Carved

by Miki

  He grins a knowing grin. "I’m fine. Dragon blood will heal almost any injury. It’s very powerful. It also connected us for life. If you don't want me, Kendra, I can respect that, but we will always be connected."

  I need to talk to someone, and right now, that someone is Mica. I start spilling everything that King Findare and Jericho told me. Then I told him that I’m attracted to him and I do want him, but it’s only right for me to tell Spar first. Spar has already told me that this was the way of the Ceorfan people. I have the feeling he expects this kind of relationship, but I still need him to know before I give Mica the go-ahead.

  “I understand, Kendra. I’m here for you any time you need to talk. I never thought I would love like this. I can wait until you’re ready. Spar is important to me too. I wouldn’t want to hurt either of you.”

  “Mica, will you show me to the King’s chamber?”

  He nods, takes me there, and pulses a greeting. Findare calls out as he pulses back. Funny, I think the prickle of the pulse is one of relief. Mica leaves me with the King, touching my back, giving me chills.

  Seeing Fin when I enter I tell him, “I’m sorry, and I apologize, Fin, for leaving without an explanation earlier. Will you tell me what is expected of me?”

  “Oh, Edling, I am sorry we shocked you so. Both Jericho and I should have been gentler in our delivery. The mistake is ours alone.”

  “Thank you, Fin.”

  “Kendra, we only want what you are able and willing to provide. No more, no less. The truth is, I am King in name only. I much prefer my previous title of Duke. We have not had a true monarch in more than eleven hundred years.”

  In a much gentler tone, “Kendra, Edling, you are the answer to our millennia-long search. You are the monarch that my people have loved for years, from afar. You are the queen we wish to lead us. For it is you who will lead us to our freedom and prosperity. The core of my existence, over a millennia, has been searching for a Dragon Queen. You are that Dragon Queen. It is with the deepest hope and desire that I, your humble supplicant, ask you, Kendra Dawn Macbard, to accept the monarchy of the Ceorfan people.”

  “Fin, I do accept. However, I need to talk to my family before you announce this to the Ceorfan people.”

  A pulse booms through the whole room immediately after I finish my statement.

  “I believe, my queen, it’s too late. Your pulse proclaimed the commencement of your reign to the whole of the Ceorfan.”

  “Did that come from me? Oh crap! Can I take it back for maybe 30 minutes?”

  Several people come rushing into the chamber, including Megahir and Count de Treon. They all drop to one knee, with heads bowed. I look questioningly at Duke Findare.

  “Yes, it is for you, my queen. You are the queen of the Ceorfan. No one has been able to code a pulse like that since the last queen. It has been over a thousand years since she sacrificed herself on the field of honor.”

  There are tears in Fin’s eyes! I’m sure he’s sincere. “Uh oh, what have I done?” I mumble. “Get up! Oh my gosh! Please, just get up. I don't have to have you bow to me. I’m just a person. I’m not even as physically strong as one of you. I make mistakes, lots of ‘em. I know I’ll need your help and I most certainly will not have my friends kneeling in front of me. We’re in this together. Okay?”

  They all rise slowly, each with tears in his eyes.

  One man, who I had not met, was still on the floor, prone, arms splayed in front of him, outright sobbing. I walk over to him and, squatting, I put my hand on his shoulder. I lift his face until it is level with mine. “Don't cry. I need your strength now. I need it to help me transition into this role. You have not had a queen in over a thousand years. I will need your strength, your love, your help to learn this role. Will you help me?”

  He smiles at me, hiccupping as his tears stop. "I will, my queen!" He tells me, with so much affection, it can only come from his heart.

  Okay, I knew this would be life-changing for me. The Ceorfan, however, think it’s life-changing for them.

  Megahir puts a giant clawed hand on my shoulder. Standing behind him is Count de Treon, Fin and everyone else in the room.

  Mega, speaks for the group. “I cannot thank you enough, chuisle mo chroi,” pulse of my heart,’ in Gaelic, “You will be known by that pulse. My queen, we need to get you to the underground amphitheater, so the people can see you. Your pulse had a great deal of emotion in it. Your people will want you to know they support you. We few just happened to be close to the King—no Duke's, chamber—so we came here. Your pulse indicated all Ceorfan are your family. I'll send messages to your brothers.”

  Fifteen

  Hope

  Kendra

  I pull away from the crowd of people surrounding me. Mega is sticking with me, though. Maybe he’s my bodyguard. Well, I think he’s always been anyway. He begins to lead. “My queen, the amphitheater is this way.”

  I follow closely behind. I’m in a bit of a daze. I keep my head up—regally, I hope - and watch the beautiful stalactites, stalagmites of my new kingdom. I admire even the intricate frostwork as well as many other speleothems as we pass them. One reason I work at the Cueva Hallow Caverns is my love of the cave features. I’m fascinated with them and want to be near them.

  “Do I keep my job at the Caverns?” I wonder out loud.

  We cross a wide, well-lit stone bridge. It’s as well-lit from beneath as it is from above. In front of me, I see another substantial portico. It’s intricately carved with what appear to be gargoyle muses, but small vertical openings are cut into the walls. I’m guessing these could be used to fire weapons though to defend the amphitheater. It’s obvious now: the Ceorfan have built safe rooms in case they are attacked.

  The amphitheater is not nearly as long as the lunchroom. It’s still impressive. The difference is, as you walk in, you’re looking down on a very large half-circle of a stage instead of finding the kitchen front and center. Lighting the stage are several of the same wall sconces I have seen throughout Navan. These, though, are much smaller than the ones I’d seen in the lunchroom.

  The ceiling must be thirty feet above. On the ceiling is another half-circle, mimicking the stage. It has the same type of wall-sconces, though these sconces are larger by far. The light they produce makes the ceiling glow. I need ask how they get the entire back to glow like that. The light coming out of the bottom of the sconces bathes the stage in a bright, natural light. It seems these, combined with the lights around the stage, are designed to eliminate the shadows of those on the stage.

  The seating is simple in its design. While not overly complicated, seems to have functionality as its driving force. In the seating area directly to the front-center of the stage sits a massive stalagmite. This stalagmite has been carved into a sort of reserved seating area. It looks as if it could seat maybe twenty large humans. In that same area, I can see some bumps, where the stalagmite looks like it has grown since the seating was originally carved. Some of these growths appear to have been carved for the smaller gargoyles, such as Amber and Mason.

  The rest of the seating in the amphitheater is bench style stadium seating. Stalagmites interrupt the seating in several areas. Some of them have been carved into various shapes. Others have been purposely left untouched. In high school, our basketball arena could hold five thousand screaming students. This amphitheater is on par—just no screaming kids.

  Descending the steps leading to the stage, I have every conflicted emotion I’ve faced over the last few days come into my head at once. “Kendra,” I say. I can’t be heard over the din echoing throughout the amphitheater. “Focus only on the now. You can’t fix everything at once. Right now, focus on your introduction only.”

  I step onto the stage and into my new life. I pause, scanning the crowd. “Finally!” I yell and wave, “Spar, over here! Jared! Dana!”

  They see me and hustle over to me.

  “Oh, big cluster-fuck, guys. I can’t believe what I’ve done! I wanted
to talk to all three of you and let us all think about it for a few days. But I guess as soon as I accepted my body sort of just took over.” I told them about everything, as best as my addled brain could recall.

  “Now, I’ve been accepted as the queen of the Ceorfan people. This has gone too far, too fast. While I didn't plan to do this, I don't feel stuck. I want you to know, this is what I want. I just never expected it would happen, much less happen without us talking first! But now everyone knows because that sonar thump thing. It evidently came from me.” I run out breath at the last few words.

  Dana looks at me and squeezes my shoulder. “I love you, Sis. You can do this. Jared and I will support you every step of the way.”

  All three of them were touching me now, each in his own way letting me know I have their full support.

  “We all felt it,” Jared tells me. “It was like we could hear it, but not really. Spar told me it was a code that the Ceorfan people will recognize. Your pulse said you’re the queen of all Ceorfan, and your heart is for us.”

  “Well, if you are the queen,” Dana says, “what the hell am I?”

  I laugh at him. Dana knows how to ease the mood like that.

  Findare takes the center of the stage, motioning the four of us to gather close to him. When the crowd sees us gather, they quiet and sit. The rows closest to the stage are all packed. "Is this everyone?" I ask Spar.

  "This is everyone here in Navan, but there are some on assignments, and some Ceorfan are nomads."

  “Okay, I’ve been to high school football games with more people. This gives me an idea of the Ceorfan population.” I estimate two thousand, maybe a few hundred or so more.

  “We’re connected to each other.” Spar continues. “We aren’t connected like shape-shifter wolves in the movies. We are connected more like a colony of bats. We feel things about each other. We don't keep secrets. We share and care for each other. If someone has a need, others help meet it, or figure out how."

  "Queen Kendra, the pulse of the Ceorfan heart."

  We snap toward Duke Findare.

  "Today the Ceorfan people will etch your acceptance as Queen with reverence. For more than eleven hundred years, we have searched for a ruler with the dragon blood who could lead our people. Queen Kendra, through your pulse, you are known to the Ceorfan. None can ever masquerade as you. Through your pulse, you have expressed your love for your people. You have told us we are one. This has long been our wish. Queen Kendra, please come forward and, if you will, address your people.”

  As the Duke stands aside and bows to me. The room erupts. I feel pulses all over my body. The noise is deafening, it’s overwhelming. Their cheering buoys me as I slowly walk forward, to my place in the center of the dais. I don’t have the foggiest idea of what I should say. Thankfully, since it gives me time to think, the ovation continues unabated.

  I stand, shoulders back, head up as I look around the room filled with my people the Ceorfan. They are beautiful, so full of life. I see Mica, his face radiating his love. I see Amber, her tears rolling down her face. I see Kino, gazing at me in amazement, almost afraid that his dream might shatter. I see many faces. In each, I see hope. I see hope! I can’t let these precious people down.

  "With all my heart, I want to help and protect you all,” I begin. “You are my people, my family now. Mine. I’ll do my best as your leader. I’m not perfect, though. I apologize now for my future mistakes. Please have patience with me as I learn how to meet your needs. No, not just needs, but your wants also. I know there are things you have wanted, things you want to do, maybe places you wish to see that you have not been able to. I’m going to do my best to rectify that. At the end of the week, I’ll meet with TASS in Scotland. Instead of being your ambassador, I will be your queen.”

  The room erupts again. I hold both arms in the air and pat my hands downward, in what I’m hoping is a universal gesture of ‘be quiet and sit, please.’

  “I know Megahir. I’m pretty sure he and the Elites will act as my bodyguards. I obviously know and have an amazing amount of respect for Duke Findare. I have also met several others. Please don’t be offended if I don’t mention you by name. I’m overwhelmed right now.”

  Breathe! I tell myself.

  “I want to get to know each of you. It’ll take time. Will you support me as your queen? Will you give me time to become the queen you deserve? If so, let's make that pact, right here, right now. All in favor stand, be seen, and say, ‘Aye!’”

  The entire crowd jumps and shouts, “Aye!” I feel pulses of support. A chant begins. I can’t understand, but it unmistakably has great meaning to the Ceorfan. I wave Duke Fin to my side. Then Mega, Kino, Spar, Jared, and Dana move to stand with me too. We all put arms around each other as the crowd comes to offer individual congratulations.

  Sixteen

  Ancestry

  Kendra

  With the coronation complete, the Ceorfan crowd the stage to personally greet their new Dragon Queen as well as the Dragon Archdukes, Jared and Dana. It has been nearly eleven hundred years since the Ceorfan had a queen; most of them want to meet, or at least, breathe the same air as their new queen.

  Another bent knee, another introduction. “Queen Macbard, I am Ferre. This is my older sister, Barhaine. We are grateful you have accepted the monarchy. Our population has dwindled over the centuries. We hope you can bring new vigor…”

  I steal a glance toward Dana. He’s by my side, but still facing me. I know he was bored two hours ago. Now—well, now I’m not sure what he is. He has the appearance of someone who’s falling asleep. No, that’s wrong. He is asleep!

  Spar gently bumps into me, returning my focus to the sisters. “Ferre, Barhaine, I’m glad to now know you both. I’ll do everything I can to help restore the eh… lost vigor you cited. Thank you both.”

  Ferre giggles, but Barhaine has a frustrated look about her. They quickly curtsy to me and leave, chatting at each other.

  Ferre and Barhaine were the last of the ‘Thank you, my queen,’ and ‘Can you help us with this problem, my queen?’ Thankfully, there are no more of the few surly comments we heard as well.

  I stand, stretching my lower back by pushing it forward with my hands. My mind rambles through the many faces, stories, and even smells of the last few hours. My gaze treads upon the stalactite and stalagmite formations. The architecture of this carved amphitheater, which was almost pulled from inside this marvelous example of a cave, is remarkable sight.

  My eyes continue to drift. I find Dana again. Yep, still sound asleep, standing. Of course, Jared and Spar have already plotted some nefarious prank designed to embarrass or harass Dana. They better not hurt him. I raise an eyebrow at the two, curious of their intentions. Spar moves, as if my eyebrow was the go signal in their execrable plot. He reaches his big, gray-blue hand around Dana and pats him on the bottom gently, leaving his hand and gently massaging it. Dana, immediately rejuvenated, springs into action like he was shot out of a canon. He high steps across the stage, in his size thirteen boots, beating a hasty retreat from his assault. We’re laughing, oh so inappropriately, at Dana’s embarrassment. I might call him cannonball soon.

  “Damnit all to hell, Amber!” Dana roars. Then, hearing Spar and Jared laughing uncontrollably, he realizes what’s going on and turns on them. “You two buckets of turds! Just wait!” He’s laughing loudly and stumbling over his last few words.

  Jared yells, “Amber! You have every name in the Ceorfan book and you come up with Amber. Have you seen how little her hand is compared to Spar’s?” The chorus of laughter morphs into a new one, “Amber and Dana sittin’ in a tree, k i s s i n g.” More laughter follows, along with amused protests from Dana. Yes, my brothers and Spar are still children. I love them all the more.

  Duke Fin, Mega, Mica, and Kino left about five minutes ago, before the last few introductions, because of previously scheduled appointments. Spar, Jared, Dana, and I remain alone on the dais. Our smiles are fixed while we contemplate the rec
ent events. The mental and physical exhaustion I feel must be mirrored on my face—and now, through my fading smile.

  Jared jabs me lightly in my ribs, joking, “You look like you’ve been run over by a cave-sized gargoyle Mac truck!”

  I gently chide him, “Well, little brother, you don’t have room to talk!” And I add a small laugh so he would know I was only teasing. If I were talking to Dana, I wouldn’t have given it a second thought. Jared had been treated a bit more harshly growing up and was more sensitive to this type of teasing. He could certainly take more than his share, with our history, but I choose to take extra care with him. My brothers are mine to protect always. Don’t worry, Jared, I got you.

  "I could go for some coffee. A big Mega-sized cup! Haha.” Laughing at my own token witticism, I punch Dana in the arm. Nobody laughs. “I’m your queen and I made a joke and it was pun-ny!” They all smile blithely.

  Despite their brush-off, I ask again, “Anyone want to go to the lunchroom with me?"

  It looks as though each one of these men has their ‘adult’ gene removed, and they’ve reverted to children who are spending the day at Disneyland. Being emotionally worn out is something these three have no experience with. They’re all physical specimens who focus on the physical aspects of emotions. Each has known deep, emotional love; however, it isn’t an area where they like to live.

  Still no one answers for several more heartbeats. Spar breaks the silence, “I need to finish my training for today. I was in the middle of a session when we were called to your ‘an-oint-MENT’,” accenting the final word in his best impersonation of an English Grandee for effect. He smiles and continues, in a totally non-sarcastic manner, telling me that once his training is complete, he will meet me in my chamber. Likely, it would take a few hours.

  Jared and Dana, more enthusiastically, walk with me to the lunchroom. I lead us to the large circular seating area, since it will offer us the ability to see each other as we talk. And talking is what I want to do.