The Sentinel of Cassendar: Resquarian

Galen Ellis the young Lord of the Western Hills, stood in the entry hall of the palace awaiting the Princess Lexine. He pulled at his shirt and robe slightly, not used to the strange garment yet. He had been named the Lord of the Western Hills two months ago, but he hadn’t done much as the lord yet. He had met his attendants and toured his manor and estate, but he had stayed mostly either in the manor at Low Hill or the palace as he attended the Royal Academy.

Galen wiped a bit of sweat off of his brow. It was rather hot to be wearing so many clothes, but it was a very special day. Four months had passed since the battle with Navalia, and it was time to officially coronate King Leal and his queen. Although the king had been crowned in Siccaria, it was decided by the council and king that he should be officially crowned in the High Palace where he could take the throne and recognize his queen.

Most of the lords and ladies of the court where already gathered in the throne room, awaiting the king and queen, but Galen would walk in with Princess Lexine and the rest of the Cassendars. While they were not officially betrothed it was known their relationship was leading to marriage. Galen turned as the door to the palace opened and Roderick walked in with Cara.

“Good morning, Galen,” said Roderick as he and Cara walked forward. “I suppose this means the royal family is not down yet.”

“No, but they should be any moment,” said Galen as he smiled at Cara. “It is good to see you, Cara. I hope things are well at the Fortress.”

“We have started the Disciplines, and so far, it seems we have a good group,” said Cara. “The High Captain seems to think we will at least gain a few Elites in the end.”

“And your sessions with the High Captain are going well?” asked Galen.

“They are, though they are grueling at times. I think she overestimates how much knowledge I can take in.”

“No, she knows exactly what you are capable of, but she will push you to be your best. I believe she had high hopes for you, Cara,” said Galen.

“So, it would seem,” said Cara as they all three turned hearing footsteps on the stairs.

Galen smiled as he looked up and saw Lexine walking down with her parents. She looked unbelievably lovely in a summer gown of Cassendar green with her hair pulled up off of her face, a few curls hanging down her neck.

“Good morning, Galen, Roderick, Cara,” said Lexine as she walked to Galen’s side. “You look very handsome today, my lord.”

“And you are beyond beautiful,” said Galen as she put her hand on his arm. “Your majesties, I am glad you are back in Winsdell.”

“I am very happy to be home,” said Queen Lyvia. “Especially during such a happy, exciting time.”

“It is good to be here,” said King Rommel. “I am glad Leal has decided to hold a coronation here. The Siccarian one was fine, but he should be recognized in his own palace, he and the queen.”

“I suppose the coronation is exciting, but I was thinking more of the baby coming, dear. I cannot wait for dear Dracia to have her child,” said the queen.

“Of course, my dear. I am looking forward to that event as well. Whether it is the next king or a High Noble, I am excited to meet my grandchild.”

“Malven, stop fussing,” said the king as he walked down the stairs. “Everything is perfectly fine.”

“If you would like to walk in front of your entire kingdom with a crooked robe, then be my guest, your majesty,” said Malven as Leal rolled his eyes and stopped on the third stair so Malven could adjust his robe. “There, now you are more than fine, you are perfect.”

“Very well, Malven, you may go,” said King Leal as he looked at those assembled before him. “My queen seems to be taking her time.”

“Yes, and you will happily wait for her,” said Lexine with a small laugh. “She is not as quick and graceful as she usually is at the moment.”

The king smiled at his sister before they all turned, hearing more footsteps on the stairs. Galen looked up to see the queen walking down the stairs with Lady Elise holding her arm, and her mother behind her.

“I may not be as quick, Lexine, but I dare say I am as graceful as I have ever been. Even if I am not, you should not speak so of a queen,” said Dracia with a smile. “What do you say, Galen? Do you agree with your princess?”

“I think you are as elegant and lovely as always, your majesty,” said Galen as he smiled at Lexine who swatted him.

“Everyone is assembled, I am sure,” said King Leal. “You should all head to the throne room, and the queen and I will be there in a moment.”

Galen waited as Lexine hugged her brother and kissed Dracia on the cheek before he escorted her behind her parents. He gave a contented sigh as they walked with her holding on to his arm, leaning slightly on him.

“I heard your sigh, Galen. I know this is not to your taste,” said Lexine quietly. “I am sure there are a hundred things you would rather be doing at the moment.”

“I did sigh, but it was not in irritation,” said Galen as they walked. “I am actually quite content today. Our kingdom is secure, and our king and queen are being celebrated. Above all, I get to have you on my arm most of the day, and dance with you tonight. I could not ask for a better way to spend my time. Well, maybe there are a few other things I would like to do.”

Galen gave her a small wink and smile that made her blush slightly and smile back at him.

“It is a very good day, and I am happy to share it with you. There was a time I worried we wouldn’t get to experience this much happiness, but I am glad to see it worked out. All I ask for now is a safe delivery of Dracia’s child and many years of being by your side.”

“I can guarantee you will be by my side for many years, Lexine,” said Galen. “And for the other, the queen is young and healthy, and her babe is strong. I am sure both will come through just fine.”

“You should keep reminding my brother of it, Galen,” said Lexine as they came to the door of the throne room. “He grows more anxious every day.”

“Nothing I could say would calm him,” said Galen as they stood behind her parents. “I imagine I will be much the same when it comes to our own family.”

Lexine smiled. “I never gave much thought to being a mother, but I believe I should like to have children with you one day, Galen. First, there are many places I would like to go with you, and many things I would like to experience, but one day I think I could be quite happy to live with you in the manor of the Western Hills with at least one or two children.”

“Even after you are a mother, you can still experience many things, Lexine. I will never hold you back from anything you would like to do or learn. I will want our children to know a woman’s mind is not weaker than a man’s. I think in many instances it might be stronger,” said Galen.

“I do love you, Galen,” said Lexine softly as the doors open.

“And I love you, my princess,” said Galen as he softly kissed her hand before they walked into the room.

Leal stood in the entryway with Dracia next to him, and Roderick and Cara behind them both. He took Dracia’s hand and gazed at her, marveling once again in her beauty. He smiled as she tilted her head and gave him a questioning look.

“Is something wrong?” she asked.

“No, everything is perfect,” said Leal as he pulled her hand to his lips and kissed it. “I was just thinking of how absolutely beautiful you are.”

“I thank you, but I hardly feel so today,” said Dracia as she fidgeted with her green and gold dress. “My mother did her best to have a gown made that would hide my waistline, but I am afraid there is no hiding it at this point.”

“You look perfect to me,” said Leal as he gently put his hand on her stomach. “You look like a perfectly healthy mother to be which pleases me. I can’t help but worry for you.”

“All will be well, Leal; you do not need to worry,” said Dracia. “Now, let me greet my seconds properly.”

She stepped away and turned to Cara who curtsied before Dracia. “I hope you are well, Cara. I know helping to run the Disciplines can be exhausting.”

“Perhaps, but not half as exhausting as participating in them,” said Cara. “I am pleased to help over see them for you, High Captain.”

“I am afraid your task will only become harder with your fellow second taking a journey after today,” said Dracia with a smile. “You are escorting Lady Elsie back to Siccaria, I believe, Roderick.”

“I am, High Captain, and I thank you for allowing me to do it. I shall not be gone long,” said Roderick with a smile.

“You will be gone as long as you need to see things done correctly,” said Dracia. “I expect you mother would like a new Lady of Low Hill to come help her run the household now that it is expanding, and I do not want you to disappoint Lady Glain. She and I have had much discussion over it, and we would both like to see the things settled before winter.”

“Lady Selene’s parents are at the palace now since Lady Maia had her son, so I will not have to travel beyond Radarial. I believe Lord Ethen has already smoothed the way a bit, so I hope to not be long at my task. I should like to be back before our next prince or princess is born.”

“Do not let her bully you so, Roderick,” said Leal as he turned to stand at Dracia’s side. “You do as you see fit, and it will all work out.”

“I don’t mind our queen telling me what to do, your majesty. I am quite used to it at this point,” said Roderick.

“I am as well, Roderick,” said the king as he smiled down at Dracia.

“Then listen to me now, and let us head to the throne room,” said Dracia. “I am sure they are ready for us.”

Leal offered Dracia his arm, and she took it with a smile. He glanced at her several times, happy to finally see her dressed in Cassendar green. She looked at beautiful in it as he always thought she would. Her dress was cut high so it hid her waist as best it could, but he could still see her growing stomach that showed she was well with his child. She only had her hair pulled half up and the rest fell around her shoulders in dark mahogany waves. She turned and looked at him as they approached the door to the throne room, her bright brown eyes shinning with happiness.

“Are you ready, my king?” she asked quietly as she leaned towards him.

“I am as long as my queen in besides me,” said Leal before kissing her cheek.

Leal nodded to the two palace guards and they opened the doors, letting Leal lead Dracia inside the room. They walked together up the long aisle as the lords and ladies stood watching them make their way to the dais. As he approached the front, he saw his uncle, the king of Indomia smiling at him with his queen and son close by. Lady Elise nodded at him with a slight smile as Dracia looked her way. Dracia’s parents and brother smiled at them both, Kellen giving a small wink as his wife lovingly rolled her eyes.

As they approached the dais, Leal saw his mother and father standing side by side with Lexine near them. His father looked better than he had in years, healthy and at peace. His mother was practically glowing as she smiled at Leal. Lexine grinned at Leal, but her eyes quickly cut to someone close to the dais, and Leal knew Galen must be standing at the front. In the middle of the dais were two thrones, and next to them stood Leal’s uncle, wearing his dark green priest robes.

Leal escorted Dracia up the short stairs and onto the dais. He stopped before the thrones and took Dracia’s hand. He kissed her hand while she smiled at him before he let it go and looked to his uncle. Leal said his vow again as the King of Lanoxan. He kneeled and was crowned by his uncle. Upon rising, Leal called for his queen, and she said her vow to him and the kingdom as he pledged himself to her again. They took their seats together upon their thrones as those in the room kneeled before them. Dracia gave him a glorious smile as Leal looked at her, happy to be there in that moment, by her side, him as king and her as queen just as he had always wanted.

He bid his people to rise, pledging to bring in a new era of peace and prosperity not just for Lanoxan, but for the whole land. They spent much of the rest of the day with the court, eating a luncheon and greeting the many lords and ladies who came up to them.

“When will you be leaving for Northonton, Lord Yates,” asked Leal to Dracia’s brother, Kellen.

After the battle, those lords who sided with Navalia were banished from the kingdom, their lands given over to the king to dispose of how he saw fit. One family Leal was very happy to see gone was the Isadel’s. Most of their land had originally belonged to Lady Owena, so it only seemed fitting to offer the land and the lordship to her youngest son, Kellen.

“We will leave in a week. I would like to see the place in the summer, and try to find some sort of society around those parts,” said Kellen.

“I am sure some of society will come to you, Kellen,” said Dracia with a laugh. “You always were quite good at attracting large groups of people. Now you will have ample room to entertain them.”

“Perhaps, one summer you and the king might join us, sister. I think it would help us find more friends to visit us if the king and queen were in attendance,” said Kellen.

“We will try next summer, Kellen, and I am sure we will see you often in Winsdell. I know how you and your wife like to travel,” said Dracia.

“I will come see you later this summer, Kellen,” said Colm Yates. “I can help you learn how to manage such an estate because I am sure you never really listened to father as he taught us.”

“I thought I would not need to know since I was a younger son, so I will welcome your help, Colm.”

Dracia and Leal left her brothers to discuss the trip, and walked up to Galen and Lexine who were speaking with Martin Nest. Martin bowed low as Leal and Dracia stood by Galen and Lexine.

“It is good to see you, Martin,” said Dracia kindly. “I had worried about you since Navalia.”

“It was a frightening time, your majesty, but I imagine it would have been worse without you,” said Martin as his eyes stayed downcast. “I hope you will forgive me and my family for any affiliation we had with those who aligned with Navalia. My father and mother are mortified over the whole affair.”

“There is nothing to forgive,” said Dracia. “Your father only wished to see you well connected. He could not know what the Isadel’s truly where. I wish you better luck in your next match.”

“I am happy to just be here with my friends, once again,” said Martin as he finally looked up. “I will spend my time at the Royal Academy approving myself until I am worthy of finding a good woman.”

“You are very young, Martin. I hope you will be happy, and serve Lanoxan well one day when you take your place as lord,” said Leal.

“Thank you, your majesty,” said Martin.

“And you, Lord Galen Ellis, how do you find your own lordship?” asked Leal.

“I would say overwhelming, but I am lucky to have good attendants who can see to the land while I learn,” said Galen.

“But the manor and lands are to your liking?” asked Leal.

“They are, and more importantly your sister seems to like the place which is all the approval I need.”

“You are very bright, Galen,” said Dracia. “Keeping Lexine happy will ensure you live a very good life, I think.”

“Galen is all I need to be happy,” said Lexine. “But the house and lands are lovely. It is also close to Winsdell which means I will be close to you and my new niece or nephew.”

“And we will be glad to have you both close,” said Dracia as she turned and looked over towards Roderick. “Now, Galen, if only your brother will follow my advice, he will be well settled with his own lady very close to us all.”

“I am sure he means to take your advice, my queen,” said Galen as Roderick noticed he was being watched. “He always has.”

“Come, Roderick, and walk with me for a while,” said Dracia as she let go of Leal’s arm. “You will be gone from me for some weeks, so I will take your time now while I can.”

Leal watched them walk away from the group, Dracia happily chatting with her second as Roderick looked at her adoringly.

Leal thought the ball that night was a bit much, but it was customary. As he changed in his rooms, he worried that it might be too much for Dracia, but she was determined to attend.

“I will sit down after the first dance if you wish, but I will open the ball with my king,” she said as her attendant, Lanie, finished her hair and added her crown.

“You must promise me you will leave early if you become overly tired,” said Leal. “You need not stay for the whole event.”

“I feel very well, Leal,” said Dracia. “I still have at least two and a half months, maybe three until our child arrives. With some breaks and good food, I think I shall be able to last well into the night.”

They made it downstairs to find a full ballroom awaiting them. They were announced and all in the room went quiet as Leal lead Dracia out onto the dance floor. He bowed to her and she curtsied, and they had their first official dance as the King and Queen of Lanoxan in the High Palace.

The ball was enjoyable even if it was long. Leal kept a close eye on Dracia while doing his duty and dancing with the ladies of the court. He was pleased to see Dracia spend much of her night sitting with Lady Elise as many others came to speak with her. She did dance with the King of Indomia and his son before she danced with Roderick. Leal could tell she was getting tired, but he would not begrudge her a dance with her second since he would be leaving tomorrow to head to Siccaria. Leal happily watched them dance, hoping he could convince Dracia to go to their rooms after it was over.

“I think you are quite done with this evening, Leal,” said his father who walked over to him.

“I have enjoyed the festivities, but I am afraid Dracia is very tired from the events of today,” said Leal.

“Then you should escort your queen to your rooms,” said the King Rommel.

“Won’t it be rude to leave the ball early? It is for my coronation after all,” said Leal.

“You are the king now, Leal, and in some cases, you actually can do as you please. No one will think less of you for retiring early with your wife. There are many heavy obligations that come with ruling a kingdom, and you should enjoy the benefits of the position when you can.”

“I would much rather see to the care of my wife, than dance with another random lady of the court,” said Leal.

“Then you should go take your wife’s hand while you have the chance, because the music is ending,” said Leal’s father as he smiled at him.

Leal walked over to where Roderick was escorting Dracia from the floor. He watched as Dracia whispered something to Roderick, and Roderick took her hand and kissed it while smiling at her. He looked over towards Leal as he walked up to them and bowed slightly.

“Your majesty, I think perhaps our queen needs to find her way to her rooms,” said Roderick.

“I was thinking the same thing,” said Leal. “I hope you will not fight me on this, Dracia.”

“No, you are both correct. I do need to rest, but it should not take you from your ball, Leal. Feel free to stay here and dance with someone or talk with Roderick. I know the way to my room,” said Dracia.

“I would much rather go with you, dearest. I am sure those left here are having too much merriment to even notice we have left,” said Leal.

“Let him go with you, Dracia,” said Roderick. “I will stay a while longer and let anyone who ask know that you have gone to rest. No one will think any less of either of you.”

Dracia nodded before she leaned up and kissed Roderick on the cheek. “I will see you and my grandmother off tomorrow,” she said as she took Leal’s arm.

“I will not be gone long, Dracia,” said Roderick. “I am anxious to complete my task and be back home.”

“I’m glad to hear it,” said Dracia. “I am ready to go, my king. If we don’t leave soon, you might have to carry me, and I fear I am much heavier than normal.”

Leal laughed. “I know much better than to say anything to that. Good night, Roderick.”

He escorted Dracia up to their rooms as she leaned on him up the stairs. He disappeared into his own room to put on comfortable clothes as Dracia’s attendant saw to her. When Leal was done, he dismissed Malven and walked into Dracia’s small sitting room to find it empty. He looked in her bedroom and washroom to see she wasn’t there. He finally saw the door to the balcony open and walked out to find her staring out into the hills behind the palace.

“Don’t tell my Siccarian family this, but of all the places I have seen in the land, none is so beautiful as this,” said Dracia as she gazed out into the moonlit hills.

“I agree,” said Leal as he stared at her. “There is nothing on which I would rather look at this moment.”

She turned to him and smiled. “I can’t believe all that has happened since last summer. I thought I might lose you forever at this point last year. I worried you would find happiness with a Navalian princess. Whatever happened to Lilith, anyway?”

“Fannar had her sent way up north into mountains of Navalia. She lives up there with a few priestesses who watch over her. Fannar checks on her constantly. She knows what will happen to her if she steps out of line, and it will not be pleasant,” said Leal.

“Perhaps I should feel sorry for her, but I do not. I only hope she find some kind of peace and purpose eventually, though I doubt it,” said Dracia.

“I do not wish to think of her at all,” said Leal as he took Dracia’s hands. “I never have. You say you were afraid you would lose me last summer, but you never needed to doubt. I always knew there was no one for me, but you. It may sound silly to say it, but I knew it as soon as I kissed you on your father’s land that night you turned sixteen.”

“It does not sound silly,” said Dracia. “I knew I wanted to be with you before that, but I dared not think it possible.”

“Yet, here you are, my wife and queen,” said Leal.

“And there is nothing else I would rather be,” said Dracia as she leaned up and kissed him.