The King's Descendants

by Robin Simmons

  “We do not desire your deaths, only that you leave Glenfair. Who speaks for the Sabatol army?” Several generals came forward from the ranks. Edward noticed that Drinidel and Lentz had moved up to join Brianna and himself.

  Brianna removed the crown from her tunic and held it up, “Razcon is dead. It was because of him that the blood of war has been shed. The war is over, it is time for you to return to your homes.”

  One of the generals of the Sabatols spoke, “Will you Brianna Karahtz return to rule over us?”

  Brianna shook her head, “I can not rule over you. I am queen of Glenfair, and that is where I must stay. But there is one among you who is worthy to be your king. He was the first one to oppose Razcon’s tyranny openly. You may think that treason, but he would rather die than serve a tyrant. I think such a king will not be a tyrant himself.” Brianna waited for her words to register in the minds of the surrendered army. She then turned and handed the Sabatol crown and royal signet ring to General Drinidel.

  “My I Present to you your king, King Drinidel of the Sabatols.”

  A cheer went up from Drinidel’s men and the company of Glenfair. Some cheers were heard even among the surrendered forces, for many respected Drinidel.

  Drinidel held the crown up high and shouted, “Leave your weapons on the ground and return home, the fighting is over.” As the Sabatol army began to disband and head south, Drinidel turned to Brianna. He began to speak but Brianna held out her hand for him to stop.

  “Do not say anything. Just promise me you will be a good and just king for our people.”

  Drinidel nodded and Lentz came over and shook his hand.

  “You will make a fine king,” Lentz added.

  “And you will make a fine commander of our forces,” Drinidel returned

  As the Sabatol’s were leaving, Edward began to take stock of their losses. The best they could determine was that two hundred of Lentz and Drinidel’s men had died. The Sabatols had lost ten times that much. And to the best of Edward’s estimates only 47 Glenfair soldiers had died. Edward marveled that so few of Glenfair had perished in the battle. He knew part of that was due to the help of Drinidel and Lentz. The battle had ended quickly enough to shorten the losses. Relief swept over Edward as he realized they had somehow survived. Glenfair would continue to live in peace. His thoughts were abruptly interrupted when Master Rollins asked him if Sucinord were dead. Edward realized that the kingdom would never be safe until the evil android was destroyed.

  “Come,” Edward said, “We must find Sucinord.” He called for Jason and they began to search the battlefield. The searching was made easier because the Sabatols were taking their dead comrades back south with them to give them a proper burial. After a while Jason called and Edward and Master Rollins hurried over to where he was standing. On the ground, Pi and Sucinord were still. Edward could see that Pi had her neck broken by Sucinord. He could also see that Pi had succeeded in destroying Sucinord. The fluid leaking out of the chest cavity told the story of Sucinord’s crushed power supply. Edward knelt down and pulled Pi into his arms. There was no life left in her at all. Finally the weight of everything crashed in upon Edward and he began to weep loudly as he held Pi. Adriell came running over, followed by Jonnos. When she saw Pi she fell to her knees and picked up Pi’s hand and began to weep as well. Jonnos knelt beside Adriell and placed his arm around her shoulders.

  Jason looked closer at the damage to Pi’s neck and stated; “I may be able to repair her.”

  Adriell looked up from her grief into Jason’s eyes and said sadly, “No, Jason. You may be able to fix her but her memories are gone when Sucinord broke these wires. Pi had confided in me after we found Andronicus’ head that his reserve power was an addition the ancients evidently had added. In her manufacture she had no power reserve to maintain her memories like Andronicus. We may be able to restore her function, but because of her memory loss we will never have Pi back again. I do not believe she would want to be reactivated if her memories are gone.”

  When Adriell said these words, Edward remembered the sealed letter Pi had given him before the battle.

  “Adriell is right, Jason. We must let her rest in peace. Pi somehow knew she would not survive the battle. She gave me a sealed envelope to give to Master Rollins after the battle.”

  Master Rollins was standing beside Edward and was very perplexed by Edward’s revelation.

  “Why would she leave a message to me?”

  Edward shook his head, “I do not know, but the letter is on the desk in my council chamber. I will give it to you as soon we return. Take Pi and Sucinord and bring them back to the king’s castle.”

  Mason Zandel followed the retreating Sabatols southward as Edward had instructed him. He did not even have to assault the Prescott castle that was held by the Sabatol forces when they took the pass. When they saw their brethren retreating hastily through the pass, they forsook the castle and fled. Mason Zandel and his men took up residence there and watched from the crenels as the rest of the Sabatol army carried their dead back through the pass. This caused him great relief as he then knew the battle was over and Glenfair had been victorious. A few hours later, duke Gregory Prescott returned with his men to his own castle. He was amazed to see that hardly anything was missing or destroyed. Mason laughed and stated that the Sabatols had left in such haste that they failed to take any spoils from the Prescott castle.

  Before the new king of the Sabatols passed through the southern gate toward the Sabatol kingdom, he turned northwest toward the Prescott castle. As Taldon Drinidel entered the Prescott castle he was met by Duke Prescott.

  “Duke Prescott, it is with a heavy heart that I apologize for the occupation of your castle by my countrymen. I will send some funds to replace any damage or looting to your castle and to repair the pass gate. Do not think of us as enemies, for we will forever be your neighbors.”

  Duke Prescott thanked King Drinidel for his offer of restitution and soon all of the Sabatols were gone from Glenfair’s soil. All, except for those who had made Glenfair their home.

  Chapter 8

  The Ending Of An Age

  “What labor of men’s hands abideth time? Nay, there be nothing that time doth not vanquish. If there be anything that shouldest endure, it be deeds of greatness, courage and sacrifice. Yea, these may flow from the tongues of their descendants and outlast all else.”

  --The Chronicles of the Ancients

  Edward watched as the last of the battlefield was cleared. He could not believe that Glenfair had come away with so little loss in such a large battle. He knew that part of that had been the help his queen had given Glenfair by bringing Lentz and Drinidel to their aid. Edward also felt a weariness settle upon him. He did not know how much this had taken out of him until it was over. For the first time in many weeks Edward was finally able to relax. Sucinord was dead, and Glenfair was safe from the destruction foretold by Lucinda. But with that relaxation came the feelings of loss. Both for the loved ones who had perished, and the violation of Glenfair’s soil by an army seeking their destruction. He knew that none of them would ever be the same after this war. He felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to see his wife, Brianna standing beside him. He had never realized how tall and regal she looked. This was accented by the royal armor she wore.

  “Where is Adriell?” Edward asked Brianna.

  “She is preparing some of the dead for transport back home. She is taking special care with Pi.”

  At the mention of Pi, new pain flooded in upon Edward. In a short time, both of his android friends had been lost in death. Pi had been close to himself and Adriell, and had taken the place of their mother after she had died. It was strange, Edward thought, that one could feel the loss so acutely of machines. But he could never think of Pi or Andronicus as merely machines. They seemed so human, with more compassion and love than some made of flesh and bone.

  When Adriell arrived, Edward asked; “Contact Lucinda and in
form her that Glenfair has survived and Sucinord is dead. Tell her we are all well, except for Pi who perished in the battle.” Adriell did as Edward asked.

  “She is relieved, but sadness fills her to know about Pi.” Edward nodded and they began to ready themselves for the trip back to the king’s castle.

  The trip was slow and mostly silent. The only two who enjoyed any conversation were Adriell and Jonnos. And even their conversation was quiet and subdued. Finally the king’s castle began to grow in the horizon. Soon they were approaching the gates and Lucinda and Damara came rushing out to meet them. Jason had barely time to dismount before Damara came crashing into his arms. Edward watched as Jason and Damara embraced each other, then turned and looked at Brianna. She was smiling at her sister’s reunion with her new husband. Then their eyes met and Edward quickly dismounted and came over to Brianna still seated on her horse. He reached up and lifted her from the saddle, lowering her softly down to the earth. They had fought side by side in the battle, king and queen giving everything for their kingdom. Since their wedding they had no time to contemplate being husband and wife. He took her hand and started to head toward the castle when he felt someone grasp his elbow. He turned to see who it was and Jonnos and Adriell were standing there.

  “Sire,” Jonnos began, “I would desire the king’s permission to court his sister.”

  Edward stood still seeing Jonnos growing tenser by the moment until he felt a poke in his ribs from Brianna.

  Edward smiled then and said, “How long of a courtship do you intend?”

  Jonnos turned red, “Not long, Your Majesty, a few months.”

  Edward softened and said, “You not only have my permission, you have my blessing as long as Adriell agrees.” He looked at Adriell and she was smiling, and nodded enthusiastically. Edward almost laughed, but kept his kingly composure. Who would have ever thought that Adriell would find someone to tame her spirit.

  “Since you are already here, Jonnos, why don’t you stay for a couple of days so we can get to know you better.”

  Jonnos replied, “Thank you for such a gracious invitation, Sire. I will inform my father that I plan to stay for a few of days.”

  As Edward and Brianna walked toward the castle she said, “I had to bite my lip to keep from laughing at Jonnos’ discomfort at your silence. That was almost cruel. It probably took more bravery to ask the king for his sister’s hand than to fight in the war.”

  Now Edward laughed, “You are right, that was almost cruel, but fun nonetheless.”

  After things had gotten settled in the castle and Pi’s remains were placed in her room, Edward called for Master Rollins and they went into his council chamber. After Edward was seated, he took the envelope Pi had given him and handed it to Master Rollins. Master Rollins held the envelope in his hands, unmoving until Edward spoke:

  “Well, open it. Pi never did anything unusual without a pressing reason.”

  Master Rollins hands shook a little as he opened the sealed letter. He felt strange, having the dead speak to him, and even stranger as he began to read:

  My dear Master Rollins. I have noticed that you have from time to time taken notes on the history of this kingdom as your teacher and predecessor, Master Fields had done. Since you are recording events of such a nature, I felt it necessary to inform you of certain events that will take place in Glenfair’s future. Yes, I knew that Glenfair would be victorious in the war, for history records that Glenfair was never conquered by any kingdom. When I lived with Rebekka Kallestor in the far future, her stories created such a nostalgia and hunger for knowledge about this past kingdom, I read and learned all I could about the past. In the future, Glenfair will peacefully join the other kingdoms that surround it to form one large kingdom. They will do this willingly and not by force. Please assure Edward that there will never be another war on Glenfair’s soil. These things I learned from the histories of the Sabatols. They record the great battle, and I have from those histories learned of my own demise. In them they spoke of a woman who gave up her life to stop a very powerful sorcerer. This I did not understand until recently that these histories may speak of Sucinord and myself. I do not know the details, but I believe I must destroy Sucinord at the cost of my own life.

  As talented and gifted as Edward is in battle, he is not the hero of history. It is our queen, Brianna that the histories remember. Granted they are written by the Sabatol historians, but they all agree that the savior of Glenfair was one of their own who fell in love with Glenfair’s righteous king. Through her impassioned plea to stand against tyranny, some of her countrymen joined her in defeating the evil that had taken root in the Sabatol kingdom. After the evil was destroyed, the Sabatols themselves entered into a golden age that lasted for many centuries. From the histories I could find, Brianna became known as the greatest queen of Glenfair. I share this with you, not to detract from the greatness of the late Queen Rebekka, nor the fame which will be Brianna’s, but for you to write a more complete history, knowing that other’s have sacrificed and suffered as much as Brianna has.

  The future still must not know of Andronicus, nor my existence as machines here in the past. Edward knows what to do. It would be a good idea to destroy the armor too, since it will no longer be needed for future wars.

  I have loved my time in Glenfair and have no regrets, save for leaving my friends. My life has been richer by knowing the people of this kingdom. To know I had a part in helping to preserve it is enough for me.

  Farewell, Master Rollins.

  π

  There were tears in Master Rollins’ eyes as he finished the letter. It was true, he had devoted himself to the recording of Glenfair’s history, and had in his possession the journals of his former teacher, Master Fields. He too, would add to the story began by Master Fields and reveal all of the sacrifice others had made for the greatest little kingdom the earth would ever know. Master Rollins noticed that Edward had waited patiently without saying a word all this time. He knew that the letter was meant for him, but he also knew it should be shared with Edward. That is why Pi gave it to Edward to begin with. Master Rollins handed the letter to Edward and this time he sat silently as Edward read. Soon it was Edward that had a tear in his eye as he handed the letter back to Master Rollins.

  “Her signature has always been a mystery to me, only Adriell understood it. Have all the dukes meet here in two weeks. And have them bring their swords and special armor. It needs to be disposed of as Pi requested.” Master Rollins nodded and left Edward alone.

  Edward began to contemplate all that had transpired in such a short time. From the awakening of Lucinda’s time shifting ability, the destruction of Andronicus, and the pursuit of the evil clone, Sucinord. The finding of himself, Jason, and Adriell’s life long mates, and the war with the Sabatols. Now Pi was gone as well and that closed the pages to an era that had endured for over a thousand years. He knew that much of Glenfair’s prosperity had come from Andronicus watching over it for a millennia. Glenfair would no longer have an android to watch and care for its prosperity. From this time onward, Glenfair would have to get along without a protector. Truly, for Edward, the sense of loss would have been too great if not for the fact that God still watched over Glenfair. Edward knew it was the Creator’s favor that had allowed Glenfair to survive this last crisis, and every crisis it had ever faced. God wanted Glenfair to endure, there was no doubting that fact.

  As Edward continued to reflect on these things his mind began to focus on his wife, Brianna. The day he had asked God to help him find a mate to rule this kingdom was the day he had met her. She not only was the wife he needed, she had been the key to helping them survive the war with the Sabatols. They were newlyweds and yet had not spent any time alone together because of the war. As his heart began to long for the presence of his wife another thought intruded into his mind. Lucinda was the only one of the four of them who was still alone. Maybe in time she too would find someone to fill her life with love
as the rest of them had found. Edward rose from his chair in the king’s council chamber. He needed to find Brianna, there was much they needed to talk about.

  The next morning, everyone gathered for a late breakfast. Everyone was in better spirits, laughing and enjoying the fellowship. There was plenty of food to satisfy their big appetites that had come upon them from the recent crisis. Edward was eating and talking with Brianna when he was irresistibly drawn to Lucinda. She was smiling and trying to be part of the happy atmosphere about her. But Edward could not look away until he began to notice that she had eaten little and was just moving her food around on her plate as the others ate theirs. At that moment Edward could see behind the artificial smile to the hurt and loneliness Lucinda must feel seated with the other couples. She hid her feelings well, trying not to detract from the joy the others had in their new found love. Edward could see that Adriell’s fortune with Jonnos cut Lucinda the most deeply, for Adriell was already talking about future wedding plans with her. As Edward stared, he felt Brianna squeeze his arm. He looked into her eyes and she whispered in his ear:

  “In time she will find someone who is worthy of her, Edward.” Edward was not surprised his wife had noticed. Every day with Brianna revealed her intuition and insight that would make her a great queen.

  As Edward turned back to watch Lucinda she quietly got up from her place at the table and walked out of the great hall onto the balcony that overlooked the courtyard. The doors were open and Edward could see Lucinda’s back as she stood soaking in the morning sun. He started to rise and go comfort her, but Brianna grabbed his arm to keep him from rising.