by Aaron Thomas
Lunch was a bit better than the chicken Kilen had for breakfast. The lamb was spiced and served by Leroy. Most of the people that chose to sit and dine with Kilen choked and sputtered onto the table. Finally, Erica brought out some of the cold stew leftovers from the morning. The conversation about the food was mostly of their astonishment that he ate the spices at every meal.
Kilen let out a small chuckle remembering Mrs. Reanna desperately drinking the wine earlier, trying to rid herself of the heat. By the time she finally took Kilen’s advice and ate a roll she had drunk half a bottle herself. Since then she had done a bit of stumbling about the Inn trying to make it more comfortable.
Kilen caught a glimpse of Leroy out the window and stood to get a closer look. His companion was carrying a large bundle over his shoulder, and he half ran up to the inn’s steps. The thugs let him inside with only a slight inspection of his bundle. He dropped it on one of the tables near the door and waved Erica over. It was full of various food bits like bread, cheese, a small bundle of dried meat and a couple flagons of wine.
When he finished giving instructions to Erica, he crossed the room and leaned in close to Kilen.
“Something is happening,” Leroy said in an ominous tone.
“What?” Kilen asked.
“I’m not quite sure. I left the last store with a couple more to visit before heading back when I noticed a large number of people going to the main gate. I thought you would want to know, so I came straight back here,” Leroy said, looking out the window.
Kilen nodded, “Go tell Wizard Parker to meet me upstairs in the hall.”
Leroy bowed and went to talk to Brent as Kilen took two stairs at a time to get to the third floor. At One end of the Inn, there was a window that faced the main gate. Kilen watched the streets, and it was just as Leroy had said; a mob was forming near the front gate and the closer the mob was to the gate, the thicker it became.
Brent approached the stairs just as quickly as Kilen had, only on soft soled shoes that masked his approach.
“What is it?” Brent asked.
“I’m not sure. There’s a crowd gathering at this main gate,” Kilen replied.
Brent looked out the window and excitement showed on his face, “See there?” Brent was pointing in the general direction Kilen had been looking but must have seen something Kilen had not, “There are blue flags being mounted on the wall.”
Kilen checked for himself and found the blue flags being unfurled on either side of the gate. He turned away from the window and rubbed his chin.
“Maybe Bowie has done better than expected,” He said quietly to himself.
Brent quickly stood in front of Kilen, “What is Bowie doing?”
“He is making contact with the guardsmen,” Kilen said.
Brent left Kilen standing in the hallway as he ran down the stairs, “Mrs. Reanna! Mrs. Reanna!”
Kilen chased him down the stairs as Kara and her wielder friends came out of their rooms to see what the commotion was about. Kilen shrugged at them as he ran past and into the dining hall of the inn. Brent was already paying the bard and ushering him out the door while Mrs. Reanna was trying to steady herself.
“We need all hands here. Erica and Leroy, get his Majesty into his armor. All wizards, please don any robe or clothes you might have to show you are a wizard. Mrs. Reanna, I need you to get changed and ready to present the King to Basham,” Brent said just before he took off down the hall shouting for everyone to hurry.
The Inn went from calm and tranquil to hysterics in a blink of an eye. Kilen has whisked away to a room where Leroy and Erica helped him put on his polished armor and vivid blue cape. Leroy put on a pair of gloves before taking up the crown to polish it with a bit of silk from his pack. Most of the others were finished being dressed well before Kilen was, and now they waited for the polished crowned to be placed on his head.
Brent came into the room while the others watched from the hallway, “This way, Sire. Your first city awaits.”
There was a sudden silence in the inn as Kilen passed through the hallway and towards the front door. The large men guarding the door turned white when Kilen passed them on his way into the street. While Mrs. Reanna gave them directions, a small white bird made of water landed on Kilen’s shoulder.
Tokeye whispered into his ear, “A small troop is wearing blue at the gate. Bowie and Auburn are there waiting for them to assemble.”
Kilen whispered back a command to his elemental friend, “Take human forms and protect me.”
Brent, Kara, and Al’tore took up positions surrounding Kilen as he walked through the streets. Tokeye grew in size and walked a few steps in front and to the side of their small group now in the form of a human with wings. Each one of his elemental friends joined the group and were soon the only ones standing around Kilen as he walked in the street.
People stopped to point and talk to each other as Kilen passed. Max and Tokeye were a little rougher than they needed to be when clearing a space for Kilen to move. Even though the street was packed with people and children all trying to get close to the front gate, Kilen’s stride never slowed.
When he arrived, he found close to fifty guardsmen with various weapons about their bodies, all covered with blue cloaks and standing information. Bowie saw Kilen amongst his elementals running to one of the guardsmen off to the side. The two had spoken just a moment before Bowie pointed in Kilen’s direction. Soon, the guardsman was standing in front of his men and took a knee.
Jace’s chaotic wind swirling form disappeared, and the flags went limp at the elementals command. An occasional cough or cry from a baby could be heard as Kilen stood before the kneeling guard. Brent cleared his throat, and Mrs. Reanna moved to stand in the empty space between Kilen and the guard.
“People of Basham,” She started with a shaky voice. “I present to you Kilen Everheart of Humbridge, Weapon Bearer to the Elder Wizards, and King to the Water Realm. Kneel before your king!”
In a wave, the crowd sunk to a knee leaving only Kilen, Bowie and the elementals standing in the open square. Brent and the others rose to stand next to Kilen.
“You need to say something, Kilen,” Brent said standing close to Kilen.
Kilen took a couple steps forward while trying to find the words. There was too much to do, and yet again he was surprised with giving an unprepared speech.
“It has fallen to me to be your king. I am not the oldest or the wisest, but I am the only one who would stand against Atmos,” He said gaining momentum with words.
Brent nodded his approval of words, so Kilen turned his focus back to the watching crowd.
“I will stand against Atmos with everything that I am if this realm will stand with me. Too long have we paid for his luxuries in a distant land only to receive a deaf ear when help was needed. Too long have we gone unheard and unaided not to stand and fight against him.”
Kilen could hear low mutterings of agreement pass through the crowd which gave him the strength of heart to continue. “I am here today to ask you to stand with me so that we have a fighting chance. No longer can we sit idly by and watch our land waste away.”
A small cheer broke out from the people still kneeling before him.
“Where is your Mayor? Where are your nobles? Where are the men that were supposed to protect you?”
No answer came, just as Kilen predicted so he continued, “They have run away leaving you to destroy each other, and yet this city has not fallen. I will need every person in this city to do their part in the days to come. I know you have it on you to help this realm become great again and that starts here and now. Today the guard has overcome their allegiances to stand with the Water Realm, do you have the strength to do the same?”
Kilen turned to face the guards behind him, “Stand.”
In unison, they stood and held themselves with chests high.
“You have a guard, and now you need a leader. I am appointing Mrs. Reanna of The Wandering Spring to lead this ci
ty until it is restored to it’s previous greatness,” Kilen said holding his hands out to Mrs. Reanna.
The innkeeper looked shocked to be appointed as steward of the city. Kilen realized he should have warned her first, but he had no time to consult with her about it. After a small smile had met her face, Kilen waved his hand from her to the crowd as if saying, “Your turn to talk.”
Kilen only listened to the first couple comments from Reanna before walking to where Bowie stood to talk to a guardsmen.
“Is this him?” Kilen asked.
Bowie nodded, “This is Guardsmen Ross formerly of the Earth Realm, born in Chunte.”
“It is nice to meet you, Sergeant Ross,” Kilen said holding out his hand.
The guard looked down at Kilen’s hand as if he was unsure if he was allowed to touch it. “Sire, I am just a guard, not a sergeant,” Ross said.
“Sergeant, you are the rank I say you are. Unless you don’t want to be a soldier for the Water Realm?” Kilen asked.
“Sire, I am more than happy to be a soldier, but I have never trained as one. If I may say so, I think that it would be wise if you choose someone else to lead these men,” Ross said still looking at Kilen’s hand as if it were a serpent.
“If you would like to point out one with better knowledge and experience, I will gladly appoint them. Until then, will you accept?” Kilen asked.
“I will, but Ross is my first name; my last is Tallad,” He said.
“Congratulations, Sergeant Tallad. Bowie has spoken about you a few times over the last few months. I was hoping I could count on you to aid us here. How loyal are your men?” Kilen asked as the new sergeant let go of his grip.
“We are more loyal than most. Although the Guard here was being paid by the Earth Realm, we never actually joined the army. We were simply being paid through the mayor to maintain order as best we could. Most of the men are from the Water Realm and have waited a long time to see a new king crowned. We are excited to have the opportunity to follow you. The men that couldn’t pledge their loyalty I sent on their way under Master Crescent’s protection,” Ross said.
“Good. Sergeant, I will be leaving Basham soon to start recruiting for my army and to restore order in other cities. I need you to get with Master Crescent here and make sure that the city is secured and aid Steward Reanna in anything she needs. For now, get your men back to their duties,” Kilen said starting to step away.
“Sire,” Ross said causing Kilen to stop. “We have already had several men try and join our ranks since we donned your colors. What would you have me do with them?”
Kilen turned back and stepped closer to him, then looked at the rest of the Guard, “You look to be a bit light on men, Sergeant. Perhaps you should swell your ranks a bit.”
Sergeant Tallad bowed at the waist and turned to address his troops. Kilen resumed listening to Annie address the problems of the city. It was mostly promises and motivation, so Kilen’s mind drifted until he saw a look from Brent. Kilen made his way to the wizard holding his chin in his hand listening to Annie.
“Appointing her was a good idea. She will have a sense of ownership in this city and others will be loyal to her because she is one of their own,” Brent said.
“I hadn’t thought that far ahead. I figured if she could run an inn then she could do fairly well with a city,” Kilen said shrugging.
Brent gave a small laugh and continued to watch Annie as she started to conclude her speech. Kilen approached after the crowd’s cheers died down and gave Mrs. Rianne a clap.
“I hope you do not mind the position?” Kilen asked as he approached.
“It is my honor to serve you in this capacity,” She said bowing.
“Shall we retire to your inn and take an audience there?” Kilen asked.
“It will be as you wish,” Reanna said, bowing deeply. She then faced the crowd and with a shout said, “All those that wish an audience with the King, come to The Wandering Spring.”
Kilen waved as Max and the rest of his elemental friends pushed through the crowd causing them to back away in awe. Kara gave a slight flourish of fire when the mass of people tried to trail in behind him. Some of the people fell over backward to get away from her flames.
She quickly caught up to Kilen as he paraded through the crowd. “Pretty good speech,” Kara said smiling.
“I’m not sure I’ll ever get use to speaking like that,” Kilen said as he laughed.
“Well, I thought it was great. When we get back to the inn do you think I can practice a bit with elementals before we leave?” Kara asked as Kilen continued to wave.
He stopped in the middle of the street to consider her request. The words themselves were much like a child's; showing impatience, “I’m not sure that’s the best idea. We just appointed the innkeeper as mayor of this town. I don’t believe it would do us any good if you accidently burned her Inn to the ground.”
“Maybe I could go somewhere else to practice,” Kara said pointing around the room at the wood, showing she had given just a bit more thought to the request.
Kilen nodded his head and started walking again, “Yes, I think that would be okay. Take Al’tore and the others if they want. Go somewhere safe, stay inside the city walls, and don’t burn anything down,” Kilen said.
She jumped and clapped her hands which reminded him of her younger form. Kilen loved seeing those small glimpses of his sister to remind him of the version of his sister he remembered best. He smiled to himself and continued to walk holding the image of his younger sister in his mind.
It wasn’t long until he found his way to the Wandering Spring. As he entered the inn, he looked back to see the massive crowd gathering at the door. The two toughs were having a hard time keeping the mass at bay. Max and Tokeye stayed just outside the door in their earth and ice forms. They spread their wings to deter the crowd.
Joahna turned into a fiery imp and clung to Kilen’s armguard making sure not to burn the cloth nearby. Kilen resumed his seat in the empty dining hall of the inn he had abandoned earlier to follow the crowd. In the security of the Inn, he started to shed his armaments. Joahna took his place in the brazier, assuming the form of a natural fire.
Brent cleared his throat before bowing before Kilen, “Your majesty.”
Kilen nodded, taking a bite of bread he had left on the table earlier.
Brent continued, “After announcing yourself, the people of this town will want their concerns and voices heard. They would also like to meet their ruler and pay their respects to him. Will you hear some of them?”
Kilen was a bit annoyed; he wanted to be out of this town and onto the next. “If it is customary, I suppose I must.”
Brent gave a smile that said, “Good choice.” He began clapping his hands and giving out orders, “Erica, I need the most ornate chair the inn has brought down. Get the men outside to push aside these tables. I want extra lamps brought in, and a clear path made to the back door.”
The Wandering Spring was a flurry of activity for a few moments. Sweeping and cleaning made it look as though an ale had never been spilled. Tables were moved to other rooms, clearing the great room of everything but the chair with a cushioned red covering. Brent held his hands open for Kilen to take his seat.
Kilen reluctantly took his seat and tried to sit as tall as possible.
Brent then stepped forward, “Master, your crown?”
Kilen rolled his eyes and reached into his side bag placing the crown on his head once again.
“You know, you better get use to wearing that. If I had it my way you would sleep with it on so that no one was confused,” Brent said chastising Kilen. He took a step back and nodded his head in approval then spun and checked the rest of the room.
Giving a shout, Brent waved his hands about, “Admit the first five!”
Five townsmen came through the door removing hats and stowing them in their belts. They were covered with a thin layer of dirt and had sunken in cheeks. They gave a weary eye to the f
ire. Seeing their reaction to the fire caused Kilen to look for himself, and he saw Joahna’s implike features moving around amongst the burning logs.
“Your majesty,” The first man said, lowering himself to his knee. “Thank you so much for coming to Basham and returning order. The last few days have devastated this city.”
Kilen took a moment trying to figure out a way to sound modest, “I didn’t do much. My companions are the ones that deserve the thanks, but I will relay the message to them.”
The man continued, “My apologies your majesty, I don’t have a token of thanks to offer you.”
“There will be no need for that,” Kilen said.
Brent stepped in, “Your Majesty it is an honor for this man to meet you and him not having an offering may plague him for his lifetime, this is why he apologizes.”
The man nodded his agreement of Brent’s words. Kilen tapped the cushioned armrest on the chair and finally leaned forward. “What is it you do for a living? What is your trade?” Kilen asked.
“I am a carpenter with my two boys apprenticing under me. It has not been a welcome trade in the last week as everyone is too scared to let anyone in their home with no guard about,” The man said.
Kilen smiled, “Have you ever built a dock before?”
“I have not, Sire. I do believe if I had a moment to plan I could figure it out,” The man responded.
“Good. Starting tomorrow you and your two boys will work for one hour a day rebuilding the dock, free of charge and then move onto another task for the city once the dock is completed. This will be your offering to me,” Kilen said leaning back in his chair.
Brent clasped his hands together practically beaming at Kilen’s response. The man smiled and thanked Kilen before he was ushered out the back door. Many of the others had the same thanks to offering and lacked the money to pay tribute. Kilen asked the same from all of them; an hour of work each day until he returned to the city.
The bakers would make bread for the guard; the butcher would provide extra meat before it went bad; fishermen would give a part of their catch to the mayor, and farmers a part of their crop. Each person in this manner was given a task that would help the city to recover from its citizen’s self-destruction.
