King Achiron leaned against the finely carved arm of his throne. He was fighting a losing battle with his heavy eyelids as the unending line of courtiers and petitioners cycled through his Great Hall. One by one, each person would approach his raised dais that held his golden throne that was carved with reliefs and etchings of mighty battles between men and monsters. Even the huge tapestries that hung along the far-reaching walls of the Great Hall were vivid in their depictions of the battles. Some looked like they were alive when the flickering light from the long stone firepit would reach them. The crackling fire was built unusually high as the wind screamed outside carrying with it the first snows of winter.
Adjusting himself in his seat, King Achiron hung his hand over his left arm-rest to fidget with his sword pommel. Made from the finest steel in the empire of Everwind, he had used it in many massive battles as he had built his empire from the small kingdoms of the island that he now sat at the heart of.
"Her Majesty the Queen!" The call rang out through the Great Hall. Every knee bowed and every head turned to the huge carved wooden and iron banded doors at the entrance to the Great Hall. King Achiron simply stood, crossing his hands in front of his ornately stitched green trousers that were covered in silver embroidery. His matching tunic hung over his shoulders over a simple cotton blouse that fell open framing the heavy gold medallion bearing his seal that hung from his well shaped neck. The medallion gleamed as it rose and fell with the breathing of his muscular chest. A dull white scar ran from his left pectoral muscle up to end behind his left ear. His tanned skin made the scar stand out even more and his skin tone made his ice-blue eyes blaze from under his thick dark black eyebrows. The black hair that framed his face was cut short to better fit into the royal helmet from his suit of armor.
No one was studying him though as the Queen entered the Great Hall. King Achiron had married her as part of a peace deal between his then fledgling empire and one of the largest kingdoms on the Island of Everwind. She was stately, placing one gold slippered foot in front of her as she seemed to glide in her matching green dress across the floor. The silver embroidery glinted in the firelight as her skirt hovered just above the grey flagstone floor while she smiled her way across the Great Hall to join King Achiron on the dais. He offered a single scarred hand as she arrived at the foot of the stairs. She smiled broadly at him and accepted his offered hand with her own pale hand. The green of the dress darkened as she moved further from the firelight making her skin seem to glow as if she was made of moonlight. Her long dark hair fell around her shoulders as she surveyed the room with calm grey eyes after turning to face the Great Hall. Gently clasping her pregnant belly, she carefully sat in her throne next to her husband.
It had created quite the buzz when King Achiron had placed her throne next to his on the top step of the dais only six months after their marriage. A buzz that had stilled when he had addressed the room, "Who here speaks against my will?"
Not a soul had stirred, as in those days King Achiron had been known to mercilessly put down challenges to his throne or his will. Now, as Queen Katriana sat next to him, she might have been even more loved than even him. She certainly had fewer enemies that him. She was known as his softer nature or the Love of the Empire. She had her own holiday where their subjects made flower effigies of her and floated them into the sky with paper lanterns. She also wielded great influence in the Everwind Court, often her advice was sought after in matters that most Queens or Ladies would never have been consulted on. King Achiron worshiped her and as they were expecting their first child, it was a common sight to see him doting on her and fetching things for her himself.
They sat hands clasped over the arms of their side by side thrones, smiling at each other. The soft voice of the woman in front of the dais struck a chord in King Achiron's ear and he turned to face her, straightening in his throne. "Wait, say that again please Mother."
Mother was often used as a term of respect for older women to remind those young people around them that they were the mothers of the Empire. The old woman bowed her head slightly.
"As it pleases you, Your Majesty. I was simply requesting that you have the mercy to withdraw your wizard from the lands that govern my village."
"I have no wizards in my employ Mother." King Achiron look concerned, "Why do you want this wizard removed? They are little more than healers."
"Not this one, Your Majesty. He threatens to poison our water and our livestock if we do not pay his taxes. We thought you had sent him. He certainly allowed us to think this."
"Mother, I say again, I have no wizards in my employ. I will send a messenger to the Lord of your lands to inquire into the matter."
"I am grateful that the Emperor of Everwind has heard me this day."
"The Empire is grateful for your contributions to its strength Mother. Go and know that this will be investigated most thoroughly."
The woman bowed and backed away from the foot of the dais. King Achiron motioned to the scribe seated on the second step of the dais. "Have Lord Suffolk investigate and report back to us."
The scribe bowed and left.
"Strange my love," Queen Katriana murmured, "Why would a lowly peddler of potions and poultices start demanding a tribute?"
"Strange indeed," King Achiron mused. "I'm sure it is just a simple misunderstanding." He looked at her and grinned mischievously, "Lets retire and spend the afternoon on the bearskin in front of the fire in our chambers."
It was also unusual for highborn marriages to share chambers as it was most common to have separate chambers and only share on the nights where the conception of children was most likely. King Achiron had dispensed with that tradition as well shortly after their marriage.
The Queen smiled and stroked the back of his hand with a pale thumb, "My love, I just got here and our people need to see you. They need to be seen and feel heard. We should stay awhile yet."
"Fine." He growled playfully at her. He lifted his chin at the next in line. "Approach and be heard!"
❧
The carriage jolted to a stop nearly throwing Kailynn into Alac's lap. Outside, she could hear voices issuing orders and and the barking of hunting dogs. A small window opened near the roof of the carriage and the drivers soft voice floated down to them. "Its a search party Lady Beaufort. They have blocked the bridge to your fathers holdings. No one is allowed to cross without an inspection by the guard. Do you want me to turn around or try to run it?
Sera paled slightly. She looked at The Bard and Alac. Alac shook his head, "Lady, this is why I like to have my weapons. Still, I will see what can be done. Bard? Are you joining me?"
The Bard smiled grimly. "Of course my friend, lets hope words are sharper that steel today!" He turned to face Sera. "If it goes badly, leave us." Sera nodded, her face tight with concern.
"Just be careful."
The Bard turned to Kailynn, "I plan on finishing this story. May I pause here for a moment?"
Kailynn nodded around the knot in her throat.
"He means if we don't get killed instantly," Alac growled as he opened the carriage door, "I hope you are worth all this Princess."
He and The Bard both stepped out of the carriage on opposite sides and shut their doors.