by James Dale
“You mean after you run off to find Gwen and they pay a visit to the Wicked Maiden,” Jack snorted.
“My Lord,” Kirk laughed, “How could you even think such a thing?”
“Go,” Jack sighed. “But come find me first thing in the morning. You heard what I said to Captain Braegil. I mean for our time in Dorshev to be short.”
“As you command,” Kirk bowed.
“Give my regards to Gwen?”
Vanar saluted, Dragon Guard fashion, then with a wink and a grin he and the Lions departed.
It was a short walk to the garden memorial from the gate. Jack stopped to pay his respects at each grave. He had twelve more names to commit to memory. The list was growing so long, he did not know how many more names his heart could bear. “And my edict is being enforced?” he asked, turning to Duke Morgan.
“All who walk through the palace gates do as you commanded, High King,” Morgan assured him. “The 1st and 9th Heavy Horse have also formed a joint honor guard. Men of the Thunderiders and Red Horse stand watch over them day and night.”
“Take me to the queen,” Jack nodded solemnly. “I need her smile to brighten my mood.”
Reaching the open gate of Ellgereth Palace, a squad of White Horse Knights took up their escort, leading them to the throne room. There, they escorted the High Lord and the rest of the Staffclave inside first while everyone else was asked wait to be announced. Jack grew impatient at the delay, but Morgan assured him his wait would be a short one. The Duke of Dorshev and Captain d’Kenna would be Jack’s only escort it seemed. Dorad made to slip quietly inside after the An’Mera siblings and Lady Ara’fael, but Morgan stopped him with a hand on his shoulder.
“Oh no you don’t,” the Duke said. “You have a place in today’s proceedings as well nephew.”
Dorad did not look pleased at all hear this, but brightened Jack’s mood a bit. At least he wouldn’t be forced to suffer through whatever ceremony was waiting on the other side of the doors alone. His mood brightened even more as Haemon Emnael, the Chief Steward appeared and announced everything ready.
“Haemon,” Jack smiled. “Good to see you again. How is Daen?”
“Welcome back High King,” the Chief Steward bowed. “Daen is well. He has compiled a list of prospective squires for you while you were away. Good lads all. I am confident he will present it to you with his recommendations very soon.”
“I’m sure he will,” Jack smiled. “Can we go in now, Haemon? I’d like to see my wife sometime today if it’s at all possible.”
“Everything is ready,” the Chief Steward assured him again. “Duke Morgan, on the High King’s right if it pleases you. Captain d’Kenna. The Commander of the High King’s Hammers’ place is on his left. Dorad Ellgereth, if you would remain here for just a moment?”
“By remain here,” Morgan insisted, “He means remain here and not go wandering off. Understood?”
“Yes, uncle,” Dorad nodded. The look on his face said he was relieved he would not be accompanying a High King, all dressed in shining armor into the throne room of Doridan, while he was wearing simple travel clothes. It was also plain to see he was wondering why he was being told to remain behind. By himself.
“Ready then?” Haemon asked. He turned to rap loudly on the closed doors. They were immediately opened by a pair of Horsemaidens. One Braedan did not recognize but the other was Captain Einnael.”
“Welcome back,” the captain bowed. “The queen has been unbearable without you around begging for kisses.”
“Don’t worry Einn,” Braedan smiled. “I hope to have you scowling at me again shortly.”
“Just don’t get too handsey in front of the court.” Einnael informed him.
“I cannot make such a promise, Captain,” Jack laughed. “But I’ll do my best. Just for you.”
“This way High King,” the Horsemaiden commander grinned.
Inside, Braedan saw a crowd larger even than the one which had assembled the day Kiathan sentenced him to be crucified. Like the crowds lining the streets, their faces were also wearing smiles today. At the far end of the hall sat the one person one two worlds he cared more for than life itself. Anna was seated on the Ivory Throne, dressed in her gold and white armor. He would soon learn she had taken to wearing her armor constantly, only removing it to sleep. Resting on her head, a less fitting an adornment than her auburn hair, was the battle crown of Doridan, a slim circlet of Ithelmere with the Horse head emblem of her kingdom as its centerpiece.
To the left of the Ivory Throne stood High Lord Perigaen, First of the Staffclave. The man standing on her right, Braedan recognized with some surprise as Daenel d'Lachaeland, Steward of Immer. Daenel smiled as he entered and Jack suspected he’d found the accomplice to Anna’s showy processions and the honors he’d witnessed today. Anna stood and placed the broken Highsword Siegebreaker on her throne, then turned and stepped from the dais.
Jack took a quick step towards her, but she stopped him in his tracks with an imperceptible shake of her head. He stood in the center of the throne room, resisting the urge to run and sweep his wife from her feet. Annawyn Ellgereth, Queen of Doridan, walked to him with stately grace, halting a single pace from her husband, then dropped to one knee, head bowed. “Welcome to Doridan, High King,” she said quietly, then met his eyes once more.
Jack could stand the maddening formality no longer, and dropped to his knees, his armor rattling on the polished stone floor. “Anna my heart,” he smiled, taking her hands. “What are doing?”
“How else should I greet the new High King of Aralon?” she asked, her bright green eyes shimmering with tears of joy.
“I had hoped with a kiss and some snuggling,” Jack whispered, leaning forward to kiss her cheek. “But that might be awkward with all these people you’ve invited, and us both wearing all this plate.”
“It will come later, Beloved,” her whispered breath on his neck causing him to shiver. “I promise. But first, allow me to honor you, my husband. You deserve it. The people of Aralon deserve it.”
“Then let me help you up so we can get this over with,” Jack smiled. Standing he offered his wife his hand. The Queen of Doridan permitted the High King to help her to her feet then hand in hand, she escorted him to the foot of the dais.
“Stand here, Beloved,” Anna instructed him. “Turn and face the people.”
Jack did as she asked, anxious now to do anything to please his wife and hastened their reunion. Anna mounted a single step upon the dais and stood behind him. It must have been the signal to continue because Perigaen walked down to stand at his side.
“Nobles of Dorshev,” he began. “Citizens of Doridan. Citizens of Aralon. I am High Lord Perigaen Dre’kail, First of the Staffclave. I have served the Light faithfully for over one hundred years, waiting beyond all hope for the day I could speak these words. The man standing before you is John Braedan of the House Bra’Adan. He came to Lordsisle as Claimant to the Throne of Immer. The first to do so in five hundred years. I and the other Lords in this room, along with Prince Arrinor An’Mera, Princess Ailicia An’Mera and the Lady Ara’fael Anath’raial, of the Ail’itharain Ailfar, King Tarsus Aernin of Amar, Prince Thonicil Th’nar of Brydium and Prince Kirstaen An’kaera of Annoth all stood as witness when John Braedan entered the Temple of the Sword and drew the Highsword Yhswyndyr. The same man who stands before you now is he who drew the Ljmarn’s sword and lived. I proclaim to you this day, by right and by blood, he is High King of Aralon!”
“Kneel John Braedan,” Perigaen finished, turning to him.
Once again, Jack found himself on his knees. Perigaen moved to stand in front of him, and was soon joined by Daenel d'Lachaeland, Steward of Immer. In Daenal’s hands was a crown Jack had seen once before in the Elohara. It was the same three stared crown above his heart on the breast plate of his armor.
“John Braedan of the House Bra’Adan,” Daenel said solemnly. “By right and by blood you have proven your claim to the Throne of Immer. Do
you accept this crown as a symbol of your responsibility as High King? Freely and without reservation? To protect the citizens of this realm and to rule them in justice, mercy and strength? Do you?”
“I do,” Jack replied. God help me.
Jack felt Anna step behind him and smooth his hair, then rest her hands upon his armored shoulders. Daenel turned to the gathered nobles and citizens of Doridan, lifting the crown for them to see. Once again, he turned to Jack. “You knelt before the people as the Bearer of the Highsword Yhswyndyr,” the Steward of Immer said with a smile, placing the crown on his head. “Stand before them now as High King of Aralon.”
“Hail John Bra’Adan, High King of Aralon,” d’Lachaeland shouted to the assembly as Jack rose to his feet.
“Hail!” the nobles of Dorshev and citizens of Doridan shouted in reply. They were the first citizens of Aralon to officially recognize Jack as High King, but they would not be the last.
Chapter Twenty-three
New Prince and Old Serpent
“Come stand beside me, Beloved?” Anna asked, taking his hand as the cheers finally ran their course. “I have one more duty to perform before you begin accepting oaths of fealty and well wishes from the people.”
Jack ascended the dais wordlessly. This day, he would not refuse his wife even the smallest request. Annawyn resumed her seat on the Ivory Throne, once more placing the Highsword Siegebreaker in her lap. Jack stood on her left. He didn’t ask nor care if it was the correct place to stand when the Queen of Doridan was seated on her throne. Being High King had to allow for some minor leeway in court formality, didn’t it?
“Captain Einnael,” she commanded in a clear, strong voice. “Show him in.”
Jack knew Dorad was the only one remaining outside the throne room. He had no idea what his wife had planned for her brother, but he knew she loved him and whatever happened next, she would do out of love and a duty to Doridan. He placed a hand on her shoulder and Anna reached up to pat it lovingly without looking at him.
Anna’s captain of the guard opened the door to the throne to reveal Dorad Ellgereth still standing patiently in the foyer. He knew she had revoked his exile. He knew his sister loved him. Uncle Morgan had greeted him warmly. Whatever was to come, he would not run from it. He had been running from whomever sat on the Ivory Throne for most of his adult life. He had run from Ellgenn, and now his father was dead. If Anna had insults or accusations to hurl at him, he would stand and take them. His little sister was forced now to sit on the throne in time of war when rightfully, the duty should have fallen on him. If he’d only been the man his father wanted, needed him to be.
He was such a man now.
Dorad stepped boldly into the throne room of Doridan, looking neither right nor left as the shocked whispers followed him when the people realized who he was. Five years ago, many of these same people would not look him in the eye as he was sentenced to exile and walked away from his family. He would not look at them now as he walked toward his family. He steps faltered only once when he finally got a good look at his little sister. Seated on the Ivory Throne, dressed in white and gold armor, she was the very essence of what a Queen of Doridan should be. She had also grown more beautiful than he could have ever imagined, staring out at the endless seas, wondering at what kind of woman his sister had become.
As he stopped at the foot of the dais, his friend Jack, his brother-in-law, and the now proclaimed High King of Aralon, and gave him a wink and a brief, reassuring nod. “My queen,” the former prince of Doridan bowed, then knelt before his sister.
Though Anna wanted to spring the throne and rush happily in her brother’s arms, she turned to Perigaen and asked calmly. “Is this him, High Lord Perigaen?”
Dorad looked up at his sister. There was no malice in her eyes as she turned back to him. Somehow, this question was a part of something she was planning. He had vowed not to run, whatever happened. He met her gaze, remained kneeling, and waited.
“This is Dorad Ellgereth,” the High Lord said, addressing the assembly once more. “Son of Ellgenn. Once the prince of Doridan. Some months ago, the last ship of the Free Brothers of the Sea wandered into the waters off Lordsisle, fleeing the destruction of their pirate stronghold at the hands of the Norgarthan navy. Alnordel Iranahil and Kaiddra de’Caerl,” he said, pointing to the two former pirate captains seated in the assembly, “and Dorad Ellgereth, surrendered themselves, their ship, and the crewmen with them to the mercy of the Staffclave. The Brotherhood was no more. They were not deemed a danger to the island and certainly not to the Staffclave. After some debate, it was decided they should be accepted into the community on Lordsisle under conditional probation.”
“Since that day, every one of the former pirates have been assimilated back into civilized society. Some sail upon the few vessels of the Staffclave. Some have become fishermen, some are craftsmen, some farmers. One young man, if he continues to study and prove himself worthy, will soon be accepted into the Adepts of the Keep and begin his training to perhaps one day become a Lord. Some very few, like Alnordel, Kaiddra…and Dorad, through faithfulness to their oaths of probation and many acts of humble atonement for their former…trade, have risen to positions of trust in Lords Keep. I cannot speak to the events which resulted in his exile, nor to what he may have done as a member of the Brotherhood, but I can attest Dorad Ellgereth is not the same man who was driven from this very room in shame five years ago.”
“Do you have anything to add, High King?” Anna asked, turning to Jack.
He had an idea what his wife was up to now. Many of the people in this room knew the former prince only from his misspent youth and from Kiathan’s exaggerated lies. He would gladly attest to the character of the man he knew as his friend.
“I do my queen,” Jack smiled. “With your permission?”
“You have it, Beloved,” she nodded.
“Some of you know my story. Many of you do not,” Jack began as he descended the dais. “Get up my friend,” he said, offering Dorad his hand. “You do not belong on your knees.” He continued again when Dorad was standing at his side. “On the day I met him, this man, out-numbered and facing a demon, was bravely killing Norgarthans. Killing your enemies. When the battle was done, he took me in, a stranger who could not even speak his language. He gave me water, food, and friendship. He saved my life.
During the time I was with him in the Brotherhood, he never once acted with dishonor or in a manner that would bring shame upon the House of Ellgereth. Though he had no hope of returning here, not once did I ever hear him speak of Doridan with anything other than a love for his kingdom or its people. He aided me in the rescue of Thessa Arthol, Countess of Brythond, who stood in this very room and attested to his honor. But for his oath to remain in Brimcohn as a hostage against my return after securing her safe passage, he would have stood before you sooner and been sentenced to death with me by a man plotting to usurp the Ivory Thone. A man who’s lies speeded his exile and banishment from the people and family he loved. Until arriving on Lordsisle, I thought him either dead at the hands of the Norgarthans in retribution for his part in burning half their fleet, or lost at sea. But I never ceased to think of him as my friend. Against all hope, my friend has been returned to me. Since our reunion he has spoken of nothing but his duty to Doridan and to Aralon in this time of trouble. Now he has been returned to you. Weaponless. Without a copper in his pockets. But still a man of honor. A man with the blood of kings flowing through his veins. Whatever your will for him, my queen, my Beloved,” he finished, returning to Anna’s side. “Dorad will always be my friend, my brother. He will always have a place at the High King’s side.”
“Duke Morgan?” Anna asked turning to her uncle.
“What could I say to add weight to the words of the High Lord of the Staffclave and the High King of Aralon, my queen?” the Duke of Dorshev replied.
“Very well,” Anna nodded. “Dorad Ellgereth. Before all gathered here today, you have named me your queen
. Hear your queen’s pronouncement. Though you have been absent from Dorshev for five years, you have always remained in my heart. I revoked your banishment from Doridan before I even knew you yet lived. As King Theros Th’nar of Brydium did for Jack Braedan, the Queen of Doridan now does for you. You are granted full pardon for any crimes you many have committed as a member of the Free Brothers of the Sea. The Queen of Doridan also makes this decree,” Anna said, taking Jack’s arm and walking down to stand before him. “Dorad Ellgereth, Son of Ellgenn, you will resume your place in the court as a Prince of the Kingdom of Doridan. I am Annawyn Ellgereth, Daughter of Ellgenn, Queen of Doridan, and I name you as my heir until the day I should be so blessed as to conceive a child. Should the child, in the fullness of time, ascend to the throne of his father in Immer, you will be named Crown Prince and Heir to the Ivory Throne.”
A silence fell over the assembly. Though the next words she spoke were meant only for Dorad, the acoustics of the throne room of Doridan however, were of such quality that all gathered heard them. “Lastly, as your little sister,” Anna said, tears finally glistening in her eyes as she took his hands and kissed them, “I welcome my brother home.”
“I have missed you so much, Anna,” Dorad smiled, enfolding the Queen of Doridan in his arms.
Applause started somewhere in the room, and soon the entire assembly erupted in cheers for their returned prince. Though Jack did not see who the first to applaud, he suspected it may have been the Lady Ara’fael. Though he had had very little to do with it, Dorad Ellgereth would one day have a kingdom to rule. When the cheers had run their course, Anna raised her hand for silence. “Kneel once more brother?” she asked.
Dorad quickly obeyed.
“Prince Dorad Ellgereth of Doridan, will be the first to swear fealty to the High King,” she announced.
“I don’t have a ring for you to kiss,” Jack grinned. “And I wasn’t expecting this so, just say whatever you think is fitting Prince Dorad.”
