When Kingdom Goes

Act II - Chapter 9

Arthur, Aamir, and Rose sit in a field, lush with rolling hills and trees dotting the landscape.

Aamir begins to stand to his feet as Rose stumbles over to him. "Hey, you shouldn't be moving around yet!"

"I'll be fine." He says as he lifts his shirt up to reveal his rapidly closing wound. "Inside Avalon, our wounds are healed and our stamina is replenished."

"Our? I don't feel a thing." She says while looking at her numerous cuts and bruises.

"Not you, I meant us." He says, pointing at Arthur. The wound across his chest shrank as Aamir continued speaking. "It normally only affects the current wielder of Rite of Royalty, but since we're still in the Succession Ceremony, it's restoring both of us."

Arthur awakens and hobbles to his feet, heartwrenching wonder in his voice. "How? How did you do it?"

"It came to me as we fought. Every time we crossed blades, it was like I was granted permission to use another part of Rite of Royalty. Everything from Carnwennan and Rhongonymiat was given to me as we fought. It wasn't until I was struck by Excalibur that I learned how to cast Avalon."

A man with a faint, nigh-ghostly body appears, speaking to Aamir as his form grows clearer. "As you fought, your Ether and the current King's Ether reacted to each other's, enhancing both of you. However, since the Succession is still taking place, all of the enhancements went to you, allowing you to gain access to more of Rite of Royalty's power at a rapid rate."

"Are you..." Aamir pauses at the sight of the man.

"I am the previous King of Rahvas, Lord Kenneth Cromwell."

"Forgive me for my lack of respect!" Aamir says, kneeling before him.

"Think nothing of it, for you too are one of us." He says while turning to reveal dozens of other ghostly figures behind him. "The past Kings of Rahvas have been waiting to meet you."

"My question to you is, who is the girl?"

"I am a noble from Rahu, here to assist Aamir throughout his Succession. Pay me no mind." Rose says.

"Hmm..."

"Father...? Is that you?" Arthur shakingly interjects.

"Yes, my foolish son, I am here." He says with a dash of agitation.

"Foolish? Have I done something to upset you?"

"You dare feign ignorance?! Did you forget how you tried to kill your own successor?" Kenneth shouts.

"I... Rahvas has no need for a successor."

"You knew what to do and blatantly chose to disregard it for your own selfish desires! What about your kingdom?! What about your people?!"

"I'm doing it FOR my people! How can a brat like him-"

"He'll do it with your help! That's the way we've ruled this nation for generations!" He exclaims before taking a breath, calming himself.

"When it's time for the Rite of Royalty to move on, we're supposed to teach our successors how to rule. They've seen it from afar, but in this 24 hour period, they are given the opportunity to see how a king shoulders the weight of the crown up close. Everything from the Throne to Excalibur should be taught. Just as I did with you all those years ago."

Arthur's memories begin flooding back to him as he stared at Aamir, seeing himself in the same position decades ago. Everything his father taught him throughout his Succession, he had refused to pass down.

"I... I... You're right, Father. I have failed in my royal duties. I never raised a Successor, so when the time came and there was a young man in front of me with fire in his eyes and the makings of a king, I refused to recognize him as worthy of the Throne."

"Young ma- Aamir. I am truly sorry for robbing you of the opportunity. If you'll allow me, I'd like to stay by your side as Wiseman."

For a brief moment, Aamir was stunned. He had fought and ran for his life for the last 12 hours, and now he managed to be accepted by his predecessors. As of this moment, every Rahvian King was in agreeance on who would succeed the throne. The new King of Rahvas, Aamir Tosi, had officially been crowned.