the grand banquet. The enticing smell tantalized all who came near.
On a stage built by the townsfolk, Max waited with Ernayn off to the side. Quesha was beside her. Tesnayr stood in front of Max with the five kings behind him. His white tunic with the golden crest of the phoenix stood out allowing all gathered to see him.
“Do you, Tesnayr, vow to protect the people of the five lands and to follow the law as prescribed in this document?” asked Max in a booming voice.
“I so swear it,” answered Tesnayr.
Max held his hand out to Ernayn. She gracefully walked to him with a shimmering crown made by the elves. “I, the sorceress of these lands, declare you High King of the five lands: MurDair, Belyndril, Hemίl, Belarnia, and Sym’Dul.” She gave the crown to Max.
Max held it high above Tesnayr’s head. “I, the Great Wizard of these lands declare you High King of the five lands: MurDair, Belyndril, Hemίl, Belarnia, and Sym’Dul.” Max gently placed the golden crown upon Tesnayr’s bowed head. “Long may you and your descents govern justly, and bring us peace and prosperity.”
Tesnayr rose to his feet and looked out over the massive crowd.
“Or I shall haunt you from my grave,” added Max, under his breath.
Grinning slightly, Tesnayr contained his laugh.
“Is there any other business to be conducted here?” asked Max.
“Yes,” said King Slyamal. He strode over to his daughter taking her hand. Jenel allowed herself to be led to where Tesnayr stood. King Slyamal placed his daughter’s hand into Tesnayr’s. “I propose a wedding.”
Speechless, neither Tesnayr nor Jenel said anything.
“A wedding?” said Max. He had not expected this. “Do you two agree to this?”
Both Jenel and Tesnayr nodded eagerly.
“Very well. Who gives this woman to be wedded this day?”
“I do,” said King Slyamal.
“And who gives this man to be wedded this day?”
“I do,” said Nigilin, stepping away from the crowd.
“Jenel,” said Max wrapping their clasped hands with a purple cloth, “Do you accept this man as your husband, to know only him and to be bound to him for the rest of your days?”
“Yes,” Jenel replied.
“Tesnayr, do you accept this woman, knowing only her and to be bound to her for the rest of your days?”
Tesnayr’s tongue swelled in his throat. A discreet nudge from Nigilin worked it loose. “Yes.”
Someone handed Max a goblet full of mulled wine. He handed it to Jenel, and then Tesnayr, who each took a sip. “As you have pledged yourselves to each other, drink of this cup and become one.”
Max pulled two gold bracelets from his pocket. He looked at everyone sheepishly. “Well, you never know,” he muttered. He placed one on Jenel’s left wrist and the other on Tesnayr’s right.
“Then, I pronounce you two husband and wife. Now kiss your bride before I do it myself.”
Tesnayr didn’t need to be told twice.
The wedding feast went far into the night as music traveled across the valley to accompany all the dancers. Wine flowed freely and with the help of Max, it never ran out. People ate until they could eat no more and the cake reminded Tesnayr of Hana’s cake.
Jenel and Tesnayr strolled amongst the guests thanking everyone for coming. Many wanted to shake the hand of the first High King.
A smack stung the back of Tesnayr’s head. He whirled around wondering who had hit him. Hana stared at him with her hands on her rounded hips. “Over a year ago you left and not one letter.”
“I was…busy,” stammered Tesnayr. He never thought he would see Hana again.
“Uh-huh,” said Hana. “So, I see you found yourself a wife. Such a lovely woman.” Hana hugged Jenel beaming with pride. “You got yourself a fine husband. I should give you the recipe for my three layer cake. Tesnayr loved it.”
Jenel smiled at the old woman instantly liking her.
“And you,” she slapped Tesnayr in the stomach, “Visit me sometime. Or I shall storm the gates of your home.”
“It will be an honor to visit your home,” said Jenel, graciously.
Nigilin walked up to them, saw Hana, and immediately turned away.
“Oh no you don’t,” said Hana chasing after him. “Just where do you think you’re going?”
“I like her,” said Jenel, “She’s sweet.”
“Not one word!” echoed Hana’s voice from a distance.
Tesnayr chuckled. “As long as you’re on her good side.”
A boisterous tune caught their attention as one man belted out the song of unity between the five kings. Jenel paused to listen to the tenor voice. “Who is that man?” she asked a passerby.
The man paused and glanced in the direction she pointed. “Bastyon. A great hero.”
“Great hero?”
“Yes, my lady. He saved my life.”
Jenel thanked the man and took one last look at Bastyon before walking away with Tesnayr.
A fluffy bite of cake hovered before the wizard’s mouth as he licked his lips. He had spent the last twenty minutes waiting for this cake and his mouth watered at the thought of tasting it. Without warning, a black paw swiped the piece off of the fork.
Frustrated, Max looked around. Turyn sat beside him munching happily. He glanced up at the wizard with an innocent expression.
“That was my cake,” grumbled Max.
“And it was very tasty,” said Turyn.
“Why you blasted feline,” Max chucked his plate at the cat as he pranced away with his tail up. Huffing, Max meandered back to the table hoping there would be more cake. Nothing. Just my luck.
Max noticed a juicy leg of roast chicken. Settling for what he could get, he reached for it. Instantly, two bowls of punch launched into the air smothering Max in their sticky liquid. Fuming, Max stared at the table of food. Three figures sneaking away caught his attention. “Hold it you three,” he yelled.
The triplets stopped in their tracks. Slowly, they faced the wizard.
“Well, what do you have to say for yourselves?” roared Max.
“We—” began Nular.
“—didn’t mean—” said Nylin.
“—it,” finished Nedis.
Max glowered at them. “I want a nice piece of cake. Get one for me and I might forget about this incident.” Punch dripped from his robes onto the ground.
“But there isn’t any,” Nedis said.
“Then I suggest you learn how to cook,” said Max.
The three brothers darted off before Max could do anything to them.
“Congratulations,” said King Shealayr as he walked up to Jenel and Tesnayr with Idæas by his side. “I have something for you. A wedding present.”
He waved an elf over who approached with a sealed box. King Shealayr opened it pulling out two pendants. One he placed around Jenel’s neck. She admired the phoenix shaped necklace and its brilliant shine.
King Shealayr placed the other around Tesnayr’s neck. Tesnayr studied the medallion with a hole in its center that matched Jenel’s pendant.
“Let these be a symbol of your love and union. May they also serve as a reminder of a new beginning of hope.”
“I don’t know what to say,” said Tesnayr.
“You’ve already said it.” The king clasped both their hands before turning away.
Tesnayr eyed the medallion a moment. “I get the feeling there is more to this than just a gift.”
“With elves it always is,” said Jenel. “Come, we have more guests to receive.”
Far above them the phoenix soared through the evening air. The majestic bird landed on the roof of a buil
ding and folded its wings as it watched the celebration with a smile. The phoenix faced the sun as it hung low in the purple sky. Most would have been awed by the beautiful sunset, but to the phoenix it was a sunrise.
Epilogue