Dream of Empty Crowns Read online

  “I can keep most of the plan the same, with a few alterations,” said Trunculin, “I'm meeting with the mystic guild now.”

  “He's already arrived through the tunnels. No one knows he is here but us. He knows you are coming,” said Brenddel.

  “Of course he does, he's a mystic,” replied Trunculin. Brenddel simply looked at the firstcouncilor and walked away as the sun slowly disappeared from the world.

  Chapter 6: Dangerous Note

  Gordon was looking at the clothes they had brought him. He was trying to work out what the fabric was made from. He felt it between his fingers and loved the way it almost slid off. The outfit was too big, but he was promised that would be fixed tomorrow.

  As he was checking his pants, a woman and a girl walked in carrying more clothes. They startled Gordon a little, but he didn't want them to think that they had. “Some more garments for you to choose from, my king. These might fit you a bit better,” said the woman as she draped the clothing over the chair. The girl laid her clothes down as well.

  “Do I … do I know you?” Gordon said to the girl, trying to remember where he had seen her.

  “No, my king, I don't think so,” she said as she looked him right in the eyes, “I think you might like this blue one, my king, it has lots of pockets.”

  “Aline, remember your place, girl. I am sorry, my king, they are all very nice,” Gordon barely noticed what the woman said as he stared at the girl named Aline.

  “I remember! You were in the courtyard when I put my name in the tower.” Gordon said smiling.

  Aline looked concerned as she shook her head. “I am just one of the many who serve the king,” she said and kept looking directly into his eyes.

  “We will leave you now, my king,” said the woman turning her back to exit. Aline kept looking at Gordon, and pointed to the pile of clothes. He looked confused as they left. Gordon had no idea what had just happened, but he was sure it was the same girl he had seen that day. Those blue eyes. Gordon went to the pile of clothes and went through them until he found the blue pants. They did have lots of pockets.

  He checked to see if any other girls were going to come around the corner from the hallway. Though he was well guarded, Gordon realized that the room had no actual doors, only open hallways. Gordon wondered why everyone thought they could just come in when he was dressing. He would have to figure something out. Then he saw the door. In the bathroom, he tried on the pants. A piece of paper was in one of the pockets. He unfolded it.

  Gordon – Great forces are at work. You are not safe. Trust no one but Aline. Be ready for anything. If all goes well, I will see you soon. Be alert. Destroy this note.

  Love – L.

  It was from his uncle Loren, but he had no idea what it meant. Why should he trust this girl Aline? He didn't know her. How did she know his uncle? Where was Loren? Great forces? Not safe? Gordon suddenly felt very alone. He jumped at a knock on the bathroom door.

  “My king, it's time for the king's meal. I am here to show you the way,” said Rolem through the door.

  Gordon looked at the paper. He looked around quickly, “Um, yes, I'll be out soon.”

  Seeing the toilet, he put the paper in the bowl and pulled the chain on the wooden box above. The water went from the box through the pipe and down to the bowl, the note swirling down the drain. He washed his hands and splashed cold water on his face. Drying off, he opened the door, “I'm ready.”

  Rolem smiled, “Yes, my king. Might I make a few suggestions before we go?” he said as he looked at Gordon's outfit. Gordon looked down. His shirt was wet from where he had splashed his face and his pants were inside-out.

  “Yes, Rolem. Thanks. I could use some help.”

  After Rolem had suggested a few ideas on appropriate clothing choices, he led Gordon to the main dining hall. Like many rooms in the palace, Gordon noticed there were no doors here either, just a large high archway through to the hall. As Gordon passed into the room, he stopped and had to remind himself to breathe again.

  Rolem smiled as he looked around with Gordon, then back to Gordon's face, “Like it?”

  “You could fit an airship in here!” exclaimed Gordon.

  The room fell silent. Gordon didn't realize that he had been that loud, and had just noticed how many hundreds of people were in the room. They were all staring at him, then the rumbling started. At first Gordon didn't know what was happening. He then realized that everyone was banging the tables. It sounded like thunder. Trunculin appeared out of nowhere, “Please, welcome your new king… Gordon!”

  The banging got even louder. Gordon smiled uneasily again. This is going to take some getting used to, he thought. Gordon started to feel a bit light headed and realized he needed something to eat again. He must have eaten too much sour cake in his room to try and balance his blood.

  Rolem had drifted away, letting Trunculin guide Gordon through the room. The large triangle tables were scattered on both sides of the large hall. There was a central aisle of purple carpet down the middle, leading to the far side of the room where a long raised table was on a stone platform. To Gordon, it looked almost like the table was set on a stage. The long table was lined with many people. The entire room of people stood as Gordon made his way to the table. Standing behind the table, King Stathen had an ornate purple glass in his hand. He was wearing the crown again. Gordon had a sudden urge to run out of the room, but it was far too late for that.

  As they reached the table, Trunculin said, “May I present our new King Gordon to you, my King Stathen, for the first symbolic shifting of power at this peaceful meal?”

  “You haven't gotten rid of me yet, Trunc. Not until the crowning ceremony,” replied Stathen.

  The whole room laughed, and Trunculin joined in, “My king, we will all miss your good humor, especially at my expense.”

  The king laughed too, “And I'm sure you hope no other king calls you Trunc.”

  They all laughed. Gordon smiled along.

  As the laughter trailed away, Trunculin said, “But jesting aside, my king, you do have to say the words, or this poor boy will not get to eat.”

  “Fair enough, Trunc. We wouldn't want to starve our new king. Trunculin, firstcouncilor of the kingdom, I agree to lay down my powers beginning tonight, in peace, if the new king will agree to pick up this heavy burden.”

  Everyone looked at Gordon. Stathen's face was very serious as he looked at Gordon. Trunculin leaned close to Gordon and whispered, “Just say 'I do,' my king.”

  “I do,” was all Gordon had to say as another thunderous round of banging washed through the room.

  “Good, I'm starving. Let's eat. Come on around,” Stathen gestured to his right. Trunculin led Gordon around the very long table. They must have passed in front of twenty people, then they went up a few stairs and passed behind the same twenty. Everyone turned in their chair to look at Gordon. Most were smiling, some just stared, and some had just the whisper of a smile to offer, as though they weren't sure what to make of this thirteen year old boy who was to be their king.

  He didn't know anyone. A few were dressed very strangely, like they were from other lands. Maybe they're envoys from other kingdoms, Gordon thought. He would try to ask Trunculin who they all were. They finally reached King Stathen at the middle of the table. There were two empty chairs. Trunculin motioned to Gordon to sit in one chair, while Trunculin sat in the center chair, between the two kings.

  As they sat, Trunculin said, “It's one of the old customs. The firstcouncilor sits between the two kings as a symbol of a peaceful continuing of the kingdom.”

  “That, and old Trunc here likes to be the center of attention,” offered king Stathen.

  Trunculin replied, “Oh, my king, nothing could be more untrue. I would be attending to all the details for tomorrow if not for old traditions. I prefer to work behind the scenes.”

  The meal began and Gordon had never seen so much food, not even in the kitchens earlier. He only recognized a few dishes
and was glad for the advice Stathen was giving. He was nervous to try some of the dishes, but Gordon knew he had to eat something to keep himself balanced. And he sure didn't want to offend anyone.

  He hoped they found Loren soon, so that his blood would stay balanced. Only his uncle Loren made the sour cakes, and Gordon only had a few more left. He knew he shouldn't, but he ate all of the sweet potato on his plate. Sweet potatoes were his favorite, even though his uncle warned him about eating too many. He politely tried many of the other dishes.

  “Gordon, stay away from that…” Stathen said as Gordon was spooning a dish he had never tried, “Its orangefish mixed with spice. We also call it brownfish. It will keep you in the bathroom all night.”

  “Oh, my king, don't listen to him. It's quite a rare dish! Stathen is just jesting again,” Trunculin said.

  Brenddel, his soon-to-be firstman came up behind Trunculin and whispered something to him. Gordon looked at his spoon and back to Stathen, who shook his head quickly. Gordon put back his spoon full of spicy orangefish.

  Trunculin turned to Gordon, “Oh, our new king Gordon, I would normally do this tomorrow after the crowning, but may I introduce Brenddel. He is the firstman of your knife guard.”

  Gordon had just taken a bite, and swallowed quickly as he stood. He extended his hand. Brenddel was bowing at the king at the same time, and Gordon held his hand out awkwardly. Brenddel looked to the firstcouncilor, then took Gordon's hand. He offered a professional smile, “My king.”

  Trunculin smiled, sighed and said, “Well, my kings, if you will excuse me. There is another urgent matter to deal with.”

  “Nothing too serious, I hope?” asked Stathen.

  “Oh no, just another boring detail. If you will excuse me,” Trunculin didn't wait for a reply, and simply left the table with Brenddel.

  Stathen grabbed his glass and moved into Trunculin's seat, next to Gordon. “Good, I thought he'd never leave. How are you feeling?

  Feeling? Gordon wasn't sure what to say. Did they know about his sweetblood illness already? Gordon answered, “Umm… very full.”

  Stathen laughed, “I would wager. You will never go hungry as king. I meant, how are you dealing with all this?”

  “Oh. It's… I'm… it's a lot. Everything is happening so fast. I don't even really know what my duties are, exactly,” replied Gordon.

  Stathen said, “I'm sure. I remember my king's meal. It was King Adinn before me. He had died in that riding accident, so there was no one in that seat for me. No one to talk to except for Trunculin. I was so nervous that I spilled my drink in the first course. I had no idea what I was doing.”

  “How did you learn it all?”

  “I didn't. I still feel like an imposter some days. The people seem to like me, and we've passed some good laws… I think. I'm just lucky that I didn't have any wars to deal with,” said King Stathen.

  “But you had the battle of the marshes,” offered Gordon.

  “Ah, you know all about me, do you?”

  “No, it's just I like history the best,” said Gordon, “Even though it happened when I was young. I read a lot of books.”

  “Hmmm. Well, the books aren't always right, exactly. It wasn't really our war. We were just helping out a councilor from Aspora. I was only there that one day for a meeting with their leader, Dinmar. It was an enemy agent that I spotted. We protected Dinmar, then we gave chase. The poor enemy's horse was pretty slow, so we caught up to him at the marshes. His friends were there, so there was a brief battle of sorts. But we had twenty men, and there were only five of them. It didn't last long. Hmm, funny if that's the only thing I will be remembered for,” Stathen said staring at his glass, like he was trying to remember something, “Gordon, my boy, come take a kingly walk with me. I need some fresh air. Air with less… ears.”

  They left the table and walked outside under a covered balcony with great pillars all along the walkway. Gordon was amazed at every new place he went in the palace, “Is it okay to be out here?”

  Stathen laughed, “Gordon, you are nearly king. You've already taken my room. This will be your home for the next five, or maybe ten years. You can go wherever you wish. And look down there, and there. We're safe anywhere near the palace grounds,” Stathen pointed down the covered walkway on either side of them. A guard was posted at regular places.

  Stathen suddenly looked serious, “Listen Gordon, we won't be alone again, and there's not much time. I wish I could tell you everything that is really going on. The reason we have kings by choosing is because the men that founded this kingdom believed we are all equal, and therefore anyone can be king. That is the way it is supposed to work,” He put his hand on Gordon's shoulder, “If you weren't scared you would make a bad king. A king should be scared, a little. But you will find your strength. You will need it. You are special Gordon. Play along, just don't trust Trunculin. He is…”

  “Ah! There are my two kings. I thought you had run off,” Trunculin made his way down the long corridor to them, “Gordon my boy, I wanted to go over the ceremony with you tomorrow, so there will be no surprises.”

  Stathen looked intensely into Gordon's eyes for a moment, then his face changed and broke into a wide, happy smile, “Trunc, we had almost made our escape. That's too bad, Gordon. You will have to be king tomorrow after all.”

  Trunculin smiled at them, “I never get tired of your jests, King Stathen. Do forgive me, my kings, but we have so little time before the crowning. May I steal him from you, Stathen?”

  “He's yours now,” Stathen took his hand off of Gordon's shoulder, “Good luck tomorrow, Gordon.”

  “Thank you, King Stathen. Good luck to you,” said Gordon.

  “Only for one more day, almost-king Gordon. Trust me, you'll need much more luck than me,” Stathen went back into the dining hall.

  Trunculin led Gordon back to his bed chamber behind the king's chair, overwhelming him with more information as they walked.

  Later that night, alone in his room, he put down the speech Trunculin had told him to memorize. He laid back on his enormous bed and relived the day. Was it really only this morning that he had been chosen? Was it possible? Then he thought of Aline and the note from Loren. He had no idea what it all meant. What was Stathen really trying to tell him about Trunculin?

  He thought that he might not be able to sleep at all, or worse, that he was sure to have the dream of falling. He was thinking of Loren's advice; to be ready for anything as he drifted off to sleep. If he dreamed, he did not remember it when he woke the next morning.

  Chapter 7: Trouble at the Crowning

  The morning was nonstop activity. They brought Gordon breakfast in his chamber. Most of the morning was getting his clothes just right and memorizing the ceremony speech, so breakfast was almost an interruption. There must have been thirty different people in and out of his room. The ceremony was to be held at high sun, when it would be directly overhead.

  Out of the windows, he had seen the airships coming into position around the choosing tower and courtyard. The crowning would be outside in the courtyard for everyone to see. It was also symbolic that it be held on the choosing tower stage.

  The morning quickly passed and everything was ready; it was time. Rolem was again in charge of getting Gordon to where he needed to be, “My king, are you ready?”

  “No, Rolem,” asked Gordon nervously, “Do you think they would miss me if I didn't go?”

  Rolem hinted at a smile, “I think Trunculin might notice, my king. Not to mention the thousands that have assembled to watch.”

  “Thousands?” Gordon asked.

  “Thousands, my king.”

  Gordon took a breath, “Then I guess we should go.”

  As Gordon left the room, he felt a little dizzy again. That was happening too often, he thought, especially since he had plenty to eat. He knew he hadn't been tested for the sweetblood for a whole day, but he felt mostly alright. Except for the slight headache he felt coming on. It's just nerves, he
thought.

  The walk seemed very long going to the tower. He was sure he would forget all the things he was supposed to say, or get them in the wrong order. He could hear the crowds as they got closer. Gordon saw the walkway down to the tower stage.

  The courtyard had been changed again. There were now two walkways leading to the platform stage over the hole in the tower.

  Trunculin was there with another man. They were dressed in similar clothes. Gordon guessed that it must be the secondcouncilor, who was in charge of the lower council.

  Gordon heard the gong and Rolem stood inside the archway, motioning for Gordon to begin the walk. Just don't trip and fall, Gordon kept repeating in his head. His headache had gotten worse, and now there was a kind of buzzing in his ears. Or was it his head? Just keep it together, Gordon scolded himself. As Gordon walked into the light, he said, “Thank you, Rolem.”

  As Gordon started down the platform, he saw Stathen do the same from his opposing walkway. The crowd was so loud, Gordon could no longer hear the buzzing in his ears. He looked around at the crowd, and it seemed like there were more people here now than had been at the choosing. Gordon and Stathen reached the platform at the same time, Stathen wore the crown.

  In the center of the platform, was an exact duplicate of the king's chair. He knew it was a copy, because he had just passed the real king's chair on his way down from his chamber. Stathen and Gordon got to each side of the chair, just as Gordon's script had instructed.

  Trunculin gestured for the crowd to be quiet. “Good citizens, men and women. You are here to make the final approval. Do you accept the will of fate and your new king Gordon?”

  The crowds roared its approval.

  “Then let the crown pass to Gordon, along with all of its powers. Then King Stathen will rejoin the people,” declared Trunculin.

  Gordon's head ached very badly now. But he smiled anyway, knowing it was just nerves and excitement. Trunculin went to Stathen and took the crown from his head. Stathen winked at Trunculin and gave a little smile. Trunculin's own smile wavered a bit, but it was so quick, no one else seemed to notice. Gordon faced the crowd, Trunculin began to place the crown dramatically on Gordon's head. As he did, Gordon's mind exploded.