“Yes, of course.”
Jeldor turned and left the room, exiting the hall through the nearest door, not once looking back. The rest of his house followed him. Elyse turned to Gauge, confused by the show. “What was that about?”
“Your Majesty, when Aurnon the First conquered the land known as Cadonia, he gave provinces to each of the five families most responsible for aiding him in his conquest. Jeldor’s family received the smallest territory of those families, littered with lakes, mountains, and rough terrain. His family has never forgotten the slight. They once even staged a rebellion during Aurnon the Third’s reign. After that, the crown levied the hefty tax on their main source of income, iron ore. By rights, their family should be one of the richest, but with the taxes, they are left the poorest. The other dukes and lords have not forgotten, and constantly ridicule his family. Jeldor’s father always talked of a day when his family would gain the respect they deserved. I’m not sure how much of his father’s beliefs he shares, but I have to imagine that after today, his opinion is not dissimilar.”
“I see.”
I’m so unprepared for this. I haven’t done anything since my father died to ready myself for this crown.
Never one to be made to rush, Duke Bronn slid his chair back once more. Young at twenty-two years of age, the duke called Astrya his home, located in the west between Jeldor and Conroy. He became duke after his father’s passing the previous summer. As Bronn rose from his chair, the women in the hall lifted their heads with longing in their eyes. He was a handsome man with soft features, eyes as blue as the ocean.
I remember looking that way at him once, but not any longer.
Bronn approached the queen with a smile and a bow. “Your Majesty, you look lovely this evening despite such a somber occasion. May I join you?” he asked pointing to the empty chair. Rather than wait for her response, he seated himself next to her.
“Your Majesty has not granted permission for you to sit, My Lord,” said Gauge.
Bronn flashed a warm smile. “Right you are. But, please, let us put away such formalities for now. Elyse and I have quite the history together and I only wish to ease her troubles today.” He turned to Elyse, face washed with concern. “I am terribly sorry for your father’s passing. How are you faring?”
He lies so well, but I know the true Bronn.
“I am well enough. Thankfully, I am keeping busy with my responsibilities…”
Bronn cut in. “Oh no, you mustn’t. Now is the time to rest after what you have been through. Ruling a country is far too much trouble for someone as lovely as you to worry about. Give someone else leave to perform those tedious tasks.”
“And who would you have me give such tedious tasks to? Yourself?”
“A splendid idea.” He looked back over to Gauge. “I told you we had a history together. It’s as if we finish each other’s thoughts.”
“My Lord, how could you help with such things when your lands are far away from Lyrosene?” said Gauge, obviously trying to hide the agitation in his voice.
“Ah, a sharp man. I see why Elyse has placed you so high at her table. Well, as fate would have it, I have already thought of such things and have the answer. My younger cousin turns eighteen in less than a month. He would make an excellent Duke of Astrya in my stead.”
“And what would that make you, my Lord?” said Gauge.
“Why, king of course. With His Majesty now laid to rest, Elyse and I could marry at once, the sooner the better, really. Elyse can then focus on her hobbies.”
Gauge’s jaw dropped.
“You seemed shocked at what I say,” said Bronn. “Did you forget that Elyse and I were set to be married once before?”
“You dare to make such an assumption…” Gauge started.
It doesn’t take long for Bronn to leave an impression.
“I have no hobbies,” said Elyse, cutting her advisor off.
“Needlework perhaps?” asked Bronn.
“I have no desire for needlework.”
“Well, I’m sure we can find something of interest. That’s not really the point….”
“I know what your point is, but you fail to see mine. I have no need for hobbies now that my father is dead. It is my responsibility to rule Cadonia.”
“A responsibility I only wish to ease…”
“You must not remember that my father dissolved the marriage arrangement between us years ago for good reason. It is not something I wish to renew. In time I will find my own husband.”
The arrogant smile vanished from Bronn’s face. He replaced it with a look of exaggerated concern. He shook his head and tsked Elyse like a mother scolding her child. “I thought you would have grown wiser. Please, let me make you aware of the truth of things since your advisor has not.” His gaze shifted to Gauge for a second before returning to her. He leaned in close. “I want you to look around the hall, my sweet. Go on,” he said, gesturing with his head. “Some of the most powerful men in the realm reside here tonight, and those are only the ones who bothered to show up. They all know the fool your father died as, and they know Nareash held control over you. What they don’t know is for how long or at what costs. They think as little of you as they did your father. What makes you think that any of them would marry you with such uncertainty unless they were promised the throne?” He paused and his smile returned. “I do not share their concerns. I know the kind of woman you are and I think that between us, we will have a small horde of fine looking children running around the castle.” His smile grew wider. “And just think of the fun we’ll have making them.”
Gauge erupted, face reddening, “You forget yourself.”
“You forget as well. As I said earlier, Elyse and I have a history.” He turned to Elyse. “I apologize, Your Majesty. But please, think on what I’ve said.”
Elyse wanted to respond with some intimidating bark, authoritative and strong, as any ruler would. But she kept quiet, not even speaking as Bronn left without her approval, moving back to his seat, flashing his smile to the ladies he passed. It made her sick to hear him talk as he had, but she knew he was right, and it scared her.
Each of the dukes gave little reason for Elyse to feel confident as queen, and they were the ones who showed. Duke Conroy had sent word that he could not attend due to his obligations at the High Pass, the passage separating Cadonia’s southern border from Thurum.
I had thought his reason admirable but now, I wonder if he is the most dangerous of them all. And if the people truly feel that way about me, what support could I hope to secure from their lords?
Elyse found herself clutching the necklace around her neck, caressing the green stone between her fingers. “Your Majesty.” She jumped, startled. “Your Majesty, are you ok?” said Gauge.
“Yes,” she said, lowering her hand. “I was only thinking about what Olasi first said regarding the threat of war.”
“Such rumors are disheartening.” He shook his head. “If only you had access to the power Nareash wielded against the other High Mages. No one would dare threaten your rule.”
Elyse paled, her eyes glazing over as she thought about that power, and the devastation such power caused.
Gauge touched her arm and she turned to see a look of concern on his face. “Your Majesty? Oh, I’m so sorry. I should not have mentioned Nareash.”
She took a breath and whispered. “That power. No one should ever have access to it again.” She shuddered.
“Yes, of course. Well, it’s a good thing Amcaro destroyed the scepter with his last breath as you said.”
“Yes, it was,” said Elyse, visibly shaking.
Gauge coughed and handed her a glass. “Here Your Majesty, please have some wine. I apologize again for bringing the subject up.
Elyse shook her head, finding herself clutching her necklace once again.
Gauge glanced to the necklace and then placed a hand on her arm with a gentle touch. “Your Majesty, I know you treasure the gift for what you told me it means, but you cannot hope to rule on a promise.”
Elyse nodded, annoyed. “Are we done here this evening?”
“Yes, but it would be good for appearances if you remained a while…”
“I’ve been helpful enough today. I’ll be in my room.”
She stood up and left.
* * *
Elyse’s bedroom was spacious with high ceilings and wide windows. Positioned on the wall to the right of the doorway, stood a great canopy bed, covered in fine linen. Two tall dressers stood opposite the bed, each decorated with delicate woodwork. Across from the door sat a simple desk and chair, plain in comparison to the rest of the room, yet this is where Elyse sat.
She gazed out the window overlooking the city and countryside below.
My old instructor, Fredrick, must be laughing from above now. If only I would have paid better attention to my histories. I shouldn’t have needed Olasi to tell me of the High Mages’ importance, and Tomalt is right that I know nothing of military strategy. How will I know which decision is right if I understand little of what my advisors speak of? If I was more knowledgeable of the past, maybe I could have seated Jeldor closer to me in the Great Hall and soften the insults from others.
But Bronn’s words scared her most of all.
She fiddled with her necklace and thought back to how Bronn talked down to her.
Like I’m still some silly little girl. But he has the right of it doesn’t he.
She dropped her hands from her neck.
“Your Majesty, are you ok?” said a voice from behind.
Elyse turned. “Oh, Lobella, I’m sorry. I hadn’t realized you were still here. Yes, I’m fine. It’s just been a long day.”
The woman bowed. She was close in age to Elyse and quite beautiful for a servant, though she never carried herself that way. She spoke in a soft voice. Elyse remembered it took her almost a year to get Lobella to open up. Since then, they had grown close. Elyse liked to think of her as a friend though she didn’t know if Lobella felt the same.
“I can imagine, Your Majesty. I’ve prepared your bed for tonight. Will you need anything else?”
Elyse’s thoughts drifted back to the Great Hall and the looks on everyone’s faces, the uncertainty in their eyes.
“Your Majesty? Are you sure you are ok?”
“Yes, I’m fine. That will be all for tonight. Please get some rest and tell your mother I said hello.”
She smiled. “She will be pleased that you remembered her.”
Elyse smiled back and realized her hand had returned to the stone around her neck. “Actually, before you go could you fetch me the jewelry box in the dresser. It is near the top and you are taller than I.”
“Of course, Your Majesty.” Lobella located a simple white wooden box and opened the top as she neared the queen. Then she stopped in shock, almost dropping the box. “Elyse, your necklace. I’m sorry, I mean Your Majesty. I’ve never seen you without it.”
Elyse smiled and placed the necklace in the box. “You have no need to apologize; I’ve asked you to call me Elyse in private.” She looked at the silver thread and light green stone sitting on padded red silk. “Yes, this gift has been the most precious thing in my life since it was given to me.” She paused. “But that was long ago, when I was a girl. If I want my people to see a woman, a queen, I need to put those things away.”
Lobella nodded and closed the box, returning it to the dresser. “Is there anything else?”
“Yes. On your way out, please stop by Gillian’s quarters. I have need of several books.”
“Poetry, Your Majesty?”
Elyse had always been a lover of poetry and in times of distress she would turn either to the One Above in prayer or to the pages of her favorite poets. As of late, she had exhausted both avenues.
“No. Ask Gillian for those volumes that document the histories of Cadonia, from Aurnon the First through my father. Also, tell him to bring me his favorite books on military strategy.”
“Your Majesty, that isn’t what I would call light reading.”
Elyse smiled at the rare joke. “No, but they contain the knowledge to rule a kingdom.”
Chapter 6
The sails hung limp from lack of wind. Yet the ship still moved across calm waters with a gentle sway in the deep blue ocean. From the railing, Jonrell watched oars dip in and out of the water, matching the pace set by the beating drum. There had not been so much as a breeze in two days and he grew anxious from the delay. After the first day, he had convinced the ship’s captain to work the oarsmen in longer shifts. Hoping to make up time, the old seadog was happy to oblige.
The promise of extra gold, didn’t hurt either.
The Hell Patrol had been at sea nearly a week, and it seemed only his mood hadn’t improved. Many had never been to Cadonia and after suffering through the debacle of their last job, a renewed excitement permeated through the group as they ventured off into the unknown. He would have given anything to share in their optimism but the more he dwelled on what awaited him upon his return home, the more overwhelmed he felt.
He had been gone twelve years and only one thing was certain in his mind.
There will be a rebellion.
The personalities, the politics, old feuds, a restless people, all on top of a king no one loved.
My only hope is that Amcaro and the High Mages can keep the balance in power from shifting.
His hand clutched his breast pocket again, cupping the stone inside as he thought about home.
Home. Can I really call it that after being away for so long? Cassus and I barely even spoke of the place.
He pulled the stone from his pocket, caressing its smooth features between his finger and thumb, thoughts wandering to his past. Since leaving port, old memories resurfaced. At sea, there seemed little else to do but remember a youth filled with both pain and pleasure.
His men spent most of their days rolling dice, playing cards, and betting on anything and everything, using the money left over after they procured safe passage. They tried to get Jonrell involved in the games but he declined, doing nothing more than watching, away from the action, alone with his thoughts.
What would make Cassus think I had no need of him? Who else am I supposed to confide in, who else understands me as well as he did?
He looked up and muttered, “One Above, I hope you at least find this funny.”