The Dragon Queen

Chapter 16

Heir Baronetess Makena Rikon of Rivergarde, Morith

Unknown, Anarchy Camp

The following morning, Makena looks around her small tent. At some point in her stay, they had brought her everything she had when she left home, and though it is all in her tent now, and was not much, it felt strange to see it. She did not want any of it anymore. The clothes she brought, the books and things to keep her entertained in her travels. None of it meant anything to her. What does matter is the clothes Lucius gave her. The extra warm colored tunics and leather pieces of armor for their sparring sessions had all been tucked away into a small sack Anna had taken. Her tunic today is dark brown, almost black like her mood. The trousers are full black, and the leather strapped to her chest stands out, but not as much as the silver and gold pendant hanging against it. At her side, is the gold handled rapier. She thought she should leave it behind, but her fingers refused to unbuckle it.

"Ready to go?" Anna questions, and Makena turns to look at her. Her guard had not asked questions as to the sudden departure, and she assumes that King Wesley got the meeting he wanted. Lilith had given them two horses for the journey, and they were already saddled and waiting with what little possessions they have.

Makena had not slept at all last night. Her mind would not still and bounced around between Lucius to her birthparents and everything in between. She still has questions, and if she leaves now she may never know. There is still one thing left she needs to do. "Not just yet." Makena replies and ducks out of the tent past Anna. She makes her way to the giant tent further into the cave. People were already milling about as usual, not paying much attention to Makena anymore. They are used to her now.

Not waiting to be allowed entry, Makena ducks into the tent and stands in the room, just as it had looked before. This time, she was not alone upon entry. Matylda looked to have been on her way out of the tent but stopped when Makena entered several feet from her. "Wes..." She calls to the other room, and King Wesley is quick to appear. It is as if they expected her to come, or perhaps they were on their way out to stop her from leaving.

Makena moves to the table and sits in the chair she occupied before, but this time she did not feel like a child. "What happens now?" Makena asks in a rather unemotional tone. She felt strange, as though authoritative in some way.

"Well..." Wesley and Matylda share a glance before cautiously sitting opposite Makena. "We would like you to stay, for starters..."

"No." Makena answer with a final edge in her voice with a firm look. "I have a duty to Rivergarde, and every minute I waste here, I am letting my people down." She did not mention her family waiting for her. She did not mention that part of her wanted to stay, at least for Lucius. "Next." She motions with her hand, as though passing a paper needing approval on without glancing at it.

"Alright..." Wesley hesitates while tapping a finger on the wooden table. "A gathering was held, and the royals of the realm have decided to elect a high ruler. Each kingdom is to bring a candidate to the next gathering, and I want you to be my candidate." Wesley is blunt, but his way of saying what is on his mind earns a bit of respect from Makena. The news of the gathering is new to her.

"A high ruler?" She questions, with little curiosity.

"Someone to oversee the entire realm and keep the royals of the kingdoms in line." He gives a straight answer, realizing exactly what Makena is doing by keeping her emotions out of the conversation.

"No." She gives her answer without hesitation.

"What?" This surprises King Wesley, as he looks at her with wide eyes. He had not even thought about her saying no. How little he knew her.