The Court of the Sovereign King by David Landrum

Author:David Landrum [Landrum, David]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Blue Swan Publishing
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 5

The next day, something once again interrupted the daily routine I liked so much. After lunch, the queen came to see me. I met her in the small reception room toward the front of the convent. This time I was able to kneel and prostrate myself before her, which is the proper thing for a woman of my age and station to do. She bade me stand.

“Alethea,” she said, “I am pleased you have recovered so well.”

“Thank you, my Queen.”

“You have served admirably. What we asked you to do was odious—and all the more in that you are a virgin. To have your body invaded and possessed, even if only momentarily, is a violation, though we saw no other way to what we need to do. As I told you before, we are granting you a boon. Ask whatever you wish, and it will be given to you. Do not hold back. Do not think what you ask will be greeted with disapproval. Ask anything, up to the half of our kingdom. We will give it you. Have you been thinking about this, child?”

“Yes, my Queen.”

“Then state your desire. It will be yours.”

As she looked at me, I detected a glint of evil in her eyes, as if my reply would amuse her and as if there were some dark purpose behind it. I first thought I might have just imagined this. Later, I found out I had read her expression correctly.

“I ask that my friend Janessa be released from her vows, that she be allowed to return to her family and marry, and supplied with a generous dowry, as is proper in this matter.”

When I said this, an astonished expression came to the queen’s face. Royals make it a point to never look surprised. To look surprised implies they are not in control, and this is not kingly or queenly. But Linise gaped, astonished, for a long moment before regaining her decorum.

“It shall be as you wish.” She paused, pondered, and said, “Surely you love this young woman a great deal.”

“She is a friend from childhood. She is as a sister to me.” Tears choked my voice at that point. I had to fight not to cry.

“You do not have to justify a boon,” the queen said. “It will be so.” I bowed. She called the Venerable Mother into the room and the two of them departed. As she left, I heard her tell Nemara to expedite Janessa’s release and return her to her parents’ house as soon as it could be done.

The rest of the day went by as days always did. It felt good to be up and around. Lying in bed for a week had made me sluggish and sore. I liked having tasks to occupy my time and I felt happy for what I had asked as a boon.

The next day I woke refreshed, enjoyed breakfast and talk, grooming, and worship. It felt wonderful to dance and do movement. The midday meal tasted good and we had wine with it.

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