The Kingdom

by Bryan M. Litfin

  “Um . . . Hanson?”

  “Oh my goodness, Ana, no! What he did to me was embarrassing, but when I married your father I had never been with a man.”

  Ana’s cheeks flushed. “I’m sorry, Mother. I just assumed . . . ”

  Though Ana was flustered, Teo couldn’t help but tilt back his head and laugh. He felt as if an unbearable burden had just rolled off his shoulders. Life seemed livable again. Taking Ana’s hand, he lifted her from the bench. She turned away from her parents and looked into his eyes, smiling as he drew her into an embrace. “My sweet Ana,” he said, overjoyed and relieved. “We’re free to marry after all.”

  Ana’s face glowed as she gazed back at Teo. “And this time I say yes!”

  “Not so fast,” Katerina said.

  Teo and Ana exchanged apprehensive glances. Slowly they turned their heads to stare at the Queen Mother. She arched her eyebrows as she regarded the two lovers.

  “As happy as I am for you, the ramifications here affect much more than your romantic future. Remember, I didn’t marry into the royal family by catching myself a prince. I too am from an ancient line of kings.”

  Teo felt Ana tense in his arms. Her lips made a little pink O as her eyes flicked up toward him. “Teo! You have royal blood running in your veins!”

  Katerina nodded. “And Piair has abdicated his throne—which means you, Teofil, are the rightful king of Chiveis.”

  Shaphan the Metalsmith handed Teo a wooden box with a brass clasp. “I have to tell you, it looks pretty good,” said the olive-skinned man with the wavy hair.

  Teo smiled at his former student and close friend. “I’m sure it does. I have complete confidence in you.”

  The affirmation made Shaphan beam. Teo knew the young metalsmith looked up to him and craved his approval. I wonder what he’d think if he knew I’m the heir apparent to the Chiveisian throne? Teo wagged his head in disbelief and tried to dismiss the thought from his mind.

  After thanking Shaphan profusely for his work, Teo took his leave and went to meet Ana in the street outside the hotel. Despite his best efforts, the idea of being the heir apparent kept returning to him. He laughed as he recalled the look on the Warlord’s face when the Queen Mother informed him that one of his own captains—one of the youngest and most insubordinate—was actually the king. Although the general had bowed stiffly to Teo at the news, he didn’t appear to begrudge it. The Warlord’s unease seemed to emerge more from surprise than distaste. Teo couldn’t help but sense that the old soldier respected his prowess in battle and his leadership skills. In the end, of course, the commander of the Royal Guard would serve the Kingdom of Chiveis no matter who the regent might be.

  Ana stood on her tiptoes and waved at Teo when she spotted him on the street. He hefted his rucksack over his shoulder and greeted her affectionately. Slipping her arm into his, she strolled beside him toward the Warlord’s Bureau. It wasn’t long before the impressive government building appeared up ahead.

  “I came here the day after I met you,” Teo remarked. “I had to report how the outsiders attacked us at the bluff in the river bend.”

  “I remember. You said you had documents to file.” Ana nudged him with a playful grin. “And a companion to see.”

  Teo tsked. “I meant Maurice, you know.”

  “I know that now. Back then it wasn’t so clear.”

  “Did it bother you?”

  Ana cocked her head and chewed her lip for a moment, then admitted, “A little.”

  Teo and Ana ascended the granite steps to the main door of the Warlord’s Bureau. The clerk inside waved them through, having been alerted to their coming. Teo had arranged with the Warlord to pay a special visit to one of the army’s prisoners.

  The steps down to the dungeon were steep and slippery. Teo supported Ana with one hand and grasped the railing with the other. The jailer at the bottom handed him a key. “Fourth door on the left,” he said.

  The cell was dim as Teo unlocked the door and peered inside. He could see no one, so he stepped through the low portal to let his eyes adjust. Ana followed close behind.

  “Who are you?” growled a voice from a shadowy corner.

  “You know who I am,” Teo replied as he stepped into a shaft of light, “but there’s more that needs to be said.”

  A slender young man with dark hair was chained to the wall. He looked drawn and tired, though he hadn’t been abused. “Why are you here, Captain Teofil? To gloat? Rub it in? Fine! Do your best. I don’t care.”

  Teo squatted at the man’s side. “I would never do that.”

  “What do you want then?”

  “I want your friendship, Piair.”

  “Friendship?” The disgraced king scoffed and waved his hand. “That’s going to be a little difficult, I think. We’ve been enemies since the day your foreign god drew Astrebril’s wrath upon my father and sister.”

  Ana came and knelt beside Teo. “That’s not what happened. The High Priestess rigged it to make it seem like a divine act. She had discovered a powder that would explode when ignited. Those deaths weren’t the act of any god. It was treachery and propaganda.”

  Piair remained silent for a long time. Even in the gloom Teo could see his jaw clenching and unclenching as he wrestled with his thoughts.

  “You know it’s true,” Teo said, trying to nudge Piair off the emotional fence. “She was a master of underworld tricks. She would kill anyone to preserve her power. Free your mind from her grip.”

  “Easier said than done,” Piair muttered bitterly.

  “Important to do nonetheless,” Teo replied.

  Anger flared on the young man’s face, though Teo sensed despair behind the rage. “What good will it do me? I’m a reject—a failure of a king!”

  “Deu can turn failure into victory, brother.”

  Piair glanced sharply at Teo but did not speak.

  “That’s right,” Teo said, “I used the word brother. Perhaps you think that sounds strange. I thought it was strange too when I discovered a secret about my family not long ago.” Piair looked interested, so Teo went on. “I was raised as an orphan near Toon. But I’ve just learned that my father was the esteemed Professor Maurice. And I think you’ll be even more surprised to hear who my mother is.”

  Piair’s eyes narrowed. “Tell me.”

  “She is the Queen Mother Katerina. You and I are half brothers, and I am destined to inherit the throne of Chiveis.”

  Recoiling, Piair glanced between Teo and Ana to determine whether this was some kind of cruel joke. When he saw it wasn’t, he scooted back into the shadows with his forearm shielding his body. “Why are you telling me this?” he cried. “What’s going to happen to me? Am I destined for the executioner?”

  “Not at all. I’ve thought of an even worse fate for you.” Teo smiled gently. “I have decided to restore you as king.”

  The dungeon fell silent. Its three occupants stared back and forth, each waiting for someone else to speak. Finally Ana reached out and patted Piair’s hand. “Your Majesty, you have been given the gift of a second chance. Teofil is offering you a full pardon. You can start over as an innocent man.”

  “No,” Piair whispered. “It’s not possible. No one does that.”

  Teo leaned forward and met his half brother’s eyes. “There is one who does—Deu, the creator of heaven and earth.”

  “But why would he do that for me?”

  “Because that’s the sort of God he is. He brings life out of death. He gives mercy where it isn’t deserved. He grants forgiveness to the repentant sinner. I’ve received such grace, and now I offer it to you. I have no interest in being king of Chiveis! But, Piair, I truly believe you can become a great ruler like your father before you.”

  The young man sucked in his breath at Teo’s words. “You . . . you think so?”

  “I do. The opportunity lies before you to become a righteous king who does justice and brings blessing to his land. You can achieve this if you’ll sever your ties
to the wicked gods and bow to the Eternal One.”

  “Tch! It’ll never happen, Teofil. By now Deu’s price for my loyalty will be far more than I can pay.”

  Teo shook his head. “Christianism doesn’t work like the priestess’s religion. Deu’s affections don’t have to be bought with a bribe. He sent his Son from heaven to proclaim his love for the world. Though evil men killed him, he overcame the grave. Whoever believes in him will receive eternal life.”

  “Deu has a son?”

  “Yes, Your Majesty,” Ana said. “His name is Iesus Christus, and he is the helper of kings. Let me show you.”

  She turned and rummaged through Teo’s rucksack. Withdrawing the Versio Secunda Chiveisorum, she opened its silver-embossed cover. “Teofil and I have brought you a gift from the Beyond. Listen to what Deu says in his second Hymn.” Ana cradled the Sacred Writing in her arm and flipped a few pages until she found the passage she intended to read: “‘And now, you kings, conduct yourselves with wisdom! Receive instruction, you judges of the earth! Serve the Eternal One with fear. Rejoice in him with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry and you perish along your way; for his anger is quick to blaze up. But blessed are all those who trust in him.’”

  Ana raised her eyes from the text. “See? Deu will judge evil, yet he stands ready to bless those who come to him.”

  Piair ran his fingers through his tangled hair. “But I spurned him so long! Surely it’s too late for someone like me.”

  “You can come to Deu at any time,” Teo replied. “Our sister did.”

  “You mean . . . Habiloho?”

  “Yes. Just before she died she embraced the Creator God. Her final wish was that you do the same.”

  “Habiloho thought of me?” Piair asked, awed.

  Teo nodded. “I was with her as she lay dying. She wanted you to know how much she loved you. She said you should reject Astrebril and bring Deu to Chiveis.”

  “Take up your throne again,” Ana urged, “but this time rule according to the Sacred Writing. Instead of by the sword, let it be by the Word that Chiveis lives.”

  Closing the Secunda, Ana offered it to Piair. He took it in two hands and stared at its ornate cover. The silver tracery glinted in the light from the dungeon’s sole window. Warring emotions battled across the young man’s face, reflecting the turbulence within his soul. He remained silent for a long time as he gripped the precious book, yet when he finally spoke it was with conviction. “Very well,” he said. “I shall follow Deu as my God. And this book will become an heirloom of my family forever.” Piair glanced up at Teo. “I mean . . . our family.”

  “Then I think you will also need this, Your Highness.” Teo reached into his rucksack and removed Shaphan’s wooden box. After unfastening the clasp, he lifted out a golden object: the royal crown of Chiveis, restored to its original perfection.

  Piair gasped at the sight. “That can’t be the same one! I thought I destroyed it!”

  “You did. But we know someone who fixes broken things.”

  Teo held out the crown in his fingers. Piair lowered his head. As Teo laid the circlet on his brow, the young king choked back a sob. “Th-thank you,” was all he could manage.

  “It looks good on you,” Teo said, then squeezed Piair’s shoulder and grinned. “Just take better care of it next time, okay?” The young king looked up and met Teo’s eyes, nodding gratefully through his tears.

  “What can I do for you?” he asked. “If I’m to be the king again, you shall rule with me! You can be governor of whatever territory you wish. No, even better! The Warlord is about to retire. You shall take his place, Teofil!”

  Teo shook his head. “Rulership is best left to those with the right skills. I’m not called to be a politician. However, I do have one request.”

  “Name it, and it shall be done.”

  “Let Chiveis build a new city at the bend in the Farm River. According to the maps of the Ancients, a city once stood there called Bern. Now let New Bern rise in its place. It will be our point of contact with the Jinevans. Those people are prosperous. We could trade with them. Many of them have become Christiani, though I think their mayor still has a lot to learn about the actual practice of the faith. Let’s join with them and help them. We can build roads and river ports between our two kingdoms.”

  “An excellent idea! And I shall name you mayor of New Bern!”

  “No, I have something else in mind.” Teo turned toward Ana. “How about if you tell him?”

  Ana’s face lit up as she addressed Piair. “We’d like to build a temple of Deu at New Bern, using the sacred architecture we’ve seen in the Beyond. It would have pointed arches that uplift the soul and colored glass to admit the light of heaven. We know the perfect place for it—a bluff above the river bend, with the peaks of Chiveis in the distance.”

  “And I’d like to be the shepherd of Deu’s flock at the temple,” Teo added, “if you’re willing to allow it.”

  “Willing?” Piair exclaimed. “Of course!” He paused, cocking his head. “But is that really all you want?”

  Teo reached over and grasped Ana’s hand, then faced the young king and nodded. “Yes, my lord. To open the Sacred Writing before the people of Deu is the highest calling I can imagine.”

  The sunshine filtering through the leafy canopy reminded Teo of the light in an ancient basilica. Towering beech trees served as the imaginary building’s pillars, while their intertwined branches formed a shimmering green roof over the natural hall. Lines had been staked out to mark the walls of the future temple, and a cornerstone had been laid at their juncture. Everything about the setting atop the bluff in the river bend was delightful. The day was pleasantly cool and calm. The sky was dotted with puffy white clouds. A songbird chirped happily nearby. It was Midsummer’s Day in Chiveis—the perfect day to marry the most beautiful woman in the realm.

  Teo stood beneath an arbor draped with white roses and greenery. He clasped his hands behind his back as he waited next to Marco, Shaphan, and Brother Thomas. Though the men were dressed in expensive new tunics, Teo wore the dress uniform of the Royal Guard: a high-collared blue jacket with red piping and brass buttons, dark trousers, and smart black boots. Behind a cloth-covered altar, the Papa faced the spectators seated on benches in the forest clearing. Sol stood ready to translate the Papa’s words from Talyano into the Chiveisian speech.

  Marco leaned over and spoke to Teo out of the corner of his mouth. “You sure you don’t want to back out, amico?”

  “Are you kidding?” Teo whispered back. “I’ve been waiting for this day for three years.” The reply drew a chuckle from the dark-haired seafarer.

  Off to the side of the clearing a young woman began to play a harpsichord, accompanied by another woman on a flute. As the elegant, lilting canon filled the forest cathedral, Vanita Labella appeared from behind a curtain at the rear of the seating area. She carried a lovely bouquet of wildflowers, and her glamorous updo was held in place with a jeweled pin. Wearing a strapless pale-green gown, she glided down the center aisle toward the waiting groomsmen. As she reached the front and started to turn, she flashed Teo a brilliant smile and a wink. Teo couldn’t help but grin back at the saucy aristocrat who had become Ana’s best friend. Vanita was followed down the aisle by Ana’s cousin Lina and her aunt Rosetta, both of whom wore the same green gowns. When the bridesmaids had reached their appointed positions, the two musicians ended their song with a flourish.

  Now a hush settled on the crowd as the notes drifted away into the trees. Teo stared at the curtain at the far end of the aisle, hardly able to breathe. His heart hammered, and his knees felt weak. Every head turned in anticipation. Then, as the harpsichordist began to play a triumphant wedding march, the curtain parted, and Teo beheld his bride.

  She wore a white linen gown with lace at the sleeves. The V-necked dress was fitted through the body, creating an hourglass shape that flared below the knee. A string of jewels adorned her throat, and pearl drop earrings dangled
from her ears. Ana’s honey-blonde hair had been styled so that a golden braid encircled her head like a tiara, interwoven with the delicate white blossoms of ehdelveis that also graced her bouquet. As her father escorted her down the aisle, she fixed her eyes on Teo and smiled demurely, her lips forming the shape of a heart. Not once did she break off her intense gaze. Teo blinked moisture from his eyes and exhaled the breath he had been holding. After all the dangers, all the trials, all the fears—at last he and Ana would be together forever.

  The wedding march crescendoed as Ana reached the altar. Releasing her father’s arm, she kissed him on the cheek, then took her place at Teo’s side. The couple turned to face the Papa, who lifted his eyes and spoke over their heads to the watching audience. “Relinquet homo patrem suum et matrem,” he intoned, “et adherebit uxori suae, et erunt duo in carne una.” Sol translated the Old Words into Chiveisian for the benefit of the crowd: “A man shall relinquish his father and mother and adhere to his wife, and the two shall be in one flesh.”

  The wedding ceremony was simple and succinct. The Papa offered a brief meditation on the importance of marriage in the plan of Deu, then took the couple through the sacrament of holy matrimony. At the appointed time for the vows, the leader of the Universal Communion asked Ana if she received Teofil as her lawfully wedded husband.

  “I do,” she said, staring at Teo with her blue-green eyes. He gazed back, exquisitely aware of the adoration bursting from his bride.

  “And do you, Captain Teofil, now take this woman as your beloved and cherished wife?” the Papa asked.

  “I do,” Teo replied.

  “What pledge do you give of your perpetual fidelity?”

  “This ring.”

  Teo brought out the ring he had asked Shaphan to make. Its diamond was a gift from Count Federco Borromo, and its gold band was inlaid with a silver metal. Ana glanced up at Teo from beneath her eyelashes when she saw it.

  “It’s beautiful,” she whispered.