Borderlines

Chapter Thirty-One

Fawn slid out of bed early the next morning, letting Garth sleep a little bit longer. Her stomach was a tangle of nerves when she thought about her and Garth’s first day of being King and Queen. A dress had already been placed out for her and she was getting into the undergarment portion of it when Garth woke up. Fawn glanced over at him.
“Good morning.” She said with a smile. Garth blinked his eyes a couple of times.
“What time is it?” He asked. Fawn glanced at the clock.
“Almost seven thirty.” She said. Garth rubbed his eyes and laid back down.
“I vote the people save their requests until noon and then you can come back over here and go to sleep.” Fawn laughed. She was learning Garth wasn’t a morning person.
“Clay might not be happy if you do that.” Garth made a face.
“Clay can take his complaining elsewhere. In fact, we should fire him." Fawn involuntarily looked around the room with a expression of fear.
“Shhh!” She said quickly to Garth. Garth sighed and got out of bed, walking over to her.
“Fawn, we rule this country now. Clay deserves to be exposed for what he is, a liar and conniving rat.” Fawn wanted the same, she was just a little less bold than Garth. He understood it too, smiling at her softly before grabbing his royal attire. Once the two of them were dressed, guards escorted them down to the throne room. Fawn looked at her throne placed beside Garth’s and swallowed. The pressure of ruling a country pushed down on her shoulders. The crown she wore felt like a giant weight on her head. Garth squeezed her hand lightly.
“We can do this. Together.” He whispered. Fawn turned around and sat in her throne slowly, taking a deep breath. One of the guards stepped forward, his footsteps echoed in the practically empty throne room.
“Should I let the people in?” He asked, removing his mask for a short period of time. Garth glanced at Fawn for her approval and she nodded slowly, straightening her back.
“Let them in.” Garth said in a clear voice. Fawn watched as the guard signaled two more across the room and they pulled open both the throne room doors. It took a minute or two, but soon people began filing in, ushered by guards. Fawn noted with dread, that Travis was among them. Fawn couldn't believe the magnitude of people that came in. Some were dressed in rags, others in fine silk, the last person to enter was Clay. He came forward with what looked like some sort of list in his hand.
“Presenting the their royal highnesses, Leo Castel.” A man in rags stepped forward, bowing lowly. Fawn noted with concern how skinny he was.
“Rise.” Garth said to the man. He looked at them with a dirt smudged face.
“What is your request?” Garth asked in an authoritative, but kind voice. Fawn’s heart broke as she saw the man tremble.
“I am but a humble servant from Section 6. I come to ask of you, if my family could have but one breeding cow to bring us some profit. We have nothing and our homes are wrecked with poverty.” Garth glanced at Fawn, she could see how upset he was at the man’s condition. He looked at the man.
“It took great courage for you to come here and for that you will be rewarded.” He looked at Clay.
“With the Queen's approval, the crown awards the man with not one cow, but two.” The man’s head jerked up in shock and Clay’s brow furrowed.
“But your highness-”
“Silence!” Garth cut him off. He looked at at Fawn.
“Does my wife approve of this decision?” Fawn smiled and nodded.
“Yes.” Garth looked back at the man, who was bowing once again.
“Thank you my lord and lady. You are most kind...” He rambled on, tears in his eyes. Fawn smiled softly.
“Rise and go back to your home in happiness.” The man stood up and walked away from the throne room. Fawn noted that he held his head higher than when he had come in. Glancing at her husband, Fawn felt a warmth grow inside of her. She couldn’t imagine loving anyone more then him.

~

The long session flowed by smoothly. The more Garth and Fawn smiled, the more discontent Clay grew. Fawn felt a sense of triumph at his anger. Travis was the last person to step forward. Fawn regarded him professionally, but he seemed intent on making her uncomfortable. Travis stood up from extravagantly low bow. Despite the happy atmosphere, there was tension in the room. Travis was about to open his mouth and speak when the throne room doors were slammed closed. Garth stood up suddenly.
“What is going on?” He demanded, glaring at Travis. Travis looked equally as shocked. Fawn stood up and ran to Garth's side. The guards started to bar the door and the guard nearest to Fawn and Garth began to draw his weapon and point it towards the two rebels. A shot rang out and the guard beside Fawn dropped to the floor. Clay stood across the room with a smirk, gun poised for another shot. Fawn’s blood ran cold and her stomach filled with dread. Time slowed once again. Garth pushed Fawn behind her throne and more shots began to fire through the air. People in the throne room scrambled, some not getting up after they collapsed. Two guards rushed Travis, who fought back with an angry shout. Fawn stayed behind the throne, watching her husband.
“Garth, hide!” She screamed at him. He didn’t move.
“Garth, why aren’t you running!” She screamed at him again, fearing she was about to lose her only love. Garth turned to her and Fawn had never seen such a fear-gripping expression on his face. It was the look of crazy man. He caught a gun in midair that someone had tossed, pulling a clip from inside his jacket. He shoved it in and cocked the hammer in place. He grinned at her and Fawn could feel bile rising in her throat. He peeled off the jacket he was wearing. Ink circled his left arm.
“Why don’t I hide?” He said to her and then shot a running guard from across the room.
“Because I’m their leader doll.”