The Custodian Chronicles: The Rising (Finished)

Chapter 24: The Proper Order

There was much to do. The village they'd saved had openly allied themselves with the rebels after the battle. An interesting question came up because of it. The villagers asked who their leader was, and they presented Mercutio.

When they did, the Baron laughed. "No, no." He said. "I don't mean who leads the armies. I mean who is the man who is to lead your kingdom once you retake it. Is he the same man?"

"Yes."

"No."

Came two different answers. They all looked at each other. Cedrick bit his lip. Had they ever settled that question? By the look on Mercutio's face, it seemed they'd been so far from winning they had almost forgotten to worry about that.

The Baron was amused and assumed they were playing a joke. He said they could meet up for real the next day if they were that busy. When the Baron was gone, Mercutio look at the rest of them, ashen-faced. "We're in trouble."

"You really have no one?" Cedrick asked.

Mercutio shook his head. "No. I bet they did once, but I'm sure whoever that was is dead. We've been fighting Heklis for over thirty years."

"Who has the right?" Cedrick asked. "With the potentate line all dead... who stands next in line for any throne?"

"The kingdoms have chosen their own kings. They all pay tribute to Heklis to keep him from destroying them. They aren't very different than our own puppet king. But... we don't have one of our own prepared for that once this is over." Mercutio looked extremely worried.

"Then who takes it next?" Cedrick asked. "Is there anyone with the right?"

"One." Elphacena spoke up. "My father used to be in charge of those records. I'm sure Margorim knows too." She looked at him.

Margorim nodded. "Yes... I'd forgotten... With that line dead..."

"What?" Cedrick asked, noticing the tone of his voice was off.

"It should be the eldest of the Custod line." Elphacena said. "You... you didn't know this? I always assumed... you knew."

Cedrick's eyes went wide. "Him?" He looked at his brother. The brother in question was frozen in more shock than Cedrick.

"Yes, dear Cedrick, him." Elphacena rolled her eyes.

"I... I'm to... to be king?" Roxorim looked stunned.

"You never told him that?" Elphacena gave Margorim a look. "You knew this your whole life, and you didn't tell your son that fact?"

"Wait. Roxorim isn't the oldest." Cedrick pointed out. "Father is."

Roxorim and Margorim both choked. "Oh... yeah, that does make more sense." Mercutio nodded. "He is the oldest."

"So... it's down to father or Rox?" Cedrick looked from one to the other. "This was always the case, and no one said anything?"

"I thought you all knew." Elphacena shrugged.

"Why didn't you, father?" Cedrick asked.

"I... forgot." Margorim admitted. "Was... focused on other things, mostly preparing you all for battle. I... I forgot one would... be king."

"So then, looks like our Sir Custod is about to be King Custod." Mercutio looked at Margorim.

"No." Margorim shook his head. "I don't have the support. What am I known for? The fact I'm the Custod who escaped Heklis. Forever I'll be known as a Custod, not a ruler. Roxorim already has displayed the skills needed. He is younger, a strong ruler. He will be able to help the people to want to follow him. Also, it makes the next in line more clear. If I took the throne, it would fall to Roxorim anyway. Then the line is clear. It will be his children who will follow after him. Then we can be assured with my other children the Custod line will go on. Cedrick will carry on that line. We evenly split it. It's neater."

"He has a point. The people already know and love him for his leadership in the Battle of the Vanishing Mountain." Elphacena agreed.

"The what?" Cedrick, Margorim, and Roxorim said together and looked at her.

Elphacena sighed. "Do none of you pay attention to what your own men and the public are saying? That's what they've named the battle with the enemy army."

"Oh."

"So Roxorim has the popularity and is known as a good leader. I think Margorim is right." Elphacena went on. "He should be the king."

Mercutio sighed and looked at Roxorim. "What do you say?" He asked. "Will you take it?"

Roxorim swallowed. He looked at his brother, at his father, then back at Mercutio, firm in whatever he was about to say. "I am a Custod, and this duty is mine. I will do as I've sworn to do. I will take what my oaths obligate me to do. If being king and leaving the Custod line for the royal line is my duty, I will do it."

Mercutio nodded. "Alright then, so it shall be. We are fighting to bring the right order back, and if that is the proper order, we shall do it."

Roxorim and Mercutio shook on it. The next day, they presented Roxorim as their candidate to the throne. It was received heartily by the people. The Baron inquired when they would name him king.

"Are you mad?" Mercutio was surprised. "Of what? He has no realm to lead."

"My town is willing to start that. That is why I inquired. We want the restoration of the kingdom. Is that not what you promised to give us? Will you not give it?" Mercutio swallowed and looked at the others.

"We will." Margorim spoke. "We will seek him who has that authority, and in the city we choose, crown him king."

The Baron seemed a bit annoyed by 'the city we choose' but smiled. "Then you have our support. I will begin trying to convince the other towns and villages around to join us. With a solid leadership, the world would choose to fall to our rule. Heklis won't stand a chance."

The others were not as sure of this, but what else could be done? They put their hand into the trap; there was no pulling it out.

Cedrick gave Roxorim the Calling Charm. Joel was not only the man who was to marry Custods, but the only one with the Maker given authority to crown him as king. With that, Roxorim left.

Mercutio was inspired by the progress. Thenearby towns were flocking to them daily. Battle plans to take over furtheraway towns began. The excitement and hope in the camp grew rapidly. A spark hadbeen set. The fire was burning. All because they'd struck first. Amazing what alittle faith and action can inspire men to do.