The Early Years

Queen Arya

Arya's Pov

12 Auriga of the Year 13013

"Everest!" I run after my older cousin whose strolling through the gardens of Vanora. She whirls around a question on her lips. Everest smiles at me. Her purple dress gleams in the afternoon light.

"Yes?"

"Father wants Shango to take the crown," I growl.

Everest looks at me like I'm strange. I am not. How can she not understand? I thought she would be the one person who would. It was either her or Kaelen. But he's busy with his family. "And you're upset because?"

I cry out not caring who hears. "I've worked hard to gain father's approval, to be next in line, but he wants Shango to take Severin,"

Everest leads us over to a bench and we sit. She places her hands in her lap and fiddles with her dress. I ask her a question about our long-dead ancestor. "Have you been told of the story of Larrel?"

"She was the daughter of Vanora's first king and the wife of the second,"

"Larrel defined the power of a Queen. She was heir to the throne. Her brothers hated that and challenged her to duals. They all lost. They doubted she could fight and win," 

Everest stares me down. Her gaze is hard. It's impossible to not want to look away. But I manage not to crumble under her authority. "You want your Father's crown,"

"Yes."
_____

Hours later Everest and I sit in her study. We both enjoy tea, the calming properties soothing us into a comfortable peace. "I want you to help me overthrow my brother at his ceremony,"

Everest spits her tea all over the place. Her head snaps over to mine. "WHAT!"

"You heard me,"

"Spirits. Arya, you're nineteen," Everest sets her cup on the table and sits up straight. I almost don't let her finish. But she is technically my superior. Being a queen and all that.

"And you became queen at seventeen. What difference is there?"

"I was groomed to be queen. I was heir to my Father's crown. I completed my studies at a young age and I went beyond the expectations of Father and Mother." My cousin spits the words out. She's right. I was overlooked for becoming heir but I do have the right to challenge Shango for the crown. "That is the difference,"

I sit back in my chair and sip my tea. It is delicious. Everest knows how to pick good tea. I'll give her that even if she won't help me. This is my quest anyway.

"Why do you want your Father's crown?"

"Shango was picked as heir five years ago and I've worked my hardest to convince Father and the council that I deserve the crown. Yet it is Shango who is to be King."
_____

Dear Cousin Everest,

I hope you are well. I have considered your words and will be going up against my brother. I am glad we had the chance to talk last month. But if anything you pushed me to my decision. As your achievements are what I strive to have, in my kingdom. Father may have doubted me but after the coronation, he won't.

With love,
Cousin Arya

I fold up the letter and seal it with hot wax. With a sigh, I begin the journey up to the crow master. Once there he takes my letter and asks where to. He tells the bird and off it goes.

Now all I have to do is hone my skills.
_____

Upon the platform, Shango kneels on the steps before Father. Father's rich voice rings out clear as a bell. "Any naysayers, speak up now or forever hold your silence under the reign of the Spirit King,"

Father hovers the newly made crown over Shango's golden locks. It's now or never. I stand. My seat in the front row makes it easy for the court to see me. I belt out my answer. "I challenge you, Shango Ignatiusian, to a dual,"

Audible gasps echo around the hall. Many people forget I exist. I hate that. I want to be remembered. Shango is the golden child. He looks like Mother. Golden-haired and thin. I look like father, dark-haired and built like I could throw a solid punch. Which is true. 

Now is the time to prove to them I'm worth looking at.

"Arya sit down." Mother pulls at my arm until I wench my arm out of her grasp.

"I will not," I hiss.

Mother dips her head and turns bright red from embarrassment. 

"How many have heard the story of Larrel and her six brothers?" I address the room. Some nod and others shake their head. It's as I expected the story of the princess has nearly been forgotten. How does a whole continent forget the first princess of Vanora?

"In the early days of Vanora's first King, his wife bore six sons and a single daughter. Ensuring the King's bloodline would survive. The laws stated that their sole daughter bore the right to Vanora's crown."

"Her six brothers also had claims to the throne, but they could only claim ownership if they defeated her in combat. With the Princess as heir, her brothers got jealous and challenge her to duels. Each and every one of them failed."

"They all lost because they underestimated her just because she was female and not male. When the princess defeated her brothers and was crowned Queen, she told them the six kingdoms across Seraphina are yours when you wed."
_____

An hour later Shango and I are decked out in armour. His shield and sword are held at the ready. Contrast to my dagger and short sword held loosely at my sides. Our styles are opposite to our hair and looks. 

Father stands with Mother. He seems worried. Mother, on the other hand, is clinging to his side. Her eyes trained on the solid planks at her feet. Coward. Can't even see her daughter fight for a title she was never considered to have. 

Father counts us down. "On three. One...Two...Three!" 

I sprint at Shango. He stands his ground shield poised in defence. His sword meets mine. I shove my elbow into the shield and twist my wrist and lock my dagger around the shield. I pull on the shield and give one mighty shove to Shango.

My brother falls off balance. 

The pressure from his sword lessens on mine. I shove his sword out of the way and drive my foot into Shango's chest. He falls. Shango doesn't even have time to register what happened. The next thing he knows my sword is pointed at his neck.
_____

"Any naysayers, speak up now or forever hold your silence under the reign of the Spirit King," No one speaks out against me. Good.

"Do you Arya Ignatiusion swear to govern the peoples of Vanora, according to their ancient laws and customs?" Uncle Avalon asks.

"I swear to do so,"

"Do you swear to use your power for Justice and in Mercy?" Uncle Carys asks.

"I swear to do so,"

"Do you swear to the utmost highest, to use your power to maintain the ancient laws of the Spirit King?" Uncle Aveyard asks.

"I swear to do so,"

"Do you swear to the utmost highest to use your power to help maintain order in the seven Kingdoms of Seraphina?" Uncle Hadriel asks.

"I swear to do so,"

"And do you swear to preserve the ancient laws of the Spirits King," Father asks.

"I swear to do so,"

"Then repeat after me, All that which I've sworn here, I will perform and keep. So help me, King of the Spirits," Father says, holding the crown above my head.

"All that which I've sworn here, I will perform and keep. So help me, King of the Spirits," I repeat,

"Then arise Queen Arya Ignatiusion, of Severin." Father says holding out his hand. I take it and arise to face my people.