Chapter twenty-two (10)

The next day came faster than one would wish. The streets of the capital were still as silent as the night of the bloody invasion. In noble homes, many prepared for Prince Thelmus' coronation. It had been only two weeks since the bloody invasion; but two days after the invasion, they had all received threatening invitations to attend the coronation. Those absent will have their entire family line executed; was the message. Even though many knew that the prince had the backing of Isne soldiers, they had cared not for this threat. They too had forces awaiting their orders. All through the entire invasion, Juhntt soldiers had more or less not moved at all to protect the capital. This was because they had not received orders from the king to move. The invasion happened so fast, that one did not understand how it was possible that the palace did nothing to counter. After they discovered that the king was no more, they retreated back to nobles for orders.

The nobles already thought Prince Thelmus unworthy of the throne the moment he betrayed Juhntt, so they did nothing. They waited for an opportunity for a new bloodline to stand up and rally them together. If pleased by this new line, they will lend a sword to take down the prince.

This was such an opportunity; the prince just needed to act on his threat. One family captured for not attending the coronation and they would raise a war; an excuse to end the royal line and start a new one. But their plans were cut short when another letter arrived them. This letter urged them to go. This letter stated that Prince Thelmus will not be able to take the throne; King Larken had made preparations before his death; Lady Wickshire will dispense the king's last words.

Now, this was interesting. Lady Wickshire telling them to move was a higher motivation than a threatening letter. She was an existence that the ancients feared. If she decided to take care of the issue, it will be taken care of. They had always known that this kingdom was more or less under Lady Wickshire's protection. Their suspicion was confirmed during the last queen's execution. Now, they wanted to attend the coronation and watch a show. Many that had returned to their country homes for the white cold started travelling back.

As midday struck, the fate drums sounded from the heart of the palace, throughout the entire capital. Not long after, one could see noble carriages moving in the same direction; no one needs telling that this was for the coronation. Prince Thelmus would be crowned today, yet the dark carriages rolling by looked like a funeral match. No shouts of celebration could be heard; no blue ribbons hung around the capital; only silence and curious eyes peeping through window sills followed the nobles on their way to the palace.

In one of these carriages, sat Lord of Merve, Amie and a veiled Queen Raine; sitting opposite the two, none too quick to speak.

"Where is Lord Morge?" Queen Raine finally asked.

"He will be leading the raid as the coronation takes place," Lord of Merve answered.

"You are still to say what the plan is,"

"The fewer people know, the better," Lord of Merve answered.

"Are you okay?" he asked Amie. Seeing as she remained silent, he hoped she would play her part well. Someone he claims is his betrothed, one would expect a certain kind of self-confidence.

"My parents think I am going to a ball, I would prefer that they continue to think so long after I returned," she said, not sparing him a look.

"You must remember, Your Majesty, you are her chaperone. You must only follow her lead; never make the mistake of taking the lead," Lord of Merve ignored Amie's words and proceeded to remind Queen Raine.

"I got the message the moment I had to put on this ridiculous attire," she snorted and looked away.

The carriage rolled into the palace gates like all others. They were asked to hand in their invitation, as the Isne soldiers looked to see who was in the carriage. The soldier looked at the invitation, then back into the opened carriage windows.

"This invitation is for you and a plus, Lord Merve. I see three people," the soldier said.

"This is my intended and her chaperone... oh and it's Lord of Merve," Lord of Merve corrected. The soldier nodded and let them through.

The tension in the carriage did not lessen as they rolled into the palace grounds. Lord of Merve stepped out first, before helping Amie out. Queen Raine followed behind the pair as they made their entrance into the hall. 

Lord of Merve was quite impressed by Amie's composure. She did not at all seem nervous under the stare of the audience. Lord of Merve never went to any occasion with an escort, so, many made sure to take in her features.

All the guests were seated, while melodious singing filled the stone hall. The hall was richly decorated; the usual intricate carving on the twenty-foot tall stone columns, holding up the elaborately painted ceiling. The polished marble statues were brought to life by the gold and blue drapes; colours of prosperity and happiness, hanging delicately around the columns.

Despite the lovely hall, the air was tense. The cautiously seated dignitaries with their faces affixed with frowns, made one wonder if one had walked into the wrong ceremony. Tensed eyes followed Lord of Merve and Amie as they made their way to their seats. Queen Raine took a seat behind them silently.

"Lord of Merve, where is your better half?" a nobleman sitting beside him asked jokingly. Everyone listening was well aware he was referring to Lord Morge.

"She is right beside me," Lord of Merve gave his signature smile and the nobleman laughed.

"And here I was thinking Lord Morge had taken that seat. Who is this fine young lady?" Amie could tell that everyone nearby was discreetly listening.

"Miss Krain, sir," Amie introduced herself politely.

"Well, Miss Krain, you better sit back. The way this ceremony is going, one might get tired of waiting and leave," the man did not bother to lower his voice. Amie smiled, even though she thought it low of him to use her to voice his dissatisfaction.

"Worry not, sir, we women are accustomed to sitting home all day," the nobleman burst out in laughter after a brief pause.

"Yes, by the looks of it, we may all become women today," he nodded, but Amie had long looked away, as though whatever he was saying had nothing to do with her.

After a while of children singing, Official Ghuil made his entrance with the priest. He wore a large flowing robe with the crest of a king maker; two eagles in a bow, embroidered into its back.

"So we know who the traitor is," the nobleman commented. Lord of Merve was not surprised at all by this. He had already known that Official Ghuil had gone to the prince's side.

The coronation had begun; the two on the raised stage face each other; a bowl of rock in one hand, a golden hammer in the other.

"I stand witness to this day, as those before me.

May words spoken hold the same truth, as those before me.

An era gone a new path drawn," they both swore in unison, then put down what they held on a tray offered to them by two maids. With the oath done, they faced the crowd. Just at that moment, three maidens veiled in white entered through double the doors. The guest looked back as they made their entrance; the leading maiden swinging a bell sideways as she walked.

"Purify the path. Strengthen the steps taken," they chanted as they slowly made their way toward the kingmaker and priest.

What those in the hall did not know was that; the moment Lord of Merve entered the hall, Lord Morge was leading a raid to take back the capital. He was no soldier, but he had an elite force handed to Lord of Merve by Lady Wickshire as a coronation present. 

A force trained by Lady Wickshire, these Isne soldiers did not stand a chance. One would think those martial artists from the Harnian Gate whom they had allied with would come to their rescue, but one did not know that the moment those from the Harnian Gate failed at their mission, they had left the kingdom.