The elder who had first spoke stood again. “Thank you, Elders. Who now will speak on behalf of Queen Una and Princess Gemari of Mount Kelsii?”
Another elder stood to address the Council, and the boys’ shoulders drooped. As nervous as they were, their attention was waning. Or the feast prior to the meeting was beginning to kick in. The elder was the same wispy woman, Frejah, who had approached Piper earlier at the pre-banquet. She still looked as though a single sneeze could knock her to the floor. But her voice had turned unexpectedly firm and commanding.
“I am Frejah of the House of Berkhildr of the Carnelian Quarter of Mount Kelsii. I speak for Queen Una of the House of Ulfra. Queen Una is the first Queen in over five appointed Queens to Mount Kelsii to apply herself to the study of both peace and war. Her skills will come as a valuable asset to our people in this time of uncertainty. I vote that Queen Una succeed Nefiri of the House of Auldfr as Empress of the Dwarves of Chartile.”
Elder Frejah sat. She was winded but still threw back a glass of ale. She snapped at the passing human to refill her glass as soon as she set it back on the table. It was the first time Jayson, Jack and Leo noticed the symbol on the woman’s sleeve. A rose crossing a sword. Gemari had told them it was the symbol for the warrior class of women. Only Empresses could be granted this special privilege after being succeeded by an Empress of peace. Nefiri must have succeeded Frejah and asked her to command the armies as Nefiri was trained in peace, not war. A recommendation for Empresshood coming from a previous Empress would surely make this a cut and dry case in Una’s favor, the boys thought.
Nefiri stood again from her throne. This time, she did not step forward. “I am Nefiri of the House of Auldfr and Empress of the Dwarves of Chartile. I speak for Princess Gemari of the House of Jetari. Gemari was chosen as our Princess after Princess Thora was called back to the stone too soon. Though young in years, Gemari has shown wisdom beyond her age. She was instrumental in the negotiations concerning the reopening of the Eastern mines of Mount Kelsii for their refortification and the safety of our patrols. As an emeritus Empress and priestess of Rashiri, I vow to this council that I will take it upon myself to continue to train Princess Gemari until such a time that she ascends to Empresshood, or the council deems my instruction no longer necessary. I vote for Queen Una to succeed me as Empress of the Dwarves of Chartile.”
Nefiri sat. Dimitri stepped from behind her high-backed throne and handed her a crystal chalice. She sipped daintily and stared hard at the elders. The elder who had opened the council meeting stood again.
“Now that the representatives of the candidates have spoken, the floor is open for any who wish to speak on behalf of Queen Isla, Queen Una, Princess Faeridae or Princess Gemari.”
Whispering ensued amongst the council, but no one stood. The boys could feel Nefiri’s eyes on the back of their heads and the hairs on their necks stood up. Neither Piper nor Valar made a move to stand. Jayson and Jack half expected Leo to stand and address the council. Follow my lead, he had said. Jack had prepared a small speech in favor of Una and Gemari, but he held back, waiting for some signal from Leo. After several moments, the elder spoke again, “If there are no further favors to be heard, then we shall move to vote. Those voting for Queen Isla please stand.” The chairs shuffled and scraped against the stone floor and over half of council members stood. They waited until one of the elders had finished counting and recorded her notes before sitting again. “Those voting for Queen Una, please stand.” There were fewer council members. At least four fewer, the boys noted, and they began to feel sick. “Then by the witness of this council and Mother Rashiri, I am pleased to announce the succession of Empress Nefiri by Queen Isla of the House of Arnkatla. The Rite of Passage shall take place at the nearest sunset after this meeting.”
“NO!” someone shouted. Their voice echoed off the high domed ceiling and brought the council to a dead silence. “I will not stand for this!” It was Queen Una. She rose from her throne, her face red even under her ebony skin. “I will not allow someone who has been meeting in secret with The Black Diamonds to sit on the throne of the Empress! We have intelligence that Isla has not only been meeting with these dangerous people, but is also in an unauthorized and illegal relationship with one of its leaders! Elders, I implore you to reconsider!”
“Isla, is this true?” asked one of the elders. The frantic whispering that had followed Una’s words stopped. Isla looked at the women before her as they waited with baited breath for an answer. She stood, and, to Jack and Jayson’s surprise, so did Leo. They joined him, though unsure of what plan they were about to execute. They had to leave their weapons in their rooms, but there were far too many guards to attempt any kind of hand to hand combat anyway. They dared to look at Nefiri. Her eyes were wide, almost maddening with anger. Gemari was on the verge of tears.
Isla reached beneath the neckline of her tunic and pulled out a small but unmistakable amulet of a large black diamond.
“It’s true,” she said. The council gasped and immediately began arguing amongst themselves. Leo looked at the man at the door while everyone watched Isla. He nodded. The doors swung open, and in marched a string of warriors. They were clad in the black leather and sparkling black jewels of the soldiers of The Black Diamonds. The elders ceased their arguments. No one moved. Not the guards, not Leo, not even Isla who had been caught off guard herself. Soldier after soldier marched into the room. Their footfalls echoed as one, creating a drum beat that shook the hearts pounding wildly in everyone’s chests. Some of the council members rose to stand beside Isla, also bearing the amulet of The Black Diamonds around their necks. Ulfwyn and Ygdalla were among them. Retainers and kitchen staff left their posts to stand beside Isla as well, unafraid to show their black diamond bracelets, rings and necklaces. Kylani, Brande, and a few other members of the Black Diamonds joined the throng of people surrounding Isla and Faeridae.
When the last of the soldiers had filed into the room, the doors were closed. Six Black Diamond soldiers stood guard against it. Leo descended the steps from the platform. He bowed in perfect Dwarvik fashion to each of the Queens, Princesses and Nefiri. The fire and rage in the Empress’s eyes was even worse than before. Leo gulped and turned to address the remaining council members at the long table.
“Good Elders! I am Leonardo DeHaven, the reincarnated soul of King Florine. I present to you, your future.”
Chapter Twelve
Foundations Shaken
Leo’s speech had sounded much cooler in his head, but he was no Jack. Regardless, the entire room’s attention was fixated on him. Queen Una had sat back on her throne when the Black Diamonds had marched in. She whispered frantically to Nefiri who remained stone faced and emotionless to Una’s words.
The Black Diamonds had filed into the room and covered the entire perimeter at least two deep. As one, they drew their swords with their right hands and touched their left shoulders with the hilt in a kind of salute. There was a unified clank of hilt against armor, then quiet. The silence was as tangible as the effects of the pearl wine.
A frail and fierce old woman finally whispered against the stillness. “Wh-what is the meaning of this? What in Verika’s good name is happening here?”
“Is it not obvious, Imohan?” asked another silver haired elder a few seats from the first. “We are being threatened to change or die. Apparently, the traditions we have worked so hard to keep strong have been undermined and thrown to the wind under our very noses.”
“Lady Jarvae, please, that is not our aim,” said Faeridae sweetly from behind the boys.
“Isn’t it?” shrieked Jarvae. She stood from her seat so swiftly, she nearly knocked her chair over if the woman beside her had not caught it. “The Black Diamonds have been after us for years to put a man on this council. Now it appears we have no choice. We have been surrounded, quite literally in fact. We surrender to this new regime or die, I suppose.”
“Hear me, good elders,” said Isla. The boys turned to see
her unwind her fingers from Kylani’s as she stepped forward. The gesture was noticed by several of the elders as well. “We are an organization of the people. Your very presence upon this council is proof we govern not ourselves or our people, but that our people govern us. Since my rise to Queenhood, whispers in the shadows have reached my ears of the pleading of our people for change. For equality. Not just our men, but our fellow women have joined in secret and taken up support of a new era for the Dwarves. An era in which our hearts, and souls are not governed by the gender bestowed on us by Rashiri, but by our actions. The people have cried out for change, and we have stood idly by, unwilling to move beyond the laws that are comfortable and familiar, not necessarily the ways that are right and just. Within every Quarter, every household, every caste from the elders to the miners, we have listened to our people and have grown. Your men and women have not been killed and kidnapped. They have run away to live amongst their fellows as equals in the mines that Princess Gemari so very graciously reconstructed for our use. Unbeknownst to her, of course. We are great in number. Your people have spoken, and it is our right as the leaders of our people to do the bidding of those we have been called to represent, regardless of our own personal aims or beliefs.”
“How can you expect us to simply give up what has taken us centuries to create? You are asking a great deal, Isla,” said Imohan. “Might I add that the actions you have admitted to this day disqualify you from succession to the Empresshood.”
“Only if you let it be so!” protested Isla, the fear rising in her voice. “Elders, there is a war raging at our heels, outside our very doors. Sooner or later it will descend on us. Unless we fight back and take our stand before it’s too late.”
“Our intelligence tells us Princess Taraniz is planning to strike Mount Kelsii at the end of the month,” said Kylani. He stepped forward to stand beside Isla, and several of the elders sneered. “Our forces in the Tutarian Mountains may not come to us in time. The force of soldiers stationed here will not be enough to hold back the Elves and Taraniz’s allies.”
The elders narrowed their eyes and flared their nostrils. Their disgust at being spoken to as an equal by a man was obvious.
“What allies are those, I wonder?” spat Jarvae. “Do not think we haven’t heard about the Black Diamonds joining with Princess Taraniz.”
“It does not have to be that way,” said Kylani.
“So you admit it! You admit you have turned your back on your own people to gain what you seek! You would have us all dead or under Elven rule. You may be free to make decisions without a wife if you succeed, but the name of Rashiri will never be spoken again, I can guarantee you that.” Jarvae sat abruptly. She folded her arms before her and nodded to those around her.
“Everyone makes mistakes.” Eyes turned to Jack who stepped off the platform to join the crowd around Isla. Jayson glanced at Leo. Leo raised his eyebrows and shrugged. They both stepped from the platform to join Jack. “What’s important is we need to band together now. Change isn’t easy. Like, in our world, we’ve had a lot of changes. At first there were civil wars, and fighting, and stuff like that. But, in the end, there was peace. Change is totally scary. We’ve been through that. We were brought here against our will and we’ve had to change the way we live every day just to survive. If change is what your people want, then give it to them. Especially if that’s what it takes to save them.”
“If it doesn’t work out, you can always go back to the way it was before,” chimed in Jayson with a shrug.
The council broke into conversation once more. Jayson, Jack and Leo looked at Piper. She smiled proudly at them. They had grown so much in such a short time. She no longer doubted they were the Kings of old. But, that could only mean one thing. As soon as the boys turned away, her fear returned.
“Fine!” shouted Jarvae above the crowd. “If this is what it takes to save our people, then so be it. However, Isla and Faeridae, you shall be placed on probation and await trial for your actions. If you are found guilty of conspiracy, regardless of this permanent or temporary change in our ways, you will be stripped of your titles and banished outside Dwarvik territory for the rest of your days. Nefiri, will you agree to remain Empress until this matter is resolved?”
“I will,” said Nefiri coldly. She glared at Isla and Faeridae.
“There still remains the dilemma of who will take the throne once Princess Taraniz has been killed or captured,” said Ulfwyn. “To our knowledge, there are no other heirs to the Elven throne. With no one to claim the throne, the Elven territories will fall to civil war. Noble and commoner alike will vie for the crown. Usurping Taraniz may end one war and launch Chartile, and us, into another.”
“I believe I may be able to assist in this matter, elders,” said Valar, rising from his seat. He approached the council with a leather bound book and a stack of papers.
“Many of you remember our Queen Runa, late wife of King Aramor. What few knew was her grandfather was human, and she inherited his magic. For this reason, she was hidden away when she came with child. The populace was told she was ill, but truly she was locked away in a tower. She was unable to hide her magic any longer while carrying. Orenite cuffs were made for her, and she was often chained to the walls of the tower. Our Elven council will say it is because she was prone to sleep walking, but this is untrue. King Aramor believed the now deceased Head of the Elven council, Taervane. He claimed Runa’s magic during pregnancy had made her mad and unstable. He said it was for the protection of all that she remain sequestered away in the tower. I visited Runa and can say she was far from mad. She was disheartened and afraid, and though her belly grew, she withered away before my eyes.
“I tell you this as only a few of us were present when Runa gave birth. Aramor and the physicians feared removing the orenite cuffs during this process. As with Humans, there was the risk of injury to those present if the orenite was removed. But the risk to her health was more severe. Keeping the orenite cuffs intact was to her demise. She died in childbirth. Yes, it could have been prevented. The decision was made to cut the child from her dead body, and it was discovered she carried twins.”
A muttering moved like a wave up one side of the table and down the other. Valar waited several seconds before continuing.
“The first child was given to Aramor. I watched him cry as I never have before. The second child was thrust at me by the physician. Aramor paced the room for several hours. Runa’s body lay on the bed between us. Both children screamed and cried, but he would not look at the one I held. Finally, Aramor asked me, “Is it a boy?” I answered him no. He told me to be rid of the child. He refused to have his kingdom torn apart by feuding sisters. He gave the first child back to the physician and left the room.
“I could not kill the child. It had not asked for this. I had a friend, Kaytah Chaudoin, a palace scribe, and her daughter and son-in-law, who lived at the very edge of Elven territory. I knew they had not been blessed with children, and were likely not to be. I decided to leave the child in their care. She would grow up as far away from the palace as possible. Several years later, I confided in Kaytah the true identity of her granddaughter. I revealed to her that my intentions were never to use the child as a pawn to gain the throne. Kaytah was furious with me, and we spoke little afterward. But, I began to see the child accompany her on her trips to the palace, and even here to Mount Kelsii.”
“You knowingly disobeyed your king and assisted in raising an heir in secret?” asked one of the elders. “Circumstances seem awfully convenient that Princess Taraniz has started down a path to her own ruin, and you are the only one able to guide this new heir.”
“With Runa’s magic becoming so strong during her pregnancy, I knew nothing good could come of such omens,” said Valar calmly.
“How do we know anything good will come of this new heir?” asked another. “If she is of the same blood as Taraniz, will she not be like her?”
“Your story is all good and well, Valar, but you
know this council cannot make a decision based on your word alone,” said Jarvae. “What proof do you have? Where is Kaytah to support this? I know Kaytah well, and I remember the child she used to bring with her. I know exactly whom we are speaking of, Valar.”
Valar stepped forward. He laid the small stack of papers in the center of the table before the elders.
“As many of you know, each year, a portrait is taken of each member of the royal family as part of our genealogical records. I have here the last known portraits of King Aramor, Queen Runa and Princess Taraniz.” He stepped back and the elders passed the parchment between them. A few, including Jarvae looked at Piper as they studied the portraits. Some leaned in to their neighbors and discussed a facial feature or two before passing the papers on.
Piper rose from her chair and took Valar’s outstretched hand. “Elders, I present to you the heir of King Aramor and Queen Runa, Princess Eva Ruani.”
“What?” cried Jayson. Jack had to stop him from running to her, though they were all breathless with shock. Their minds raced with questions and scenarios. It was hard to believe this rough and unkempt young woman, who had been their only protector in a savage and unknown world, was the secret heir to the Elven throne. They fought to stay alert as Piper stepped from the platform. She smiled weakly and winked at them as she passed by.
“Valar, these portraits cannot be the only evidence you have to prove that this child is Runa’s daughter.” Frejah said standing to face him. “I believe we can all agree that Piper looks almost exactly like Runa, but…” She trailed off, looking to her fellow elders for support.
“This is not enough,” said Ygdalla firmly. “If this is truly the granddaughter of Kaytah, we are aware she frequently companioned her during her travels. That does not mean this child has any experience in diplomacy or making decisions to govern an entire race.”
Chartile: Prophecy Page 12
