NOVEMBERLAND: the little shieldmaiden

26

It had been weeks since the fight, and although I was nervous about the election after the people had no doubt, they wanted me. They wanted the youngest heir, which would not be the first heir. But the big question now was if I wanted to be crowned, or if I wanted to wait, and of course that would mean that Grandfather had to end his reign. Outside it was a crisp morning, you could easily see that it would be a hot summer day. It was late Skerpla, which would be mid-June. I was said to travel to Calibur in a month. The past weeks had been a lot of travelling around Lynrike as well as speaking to the people, this was important to get the people to feel safe. Right now I had gotten a few advisors that were helping me, but my most trusted ones were Tyr and Grandfather. 

On this day I was going for another meeting with Grandfather, this was only by ourselves. Viorica had left for Calibur a few weeks ago, and now we had gotten word that she had returned to her Esca. I would be travelling to Esca after visiting Calibur, it was said that we had important things to talk about. It was so different now, it was as if I was seen by everyone and with everyone I meant everyone. I was no longer invisible, I was the shieldmaiden of Lynrike.

"Saga, darling come in," Grandfather said as his office doors were opened in front of me. They were said to be no longer opened by my hands if somebody was around, which in my opinion was nonsense.

"Grandfather," I said as the doors closed behind me and I went to sit in the chair in front of his desk. "Have you heard anything from?" I asked knowing that he would understand that I meant Mother and my siblings.

"No, only that Grim has been spotted in the southern parts, but we already know that," he answered as he looked on the map that hung on the wall. "But Saga, we need to discuss different matters now, the people want an answer."

"I know, but then I can't leave," I said as I sunk in my chair.

"Yes you can, because of your young age there are some obligations that can be ordered," he said and leaned towards me as he placed his elbows on the desk.

"As?"

"You can choose a regent," he said and looked at me with a non-mimic look. 

"And that is?" I asked, not knowing what it was. 

"A regret which has been commonly used in Cal and Muriellan courts when a young heir receives the throne. It is usually a relative functioning as a ruler whilst the King or Queen does duties or is not yet grown to rule by themselves."

"But I am seventeen years old, might I not manage it myself?"

Grandfather sighed, it was hard for him to say this, he seemed so tired. "I could function as a regent whilst you're away, only if you want to. It is not because you are young, but it is a safety for your early reign if you decide to be crowned in the days to come."

"Do you want me to do it?" I asked as I was actually curious, he seemed tired as if he wanted to give up. But I had not heard of this regent thing before, so I had no idea whether it would be more work or less. 

"It is totally your decision, but you will be more exposed to the public eye as well as having a title and a people to defend," he said and looked at me as if I needed to decide right at that moment.

"But what would it leave you? And is your health up for it?" I asked as I frowned towards him. I did not want him to have responsibility on his shoulders than he already did. 

"It would leave me as a regent, and I will do less work than now. I do not need to travel nor keep up a front for the people as I have before," he answered simply. 

All kinds of thoughts ran through my mind at this moment. If I did become queen I would have power, but I would also have responsibility. If I decided to wait it would show as a weakness for some, and an attack could occur. "How would the other kingdoms react?" I asked as I was curious about what their reaction would be because the way I got the throne was not normal in any of their kingdoms.