Fire And Ice (Book 1) (54 page)

             
“No.”  It was Stemis who spoke and the Commander stepped back.  “I am sorry Martin, but you are needed here.”

             
“We have some time,” Gelarus continued after the interruption.  “I can do something that will slow the King’s body down to a point that will delay the poison’s progress.”

             
“How.”  It came from more than one mouth.

             
“It is a form of meditation.  If Stemis can reach a certain point and I can then induce a deep sleep, it will obtain the desired result.”

             
“For how long will that work?” Anne queried.

             
“At least three months, maybe as many as six.  That is a guess, but if we do nothing he will not last a month no matter how much I do.”

             
The words echoed in the suddenly silent room.  Oran was the first to speak.  “Since my friend,” he shared a thin smile with the King, “will be incapacitated for however long it takes to find a cure, and the Alliance must have a single leader, it has been decided that a change is in order to give the Alliance the best chance of surviving what is to come.”  There was a certain formality to his words and she realized that this was in part for Roland’s benefit as the only outsider.  She also realized that Oran, and her mother had known about her father’s condition beforehand.  “I have been commanded as the King’s adviser to tell you that Stemis, the High King, has an important announcement to make.”

             
Silence continued to reign as everyone was frozen, especially her.  At that point the door opened to admit Master Herrith.  The mostly bald chamberlain carried a rolled parchment in his hands.  He handed it to her father who unrolled it.  Herrith moved to the side and put his hands at his sides.

             
The King held the parchment up before him.  “I, Stemis Sundarrion, High King of Summerhall, do hereby announce my abdication of the throne, for now and for always.  My rightful heir shall take my place as the ruler of Summerhall.”  He lowered the parchment to the table, took the proffered pen from Herrith, and signed the document.  He passed the pen and paper to Oran, who signed next, then Gelarus, and Martin.  At last it was given to Lord Roland.

             
“As the only one here not from Summerhall, and as a highly respected man throughout Midia, I would ask you to support my decision,” Stemis asked the man from Holdon.

             
Roland took the pen and looked at the paper thoughtfully.  Then he glanced to Margery, who sat regally beside her mother.  “I am of course willing to support your decision.  But since this is a formal procedure, I must see the proof.” 

             
He was asking to see the mark of the sun.  It was a perfectly legitimate request, since he was being asked to sign as a witness.  For anyone else to do so though, would be considered an insult, not only to the heir, but to the witness.  The only problem was that he was still looking at Margery as he said it.

             
Stemis cleared his throat.  “Lord Roland.  Margery is not my heir.”  The Lord turned to stare at the King in confusion.  “Katelyn will be the High Queen.”              

             
Roland faced her, still confused at first.  Then he smiled and nodded as it started to make sense.  He was not the only one.  Martin, Loras, and Master Herrith all stood stunned.  After a minute Loras frowned, Herrith grinned slightly, and Martin smiled openly. 

             
Only her mother and sister had known the truth all along, besides herself.  She was a bit surprised to see no reaction from Oran at the announcement, and less so that Coran knew the truth.  He had as much as admitted it to her once.  

             
Katelyn released Coran’s hand reluctantly and stood, went to Lord Roland and turned her back to him.  She pulled her hair to one side.  Anne came over to her daughter and pulled down the back of her dress just enough to reveal the birthmark at the back of her neck.  It was a small circle with wavy lines coming out of it.  The mark of the sun.  Katelyn and her mother returned to their seats.  Roland turned back to the document and without further hesitation signed his name.

             
With the signing of witnesses done for now, Martin went before Katelyn.  He knelt on his right knee, put his right fist to his chest and his left hand rested on the top of his sword hilt.  He bowed his head.  “I, Martin Cornamen, swear my life and my honor, as well as those who I command to you, Katelyn Sundarrion, as my Queen.”

             
She felt overwhelmed by all that had happened.  It was so fast she could only cling to the strength inside her to go on.  As her father once said, ‘Deal with the now and take stock later’.  She was also filled with emotion for Martin’s immediate reaction.  “I accept your oath, Commander.”  He rose and stepped back.  She looked at the people around the room.  “Lord Roland, would you excuse us now please?”  He bowed to her before leaving.  “Commander Martin, Captain Loras, would you wait for me in the hall?”  They bowed as well then followed her orders.  She was not yet Queen technically since she had to be officially crowned first, but practically, she became the ruler of Summerhall as soon as her father had signed his name.              

             
“I have spoken to you all already except for you,” Stemis said to Katelyn.  “Would you all excuse us?  Anne,” he added.  “Come back in when we are done.”  She smiled at her husband before leaving.  “Coran.  You must stay for a moment too please,” he said as the others filed out.  He took his daughter’s hand in his.  “I am sorry for doing this without talking to you first, but I thought speed was best.”

             
“I understand, Father.”

             
“Thank you.”  He looked at Coran.  “And thank you for all you have done for Summerhall and more importantly for my daughter.  I see a great many things in both of you.”  He glanced at the door quickly.  “I must tell you something.  Gelarus knows far more than he lets on.  You two are important in a way I have yet to completely understand, but I know it is so.  Katelyn.”  Her father’s expression became almost desperate.  “You have surpassed all my expectations.  Do what I could not, save Summerhall.  Save the Alliance.”

             
“I will,” she said fighting tears. 

             
He turned his head to Coran.  “You have proved yourself greater than I could have imagined.  Use that greatness well, and keep her safe.”

             
“I promise,” he replied resolutely.

             
Stemis seemed satisfied with their answers.  He exhaled loudly as if the conversation had worn him out.  “Send in my wife, and Gelarus.  Let this be done.”

             
Katelyn kissed her father on the cheek, then took Coran’s hand and together they walked from the room.  The four people specified waited in the hall.  Her mother gave her a hug before following the wizard back into the room.  Katelyn took strength from the hand she held tightly.

             
“Commander,” she said, and Martin straightened.  “In twelve days time the official coronation will take place.  I expect all of the Lords of the Plain to be in attendance.”  Twelve days should be enough.  She wanted everyone there, but not at the expense of time.  The coronation had to occur as soon as possible to insure a smooth succession.  “Because of the importance of time I ask that the Knights of Soros carry the messages themselves.” 

             
Martin bowed again.  “I shall see to it immediately.”  He put a fist to his chest, turned and left to carry out her orders.

             
She stared at Loras for a moment before speaking.  “We have had our differences in the past Captain Loras. Will they continue?”

             
“No, Your Majesty.”  He dropped to a knee and gave his oath of fealty.

             
Surprised by being called Majesty she waited for him to rise.  “I will be inspecting the guards in one week.  I expect them all to be ready to depart if it is necessary.”

             
Loras saluted.  “They will be ready.”

             
She nodded and watched his back as he departed.  “Take me to my room,” she asked the man at her side now that they were alone.  If it wasn’t for Coran she didn’t think she would have made it all the way without falling.  Back in her private room there was no one to see her as she fell into his arms, thinking of her father.  Coran was wise enough not to speak.  He did what she wanted and just held her.  It was done.  Now it was time to deal with the reality of what it all meant.  It was time to take stock.

              Treska entered the Queen’s Inn and looked around at the empty tables of the common room, all save one.  One of his fellow trading captains sat at the square table near the door that led to the kitchen and pantry.  Treska went to join him as the midmorning light came in through the one window that faced the square outside.  He pulled out a chair and took a seat as a heavy set woman entered from the back.               “Mornin,” the other man greeted him.

             
“Good morning Jorgins,” Treska replied.  He noticed the empty table before him.  “Just get here?”

             
“Yup,” Jorgins said from beneath a bushy mustache. He wore a brown cloth cap with a narrow brim perched atop his head.  Jorgins was a few years older them him, and had sailed just about everywhere in the West at one time or another.  He always had something to say about anything.

             
“You want some breakfast I suppose,” the woman asked them.

             
“About time you served me,” Jorgins grumped. 

             
“You think all I do is wait to serve you?  I have other things to do you know.”  The brown bun of hair at the back of her head bobbed as she spoke.  “Now what do you want?  Quick now…”

             
“Just a mug of ale if you please,” Jorgins ordered.

             
“Me too,” Treska added, smiling slightly at the exchange.  They were all old friends and Irene was always on the old rascal about his bad habits.

             
“Why Treska, Trina will have your ears if she finds out your drinking at this hour,” she admonished him.

             
“It is almost noon,” Jorgins protested.

             
“Not for another two hours it isn’t.”  She shook her head.  “All right just one.  Anymore than that and I will have to tell your wife,” she spoke to Treska.

             
“Thanks, Irene.” 

             
Irene went in back as Jorgins spoke again.  “I wouldn’t be drinking this early myself if there was something to do.  With no place to sail for trade goods I find myself bored stiff.”              

             
Three mugs were placed on the table by Walther, the owner of the Inn.  He was as heavy set as his wife and had the same brown hair.  “Mornin friends.”

             
“Won’t Irene mind you sitting down having a drink?”  Jorgins asked him as the Innkeeper took a seat.

             
“This is my Inn.  I can do as I please,” he told them.

             
“It was her idea was it?”  Treska shared a laugh with Jorgins.

             
“You won’t be laughing when you hear the news I heard this morning,” Walther said, lowering his voice.  “I got up early to talk to Gends, the coppersmith, about some things I need.  Anyway, his son works in the palace stables some times, and he heard what happened yesterday.  I guess they wanted to keep it hushed up until they make an announcement.”

             
“Well, what is it?” Jorgins urged the man impatiently.

             
“King Stemis is indisposed.”

             
“Indisposed?  What do you mean by that?” Treska asked.

             
“Don’t know for sure, maybe took sick or something.  Gends said poison, but if it was that I think the King would already be dead,” Walther speculated as he took a sip from his mug.

             
“So he isn’t dead?” Jorgins questioned closely.

             
“No, but it must be something serious because the rumor is he gave up the throne.”

             
If he abdicated the throne it had to be serious. 

             
“Well, it isn’t too bad. I mean Lady Margery is said to be a good person, and smart too,” Treska noted a bit reluctantly.  She was said to be kind, and being kind in a time of potential conflict was not always the best thing.

             
“That’s just it,” Walther continued excitedly.  “It’s the Lady Katelyn who is going to be crowned.”  That raised the eyebrows of both Treska and Jorgins.              

             
After a moment of thought, Treska started to smile.  “That’s even better.”