Dream of Empty Crowns Read online

  Trunculin walked past the room, holding his breath. He came to the entrance door to the law room. The guards let him pass without a word. He came to a small desk, piled with requests almost as tall as the law keeper who was sitting behind them.

  Trunculin let out his breath. “Uhhh, I can still smell them. I don't know how you work so close to the reeking masses.”

  The man offered no response to Trunculin's query. “How may we help you, firstcouncilor?” said the man with no emotion at all. Trunculin barely registered it as a question.

  “I need the grand keeper,” said Trunculin.

  The little man nodded once, got up and left the room. He came back shortly and resumed his work.

  The grand keeper came out. “Firstcouncilor. I thought we might get a visit. How may I help?” said the grand law keeper warmly.

  Trunculin didn't bother to hide anything. A law keeper worked all day in a dimly lit level with no windows. He reasoned that they were not even ambitious enough to gossip. The complexities of the law book kept their minds too busy. “I need to know if a king was crowned correctly, if there is any legal way to replace him immediately. Also, if there is any historical precedent for removal, due to illness.”

  The grand keeper was not surprised. “We will need to consult areas 47, 326, and 2239. Right this way, firstcouncilor.”

  This level was vast, and there was only one way in. Trunculin was not looking forward to this visit. He needed the information, and he could not trust it to an underling. He needed to see the words himself, in order to know which way he could twist them.

  The law book is a collection of pages on a seemingly never-ending long winding set of tables. There are hundreds of tables that support the law book. It winds through the level just like a snake, Trunculin thought. It was mounted in such a way that when a new law needed to be added, any section could be opened to receive those pages. Trunculin thought of each section as a chapter of the book, winding around on the tables. Of course, no law was ever removed.

  This level was originally sectioned off into small rooms of offices and living chambers. The first law room had held just one small book written by the first thirteen. That was a long time ago, Trunculin knew. Eventually, walls were taken down and the floor was supported from underneath to account for the vast weight of the serpentine book of laws. Since it was like one continuous book, they would have to walk by the entire thing, only stopping at the relevant sections.

  Trunculin always felt like he was in a dark tunnel, the rare times he came here. True, Trunculin had written many of the laws himself, but he did not care to look at the consequences. His job was to pass laws, not keep track of them. Until he needed to trap someone in them, of course.

  They stopped by each section and Trunculin was annoyed to find the laws concerning how a king was chosen were very clearly written. Most of them were written many years before, even before Trunculin. They had a different philosophy then. The first kings believed that only a few laws would do. Trunculin had always believed that there must be so many laws, often conflicting, that anyone could be called a criminal when it was convenient.

  They came to the last relevant section, number 2239. It was a law concerning an obscure king. Trunculin smiled. That might just work, he thought to himself. He left the law room relieved to be away from the great snake.

  Chapter 12: Danger on the Water

  “What is it?” asked Loren, answering the knock.

  “It's me. We must speak privately,” replied the voice from the other side of the door.

  Loren went out, limping on his hurt leg, trying to shield Gordon and Aline from being seen. Through the door, Gordon could hear only whispers. Loren came back a few moments later.

  “Who was that, Loren?” asked Aline.

  Loren said, “That was the only friend we have on this ship. Plans have changed. Trunculin sent word that there is a man, girl, and boy travelling, and there is a reward. Any of these men would kill us to collect it. He thinks a few suspect who you really are. We have to get off this ship.”

  “How? This is a direct ship to Thure,” asked Aline.

  Loren answered, “Almost. They have to stop and do trading at the port of Dralinn.”

  “Wait… I read about that port. They also call it Murderer's Cove, don't they?” asked Gordon.

  “I shouldn't have given you so many books with real history in them,” remarked Loren.

  “If there's a reward for us, that's the last place we should go,” offered Aline.

  “It's the most likely place to find a more reliable transport to Thure. Nobody just passes Dralinn. All ships stop there for something.”

  “It would be a good place to get better disguises than these cloaks. No offense. Plus some fresh healing cloth to wrap your leg,” remarked Gordon.

  “The boy king here has a point. If we don't get you fresh cloth for your leg, if will get infected” added Aline. “Should I guess at the other reason you want to go there?”

  “We have to take turns guarding the door. You want first watch or second, Aline?” asked Loren, ignoring her last question.

  “I'll take first watch,” she said.

  “Okay. I'll sleep for four hours, then you,” Loren said. “Gordon, you sleep all eight. We should be at the bay in nine hours or so.” He limped to Gordon and hugged him. “I know you have more questions. They will all be answered. But if I don't lie down now, I will fall down.”

  “I… I understand. Thank you, Uncle Loren, for everything,” said Gordon. Loren nodded at Aline, then went to his rope bed. He was asleep the moment he let his head down.

  Gordon's rope bed was closer to Aline, who sat facing the door, shortknife on her lap. He climbed onto his bed, closed his eyes and couldn't sleep. He looked at Aline. “Thank you, too, Aline, for all your help. I don't know quite how to ask this, but… who are you exactly?”

  “I am Aline from lower Aspora.”

  “Why is someone from Aspora helping a king from another land? King - I'm still not used to saying that - king,” said Gordon.

  “You've never been to my land. Even with what your firstcouncilor is doing to the kingdom, your land is still far better than mine. In my land, the king is not chosen. It is called the land of a thousand kings for a reason,” said Aline. “The strong rule in my land. They are never the best kind of men, and they are always the cruelest.”

  “What is the firstcouncilor doing exactly? I don't understand any of this.”

  Aline said, “Loren should be the one to tell you. It's not my place.”

  “Well, he's asleep right now. I just want some answers. It's been a long day of people trying to kill me. I think I deserve a few,” said Gordon.

  “I can tell you this,” Aline said. “The beloved Trunculin is capable of horrible things. I have seen some with my own eyes.”

  “But he has been firstcouncilor since before I was born. He's one of the most popular people in our kingdom. What are these horrible things?” Gordon insisted.

  “Like I said, Loren should tell you.” Aline didn't say anything after that, and just stared at the door. Gordon gave up, and sleep finally took him.

  Chapter 13: Unhappy Crowds

  There was no turning back now. Trunculin waited inside the archway leading to the balcony, mentally preparing himself for… well, he wasn't sure. This had never been done before, not exactly. Brenddel approached to his right, nodded and said nothing. The firstcouncilor walked onto the balcony and the crowd had a strange reaction.

  They had never seen the firstcouncilor come out without smiling. He came out with his head down, looking at the ground. He still was not smiling as he walked down the walkway and onto the stage. He raised his head solemnly to all of the crowds gathered.

  “Our young king Gordon,” announced Trunculin, “has fled our kingdom.”

  The shock among the crowds was immediate. There were gasps and shouts, but from most of the crowd there was silence. The firstcouncilor continued, “What you saw yesterd
ay was a boy that was not ready to be king. Gordon, well… his mind broke down. Our firsthealer found nothing wrong with his health or body. His mind simply couldn't take what was thrust upon him. Under a cover of darkness last night, with some traitorous friends, Gordon fled our kingdom in fear and cowardice.”

  The crowd was stunned. But there was another reaction too, one that the firstcouncilor had not seen before. A few in the crowd started to shout, “I don't believe it,” or “he wouldn't do that,” were clearly heard among the crowds. Trunculin motioned for the crowd to quiet, and they obeyed.

  The firstcouncilor looked shrewdly at the crowds and declared, “But I have consulted the great law book, and I found something that happened long ago that may help us in this strange time. There was a boy named Joreh. He was a small boy and he was chosen king. The poor boy was so scared he soiled himself right on this platform.” At this, the crowd let out a few chuckles. “This is not a time for laughter! It must prove to all of you that what happens on this tower is deadly serious,” he continued. “We all imagine what it would be like to stand here and be chosen, for the crowds to cheer. What Joreh went through, and what Gordon has done, should remind us all how great a responsibility it is to lead this kingdom.”

  The crowds did not laugh again. Trunculin knew he had them now. “Like Gordon did, Joreh said the words; he would take this responsibility and be our king. He was not able to continue, and the poor boy went mad within days. It has given us a precedent. After Joreh, a law was passed and there was an immediate second choosing for a new king.”

  The reaction to this unusual idea was mixed. Trunculin continued, “And that is what is going to happen today. Both councils agreed that it is the only way to get past this uneasy time. The new choosing will be now, in front of all you good people. Please bring the glass barrel.”

  The crowd seemed unhappy with this idea. Their murmurs and loud whispers were not what the firstcouncilor was hoping for. He couldn't tell what they were saying exactly, but the general tone of the people was not good. This could still go badly, Trunculin thought.

  The glass barrel was brought out with names of the eight year old child that would choose the new king. This time a boy's name was chosen, and he walked up bravely and chose a number. The number three was chosen this time and the fanfare grew as they unlocked the third door. The boy reached through the door, pulling out the name board of the new king. The firstcouncilor took it from the boy and proudly said “Asa.”

  Asa was found immediately and hoisted up among the ranks. The firstcouncilor noticed that the mood of the crowd was different this time. It wasn't somber exactly, but it was muted; not at all the excited scene of Gordon's choosing. Trunculin knew there was no turning back now.

  Asa looked even more shocked than Gordon had. Trunculin asked if Asa would accept the kingship, and after a long pause Asa said he would. The crowd mostly cheered their new king, and the firstcouncilor made the same speeches that he had made at Gordon's choosing, trying to rush it so that the people would have no choice but to accept the events as they unfolded.

  Trunculin added something to his speech. He motioned for the crowd to quiet down and made another announcement. “And to get past this troubled time even faster, the councils have agreed that the crowning should also be today.”

  The crowd erupted as one this time, but not with delight. It was as if the firstcouncilor had thrown a switch. Now the crowd was angry. There came shouts of “No!” and, “That's not the law,” and one man was clearly heard to say, “You lie!”

  The firstcouncilor was never at a loss on what to say or what to do, but this surprised him. He had not expected the ferociousness of this reaction. He couldn't quite move for a moment, but then he motioned for the crowd to quiet down. They did not. He tried a second time, but it just seemed to fuel their anger. Trunculin was angry now too, but he dared not show it.

  Not knowing what else to do, he motioned for the king's crown to be brought. The crowd was still very angry, with shouts the firstcouncilor had never heard. Trunculin placed the crown on Asa's head. Asa started to actually look afraid. He shrunk away from the crown, and some people in the crowd noticed.

  “He doesn't even want to be king!” said someone from the crowd, while another said, “Don't force him!” and another, “You're scaring him!”

  The firstcouncilor mustered his famous smile: The smile that made him so famous among the people. He always smiled the same and thought the same exact thought. Through his smile, he always imagined the entire courtyard being filled with fire from the airships. In his mind, he saw them all burning.

  The firstcouncilor continued his widest smile as he nearly crammed the crown on the boy's head. He lowered his own head so only Asa could hear him, and whispered in a sincere tone, “Now, my little king, your first lesson: you will do everything I tell you to do.”

  The firstcouncilor's hands were on both of Asa's shoulders, gripping him fiercely. The boy simply nodded silently.

  “That's a good little king.” Trunculin nearly spit the words into Asa's ear.

  The new king and the rest made their way into the palace as they had the day before, but instead of cheering crowds for Gordon, all that they could hear were cries of anger.

  Chapter 14: A Familiar Face

  Back on the ship, the three travelers all managed to get some sleep, somehow. Loren's leg pain made it hard for him to sleep for more than a quarter hour at a time. He shifted in his rope bed, but no position was comfortable. Aline worried about how much blood he had lost. The waters had been rough during the night which must have distracted everyone on board from taking them prisoner to collect any reward.

  When it was time to get off the ship, there was a knock on the door, and once again it was their only friend. This time he came into the room with some food and some advice. “I can get you off the ship, but after that, you're on your own. I'm not exactly welcome in this port. There's not enough hours in the day to tell you why.”

  “Thank you, old friend,” said Loren. “I won't forget all you've done for us.” They gathered their things and left the ship, Gordon wondering to himself how well he really knew his uncle. How did he know all of these people that Gordon had never heard of?

  They got suspicious glances until they were off the ship entirely. Gordon noticed how many people stared at Loren's injured leg as they made their way onto the docks, like they were emboldened by any perceived weakness. As they walked along the long piers, there were smells of salty water and the overpowering odor of fish. There were people selling their catches and other things right out of their boats as they walked toward the port city of Dralinn.

  There were shouts of both anger and joy all around them. Gordon knew right away that this was a dangerous place, but he tried not to smile too much. He had never been very far from home, and despite the danger, he was awed by the place that he had only read about. The port of Dralinn, also called murderer's cove, or the bay of death, was famous for all the wrong reasons: Escaped prisoners, murderers, and sea lords all came here to hide or get supplies. Sometimes both. Gordon realized how much danger they were in, especially with Loren hurt, but he had to admit to himself this was exciting. Just like stories he had read about in his books.

  As Gordon looked around, it was hard to believe that this was actually a part of the kingdom of the thirteen, his own kingdom. It was only accessible by ship, because mighty mountains separated the bay from the rest of the kingdom. There were some steep trails, but few people dared go through the narrow passes. They were only used by message dogs too fast to be caught by the marauders that sometimes ventures into the steep trails.

  The smells of sweat, fish and saltwater were a strange mix this early in the morning. It brought Gordon out of his daydreaming to look around at the reality of Dralinn. Gordon hadn't spent much time down by the king's dock back home. Loren had always said it was a dangerous place to be, lots of people that Gordon shouldn't get to know. Compared to this place, the king's dock see
med safer than his village.

  There was a large statue where the docks met. It was over five men high and made of some kind of stone that Gordon had never seen before. The man had a giant spear in both hands, and down around this spear were three crowns. The spear was going through all the crowns and into the ground.

  Gordon asked Loren, “What does that statute mean?”

  Before Loren could answer, Aline said, “It means they don't like kings here.”

  Gordon looked up from the docks at the houses and buildings. They seemed to almost climb up the hills behind the docks. As they walked closer, he saw that many were built on logs. They look like houses with legs, Gordon thought. The logs were sunk into the hills at different lengths so that all the houses were relatively level.

  As they walked toward the narrow streets between the buildings, Loren explained, “They are all very close to each other and some are even built on top of the other. Each house is interconnected to the next, all the way up, until the hills turn into Mount Anthsia.”

  “So that is Mount Anthsia?” Gordon asked, pointing to the top of the mountain towering over the roofs.

  Aline added, “Terrible place to build houses. The fools' just better hope Mount Anthsia doesn't spit fire at them…”

  “That hasn't happened in hundreds of years…” Loren said.

  “I don't know how anyone can live here,” finished Aline, walking ahead of them. Gordon thought that Aline seemed mad about something. He was still trying to puzzle out Aline.

  They went through a small, narrow alleyway. The sun couldn't penetrate the alley, so it was very dark. Loren slowed down. The steep, inclined alley was hurting his leg. They only stopped for a moment, when a large man with a dirty smile stepped in front of them. Loren stopped and began to say something to him, when another man stepped in behind them, blocking the alley from both sides.