“Yes,” the servant replied, “he is nowhere.”
Now Raven was worried. Had his father found out how to open the secret passage and then went down to the stables and escaped without notice? He did not think so, but he would check.
“Go to the stables and check to see if any more than two horses are missing, especially the king’s horse,” Raven said to the servant.
He bowed and left Raven to ponder what had happened to the king. His father was out of character of late, but Raven could not conceive him fleeing his kingdom. That would not make sense, but Raven was no longer sure. The servant returned shortly and stated that no other horses were missing.
Then Raven asked him again, “Are you sure you have checked all the rooms in the castle?”
“Yes,” the servant repeated, “except the king’s council chamber.”
The door was locked as it usually was, and no one answered when they knocked.
“Thank you,” Raven told the servant, “I will find the king.”
As Raven rose, he knew where the king was. The council chamber was the only room in the castle that only the king could lock, for only he had a key to it and often left it locked so no one would enter when he wanted to be alone.
Back in his room, Raven opened the secret passage and entered. He would go to the king’s council chamber the way he had last night. The king could not lock himself away from the confrontation. Raven would make him face the dukes. This had to be done. When Raven reached the council chamber, he opened the door from the secret passage and entered. The king was sitting at his table as Raven expected. As he began to say something to the king he realized that something was wrong. He went over quickly and knew the king was dead. On the floor was a spilled cup. Raven picked it up and smelled it. He knew it was poison, the kind that stops the heart with one drink. He could smell its bitterness.
On the desk was a note from the king written to him. Raven picked it up and read:
To Raven, the only son I have left. I cannot face the dukes nor can I bear them knowing I caused the war we fought with the blood of our loved ones. But most of all, I cannot face you any longer. After you left I began to think, if I was wrong about the Crestlaw’s treason as you believe I am, then what I have done is worthy of death. Because of my pride, I would not listen to you before, but you finally made me listen under the threat of the called council. I have decided to join Edward. I pray he forgives me for causing his death. And to you, I ask forgiveness as well. I know in these past few months we have parted ways but I never stopped loving you. You will make a good king, Raven, for you trust the people. Somewhere I lost that. I do not know when or how, but I have fallen too far away to return. Take care of Lorriel, the light of my life. Let her be happy if she truly loves Andrew and wants to be with him. If you have not told the dukes of my treason, please do not for the sake of our family honor.
Your father,Mollen Kallestor
Raven folded the note and placed it in his pocket as tears poured down his face.
“Oh, Father,” Raven said aloud, “only at the last did you understand.”
At that moment he decided not to tell the dukes. The truth could die with his father. It would do no good to bring it up now. The king could do no more harm. Raven picked up the goblet and tossed it into the secret passage so no one would find it and sense the king was poisoned. He closed the passage and found the key on the table to the council chamber. His father had planned that only Raven would come here. That is why he had locked the door. He knew Raven would come through the passage. Raven opened the door and went to find the servants. He then informed them that the king had suffered a heart attack and to begin to prepare the body for burial. Upon this announcement, he could hear soft crying and weeping from the servants. They loved their king, for he had been good to them. He went out on the porch for some fresh air and to wait for Lorriel to arrive.
Duke Crestlaw was the first to arrive since his castle was the closest. Raven was glad to see Sauron riding in with Jerddin and Lorriel. It meant he had dealt with the assassin and everything was fine. Raven went down to meet them in the courtyard and Lorriel hugged him, knowing that everyone was safe. Raven did not want to tell Lorriel there in the others’ presence what happened to their father so he asked her to go to her room and wait for him there.
Sauron had some saddle bags in his hand and said to Raven, “I must speak with you privately right away.”
Raven nodded and led Sauron to a private room where they could speak.
Once the door was shut, Sauron dropped the gold at Raven’s feet and said, “This payment for the assassination was found on Allterus’ horse. Only one person in the kingdom has this much gold.”
Raven nodded and said plainly, “The king is dead.” He then handed Sauron the letter his father had written him. Raven had given him the letter because Sauron now knew who was responsible for the attempt on the life of his son. After Sauron finished reading the letter, he handed it back to Raven with tears in his eyes.
“Be it far from us, Prince Raven, to even entertain the thought of treason. We love your family and have sworn...”
Raven interrupted him, “I know, Sauron, I have seen the action that bespeaks your heart. But what I ask is, can you ever forgive our family for what has been done?”
Sauron grasped Raven in a steel tight grip with his hands on both shoulders saying, “You are not your father and I would never hold a man accountable for another’s sins. That oath of loyalty to your family we swore long ago, we swore to ourselves. It is not based on the condition or actions of another. I, too, have seen a heart, one who put himself in jeopardy for my son’s love of his sister, who saved my son from a knife at his heart, and who risked his life to save the whole kingdom in battle. Our family’s love for the Kallestors has and will not change if you will receive that love.”
With that Sauron threw his arms around Raven and hugged him, understanding what burdens the young man had been carrying on his shoulders, and Raven let the embrace take him in his grief to cry on Sauron’s shoulders as he had longed to on his own father’s but could not.
When Raven parted from Sauron, Sauron spoke again, “I do not think the rest of the dukes should know. It will bring no profit now. Let the king be honored in his burial. What did you tell the servants concerning the king’s death?”
“I told them,” Raven said, “that the king had a heart attack, which is the truth, for the poison he took stops the heart.”
Sauron nodded in approval, “The truth being known by others would only hurt you, and you have been hurt enough. Let me convene the council and we will focus on the king’s death and nothing more.”
Raven nodded and walked over and picked up the gold. He took one saddlebag and gave it to Sauron.
Sauron tried to refuse but Raven said, “This is a pledge between us that I will love your family as much as you love ours. Besides, in a short time you will need some of this gold.”
Sauron had a puzzled look on his face and Raven smiled and said, “There is a wedding coming up and you will need this for extra expenses.”
Now Sauron smiled and said. “As you wish, Prince Raven.”
“I must go now,” Raven said, taking the other bag. “Lorriel needs to know what has happened.”
Raven knocked at Lorriel’s door and she bid him enter. She had a fearful look in her eye as Raven entered.
How, he thought, can I tell her more tragic news?
She read this look and asked point blank, “Has something happened to Andrew?”
Raven was caught off guard by this but recovered and sat down on her bed.
“Lorriel, Father has passed away. His heart gave out. I am so sorry.”
Lorriel began to cry, for she loved her father dearly. Raven just held her awhile until her crying eased.
“I must go, Lorriel, and make preparations, for the rest of the dukes will arrive shortly.”
With that, Lorriel asked,
“Why did you call the dukes, Raven?”
“It was because of Father,” Raven replied. “They will now honor him as a king should be honored at his burial.”
With that, he left and called one of the maids to wait on Lorriel, and then he went to the courtyard.
When Duke Prescott and Andrew arrived, Raven was glad to see that Rebekka had come as well.
“What is so pressing that you have called this council?” Duke Prescott asked.
“The king has died,” Raven said solemnly. “We shall have his burial as soon as the rest are here, then a council will follow.” Andrew looked shocked and then a look of concern fell across his face. Rebekka likewise looked dismayed as she dismounted and ran to Raven.
Before Raven did anything else, he spoke to Bandon Prescott, “There is refreshment in the great hall, so please rest a little before the others arrive.”
When Bandon left to go to the great hall, Andrew came over to Raven and asked, “Is Father here?”
“Yes,” Raven said calmly, “everything has been taken care of as planned. He is in the great hall. Please go join him. I will send Rebekka shortly to retrieve Lorriel and bring her to you. She will be comforted by your presence.”
Andrew nodded, and before he went, he put a hand on Raven’s shoulder and said, “I am sorry, Raven.”
He then headed for the hall leaving Rebekka and Raven alone standing in the court.
“Come,” Raven said to her, as they walked toward the castle garden. Neither of them said anything for awhile. They just stood there hand in hand.
Finally Rebekka spoke, “I am sorry, Raven. There has been so much sadness for you these past months. I almost feel like the joy will never return.” Rebekka looked into the eyes of Raven, a sense of pleading in them, “Do you think it ever will return?”
Raven, sighing a little said, “Nothing can ever be the same again. Too much has been lost. But yes, I think the joy will return, maybe soon. I think Lorriel would like to see you. She’s in her room.” Rebekka looked at Raven in such a way that he said again, “It’s all right. Go, I will be fine.”
Rebekka then hurried to Lorriel’s room and again thought of all Raven had to bear. He deserved a better fate than this. Raven stayed awhile in the garden thinking about what would take place after this, and he decided he would do what no one expected.
The funeral was as an occasion of great sadness, for many viewed Mollen as a great king. The dukes and their sons, along with Master Fields who came with the Zandels when he heard of the summons, stood round the grave as Mollen was lowered down. Their respect was seen and admired by Raven as they stood at full attention. When at last he was lowered fully, they all together began to fill the grave as Raven watched.
“How sad,” Raven thought, “father had the respect of all his dukes. They would have followed him anywhere. He just did not know it.”
When the task was done, they saluted and left the family alone at the grave to say goodbye. It was harder on Lorriel than Raven, for he had parted with his father in the letter his father had written to him, and he had peace because his father finally realized his error. Lorriel, on the other hand, had to deal with this second loss so quickly. At last she was ready to leave and placed a single white rose on her father’s grave before she left.
Raven thought of death then and wondered, when my time comes, will Lorriel place a single white rose on my grave? I hope it will be so...
The council met shortly after Raven returned to the great hall. Rebekka and Lorriel stayed together as Sauron gathered the dukes and their sons, along with Master Fields, to the king’s council chamber. Raven did not know what to do for he had in mind a very different meeting before his father died. Now what would they do for the meeting?
Sauron Crestlaw took over the meeting to Raven’s great relief and looking on the others said, “We must do what needs to be done. The land needs a king.”
Good, Raven thought, they will once again choose a king from among them who will be the leader they want.
“It is not good the land abide long without one, so I advise that in five days hence we have a coronation.”
There was hearty agreement from the rest of the council on the quick date.
“You will all inform the people of your dukeships of this great day,” encouraged Sauron.
Raven started to suggest a course of action, a vote to be taken on who was to be king when Sauron continued, “It is settled then, five days hence we will have Raven’s coronation.”
They all agreed and the meeting was over before a shocked Raven could say anything. Before he knew it, they had all filed out and Raven was left standing alone except for Master Fields.
When Master Fields had shut the door he turned to Raven, “What happened while I was gone?”
Raven told him of the assassin and then handed him the note. Master Fields read the note and then walked over to a nearby candle and lit it on fire.
After it was burned, he came over to Raven, “You can not blame yourself. You did what you had to. Does anyone else know of this?”
Raven nodded, “Sauron Crestlaw figured it out, for he found too much gold in the bags of the assassin not to know it was the king. I let him read the letter, and he is the one who suggested that no one else needed to know since the king had died.”
“An honorable man,” Master Fields remarked, “willing to let it go instead of seeking to dishonor the king’s name.”
Raven nodded, and whispered ever so softly, “They are more honorable than us.”
They left the council room and joined the others for refreshment, and soon everyone was leaving to head back to prepare to return in five days.
Rebekka looked at Raven with a little sadness and said, “We have to go back, but I will see you soon, on the day you become king.”
Raven did not say anything, but smiled and hugged her goodbye.
As the Crestlaws readied to depart, Raven walked over to Sauron and looking him in the eye took his hand firmly and said, “Thank you.”
Sauron knew all that Raven meant and merely smiled.
Andrew and Lorriel were standing there, neither one of them wanting to say goodbye so Raven spoke to Sauron, “If you please, Sauron, I would be most grateful if you would allow Andrew to stay the night and rest. There has been so much traveling of late and my sister and I could use the company.”
Sauron nodded and smiled, pleased with the request, “I shall see you at home,” Sauron said to Andrew, and started off.
After the guests left, Raven sat in the great hall and watched Lorriel and Andrew.
Yes, Rebekka, he thought, the joy is returning, and Lorriel and Andrew will be the ones to bring it.
Chapter 9
A True King
“What is a king, save one who interceedeth and serveth the subjects under him; and how be it they are under him? Not by force or constraint, but of a willing heart they do but serve a good king.”
--Chronicles of the Ancients
Glenfair was saddened by the death of the king, but at the same time rejoiced at the coronation of a new one. Word spread quickly of the great event, and soon everyone was in preparation. All the preparations and food were provided by the dukes in honor of the new king.
So the future king did not have any worries at all. At least he was not supposed to, but Raven did. He wrestled with the dukes being so hasty to make him king. What only a few knew was that Raven felt very unworthy to be king because of what his father had done to the kingdom. He decided to stay with the original plan he wanted to implement during the called council days earlier. He would do what no one expected, but he knew it was the right thing to do. He also decided that after he took care of the coronation, he and Sauron would set a date for the wedding of Lorriel and Andrew. Things had been delayed long enough. Events beyond their control kept pushing the inevitable back farther and farther, and he knew it was hard for Andrew and Lorriel to have to keep waiting because
of different crises in the kingdom. He decided there would be no more delays for them. The reason Raven felt so strongly about this was because of the joy that emanated from the couple when they were together. No joy such as this should be postponed any longer. Raven knew a union like theirs would bring happiness to many others they touched, and Raven could use a little happiness in his life about now. Do not misunderstand, Raven’s love for Rebekka was deep and unchanging, but he did not know how that would stand after what he planned to do during the coronation. He would have to wait and see if she still wanted him after that, for his personal happiness came second to the needs of the whole kingdom.
The morning of the coronation came quickly, too fast for Raven. He dressed in his finest royal clothes: red tunic with the yellow family crest, similar to what he wore to the battle. Only this had gold embroidery around the borders. He girded on his family’s ancient sword and headed down to the great hall to join up with Lorriel.
She met him with a bounce and smile and as she hugged him she whispered, “I am so proud of you, and you look very kingly this morning.”
Other guests had arrived the night before and were already busy putting up decorations in the courtyard below and the balcony where the whole coronation would take place. Raven was still nervous and fretting, knowing the coronation would not be until after lunch. He kept pacing and going out on the balcony until Lorriel came and grabbed him and sat him down in the great hall, making him eat some breakfast.
As he waited impatiently in the great hall, the Crestlaws arrived. Andrew came up to him and gave him a hearty hug and remarked at how well he looked. Andrew looked pretty good himself, all dressed up in his best official military uniform. They sat down at a table and began to converse with Lorriel and visit about things of the kingdom. It was at this time Lorriel related the story about the merchant, Kemper, who had tried everything he could think of to get her to look into the jewelry box Andrew had sent her. They all got a good laugh out of the story and it also made Lorriel blush for she cherished the jewelry box above anything else on her dresser for its significance. Raven caught the look in each of their eyes and smiled. Just then, Rebekka Prescott came up to them having arrived for the day. She looked radiant, more beautiful than Raven had ever seen her. She was wearing a blue dress that reminded Raven of the color of the jewel in the pendant behind his crest in the weapons’ room. She sat down by Andrew, not Raven, and leaned over and whispered something in his ear, Andrew nodded and grabbed Lorriel’s hand and stood.
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