Peacebringer

Chapter Forty Eight - Back to the Castle

The next day, Asha and her friends journeyed to the castle. Most of the resistance stayed behind, but Havi's family, Finn, and Rone came with her and her mother. They used a wagon to carry the King's body so that it could be buried near the castle.

The castle staff was shocked to see them, but Asha's dagger proved to be all the evidence they needed to let her in. They recognized their Queen immediately when she removed her hood. There were many joyful tears shed, as Raza recognized many of the staff members from her time in the castle.

Once they were in, they began exploring. Rone took care of releasing the prisoners within the castle. The castle staff had taken over preparing the body for burial, just like they had with Valda. The King would be buried with his daughter in the courtyard. Raza quickly found her old chambers. She had her own private study next to the master bedroom, and all of her things looked untouched.

Asha soon discovered the bedroom that she assumed was supposed to be hers, but it didn't hold her interest for long. It was full of stuff for an infant. Valda's room was much more interesting.

Asha sat on her rose-patterned bedspread and just gazed at all the artifacts in the room. There were tons of books, of course, but it was the smaller items hidden between the books that caught her attention. Small sculptures of animals, forgotten toys, and strings of beads were artfully displayed between the books.

Valda's desk was interesting too. She had clearly used it a lot, as it was splattered with ink of almost every color. She had stacks of paper inside the drawers, but no indication of what she had actually been writing.

Asha noticed that the desk did not sit all the way against the wall. There was a small space behind it, and she could just make out a few small objects wedged between the wall and the desk.

She slid the desk away from the wall carefully, to reveal four leather bound books. She collected them all, and opened the one nearest to her to where the ribbon bookmark was.

Darkwater is continuing to push for more and more attacks, and I can see the strain it is putting on Father. He seems weaker and weaker each day. His nights are sleepless and at times he is completely incoherent. I don't know if he will last long in this state.

It's Valda's journal, Asha thought. There were years and years of entries in these books, detailing Valda's life in the castle. Asha carefully pushed the desk back to its place, and placed the journals on the nightstand. She wanted to read them later, when she was ready. Right now, it was too soon.

Just as she had finished lining up the corners of the small books, her mother appeared at the door.

"I have spoken to Rone," she said slowly with a small smile. "We have discussed it with the palace staff, and we think you should be named as Queen on your birthday next week. We can't be without a named leader for long."

Asha nodded. "I'm not sure I'm ready, though."

"I know," Raza sat next to her and put her arm around her. "We'll be here to help you. You can name anyone you want as your advisors."

Asha sighed and nodded again. It was just a lot to process right now.

"We have over a week to figure it all out. And even then, there is a whole team of people ready to help you. You aren't doing this alone."

For the first time in a few days, Asha began to cry again. She had been putting off dealing with anything for too long now, and it all came pouring out.

"It's not fair," she moaned. "It's not fair that I never got to know either of them, that I have to take over so soon. It's NOT FAIR."

Raza stayed silent, but the tears started again for her as well. It wasn't fair, and it wasn't right. Tana had taken half of their little family away in just a few days. Tana had caused so much destruction and hate and fear.

Asha made another promise to herself. She would not be afraid of Tana. She would not let Tana feed off her fear. Besides, she was too angry at her to be afraid.