Ritual

Chapter 7

I rode a horse to the gates to get there quicker. I did not want to waste any time, because if uncle Nodi claims the throne for himself, then our bloodline, my family's bloodline, and our legacy as the rulers of Krurian will surely be over.

The night was cold and the streets were starting to recede from their business and liveliness. Stores were closing and people were coming back to their houses. The sound of horseshoe ticking on the cobblestone road filled the air as I made my horse go faster. The two knights of the king once again accompanied me, saddling their horses right behind me.

I reached the gate, and it loomed over me up above the dark sky and thick clouds in the pale moonlight and dotted starlight. The breeze coming in from beyond the walls was strong, and I unmounted from my horse to walk toward the gatekeepers. About eight people were working there, strong and brawny to work the heavy gears on the gates for it to open and close, and some were keeping guard with their weapons up and ready.

"My king." the guards seemed to say in failed unison and bowed to me.

I nodded in response. "I need the gates to be locked shut from anything outside of Krurian.
Never let anybody inside without informing me firsthand, as well as letting anybody outside."

They looked at each other and nodded yes. "Yes, Your Majesty. The gates are locked from now on." a guard hailed at the gear workers, and a big metallic rod slowly fell on the gates horizontally, barring them from opening.

"Thank you, this kingdom is safe because of you," I said, as I got back on my horse. I faced the two knights that were guarding me. "Gather your best men, we're going outside the walls tomorrow, and I need the best we have got. We're going hunting." I said, and my horse neighed as I directed it into the castle at full speed.

Trystan came in early in the morning, that the sun was just rising from the horizon. I saw him from the windows in the solar room, as the royal council sat and discussed behind me on the long table.

The ten members of the royal council planned for my coronation, and I excused myself from the conversation because I thought it would be better to let the grown men decide. After all, in the end, it is what I want that will be followed.

I turned around to them, they were talking below a candle-lit chandelier, gathered around the rich wooden table in the middle of the vast room. The hearth was cold and empty, and on the walls were several paintings of me and my family, and the families before me. I spotted Queen Henrietta and King Vurwyn's portrait in the multitude, and they seemed to stare right back at me, all of them did.

"So, Your Majesty?" Sir Dorun asked.

I turned to him. "Hm?"

"Are you in agreement, that your coronation shall be done today?"

"Oh, yes. Yes, I agree." I said, lost in my thoughts.

"It is settled then, I shall call for the people to organize the event." Sir Dorun said.

"I'll have the public know about this." Sir Vyskant offered.

They all stood up from the seats and shake each other's hands, as well as mine, before leaving for the door, in a hurry to prepare for my coronation.

Sir Dorun stayed behind. "It will be in the throne room, Your Grace, this afternoon," he said, and went up to me and shake my hand.

"Yes, thank you, sir Dorun, your service and the royal council's is recognized in its full worth," I said.

He sighed. He was old and had a white forest of beards growing on his chin. "I was your father's closest council member, not to be arrogant. Whenever there was something he needed a little help on during his time ruling, he would come to me. I know it must be perplexing and difficult to be king all of a sudden, at such a young age, but you must know that you will not go through it alone. If there's anything you need help with, the royal council is at your service, Your Majesty." he bowed and left me in the room.

Mr. Farko was at the door when Sir Dorun opened it, dressed in his white shirt and black suit. They both greeted each other before he let himself in. "Trystan the savant is here, Your Majesty," he said.

"Yes, we might need to be a bit fast about this. I'm being crowned king this afternoon."
"The knights are ready, as well as your horse, Your Majesty. I'll be here and help with the upcoming event."

"What do you mean? You're coming with us."

"I'm a butler, Your Grace, not a poacher."

"I was hoping you would join us."

He was silent for a moment, thinking. "Well, I suppose I can babysit the king on his voyage," he said, and I grinned at him, for someone in his age he delivers humor in such a fine way.

"Fantastic. Come on." I said and went out of the door and onto the castle front. My two guards were at the head of the small fleet of knights behind them, ready on horseback. They wore their armor and their swords on their sheaths, awaiting me. Trystan sat on his horse, trying to steady it as it roamed around in circles.

"Easy, boy," he said to the horse, which wasn't helping.

A knight went up and petted the horse, calming it down. "Thank you, sir," I said, as I got up on my horse beside Trystan on the front lines.

Mr. Farko rode his horse on the other side of me, and we all lay steady, eager for my command to set us off outside the kingdom walls.

"Let's go," I said, and drove on my horse slowly forward and onto the gates, and they all followed behind me. For once, I had power and authority that I have never felt and had before, and it was a sensational feeling