Dream of Empty Crowns

by M. J. Sewall

  “Don't touch that,” said Aline.

  Gordon pulled his hand back, “So, you don't live with your mother…”

  “Can't help yourself, can you?” Aline stared at him, but finally said, “I was raised in Aspora. Mantuan was more of a parent to me than my mother was. She was… gone a lot. When your mother is the toughest warrior in the world, there are a lot of enemies.”

  “It seems like you are sort of mad at her. Do you not get along?” asked Gordon.

  Aline answered, “She wasn't there for me much, when I was growing up. Some of that wasn't her fault… it's hard to describe.”

  “What about your father?” Gordon asked innocently.

  “We don't talk about him,” Aline said firmly.

  “Okay. Sorry…” Gordon asked, still admiring the weapons, “can you use any of these?”

  Aline turned her head slowly and stared at Gordon. “I can use all of them.” She stared back out the window, bored.

  “You know, actually, in a way, you kind of… owe me,” Gordon said.

  Aline answered, “How is that, exactly? How many times am I supposed to save your life, my king?”

  “Well… you rescued me one day before my training was to begin. How do you expect the king to fight for himself, if he can't use any of these? You owe me a lesson,” Gordon stood with his arms crossed.

  Aline looked at him, got up from her seat, and walked directly to him. Her face was hard to read, but as she got closer he got more nervous, remembering the two men from the alleyway. He uncrossed his arms.

  “Okay, little king,” she looked him up and down, Gordon noting how much taller she was than him, “lesson one. Don't challenge anyone until you know if you can beat them. Grab that longknife off the wall.”

  Gordon went to the longknife she pointed to. She grabbed a longknife off the wall close to her, one of roughly equal size. She heard a “thunnk” sound and said, “No my king, you are supposed to lift the longknife.”

  The longknife in Gordon's hand had tipped down, and the end stuck into the floor.

  “Sandrell is not going to like what you did to her floor,” Aline teased.

  “Very funny. I didn't know it was going to be so heavy,” Gordon said as he struggled to get the knife tip out of the floor. Aline walked slowly towards him.

  “The second lesson is, always be prepared. An enemy does not wait for you to be ready,” she raised her longknife into a battle stance, “and there is always an enemy.”

  Aline swung her longknife down just as Gordon raised his longknife out of the floor. The force nearly drove the longknife from Gordon's hands. But he had practiced with other boys enough to know to try to absorb the impact. Wooden longknives were much lighter than the real thing, he realized.

  “The longknife is for slashing. It's for making your reach longer than it is. You must think of it as part of your arm. The most dangerous part,” she lunged for Gordon, who barely blocked the blow. “Ah, wooden longknives in the fields, I'm guessing?” she made a stabbing gesture and came within an inch of Gordon skin.

  “I thought you said it was for slashing, not stabbing,” Gordon said, realizing how close she had come to cutting him.

  “Partial truth. Battle is unpredictable. Never believe what your opponent tells you,” Aline said as she stabbed again.

  Gordon blocked her attempt. Just as he thought he was getting the hang of it, she hooked her foot underneath his leg and he went sprawling backwards. His longknife clattered to the floor.

  Aline put the tip of her longknife inches from Gordon's face. “There are no rules in combat. Use whatever you have … your knife, your hands, even your feet. Above all, use your brain, never use emotion, and always be ready for anything.”

  Aline put her knife aside and offered Gordon her hand. Gordon got up, a little embarrassed with his performance, but unhurt.

  “Not bad for your first time,” said Aline.

  “Really?” asked Gordon.

  “Yes,” replied Aline, “You're still alive.”

  Loren and Sandrell walked through the door, just as the two were putting their longknives back on the wall.

  “What happened to my floor?” asked Sandrell.

  “I told you,” whispered Aline to Gordon. She said to her mother, “I was giving our new king a combat lesson.”

  “Don't be so sure that he is king,” said Sandrell.

  Gordon looked confused, he asked Loren, “What does that mean?”

  “It means that Trunculin has made a move that I wasn't expecting. He crowned another king on the same day as his choosing. The new king is your friend Asa.”

  “Asa?” Gordon said, “I guess it does matter when you put your name in the tower.”

  “No, Gordon, it's not because the name boards were close together in the tower. Asa must have been Trunculin's choice. He just went back to his original plan. Asa is small and will probably be easy for the firstcouncilor to control,” said Loren.

  Gordon brightened, “This is good news, then. That means they won't be hunting me anymore.”

  Loren shook his head. “I wish that was true. Now they will be hunting us even harder. They need you dead, so that you can't come back to challenge the firstcouncilor's lies. He needs the kingdom to believe that you are a coward and ran away.”

  “Oh,” said Gordon letting out of long breath. “I just wish this was over.”

  Loren went to Gordon. “I know Gordon, I know. But there is much more to do. We booked passage to the kingdom of Thure. We leave tomorrow morning.”

  Sandrell said, “There's more good news…”

  “What's that?” asked Gordon.

  “You survived a training session with Aline,” she said.

  Chapter 17: Brenddel's Gift

  “Why can't I see my family?” asked Asa, barely able to get the words out. He nervously shuffled his bare feet on the carpet.

  Trunculin said, “I'm afraid it's the law, my king. Long ago, it was decided that when a king is chosen, he must totally belong to the kingdom during his trials. Of course, you'll see your family on special occasions. But you will be learning so much, so fast, and eventually there'll be so many decisions to make that you will have no time for friends or family.”

  Brenddel cleared his throat, entering the room.

  “Hello, Brenddel!” Asa said smiling.

  Trunculin was surprised by the reaction. “Oh yes, you spent some time together at the kings meal. I'm sorry I couldn't make it, my king. I hope Brenddel was a suitable substitute and didn't bore you with too many battle stories.”

  “No. It was pretty fun,” said Asa.

  “Our new king was a fine dinner companion,” said Brenddel as he approached the king with something wrapped up in his arms. “I'm just sorry that we can't spend more meals together, my king. I have to go on mission to a far corner of the kingdom.”

  Asa didn't know if he was supposed to say anything. He didn't know if he had any real authority yet, or if he ever really would.

  Brenddel continued, “But I wanted to come by first with a parting gift.” He gave the wrapped package to the king.

  “What is it? Can I open it?” Asa asked, looking from the firstcouncilor to Brenddel.

  The firstcouncilor said softly, “You are king now, go ahead.”

  “I feel like it's my birthday!” King Asa opened the package and it was a large soldier that looked just like Brenddel.

  Brenddel said, “Long ago, there was an artist here at the palace that made the only likeness of me that I can stand to look at. I thought it might make up for all those toy soldiers that looked nothing like me.”

  Asa took the large figure, and was amazed that there was an actual longknife in the sheath.

  “Be careful with that, it's sharp,” warned Brenddel.

  “I love it!” Asa said, amazed that the boots came off as well. “Thank you Brenddel.”

  “If you will pardon me, my king, I do have to be off. I hope your first day of training goes well,” sai
d Brenddel.

  As Brenddel was leaving, Trunculin said, “And it is getting late for me as well, my king. First trial has begun, and your training awaits. We'll be up early in the morning. I will see you then. Good night.”

  “You can stay a little longer if you want to, I don't mind,” said Asa, looking very small in his large chamber.

  Trunculin said smoothly, “I'm sorry, my king, I'm not as young as I used to be. But if you need anything, the guards are just outside. Good night.”

  “Oh… okay. Goodnight,” said Asa as Trunculin and Brenddel left.

  Outside in the hallway, Trunculin said, “I thought we agreed you would leave in the morning. There have been sightings of those creatures whenever we get near open waters. You will be flying blind at night.”

  “I can't delay any longer. I will be over land most of the way. I just got information that they may be in Dralinn. They did switch ships in the middle of the night. I'm guessing that they must have done some trading in the port. They may still be there. If not, someone at the port may be able to point me in the right direction. If I leave tonight, I can make it to the port by morning,” Brenddel reasoned.

  “If you must. Just be careful,” Trunculin's tone changed. “You seem to have grown close to our king very quickly. Considering how much you hated the last few kings, it surprises me.”

  “The last two kings were fools. I'm not close to the boy, I just feel sorry for him. He seems more lost than the others. I know he will be easy to control, but I… worry for him.” said Brenddel.

  “Why, Brenddel, I didn't know you were getting sentimental,” Trunculin smiled.

  Brenddel responded, “There is no room for that in my life, or my duty. We only shared a meal together. I'm sure I will learn to hate this king, just like the others.”

  “No doubt,” said the firstcouncilor as they both made their way down different paths.

  Chapter 18: A New Prize

  “Your throw, Gordon,” said Sandrell.

  “A six?” said Aline, “Well, you're beating us all on this battlefield, my king.”

  “Good that we are only playing for seashells, I would have no more coin for our journey, otherwise,” said Loren.

  Gordon smiled. “I've been playing card dice with my friends since I was little. It's the first time in days I felt like I can do anything right.”

  Sandrell handed him six more cards from the triangle stack. “Make your wager.”

  Gordon pushed ten small seashells into the middle of the table. He picked up his large hand of cards and smiled.

  Aline threw the dice, cursing when she rolled a one. Sandrell gave her a triangle shaped card, “Make your wager.”

  Aline pushed all of her shells in the middle of the table and stood up to make her point.

  Gordon tried not to smile. “Very scary. Standing won't make your cards any better.”

  Aline narrowed her eyes, “If I win you get a long lesson of weapons training,”

  “No throw,” said Loren.

  “No throw,” said Sandrell.

  Gordon looked Aline right in the eyes, which seemed to be on fire, staring back at him. Apparently, Aline did not like to lose at anything. Aline laid out her cards face up. Gordon did the same.

  She looked at Gordon. “I think I hate you,” said Aline as she sat down.

  Eight of Gordon's cards were kings and two were queens. “Well, I have to be good at something, since you're all good at everything else,” said Gordon, as he dragged the large pile of seashells towards him and said, “I think I'll go buy the sea.”

  They all laughed, even Aline, and cleared the shells, the cards and the dice. Sandrell went to the next room and came back with dessert.

  “Mother! You really do love me!” said Aline.

  “Just don't tell anyone, child.” To Gordon, she said, “Apple cakes are her favorite, especially with hot syrup. Just leave some for the rest of us, Aline,” Sandrell said as she placed the dish on the table.

  “I think this is the first time I've seen you really smile,” said Gordon.

  “I would fight Brenddel for apple cakes and syrup,” said Aline diving into her dessert.

  “And we were having such a nice time. Did you have to bring that monster into my house?” asked Sandrell.

  “You know Brenddel?” asked Gordon.

  “You might say that,” said Loren. “We really don't have to talk about this if you don't want to, Sandrell.”

  “No, I don't mind. It was a long time ago,” Sandrell raised her sleeves up to her shoulder. There was an old scar that wound half way around her arm, “This is a souvenir he left me, the last time we met.”

  “Now we both have Brenddel scars,” said Loren. “You left him with a few scars as well. It took me days to heal him. Whenever Brenddel was awake during those three days, he was cursing your name.”

  “Good. I've cursed his name a few times myself,” said Sandrell.

  “It's hard to believe that you fought side by side once,” said Loren.

  “I hear they did a lot more than that…” said Aline between bites of her dessert.

  Sandrell laughed, “Oh yes, we did. That man was gorgeous way back in the abyss of time. Another lifetime ago. We made a good team until he chose Trunculin over me.”

  Gordon asked, “I don't understand. Why is Trunculin so bad?”

  Loren answered, “Besides murder, putting people in prison for no reason, and forcing every councilor to do what he says, Trunculin has poisoned our kingdom. He's twisting it into a place secretly controlled by only him. I'm guessing they didn't show you the law room?”

  “I don't think so. Why?” Gordon replied.

  “It used to be a small room, open to the public. But now the 'room' is one secret snake of many inter-connected rooms. It's one very long book of laws, but it has really become a monster that will bite anyone Trunculin tells it to,” said Loren.

  Sandrell continued, “Trunculin has been in power a long time. He controls the choosing, so that just the right kind of boy will be chosen. Girls put their names in too, but a queen hasn't been chosen for a long time. We don't know why. A boy with good looks and not much in the way of brains is what Trunculin wants. No offense to your friend, Asa. Trunculin needs a boy that will be easy to control, that will do anything the firstcouncilor tells him to do.”

  Aline added, “And if a king suddenly got smart enough to figure out what was really going on, Brenddel would push him off an airship, or he would die of some mysterious illness.”

  Gordon said, “But I don't understand. The king and the two councils are all supposed to make laws together. The law has to be signed by all three, right?”

  Sandrell continued, “That is the way it's supposed to be, but the reason we wear the symbol of the kingdom upside down is because it hasn't worked that way in a very long time. Everything is upside down. We know Trunculin has subverted the original laws. That he controls both councils, and whichever king he has chosen. He makes it seem as though fate is making these decisions, but it's really him. No one man should have that much power and control. Other kingdoms have had cruel iron-willed kings, which is why the first thirteen walked away from the other kingdoms. It only works if the people have a say and are a part of how their kingdom works.”

  “But if that's true, how do we convince people what's really going on?” asked Gordon.

  Sandrell said, “Some of us believe it's too late.”

  Aline replied, “That is why we have to get to Mantuan. He has been hunting for the law keeper. He was a councilor that fled the kingdom long ago. Mantuan believes this man has an original copy of the law book; one that shows how the kingdom is supposed to work. He may also have proof of the crimes Trunculin has committed.”

  “And who exactly is this Mantuan?” asked Gordon.

  Loren answered, “Mantuan is the leader of our cause. He has paid the highest price because of it. Brenddel threw him off an airship.”

  “And he survived? How?” asked Gordon.r />
  Aline smiled, “It's a great story. No one tells it like Mantuan.”

  Loren continued, “It's vital that we meet up with him soon. He is the only man that Trunculin truly fears. The firstcouncilor has nearly erased him from the histories. If he can't find the law keeper, Mantuan himself knows things that will expose Trunculin.”

  Sandrell changed subjects. “That's enough for tonight. You need your rest, I made up some beds in the other room. You sleep with me, Aline. I hope you don't snore anymore.”

  Gordon said, “But I have so many more questions…”

  Sandrell said, “I'm sure you do, my young king, but there's much to do. Let's all get some rest.”

  The next morning came quickly and Gordon did feel better rested. His mind was overrun with questions, but they would have to wait, again. He swallowed his growing anger as best he could. They gathered the gear and weapons that Sandrell had provided. Sandrell agreed to walk them to the docks.

  The ship was smaller than the one they had been on before. The pilot met them at the docks himself. “So just you three to Thure? Hmm, they're always raising their fees. It may be a bit more to land there than I thought last night.”

  “Don't cheat my friends just because I won't be onboard. A price was agreed on. You will honor it,” said Sandrell to the pilot.

  The pilot nodded his head. “Sandrell is not a woman that I want a fight with. Agreed.”

  Aline and Sandrell said quiet goodbyes as men from the ship loaded their gear. They were saying something to each other and their foreheads were touching. Gordon couldn't hear what they said, but he wondered what the real story was behind how they acted around each other.

  When Sandrell came to say her goodbyes to Gordon and Loren, Gordon asked, “So why aren't you coming with us Sandrell?

  Sandrell said, “I have a different mission. Our paths may cross again, young King Gordon. Be careful Loren. Protect them well, Aline.”

  Gear loaded, the ship left the dock. Sandrell did not wait for them, and started back home. As they were about to go below deck, Loren's eyes got very wide. He stopped.

  “Loren, what is it?” asked Gordon.