The King's Descendants

by Robin Simmons

  Andrew sighed, “My child, I did not tell you everything those years ago. Your mother knew ahead of time she would die early if she traveled so great a distance in time. None of us knew this until after we had already went back. No one knew the rest of us would age a little faster than normal as well, not even Andronicus.”

  Lucinda was silent for awhile, pondering what her father had told her. All those who had traveled in time had aged faster than normal. Her mother as the time shifter aged the most rapidly and had died first, followed by her aunt Rebekka and then her uncle, King Raven. Her father was the only one left who had made the great leap in time.

  “We had her for such a short time,” Lucinda finally said.

  “That is what I wanted to speak with you about Lucinda. There is the possibility that you may have your mother’s gift. You may be a time shifter as well.”

  Lucinda was stunned, “How could I have such a gift? Andronicus said it was so rare that less than one in a billion might possess it.”

  “True,” Andrew continued. “Nevertheless I want to prepare you if the gift should manifest itself. Your mother left instructions with me that I was to share with you. You are almost the same age she was when she first time traveled.”

  “How will I know if I have the gift father?”

  “That is what I want to share with you. Your mother said it would come upon you as an overpowering feeling that you can go to any place and time you choose. She said not to fight those feelings but to give in to them with control and purpose. She feared if you were to resist you could end up in some place and time you were not prepared for and be disoriented or lost. I do not understand this but she said a time shifter is compelled to travel in time at least once. If that urge comes upon you, pick a place and time you are very familiar with and then go. Never go where you are likely to see or confront yourself. And always return to the same time and place you started from. Do you understand all of this?”

  “Yes, Father, I do. But I think it is all unnecessary, I do not have the gift mother possessed. Besides, if those feelings come you will be there to guide me.”

  “That may not be true my daughter. I am the last of those who made the great leap in time. I do not believe I have many days left. Anyway, I promised your mother I would share these things with you. Let us now join the others in the great hall.”

  As they walked slowly toward the great hall, Lucinda asked; “What ever happened to the stones mother used to travel so far in time?”

  Andrew frowned as if searching for some forgotten memory. “They were destroyed after Rebekka returned to us. After Layton Teal’s death there was no need to use them again. King Raven disposed of them personally.”

  “If I have the gift, will I age quickly if I travel in time?”

  “Not enough to notice,” Andrew replied. “Without the stones you can only travel a few years at a time. That will not do you any great harm. One last thing, you should consult your brother, Edward, and Adriell before you shift time. Let their wisdom guide you in your journey.”

  At last they reached the great hall where Andrew sat down to rest and catch his breath. Jason watched his father move slowly across the great hall and knew his days were numbered. Instead of allowing sadness to engulf him, he instead rejoiced that his father was able to perform the coronation for Edward. This would be Andrew’s last great act of kindness and respect toward the Kallestors. The family bond between the Crestlaws and the Kallestors went back many centuries. But never was this stronger than in the friendship of his father and king Raven. With that thought still in his mind he went to his father to make sure he received the rest he needed to perform the coronation on the next day.

  Edward woke earlier than usual, just as it was getting light. He knew the reason for his early rising was the tension and excitement of his coronation. He dressed quickly and headed for the great hall to get something to drink. He would walk in the garden and think a little before others were up and around. He always knew he would be king, but doubted that anyone was ever prepared for such a task. His father, King Raven, had done all he could to educate and prepare Edward to succeed him. But Edward still felt ill prepared and inadequate to fill the position. How could he ever live up to his father’s reputation.

  Edward was just entering the great hall when he noticed someone sitting alone with his back to him. He wanted no company just yet and almost left when he noticed it was his uncle, Andrew Crestlaw. As Edward approached, Andrew greeted him without turning around.

  “How did you know it was me,” Edward asked as he sat down beside Andrew.

  Andrew smiled, “Who else would be up so early on the day of his coronation?”

  “Why are you here so early in the morning,” Edward asked.

  Edward watched as Andrew stared blankly, as if he was off in some far away place. The suddenly he came back to the present and smiled at Edward.

  “When you are old, you seem to wake early in the morning, even though your bones could use some more rest. So I came here to wait for you. There is something I would speak with you about before the coronation.”

  “Please speak my dear uncle, for any wisdom you can impart to me this day of all days would be greatly appreciated.”

  Andrew chuckled, “I can add nothing to your preparation for being king that your father has not already given you. You already know what is needed for you to be a great king like your father, and you will be.”

  “Then what is it you wish to speak to me about,” Edward said with disappointment.

  “You, your sister, and cousins have heard the stories of our great adventures. How we traveled in time to meet the ancients and the defeating of the great enemy Layton Teal. You know these stories are true because you have met Andronicus and have seen the Hall of Wisdom. And our own beloved Pi is a machine as well. Have you ever wondered how impossible it was for your mother, father, Lorriel and I to have inherited the special gifts we all had from our ancestors?”

  Edward smiled, “Master Fields, before he died, confided in me that he believed God wanted Glenfair to continue to exist. He gave you those abilities for the sole purpose of defeating Layton Teal and saving Glenfair from extinction.”

  “Do you believe that Master Fields was right?”

  Edward pondered Andrew’s question before answering; “I have thought about this before, and believe that is the only conclusion one could come to. One gift, maybe two could be attributed to coincidence or natural law. But four in the same generation makes that an impossibility.”

  Andrew nodded in appreciation of Edward’s answer. “Tell me then, why have our children inherited the same abilities?”

  Edward was stunned, everything seemed to slow down as this truth collided with his reasoning. “I,...I had not considered that before. Has Lucinda become a time traveler like aunt Lorriel?”

  “Not yet,” answered Andrew, “but I know in my heart that she will. You must be ready to help her when that time comes.”

  “Why us?” was all Edward was able to utter.

  “Search your heart,” Andrew said sternly, “there is only one reason the four of you have our talents. Glenfair will be in grave danger once again and your special abilities will be needed exceedingly.”

  Edward shook his head and uttered, “Why did not father and mother tell me the kingdom might be headed for another crisis?”

  “They did not know, nor considered the ramifications of your abilities. We all took for granted the fact that our children received our talents. Only just recently I have come to understand what I have told you. The mathematical probabilities of these genetic anomalies being found in the four of you are too great to ignore.”

  “How can you be so sure a crisis is coming for our kingdom? Lucinda may not become a time traveler at all!”

  Andrew waited patiently for Edward to calm down before answering. “God does not bestow talent upon an individual without a purpose. And Lucinda will become a time shifter, I k
now it in my heart to be so.”

  “If you know so much, tell me how Glenfair will be in danger.”

  Andrew shook his head, “I do not know what will befall the kingdom, only that it will come. I do not think it has anything to do with Layton Teal because your father killed him, his threat to the kingdom is gone forever.”

  Edward slumped back into his chair. Andrew Crestlaw was old and weak but his mind had not failed him. Years ago his father had admonished him to pay attention to the wisdom Andrew had to offer with his talented analytical mind. Now that Andrew had laid before him these truths, it was impossible to deny them.

  Andrew noticed the resignation of Edward and felt for his young nephew. Like his father he would be thrust into something terrible beyond his control.

  “I am sorry Edward for bringing this upon you before the coronation. I wanted to wait until afterward to tell you. But something compels me to tell you now.”

  Edward nodded and then asked, “Is there anything else you know?”

  Andrew hesitated before answering, “There will be a battle, and you must fight.”

  “Because,” Edward finished for Andrew, “the reflexes God gave me will be needed.” Edward rose from the table and headed for the garden. He wanted time to think about being king and what would be required of him in the days to come. Andrew watched him go, unable to ease the turmoil he knew the young man felt. He above all people knew the burden kings must bear for their people.

  By mid-morning the dukes and guests had arrived for the coronation. Adriell, Lucinda, and Jason were visiting with Pi and Andrew when Master Rollins came to them and asked:

  “Has anyone seen Edward this morning?”

  “He is probably in the royal garden,” offered Adriell. “Would you be so kind as to retrieve him for us. It is time for him to face up to his royal duties.” Everyone laughed at her comment and Master Rollins left to find Edward. He was in the garden as Adriell suspected, and as Master Rollins approached he could see that Edward was troubled.

  “Prince Edward, it is time for you to prepare for the coronation.” And then added; “What is troubling you on so fine a day?”

  Edward straightened and pushed aside the despair he felt. As a child he had loved Master Fields and felt no one could take his place. But in time, Master Fields’ apprentice had become a dear friend and confidant.

  “Just feeling the weight of the kingdom a little,” Edward responded.

  Master Rollins put his hand on Edward’s shoulder and replied; “There are others, like myself who would gladly share some of the burden, if you will allow us.”

  Edward smiled, being reminded that he had great and loyal friends to help him rule.

  “We should not keep the people waiting to crown their new king,” smiled Master Rollins.

  When Edward entered the great hall he saw that all the dukes were present along with his friends. The dukes were loyal to his father, would they be loyal to him as well? The dukes were all older than Edward, and he felt inadequate to rule with all the experience they had. They had all fought in the great war with his father except Gregory Prescott who had been too young at the time. Terry Rollins and Mason Zandel were about the same age as Andrew Crestlaw. Since they had not traveled in time as Andrew Crestlaw had done, they were physically strong and in good shape. In fact, Mason Zandel looked as hard and tough as he did when Edward was a child. He was shaken from his assessment by Adriell speaking to him.

  “The time has come, Edward, for your coronation.”

  As the dukes took their places on the balcony overlooking the courtyard, Andrew Crestlaw slowly came forward. He held up his hand and the noise in the courtyard below ceased as he spoke.

  “Today we begin the reign of a new king. His father was a great king; loving this land and sacrificing himself for it in ways that most of you will never understand. We all know King Raven risked his life to save us in the Wickshield war. His son, Edward, will do no less for this kingdom. I have seen his heart, a heart that is very much like his father. When Raven Kallestor was crowned king, my father, Sauron, placed the crown upon his head. I can do no less for his son, Edward.”

  At these words, Edward knelt and Andrew, with hands shaking placed the crown upon Edward’s head.

  Then Andrew finished with these words: “Thou has knelt a prince, now rise a king! Let all of Glenfair know this day that the Crestlaws pledge their loyalty and their lives to king Edward.” At the conclusion of these words the dukes in unison shouted: “Long live King Edward, long live the king.” As the people were echoing that chant, Andrew withdrew slowly from the forefront of the balcony. He motioned to his daughter Lucinda to join him.

  And when she arrived he said, “Take me into the great hall, I need to sit and rest a while.” Lucinda escorted Andrew into the great hall and seated him in a chair. She turned toward the outside and watched as the people continued joyfully to honor their new king.

  She looked back at her father saying, “I am so glad that you were able to crown Edward king.” Andrew did not answer back, instead, Lucinda noticed his head had tilted forward at an odd angle.

  She shook his shoulder a little and said again, “Father?” When there was no response she ran back toward the balcony shouting, “Jason, Jason, something has happened to father!”

  As Lucinda burst through the doors to the balcony, all eyes turned toward her, including Edward who was in the middle of his coronation speech. Jason was already moving toward Lucinda as Edward hurriedly addressed the audience.

  “Will you please excuse me for one moment.”

  Edward caught up to them in the great hall as Jason was just kneeling beside his father.

  He lifted Andrew’s hand and then turned toward Lucinda, “He is gone, Lucinda.”

  Edward felt the impact of Jason’s words. It had not been long ago he had lost his own father.

  “I am sorry Jason, he should not have come. The trip was perhaps too much for him.”

  “Nonsense,” Jason said rising. “It was the desire to be at your coronation that has kept him alive for so long. This was the last task he wished to complete before his passing. I am grateful he had the opportunity to fulfill his last desire.”

  Edward motioned for some servants and bade them to carry the late Duke Crestlaw to his own chamber and lay him upon his own bed. After they had departed Jason placed his hand upon Edward’s shoulder and began to speak.

  “Mother is buried here in the royal cemetery and father wanted to be buried beside her.” Before he could go on, Edward raised his hand.

  “Before my father’s death, he told me of the promise he had made to Andrew that he would be buried here, in the royal cemetery beside Lorriel. It shall be done as it was promised. I must now go and inform the people of this great loss.”

  Edward returned to the awaiting audience in the courtyard, and the anxious faces of the dukes. He then explained the loss of Andrew Crestlaw to the waiting crowd and announced the funeral would take place in a few short hours. He could see this greatly disturbed some of the crowd and the dukes. Andrew Crestlaw was greatly admired by the people of this land.

  After the funeral of Andrew Crestlaw, the dukes and the king gathered in the great hall to commission Jason Crestlaw as the new duke of the northwest. After most of the people had left, Edward, Adriell, Pi, Lucinda and Jason sat together at a table in the great hall. All were silent for some time before Pi began to speak.

  “A great era has passed in the kingdom of Glenfair. The next generation must follow their example so the kingdom will continue to be great. You must all appreciate what you have here, and remember the sacrifice of those who have made it so.”

  “Yes,” Edward agreed, “we must never forget what our peace and prosperity has cost those who came before us.”

  Jason then added; “I will strive to be a good duke as my father was, and never forget my mother and father’s sacrifice for our kingdom. We must be getting back to our dukeship
to set in order the things father wanted done upon his death.”

  Edward was glad to see the seriousness with which Jason had taken the duties of his dukeship.

  “Andronicus,” Edward stated, “wants us to come visit him when things settle in.”

  “Next week would be a good time for us to go,” Jason added. “The four of us could use some time at the garden retreat above the falls.”

  “In a week then we shall join you,” Edward stated as they all rose from the table.

  Chapter 2

  All Things Must End

  “All things that begin, come to an end. Birth is followed by death in the shortness of our human existence. Learn to cherish life, for it passes all to quickly.”

  --The Wisdom of Fathers

  As Jason and Lucinda rode on their way home to Crestlaw castle, they discussed something that had troubled Lucinda.

  “Jason, why is it that none of us has married? Our mother and father, aunt Rebekka and King Raven were all married by the time they were our age.”

  Jason thought about that for a moment before answering. “I believe it is because we have all been busy taking care of our aging parents. Normally they would be in good health at this time, but because they all aged faster, we had this care thrust upon us. Do not misunderstand Lucinda, I am grateful for all we could do for father, and I am sure Edward and Adriell would say the same about their parents. I suppose, now, with those responsibilities gone, we should think about marriage.”

  Lucinda pondered Jason’s answer. It was true, she had not considered marriage at all, though there were young men who were interested in her. She had pushed aside all advances until every young man got the message she was not interested. Maybe it was time she paid a little more attention to those who had interest in her.