THE BEGINNING (2)
Edmund kicked against the dust of the ruined flowers once the door closed behind Sarah and the guard.
It was a memorable day for him today. He had woken up on the wrong side of the bed which left him agitated and now, with the theatrics Sarah put up, he was left pissed.
"Bloody whore," he cussed against the flowers. Grabbing the wine jar, he filled his wine cup to the brim and downed it immediately as the door opened again.
"My Lord," Martin, Edmund's best friend and right hand man teased as he walked into the room. "Or do you prefer, Your Majesty?" He did a playful curt nod and chuckled.
Edmund dropped his wine cup with a bang on the table and began pacing. "Get me one of the fattest bunnies you can find. I need to drink to my fill."
Martin approached closer. "What has got you this worked up? It is your coronation day, you should be happy?"
"Sarah." He stopped pacing, turned to his friend and saw his watching him curiously. "I could never be with her."
Curiosity laced Martin's eyes. "You have had your fun, yes. You have a betrothed, of course, you could never be with her. She isn't even of noble blood." Martin chuckled lightly. "But I'm guessing that isn't the only reason you request a bunny on this fine day."
Edmund sighed and poured another cup of wine with a shake of his head. "Elder Otis. He came to see me last night." He took a sip and turned his face away from his friend. "Not a fledgling, not his shadow. Him."
"Edmund." Martin called in a whisper and moved to stand nose to nose with Edmund. "What happened? Does anyone know of this?"
"You really think I could risk that?" He scoffed and took another sip from his wine. "Elder George is dead. He withered in his sleep."
"What?" Edmund and Martin turned to see a guard standing behind them, terror written all over his face. The duo was so engrossed in their conversation that they didn't hear him come in.
"Kill him." Edmund ordered. With skilled speed, Martin appeared in front of the guard, grabbed him back his neck and lifted him off the ground.
"I wasn't listening in on you, my Lord, by the gods, I swear it. You asked me to remove Sarah from the vicinity, I only came here to tell you I have done it. My Lord, I would never mention this to anyone, you can have my head if I dare."
"Martin." Edmund warned, his claws slithering out of his fingers.
With his free hand, Martin dug his claws into the neck of the guard before slowly slicing downward. He dug out his claws and with both hands, he twisted the guards head to the back and dropped him to the floor.
Edmund watched with dark eyes as the blood spilled from the guard before turning to Martin.
"Combustion would have done a cleaner job."
Martin tore a piece of the guard's clothes and wiped his hands. "Questions would have been asked. It would be easier to give an answer this way, to avoid springing up rumors. We say he tried to steal from the king."
"Speaking of that. I almost forgot it's my coronation today. Long live the king." Edmund said sarcastically and turned to leave but Martin placed a hand on his shoulder stopping him.
"What happened with Elder George?"
Edmund stared at Martin for some seconds. "We need the Elyrian. Desperately." He turned and walked out of the room.
*
*
Sarah ran down the main path to The Keep and towards the houses, her skirt bunched in her hand as her eyes desperately searched around for the most welcoming house, not to seek shelter but for a change of cloth or at least, a disguise.
Edmund had sent her out of the ceremony, but she was ready to be burned for stealing than to give up on her lover. Than walk away from Edmund without him giving her any reasons.
Spotting clothes on a line in front of one of the houses, Sarah dashed to them and began sorting through them, luckily she found a cloak. She quickly draped it over her head, making sure to cover her face before running back to The Keep immediately not waiting to catch a moment to breathe.
She would find Edmund, she would talk to him and he would listen. She was certain.
Once at The Keep, Sarah slid into the hall through the main entrance and walked to the farthest corner. Safe from Edmund's line of sight but clear enough for her to see him.
The door to the inner chambers of The Keep threw open and a row of guards with spears and shields walked out, Edmund behind them and Martin and, Margaret; the Queen Regent following suit.
Feet and chairs shuffled and dragged against the floor as everyone stood up while Edmund took his seat and the hall fell silent.
Three elders; two bald with long dark beards and one with full white hair came to stand before Edmund. The elder with white hair standing between the other two. In his hand was a bunny; fat and alive. The elder took a knife from the tray the elder on his left was carrying and without a word, he stretched the knife and bunny out to Edmund.
Edmund ignored the knife and with a single claw, sliced through the stomach of the bunny, took a cup from the tray the elder on his right carried and placed it under the bunny to catch the dripping blood. Once the cup was filled to a reasonable amount, Edmund raised the cup as if showing it to the people before bringing it to his lips and swallowing it in one gulp.
The elder on his left carried a large book with was opened to a passage before Edmund.
Edmund took the book from the elder and stood up. "Sanguine ficti, sanguine transibimus." He read aloud.
"By blood we were forged, by blood we shall pass." The people responded and the hall returned to silence.
"I, Edmund Cedric de Montclair, by the gods, swear to protect you and keep you safe. And by the ancients, swear to preserve the name of Rivenspire and bring honor to our land." He took the book from the elder and kissed it.
The crowd erupted with joyous cheer and applause. Edmund raised the book up just as he did with the cup and everyone bowed.
"Long live the king!" They chorused.
The two bald elders left the stage with the book and the tray. The elder with the white hair turned to the people. "Let the bride to the king approach." He shouted in his frail, weak voice."
Sarah, from where she stood at the back took off her cloak and began rushing to the front, pushing through the crowd and shoving people out of the way. The people watched with curiosity as Sarah pushed her way to the front.
Just then, another maiden in a fine green silk with a veil over her head came out from the crowd and stood at the front.
The crowd, watching the two women began murmuring amongst themselves.
"Who are you?" The maiden in the green silk asked, clutching the veil over her head.
"The King's bride."
"You are not! I am Nancy Emhart, the King's betrothed and his bride. We have been promised since birth."
Sarah scoffed, "Say what you may but the King has chosen me. He claimed me, I am his bride."
"You are nothing but a whore who has spread her legs around the palace for years." Edmund yelled from where he sat on the throne. "How dare you claim I have chosen you after you have been claimed by mere guards?" He spat.
Sarah gasped as tears began rolling down her eyes. "Edmund!"
"How dare you!" Martin yelled from behind Edmund. "Dishonor to the name of the king, dishonor to Rivenspire. Seize her at once. Seize her!"