Mystic

Chapter 18; Matthew

Matthew paced in his tiny room, dreading the morning. The walls still felt like they were ready to cave in at any moment, but Matthew had managed, just like he always did. At least this time there was a window. He felt terrible for upsetting Amira, and hoped she would recover in time to give her speech. He looked outside and saw that the sun had risen, then left his room and knocked on Amira's door. 

"Hey, I was just wondering if you are ready. For today." Matthew said through the door. He waited a minute, then added, "I'm sorry about upsetting you yesterday, I... I didn't realize that you didn't know. I guess, well, it's a lot to take in." Amira opened the door, and Matthew stumbled. "Are you okay?" Matthew asked uncertainly. He wasn't sure what to say.

"Better than ever." Amira said determinedly.

"O-okay." Matthew stuttered.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. I think I already knew the truth, but just refused to accept it." Amira said. 

"Did you plan what you're going to say?" Matthew said, feeling even more closed in.

"Yes. I am ready." Amira said. She strode out of the doorway, and Matthew could see that she really felt confident. The two silently walked down the street and made a left, then arrived in the center of the down. There was a statue of one of the great kings of Javan in the center, and Amira used it's base to lift herself above the crowd.

"Attention, citizens of Javan." Amira cried, and a few members of the crowd stopped to listen. Matthew was among them. 

"I am Amira Alfarsi, Princess and rightful heir to the throne of Javan. But before I could take the throne and serve my proud country, my crown was stolen from me by rebels. These rebels will take our country down a dark road." Amira paused to let that sink in. More people had gathered, and the square was mostly quiet other than a few children playing in the streets.

"Together, we can make our homeland a better place for everyone. A place were no one goes to bed hungry at night, where everyone has a home to come back to after a day of hard work. A place where our children are provided with the opportunities they need to succeed, so when they are grown they can in turn make our country brighter!" The square was dead silent now, and all eyes were on Amira. She soaked up the attention, delivering her speech with more relish than before. She had lost sight of Matthew in the crowd, but she knew that he was watching her, and pleading with his eyes for her success.

"A place where criminals and those seeking conflict will not be allowed to pass within our borders, a place where citizens are safe. A place where those accused of a crime have a fair trial, and where the punishment fits the crime. A place where leaders listen to their subjects, and cater to their needs! A place where citizens have a voice! A place where even the farthest towns are connected to the capital, and enjoy the same protections and rights as citizens in the capital. As queen, I can help to create this better place, but I can't do it alone. I need your help to realize this dream. I need brave men and women to fight for their country, and help me to take back my throne!" Amira finished the first part of her speech by raising her fist into the air. People applauded, then a male voice shouted,

"All hail queen Amira!" Others joined in raising their fists in the air. Amira quieted the crowd with a calm and friendly gesture, then continued.

"Before I can become queen, I must reveal to all of you a secret. A secret that my family has kept for generations. I myself have only realized recently. My ancestors were mystics. So am I. It was unfair of my parents and those to keep this from you, and I am truly sorry. But I cannot change who I am. I can only move forward. I have learned thanks to a friend that magic is not something that is inherently evil or good; it is simply a tool. What is done with this tool is up to us. And as your queen and as your fellow citizen of Javan, I swear to you on my life that I will never use my new found abilities for harm or against the citizens of Javan, if I use them at all. When I take up my throne, I will also establish laws on how magic can or cannot be used. I hope we can look beyond the crimes of the past and march forwards into a better tomorrow!" Amira finished. People still clapped for her, but it was not nearly as enthusiastic as before. Amira stepped off the base of the statue, and into the crowd. People moved to let her by, but she was stopped by a boy who had pushed his way out of the crowd to get to her. He bowed deeply to her, his forehead touching the ground.

"Queen Amira, your honesty and dreams for our country inspire me, and I would gladly fight for you and my country." He said.

"Thank you. I am truly grateful for your loyalty and your courage." Amira replied.

"Anything for my queen. I would follow you through anything to see your dreams realized." A girl stepped out of the crowd, too. She gracefully bowed to Amira beside the boy.

"I am also willing to fight for you, and for my country." The girl said. 

"Thank you. Thank you so much. both of you, you cannot realize how much this means to me." She replied, tears of joy forming in her eyes. She had earned the loyalty and respect of her citizens, and she would be forever grateful for it. 

Matthew had managed to push his way through the crowd and over to Amira.

"You did great! We will support you in your endeavors, Queen Amira." Matthew said, bowing down to her as well. 

"Matthew, stand up, you are making me nervous!" Amira said, laughing. she added to the other two in Javanese,

"You may stand. Come with me, so I may learn your names." She said. They both stood and stood on either side of her while she walked. When they reached the inn, the four of them exchanged their stories. The boy's name was Cairo, and it turned out that he had traveled around the expanse with his father, who was a merchant. He dreamed of leaving the expanse and settling down somewhere in central Javan. In addition, he knew how to speak Deanish, and Amira could tell that Matthew was grateful that someone at the table other than Amira could speak his language. The girl was named Farah, and had lived in the town her whole life. She was anxious to see the world and serve her country at the same time. Amira helped to translate Matthew and Farah's words so that they could understand each other, and they all talked for hours. Farah and Cairo were a little nervous at first to make conversation with their Queen, but soon realized that Amira wanted to get to know them, and began to look at the conversation as a chat between friends, which was what Amira wanted. If these people were going to fight for her, she wanted to take the time to get to know them. After discussing their plans for the morning, They all broke away from the table and went back to their homes with the promise that they would be ready for tomorrow. Amira was excited, for she had finally taken a leap towards her goal, and the future was looking brighter than ever.

Sorry we haven't updated in a while, we'll try to keep up in the future!