The Dragon Queen

Chapter 9

Queen Jaymie Andry of Sarkin

The Heart of the Realm

A stunned silence falls across the room, and Jaymie waits with a wince at the anticipation of the outburst. Staring at each of their faces, she knows their minds are running wild with thoughts. The first to speak is Queen Rosemary Casan of Khaerid, with her face morphed into disbelief and misunderstanding. "Are you saying we need a nanny?" The woman is no older than Jaymie with golden hair pulled into a thick and long braid down her back. "I can not speak for all here at this table, but I for one will not be hovered over like some spoiled child." Several seem to nod in agreement.

Across from her is Iris' oldest brother, Dorian, who raises a finger, not pointedly but just as if to make a note. "I do not think that is what Wesley intended it to mean." Several of the royals give him attention, and Jaymie suspects he is a voice of reason and a powerful ally. This is why she sent Iris to talk to him on her behalf, as well as just getting her advisor to talk to her own family. Three of Iris' siblings attend this meeting, and Jaymie can only imagine how frustrating it is for Iris to be left behind. Dorian looks remarkably like his youngest sister, but her hair and eyes are just a little lighter. She wonders if Iris' twin Louisa looks as identical now as they were said to be several years before. Iris certainly has more ruggedness and scars than all of her siblings combined. She knows Iris has always felt different and left out, which is why she suspects Iris always kept an eye out for Jaymie. "Correct me if I am wrong, Wesley, but I believe you are saying that we need someone to connect the kingdoms in a way that has never been done before. This High King and/or Queen, as you put it, would bridge the space between the royals, rather than lord over us."

"Correct, Dorian." King Wesley agrees, and Jaymie suspects that Wesley and Dorian are friends by the informal lack of titles and the friendly smile the Creedian king sends to the Thegamor king. "This person, or couple should the voted person be married, would take on the responsibility of keeping all of us in check, but more than that he or she would be a mediator between not only us, but the rebellion as well."

"So, you are saying that we give in to the rebellion?" King Flinn Laten glances at his wife Ava who lays a comforting hand on his arm. Ava glances at her brother Dorian with an almost apologetic glance.

"I don't think that is what he is saying at all." Jaymie finds herself speaking and all eyes turn to hers again. "Like I said before, the rebellion and those who claim to be a part of it as still people of this realm, people we have vowed as the kingdoms' royals to protect, regardless of their loyalties." Jaymie takes a deep breath and lets it out. "I have seen war, and I have seen the devastation it causes." She glances to the side to see Ezra watching her with a soft smile. How close she came to never seeing his smile again. "We lost so many people that day, and my father lost both of his parents and his uncle. They were people who would do anything to keep from going to war. They knew the devastation it would cause, but they were forced to because the rebellion acted against our families. Not just mine. Several of the strongholds across the realm were attacked. Fields burned and families murdered. How much more can we suffer before we start to find a way to restore peace?" She meets everyone's gaze again. "History has proven to show that war does not bring peace, it bring order and fear, and fear breeds hatred. If we want this realm to heal, than we need to make sacrifices, and if that mean we, as leaders, need to be put in check and start talking with one another instead of bickering and holding grudges, then so be it. King Wesley is right. We need a mediator, not just amongst ourselves but with our people, the rebellion and any group who makes themselves known to wanting a voice. I, for one, would like to hear their grievances." She glances to Ezra to see him nod, knowing that he is with her no matter what. Jaymie and Ezra stand up with Ezra's hand finding hers. "Sarkin votes yes to establishing a High Ruler." Jaymie is not for sure if this is how it is actually supposed to go, but it could not hurt.