Legend of the Stones 1: Rise of the Hybrid

Chapter 3: New Loyals Arrive

"It's impossible," I contradicted the drunk peddler's words as we made our way back to the palace.

"Come on, the man was drunk half-to-death," said Elden. "You saw how he was barely able to walk. Wait until you talk to the Queen, I'm sure she'll explain everything." But I couldn't help thinking he didn't sound too convinced.

We were silent the rest of the way, and troubling thoughts filled my mind. As we approached the city square, the bustling noises of craftsmen and laborers toiling over the preparations for the celebration intensified until they blotted out any other sounds. The pounding of the hammers, the screamed instructions, things being dragged, wooden beams collapsing, and the clattering of carriage and wagon wheels – preparations for Kian and Lamar's special event were in full swing. Ornamental steel and copper Peoni flower decorations of all sorts of sizes had been placed on an elevated stage, marking its edges. A group of youths was busy attaching lanterns to the tall pillars surrounding the square; these would illuminate the square come nightfall. The ceremony was set to begin at twilight, but celebrations were expected to continue into the night.

Another company of men carried lavish, velvet upholstered chairs onto the stage, obviously intended for the exclusive use of the royal family. The men put the chairs on one side of the stage, breathing hard and muttering complaints. Then, when they thought no one would notice, they allowed themselves a quick sit down, amusing themselves by pretending they were royalty, if only for a split second. The foreman eventually saw what they were doing and scolded them roundly. Cursing both the foreman and the weather, the laborers lumbered to their feet and went on with their work.

In the general commotion, a group of women walked like shadows on the margins of all the frantic activity. They limped along, their ankles locked in shackles. They were led by four guards. Bodies limp, faces downcast, they marched in an ordered row. It seemed that no one noticed their presence as they silently wended their way through the throng.

"Who are they?" I asked, but Elden just went on staring at the women, his expression blank.

"I'm not sure..." he said quietly. "I think they may be new Loyals."

"But why are they being led in chains like that? As if they are criminals?"

He hesitated. "How much do you really know about us?"

"About you?" I didn't understand his meaning.

"Us Loyals."

To the best of my knowledge, the Loyals had been former subjects of the Esenmed kingdom, and were folk who would often relocate to another kingdom and take a loyalty oath that made them dependent on the mercies of the master of the royal family. The setting free of a Loyal was an extreme and rare event, so entire generations of Loyal families served entire generations of their masters' families. Elden and his parents, Natika and Xavier Reed, had arrived in our court years ago and once, by accident, I had heard them speaking about their daughter. Elden had a twin sister, Nara, who had been sent to serve in some other court, and had not been heard of since. Elden never spoke of her, and I, who had been taken into his family and treated as if I were that lost daughter, was not supposed to know anything about her. So I never dared to ask. That why I hesitated, afraid I might hurt his feelings by saying the wrong thing.

After a pause as I thought, I answered, "You take an oath to serve a master, which means you become his Loyals, until such time that he decides to release you."

Elden nodded. "Yes, that is true. But how do we even get to the royal courts? And why? And who is it that sends us?"

I averted my eyes in embarrassment. I had never even considered asking those questions. How was it that I had never even thought of that during all these years of living side by side with Elden? Him, and dozens of other Loyals, serving us in the palace with such dedication and devotion? I had always accepted their presence without a second thought. And so, when Elden asked me those questions, I faltered and did not know how to continue. Elden, graceful as ever, rescued me from my embarrassment, although his reply gave me even more reason to pause and think.