Chapter 9
Mother was a mess, and Percifal was busy doing the king’s bidding. That left me to take care of the preparations for our father’s death ceremony.
King Zaeden had decided to combine the two deaths into one ceremony, which made matters a bit easier for me, though most grieved the queen more than my father. A fact I couldn’t judge them for, but his death would be shadowed by hers.
The ceremony was held at night, under a sky of blinking stars. Everyone stood silently while the priestesses in white spoke prayers to Celestia for the dead. Once the prayers were done, the bodies were released into the sea, as was Aquila’s custom.
I held my mother’s hand as the bodies disappeared into the deep waters. She had cried herself dry. She stood stiffly beside me with empty eyes. After my own shock had worn off, I’d found myself in a state of depression. My father had been kind and loving. I would miss him until the end of my days. And the queen, she didn’t deserve such a fate. I would miss her too.
After almost everyone had left, I pulled my mother from the shore where we stood. It was time to eat, drink and share memories. Father would’ve wanted us to move on—to try to pick up the pieces and be happy again.
The grand hall was lit up with a ton of small, white candles. The tables were draped with white and grey linens, and the silver dishes upon them held an assortment of hors d’oeuvres. I helped Mother sit in a chair at one of the tables. Thaimis eyed me while Percifal said something to him. I shook my head at him. We hadn’t spoken since the night Gwon had attacked. My mother needed all of my attention, and he was busy helping keep the kingdom secure.
If King Zaeden grieved, it didn’t show on his face. It wasn’t proper for a king to show grief. I watched as his subjects approached him to offer kind words of his deceased queen. A few of the high born ladies even batted their lashes and fawned over him. They made me sick; already trying to win the king’s favour. They could’ve at least waited until Queen Thea’s body had sunk to the bottom of the sea.
I tore my attention away from them. Percifal had taken a seat on the other side of our mother.
“What a beautiful ceremony. Father would’ve been proud,” Percifal offered with a slight lift of his lips.
“Indeed,” Mother agreed, not bothering to look at him.
“Thank you, Chel, for all the work you did in helping out with the ceremony,” he said to me.
“Someone had to do it. So, what is our king’s plan now? Surely you’ve heard something.” I was never one for small talk.
Percifal sighed and leaned back, placing his hands on the table. “That’s none of your concern.”
“Damn right it is!”
“Hush!” Mother scorned me. “You don’t want to make a scene. But I’d like to know too, Percifal. As your mother you must do as I say,” she insisted.
He pressed his lips into a thin line before giving in. “Alright, fine, but not here. At home, away from listening ears.”
I nodded and picked at the food on my plate. I hadn’t had much of an appetite since Father’s death. I daresay Mother had eaten even less than I. I eyed her empty plate.
Seeing me, she huffed and took a bun and nibbled on it. I smiled at her with approval. I had already lost my father; I wasn’t going to lose her too.
After we had finished eating, my mother and I made our way back to our apartment to wait for Percifal. It was long after dark when he arrived.
“Oh, good. You’re both still up,” he observed with raised brows as he plunked down onto the blue, satin covered lounger.
“It took you long enough.” I gave him a sideways glance.
“Sorry, I had to make sure everyone left safely.”
“Of course. Now, tell us what news you have about King Zaeden.” Our mother was as determined as I was to learn these details. We were both angry with the way the recent events had unfolded.
“Okay, but you mustn’t breathe a word of this information to anyone else,” he warned.
We both agreed.
“The king has a plan to go after Gwon,” he continued. “He needs the help of the other three kingdoms to do so.”
“They’ll never agree,” Mother protested with a shake of her head.
“We don’t know that,” he argued. “We have the treaty with the other kingdoms.”
“Yes, and it’s a treaty for peace. It’s war King Zaeden is asking for. War against an island King Zaeden had no business stealing from. The kingdoms aren’t going to go to war for us. The whole nation has been at peace for decades.” Mother stood her ground.
I wasn’t as sure as our mother. Perhaps the other kingdoms were bored and itched for a reason to fight. Perhaps they needed a purpose.
“I think you’re wrong, Mother. The kingdoms will stick together. King Zaeden is sure of it. You’ll see.” Percifal’s faith in our king was unwavering as always. I wasn’t surprised.
“King Zaeden is a fool,” Mother proclaimed. I couldn’t agree more.
“I guess we shall have to wait and see,” I interjected, sitting up and stretching my arms. “We wouldn’t be in this mess if it weren’t for King Zaeden’s greed, but I agree that our father and Queen Thea’s lives should be avenged.”
No one had anything to say to that. I excused myself. I was exhausted from the death ceremony and the days that had preceded it.
It took over a full season before we heard back from the other kingdoms. Autumn had approached, turning the grass brown and the air crisp.
I watched Percifal and Thaimis, who sat with two other men, gambling with a game of cards. It was much more entertaining than sitting with the ladies of the court and listening to their toxic gossip. Thaimis was currently winning, which was no surprise. Luck always seemed to be on his side. Percifal slid more of his gold pieces across the table to him when King Zaeden appeared through a doorway.
“Percifal,” the king called my brother’s name and disappeared again.
My brother threw his cards down and rose to follow the king. Thaimis grinned and counted his winnings. He looked up at me and winked. I snorted and turned to leave. We still hadn’t told anyone about our strange relationship.
Thaimis rushed to catch up to me, his gold pieces clinking together. “Do you enjoy watching me destroy your brother at cards?” he asked with a bright grin.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if you were cheating for all the luck you have.”
He feigned a gasp, looking offended. “I would never.”
I laughed and shook my head. Sometimes he could be ridiculous.
“Would you care to keep my good fortune going and give me a kiss?” He stepped in front of me, all the goofiness was wiped from his expression.
Just as I was about to surrender, Percifal’s voice snapped me back to reality. “Thaimis, I have bad news.”
Thaimis and I quickly broke apart and pretended like we weren’t just going to share an intimate moment. If Percifal noticed, he didn’t remark.
“What does the king want now?” Thaimis asked darkly.
The king thought of nothing but revenge these days, and waiting for the other kingdoms responses had shortened his temper. Most of the court tried to stay out of his way.
Percifal eyed me as though he wanted to ask me to leave. I stared back at him and crossed my arms. I wasn’t going anywhere.
“The final response, from Ventosa, arrived today. All three kingdoms have refused to go to war with us.”
Thaimis hissed through closed teeth.
“So, Mother was right,” I stated, hearing the relief in my voice.
“Yes, she was, but it’s far from over.”
“What now?” Thaimis asked.
Percifal grimaced and shook his head. “Now the king wants to go to war with the rest of Sarantoa,” he whispered so quietly I had to strain my ears to hear him.
“What!” Thaimis exclaimed.
At exactly the same time I said, “Is he mad?”
“I know. It’s preposterous. But he is the ki
ng. It’s his decision.” He was finally beginning to doubt King Zaeden’s choices.
“Did you at least try to talk some sense into him?” I asked, still incredulous.
“I tried. He wouldn’t listen. I’ll try again. Once he’s calmed down.”
“Well he better listen!” Thaimis’ voice rang high with panic. “Because I’m not going to war with the other kingdoms. Gwon was one thing; this is a whole other matter.” Thaimis backed away.
“Shh! Keep your voice down. You’re going to get us executed,” Percifal chided. “We will figure this out.” He didn’t look as confident as he sounded.
“We better,” Was Thaimis’ only answer before he left us.
I placed a hand on my hip and gave my brother a look of concern. “He’s right you know.”
“I know! I’ll think of something.”
“Let’s find Mother. She will want to hear this.”
Percifal groaned, but followed me down the well-lit corridor. Sunlight shone though the large windows, brightening the pastel blue walls edged with gold designs.
Mother sat stiffly in silence after we revealed the king’s new plan to her. I passed her the goblet of Liquid Lightning that I had poured for her. She accepted it and took a small sip of the aqua liquid that was so bright, it seemed to glow.
It was time to tell her my secret. She needed hope. Maybe I could give it to her. There had to be a reason I was given this power. I sat back in my seat and smoothed the wrinkles in my skirts. “Mother, I have to tell you something.”
Her attention snapped to me. “Go on.”
I took a deep breath. “I have been given a—special ability. Perhaps I can use it to aid King Zaeden in his fight against Gwon so we don’t have to go to war with the other kingdoms.”
Mother frowned while Percifal rounded on me. “No! Chel, just… no! You will not be a part of this. I shouldn’t have even told you about King Zaeden’s plan.”
“Hush!” Mother put up a hand to silence us both. She set her goblet down and folded her hands in her lap before continuing. “What special ability?”
Percifal started to answer her. “Mother, I wanted to tell you—”
“Silence! I’m asking your sister.”
My gaze fell. I steadied myself. “I have the ability to control water. Not huge amounts, but… I realized I could breathe underwater when I was a little girl, so I went to Sreda and she helped me with my power. She told me that Celestia gifted me with the elemental power.” It sounded insane, even to my own ears.
The look on Mother’s face was unreadable. She picked her goblet up again and took another sip. “Percifal is right. You will have no part in this.”
“But Mother, I’m an elemental,” I argued. I knew the legends of Celestia’s elementals. No one had been gifted such magic since it had been abused, but the elementals were a powerful force once.
“I don’t care. Even if that is true, you’re still my daughter, and I will not lose you too.”
“It is true, Mother. I’ve seen her use her powers with my own eyes,” Percifal came to my defense.
Mother looked long and hard at Percifal before deciding she believed us. “It changes nothing. Celestia be damned if she expects me to let my family be ruined by our mad king.”
I turned my face, tears of frustration welling up in my eyes. I took a moment to collect my thoughts. “You would let Percifal go to his death when I am the one with the power?” I accused, not able to keep my voice from rising in volume.
“I hope it won’t come to that.” She crossed her arms. “But your brother is a soldier. He’s trained for situations like this. I do hope King Zaeden will come to his senses before it’s too late. Though, without Queen Thea here to reason with him behind closed doors, that’s doubtful.”
Percifal put his hand on my arm. “We still have a while to come up with another plan. King Zaeden won’t send us anywhere at least until spring.”
I blinked. “Fine, but promise me if this situation gets out of hand, if there’s nothing else anyone can do, you will let me help.”
Both of them began shaking their heads in refusal, so I added, “If there are any others with powers like mine, you must let me do something.”
Mother’s shoulders dropped. “Alright, Chel, if matters get to be out of the army’s hands, and you somehow come across other elementals, you can try to help.” I could tell she didn’t believe I’d ever find others like myself, but I accepted our deal.
Percifal didn’t look happy about our agreement, neither of them did to be honest, but I was satisfied. For now, I would help Percifal think of another solution to our kingdom’s problem. First, I had to find Thaimis.
Chapter 10
Thaimis was frantic. He was adamant this war could not happen. I was in his chamber inside the palace trying to calm him down. My efforts weren’t working. He still paced back and forth.
“I can’t believe our king would break the treaty with the rest of Sarantoa!”
“I know.”
“He’s lost his mind!”
“I know.”
“I know you know, but what can we do?”
“Thaimis…”
“There must be something I can do.”
“Thaimis!”
“What?” He finally stopped pacing and turned to me. His eyes darted back and forth and his hands were clenched so tightly, his knuckles had turned white.
I took his hands in mine. “You have to calm down. You’ll never be able to think straight like this.”
His eyes grew wide as I pulled him closer and held him. I felt his body sag against mine. “I don’t want to die, Chel.” He pulled back so he could look at me. “I know that’s not very soldierly of me, but one against three isn’t good odds. And I don’t want to kill other Saratoans. We should be attacking Gwon, not each other!”
I leaned my forehead against his. “I wish Percifal thought more like you.”
He grimaced. “You wish I were more like your brother?”
I chuckled. “Well, no, but I wish he cared more about finding a way out of this. I believe that, if it comes down to it, he will do whatever the king demands of him.”
“The king is like family to him.” Thaimis brushed a strand of hair away from my face.
“He was like family to me, until he put my actual family in danger. I will not follow him blindly.”
“Hmm. I know what will help take my mind off this for a bit.”
I raised an eyebrow. He leaned in and kissed me. I sank into the pillows on his bed and let him do whatever he needed to do to ease his mind for the moment. I daresay it took my own thoughts off our predicament.
I didn’t see much of Thaimis after that night. Every time I sought him out, he was either training or too tired to see me. I tried not to be offended. He wasn’t himself in those days. Before winter was over, he came to me and Percifal with a plan.
We sat in the drawing room in our apartment with Thaimis one clear, cold afternoon. Mother was at the palace with some of her peers knitting blankets to give to the poor. She had a good heart, and I think it was her way of keeping her own mind off thoughts of war and death.
Percifal added wood to the hearth as I took a teapot from one of our servants and poured some for the three of us.
“Thank you.” Thaimis accepted the tea. He wore a grey tunic over black trousers. His face was unshaven and his hair unkempt. Palace gossip said King Zaeden had gone mad in his grief and need for revenge, but Thaimis appeared like he was the one who’d gone mad. I was worried about him.
“We haven’t seen much of you these days.” Percifal commented, taking a seat beside us.
“I know. I needed time to think. After much contemplation, I’ve come up with the only plan I believe could work.”
My muscles tightened as he spoke. Percifal stiffened in his own seat. I wondered, could there be a way out of this mess?
“Go on,” I urged, meeting his eyes.
He cleared his throat and continued. “I
will take King Zaeden’s throne from him.”
A small sound escaped my throat as my eyelids fluttered. “You can’t be serious.”
“I am.”
I was suddenly lightheaded. He was planning to challenge King Zaeden for his throne. This was impossible.
Percifal remained silent.
“It’s been done before. In fact, that is exactly how King Zaeden seized the throne himself. Anyone who challenges a sovereign and wins becomes Aquila’s new ruler. I believe I could get enough supporters to help me challenge our current king. There have been whispers about his state of mind throughout the kingdom.”
“Yes, but then you will be king. Are you sure you want that?” I asked.
“What does it matter? The alternative is we go to war and break the peace treaty. It’s the only other option. What do you think Percifal? You’re awfully quiet. Would you help me take the throne?”
Percifal shook himself out of whatever trance he seemed to be in. “I need time to think about this.”
“We’re running out of time,” Thaimis countered.
“I need time!” Percifal repeated as he stood up, raking a hand through his hair.
“Okay, fine. I’ll leave you be. You know where to find me.” Thaimis let himself out.
I studied my brother. He seemed to be having some kind of inner battle with himself. When he spoke, the words were not what I’d expected. “You know I cannot go against King Zaeden.”
I tilted my head to the side. “I don’t see what other choice you have.”
“King Zaeden was like a brother to our father. He did what Thaimis is threatening to do now. Only back then, the people of Aquila were rioting against the previous king for letting them starve. I’d be betraying him if I helped take the throne away from King Zaeden now.” He sighed. “Yet I can’t stand in the way if Thaimis really wants to do this. King Zaeden isn’t thinking about what’s best for Aquila anymore.”
This was tough for Percifal. I nodded in understanding. “So, what will you do?”
“I guess I’ll have to leave. That way Thaimis can take the throne, and I won’t be betraying my king—at least not outright.”
The Elemental Diaries - Complete Series Page 30
