Alsselya's Heir

by Rick Brown

  Barad poked his head into the room "He's up!" He yelled back to the main suite. Walking in, he bent over to give me a hug. "For a while, I thought you'd die, and our free ride here was over!" He kidded.

  Bri and Lenux came in next followed by Father Yagen. “Lee, my boy. I am glad to see you awake and aware.” Yagen greeted.

  “How are you feeling?” asked Bri as she sat on the side of the bed.

  “Oddly tired since I’ve apparently slept for a week. Did no one else in our group get injured, other than Kyle?”

  Lenux shook his head. “ Just you,” he said with a smile. “The rest of us just had a few cuts and bruises.”

  “I believe the patient knows more about what happened than he lets on,” Father Pild announced. “It’s almost as if he’s spoken to someone while he was sleeping.”

  I could see a spark in Father Yagen’s eye. “Is that right? Were you told anything?”

  I nodded. “I received some direction. We need Alynon’s Tear and the Royal Sword.”

  “We elves have the Tear,” Farloc said as he walked into the room. “Greetings, King Eberon.”

  “Will we have trouble getting it?” I asked.

  “The Tear, I don’t think so, but I do not know where the Royal Sword is.”

  “It is with the dwarves.”

  "That could be a problem," Farloc explained. "The dwarves have had a falling out with our kind and humans both. Since the fall of Alsselya, they have kept to their cities beneath the mountains in Spellion."

  "Well, then let's begin with the elves. Then we will worry about the dwarves.

  “First you must heal,” Yagen corrected. Then we can travel.

  The Next day I was able to stand and walk around the suite. I made my way to the guard’s quarters to thank them for their service and offer my condolences for Kyle, the lost soldier. I stayed as they told me stories about him and I ordered dinner and wine for us to share that evening.

  The next day I was feeling more myself. I received a request from King Kendrick asking if he could visit the suite for dinner. That sent Arthur abuzz as he started preparing the staff for a royal visit.

  I was able to spend some time that afternoon sitting on the couch with my friends. They had been keeping up with their daily practice in the yard with Farloc, Whilhoit and our Royal Guard. I got a good laugh as Bri recounted how she had embarrassed Barad by burying his face in the sand.

  Eventually, Arthur came to collect me. "I apologize, your majesty. It is time to start preparing for King Kendrick." I waved goodbye to my friends and went into my room. Blissfully I lowered myself in my hot bath. I knew the days of these luxuries were coming to an end, and I was going to enjoy it while I could.

  After soaking till my toes wrinkled, I got up and put on my formal suit. It seemed like an age ago that Crowler and I discussed this design. Brushing my hair, I put it into a simple ponytail. I think Kendrick will forgive me this casualness, though Arthur might not. I thought with a grin.

  Finally Arthur sent a page that it was time for dinner. I stepped out to find all my friends in their fancy dress. Crowler's first shipment of outfits had arrived, and everyone looked wonderful in their Alsselyian blue uniforms. One of the servants came forward and poured me a glass of wine. A few minutes later the page announced that King Kendrick and his party had arrived. In walked Kendrick, Merret, and Waith.

  “Greetings King Eberon!” The King stated as he walked into the room. “You look well. I had heard that you appeared to be on your deathbed.”

  I waved it off. "That was yesterday, today I am fine," I said with a smile. "Mr. Waith, I am pleased you came tonight."

  “Ah,” he said with a blush, “It’s Lord Waith now. When King Kendrick took the lordships away from those that betrayed him, he gave one of the houses to me.”

  “Then I truly wish to congratulate you!” I said with a big grin. “It seems your greatness has been recognized.”

  "Indeed it has. Since you've come to our kingdom, I have relied on Stiven to care for our most important guest. Since you are still here, it seems he has done an excellent job. Not to mention assisting us all through these turbulent political waters." The king said with a grin.

  Arthur stepped forward. "Your Majesties, dinner is ready." We followed him into the dining room to eat. It was a relaxed atmosphere, and everyone joined us around the table.

  "Miss Wellborn?" The king asked over dinner. "How did you and Mr. Aldrick meet?” I almost spit out my wine when he asked.

  “Oh,” Brianna considered. “Well, it was at a job for the Fox Guild.”

  "I remember that job," Max spoke up." I don't recall Y'all coming back all lovey." Lenux could no longer hold it in and burst out laughing.

  “Let’s just say, your Majesty,” I spoke before it got too crazy, “that this is a long and twisted romance.”

  The king nodded understanding. "Sometimes those are the ones that run the deepest. An untested love doesn't always survive its first challenge."

  As dinner was finished, Arthur had wine brought around the table. "So, King Eberon," Kendrick began with his face going serious, "I am afraid Hannen has escaped. Not only that, but his son was broken out of his cell during the raid." I had not thought to ask, but that was very disappointing news. "His money, however, did not go with him. Hidden in his home, we found over one hundred thousand gold pieces."

  “Gods!” Barad exclaimed as he jumped up. “Er, sorry.”

  "His property and people should have been around fifteen thousand gold, that will be turned over to Lord Waith as his replacement." I gave a proud nod to Stiven. "The other gold was ill-gotten from his trading with Dommeran. That gold shall be turned over to you."

  This time it was Arthur that gasped. I was about to protest, but Kendrick raised his hand to stop me. "Without you, this kingdom would no longer exist. This is far less than a just award. Unfortunately, with my kingdom in turmoil, it is all that I can offer. Also, I fear we must postpone sending a delegation to Tiber. Sadly, my envoy was one of the victims of Hannen's attack. It will take some time before a replacement is found and trained."

  “Thank you, Your Majesty. I too needed to postpone that trip.”

  “Oh, may I ask what you are doing?” King Kendrick asked curiously.

  I took a sip of wine and smiled. “I am starting a new adventure.”

  Here ends book one of 'The Lost Kingdom of Alsselya'.

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