by Rick Brown
As we were finally feeling unwound enough to sleep there was a knock at the door. Father Pild left the comforts of the fire to answer it. He let in a messenger wearing the scarlet uniform of pages. “It’s an envoy from the King,” Father Pild announced.
Father Yagen looked surprised as he started to stand. “I didn’t think we would granted audience for another week. I am honored. Let me just collect my things.”
The page looked nervous. “I’m sorry Father, this request is for a Captain Lee Eberon.”
We all stared, stunned by the summons. Why would I have garnered notice from the king? Father Yagen quickly pulled himself together. Shrugging he nodded me to the door.
I recovered from the shock and stood. I may have been standing in the man’s home, but I never thought to meet the king. I took a step forward and the coin warmed against my chest. The suit. Put on the suit. Alynon’s voice said in my head. I could only sigh. Did this really have to happen now? Still, one doesn’t argue with a god.
I looked at the page. ‘I am dressed in my travel clothes. May I have a moment to change?”
“Of course, sir.”
I looked to Lenux who allowed me the use of his room. Grabbing the bundle that Stiven had the servants bring, I went into Lenux's room. I had folded the suit carefully and was happy to see it still looked good. Putting it on, I once again felt proud. Crowler really had created a masterpiece. I quickly ran a cloth over my boots trying to restore some of the shine. Taking a deep breath, I stepped back into the room.
It was Bri who noticed first. She gasped and covered her mouth. It was Father Yagen I was watching most closely. He, more than anyone, would recognize the significance of the suit. Instead of shock, he looked thoughtful, then just nodded. “You didn’t tell me everything that happened that night, did you?”
“I told you everything that happened that night, until the moment I collapsed. I apologize for not being more forthcoming, but it was so overwhelming. After I awoke there just didn’t seem to be the right time.”
He nodded understandingly, a broad smile creeping over his face. "This... This is something we needed desperately, and we need it now most of all. We have much to discuss when you return." Father Pild looked on in wonder, and my friends just looked confused.
I turned to the page while attempting to project a confidence I didn’t feel. “Thank you for waiting. I am ready now.”
The halls were empty as I followed the page. He was young, in his teens. His face still marred by pimples. As I thought about the route he was taking me, it seemed we were going to the king’s private apartments. It wasn’t a direct route though. The passage we followed would take us through the less populated areas of the castle. I started to worry that this may be a trap by Lord Hannen and quietly put up a shield around me. I felt better when we entered the area of the royal family. It was unlikely an ambush would happen here. Still, the shield only took a little focus, so I kept it up until I was confident.
Finally, the page stopped at a door and knocked. A thin man wearing a red coat and black pants opened the door. He had well groomed black hair with a little gray on the sides. He looked at me and raised one eyebrow. "You are Captain Lee Eberon?" He asked doubtfully as he looked up and down my suit.
"Yes, sir," I responded. I wasn't quite confident what role I was playing here. I was counting heavily on further coaching from Alynon. This was his idea, after all.
Still looking doubtful, he opened the door and allowed me in. We were in a large office with books lining the walls. A huge wooden desk sat centered to the doorway. I immediately recognized the man behind the desk. His sharp features and his neatly trimmed beard identified him as the king. He had blond hair that was brushed back and dark, penetrating eyes. Sitting in a chair in front of the desk was Colonel Smith.
The king looked me up and down trying to figure me out. The clothes obviously didn't match to that of a lowly captain. "Captain Eberon?" he asked?
"Yes, Your Majesty," I responded with a bow.
He nodded and stood from his desk. “I have heard about your incident today with Captain Hannen. I am curious if anyone from the House of Hannen has reached out to you,” he said with a questioning look.
“No Your Majesty, I have been in the rooms of the Priest of Alynon today. We have not heard from Lord Hannen.”
He nodded. Obviously confirming what he already knew. "They will come, perhaps tomorrow. If they have not found anything to blackmail you with, they will likely offer you money, likely lots of money. Before us lies the opportunity for which I have been waiting. There has been a play for power within the court. Lord Hannen has grown stronger than I am comfortable with. The charges against his son will weaken his house. I will need you to stay strong and bow to neither their threats nor bribes. It is imperative that this case goes forward."
The king started pacing the room, looking lost in thought. "The priest's apartment has received many powerful guests today. Are they advising on the attack?"
“No, Your Majesty. The Priests of Alynon have discovered a conspiracy within your court. They wish to offer evidence to you, Sire.”
“A conspiracy? In my court?” The king looked alarmed.
Turning to the man in the red jacket he asked, “Have you heard of this, Merret?” Ah. That explains the man. He was the chamberlain to the king.
“No, Sire I haven’t.”
The king then looked to Colonel Smith who shrugged. The king then turned back to me. "Then this is something else my ‘advisor’ has kept from me. Can you tell me about this conspiracy?"
“No Sire, only that involves Dommeran and a ledger we took from one of its agents. Apparently the information in the ledger is very disturbing. They plan to meet again tomorrow morning to discuss it further.”
"And I shall be there," the king said. "Merret, please enter into my calendar that I will be taking a much-deserved rest in the morning. I doubt many will question it."
“No my liege, I suspect it will be celebrated. They will see it as an opportunity to resolve the issue with the captain,” He said, looking at me.
“Speaking of the captain,” the king said returning his gaze to me. “You are dressed more of nobility. It was my understanding that your parents were peasants.”
Here we go, I thought, steeling myself. "Your Majesty is partially correct, in this country, my family holds no title. However, I am a descendant of Prince Marcus, and as such, I am the last heir to the throne of Alsselya."
I could feel the coin grow warm with pleasure. I had just announced myself to the king, there was no going back from this.
The Chamberlain gave me a dubious look. "You have some evidence of this?"
“Are you aware of the powers of the Royal family of Alsselya?” I asked.
The Chamberlain shook his head, but the king and the Colonel both nodded. It was the Colonel that spoke. "They were said to be able to do things no other magic user could do. It was why their kingdom thrived."
I nodded. "If you will excuse a quick demonstration?" Without waiting for a reply, I pushed with my energy and levitated into the air."
“Gods!” the Chamberlain cursed, drawing his dagger. I quickly put up my shield, but it proved unnecessary as the king waved him down without taking his eyes off of me.
“Yes,” he said thoughtfully, “this fits with the legends.” He started pacing again, this time stroking his beard. “Can anyone verify your claim?”
“I believe that Father Yagen now believes that I am the rightful heir.”
The king looked to his chamberlain. “If lord Hannen’s son attacked the heir of our ancient ally?”
“If it can be verified, it would be devastating to them,” he said with a smile.
“I would say a confirmation by the head of the church of Alynon would suffice, wouldn’t you?” The king asked with a grin.
The chamberlain returned his smile, "Yes, Your Majesty. I can think of no better validation than the testimony of their church leader. They are, after
all, the last known representatives of the kingdom of Alsselya," he said as he glanced at me, "till now."
The king was almost giddy. "Excellent. Quietly prepare one of the staterooms. If he is a king, we must keep up appearances." He turned to me, "Captain…er, Your Majesty, I'll have a page return you to the priest's room. We will discuss this more in the morning."
The page that collected me was still waiting outside and led me back to my room. This time I followed blindly as I attempted to gather my thoughts. Did I just meet the king, and DECLARE MYSELF THE KING OF ALSSELYA! The panic I had ignored during the meeting finally reared itself. How could any of this be?
I finally noticed that we had stopped before the priest’s door. The page was staring at me, unsure if he should disturb my thoughts or not. I nodded to him with a smile and went inside.
Father Yagen immediately jumped from his seat and rushed over to me. The others were on his heels. “Well?” he asked.
“Well,” I paused to collect my thoughts. “We discussed many things.”
“And your claim, Your Majesty?” The father called me for the first time. I was momentarily taken aback. What have I done?
"With your acknowledgment, I believe he will endorse my claim," I said with a smile.
The father looked jubilant. "I knew it! When you healed our Brianna, I knew we found our missing king!"
“So, it’s true?” Barad asked looking at me.
I nodded. "I was surprised as anyone. After I healed Brianna, I was visited in my dream by Alynon himself." This caught everyone's attention. "Let's sit down. This will take a moment." The group agreed, and we sat on the chairs, the priests sliding theirs from the fireplace over to the room center.
"Alynon came to me in my dream, or more likely, I think I went to wherever he was," I said as I thought it through. "In any case, we were in the reception hall of the Palace of Alsselya. It looked as it did before the war."
Father Pild interjected. “Could you describe the room?” I did so as they nodded along.
"That's it! As if we needed more confirmation. I have read descriptions of that hall that you would not have been privy too and those murals you describe perfectly match sketches I have seen."
"Alynon told me he has been acting as my guide all along," I turned to Barad. "He was my intuition. He guided us and kept us safe. He is also aware of all of you and the services that you are doing for him, I added." They looked surprised. It was shocking to hear someone describe meeting a god. It was another thing altogether to hear you were part of their discussion.
“That first night he told me about the magic of the royal family, and how he had assisted me in healing Bri.” Brianna’s Face paled to hear of the divine intervention that saved her life. “He gave me a lesson in it, but it was just on how to pass my energy to another. I believe the actual healing part has much more to it.” Father Yagen nodded knowingly. I would definitely be talking with him later. “By that time he told me you had moved my body to my cell and I was becoming fevered. It was then that he dismissed me into my body.”
“Amazing. So he was aware of what we were doing, and all the while teaching you on healing?” Asked Father Pild. I nodded yes. “Amazing,” He repeated.
“Oh, and he gave me this,” I said, pulling the coin from under my shirt
Father Yagen gasped, "He gave you something from in the dream, and it passed to our world!"
“Yes,” I said dropping the coin back under my shirt, “he, says it strengthens our bond. When he is pleased with something it warms or when he feels displeased it chills. I can also sometimes hear him speak.” I said, not able to think of a better way to explain.
“This is a lot to take in,” Lenux stated, Barad nodding with him. “So Lee is a king?”
“Indeed!” Father Yagen said Gleefully. “The one we’ve been waiting three-hundred years for.”
“So, the king said he would accept your claim just because you said so?” Bri asked doubtfully.
“No, I levitated for him.”
"What!" Barad exclaimed. "Are you saying you can fly?" With that, I stood and pushed off the ground again with my energy. As I did, I started lifting into the air. "Wow. Can you lift me?"
I wasn’t sure, so I floated back down and put my hand on Barad’s shoulder. I wasn’t sure if that was necessary until the coin warmed telling me I was doing it right. This time I imagined pushing through my feet and his. We both lifted two feet into the air. I could feel the strain and knew I wouldn’t be able to do this long.
“Amazing,” said Father Pild in awe. He didn’t seem to be able to come up with another word for amazing.
“So, did the king know already? Is that why you were summoned?” Continued Bri.
I lowered Barad and myself back down and resumed my seat. “No, he is concerned with Lord Hannen. Apparently there is a bit of a power struggle. He wanted to be sure that I didn’t take any bribe to just disappear. He’s counting on this case to take down the house of Hannen. I think they are so accepting of my claim because Captain Hannen’s attack on me is far worse if I am a King.”
Father Yagen nodded. “So long as it’s mutually beneficial. I don’t mind why they accept it, just as long as they do.”
"Well, you can discuss that with him in the morning. I told him of the ledger, and he wants to see it."
Yagen paled. “I’m going to see the king in the morning? Oh my, I’ll need to get some sleep.”
“Oh you will be seeing him in the morning, but you won’t be going to him. He is coming here.”
Everyone stared at me, “The king is coming here?!” Bri almost screamed.
“Hey!” I said acting indignant. “I’m a king too you know!”
Brianna waved me off, “You may be king, but you are also the same Lee that used to get caught stealing pastries with Barad in the kitchen.”
“Anyway,” I continued while feigning offense. “The king knew all about the dignitaries you had visiting. He asked me why. When I told him you would be meeting again tomorrow, he said he would join us here.”
"Yes. He should definitely be a part of this," Father Yagen said to himself. "Very good." This time he spoke louder. "Everyone to bed. Your Majesty, you will take my room." I tried to argue, but he put up his hand. "Everyone listen, and that includes you, Your Majesty. From this moment on you are a king and need to be treated as such. No more sleeping on the ground. Don't worry about me," he said with a wink. "I'll be kicking father Pild out of his room." There was no more discussion. I went to Father Yagen's room and went to bed.
Chapter 18
(Lee)
The next morning Father Yagen asked that I wait in the bedroom until his guest arrived. I paced nervously as I heard more people arrive. Once again I was wearing my royal suit. These men were members of the court and needed to be impressed. Especially since just yesterday, they saw me as nothing more than a priest’s guard.
Finally, Yagen opened the door and waved me out. I looked around and the men from the previous evening were all gathered. The king had not yet arrived. "Gentlemen, we will have the honor this morning of hosting two kings."
“Two kings?” Lord Albright asked. “Do you mean that Kendrick is coming? Who else?”
“The King of Alsselya is here among us,” Father Yagen announced bowing to me. I wasn’t sure what to do, so I clasped my hands behind my back as I had often seen high-ranking officers do.
Stiven just looked confused. “Captain Eberon is King of Alsselya?”
“It is a long story, but it is true. It was only last night he chose to reveal himself, though I had suspected for some time.”
Father Lowen looked skeptical. “Surely Father Yagen, there is more to it than his declaring himself.”
I understood my cue and levitated. Though impressed, the others did not understand why this was important, but Father Lowen knew, and he bowed to me. "Your Majesty." He acknowledged.
“Well,” Lord Albright said. “I am impressed by the acceptance by these lauded
men, but what will our own king think of this?”
“King Kendrick and I discussed this last night,” I answered. “He stated if the Church of Alynon accepts me as their king, then so shall he.”
“Congratulations, Your Majesty,” Lord Albright said with a bow. The others followed his lead.
“And you said our own king will be joining us?” Stiven asked.
"Yes, he was to have his chamberlain mark his calendar that he would be resting this morning. Under that excuse, he will be joining us."
With perfect timing, there was a knock at the door. Father Pild continued his responsibility of answering. Outside the door stood the kings Chamberlain, Merret.
He stepped in and looked at Father Yagen. “Excuse me, Father. Does the Church of Alynon acknowledge Lee Eberon as King of Alsselya?”
“It does,” Father Yagen announced proudly. The coin warmed on my chest.
“Then please, King Eberon, if you would follow me to your new quarters, as well as the rest of you gentlemen. King Kendrick awaits us there.”
I followed the Chamberlain as we went down the hall. It felt awkward. Normally, I would be expected to be at the back of a procession like this.
We were guided to the front of the visitor's hall and brought to a door that was much more extravagant than the Priest's door. He opened the door and stepped aside.
I entered into a huge suite. It was bigger than the library at the temple. It might be bigger than the temple library and training yard combined. There was a massive fireplace that already had a roaring fire. Scattered through the room were multiple sitting areas. The furniture was colored in Alsselyian's royal blue. Along the walls, there were doors leading to other rooms. King Kendrick walked out of one of the rooms and glanced at his chamberlain who nodded to him.
“King Eberon. Let me welcome you to your suite. This was the home of your ancestors when they visited Vaelin. Also, in front of these esteemed men, let me apologize to you on behalf of Vaelin. The crown promises that the attack on your person will not go unpunished.”
