by Mary Vee
This story couldn’t be true. The stench from the knight’s clothes stung his nose. The poor man’s open wounds showed when he shifted his tunic. “I don’t understand. What happened?”
“Once we ripped off the scorching metal, Sir Spencer glared at our foe and cried out like a madman. Lifting his sword high over his head, he charged the dragon full bore. His sword struck true, plunging deep into its stomach and showering the ground beneath with warm, stinky blood. The fire-breathing fiend instantly plunged to the earth before Sir Spencer could escape.”
Sir Robert paused for a breath. He wet his lips. “We lowered our swords and heaved a sigh, mourning the sacrifice of our comrade. A moment later, Queen Letha peeked out from her hiding place and jubilantly shouted, ‘The dragon is dead!’ She darted in the direction of the king. ‘Cyrus? Are you all right?’
“The enemy lay lifeless on the ground. I’d never faced such an evil foe in all my days. We stood in shock at first, staring at the villain until the truth hit us. That’s when we shouted, ‘The dragon is dead!’ I remembered seeing the queen run to the king’s side. She sat on the ground next to him, weeping.
“Strangely enough, mixed with the pounding of our footsteps, I heard an unusual sound.” Sir Robert paused. He stared beyond the crowd, as if in a trance. His chest filled with a breath, but he didn’t speak.
Gilbert drew closer to him. “What. What did you hear?”
“I guess it was a popping or crackling noise. Maybe more of a raspy, harsh vibration fluttering in the wind. Like a voice uttering from afar, ‘Join us. We can help you.’” He shook his head and regained eye contact with the prince. “Since no one else reacted to these sounds, I thought my imagination had played tricks on me. It was during the distraction of heeding the king’s needs that the dragon heaved its body up to a staggering twenty feet. A hideous roar boomed above our heads.
“Arm yourselves,” I cried.
“Queen Letha clung to the king. We shouted to her, ‘Run for cover,’ but she refused to leave him.” Sir Robert looked at Gilbert with saddened eyes that rarely showed on a king’s knight. “The mighty beast hurled a river of fire, killing all the knights in an instant, save me.” He slowly reached for his helmet. “I have no clue why I wasn’t destroyed too.”
Gilbert took a step back. “Dead? All the knights are dead? But, where are my parents?” He craned his neck around, searching beyond the horse and crowd.
Sir Robert looked to his left then his right at the men and women listening. He whispered, “Prince Gilbert, this message should be spoken in private. May we continue the report in the keep?”
Gilbert didn’t know what to do. His father wouldn’t hide information from the people. He couldn’t understand why Matthias hadn’t shown yet. None of his father’s advisors had arrived either. He didn’t understand the rules of kings. He’d never paid attention to the tutor in those classes because he wanted to be a knight.
If he could break free of this crowd, he’d ride out to the Banyan Tree Forest with his sword raised and bring back his parents. “Sir Robert, finish the report here. Now.”
The crowd quieted.
The knight swallowed hard as if searching for words. “The dragon spread its wings and took flight. It wobbled from its injuries heading toward the east then jagged to the west. As it did, Queen Letha sat up. She pointed to the sky. ‘It’s coming back!’
“The dragon banked toward the picnic area, and with a mighty swoop, it clutched the queen into its claws. I bolted across the field to protect her but was too late. She dangled from the monster’s grasp, screaming and wailing as the beast climbed higher into the sky and flew off to the north.”
Sir Robert bowed his head.
Chapter Three
Every man. Every woman. Every child. Even every animal stood silent.
Gilbert's chest hurt. He hadn’t taken a breath until air forced its way into his lungs. His parents went on a picnic to celebrate his coming sibling. Terror shouldn’t strike in such a peaceful setting.
One woman in the back of the crowd broke the silence with a high-pitched wail, lamenting for Queen Letha. Another woman did the same. Soon all the women cried as he’d never heard before. Two ladies hugged and wiped tears with their aprons. The men removed their hats and held them close to their chests.
There had never been such a tragedy in all of Aerlis’s days.
Gilbert fell to his knees and searched his broken heart for an answer, but nothing came to him. He looked at Sir Robert. “Where is my father?”
The knight shook his head slowly and closed his eyes for a moment. He raised his head. Such sorrow glazed over his face. “I ran to Sir Spencer’s satchel, grabbed the pack of healing herbs from his saddle then ran back to the king. Kneeling by his side, I applied the medicines and told him help would come soon. He gripped my hand, drawing me closer. His mouth moved without words spoken until whispers found their way, ‘Take the royal pendant from around my neck and deliver it to my son. Gilbert must guard it at all times. It’s the key. Promise me you’ll take it to him.’ The king’s chest rose then lowered. He closed his eyes.” Sir Robert swallowed. “He uttered not another word.”
The knight took a deep, mournful breath. “The king, Prince Gilbert, is dead.”
Gilbert's mouth dropped open. Impossible. “It’s not true.” That whole story couldn’t be true. Father and Mother were still at their picnic. They had to be. “Father’s dead? And Mother kidnapped by a dragon? Say it isn’t so. Please. I saw Father solicit the best knights to protect them for Mother’s sake. They rode out together. You were one of the knights.” He pressed his fingertips on his temples and massaged the raging throb.
The crowd’s wailing intensified, so much so, every living soul in all the land must have heard their grief. Mourning seeped down deep into Gilbert's bones.
Sir Robert removed the royal pendant from his neck then slid his hand deep inside his satchel and brought out a folded linen cloth. “You, Prince Gilbert, are king of Aerlis.”
Gilbert uncurled his fingers. The weight of his father’s possessions pressed down on his hands.
Mournfully bowing in homage Sir Robert said, “Long live the king.”
The crowd bowed and sadly echoed, “Long live the king.”
Gilbert fought back tears as he opened the cloth one fold at a time. His father’s signet ring, layered with emeralds and rubies, lay in the center. He held it in the palm of his hand for a moment then slid it onto his finger. Once he opened his hand, the ring tumbled to the ground. He scooped it up and tucked it back inside the cloth.
A tear splashed on the pendant. He slid the chain over his head letting it drape around his neck and fall against his chest. Father once told him about the three pendants of great importance. Long ago when Grandfather ruled the empire, he split the land into three kingdoms, giving one to each of his sons. The ruler of each kingdom wore a pendant, for what reason, Father hadn’t told him. As far as he knew, neither his uncles nor his father had used theirs.
The wailing turned to sobbing throughout the palace and courts. Tear-stained eyes turned to Gilbert. He had no idea what they wanted him to do. He’d spent his life training with the squires and not learning how to give kingly wisdom or direction. “Has anyone seen Lord Matthias?”
Ben squeezed through the crowd to the front. “Your majesty, I found him. He’s on his way.”
In the meantime, Gilbert couldn’t weep, or hide in his room as he wanted. These men and women expected more from the new king. He cleared his throat. “Sir Robert, where’s my father’s body?”
The knight pointed toward the gate. “I knew panic would ensue if I brought his body directly into the court before explaining the story. Guards are posted until you get there.”
“Where are the fallen knights and their horses?”
“They remain at the Banyan Tree Forest.”
Gilbert walked toward the gate. He sniffed back tears. “All right. Call every knight in from service. Take them to the
site right away. Bury those honorable knights who died protecting their king and queen. Clean up the battlefield as though nothing had happened. Whoever sent that dragon will not profit anymore.”
Sir Robert uttered, “Yes, my king.” He bowed then mounted his horse and rode out the East Gate.
Every man, woman, and child followed Prince Gilbert to the East Gate. He walked through the doors and to the field a few feet beyond where guards stood in a circle at attention. They stepped to the side as he approached.
His father lay as though he were sleeping. Gilbert ran to his side and fell to his knees. “Father?” He pressed his hand on King Cyrus’ chest and didn’t sense a breath. He raised his father’s eyelids. “You can’t be dead. Please say it isn’t so.” But in his heart, he understood the truth. His father, the king of Aerlis, was dead.
Gilbert wiped his eyes and faced the guards. “Take King Cyrus’ body to the mortuary to be preserved. As is the tradition for our kings he will then lie in state until the appointed time to take him to the Crystal Sea for burial.”
The guards saluted and said in unison, “Yes, my king.”
King? The word replayed in Gilbert's head. The kingdom celebrated his sixteenth birthday only three moons ago. He could never take his father’s place as ruler. Become a great knight, maybe. But he’d never equal such a giving and kind king as his father. Everyone loved him so.
He thought about what a king should do next and didn’t know what that would be.
A knight would sneak away, ride to the north with his six closest friends then find and rescue his mother, the queen. Such a heroic act would win the love and favor of the people. The same love they had for his father.
Lord Chancellor Matthias excused himself through the crowd. “Your Highness.” He set his wrinkled hand on Gilbert's shoulder. Usually, his greeting included a smile that squeezed his face into a thousand little age lines. This time a dreaded sadness smoothed his skin. “I’ve heard the news. Come, sire. Everything will be cared for until you are able. Let’s go to your chamber.” He pressed Gilbert’s shoulder, encouraging him to leave.
Ben walked by Gilbert's side and whispered, “I’m sorry, my lord. In time, everything will be fine. You’ll see. Your friends are here to protect you. I’ll visit you later.” He picked up Gilbert's bow and arrows. “We’re still the best. You and I. Say the word and we’ll hunt down that dragon.”
“Thank you, Ben.” Gilbert’s feet hardly wanted to move. He walked towards the keep at a snail’s pace. His life forever changed. So much to think about. So much he’d have to do. And so much he could never do again. He stopped. Across the court, his closest friends gathered their bows and arrows. Their heads lowered in sorrow. “Lord Chancellor, I think Father and Mother were right.”
Matthias nodded. “Soon you’ll see they are your true friends. You’ll also learn to trust them in all matters of importance.”
“How did you know what I meant?”
“Years of serving our kingdom, sire.”
“You’ll help me, right?” Although he looked at the chancellor, Matthias kept his eyes in the direction of the keep.
“In what way?”
Gilbert stopped. “Don’t tease. Will you teach me how to be a king?”
Matthias raised his left eyebrow. “So, we’re ready to learn the affairs of state instead of knight training?”
“Not by choice.” Gilbert gazed up to the third-floor windows where he and his parents slept. “I’m tired.”
“Very well. Today, you may rest as Prince Gilbert in your own apartment. Coronation details will be managed by the appropriate staff while you sleep.”
Coronation. The very event he’d hoped the new baby would attend instead of him. They entered the great foyer in silence, walked up the grand staircase to the third floor then down the corridor to Gilbert's room. “I’ll post a guard to prevent anyone from disturbing your rest. The queen’s attendant, Katia, has left a special tea to help you sleep.”
“How did she know?”
“As I said, she was your mother’s attendant, why wouldn’t she know? Ahh, here it is.” He picked up a metal cup and handed it to Gilbert. “Sip this. When you’re feeling better, call for me.” He stoked the fire then left.
Even with the soothing tea, Gilbert couldn’t rest. The walls in his room displayed his greatest treasures, all gifts from Father and Mother. His first bow and sword were nothing more than harmless toys. Father gave them to him when he turned three. Mother commissioned the great artist Angelico to do an oil painting of him riding his first pony. He smiled. She loved this piece. A silver goblet and bowl sat on the mantle beneath the painting. He closed his eyes and remembered his parents. He never thought he’d miss them. Not like this. His plans to leave the palace and serve the kingdom as a knight required one of his parents on the throne or the new baby they expected.
A soothing breeze slid through the window and brushed his face.
The same raspy voice he’d heard earlier seemed to float on the wind. It whispered, “Join me as a knight. There is another who can care for the kingdom.”
There was no other blood relative. He searched the room and found no one. The message disturbed him.
Gilbert didn’t remember getting into bed or falling asleep when a weight pressed on his shoulder. “Wake up.” It was the Chancellor’s voice. “Sir Robert has returned from the Banyan Tree Forest.”
He yawned. “What did you say, Matthias?”
The chancellor removed his hand. “Sir Robert has returned from the battlefield.” He raised his left eyebrow. The same one he always raised when expecting a response from Gilbert.
“Don’t look at me like that. I’m listening.” Gilbert yawned again.
“Your presence is needed.” Matthias turned and walked to the door.
Gilbert flung the blankets off and slipped into his shoes. “Sir Robert is back? Why didn’t you tell me?” Sunlight had faded from his window and his stomach growled for supper. He didn’t mean to sleep away the afternoon.
“You have many responsibilities, my lord.” Matthias set his hand on the door.
“I understand.” Gilbert followed him.
Matthias turned. “You do?”
“Not really.” He wished he’d listened during his book lessons.
They entered the corridor leading to the grand staircase. Their footfalls echoed slowly with a loud thump. Thump. Thump. Like a funeral procession. He couldn’t endure the heartache. “Let’s walk faster, Matthias. It’s getting late.”
“Yes, sire.”
Down each step of the marble staircase, Gilbert longed for the return of his old life. A row of knights snapped to attention when he entered the Great Hall. The metal from their armor clanked in unison, and the room stank of charred clothing and death. He didn’t know where to stand or what to say.
Matthias cleared his throat. “Sire, shall we begin?”
“Yes.” He looked to Matthias.
The advisor pointed to Sir Robert and whispered, “Always start with a report. Lesson 13 in Kingdom Throne Decorum class.”
Gilbert looked at the knights. “Sir Robert, please report.”
The bedraggled row of warriors remained at attention as the knight spoke. “We’ve done all you’ve asked, sire. We’ve buried the knights’ bodies, rounded the stray horses, and cleaned up the battlefield.”
Gilbert fidgeted trying to understand what he should ask next. “And the armor?”
Sir Robert lowered his head for a moment. “Sire, the dragon destroyed the swords and shields. We buried fragments of armor with each owner. The knights you see before you led the horses to your stables. The royal groomer has set to work caring for the animals.
Gilbert looked to the chancellor for what to do next. Matthias cleared his throat. “Sire, did you need anything else from the knights?”
“Ahh, no.” He turned to the men standing before him. Although they stood at attention, their filthy clothes and tired faces indicated they needed rest
and a meal. “You have served well. Eat and rest for today. There will be much to do in the next days.”
Sir Robert bowed. “We’ll be on duty for the coronation tomorrow, sire. Since dragons have entered the kingdom...”
“Yes. The coronation. Thank you.” All that hard work to become a knight would end tomorrow. Gilbert had been doomed to a royal birth where kings’ and queens’ lives vanished a single uprising. Once crowned king, always a king. Guarded and protected. Never a knight who protected and rescued the people. Never a knight with a family. Never a knight who would ride to the north and search for the queen.
Gilbert stepped to the window overlooking the village and leaned on the ledge. “Matthias, the citizens should have time to mourn. The coronation can wait a few days.”
“If you wish, sire. Several messengers have delivered new reports. An outcrop of giant thistles has overtaken farmers’ fields near the northern border. Dragons have burned three homes and forced citizens to flee. The people are in a panic and making their way to the castle, seeking aid. I suppose we should be fine without a king for a few days.” The chancellor’s voice had lowered. “If that is what you truly wish.”
“I don’t know what a king would truly wish at this moment.” Gilbert left the room. The kingdom would be fine for a few days. Father’s advisors would step up and handle the problems for now. “I’ll be in my apartment.”
Chapter Four
Gilbert's eyes popped open. He peeked through the bed curtains, hoping the dragon attack had been a terrible dream, and his father and mother slept in their chambers. He crawled out of bed and walked to the window. A few stars dotted the night sky. The crisp air smelled clean. Usually warming fires burning under pots at the villager’s homes lit the landscape at this hour but not tonight.
