The Reborn King (Book Six) (38 page)

“Where did you get these?” she asked.

“I may be human now,” he said, a roguish grin appearing. “But I have lived long enough to know where the ancient treasures of the world are buried.”

Basanti nearly rolled over with over laughing. “Then I hope you bought some food. For the first time in thousands of years…I’m famished.”

A year and a half had passed by since King Lousis returned triumphantly to Althetas. The people had greeted him with a festival, the like of which had never been seen before. For nearly a week the city had been in a state of continuous celebration.

Now once again, Althetas had cause for joy. Today would see the departure of the old king and the coronation of his heir. But this was no ordinary event – if a coronation could ever be considered ordinary. No longer would the lands of the west be divided. For today would see the coronation of the first High King of the Western States.

“Are you all right?”

The sound of Selena's voice snapped Lousis from his trance. He was staring out of the window over the city, smiling as he recalled the memories of his youth. He rubbed his hands together. He could feel the scars of war on every inch of his flesh.
Old and battered
, he thought.

“I’m fine,” he replied, placing an arm around his wife and kissing the top of her head.

“Good. Because after today, I plan for us to take a very long holiday. And it wouldn’t do if you are ill. Particularly once we’re at sea.”

“Are you sure you want to take such a long journey?” he asked. “There are plenty of places to visit that are much closer.”

“And decline Mohanisi’s invitation? I wouldn’t think of it. Besides, I want to go while I still have the energy to make such a trip.”

Lousis chuckled. “Then I am at your command, my queen. We go where your heart desires.”

There was a knock at the door and Jacob entered.

“Shouldn’t you be preparing for the coronation?” asked Lousis.

“I’ve done all I can do,” he replied. “And I’m tired of servants fussing over me. Father would have...”

He stopped in mid-sentence as he saw the pain in his grandmother’s eyes at the mention of her son. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I wasn't thinking.”

Selena forced a smile. “There is no reason to apologize. Your father would be so very proud of you. And yes. He would be having no end of fun at your expense right now. He was not a man who enjoyed being pampered and fussed over either. It’s good to remember him at times like this. It’s just that I…” She swallowed hard and stifled her tears. “I never had the chance to say goodbye. Not really. When he left Valshara, it didn’t occur to me that he might not return. That was foolish of me.”

“With the door to heaven now open,” said Lousis. “He is in the arms of the gods. And I believe he hears your words and knows how much you love him.”

Selena saw a glimmer of pain on Jacob's face. “Now I am the one who needs forgiveness,” she said. “You lost both mother and father to the evil of Angrääl.”

“Yes,” he replied. “But it is as King Lousis said. Thanks to Darshan, they are both safe and at peace. And I know that one day we will all be together again.”

Selena nodded, then kissed his cheek. “But enough sad talk. Today is a day for happiness.”

“Indeed,” agreed Lousis.

“There are a few hours left before I need to get dressed,” said Jacob. “Grandmother tells me that you have a secret supply of elf brandy hidden away somewhere, courtesy of Lord Chiron.”

Lousis cast an accusing yet lighthearted glance at Selena. “Your grandmother was not supposed to know about that.” He sighed and nodded. “But she’s right. I do. Though I’m not sure how wise it is for you to be drinking just before your coronation.”

Jacob gave a wry grin. “I don’t see how I can get through it otherwise,” he countered.

Lousis chuckled. “It was the same with me. I was so nervous, I very nearly emptied my stomach when they placed the crown on my head. Come. A few small sips should set you to rights.”

He retrieved the brandy and poured each of them a glass. With the sweet scent filling the room, Lousis found his mind wandering again.

“Has there been word from the north?” Jacob asked him.

Selena had to nudge her husband before he responded. “No. At least, nothing to be concerned over. With the Reborn King dead, his armies have completely disbanded and the soldiers returned to their homes.”

“I heard that the elves have sent a delegation to Kratis to learn the secret of their explosive bolts,” Jacob said.

“If you ask me,” Selena interjected, “they should leave that particular horror a mystery.”

Lousis took her hand and nodded in agreement. “Yes. This world has seen enough destruction. But such matters are no longer my concern.” He looked at Jacob. “It is for you and the new leaders of this world to decide what is best. My time is done.”

“I do wish Darshan was still among us,” Jacob remarked. “He would be such a great help.”

“He gave his last full measure of life in the desert,” said Selena. “But his memory and deeds will continue to guide us, I think.”

“As will all those who fought and died,” added Lousis.

There was a long pause. Jacob then raised his glass. “May their spirits guide us
forever.”

Soon it was time for him to get ready. After he had gone, Lousis and Selena spent their time discussing all the things they intended to see once they were across the Abyss. Mohanisi had spent hours telling them of the wonders and beauty of his land. They felt like children leaving home for the first time.

Normally, a coronation would take place in the royal manor or at one of the temples. A few times in the past, when the new monarch had been particularly popular and the crowd too large, it had been held in the open air. Today however, such was the size of the occasion, they were being forced to hold it completely outside of the city walls.

Jacob was already well loved in Althetas due to his many good deeds to improve the citizens' lives while Lousis was away. After the war was over he continued to earn their love during the reconstruction with his tireless efforts and selfless generosity. And being that he was to rule over all twelve of the western kingdoms, people from far and wide had been flocking to the city. It had been agreed that the current rulers would remain in place and govern locally, but they be oath-bound to enforce the will of the High King.

It was King Victis who had first proposed this, and Lousis who had added the elves to the council. There would now be one nation, under one flag, with one king…all peoples united.

As Lousis stood upon the immense platform, he stared out over the crowd. Lord Chiron and Lady Bellisia were in front, standing beside Aaliyah, Nehrutu and Mohanisi. King Victis and the other rulers were atop a small dais to his left that had been specially erected so they could have a clear view of the ceremony. Alongside him on the platform and to his right was Ertik, High Lord of Valshara, while Queen Selena was positioned just off to his left beside the pedestal that held the royal crown. He had offered Linis and Dina a similar place close to his side, or at least a seat on the dais, but they had chosen to remain in the crowd and were standing near to a large group of other elves.

He continued looking out upon the sea of happy smiles. Occasionally, he thought he recognized someone from memory, but found that it was nearly impossible to focus on a single face for very long among the throngs of people.

A short time later a trumpet blared, announcing that the royal procession had passed through the city gates and was now slowly making its way to the platform. As the throngs of cheering people made room for the new king to pass, Lousis could see Jacob sitting atop a white steed: the guard of honor surrounding him made up of both humans and elves. The banner they bore did not bear the sigil of Althetas, but rather the new symbol that had been adopted. Woven upon a red background was a white eagle with a ribbon clutched in its talons. Across the ribbon, written in the ancient language, was the motto: 'Once broken, now restored.'

When they reached the platform, Jacob dismounted and ascended the stairs.

“Are you sure I have to go through with this,” he whispered, smirking.

“There’s no backing out now,” Lousis told him. “Not unless you intend starting a riot.”

Jacob solemnly knelt on a satin cushion placed in the center of the stage. Once again the trumpet rang out, prompting Lousis to step forward and address the crowd. The volume of cheers was almost overwhelming, and it took more than five minutes before he was able to be heard.

“Today is a day deserving of great joy and celebration. After thousands of years of separation and hardship, we have at long last been united as one people, with one purpose, and now…under one king.

“I say this because Jacob Starfinder will not be king of the humans in the west. Nor shall he be a ruler of a separate nation in which elves are merely tolerated – as has been the case under my rule. We have spilled too much blood together for that. And the old ways are gone forever.

“King Jacob will be a king for all peoples. A hand of justice for elf and human alike. A voice of compassion to reach all ears. And I gladly step aside to usher in this new age and new way of thinking.

“It has been my deepest honor to serve Althetas and her people. I want you all to know that, though I may no longer be your king, my heart remains with each and every one of you.  Through war and sorrow, you have taught me the true meaning of strength and courage. Without your undying support, I could have never endured.”

He turned and stepped over to the pedestal, upon which, Selena handed him the crown. After bowing, Lousis approached Jacob.

“Do you swear to honor and protect your people, both meek and strong – to use your authority for the betterment of the kingdom and its citizens – to be fair and just in all things – and to rule with kindness and understanding?”

Jacob closed his eyes and bowed. “I so swear.”

“Then it is my pleasure and great privilege to place this symbol upon your brow. For it is only a symbol. A thing of metal and stone. The true source of its power comes from within you. May your reign be long and filled with
happiness.” After placing the crown atop Jacob's head, he took a step back. 

Ertik then stepped forward and touched the new king's shoulders. “May the gods bless you and keep you safe. And may the Creator grant you wisdom and long life.”

Jacob rose slowly to his feet and bowed low. He then turned to face the crowd.

“I give you King Jacob Starfinder,” Lousis called out. “High King of the Western Nations.”

At this declaration, the crowd went into a frenzy of cheering that lasted for fully ten minutes. Jacob could only wave and smile until the noise had subsided.

“I am truly humbled to be here today,” he began. “I have much to live up to. I now sit upon the throne once occupied by a great man. For there could be no greater monarch than King Lousis. All the free people of the world owe him a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid. Without his courage, everything that you see around you would now be just ashes upon the ground. He marched into the jaws of certain death to save the lives of his people. He was willing to sacrifice all for the sake of our freedom. For that, and for countless other reasons, I say, long live King Lousis the Great!”

The crowd cheered again, repeating his salutation to the former king.

“I shall use his example as I move us forward into the future. But I think now is also the time to remember the men and women – both elf and human – who sacrificed their lives so that I can stand before you today with hope and optimism in my heart. Because of them, we live in a land free from tyranny and oppression. May their spirits reside in heaven for
eternity.”

Jacob bowed his head. The people did the same. The whispered names of countless loved ones carried on the air like spring pollen. From behind, he heard his grandmother offering her own private tribute. “Lee Starfinder.”

“Penelope Starfinder,” he added quietly to this, then looked up to continue his speech.

“Finally, let us remember the one man to whom not only do we owe our lives, but the lives of all future generations. Through his sacrifice, he saved both heaven and earth from annihilation. And though I call him a man, we know that he was much, much more. A god bound in spirit to this world who chose to die for the sake of all living things. Only
he
could have stood against the power that sat upon the throne of Angrääl. And only
he
could have cast down the Reborn King. Even now the eastern desert bears the scars of his sacrifice. And though he is no longer among us. His name will live on in our hearts forever. Darshan…”

Barely had the name escaped his lips when the crowd began repeating it in steady unison. But it was not the uninhibited
chanting that Darshan's name had engendered in so many previous gatherings. This was a solemn and reverent murmuring. Many people wept, while some fell to their knees and covered their eyes.

“But let us now lift up our hearts,” Jacob called out with a joyous tenor that shattered the somber atmosphere. “Let this be the first day of a new age. A golden age. Together we can make it so. Now come. All of you. Let us rejoice and revel in the freedom so dearly bought. And may
love
be the word that defines this day…and in all the days to come.” 

“Long live King Jacob,” came a voice from the crowd.

A host of others quickly took up the same call. Soon, the people were shouting and cheering as never before. Jacob felt his grandmother’s hands on his shoulders.