The Destiny of Amalah (56 page)

‘Your audience is over Rakan, I cannot permit you into the council.’

‘I think you are making a mistake Empress,’ Rakan said, as he stood up to leave. He nodded his head slowly and strolled out of the room with an air of arrogance.

‘Empress I am deeply sorry for my son’s behaviour, I truly do not know what influences him, and he is not behaving as the man I raised.’

‘I know Garrick,’ Amara said sympathetically. ‘But I think he is beginning to show his hand.

‘As do I,’ said Michael.

‘May it please you Empress that I leave, I have much to do, but first I have a son to chastise.’

‘Of course Garrick.’

Garrick bowed and left Michael and Amara so that he could find his son.

‘What is the meaning of this?’ Garrick asked his son, raising his voice.

‘Of what father?’

‘The way you spoke to the Empress.’

‘She is blind, she does not see what is happening,’ said Rakan.

‘And what is happening to you Rakan?’

‘I know not what you mean father.’

‘I think you do. I hear whisperings and your name has come up more times than I would like.’

‘Nothing has changed.’

‘Rakan, if you are in trouble, you can come to me, you know this. No matter what it is, you can come to me and I will help you. You are my son.’

‘I am not in trouble father – the opposite in fact.’

‘Oh?’

‘Simply, that life is going as it should; magically and within the guard. But the troubles of late are not my doing,’ he lied. ‘She, the Empress and you and the council are not doing anything about it.’

‘That my son is where you are wrong and I would advise you to apologise to the Empress.’

‘Father you may advise all you like but I will not be apologising to anyone anytime soon.’

‘Rakan my son, what is happening to you?’ Garrick asked, obviously frustrated by his sons behaviour. ‘I never raised you to be this way or to behave in such a fashion.’

‘Father I am strong and powerful – I should be leading people.’

‘With strength and power must come humility, compassion and wisdom Rakan?’

‘Is that what makes great leadership?’

‘Yes, you must care for those around you and exercise compassion and decency at all times.’

‘Well father, I shall return to work,’ Rakan said, paying no heed to his father’s words.

‘Perhaps the Empress may consider you again in a few years time, you are still young.’

‘So is she,’ Rakan said defensively.

‘By that, I mean you have much time ahead of you to lead and much time to learn. Do not worry Rakan your time will come.’

Rakan nodded in agreement ‘Yes it will father,’ he said confidently and turned on his heel and left his father alone in the room.

‘How you worry me Rakan,’ Garrick said to himself. ‘I hope to the gods that you have not aligned yourself with Adriel as the others think,’ an anxious Garrick mused.

Amara and Michael remained together in her study, contemplating the council’s meeting and Rakan.

‘Our world is changing Michael and I fear we may not be able to turn back from that change.’

‘Perhaps but all we can do is face what comes.’

‘I wish my father were here, he would know what to do.’

‘
You
know what to do, and when the time comes I know that you will do what is required of you. I know that as the Empress and the woman that you are, you will do much more than what is required of you.’

‘Will you stay by my side Michael?’

‘Always,’ he said softly.

Chapter 22

The new day in Amalah began with an excited and happy buzz; it was barely dawn and yet most of the city was already prepared for the celebrations. Stalls were in place that would hold much of the food and drink throughout the week. Some of the food was brought in to Amalah but most of it was prepared in the city.

The bakers and cooks were already at work and the smells of mouth watering food wafted through the city. As the morning went on, people began to rise and soon after, made their way into Amalah. By mid morning Amalah city was becoming increasingly busy as people were milling around and entering the city from the other nations; as the people piled in, many set up camp in the fields before moving into the city centre and after a few hours, Amalah was humming once again.

Many people were still setting up stalls and preparing for whatever it was that they would stock; some people stayed in the inns acquainting themselves with strangers and the innkeeper, or reacquainting themselves with people that they had seen at the last celebrations while many simply walked around the city, taking in the sights and enjoying being among so many people and taking in the atmosphere that was positively happy.

The palace of Amalah was also extremely busy; the Empresses’ guard were preparing themselves for the days that lay ahead for they knew that they would be actively engaged all week. All of the guard would attend the celebrations tonight and there would be a showing of the guard; they were expected to be in full ceremonial dress and many would be involved in the swordsmanship and martial arts shows, which had been organised by Garrick, Häkan and Kalon. Some the guard were there to keep the peace and a trusted few were there to mix among the people; they were to observe and listen and to try and find out what or who, was causing the recent changes in the nations and the guard.

Garrick and Häkan were arranging and organising the Empress’s guard as well as trying to accommodate the guards from the other eight nations; however, what could have been a logistical nightmare, was running quite smoothly but proving to be hard work for the two guard commanders.

That day, the Empress, Michael and Ellora greeted and welcomed the council members and their families, as well as the other leaders of the nations and their families, and they helped them to settle in. As the day wore on, the organisation paid off and soon, the whole city of Amalah was ready to celebrate; they were now waiting for sunset and Amara to begin the celebrations officially.

It was less than an hour now before the celebrations were to begin and Garrick, Häkan, Thaddeus and Raynor were enjoying some ale before their duties were to begin; the four men drank and talked for a while, mostly about old times, the celebrations and what was to come.

‘These celebrations will be different to any other,’ Häkan mused.

‘More spectacular,’ Thaddeus added.

Definitely, we seem to outdo ourselves each year,’ Raynor said.

‘This is true,’ Häkan began again; ‘but different because of what we must do this time – spy among the people,’ he said with a heavy sigh

‘More accurately observe and listen,’ Garrick added.

‘Still, the connotation of what we must do is there and I do not care for it,’ Häkan finished.

‘Neither of us care for it my friend, but if this is the beginning of troubled times then it is what we must do,’ Thaddeus said philosophically.

‘I hope it is not,’ Raynor said staring thoughtfully into his ale.

‘So do I,’ Garrick added. ‘But if it is, we must endeavour to catch this thing – whatever it is – before it gets out of control; as you know already the Empresses guard is affected and somewhat divided.’

‘How does your guard fare now?’ Thaddeus asked.

‘Somewhat better now that the celebrations are to begin but I regard this improvement with caution;’ a solemn faced Garrick began; ‘the celebrations affect us all but still we do not know what caused this rift and we cannot assume the celebrations will close it, but it will only conceal it,’ Garrick finished.

‘How does Rakan fare in the situation?’ Raynor asked.

‘Ah my son; as you know, he appears to be at the heart of it. I also see a change in him, one that I do not care for, I know not what causes it, but it is there and I am concerned.’

‘We see it too,’ Thaddeus said sadly.

‘His fervour and sudden quest for power is inexplicable; sometimes he is sullen and often, he is behaving in a way that is arrogant and insolent to those who he feels are blocking his path. As you know, he was rude to the Empress.’

‘I still wonder what is causing this change?’ Häkan mused aloud.

‘Or whom,’ Raynor added.

‘Garrick I know Rakan is your son old friend but I too cannot turn a blind eye or forget what role he is playing in the division of the guard,’ Häkan said reluctantly. ‘There is talk of a secret sect and Rakan, Waldon and Kenaz appear to be the gatekeepers of it, as you know.’

Garrick looked at his friend and smiled a thin yet knowing and sad smile. ‘It pains me deeply to say it but I know I must, at least to the three of you in this room, but I fear I cannot trust my own son. The man I helped to give life to, the boy and then the man I raised; as a father and an officer of the guard; it pains me so that in both capacities, I cannot trust him any longer and neither can you,’ Garrick said, clearly agonised by the words he had just spoken.

‘I am truly sorry Garrick that this change has come upon Rakan so,’ said an empathetic Thaddeus. ‘Although I know this is of little comfort to you, know this; no father could have raised a son as well as you, we have been friends long before Rakan was born, and I know the man that you are: a good man, a decent man, a man who raised his sons in love and respect and decency. Rakan’s change could never be attributed to anything you did or did not do. Little comfort to you I know, but please take some from it?’ Thaddeus said, as he patted his friends shoulder.

‘Thank you I do, let us hope we find whoever or whatever, is affecting my son and the guard and the nations in the north and east.’

‘Indeed,’ Häkan said.

‘And despite the seriousness of the situation, let us hope that much fun and laughter will be had over the next week,’ Raynor said smiling.

‘Let us raise our glasses,’ Häkan said heartily and the four men raised their tankards. ‘To the celebrations, may they bring us much joy and laughter,’ Häkan toasted.

‘The celebrations!’ the four of them said simultaneously.

The four men knocked their jugs together and drank, and after that they returned to lighter conversations as they drank their ale and when they finished the rest of their ale, they made their way to the balcony hall to meet Amara, Ellora, Michael and the rest of the council and representatives’ of the nations.

Amara and Ellora were in the balcony hall socialising with the council and representatives. As usual the two sisters looked incredibly beautiful and elegant that night and they made everyone feel welcome and at ease in their company. Amara wore a pale blue silk dress that caressed her curves and ran all the way to the floor and Ellora wore a simple satin white dress that also ran the length of the floor.

That night, Michael was never far from Amara’s side and Kalon was never far from Ellora’s. The Balcony Room was now a large reception room and Amara, Ellora and guests could hear the buzz from the people outside who were waiting to see the Empress and the people watched and watched eagerly as she began the celebrations.

Garrick, Häkan, Thaddeus and Raynor entered the room and immediately sought out the Empress and when they found her, they bowed respectfully.

‘Good evening Empress,’ they each said in turn.

‘Good evening gentlemen,’ she replied in a friendly and warm tone. ‘I think it is time to begin the celebrations now,’ she said clearly excited by them.

‘Indeed,’ Garrick replied smiling.

‘Are the guard in place?’ Amara asked.

‘Yes,’ Häkan replied.

‘Good then let us begin.’

She nodded to a man in the corner of the room who then began to play on the harp, he played a soft and melodic tune and as he played, Amara walked to the side of the room where there was a small stage. She walked gracefully up the stairs and as she made her way, all eyes were on her as she made her way to the lectern and began to address the people:

‘Good evening ladies and gentlemen, representatives of the nations, to the council and honoured guests. I am once again honoured and happy to welcome you all back to Amalah for this years celebrations. I hope that all of our nations continue to live in peace and prosperity and that we continue to enjoy our world for future generations, and so – without further ado – I ask that you all join me on the balcony to once again welcome the people into our nation and begin the celebrations – thank you.’

Those gathered in the balcony room and hall applauded the Empress and she smiled and nodded thanking them for their support; she stepped down from the stage and made her way toward the balcony and en route, she was met by: Ellora, Kalon, Michael and the four friends; Garrick, Häkan, Thaddeus and Raynor.

Two of the guard swung open the balcony doors that ran from the floor up to the ceiling and as soon as the doors were open, cheers came from the outside and when Amara stepped onto the balcony, a fresh wave of cheers began only this time they were louder. She smiled and waved at the masses of people who had ventured into Amalah and were now waiting for her; the cheers grew louder and longer as Michael and Ellora stepped onto the balcony with her, followed by Thaddeus, Raynor, Häkan and Garrick along with the rest of the council and the representatives of the nations.