by D. R. Grady
That name still filled him with a smidgen of pride. To have an entire nation named after him was amazing.
Stefana padded toward him. “I’m ready.”
“We can eat and then we probably need to be on our way.” They only had the bare essentials in this room for now, because most everything had already been packed in the transports.
They left their rooms and headed for the smaller dining chamber. No one else was about when they entered, but Vidar, Raene, and Stefana’s parents soon joined them. “I can’t believe how early you’re leaving.” Raene stated this the moment she spotted Stefana.
As though reading the intent behind Raene’s words, Stefana glided into Raene’s embrace. “I’m going to miss you so much.”
The two women hugged long and fiercely but Ari’s arrival caused a distraction. Eduard and then Rialta also joined them.
Eduard intended to leave that morning as well to return to his own nation. His sister would obviously remain.
“We need to eat.” Stella’s decree was met with compliance as they all filled plates and poured beverages and soon sat to consume what they’d selected. The room remained silent as they ate their fill.
Who knew when their next meal would come?
By the time the meal concluded, Lajos noted the knot of tension forming in Stefana. He eased her against him for a quick hug and a kiss.
It didn’t dissipate all her nervousness, but enough and he was content with his efforts. Kissing Stefana had already become a favorite pastime.
He led them outside to the courtyard where Fricassa and Aern had just arrived. He patted Fricassa, his faithful companion for so many years. Aern’s gaze swept over all of them.
“Let’s go.” Lajos waited until Stefana finished hugging Raene again, more aware than ever before what he asked of her. Raene hugged Stella and Henry. They would leave soon in the transports bound for Swiftland.
Swinging Stefana onto Aern required little strength on his part. He made certain Ari alighted on Fricassa and then climbed behind his wife. Nestling her against him, he wrapped both arms around her, fitting her into his body. And she did fit. As though made for him. Stefana was a marvel.
They waved as the two dragons took to the skies. Wings beating, they soared into the clouds. He breathed in the fresh air, but more so the scent of Stefana’s hair and body. This woman would be recognizable to him in a dark, crowded room. He’d be able to locate her in a dank cave.
She shivered a little, so he engulfed her with heat. “Thank you.”
He kissed her head and smiled, content with their current surroundings.
Before they were probably ready, the dragons crossed the border between Montequirst and Swiftland.
He didn’t need Stefana’s indrawn breath to confirm what he also saw.
The border between the two nations was so extreme it made his belly jerk.
Where Montequirst was abundant with the buds and signs of life that awaken in the spring, Swiftland remained dead and decayed. They had passed over fields already showing signs of cultivating in Montequirst and homes kept in good repair.
In Swiftland, it proved difficult to even ascertain where the fields might be. Tiny plots behind leaning shacks were the only testament to there even being vegetation. Huge patches of black pierced the land, where perhaps lightning had struck, or someone had been careless with a fire.
He swallowed the rising bile as they passed over this same scenario with extreme regularity. Few signs of people showed, despite the lengthening morning hour.
“Where is the livestock?” Stefana’s horrified whisper furthered his own unease.
Another unpleasant observation. They saw no animals as they flew over the depressing scenery below them. He hadn’t spotted a cow, horse, or sheep since they left Montequirst.
His arms tightened around Stefana as they hurtled closer to the heart of Swiftland.
When the palace came into view, Stefana’s cry of denial echoed his own.
The utter splendor of the palace was a kick to the face after the despair and extreme poverty of the rest of the nation.
“Aern, can you fly us in a circle around the palace, please?” Lajos asked the dragon, horrified at the abject hopelessness that permeated every part of this nation.
“Of course.” Aern complied and Fricassa followed him, so they took in the large picture of a nation so near death, he couldn’t say for certain whether it could be revived.
“Oh yes, we will revive it.” Stefana’s grim answer to his thought made his heart flutter. “The first thing we’re doing is selling those expensive pavers, and anything else of value. Then we’re investing in decent homes, gardens, and livestock for the people. We’re going to unearth every possible means to make this nation profitable again.”
A grove caught his eye. “Aern, can we fly to the right? Over that grove.”
Stefana’s surprised gasp made him tighten his hold on her. “Those are coffee bean trees.”
“Your father told me this land used to produce some of the finest in the region.”
“They did. Not even all that long ago. Their beans brought the best prices.”
“We will locate someone who knows about coffee production and have them try to save these trees and any others.”
“That will provide jobs.”
“Yes.” He had read up on Ostard Land in snatches throughout the day yesterday. This country had been as prosperous as Montequirst sixty years ago. It hadn’t taken long for it to decline.
“It’s time to land, Aern.” He hated to end this tour, but they could take additional ones as required.
Right now, they needed to figure out what they faced.
He helped Stefana alight off Aern and then, sword at the ready, met the delegation who exited the palace.
Chapter 12
With Lajos’ hand hovering over his sword like that, she wasn’t certain what to expect.
When the doors thrust open to the palace, Stefana waited between Lajos and Ari as the people filtered onto the expensive pavers. They had dressed in courtly apparel, but all their garments had seen better days.
Each item revealed faded colors and fraying hems. The people who wore them didn’t appear to have aged much better. Lines that probably shouldn’t be present this soon etched around the mouths and eyes, and even some foreheads of the people leaving the building.
“Your Majesties,” one middle-aged man intoned as he bowed. The other men in the congregation followed while the women all dipped into deep curtsies.
Years of court life with this sort of behavior had trained Stefana on what to do. “Can you please tell us your names?”
“I am Fitzgerald.” The first man said, thumping his thin chest with a fist. “This is my wife Agatha.” He tugged a woman of a similar age forward. Her sunshine yellow court dress had been the epitome of fashion five to eight years ago. It hung on her, as though several sizes too large.
Her smile showed evidence of strain.
“I am Stefana.”
“It is nice to meet you, Queen Stefana.” The woman had evidently been a part of courtly behavior for many years as well.
“I am Cavendish. This is my wife Eloise.” This couple were even older and thinner than the first. The woman’s gown hem was ragged while her husband’s white shirt showed more yellow than white.
A younger couple stepped forward. “I am Fairfax. This is my wife Juliet.”
These six individuals made up the party. Their different names indicated they probably did not share genetics.
“This is Lajos the Swift. Aasguard warrior. And now the King of Swiftland.”
Their new court all bowed and curtsied again.
“Our first official task was to change the name of this nation.” Lajos spoke like the Aasguard warrior, or in this case, the king, he was.
The oldest man’s head snapped up. What might be hope dawned in his cataract glazed eyes. “A new name?”
“Yes. My wife declared this land is now
to be called Swiftland. A new name for a new nation.” Again, firmness and confidence intertwined Lajos’ answer. It appeared to have a bracing effect on the bedraggled group.
“This is my sister, Ari the Noble.” Lajos indicated her. “The large black dragon is Aern. The smaller dragon is Fricassa, my companion of many years, and now mate to Aern.” She nuzzled him and Lajos stroked her fine head with affection.
“My parents are coming in transports with our things. There is much to do, and my father is brilliant with finances. My mother is the most organized person I know.” Stefana shook out her dress/pants, aware of the envy of the three women observing her.
“You plan to live here?” The youngest man sounded as though he didn’t dare to hope.
Lajos withdrew his sword. He touched it to both of the man’s shoulders, and then repeated this with the middle-aged man, and the oldest. “I, Lajos the Swift, King of Swiftland, solemnly swear to you, in the hearing of my witness, my queen and wife, Stefana the Swift, that we will not only make this country well again, we will make it prosper.”
He held the mighty sword aloft, and the sun glinted on it, sending a dazzling beacon across the pathetic landscape. It drew others to come and see.
They saw a mighty warrior, a man in his prime, yet far older than all of them, with rippling muscles and a matching brain. They witnessed their beacon of hope.
Lajos the Swift was their only hope. A shout went up from those assembled as they looked upon their new king. “Long live the king,” one of the participants shouted.
“Long live the king.” Many others joined as they bowed to a man who had not signed up to be king. But who was born of them.
This man was worthy of saving this dying nation.
Lajos drew her into the circle of one arm, and standing with him, his sister, and the two dragons, hope surged from them into a people who were in dire need of the sentiment.
“I pledge my sword to this nation.”
There couldn’t have been a greater promise made to these downtrodden people. As sorry their state, they should have heard of an Aasguard warrior.
Lajos’ mighty sword would be their symbol of hope, as much as the man himself.
“That’s going on our crest.” She murmured only to him.
His arm tightened as he dropped a kiss on her head.
This gesture, of affection from their king to their queen, also sent positive feedback through the people.
With this size crowd, an idea popped into Stefana’s head. “Is there a coffee grower, or coffee bean expert here?”
Silence descended on the assembly before all eyes turned toward a man halfway back. He was aged, and stooped, but his green eyes were bright.
“Aye, I know a thing or two about coffee.”
“Your king has developed a taste for Montequirst coffee beans. He was rather excited to learn there are coffee trees, here, in Swiftland.”
The man spat on the ground. “Montequirst coffee beans are all right. Ours are . . .” Then his gaze dropped. “Ours used to be better.”
“What is your name?” Lajos asked softly.
“Josiah, your majesty.”
“Josiah, what do you need to make our beans the best again?”
The old man’s eyes snapped back to Lajos. He rattled off a few things.
Lajos conferred with the six who had initially greeted them. “Do we have those things?”
“Not now,” Fairfax answered. “They were sold to raise funds for the previous king.”
“How long will it take to acquire them?”
“Your Majesty, we haven’t the funds to acquire them.” The oldest man, Cavendish, cleared his throat. Shuffling a little.
“My wife and I come to you as wealthy people. I have acquired a vast fortune during my years as a warrior.”
“I have inherited some money, and I have been the acting princess in Montequirst. My father is a financial genius. He has tripled my personal wealth several times over.” She smiled at those assembled. “He arrives this day in a transport with my mother. Together with us,” she indicated the warriors and dragons, “we will all make this nation great again. Ostard is dead. Now, Swiftland will rise and become the nation it was always meant to be.”
Exclamations and excitement radiated from the people.
“We have much to do. The first is that all of you need to register with us in the palace. We need to know your name and each family member’s name and age. Your occupation and interests. This way we should be able to provide housing for you as well as future employment.” Lajos sheathed his sword.
More stunned silence greeted them.
Stefana’s arm tightened around Lajos. “We understand many of you have lived at poverty levels. However, that does not have to be.”
“We have no food, no livestock.” One man’s weathered face reddened as though in great embarrassment.
Her heart went out to him.
“That is all about to change.” Stefana assured them. “We are great friends with Montequirst and Oxland. Both nations have vowed to aid us as we reestablish this land.”
“Why would they help us?” The woman who asked appeared dubious. And rightfully so. Her face was lined with hard times, and her patched and frayed dress had never seen a royal court. While clean, all these people showed signs of gauntness.
Not one of them appeared of robust health or weight.
This stiffened Stefana’s jaw and firmed her shoulders.
And would all change once the transports arrived.
“They understand your need here, and wish to help, of course.” She smiled. “Queen Raene of Montequirst is my best friend. King Vidar is Lajos’ brother. King Eduard of Oxland is a lifelong friend of mine and Raene.”
“We are family and close friends. We will do the same for them in times of need.” Lajos added this after the people still appeared skeptical.
No one pointed out that there would be no aiding other countries for a long time. These people had long ago given up. They had hunkered down to await death.
“With your new king and queen, this nation will once again prosper.” Ari spoke in the tones of an Aasguard.
Shoulders straightened and gazes sharpened.
Cavendish, the older man broke the silence. “Why don’t we show you the palace, Your Majesties?”
“That would be lovely, thank you.” Stefana gathered her skirts and followed the six court members into the palace. Lajos and Ari behind her.
This was her new home.
Her new life.
She swallowed her fear and stepped forward.
While she hadn’t gotten a great view of this space the last time she was here, on this occasion she did take her time. The foyer soared two or three stories high, with marble floors and what appeared to be valuable furniture. She met Agatha’s eyes. This lady reminded her of her mother.
“What can you tell us about the furniture and artwork?”
That lady started. Stefana placed a hand on her arm. “This country is in terrible condition. Yet this palace appears to be overflowing with wealth.”
“It is.” The younger woman, Juliet, answered. Her voice was strong and her shoulders straight.
Stefana thought she might form a friendship with her. “Please tell us as much as you know.”
“I was good friends with Queen Lalika.” Juliet didn’t try to hide her sorrow.
Stefana shut her eyes. When she opened them, she was certain her own sorrow showed. “I’m so sorry for your loss. We loved Lalika too.” She brushed tickling wisps off her forehead. “We also understand her life couldn’t have been easy.”
“Dying of blue fever was a blessing for her.”
“Yes.” They could say nothing more.
Juliet shook off her melancholy and pointed out a few beautiful pieces. “Several of these Lalika brought with her.” She pointed to some truly hideous artwork and furniture. “These the king bought to show to others that he was a man of wealth again.”
�
��A man of wealth pours his money into his subjects, not his own home when the people’s needs are this dire.” Lajos’ words carried a bite.
Not one of the people in the room flinched however. They all nodded. “We’ve always felt that should have been his course of action. When there is extra, then one may flaunt one’s wealth.” Cavendish spoke softly.
“Ostard did not care for the people of this nation. They were not important to him.” Fairfax spoke as though he’d more than a fleeting acquaintance with the man. The two men had likely grown up together.
“You have no kingdom if you have no people.” Stefana sighed inwardly. These poor people. Her eyes met Lajos’ and his hand engulfed hers. She was very grateful for his warmth and strength. Their first duty must be these people.
She turned to Juliet. “Are there servants?”
“Yes. A few are still left.”
“Can we call them here?”
Juliet crossed the foyer into the next space. She bypassed a hallway to enter a beautiful room. A rival to any in the Montequirst Castle, with the lovely light colors and delicate furniture. The paintings pleased her senses. “This was Lalika’s sitting room.”
“Yes. It’s one of the nicest rooms here.” Juliet tugged on a bellpull.
Moments later, a disheveled man appeared. “You called?”
“Hello Fitch. This is our new king and queen. King Lajos the Swift, Aasguard Warrior and his wife, Queen Stefana.”
The man bowed. But his air of desperation remained. “It is wonderful to meet you Fitch.” Stefana smiled at him. She sent waves of reassurance.
“My Queen.” He bowed again. As though not entirely certain how to act.
“Fitch, my husband and I are appalled at the wealth in this palace when there are people without who clearly haven’t enough to eat.”
Fitch straightened to his full height. “Your Majesty.”
“We would like to remove the pieces Ostard purchased and see about selling them. As we’ll need some furniture, we shall keep the pieces Queen Lalika brought with her. The remainder should hopefully bring a nice profit.” She dusted her hands as she glanced around the space.
