The High Priest watched the pyre's flames take the body of his good friend. He watched the smoke carry his friend’s soul up into the sky.
“Farewell my dearest of friends. May you spend eternity basking in the sun’s warm light.”
He turned around and watched the queen’s carriage disappear into the horizon. Slowly he walked up the hill to the road. He stopped twice to peer back at the embering pyre. The High Priest saw Flave Verrik waiting for him in Flave’s new open air, black and gold carriage.
“Good morning Flave,” the High Priest said as he approached the carriage and carefully stepped around a pile of fresh horse manure.
“Good morning Montclair,” the rotund Flave said.
“My title Flave,” the High Priest said with a touch of annoyance in his voice.
He frowned at Flave and pointed to the driver with his eyes. Flave rolled his eyes and frowned.
“Not now. We need to talk.”
“Why are you so agitated on this beautiful morning, Flave?”
“Yes, I suppose it is beautiful,” Flave said as he looked at the sky. “May I remind you; we were the closest we had ever been to getting a royal navy.”
“No need for a reminder Flave. Let us discuss this matter later and in a more appropriate setting,” the High Priest said as he pointed again to the driver with his eyes.
“You are right,” Flave groaned as he reached over his girth with his left hand and open the small side door of the carriage. “Come in and we will go to McNally’s. I am past my breakfast time and I can get a private booth.”
The High Priest pulled himself up and sat on the plush red leather bench seat across from Flave.
“McNally's you say,” the High Priest said. “I’m not….
“Playing the poor priest are we,” Flave said with a little chuckle. “Fine, I will gladly pay for you too.”
“You are a kind and generous man Flave Verrik.”
“I think it may be my undoing.”
Both men started laughing as the carriage pulled away from the funeral site. The queen walked into the council room confident and refreshed after her bath.
The mourning has been washed off, and my rein of this land has begun. She thought to herself as she took her position in the middle of the half-moon council table. The sergeant of arms held her chair until she was settled. He stood to her right.
“Thank you, gentlemen, for coming here on such short notice. I do hope the sergeant's men were kind.”
She paused and gave a smile to the sergeant.
“The time for mourning the loss of my husband is over.”
“This is highly irregular,” Jehnt Prostcis interrupted. “No business is to be made during Mourning Day.”
“If you will let me finish, Jehnt.” her stare was icy, and her words came through gritted teeth. I will not be long. I would not want your overstuffed belly to lose out on the feasting, and by your smell it seems you have been into the ale already.”
Some low laughter could be heard around the table. Jehnt’s double chinned face had a faint redness to it as he heard the laughter.
“You need to watch your tone around here Missy.” he blurted out.
“No...no I will not Jehnt,” her voice had an eerie calmness even though it came through clinched teeth. “I am Queen Ellsbeth Harbeth. I am the ruler of this land and you will treat me as such or be removed from this council.
Jehnt stood up. Swayed a little. His fat hands were balled up into fist. He slammed them knuckles first into the table.
‘I think you forget who you are addressing…. Queen Ellsbeth Harbeth. I am the governor of the largest province of our land. Without my consent you rule nothing.”
The Queen shot out of her seat. Slammed her palm on to the table. She took a large breath.
“Are you threatening my rule Jehnt,” her voice was icy smooth.
All heads turned towards Jehnt. He did not speak.
“Did you not hear me or are my words queer to your ear.”
“I heard and understood,” Jehnt was forcing himself to calm down.
This is not the time Jehnt, he thought to himself. Let her have her day. Our time will come.
“I was just reminding you who your biggest supporter is….my Queen.”
“Duly noted,” She calmly said while sitting down. “I just wanted to say to all of you at the same time to enjoy the festivities today but be prepared for a meeting at mid-morning tomorrow. That is all. Enjoy gentlemen.”
The Queen rose. The council all rose together and left the council room. The queen turned to the sergeant at arms.
“That went well, did it not sergeant.”
“Yes, my Queen.”
She started giggling.
“Thought Jehnt was going to have a heart attack.”
“He did seem upset.”
“Yes. Yes, he did,” she could not stop herself from laughing. “Pompous ass that he is. He is in for a rude awakening. All of them are...”
The sergeant of arms put out his arm and the Queen took it. He walked her to the council door.
‘Thank you, sergeant,” she said as she released his arm. “Tomorrow come fully armed and with the full house guard.”
“My Queen?”
“I must work on my language skills; seems no one can understand me.”
The sergeant shook his head and grimaced.
“I just want to be sure of what I heard. No malice intended. It is an odd request to me, and I want to make sure I heard it right.”
“No malice taken,” she said with a smile. “I know it will upset the council, but that is my notion. It is a show of force I know, but times have changed, and they need to know who rules, period. I will not tolerate any deviance from the path I am choosing for our land. None.”