King's Crown by William L. Culbertson

Author:William L. Culbertson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fantasy
Publisher: William L. Culbertson
Published: 2016-01-29T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

The Great Hall was full. Dax stood in a small alcove out of the line of sight of the audience. They were behind schedule, but Mistress Karr had given him strict instructions to remain out of view until the queen made her entrance. Once the queen had processed down the aisle and taken her position at the front of the hall, then, and only then, could he march to the front of the chamber. He must approach the queen.

Scarlet bustled in with a last-minute report on where he had positioned the detail from the King’s Watch and how they were integrated with the guard’s own security for the ceremony. Dax listened with only half an ear. He was watching for the queen. Finally the doorway to her dressing room across the hallway opened. The queen’s party emerged. Her handmaiden, Mistress Blum, was first. She backed out ahead of the queen, making adjustments to the royal cape. Dax had been introduced to the stocky, gray-haired women, and she had impressed him with the way she doted on the queen.

Dax’s breath caught in his throat when the queen emerged. Frieanna wore the crown of West Landly proudly. She looked radiant. She glanced toward the alcove where he stood. They locked eyes. Her eyes were shiny and red as if she had been weeping. She gave him a quirky little smile. Dax could not hear the words, but it appeared she said, “Thank you.” She shook her shoulders and took a deep breath. Holding her crowned head high, she positioned herself at the head of the main aisle. Before she started into the hall, she turned back toward Dax and pointed her finger at him. “Later.” She mouthed the word, but the message was clear.

“That should be an interesting conversation.” Kahshect’s thoughts were amused.

“I agree,” returned Dax. “Now let me be for a time. I don’t want to make a fool of myself in front of all these people.”

“If you want, but it won’t be as entertaining.”

“We have different priorities.” Dax was amused by the dragon’s attempt to help him relax.

The music started. Cojur Nast led the royal musicians seated at the front of the hall. Frieanna had introduced Nast at the rehearsal and had heaped praise on the woman’s work. Nast, for her part, seemed to take the praise as her due. Nast had promised the queen something special for her wedding ceremony in two weeks, but she had smugly refused to say exactly what.

Queen Dara stepped off down the aisle to the strains of West Landly to the Sea. At the familiar melody, everyone in the audience turned to watch their queen enter the hall. A collective gasp rippled through the spectators as they realized she wore the crown of West Landly on her head. They all sat there in shock until one elderly gentleman rose to his feet and started to sing along with the music. With that one prompt, the rest of the audience rose. In moments the

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