Arrangements

Chapter 24

When it comes time to leave we all make our way to the ship, Ariox king in binds, though this precaution does little to calm Serina even if she never voices such thoughts. We limit the guards in our escort including only Kion, Esoc, Neri, Liannzi, and Coalman. In our own party, we have only Zargot, Serina, myself, and Divon. The trip is uneventful containing only the rising dread and anticipation of the meeting to come.

Princess Serina's POV

Carnebi indeed looks abandoned ruins run in all directions and plants grow in random places covering much of the structures. Wildflowers grow throughout the island. I know the time has nearly come four ships dock in the distance. I keep a hand on Corin's arm even after five weeks I find myself easily worn.

I am in my finest, a gold gown with white detailing and purple cape I display my ring and necklace with pride. Soon the other monarchs appear and what a sight we must be, none even twenty, each with a guard, each with a prisoner resigned to their fate, and each marked by their own trials. It does not take much to place names: the dark skin, eyes and hair characterizes the Difruma Prince Ronan and the light haired blue eyed girl must his wife Princess Haven of Zatria, the chestnut hair and traditional green eyes distinguishes the Lason princess, Evergreen and the dark haired light skinned man as the Ismaro prince, Sorbion, that leaves the scarlet haired amber eyed lady as Princess Freya of Orion and her husband the light haired dark skinned bright eyed Prince Aron of Sature. For quite some time we just stare at each other, all that time and effort to reach this point and we have no idea what to say to each other. Introductions seem as good a start as any.

"Pleasure to finally meet you all, I'm Princess Serina, this is my husband Prince Corin and that is my brother, Prince Zargot." They each take a moment to state themselves.

"I'm sure we are all aware of what is to come, shall my Scholar Divon state the official declaration?" when no objections are raised I motion him forward.

"Each of these monarchs has failed to abide by ancient law, they have let their kingdoms fall into the clutches of war and have thus failed their people and ancestors today they shall pay their debt with their lives."

When father is marched before the executioner provided by Sorbion I must look away. He was a horrid man, of that I will not deny, but even so he is my father and I do not wish to see his dying moments. I bury my head in Corrin's shoulder as he wraps his arms around me. Zargot places a hand on my shoulder. He too closes his eyes as the sword swishes through the air. I hear his head hit the ground cleaved from his head, still I do not turn. It eases my mind slightly to know the death was quick, painless. I cry tearlessly, shoulders shaking. "Calm, darling." He rocks me slowly and I am thankful for the lack of speech there is nothing he can say.

I watch none of the executions I do not wish to view more death, I've seen more than enough and the knowledge that they too are someone's father only makes the fact hurt worse. I am sure the other royals spoke, but I hear nothing too focused on my grief. It does not make sense to be this broken over something I knew was coming, yet I am.

The coronations go by in a haze of formalities that I have neither the will nor interest to focus on. I only refocus when it comes time to decide what we as separate nations are to do.

Haven is the first to speak, "Surely we will not repeat the decisions of our Ancestors, it clearly didn't work."

Aron contradicts, "Not entirely, it is not that the idea did not work, but rather that it was ignored."

Ronan, "Like the leaders ignored each other until it suited them?"

Freya, "Too true, we can afford no inaction of the sort."

Evergreen, "It is not action we are missing, rather communication."

Zargot, "That's it! Communication we must keep informed."

Suddenly, I understand what he is getting at, "You mean..." He nods,

"An annual summit each year on this very day."

I find Kion shortly after returning to the ship I sit immediately as I have no more energy after such a hectic day, I close my eyes, "My engagement is over."

"Indeed."

"Your orders are complete, you can go home, I'm sure Zargot would even promote you."

"And if I don't wish to, Princess?" I smile shifting to give him a hug. Thank you.

Think nothing of it, Princess.