Ashes of Horizon — Chapter 4: Synchronicity
Written by Scarlet
Kheyri read the letter with a frown, trying to process the absurdity of it.
Count Sirvan and his wife intended to break from the Kingdom. The parchment detailed times, dates, correspondences, and locations of meetings and dealings in scrawled handwriting. Her face paled as her eyes scanned the remaining length of the page. All these events had been spanning weeks… No, months. Internally, she ran through the possibilities. There was so much within their reach for it was a powerful state in both its magical arts and military might. Who was allied with them? What did they intend to do beyond just breaking away? Were they asking other Lords to join them? Were they in league with the barbarians? Would Lonica be attacked because they were allied with the King? Why were they doing this? Her head pounded as question after question raced through her mind.
Her hand was shaking slightly as she placed the letter on the table. Her father was still, looking as though he was barely breathing. After a moment, he spoke, his voice strained.
“As I’m sure you understand, this is troubling.” He rubbed one hand with the other, holding them high enough to hide his uneasy look from the guests. “I had hoped that the relative calm of our county would endure a bit longer, but I should have known better, with all I had heard of what had been occurring at the borders of the kingdom, that danger would eventually reach us.”
He gestured to the majordomo. She politely excused herself from a conversation with a visiting lord and made her way over to the Count.
“Do you need me, my lord?” she asked upon arriving at his side. He nodded only slightly before gesturing her to lean closer. As she did so, he spoke in a hushed tone.
“See to it that the guests are entertained for the rest of the event. I must see to other matters.“ She nodded, slightly confused as to why he would excuse himself so early but knew well enough that it was not her place to inquire further.
“And if they ask where you have gone?” she asked as he rose from his seat.
“Tell them I was too deep into my cups and decided it was time to rest.“
She elegantly curtsied as he stood up and offered his hand to Kheyri.
“Come. We have much to discuss, “ he said in a rushed manner. Without question, Kheyri rose from her seat and followed her father as he made his way out of the room.
Once they were a fair distance from the dining hall’s door, Kheyri spoke up uneasily.
“What are we to do now that we know? Do we-”
“We will do nothing.” He cut her off abruptly. “If we act too swiftly here, there will be panic and fear. We must present stability in the face of chaos.” He turned to face her, taking both her hands in his. “Kheyri, listen to me. You are to be the people’s leader, and now will be your chance to do so. I must depart to see the King posthaste, I will be making arrangements to be on my way by midday tomorrow.”
He paused to look her in the eyes, the concern on his face was visible, even in the low light of the lamp-lit corridor.
“Rumors will spread soon of what has occurred. You must keep the people’s focus away from such things and such an opportunity has already revealed itself. The suitors will arrive soon, so make a show of it. Exaggerate, if you must. Things must remain stable here until I return.”
Her eyes widened at that last bit of news. He released her hands and waited for confirmation from her that she understood what he intended for her.
“I understand,” Kheyri said solemnly, understanding the full weight of what had been placed in her hands. “The people need a distraction, I will prepare to do just that, father.”
She returned his gaze her face resolute.
“I will not let you down. I will not fail.”
In her mind, she wanted to add “not like Mother did,” but she kept that last thought to herself. There was no need to say anymore. Now was the time to reflect before the preparations began in the morning.
“I wish there was more time, my dear daughter. Less weight that I needed to put on your shoulders, but I know you can handle it.” He stepped forward and kissed her forehead. “Goodnight. I hope the next day’s blessings bode well for us all.”
He turned away and began making his way toward the stairwell to his room.
“Goodnight, Fusil,“ she called out as she turned away and made her way to her chambers.
~
The next few days were a blur of activity, and by midday, her father had bid Kheyri farewell and headed towards the kingdom’s capital of Basolia, Emmanora. Kheyri herself had begun preparing for the arrival of the suitors, with only days to prepare. The palace was abuzz with merchants, artisans, troops of entertainers, artists, and more, all for the festival she was preparing. The most eligible of the suitors would arrive in three days, she had ascertained, so it only made sense to make sure that the city was as inviting as possible for them. While there was a guarantee that she would select any of them, a warm welcome may secure an ally or two in the coming months, and at the very least, it was a time for her to cut loose, to not be bound to a desk for a time, even if it was only a few days.
~
When all was said and done, three days had come and gone, and the palace and city had been dressed up for the occasion. The streets are adorned with colorful banners and exquisite works of fine art, showcasing the crests of the visiting lords and the city’s allegiance to the crown. Citizens and tourists alike thronged the streets, dressed in their finest attire, eagerly awaiting the start of the festivities. The air was alive with the sounds of music and laughter, and the aroma of delicious food filled the senses. The bars and restaurants were bustling with patrons, all looking to indulge in the city’s renowned culinary offerings. The atmosphere dazzled the senses and the excitement was palpable as the revelers immersed themselves in the joyous celebrations.
The city’s magnificent architecture and opulent buildings had been adorned with intricate decorations and sumptuous fabrics. The crowning jewel amongst it all was Kheyri. She was beauty personified and the vision regality, draped in exquisite silken finery that accentuated her curves. Her gown was a gossamer-thin fabric that shimmered with every move, revealing just enough skin to entice without being indecent. The dress was studded with precious gems that glinted in the light, enhancing her natural beauty and adding an air of opulence to her presence. Her posture was graceful and confident, befitting a woman of high status and sophistication, carried aloft atop an opulent palanquin that seemed to glide through the streets to a parade of onlookers and guards. As the palanquin came to a stop, she gazed out from beneath the customary veil to watch as the processions of the first two suitors made their way through the gates into the palace proper. A smile crossed her face as she watched, and whispered to herself,
“So it begins.”
Hello, this is an original work. Please do not post this elsewhere. Thank you!