Mysterious Warriors: Alone (21 page)

~ Chapter 48 ~

              Cabaya sat on the rooftop of Lower City with Sacrifice, hand in hand. He smiled as he looked at her. “This is nice.”

              “It is.” She agreed. “I wonder why we haven’t seen Black Hood, Felix, or any kind of trouble these past few days and nights.”

              “Black Hood pulled her forces back for a reason.” Galdut joined them with Sarasa and Koketa.

              “They’re probably gathering troops and strength.” Koketa stated. “Black Hood knows there will be a shift of power in the palace, and she’s probably seeing what Princess Tara does when she’s made queen.”

              “The princess will bring a new prosperity to the people of Zorba’s Reach.” Sacrifice stated. “She’s going to be a great queen.”

              “Do you really think she’ll ally with us?” Koketa asked.

              “I have no doubt.” Cabaya answered. “I’ve heard rumors already about her wanting to work with the Mysterious Warriors like the royal family of Ada’s Circle. She seems to have really taken the Naxison’s influence and wants to bring that kind of prosperity to Zorba’s Reach.”

              “Prosp'rity?” Kitnan joined them. “The royal family of Ada’s Circle hath their owneth enemies, and 'tis dang'rous thither. ’Tis more dang'rous to liveth in Ada’s Circle than 'tis to liveth in Z'rba’s Reacheth.”

              “And hopefully soon that will be even truer.” Sarasa stated.

              “Do you think Black Hood will attack the palace?” Cabaya asked. “She’s tried to kidnap Princess Tara a few times already. Will she think this change is her chance to attack while the monarchy is weak?”

              “We’ll make sure she’s safe.” Sarasa answered.

              “She has a protector.” Koketa added. “Sir Alex is her personal Royal Guard. I heard she appointed him Captain of the Royal Guards. He’s been tasked to work with us and oversee the project of building a prison for the criminals.”

              “She’s commissioning a prison to be built?” Sacrifice looked at Cabaya.

              “She’s smart.” Cabaya shrugged. “She knows what needs to be done. Besides, if she truly has been influenced by her sister’s in-laws, then it isn’t surprising that she wants to build a prison. She sees the need, and she’s going to fill it. She’s not her mother.”

              “She’s not either of her parents.” Galdut stated. “I heard she’s been a huge supporter of the Mysterious Warriors since it was just Lunette. She’s been passionate about us for a long time.”

              Cabaya chuckled. “Perhaps she is Lunette.”

              “Ye are not the first p'rson to thinketh so.” Kitnan stated.

              “Either way, I think we can all agree that the future is going to change a lot of things, and that most, if not all of those changes will be great.” Sarasa sighed.

              “I’m going home to rest my arm.” Koketa stood. “Goodnight everyone.”

              Sarasa, Kitnan, and Galdut also left, and Sacrifice looked at Cabaya. “Are you going to head home too?”

              “I’d rather sit with you and enjoy the stars.” She felt her cheeks flame and hoped the mask hid it. “What about you?”

              “I like your idea.” He inched closer and touched her hand with his fingers, tracing her skin.

              “I don’t know what the future holds, but I do know one thing.” Cabaya looked at Sacrifice. “I love you, and I want you to know the truth about me.”

              He took a deep breath. “I love you too Cabaya, but you know I have secrets I must keep.”

              “It doesn’t matter.” She assured him. “I want you to know the absolute truth about me. I don’t expect the same in return.” She reached for her mask.

              Sacrifice stopped her, and he held her hands. “Don’t, please.”

              “Why not?”

              “I want to be as honest with you as you are with me.”

              She stood. “Then let me know when you can.”

              Tara knocked on Stefan’s door. She took a deep breath. Nerves filled her, but she was sure about this. She knew what she had to do.

              Stefan opened his door. “Tara.”

              “Hi.” She took a deep breath. “I have to speak with you.”

              “We can walk to the parlor and talk there.”

              She nodded and followed him down the hallway, silent as they moved. A small part of her heart didn’t want to have this conversation, but she knew it had to happen. She loved Sacrifice far more than she cared for Stefan.

              They entered the parlor, and Stefan sat on a couch, motioning for her to sit beside him.

              “I know we discussed our courtship before, and I’ve given it a lot of thought.” Tara looked at him. “I’m sorry, but I am ending our courtship now. I can’t keep doing this. I’m sorry.”

              “You’re ending our courtship for Alex, aren’t you?”

              “No.” She shook her head. “He’s only a friend.”

              “Who has your heart then?” Stefan stood and paced away from her. “Tell me this isn’t because of someone else.”

              “I care about you.” Tara stared at her folded hands. “I do care about you, but I do not love you. Everything is changing now, and I’m going to be queen. I can’t keep courting you since I don’t want to make you my king. I’m sorry Stefan.”

              “You have a lot on your mind. You shouldn’t make rash decisions.”

              “This isn’t rash.” Tara looked into his dark eyes. “I’ve thought this through.”

              He didn’t say anything as he returned her gaze. He finally nodded. “Perhaps we both have been fooling ourselves and deserve someone else, someone right in front of us.” He closed his eyes. “I love you Tara, and I hope you don’t regret this decision.” He marched to the door and slammed it behind him.

              Tara looked around the courtroom at the people assembled with her. Rachel, Gary, Monika, and Patience talked together in the corner. Roanna, Terena, and Alice sat in chairs, and they all looked patient as they waited. Alex, Galdut, and Kitnan looked uncomfortable as they stood together.

              “Thank you all for coming.” Tara smiled at the group. “I’m pleased to see everyone here.” She wasn’t pleased Sacrifice was not present. She wondered where he was, why he hadn’t come with Galdut and Kitnan.

              “Thanketh thou f'r inviting us.” Kitnan answered.

              “I asked everyone here to talk about my plans for peace once I become queen.” Tara explained. “I’m sure people have heard many rumors about my plans, and I wanted to explain everything in person so you all know the truth. I want the Mysterious Warriors to work with the Royal Guards, especially my new Captain, Sir Alex Markin. The king and queen of Whitehaven have encouraged their sheriff to work with Bonfire, and later the Mysterious Warriors for many years. I want to encourage the same here.

              “I’m having a prison built to house criminals, rather than them being placed back on the streets, and I have commissioned carpenters, blacksmiths, bricklayers, and many workmen to rebuild Lower City. It has been far too long that the inhabitants have lived in poverty. I will not allow that to continue. I know your family still lives in Lower City, Patience, and I promise to rebuild the city to a safe place.

              “As such, I’m asking for advisors, and I would like Terena, Roanna, and Alice to be among my advisors, along with Alex and one of the Mysterious Warriors. I’m asking you all speak among yourselves and appoint one of your own to join my advisory council.”

              “Thank you Princess.” Galdut whispered.

              “Thank you.” Tara hoped they wouldn’t insist Cabaya be the advisor. “If we all work together, we can rebuild Junipero and make it one of the best cities in Erde. I can’t do it by myself. I need help. Please join me, and please help me become a better queen than the legacy my mother left behind. It is only through your help and service that Junipero will be a safe haven again.” She looked around to the proud and excited eyes of the people in the room. “A queen is only as good as the people who surround her. If you all surround me, then I know I can be a great queen.”

~ Chapter 49 ~

8
th
day of Ovepo, year 520

              Tara wasn’t ready. This couldn’t be happening. Her head twisted and ached, and she took several breaths.

              “Are you alright?” Rachel chuckled.

              Tara looked up at her sister. “I can’t believe this is happening.”

              “We always knew you’d become queen.”

              “But I expected to when I was sixty, not twenty.” Tara closed her eyes. “I’m going to be ill.”

              “Don’t be like your mother.” Terena ordered as she entered the room with a cape in her arms. “You need to put this on too.”

              Tara looked between Rachel, Monika, Patience, and Terena. Somehow they had all become her closest friends, and she wasn’t sure what she was going to do now. “I don’t know how to thank you all.”

              “You don’t have to.” Monika insisted.

              “Vance will be there today.” Tara looked at her.

              Monika nodded. “Patience and Terena will be preforming my duty as the queen’s maids in my absence at the ceremony.”

              “Thank you.” Tara took Patience’s and Terena’s hands and squeezed them. “I don’t know what I would be doing if it weren’t for you two.” Tara looked around. “I couldn’t do any of this without all of you.”

              “You are going to be an incredible queen.” Patience embraced her. “I always knew you would be. You have a heart for the people, and you truly care about them. You will be a great influence to them, and I know you will always care about your subjects. The people believe that too.”

              “You’re bringing a new alliance between the Mysterious Warriors and the Royal Guards.” Monika stated. “Such an alliance has never been thought of in Zorba’s Reach, and I know you will continue to make the right choices.”

              “Especially with wise council.” Tara looked at her friends.

              “You need to get in position.” Rachel informed her sister. “The coronation will begin very soon.”

              Tara nodded.

              Rachel found Alex, Ian, Gary, and Elena sitting with King Warren in the front row of chairs set up throughout the ballroom.

              “Is she nervous?” Gary kissed his wife’s cheek.

              “Of course.” Rachel whispered and took Elena in her lap. The princess squirmed, trying to see everyone in the ballroom.

              Sir Vance Lot stood. He was going to officiate the coronation, and he looked nervous. Rachel wondered if he’d ever expected to make Tara the new queen.

              “Today is the day King Warren Colville steps down from his position and Princess Tara Colville will take her position as queen.” Vance announced through the room. “Everyone please stand and welcome, her royal highness, Princess Tara Colville.”

              Applause rose as Tara descended the stairs, Patience and Terena flanking behind her as she stepped down in white heels. Tara was dressed in a rich green gown with a chocolate brown cape flowing behind her. The colors of the monarchy adorned her body, and her hair was twisted and down, revealing the length of her locks. She wore a necklace with a jade arrowhead pendant and brown roped-belt around her waist. She already looked like a queen.

              Tara stopped in front of Sir Vance, and she curtsied to her father.

              “Is Your Majesty prepared to take the Oath?” Sir Vance stood in front of her.

              Tara’s voice was strong and steady as she answered. “I am prepared.”

              Sir Vance took a gold sceptre enriched with emeralds and axinite. He handed it to Tara, and her hands were sure as she gripped the sceptre. Vance spoke. “Will you solemnly promise to govern the peoples of Zorba’s Reach, all of your possessions, and the all other territories to any of them belonging or pertaining, according to their respective laws and customs?”

              “I solemnly promise to do so.”

              Vance placed the sceptre on the table beside him and took a sheathed sword. He handed it to Tara, and she held the sheathed sword shoulder-level in front of her.

              “Will you in all your power protect law and justice, with extreme mercy? Will you execute patience and honor in all your judgments?”

              “I solemnly promise to do so.”

              Vance took an old, leather-bound book with gold writing on the cover and held it as Tara placed her hands over the gold letters. “Will you, to the utmost of your power, maintain the laws of the gods? Will you live a pure life enriched with virtue? Will you always place others before you and protect those in your kingdom with your life?”

              “I solemnly promise to do so.”

              “Then accept this ring as a sign of your sovereignty.” Vance held a gold ring so the audience could see the emerald set in the center and the axinites embedded around the emerald.

              Vance slipped the ring onto Tara’s right ring finger. She knelt before him, and Vance anointed her with myrrh and cinnamon.

              Vance stood above Tara with the royal crown of the monarchy of Zorba’s Reach. Gold laurel covered in emeralds and axinites, he placed in on her head.

              Rachel took a deep breath.

              “Your Majesty has promised to govern wisely, protect law and justice with extreme mercy, and live a pure life enriched with virtue. It is my great honor to present before you, her Royal Majesty, Queen Tara Colville.” Vance raised his arms with his announcement.

              Applause rose through the room as Tara turned to face her people. Rachel watched her sister with pride, and she hoped Tara knew how she felt. Their mother had been selfish and unjust. Their mother despised the Mysterious Warriors, especially the two who were her own daughters. She refused to believe the world could be bad. It was always bright, cheerful parties and gaiety, but Tara would ascend the throne as a true, honest, and committed queen.

              He appeared in the middle of the ballroom like an illusion, and Rachel bounded to her feet as the blond man with long knots of hair threw his blade at her sister.