Shattering of a World: Thorns and Roses (Book #1)

Chapter 6

It was another day of learning and training, but after all that was finally over, the trainees, soldiers, and other people working at the castle were summoned to the throne room with no explanation as to why they were. The room was packed with so many people that it was almost hard to breathe in. Even though they were being squished together by the crowd they were in, like someone was trying to stuff them into a chest, it made Katrina feel better knowing she could still pick out Tarion and Eugene's faces and that she wouldn't suffer this all by herself. Every word slipped off of someone's tongue crisscrossed from one earhole of hers to the other, making everything clamorous. The dark brunette would've loved to talk to the boys, but even trying to speak to them over all the noise would've only been a challenge.

Katrina wondered why they had to be summoned to the throne room, but she knew she'd get the answer soon when King Orryn and Queen Eddena were present. So, for now, she continued to wait patiently with her friends. She took the time to dust off her blue shirt that was part of her uniform. Her shirt bore the kingdom's crest with its shield being yellow, and a white great horned owl rested on top of it. Along with that shirt, she wore a pair of white pants, brown boots that went halfway up her knees, and a warm, brown cloak that had cotton around the hood's edges. But, of course, the trainees and soldiers were wearing their uniforms as well, and it made up the throne room mainly as a sea of blues, yellows, and whites as the primary colors of Uniniqua.

Before long, the room started to go silent when everyone saw the Royal Announcer enter, and Katrina and everyone else had their full attention on him as he was clearing his throat. "Their Royal Majesties, King Orryn and Queen Eddena of Uniniqua!" He shouted loud and clear.

Footsteps echoed in the throne room, and every person in attendance directed their gaze towards them to see the monarchs striding in. They were as regal as ever, with the Queen's arm laced through the King's. The monarchs were wearing the finest and coziest of outfits one could imagine someone rich would have, especially in the winter weather. They were the only people that stuck out in the room like diamonds compared to rocks, but it was as expected since they were royalty after all.

Two great horned owls then came swooping in, and they flew over the monarchs to an owl stand directly above the thrones, and they lightly touched down onto them. It was almost like they could've been gargoyles as they looked from one person to the next in the throne room. Like Tarion, the King and Queen had owls, and the owls looked about as grand as them. It wasn't long until the monarchs stood near their thrones made of glass, and they looked like carved ice. The same thing could be said for the floor, the walls, the chandelier, and other items in the room. It was almost like standing in a glacier cave.

"Good people of Uniniqua," the King spoke in a voice as deep as an avalanche, "with each passing day, the kingdom couldn't have flourished any better. We are blessed to have yet another successful month of great fortune with hardly any problems with the weather, fewer deaths, more plants growing in the greenhouses, and still having peace with the other kingdoms. The seven gods and goddesses have rewarded us once more with blissfulness."

The throne room immediately erupted with applause, and Katrina and Eugene were among them. On the other hand, Tarion stayed silent, but he seemed to agree with what King Orryn announced. It was not easy to live in a world where it was only winter all year-'round, but so many people managed to cope with it in their everyday lives. Even though Katrina couldn't stand the cold, she would still push herself through it, and she thanked her lucky stars that nothing horrible had happened this month.

"In other news," the King continued, "we have a significant announcement to make, which may spark your interests." Katrina tilted her head, and curiosity gleamed in her green eyes as she continued to listen.

"Over the past few decades," the Queen spoke, taking the lead, "only seven lands have been perceived to us, and many have accepted that fact. However, there may be other lands we are not aware of, and so, for the first time in the history of the seven kingdoms, Uniniqua shall be the first to voyage on the Malgaesic Sea far away from the lands we are familiar with."

Katrina could already hear surprised murmurs escalate around her, and it was undoubtedly an announcement she as well wasn't expecting. With how the weather was like nowadays, no one dared to venture away from the seven kingdoms, and what could be out there from the lands was but vague. The dark brunette had to admit that life was certainly full of mysteries.

"Never has this been done before," Katrina whispered to the boys. "This might be the biggest thing Uniniqua has aimed for yet."

"They're going all out for sure," Eugene whispered in agreement.

Tarion looked like he was about to say something, but the Queen spoke once more. "We are aware this could be perilous, and that is where most of you will come in. However, this voyage will require the fittest volunteers, and if you choose to take this opportunity of a lifetime, observation will take place to see if you have what it takes to set sail away from the seven kingdoms."

"Captain Archibald will lead the voyage," the King said, taking over the announcement, "and the ship that will set sail will be called the Ice Storm. The ship will leave the day after the Seven Quality Trials are over, and anyone is welcome to sign up. However, being chosen will not be easy, but even so, we would be happy to have some people still sign up. If there may be other lands, we strive to weave in more alliances to better the seven kingdoms. If you decide to sign up, you will report to the throne room, and outside of it will be a parchment on the wall for you to sign on. Each name that's written down makes a big difference for the voyage."

The more the monarchs spoke of this voyage, the more Katrina's blood spiked with so much interest. Sure, it could be dangerous, as the monarchs have said, but an adventure was perhaps just what she needed. If she signed up to be a part of it, her chances of being a soldier of Uniniqua could powerfully leap by so much. All the dark brunette had to do was prove she had what it took to be on the Ice Storm, and the Seven Quality Trials could very much be an excellent way to show her worth. So many people around Katrina looked about as interested as her, and it was apparent there'd be a lot of men and women that would try to get spots on the ship.

"This concludes the announcements. You are all dismissed."

"May the seven gods and goddesses be with you," the monarchs said in unison.

"May the seven gods and goddesses be with you," everyone said simultaneously in the throne room.