* * *
“Where are you going?” asked Merritt, fidgeting with the crown. It was a little big, and kept slipping down past his brow.
Wes smiled “It’s time, your nearly highness,”
“Have you seen Olin?”
Wes peeked out of the ready room into the huge throne room. It was packed. “Yes. He’s already in there.”
It did not take a genius to see that Merritt was troubled.
“What is it?”
“I’m just nervous ... wouldn’t you be, if you were about to become king of the largest country in the known world?”
“Frankly, I wouldn’t want the job.”
“Thanks for making me feel better,” he smiled weakly, then started pulling at the heavy imperial cape, “I hate the idea of having to wear this bear-skin rug all day,”
“Think of it this way: You’ll be the king, so you can wear whatever you like.”
“A scary thought.”
“Well, you talked me into the job of being King’s Personal Bodyguard and Captain Of The Imperial Guard, so I guess we both have our work cut out for us.”
“But I don’t know much about being king,” protested Merritt.
“Who does? What do you want ... a degree in … potentate science? You are a good man, Merritt. Very considerate, intelligent, and even tempered. Those are the qualities that can make a good man a great king.”
“But what if I screw up?”
Wes smiled at the young man’s use of one of his world’s phrases.
“Your friends will be here to help you. Anyway, you’re entitled to the occasional screw up.”
Trumpets blared outside, followed by loud applauds.
“That’s you!”
“I guess I’m ready as I’ll ever be,” he sighed.
“Go!” Wes lightly pushed Merritt, sending him on his way.
Merritt bowed slightly to the nobles, ministers and various dignitaries from other lands. He then stood in front of the throne, turning to face the crowd. Wes followed, taking his place next to Olin, who was directly to the right of Merritt. The General Of The Army took his place next to Wes, with the rest of the court standing in front of a long, ornately-carved, high-backed bench.
Wes closed his eyes, and thought of all that had transpired since his arrival on the planet. He was pleased with the way things had turned out, and was looking forward to his life in “Camelot.”
end (Note: In WATTYS so please vote!)
YOU ARE READING
King Of The Realm a.k.a. Kings, Wizards ... Lasers?
FantasíaAfter crash landing on a distant planet, Wes finds himself in a medieval world - like something right out of a fairy tale. But there's more than meets the eye and the world is just too familiar ... (Note: In WATTYs so please vote!)
