The Uzan Crystal

by Lisa S. Buchholz

  After Kalen informed the group in the hall of the Queen's passing, he went back into the room where his wife lay. Julin, Parsilla and Leyash followed the King into the chambers.

  Kalen walked over to the bed where the family was gathered. "It is now time for Gwen to be prepared," he began but had to take a couple of deep breaths and swallow before he could continue. The realization of what he was saying was finally sinking in. "Would you please step into the sitting room until she is ready to be taken to the church."

  Everyone slowly made their way out of the sleeping chamber and into the sitting room. Phillip had to pick Amberlynn up and carry her out of the room because she didn't want to leave her mother.

  Persilla closed the door to the sitting room and then joined Julin and Leyash. The women undressed the Queen and began to bath her in a special herbal compound to keep her body from showing any signs of decomposition for the days that she would be shown in the church. Kalen went over to the large wardrobe on the other side of the room. He looked through his wife's clothes until he found the dress she would wear. He pulled out a heavy cream colored satin gown with pearls and lace decorating the sleeves and collar. The gown was tight fitting at the waist and the skirt flowed out to the floor. The matching slippers were in another part of the wardrobe and he removed them as well. He also removed her slip that would puff the skirt out and her undergarments and then placed all these things on the bed for the women to dress her.

  He then returned to the wardrobe and opened a large drawer which held both of their crowns. He gently removed his wife's crown, closed the drawer and carried it over to the bed. He watched as the women finished bathing the Queen and began to dress her. When they were finished, Julin left the room to have servants bring in the pedestal that the Queen would rest on and that would be lowered into her final resting place with her. The pedestal's base was made of dark wood two feet high with a large white feather stuffed cushion the size of a single bed on it and also a large white matching pillow. The cushion and pillow were made of soft white wool and trimmed with white satin. There were white tassels hanging down from each corner of the cushion and pillow. The base of the pedestal had three gold handles on both sides so that it could be easily carried.

  When Julin returned with the pedestal, she had the six servants who were carrying it, place it in the middle of the royal chamber. She then dismissed them.

  Kalen picked up Gwen and gently placed her on the pedestal. Leyash arranged her dress and put the matching slippers on her feet. Julin and Persilla brushed her hair and arranged it on the pillow before Kalen placed her crown upon her head. He then took five fresh white roses and placed them onto her chest and then gently crossed her hands over the stems. He had picked five roses to symbolize their family. One for her, for him and one each for the children.

  Kalen then opened the door to the sitting room and informed them that all was ready.

  Julin had also summoned the priest and his helpers and they were waiting outside for the procession to the church.

  Persilla sent one of the servants to inform Tolmac and Lord Farley that they were ready. All of the servants were lining the halls waiting for the procession to go by.

  When Tolmac and Lord Farley arrived, they as well as Parsell, Phillip, Lord Ripley and the King each took hold of one of the gold handles and lifted the pedestal off of the floor. Julin and Persilla opened both of the doors to the chamber. The rest of the family fell in behind the Queen and followed them out into the hall. The priest took the lead and began heading down the hall. Two of his helpers fell in directly behind him and were carrying fragrant burning pots of incense. The other two helpers fell in behind the family and friends who were following. These helpers also carried pots of burning incense. The procession made its way through the castle and out the doors into the courtyard of the church. Most of the servants in the castle were crying as the procession passed them and even more servants and townsfolk who were in the courtyard also shed their tears of sorrow.

  Angelina saw Elise standing with her family and glanced over at her. Elise gave her an encouraging smile through her tears. Angelina forced a smile in return.

  The procession slowly made its way to the church doors, which were opened by other members of the church. The church was not opened to the public because this evening the service was for family and close friends only. The Queen's pedestal was placed on the large stone altar at the front of the church. This is where it would rest for the next four days. The doors of the church were closed as soon as the procession entered. White candles were lit all over the church and behind and on the sides of the altar. Kalen and his children knelt on the red velvet stool resting against the front of the altar so that they could pray and have a few moments to themselves. Amberlynn knelt beside her father and then Angelina beside her and then Phillip. The rest of the family and friends sat down in the first pews on both sides of the aisle. When Kalen was finished he leaned over and kissed his wife's cold lips before he stood. Amberlynn had to stand on the stool and have her father lift her a little so she could place a kiss on her mother's cheek. Angelina and then Phillip also kissed their mother. When they left the altar, Lord Ripley, his wife and children then took their turn at the altar. When they finished, Julin, Persilla, Leyash, Tolmac and Lord Farley as well as Sir Larry and Sir Taz paid their respects and said their good-byes.

  The priest pulled Kalen over to the side to let him know when the actual funeral would be held and the burial. He suggested to Kalen that Amberlynn may be a little young to be there during the placement of her mother in her final resting place. They talked for a little while longer and then the priest suggested that they all retire because it was late and the next few days would be a drain on all of them.

  The group then made their way back to the castle. On their way the royal family was stopped by townsfolk and castle servants all wanting to give their condolences. Kalen then made sure his in-laws were back in their rooms and then dropped the children off at their rooms. Angelina had Amberlynn stay with her and Lady Elise. Kalen then headed back to his chambers. When he went into the room he noticed that the servants had cleaned up. New bed clothes were on the bed, the furniture was back in its original place, the fire was burning brightly and all food and drinks from the day were removed. He also noticed that a hot bath had been prepared and a fresh meal was setting on the table near the fire. He wasn't hungry so he just poured himself a goblet full of wine and drank it before he stripped off his clothes and climbed into the steaming tub. He knew he would have to be strong for the next four days. He and the children would be required to be in the church to receive visitors for the next three days and then most of the day on the fourth day for the funeral. When they weren't in church they needed to be present in the dining hall for there would be continual feasting during this time as well. He would have preferred staying in his room and keeping to himself but that was not possible. He soaked in the tub until the water began to cool then he trimmed his beard and scrubbed from head to toe before getting out and dressing for bed. He lay in bed for a long time just letting his thoughts run through this head before he finally fell asleep. When he awoke the next morning he glanced over to the other side of the bed, half expecting to see his wife sleeping there and felt a pang in his heart when he realized she wasn't there and would never be again.

  He reluctantly got up out of bed and dressed in leggings and a tunic of black wool and pulled on a pair of black boots. He tied a gold sash around his waist and then opened the drawer which held his crown. He carefully placed it on his head before he left his chambers to meet up with the children. He noticed it was well after dawn, the servants probably figured he had needed all the rest that he could get. The children knew he would come for them so they were up and dressed, waiting for him. Phillip mirrored his father except for the silver sash around his waist. The girls were dressed in black gowns with long sleeves and had their hair pulled up and their crowns on. Lady Elise had already left to meet up with her mot
her and father. Kalen hugged the girls and clasped arms with his son.

  Kalen looked at them and sighed. "I want to remind you that the next few days are going to be hard on all of us and I want you to remember that we all need to be strong for our kingdom." He smiled encouragingly at them and then held out his hand to Amberlynn. "Come children, our people await us."

  The royal family headed downstairs and over to the dining hall. The tables were laden with breads, fruits, meats and cheeses. There were barrels of ale that had been tapped and these were placed throughout the hall. The feasting would continue until the end of the day that the Queen was laid to rest. Before the royal family entered the hall, Kalen stopped them and told them that even if they didn't feel like eating they had to eat to keep their strength. He told them he was counting on them for support.

  When they entered the dining hall, people were everywhere: servants, townsfolk of Talenvar and many others who had heard the news and traveled to Talenvar to pay their respects. The family ate and mingled with the people milling in and out of the dining hall and then they made their way to the church. There were people lining the halls, courtyards, etc. and the church was packed. A steady stream of people were coming and going. There were flowers everywhere in the church and lining the steps of the church and the perimeter of the courtyard. The royal family was kept busy from dawn until nightfall and this continued on through the next two days. On the afternoon of the third day the Ellers and the members of the Daskar family arrived. Phillip was glad that Julia was there to be a comfort to him.

  The activity did not slow down until the afternoon of the fourth day. It was time for the Queen to be laid to rest. The royal family and the Queen's family were in the first row. The close friends and advisors of the King and Queen were in the pews behind them and then the rest of the pews and church were filled with loyal subjects. The priest blessed the Queen. Then the King, Prince Phillip, Lord Ripley, Parsell, Lord Farley and Tolmac lifted the Queen and her pedestal and proceeded toward the family crypt. Only the family and close friends were permitted to follow the Queen to her final resting place. The priest led the procession with the two helpers behind him and at the end of the procession, more priests carried their pots of burning incense. The people who were following the Queen's pedestal each stopped to pick up flowers along the way.

  Access to the royal crypt could be gained through the church or from outside. The crypt was a large gray-black granite building. Once you entered the crypt there was a thirty foot entry way and at the far side were six steps going down to the first floor which spanned 300 square feet and was completely bare of any furniture. The only decoration was the two massive angels that watched over the coffins and were located on either side of the wide steps going down to the second floor where the previous Kings and Queens and their families were laid to rest. The second floor was the same size and there were vaults built into the wall where the dead were laid to rest. Almost half of the vaults had been sealed with blocks of granite and had the names and dates of the persons laid to rest. The vaults, six in a row, started above the coffins of the Kings and Queens and ran up to the ceiling. Only the Kings and Queens of Talenvar were laid to rest in granite sealed coffins that rose up from the floor. These rose four feet high and were set a few feet away from each other so that a person could walk between them. The vaults in the walls were of the children and the families of the Queens and Kings. King Jasper and Queen Ekita were laid to rest beside King Jasper's mother and father. Kalen's sister, Raschell was laid to rest in one of the vaults above them. Kalen remembered the day not long after she had turned fifteen when she took ill with the fever and less than three days later died. His parents were heartbroken and he as well because they had been very close, just as his children were with each other. He also remembered that a lot of children died of that fever, he was lucky to have escaped it.

  Kalen gave Queen Gwendolyn one final kiss before she and her pedestal were lowered into the granite coffin next to Kalen's mother. The flowers that were brought from the church were carefully placed in the coffin with the Queen. The flowers were placed below her hands where she clasped the white roses that Kalen had placed there the day she died. Kalen and his children were standing on one side of the coffin to have a moment of silence and to say their final farewell. Kalen did allow Amberlynn to be there because he felt that it would help her deal with her mother's death. Kalen stared at his wife for a long time. It just looked as if she were sleeping. He sighed at his feeling of utter loss as he watched the lid of the coffin slide into place, sealing her tomb.

  Everyone then made their way to the dining hall for that evening's meal. The next day, one by one the people who had journeyed to Talenvar to pay their respects left to make the journey home. Lord Ripley, his wife and children that were able to make it, stayed for a few days longer to make sure that Kalen and the children would be alright.

  Chapter 10

  Weapons Training

  Kalen was distraught over the loss of his wife and tried to keep himself immersed in his duties as King to take his mind off of it. He knew that it would take a long time for him to come to terms with her death, mourn her and then continue with his life. He was glad that his duties kept him busy and his children made sure to spend what time they could with him each day. They each relied on the others for support.

  Angelina told Phillip of the dream she had of her mother the night she passed away. Her mother came to her. It was if they were both in a sea of clouds. She could feel a floor beneath her but when she looked there wasn't anything there. There were clouds swirling around her and then her mother appeared in front of her and she was floating. She was all in white and had these beautiful white wings. She looked just like an angel. Her mother didn't say anything she just smiled at her and she felt a warm and comfortable feeling come over her. That is the only part of the dream that she could remember.

  Angelina and Amberlynn made sure to pick fresh roses each morning and place them on their mother's tomb. Lady Elise would accompany them. It seemed strange to Angelina how she had only visited the family crypt once when she was younger but now found herself there every morning. This was the first time she realized that her life was changing and would always continue to hand her new experiences and challenges, whether they be happy or painful. She was thinking that this must be what it's like to grow up.

  Angelina's father and brother started to spend more time together since Phillip would one day take over as King. Amberlynn would spend some days with Angelina but wanted to spend most of her time with the other young ladies at court. She wasn't interested in watching the men practice swordplay.

  It was a number of months after Angelina's mother's death when Sir Taz approached her. She was sitting in the gardens with Lady Elise and they were about to eat lunch when he appeared.

  "Good day my ladies," greeted Sir Taz with a bow. "I've been meaning to speak with you," he began but noticed their lunch. "I can stop back later."

  "Nonsense," the princess replied. "There is plenty here for all three of us. " She moved over so there was room on the blanket that they were sitting on. "Sit down and join us and then you can tell me what you wanted to speak with me about."

  Sir Taz sat cross-legged on the blanket and Lady Elise handed him a plate with two slices of thick bread with butter, a thick slice of ham and another plate with fruit and cheese on it. He placed these on the blanket in front of him and took the goblet of wine that Angelina handed to him. He thanked them both.

  As they ate Sir Taz told Angelina what he wanted. "I wanted to know if you and Lady Elise, if you're interested," he glanced at her, "wanted to begin learning how to handle the sword." He noticed that he had Angelina's full attention. "I have your sword tucked away in my room. Just say the word and Sir Matthew and I will begin your training."

  Angelina was very excited. "Yes. I'd love to," she breathed excitedly. "I'd like to start as soon as possible."

  "And you?" he inquired of Lady Elise.

&
nbsp; "Well, I guess I would like to at least know the basics," she replied. She wasn't as enthused as the princess.

  "We can begin tomorrow. I'll make the arrangements and let you know." He was glad that Angelina was still interested. He had a feeling that she would do very well.

  Sir Taz and the women finished their meal as they talked.

  Sir Taz and Sir Matthew began giving the women their lessons. As the months wore on, Angelina adapted rather well. Lady Elise had decided that learning the basics was all she wanted and would watch Angelina practice. The princess did not have the weight behind her blows but her agility gave her an advantage of being able to maneuver her body away from the blows and sometimes even to swing around and hit Sir Taz and Sir Matthew in unprotected areas. The men had wrapped all of the swords so that if anyone did make contact, no one would get injured.

  It was during the "season of snow" when Phillip came upon her while she was practicing. He was not very happy with the idea at first but she, Sir Taz and Sir Matthew were able to convince him that she was capable of handling the blade and defending herself. He knew that she had always been stubborn and when she wanted to do something she usually found a way to do it. He agreed to keep it quiet unless his father asked him.