TWHoC: Chapter 7 - They Never Should've

Two major things consumed her time.  The first being the Inundation Blessing.  While she’d assisted in planning behind the scenes in the past, it would be her first time attending.  The half day’s travel to the major river closest to Kadmium would require a significant entourage to escort the future king and other royal family members, offerings, and in general, show the pomp of the royal family for such an event.

This time, the new oracle was coming, as well, which meant additional guards needed to be added.  The train of wagons, carriages, and royal guards on horseback would be longer than usual.  Not to mention that it was Laurence’s first time doing the ceremony, so he wanted to make it elaborate.

Even following the pre-existing guidelines from past ceremonies, Beks had to spend a significant amount of time and effort into planning it. Chamberlain Wilton assisted her, and the staff assigned to help prepare the blessing was experienced, but the responsibility was hers.

Laurence had his hands full with governance.

Lady Eleanor was working on security and guest planning for the coronation.

Luther was behind on the work Laurence assigned for him, and when he wasn’t completing those tasks, he had sneaked off to see the oracle.  Beks wasn’t sure if he thought he was doing so in secret, but it was rather obvious and almost embarrassing.

The other thing that consumed her time was the stack of records on Great Oracles she’d managed to get ahold of.  How Nexus was able to get copies of oracle records from the Great Temple’s records room was unknown to her, but she didn’t question it.  While the records were open for public review, they could not leave the premises.

Since the copies of the record had been sent to her so soon, Nexus must’ve been copying the records continuously for some time in order to have their own copies.

In the Old Tower, Beks flipped through recorded history of the tenth Great Oracle, working her way up to the last, who was the fifteenth.  So far, it seemed that all Great Oracles tended to follow particular patterns, though their prophecies were different.  Sometimes, specific oracles only focused on a certain kind of prophecy, such as natural disasters or war.

As far as politics went, oracles seemed to avoid giving any prophecies directly related to it.  They’d often comment on issues that could arise that could become politicized, such as a famine and the need for government support or the death of a monarch, but nothing about state enemies or policies.

Still, just getting a small bit of information on upcoming natural disasters was enough to incentivize countries to woo an oracle.  Many lives have been saved because of this.

A knock came from her door followed by her maid’s voice.

“My lady, the Noble House of Caroline has entered the city gates.  They are approaching and His Majesty sends a reminder to come meet them.”

Beks nearly dropped the papers in her hand.  She shot up from her seat, her heart flying to her throat as her eyes lit up.

The last time she’d seen a blood relative had been two years earlier, and it was only her older brother and father.  The Noble House of Caroline’s duchy was the furthest of all the Five Houses, so they came to Kadmium the least.  Visits were few and far between, but each time, Beks would host them in the Old Tower by special approval from the Queen.

Laurence had already approved their stay, as this time, not only were her father and brother coming, but also her mother and two younger siblings she hadn’t met yet.  The youngest was six while Beks’ younger brother was twelve.  She’d only spoken to them a handful of times as most of her calls with her family were with her parents and older brother.

Her hands were shaking as she looked from the door to her desk, which was in disarray with several piles of papers.  She took a step towards the door, eager to run out and see her family, but she couldn’t leave the records lying out in the open.  She gathered them together and tied them back into their leather folio before putting them in the largest of her desk drawers and locking it.

She shoved the key hanging on a leather cord into the pocket sewn above her chest and rushed to the door.  As she passed the mirror, she skidded to a stop and began to tug at her dress and sleeves.  Her hair was braided neatly and coiled into a bun at the back of her head, then covered by a simple head piece that matched her dress with the flower embroidery.

Sagittate was very practical, so there was no need to dress up to meet her family.  What mattered was that they were together.

She ran out of her room and flew down the spiral staircase to get to the exit.

Outside the main entrance of the Gilded Palace, Laurence and Lady Eleanor were standing beneath a large umbrella held up by an attendant to the side.  Another attendant held a slightly smaller umbrella to Laurence’s right.

Beks rooted herself beside Laurence, her eyes fixed on the gatehouse in the distance as she took a deep breath to keep her heart steady.  Beside her, her foster brother glanced down with a slight smile on his lips.

“Are you excited to see them?”

She didn’t nod, but couldn’t help the soft, expectant look on her face.  “It will be my first time meeting my younger brother and sister.”

“I am sure they’re excited to meet you, too,” Lady Eleanor said with a smile in her eyes.  Beks drew her lips inward and bit them to try to reign in her excitement.

Down the gravel driveway, the iron gates had opened and several duchy knights on horseback preceded a large carriage.  Apart from its side and metal accents and joints, it was a relatively plain-looking carriage.  The doors had the metal-cast family symbol of a wreath of laurels around the grip and hilt of a downward pointed sword.

The family motto was written in Sagittater: Athar’an Stry - Peace With Strength.  Only when they were strong could they have peace.  It was the first sentence she read when she was a child in the Sacred Valley.  It was carved on her wooden headboard in the Old Tower.

Beks tried to keep her excited breathing even.  Knowing her condition, no one would admonish her for appearing unenthusiastic.

Her hands clenched at her sides as she watched the massive carriage turn on the drive.  The black painted wheels with dark iron hubs rolled to a stop in front of them.  The carriage door was split in two, with a top and bottom half.  Two knights dismounted, their heavy booted feet crunching over the gravel as they reached for one door handle each.  One pushed the top of the door up while the other pulled the bottom half down.

The bottom half turned into a series of steps, but the first person to come down simply jumped.

“Beks!”  She only managed to take a step forward before strong arms wrapped around her and lifted her off the ground.  She shut her eyes and hugged her brother tight as an ache emanated from her chest.  She was spun around and felt him kiss the side of her head firmly before releasing her.

His large hands grasped her forearms as he stepped back, but kept her within distance as his cool gray eyes met hers and then swept over, as if to inspect that she was well.

Amadeo of Caroline, heir to the Duchy of Caroline, and scion of the Noble House of Caroline was in his late twenties and a decorated military strategist that helped secure the northeastern border.  His gray eyes matched hers, but his red hair had seemed to grow darker and deeper in red with age.  Cut short and with gentle curls at the top and a faded shave below, it seemed to match his energetic personality.

“Brother Deo.”  Beks’ hand squeezed his forearms.

“Move aside.”  Their father’s low voice cut in and Deo was pushed to the side so an older man with a similar height and build took his place.  Robert, Duke of Caroline, had the same gray eyes and fiery red hair as his eldest son, but was starting to gray a little.  His eyes softened as he looked at his eldest daughter and took her hands in his.  “Beks....”

Her eyes reddened and she whispered.  “Daddy....”

She was pulled into a warm embrace.  “My eldest daughter....”  He held her tight for a few moments before Beks felt her sleeve being tugged.  She sniffled a bit as she pulled back and looked down, at her left.

A boy that reached her chest height had grasped the material of her sleeve and was looking up at her with curious gray eyes, as if studying an interesting specimen.  Beks’ breath caught in her throat.  This person could only be her younger brother.

Thaddeus had dark brown hair with the same gentle curls as Deo’s, but it was cut at his shoulders.  He tilted his head to the side and squinted at her.  “Are you our sister?”  His voice was slow and measured; his Jasper still heavily accented, but still easy to understand.

“Of course, she’s our sister!” Deo shot him an annoyed glare as he snapped at him in Sagittater.  “Why else would I call her by our sister’s name?”

“Mistaken identity,” the boy said in a deadpan voice.

Beks muffled a slight laugh.

“Beks.”  A woman’s voice spoke up and Beks lifted her head.  Her breath caught in her throat, her eyes watered, and a sour tightness spread across the bridge of her nose.

She let out soft, shallow breaths as her arms went limp at her sides.  The woman across from her was tall with straight, black hair braided and set back in a bun, with warm brown skin, high cheekbones, and dark eyes.

A trembling breath left her as the memory in Beks’ head overlapped with the woman in front of her.  She bit her lips for a moment to try to calm herself.  “Mom-”

She felt a rush of warmth and the scent of evergreen trees wrapped around her as a lonely cry filled her ears.  Her mother’s low, scratchy voice mumbled almost incoherent Sagittater as she let out broken sobs.  Beks’ shut her eyes and buried her face against her mother’s shoulder as her fingers curled into the back of her mother’s travel cloak.

I missed you, my daughter.  I missed you so much.  
 She didn’t know how long she had stood there wrapped in her mother’s arms.  They’d felt so much bigger and stronger when she was three.  Thinking about this, she almost laughed.  How times had changed.

“Duke Caroline.”  Outside of her little bubble, she heard Laurence greet her father and took it as her cue to release her mother.

The older woman wiped her eyes as Beks pulled away.  She couldn’t seem to turn her eyes from her daughter as one hand still firmly grasped Beks’ forearm, as if afraid Beks would disappear.

The Duchess took a deep breath to collect herself before turning towards Laurence.  With one hand still clamped on to Beks, she did a formal curtsy and bowed her head.

“Greetings, Your Majesty.”

Laurence gave her a sympathetic bow of his head.  He turned towards the two younger children with them.  “And who are these?”

Beks then noticed the smallest member of her family; her six-year-old sister, Dorothy.  The child had yet to reach her waist in height and had a contemplative look on her chubby little face.

Duke Caroline put on a wide smile as he stepped around and stood behind the two youngest.  He put his hands on their shoulders, holding them in place and presenting them to both Laurence and Beks.

“This is our second son, Thaddeus.  We call him Thad,” Duke Caroline told them with pride in his voice.  He then patted the little girl with the same fiery red hair as him and Deo.  Her hair was in a thick, unkempt braid.  She must’ve been sleeping in the carriage.  “And this is our youngest daughter, Dorothy.  We call her-”

“My name is Wrath.”  The little girl’s high-pitched voice was in sharp contrast to her firm tone and the serious look on her face.  She looked up at Laurence and then did a careful curtsy.  “Greetings, Your Majesty.”  She also spoke in accented Jasper, but she’d likely been practicing her introduction.  Beks stared at her for a moment and then looked at her father and older brother.

Deo let out a tired breath.  “She likes to be called Wrath.”

“Wrath....” Lady Eleanor said with some thoughtfulness. She nodded her head, satisfied.  “I like it.”

Laurence chuckled and gave her an affectionate smile.  “You would.”  He then turned back to the others.  “Your Grace, I know you’ve traveled far and for some time.  We’ve scheduled a dinner to welcome you, but until then, Beks will take you back to the Old Tower to settle.  I am sure you have much to talk about.”

Beks nodded her head, full of energy.  She’d made sure all the rooms were ready and even had her small kitchen prepare drinks and snacks.

Her family parted ways with Laurence and Lady Eleanor, with Laurence laughing and avoiding the playful punches from Deo.  Laurence was a little older than Deo, but as far back as Beks remembered, the two got along well.  When Deo visited, he and Laurence would often be seen sitting and talking to each other.

Beks instructed the staff to bring her family’s things to the Old Tower.  The Old Tower had several simple bed chambers, which she’d prepared for her siblings.  Her parents would get the largest bedchamber at the top floor.  The ground floor had an extension separate from the storage area where her close staff and the visiting knights could stay.

Beks led them around the Gilded Palace and to the Old Tower, excitedly telling them what she’d prepared.

Duke Caroline walked with Deo at the back while the Duchess held Wrath’s hand and walked in front of them, with Thad following Beks just half a step behind.  He looked around, taking in the path.  He seemed to notice that they were walking away from the Gilded Palace and furrowed his brows.

“Sister, do you not live in the nice palace?” Thad asked.  He sounded a bit upset, as if he’d discovered they were mistreating her.

Beks smiled and lowered her hand to touch his head gently.  “I don’t.  When I first arrived, I lived there in one of the assigned villas and under the watch of the late Second Consort, Uncle Timur.  However, when I was old enough, I asked to move here.  To the Old Tower.”

She proudly raised her arms towards the thick stone fortification that was almost like a block with a tall, square keep on each corner.  There was some nice greenery with vines and an array of white and pink flowers crawling up the base of the tower, framing the wooden doorway at the top of a set of wooden stairs beautifully, but compared to the elegant, sprawling Gilded Palace, it was a bit of an eyesore. A glaring remnant of another time.

Thad drew his head back and frowned.  He looked at the Old Tower, then at Beks, the Gilded Palace behind them, and back at her.  His eyes crinkled up.

“Sister,” he said in a serious voice.  “Have you been treated badly?”

She held back a laugh, but her eyes crinkled up.  She pressed her hand against her heart as she smiled at him.  “No, I’m treated well.  The Gilded Palace should only be for immediate royal family members and blood relations, so I felt that the Old Tower was a more fitting residence,” she said.  She turned from her family to look at the imposing building.  “But also, it reminds me of home.”

No one questioned her further, though Thad took her hand and squeezed it, as if to offer his support.

She led them up the steps and into the doorway.  The staff was waiting for them and Beks did quick introductions before showing everyone to their rooms.

“Brother, your room is in the west tower; the same one you usually stay in.”

“It’s nice to have my own room at my sister’s home,” he said with a chuckle.

“Daddy, Mommy, your room is on the top floor, up these stairs,” Beks said as she motioned to one of the stairwells.  “Thad and Wrath, you two have rooms on this floor.  My room is just down the hall, in the east tower.  The great hall is where we are right now and downstairs is the dining hall, though we will have most of our dinners in the Gilded Palace.”

Her mother seemed to study the white-washed room with the high ceilings and tapestries.  She smiled. She must’ve recognized the tapestries and furs as those she’d sent from their duchy.

“Why don’t you all take a rest first?” the Duke said as he urged his wife and two youngest children to the stairs.  “Deo and I will discuss with Beks what the upcoming plans are.  I believe the Inundation Blessing is coming up?”

Beks nodded.  Her mother took each of her younger siblings by the hand and led them through the arched doorway and into the north tower staircase.

“Sometimes, I think it’s a bit insulting that you don’t live in the Gilded Palace with the rest of them, but then again, I’d prefer to stay in a separate castle, as well,” Deo said as he took a seat on one of the plush chairs in the center of the room.

Beks motioned for her father to take the main seat while she sat across from her brother as one of the servants stepped forward to offer them a drink in metal goblets.  Both her father and brother took a cup and gave satisfied nods at the warm mead offered.

“Beks,” her father said as he looked at her with a serious expression. He lowered the goblet in his hand.  “I heard that the Fourth Prince is here.  Why did he not come to meet us when we arrived?”

It stood to reason that as a show of respect to both the family and the fiancée, Luther would be present when they arrived to welcome them.  Not only him, but his father.  Her family was already aware of the Third Consort’s attitude towards them, so he wasn’t expected, but Luther should’ve been there.

Beks, who was already sitting up straight in her seat, let her eyes widen.

She’d been so caught up with seeing her family for the first time that she’d forgotten all about Luther.  “I didn’t notice....”

Her brother let out an annoyed snort.  “As your fiancé, he should’ve been there to welcome us.”

“I know.  He was notified that we were expecting you to arrive today,” Beks said as she furrowed her brows.  She looked down at the floor and frowned.  “He might be with the oracle.”

“The oracle?” Her brother raised a brow and her father frowned.

Beks nodded once. “From the Great Temple.”

“Then, the Temple really did identify a new oracle,” he said.  “What is she doing here?”

“She’s a guest of the Third Consort and the Fourth Prince,” Beks replied.  “She and the Fourth Prince are very close.”

For a moment, her brother and father were quiet, but the air seemed to tense. “What do you mean by close?”

“He claims they are friends, but the amount of attention he gives her, and the feeling I get from her when she sees me, hints at a romantic, if not physical, affair,” Beks replied, as if she were reporting on strangers.

Across from her, Deo’s eyes narrowed and his hand squeezed the goblet.  “Is he not aware that he has a fiancée?”

She raised her hand to calm him and then shook her head.  “The Fourth Prince and I are in a cooperative partnership.  As long as my influence is not diminished, then I won’t stop him from pursuing a romantic relationship outside.”

Her father’s lips were in a tight line, but he seemed to concede.  Deo frowned and narrowed his eyes.  “Are you sure you’re all right with that?”

Beks took a deep breath and exhaled slowly.  “He has never had the strongest will. He’s also agreed that he won’t stop me from any such pursuit, so it isn’t as if this agreement is one-sided.”

“Rebecca, you are not without choice,” her father told her.  “If such an engagement is truly incompatible, you can withdraw.  Royal order or not.”

She nodded.  “I also have to consider the kingdom and what I’ve sworn to do for it.  After all,” she said with a wry smile.  “That’s why I was brought here, isn’t it?  So, I can ‘lead the kingdom to prosperity’.”

She had to admit that now, after years of being fed the same purpose, she was immersed in her role and couldn’t bring herself to easily abandon it.  It wasn’t as if she weren’t making a positive impact, either.  Projects and policies she’d had a hand in were improving the lives of the people.

That’s what mattered.

Both her father and brother were silent for a moment.  The Duke lifted the goblet to his lips, his eyes still narrowed.  “They never should’ve put such a burden on a child.”  He lowered the goblet onto the table at his side and Beks could see the indents of her father’s fingers on the sides of the goblet.

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Beks could feel the scathing glare from her mother focus on Luther as he appeared, escorting the oracle into the Gilded Palace’s dining hall for dinner.  Beks raised her hand to rub her forehead, wondering why the Fourth Prince had such a lack of tact that it was almost as if he were doing it on purpose.

If it were another man, she’d think so, but having known the Fourth Prince as long as she did, he doubted he’d do it on purpose.

Lady Eleanor swore under her breath and Beks could see her fist curl at her side as she introduced everyone.  Before Luther or anyone else could greet each other, Laurence spoke up.

“Luther.”  Laurence’s voice was laced with disapproval as his placid blue eyes settled on his youngest brother.  “I almost didn’t expect you to join us tonight.”  For him to point it out so directly meant that he was angry despite not showing it on his face.

“Forgive him, Your Majesty.”  The Third Consort, who had entered just before Luther and the new oracle, bowed his head, aggrieved.  “As the host of the Oracle, Luther was indisposed.”

“Yes, after all, what could be more important than accompanying the new oracle,” Lady Eleanor said with a sharp, condescending smile.  “Certainly not greeting his future-in-laws who’ve traveled for weeks to come here.”

The pleasant smiles on both Luther and the new oracle’s faces dropped.  Luther pulled his arm away from the Oracle Elpidah and took a step to the side, his expression almost panicked as he looked towards the tall, stately couple looking back at him with a piercing glare.  Their cold looks were nothing compared to Deo’s scowl.

He stepped forward and loomed over Luther’s shorter figure.

“I should’ve known better than to expect much from you,” Deo spat out, not bothering to hide the disdain in his voice.  “But even this is an unexpected low.”

“Brother.”  Beks grasped his sleeve and pulled him back.  “We discussed this.”

“A discussion can’t erase the disgust felt when you see something so pathetic.”  Deo turned his head away from Luther, and Beks watched her fiancé drop his head and shift uncomfortably in his spot.

Beks inhaled deeply once more and looked to Laurence for help.  He hadn’t intervened for his youngest brother, nor did he seem to want to.  The King stood there, watching Luther berated as if expecting it.

Laurence grasped Lady Eleanor’s hand and pulled her closer, rubbing the top of her forearm to quell her anger on Beks’ behalf.

“Now that everyone is here, let’s take our seats,” he said, motioning one hand to the long formal dining table in the center of the room.

As attendants stepped forward to pull out chairs, Luther took quick steps to Beks and gently pulled her aside.

“I’m sorry,” he said in a low voice as his eyes were downcast.  “I lost track of time and forgot that your family was arriving.”

“Brother Laurence sent someone to notify you of their arrival, but was told you couldn’t be bothered,” Beks replied, her voice quiet but distant.  Luther gritted his teeth and squeezed her hand.

“I would’ve come if I’d known.  I’ll punish the servant who ignored the messenger.”

“It’s all right.  My family is here now.”

“Then, I’ll visit them.  Where are they staying?” Luther said, perking up.  “The Hall of Serenity?  The Hall of Felicity?

“The Old Tower.”

“The Old....”  Luther drew his head back and looked at her with surprise.  “Why are they staying there?”

“Whenever my father or brother visits, they always stay at the Old Tower with me.  I have special permission from the late Queen and now Brother Laurence to allow them to reside at the Old Tower while they are here.”

“You can have guests?” Luther looked stunned and almost dropped his jaw.  “If that’s the case, why didn’t you invite Oracle Elpidah to stay there?”

Her eyes narrowed at once.  “The Old Tower isn’t a guest manor.  It is my private residence allocated by the late Queen and Brother Laurence.  You know that.  The oracle is not my personal guest, but my family is.”

He didn’t seem to want to accept it.  “But you could’ve extended your hospitality, Beks.  You’re so good at it.”

“My family had been scheduled to come for some time and all the accommodations in the Old Tower have been set aside from them.”  Beks kept her straight posture and met his eyes.  “The Old Tower’s facilities are not as new or luxurious as those of the Hall of Eloquence.  It’s narrow, dark, and cramped.  My family wouldn’t mind this for my sake, but for a guest like the oracle, is such a residence fitting?”

This seemed to remind Luther about the importance of his guest.  He stood up straight and nodded, as if enlightened.  “You’re right.”  Beks gave him a small nod and prepared to turn around to take her seat.  “We should do renovations to improve the facilities of the Old Tower.”

The corner of her eye twitched as her back faced him.  She tilted her head to the side, barely glancing at him.  “We don’t have the budget.”

She moved forward and went to take the seat that was waiting for her.

Laurence sat at the head of the table.  The Duke sat on his right side, followed by the Duchess and then their children, including Beks, according to birth order.

On Laurence’s left were Lady Eleanor, Luther, the Third Consort, and Oracle Elpidah.

Laurence dominated the conversation with the Duke, asking about the situation in Sagittate, the territories on the north, and how their journey went.

“It went smoothly.  This time of year is the easiest to travel in,” the Duke said with a smile.  “We’re in luck and will be able to attend the Inundation Blessing.”

“About that,” the Third Consort spoke up.  Beks’ eyes darted to him across the table.  He’d been suspiciously quiet most of the meal.  “I don’t think you should go.  Oracle Elpidah’s prophecy shows too big of a risk.”

“Prophecy?” the Duchess lifted her head and looked around.  “What Prophecy?”

“Your Grace, I had a vision a few days ago,” Oracle Elpidah said, sitting up straight in her chair.  Her voice was calm and knowing, even though it was clear that Beks’ family did not like her.  “I foresaw His Majesty falling into water and drowning.  The details are uncertain, but I am worried that he will be in danger near bodies of water.”

“He has yet to be crowned.  It’s too dangerous for him to do the blessing right beside the river,” the Third Consort said with a frown.  He looked towards his son.  “Luther should go.  He can recite the blessing on the royal family’s behalf.”

Beks’ expression didn’t change, but she couldn’t help but wonder what the Third Consort was plotting.  The Inundation Blessing presented the royal family, especially the ruling monarch, to the people, making them familiar.  If someone else presided over the blessing, wouldn’t that imply that someone else was king?

In the past, the only time another family member recited the blessing was because the ruling monarch was too ill to do so.  It was their heir who would do it.

Luther was technically the heir, but Laurence wasn’t deathly ill.

“If it were another time, that would be an option.  However, bringing up the point of having yet to be crowned, it is important that I appear in front of the people as a show of royal power and stability,” Laurence replied, as if stating a fact.  “I must do the blessing myself.”

The Third Consort continued to frown.  “It is too dangerous.  Didn’t you hear what the Oracle said?  It’s dangerous for you to be around a body of water.  The river is the strongest body of water in the area.  Aren’t you taking too big a risk?”

“I would like to ask Her Eminence, the Oracle, if it is possible to avoid the danger or at least mitigate it, now that we know the threat,” the Duchess said from across the table.  Her dark eyes fixed on the younger woman expectantly.

The Oracle furrowed her brows and lowered her gaze.  “It is possible.  Certainly, I’ve heard of people avoiding such instances because they knew of it before it happened.  There are stories of people who didn’t join a caravan after it was prophesied that they’d fall victim to a storm, and thus survived and avoided a large financial loss.”

“There you have it.  There is a chance that such a disaster can be avoided,” Laurence said with confidence.  Beks wasn’t sure if he was as confident as he appeared as her intuition was still unsettled despite the oracle’s words.  “We’ve also prepared additional safety precautions, right, Beks?”

All eyes turned to her and she lifted her head.  She gave them a nod, but didn’t hold the same enthusiasm.  “The blessing itself will take place on the promenade on the shore and there are railings to keep someone from accidentally falling into the water.”

“Is that enough?” the Third Consort asked with a sharp glare.  “Are you willing to allow your foster brother to do something so dangerous?”

“If you’re that concerned, then why don’t my wife and I attend as an additional layer of protection to His Majesty?” the Duke said as he cut through a piece of meat.  “The Duchess is from the West Islands.  She’s an excellent swimmer and has experience saving people from the water.”

Laurence’s eyes lit up and he looked at the Duchess with appreciation.  “Would you be able to remain nearby in case of such an accident, Your Grace?”

The older woman gave him a regal nod.  “Of course, Your Majesty.”

“Mom....”  Beks looked towards her mother with uncertainty.  Her mother was from the West Islands and she knew that her mother grew up by the water, but it had been years since she had.  The Duchess had spent over the last quarter century on land, in Sagittate.

Her mother looked towards her and gave her a warm, reassuring smile.  She reached across, by-passing Deo to touch her daughter’s hand.  “Don’t worry, my dear.  I am more skilled with water than most think.”

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She put her hands on the wooden railing that had been erected another head and a half taller than where the stone wall had stopped.  While the stretch of the riverwalk where the blessing ceremony would take place had a stone wall that reached her hips and functioned as a barrier between the edge of the paved riverwalk and the river itself, Beks felt that one could easily tumble over if they leaned too far forward.

She had an additional length of wooden railing added to ensure that such an accident wouldn’t happen and from the little movement the wooden railing made when she pushed against it, it was secure.

“Confident?” Deo asked beside her.  He’d come to the blessing site early with her.  It was her first time being so far from the capital city since she arrived, but she hadn’t been as excited as when she got to leave the palace grounds for the first time by herself.

Her mind had been preoccupied with the concern over Laurence’s safety.

The kingdom had lost its last stable monarch.  It couldn’t afford to lose its next one.

Her eyes scanned the area prepared.  The podium was in place with additional railing behind it.  A barrier was set up to keep the crowds at bay so they couldn’t rush forward and cause an accident.

There were large fire pits to illuminate the area, hanging lanterns, and river boats nearby with guards, more lanterns, and equipment for scooping people out of the water.  Beks had hired two water biha users from Nexus, as well, and they were acting as attendants holding up banners on either side of the podium.

The artifacts for the ceremony were also checked, and Beks placed them on the table herself: the herbal concoction, incense, and blessed water in a glass carafe that would be poured into the river.  For that, Laurence would have to walk to the very edge and lean over to pour out the water.

Beks took a deep breath.  “This is as secure as it will get without attaching Brother Laurence to a safety tether.”

The corner of Deo’s lips curled up as he grinned.  “Don’t worry.  Mom is here.  She won’t let anything happen to him.”

He put his arm around Beks’ shoulder and gave her a reassuring squeeze.  She nodded and looked back at the ceremonial area.

“I suddenly wish I had water biha,” she said in a tight voice.

“Beks, not everyone is lucky enough to be born with a biha well or spirit core.  Even in Sagittate, it is not guaranteed that one would be born with such a gift,” Deo told her as he stroked her hair back.

He likely knew how frustrated she felt about it.  Beks let out a small, bitter laugh.  “Do Mom and Dad have biha wells?”

“Yes.”

“Does Thad?”

“Yes, but it’s a shallow well.”

“What about Wrath?”

“No.”  Deo replied at once, but seeing her raise a brow in question, he let out a reluctant breath. His voice went quiet as he admitted.  “She has a spirit core.”

“Even rarer.”

“Beks-”

“I just feel I’d be able to do more if I had a biha well or a spirit core,” Beks said as she pulled away from her brother and walked along the site.  Soon, people from the surrounding villages and the city would arrive to watch the ceremony and take part in the night festival that followed.

“You’re already so smart.  You can recite anything you read.  Some would argue that’s even better,” Deo told her as he followed.

“How is going to recite Infrastructure Volume Two: Waterways, going to help if Brother Laurence falls into the river?” Beks asked as she looked over her shoulder and gave him a dull expression.

Deo grimaced.  “All right, perhaps it isn’t as useful in this situation, but it has its place.”

“Isn’t it rare in itself for a child with parents who both have a biha well to lack one of their own?”  The chances were greatly increased if both parents had a biha well or a spirit core.  This multiplied the chances of such in Sagittate, as well.  Beks shrugged her shoulders, momentarily shedding the royal posture tutors had drilled into her.  “I’m out of place.”

“No, you’re not.”

Beks stopped walking.  She turned around to face Deo with helplessness on her face.  “Brother, I am.  I have tried very hard to maintain my roots from Sagittate.  I tried to decorate the Old Tower to resemble the environment.  I kept up with the language.  I even ask for Sagittate dishes for some meals, but I’ve been away for so long.  I feel as if I’ve lost the culture I was born into.”

Her brother’s face softened.  “Beks, you only had three years of it before you were taken away.  You tried your best to maintain what you remember and that’s admirable considering the circumstances and the environment you’re in now.”

She lowered her eyes.  “Wrath asked me this morning why I talk strange.”

Deo cocked his head to one side.  “What do you mean?”

“Why don’t I sound like you when I talk?” Beks elaborated.  “When I speak in Jasper, I do so with a Kadmium accent.  When I speak in Sagittater, it’s also with a Kadmium accent.  A heavy one.  It doesn’t sound like the rest of the family.”  When Wrath had pointed that out and even expressed doubt that Beks was her sister, Beks felt more estranged from her family than ever.

“Jasper has been your primary language since you arrived,” Deo said.  He transitioned from Jasper to Sagittater and drew his head back, as if realizing that he’d been speaking to his sister in a language that wasn’t their mother tongue the entire time.

That wasn’t something done naturally between close relatives.

Beks noticed at once.  She’d been answering him in Sagittater, but up until now, he’d replied in Jasper.

She knew that the rest of her life would be spent in Kadmium, so she would have little chance to return to her family’s duchy, but that didn’t mean she wanted to lose her heritage.  She didn’t want to be so different from her family.

“When Brother Laurence is crowned and I am married, I will ask to take the Fourth Prince to Sagittate,” Beks said.  “Even if it is for a short while.”

“Laurence is much more lenient than the late Queen,” Deo told her.  “He will allow you to visit often once your position in the royal family is settled.”  Beks nodded, but didn’t expect her brother to mention another point.  “If the Fourth Prince treats you badly and his lover diminishes your strength, you are not required to stay with him.  There are other options.”

“I see Brother Laurence as much of a brother as I see you,” Beks said with some disgust.  “And he says he will not marry a Wife of Convenience.”

“I didn’t mean to marry Laurence....” Deo trailed off and looked confused. “Isn’t Eleanor his Wife of Convenience?”

“No, she’s the Wife of Choice,” Beks replied with some pride.  “It was convenient that the late Queen betrothed them, but they want to marry each other.  They are very much in love.”  She would think that they’d be more cautious expressing their affection after she’d caught them, and been traumatized, so many times.

“I see....” Deo rolled his eyes.  “I wasn’t talking about Laurence, though.  He has two other brothers.  Besides, I can see you more with a soldier like Lazarus than I see you with that irresponsible Fourth Prince.  If Lucian hadn’t already drunk the Water of the Covenant, then I’d prefer you with him.  He was always the most calm and respectful of the two.”

“We’re just hoping they’ll return at this point,” Beks said.  She didn’t care about marriage; she just wanted them to be alive.

Deo patted her head to reassure her.  “You worry too much,” he said.  “I am sure they are fine.”

She wasn’t sure if he was talking about the Second and Third Prince or Laurence or even herself, but she prayed that he was right.

She checked the railings once more, paying particular attention to the area behind the podium where Laurence would lean over to pour the blessed water into the river.

By the time the sun began to set, the crowds had gathered and the carriage train of guards and royals had arrived.  With them was the head Priest of Kadmium, who would read the welcome prayers, and the new oracle with her entourage.

Beks stood to the side of the podium, already wearing a suitable gown with a decorated fur-trimmed cloak and orange ribbons on her shoulders.  She stood beside her brother as royal guards lined the walkway, keeping the spectators in place as the procession to the podium began.

The scent of incense filled the air and every few steps, a hand drum was beaten.  The priest stood on the podium first, followed by Laurence standing behind him in fitting regalia and a thick, gold circlet crown.

Luther stood to one side of the podium with his father while the new oracle had a reserved seat to the side along with Lady Eleanor.  Beks’ younger siblings also sat there while her father stood beside him.  On her side of the podium, her mother was closest to where Laurence was standing.

The head priest began the prayers and the crowds were silent.  Their heads were bent.  After every passage, the drum would be beaten three times.

After the prayer, Laurence stepped forward.

With practiced movements, he placed the individual herbs into a stone bowl then lit the incense and waved it over the herbs.

He spoke about the water blessing the fertile fields of Kadmus and how the gods should take pity on their people by blessing them with water.  He offered the herbs, a symbol of what was grown in the valley’s field’s, to the sky, then put the herbs in the water.

He took a thin gold stick and stirred the herbs into the water before moving the incense around the carafe.  After putting the incense down, he gingerly picked up the glass container and lifted it to the sky once more.

Beks kept a careful eye on him as he turned around.  His ceremonial robe trailed behind him, but an attendant made sure to move it aside so he would not trip.  He walked towards the edge of the podium, which went up against the railing.  The glass carafe was still held up to the sky.  Beks held her breath and almost balanced on he balls of her feet.

“We humbly bless the rivers of Kadmus.  We humbly pray to the gods to accept this mortal offering.”  Laurence bent his knee slightly and the crowds behind them mirrored the act, bending down and staying on their bent knees as Laurence stood up and poured the herb-infused water into the river.

As soon as the last drop had been emptied, the drums began to beat and the priest shouted a closing prayer.

Cheering and whistling came from all around them as Beks clapped her hands, but kept her eyes on Laurence.  He handed the carafe to an attendant and turned to face the crowd.  He smiled, lifted an arm, and waved at his people.

“It’s done.” She heard Deo whisper from her right.  Beks continued to clap.

Laurence only needed to do the blessing.  After a few minutes of greeting the crowds, then he could get back into his carriage and return to the palace.

No matter how smoothly the blessing went, no matter how dry Laurence was, until he was back, Beks didn’t think she could quell the anxiousness tightening in her stomach.  She lowered her arms, watching Laurence thank the priest as the crowds yelled all around them.

“The night is still young,” Beks said.  She couldn’t bring herself to relax just yet.  “Continue to watch him carefully.”