Dream of Empty Crowns

by M. J. Sewall

  Asa said, “Probably not. They might have if Skyler had been chosen. He's the leader of my friends. Or my friend Gordon… I still can't believe he's dead. Even Gordon would have been a more famous king than me.”

  “Your friend, Gordon? You actually knew the king that was chosen before you?” Darion put his cup down and seemed to get more serious.

  “Oh, yeah. We were close friends. We grew up together. In fact, we put our names in the tower on the same day,” answered Asa.

  Darion asked, “So two boys that just happen to be childhood friends, out of your entire, vast kingdom, were chosen just days apart?”

  “Yes. I hadn't really noticed the… strangeness of that before. How likely is that?” asked Asa.

  Darion pointed at the dice. “About as common as me rolling seven kings, 1000 times in a row,” said Darion, looking directly in Asa's eyes to make sure he understood how impossible it really was.

  Asa didn't say anything for a few moments. Nor did Darion. They just sat there thinking about what it all might mean. Another man threw the dice. They clicked into place as the man rolled seven kings.

  Chapter 32: Roasted Alive

  The longknife hung at his side. It was light, but he felt a new weight of responsibility. He had no idea what was going to happen next, but they were slowly creeping towards a clearing in the trees where they thought the creature might be. Gordon hoped they weren't too late.

  As they approached it, they could just see through heavy underbrush. The leader signaled to the men silently, and motioned for them to go in different positions. The leader took Gordon with him. They quietly pushed through the green leaves to get a better look at what was happening in the clearing.

  The man that had hunted Gordon over the open ocean was naked and tied to a log. Gordon couldn't tell if he was alive or not. He looks for the beast, but he couldn't see anything. A moment later, the beast walked into the opening on the other side of the clearing. Gordon hadn't heard it coming and wondered how something so big could make so little noise.

  It was carrying some sticks. There were other sticks and leaves underneath the guard and the log. The sticks in the creature's hands looked different. The beast was standing on its rear legs now, but it looked nothing like a man. It had thick grey matted fur all over its body, and walked clumsily, like it belonged on all four legs. As the creature came near Lantovas, it took the sticks one by one and twisted them.

  Gordon had never heard of another creature using hands like a man. As it took the sticks and twisted them in its hand, they seem to crumble. When they did, they released some sort of milky liquid. It did this with five sticks and then put the sticks on the pile under Lantovas. It went back on all fours and stood a few feet away from the pile under the naked man. Lantovas was still not moving. Gordon could now see some blood and scrapes on Lantovas' face and arms. He hoped that Lantovas was only knocked out.

  Gordon started to feel light headed. He suddenly realized that he had not eaten anything. Not now, he thought as he began to sweat. He knew they would act soon and was hoping the leader would give some type of signal. Gordon blinked to unblur his eyes, as he willed himself to be okay.

  It was starting to get dark, and they saw tiny lights appearing, floating in midair. They seemed to come from all directions out of the forest.

  Gordon saw tiny dots of light landed on the pile with the milky liquid. As soon as the little lights had landed there, the creature got up and ran towards them, making loud shrieking sounds and waving his arms wildly. It was almost as though the beast was trying to swat flies away from his meal.

  He realized they were fire bugs. The creature was exciting them so they would explode. He saw that there was a plume of fire where the little lights used to be. Quickly, all of the lights turned into little sparks of fire. Gordon looked on, and now the pile of brush underneath the naked man was burning.

  The beast's back turned toward them, the leader shouted something, and all the men jumped out of the underbrush and towards the beast. Gordon followed, taking the longknife from its sheath. The beast was startled for a second, but its fear turned into rage. The warriors were trying to circle the beast, but the beast swung its great arms. The first man that rushed the beast got picked up and thrown deep into the brush.

  The beast was enormous, as tall as two men, and nearly as wide. Its arm-like-legs were much longer than its body, able to reach out and lash out at anything that got in its way.

  All the men were shouting and rushing at the beast. The monster couldn't figure out where to send its rage first. Gordon decided to try to help Lantovas. The man was just waking up and realized there was a fire underneath him. He pulled at the vines he was tied with. Luckily, the beast had not seen Gordon yet.

  He started to throw dirt on the fire. The flames were getting higher and the milky substance made a terrible smell, like burning sweet salt. Lantovas was groaning, as the fire was starting to heat up his skin. Gordon couldn't get the fire completely out, so he tried to cut the vines with his longknife. He went around and cut the vines between the man's hands. Lantovas yelled as fire touched his skin. The creature saw Gordon for the first time and let out a terrible sound.

  The beast ran and groped for Gordon, who ducked just in time. His knife was stuck under the vines trying to cut them. Gordon pulled the knife toward him, cutting the vines from underneath. Lantovas was free from the log, and they both rolled away from the beast's grip.

  The other men were screaming at the beast, driving their spears and weapons into its fur. With one great arm, the beast swatted away their weapons as it kept grabbing for his meal with the other.

  Gordon had nearly rolled onto his longknife. Pulling the blade out from underneath him before he got cut, he was safe from his knife, but not from the beast. In one quick movement, the beast grabbed Gordon by the leg and flung him across the clearing. Then he took Lantovas and put him directly on the fire. The guard screamed. Gordon got up, instinctively ran at the beast, slicing at the beast's hand. It hit its target. The beast let go of the man's ankle. Lantovas hurried off the fire and onto the sand.

  The other men had closed in on the beast from behind, and the beast howled as several spears were stabbed into its back. The beast wheeled around on the men, knocking them all to the ground. The beast grabbed at its back to try to get the spears. Gordon went to Lantovas to make sure he was okay.

  The beast went over to a tree and knocked the spears out of its back, all at once. There were two men standing near, the leader and Number Eight, but they were trying to attend the other fallen men before the creature could attack again. The beast decided against his toasted meal and went for the leader instead.

  Number Eight leapt at the monster and swung his heavy club at the beast's face. This hurt the beast, and it staggered backwards. The monster grabbed Number Eight's club and flung both he and his club into the brush. The beast was more enraged and grabbed at another man on the ground nearby. He picked up the man and threw him over the trees.

  The leader screamed at the beast and charged it with his own knife. The monster was facing away from Gordon, so Gordon ran at the back of the beast and slashed, using all his strength with his curved longknife. He connected with the beast's leg. It didn't feel like Gordon did much damage, but the great beast had lost its balance and was tumbling.

  It tripped backwards and landed right on the fire. The beast let out another wild, inhuman cry as his matted fur immediately caught fire. It scrambled to stand up out of the fire on its back legs, screaming the entire time.

  It lost all interest in the men and rushed toward the forest. The leader was standing right in the beast's way. The beast grabbed the leader and hurled him right into Gordon.

  Gordon's world went dark.

  Chapter 33: True Nature

  “How did you know I needed good news today?” said the firstcouncilor as he settled a little deeper into his chair, cup of wine in hand.

  “It goes well in Extatumm, it is true,” said the s
mall councilor. “They have built them much faster than expected. They seemed to understand the plans immediately and have already made big leaps in design. I just don't know how much longer they can keep such a big thing secret.”

  Trunculin said, “Extatumm is well secluded from the rest of the kingdoms. As our plans get closer to execution, the secrecy has gotten deeper, as agreed. There have been rumors swirling for years. But there will be a time soon to reveal some of my plans. You have done well Arasta, better than I ever could have asked for.”

  “Thank you, firstcouncilor, I appreciate you choosing me to conduct this important mission. It is an honor,” said Arasta.

  “Well, I always knew there was something special about you. So how is it in Extatumm… really?”

  “It's a very interesting place. It's almost like a kingdom, one of many contradictions. The transformation from Dard to Extatumm was based on the idea of equality for all the people, and they still preach that today in public. If you talk to anyone in the markets or on the streets, they talk of the leader TrTorrin like he's a god, not a man. They all call him the father. The people don't seem to notice that they are still looking up to leaders, not equals. There is no real freedom there. It is the best of all worlds,” Arasta said.

  “But there are choosing's? Or some sort of elections, are there not?” asked Trunculin.

  Arasta said, “Oh yes, they have elections of what they call an 'outer counsel.' You can be on this counsel for three years. Then you can be on a lesser counsel for three years and then after the three years, you can be reelected to the outer council again.”

  Trunculin said, “Let me guess. The same people keep getting elected year after year and just rotate between the councils?”

  “Yes, it is a perfect circle. The same leaders are always in control,” Arasta confirmed.

  “And the people don't seem to notice?” asked the firstcouncilor.

  Arasta replied, “Strangely enough, they do not.”

  Both men laughed at this, as they drink their wine.

  “The timeline is still good for the meeting?” asked Trunculin.

  “Actually, I was going to ask you the same question. Has the Gordon business changed anything?” asked Arasta.

  Trunculin replied, “No, not at all. A mere bump. In fact, I need you to return right away to make sure TrTorrin and the rest know that all is well.”

  “Yes, firstcouncilor, I expected that. What about…”

  The door opened and a boy walked in. Arasta looked over Trunculin's shoulder to the intruder, “We don't require anything, boy. You may leave us.”

  The boy said, “Excuse me, Trunculin, could I have a few words about…”

  The firstcouncilor jumped out of his chair and nearly spilled his wine, “My king, how did you… that is, what can I do for you?”

  Arasta was out of his chair quickly. They both went to the king, and Arasta bowed at the waist.

  Trunculin said, “My king, Arasta is one of my assistants, and has been traveling.”

  Arasta finished, “I beg your forgiveness, my king. I was unaware of what you looked like.”

  “This is one of my assistants Arasta…. as I've said, as he said… what do you need, my king?” Trunculin tried to regain his composure.

  Asa looked at the man next to Trunculin and said, “I would prefer to have a moment alone, firstcouncilor,” said Asa seriously.

  “This is one of my most trusted assistants, my king. Whatever you can say in front of me, you can say in front of him. His loyalty is clad in iron.”

  Asa looked at the small man again and immediately did not trust him. Arasta looked back at the king in a way that made him uncomfortable, “I really need to speak to you alone,” said the young king.

  Trunculin stepped towards the king until he was very close, and looked down on Asa. He said in a very serious voice, “And I have told you that Arasta can be trusted,” Asa took a step back, remembering how Trunculin had hurt his shoulder earlier. Trunculin continued, “This might be a good time, my little king, to explain how things really work. You are the king for the people. You are trotted out for meals, and you waive and you smile. Besides that, you do exactly as I say every other moment of your day. Perhaps I should have made that clear earlier. Do you understand me now?”

  A small smile formed on the other man's face.

  Asa didn't know what to do. He did not expect the firstcouncilor to speak in this way and it frightened him, but he didn't want the other man to know he was scared. He was the king, whether Trunculin liked it or not. He looked at the other man. Asa tried very hard not to even blink and said, “I understand that the king is at the top of the triangle and you are far below,” he said defiantly.

  Asa saw Trunculin's face change completely. He almost looked like a different person. Trunculin raised his hand to hit Asa. The other man was quick to catch the firstcouncilor's hand, and the Trunculin slowly lowered it. Arasta looked down and let go of his hand, not knowing if he had done the right thing.

  Trunculin bent lower until he was eye to eye with the king, “My little king. Fate may choose the king, but fate also causes accidents. No one is safe from the winds of fortune. I wonder how sad your parents would be if one or two of your brothers drown in that lake by your house?”

  Asa's mouth dropped open.

  Trunculin continued, “Do you understand me now? Good night, little king. Don't soil your bed dreaming of your dead brothers.”

  The other man was openly smiling now, but it was not a smile Asa had ever seen. It was how a snake smiled when it saw a mouse. Asa walked out of the room.

  Just outside the room, Darion was waiting for Asa. Darion began, “What did he…?”

  Asa stopped and closed his eyes. Darion stopped speaking. Asa knew if he spoke at that very moment, he might let the fear take hold. As they walked away from the room down the corridor, Asa was angry and scared all at the same time. He needed answers, and he knew of no one that would be honest with him. Brenddel had still not returned.

  Asa said to Darion, “I need a favor.”

  Darion said, “What do you need?”

  The young king told him, and Darion smiled. They both hurried off.

  Chapter 34: Path to Truth

  Darion led Asa into the lower levels of the palace. They passed many guards, until they reached the lowest level. They came to a large metal door with a small sliding window in it. Darion knocked on the door, and the smaller window slid open. Darion said to the man behind the door, “Ah, Tobee, I thought you might be on duty tonight. We need to see somebody, open the door.”

  Tobee replied, “Sorry, not for these prisoners. I have special orders not to let anyone in. Only the queen, that firstman and the councilor fellow from the other kingdom can see them.”

  “You know, this might get very awkward,” said Darion, “You see, this is the king from that very kingdom. He's in charge of the firstman and the firstcouncilor fellow.”

  Asa said, “Can you please open the door, Tobee?”

  The small window slid shut loudly. Darion smiled at Asa. There was a clicking sound and the door opened. As they walked through the door, the guard scowled at them. Darion and Asa nodded their thanks. As they were walking further down the hallway of cells, Darion whispered to Asa, “I'm glad that worked. I thought I was going to have to threaten him with some rumors I've heard about him and his best friend's wife.”

  They hurried down the hallway and got to the last set of cells. In the cell on the left, they saw a man sleeping on his bed. In the cell on the right, Loren was leaning against the bars. As they approached, he said, “Asa? What are you doing here?”

  “Not the best way to talk to your new king,” said Darion.

  The man in the other cell sat up on his bed.

  “King Asa. Of course. I heard you were chosen,” said Loren.

  Asa went closer to the bars and said, “Hello Loren. I was chosen, and I'm beginning to think there's more going on than I was told. I don't see anyone e
lse I can trust.”

  Loren replied, “I will answer any question that I can.”

  Asa asked, “First, how is it that I was chosen right after Gordon? It seems too strange.”

  Loren said, “It isn't strange. I think the firstcouncilor meant to choose you. It certainly wasn't fate. The choosing has been rigged for years. Trunculin has ways of hiding the truth.”

  “Well, that would explain that,” said Darion.

  Asa reasoned, “But if that's true, that means Gordon wasn't chosen by fate either. Do you know Gordon is…?”

  Loren bowed his head and said, “Yes, I know. The firstcouncilor came down here and told me personally. He couldn't wait to give me the news.”

  Asa said, “I still can't believe it.”

  Loren said, “I can't either.”

  Asa asked, “So then…who made Gordon king? Why did he run?”

  “Asa, there is so much more going on than you realize, that I don't know where to begin,” Loren said. “We didn't run by choice. Gordon was going to be killed. He had already been poisoned after he collapsed at the crowning ceremony. For some reason, the firstcouncilor chose you. But someone in our movement decided it should be Gordon instead. I don't know why. I haven't talked to the man who made that decision.”

  “What movement?” asked Darion.

  “Why is Darion of Thure suddenly so interested in the politics of another kingdom?” asked the voice from the other cell.

  “Denogg of the great family Xoss. I heard that they had put you down here. I guess that's how you get repaid for hiring the wrong people, Denny,” said Darion.

  Denogg replied, “Very strange that you say that. Only a very, very few people know what actually happened in my home. What makes you think it was a servant?”

  Darion replied, “I can hear the implication in your voice, Denny. I hear all the rumors. No, I did not poison my brother. I loved him. It's a shame about your fortune, now that Gordon is dead. The queen now has your coin to go along with her good name.”