Everything was a blur. As we rode into the city of Denalham, I smiled and waved at the cheering citizens. But I felt like my face was a cold mask of ice.
We were situated in the governor's mansion with a full complement of servants. Some of them are working hurriedly on more suitable garments. A few nobles have even arrived, fleeing from court to serve me. Everything feels like it used to be. I am only missing my King...and my favorite.
Civil war is on the horizon. Denalham has already declared in my favor. Sir Eric, Sir Tyler, and Sir Matthew are all present. I seem to be drawing support mainly from the lower, younger nobles--those without much power to lose, thereby keeping them free to follow their hearts.
A few loyal soldiers offered to run back to our old headquarters and retrieve our three early casualties of the war. They come back with a dreadful story, which I overhear when they do not think I am listening. They say the funeral must be closed-casket, for...the heads of the three traitors stood on pikes in the square of the city, surrounded by guards, and the bodies lay forgotten in the old house.
When I heard this, hot, angry tears threatened, but I think the others noticed nothing.
The funeral was today. The friendly guard Will...the caring nurse Faye...and Lord Philip. They were all lowered into Denalham's new Queen's Cemetery. As the first two disappeared into the earth, I felt my face harden in anger at this heartless King who would take the lives of these poor, sweet, friendly souls.
But as my favorite disappears from my sight forever, my anger is dwarfed by an overwhelming sense of loss and loneliness.
He was my only, dearest friend. We had stuck together through all the years of my reign, and even more so recently. Because we had both suffered the same way.
 LadyAlisyn · Fri Jul 31, 2009 @ 09:13pm · 0 Comments |
