Elwanda

Chapter 27 - Tidings

Elwanda stood in front of the window, disheartened by a grey dawn. It was raining tremendously, and the weather cast a most bleak haze across the whole kingdom. She remembered having heard strong lightning in successions the night before and unusual winds that lasted hours.

It was the sixth day of her third week as a wife and Lady. So much had been happening that she was yet to completely wrap her head around, and as she stood in absolute silence before the pouring rain, she did a mental recap of everything.

First of all, Alodie was no longer in Rauloring. Thirteen days prior, the Advisor had started out on a journey to the valleys of Bhirbor northwest of Deepdale, a great and famous settlement outside the kingdom of Rune. He was to seek treatment there because his condition only grew worse, and it was rumoured that Bhirbor contained a high population of healers that could help him. This advice came from Cornelius, the royal doctor. According to what she heard, the trip would cover seventeen days, and so, Alodie had traveled with much supplies, soldiers, and servants to last that time.

The second thing was that, before his departure, the Advisor had placed all affairs of the kingdom into no other hand than the Steward's, his most trusted and loyal friend - a job that took effect the moment Alodie left the palace. As expected, such a responsibility was not a mere trifle for the Steward, but since then, it had somehow brought forth the sternest side in him. To Elwanda, that would have been no bother - following her agreement to stay away and all - except that she now harboured the kingdom's biggest secret.

As requested, she had been allowed to go into the throne room. It was easily the most beautiful place in the entire palace though not the largest room. She recalled the make of its royal space; orbicular and airy yet with a somewhat private feel to it. Its walls were beautifully velveted in some places and of smooth grey stone in others; gold and silver treasure of rare kinds decorating the pedestals on which they stood. A great flag stood upon a heavy pole just by the doors that displayed Rauloring's royal crest and colors. And at the very end of the room, upon a raised dais, was the Eternal Throne.

Actually, there were two thrones.

Both were golden, but one was taller, with a seat of purple velvet and attractively fashioned armrests and headrest. Beside it was a stool with a round hole in its middle and a sceptre protruding out of it. But there was no crown. Elwanda knew for certain that it was the Eternal Throne, and that the second chair was crafted for a woman, although she had no knowledge of Rauloring ever having a Queen.

She'd watched the servants clean, sweep, and dust every inch of the place, yet none made an attempt to touch the King's seat with their bare hands.

"We're afraid it still carries poison, my lady." One of them had reported when asked the reason.

When the time to leave came, she had furtively rubbed her fingers on the velvet inside of the chair's upper frame and felt a most shocking sensation travel into her brain.

That was when the secret became bare.

In that moment, she was transported back to her dream, but a different setting of it. She found herself in a field of tall, healthy looking grasses with the same gentleman as before. However, they were not beggarly as she had seen in previous dreams. They were both dressed in expensive and rare fabric that announced them as members of royalty.

"His ways do not sit well with me, Maralah." Isaak complained, clutching at her hands. "I can keep silent no longer."

The day was bright as a fresh brook, with skies of enchanting blue full of as much birds as the white clouds. Elwanda found that she could recognize the environment in spite of where she stood being completely different.