Our New Force
I sat on the dais on my brother’s throne dressed in leggings, tall boots, and a royal tunic. The maids had insisted I wear a crown or a circlet to greet our new troops as they arrived. Lords came to introduce their sons, nephews, brothers, and, to my happy approval, a few daughters, nieces, and sisters. Their reaction was always the same. They would walk in, approach the throne, kneel, realize I was “Your Highness” and not “Your Majesty”, then try to hide their confusion as they presented the newest member of the royal guard. Most of the troops seemed indifferent at being there. It was obvious some were doing it because they had been commanded to. A very few marched up, proud to be the newest members, the gleam in their eyes shining with the honor the position carried.
A little after lunch Leonide and Aiden came to check on my progress, choosing to sit at a nearby table and watch as I gracefully welcomed our newcomers. I knew this exercise I had been given was also a test – if I would follow my brother’s orders. If I could be trusted on the throne. If I could act with the grace needed for the position. The lords had finished their parade for the day when the Herald ran up to me. “Your Highness?” she said from bended knee.
“Approach,” I told her, waving her forward.
“Princess Alizeyah, there are a number of merchants here who have sons and daughters they would like to enlist to the guard as well. In the past this has been reserved for nobility only. They are refusing to leave.” Her eyes darted back and forth, landing on the highborn lords and then my father and brother.
I smiled widely. “Show them in.”
She blinked at me a few times. “Shall I announce them each as well?” I gave her a nod before she scampered off to do as I asked.
Setting my shoulders back, I resumed my position on the throne as another group was shown into the great hall. All other chatter came to a standstill as merchants and peasants alike, all dressed in what was no doubt their best, lined up. The first family was announced. A merchant garbed in colorful hues approached the dais he and his two sons approached and dropped to their knees. “Your Highness, my sons and I have come to pledge fealty to the crown. We pay taxes and love this land. Two of my sons wish to protect our home and serve in your guard. I beg you, please accept them, even if it is to do the work others wish not to do.” There was a snicker from the direction of the nobles.
I stood and bid them approach. I ignored the gasps that followed as both sons swore fealty to the crown. I lifted my chin when it was over and addressed all who were gathered. “It takes great honer and strength of character to live the life of a soldier. Nobility rules, merchants sell and bring money and commerce, and peasants farm, craft, serve, raise, and are the backbone and bedrock of society. If you hear nothing else I say this day, then hear this. EVERYONE is needed for this kingdom to thrive. A title is merely the name of a job – it does not mean you are entitled to any more or any less respect than anyone else. All who live here should take responsibility for keeping our Kingdom safe and thriving. From this day forward, all who carry love for the crown, show strength of character, and have honor in their heart may respond to the call for arms.”
There were hisses and angry words from the noblemen but I ignored them. I knew I would no doubt have words with Aiden over this later. I motioned for the next family to come forward. Another twenty-five troops rounded out my ranks. My first royal guard was made up of nineteen existing men-at-arms and knights and sixty-two new recruits. Looking around at the faces, my chest puffed just a little. “For now there are treats to tide you all over until dinner, but tonight we celebrate the newest members of our family. The feast tonight is held in all of your honor as a sign of love and respect from your crown to you.”
I gave a nod, stepped off the dais, and made my way to exit the hall. I had only made it a short distance down the corridor when my father and Aiden both redirected me into Aiden’s solar. I rolled my eyes as they urged me to have a seat at the table. “What was that?” asked Aiden.
“That was me protecting our lands and people. A task you gave me to handle as I see fit,” I reminded him.
“The Guard has always been made of nobility,” he argued.
“Well it won’t be under me. You gave this to me. You disbanded an army. YOU, who have military experience and training, gave this task to your little sister who is only thirty-two, compared to your hundreds. I did what I believe to be right.” I crossed my arms over my chest and glared at him.
“What will the nobles think?” he said, dropping down into a chair.
“Hopefully they think, ‘YAY, more soldiers means a better chance of my son or daughter coming back alive.’ ” I took a deep breath. “Is it or is it not a noble’s job to protect the lands he governs?”
My father and Aiden both exchanged looks then nodded.
“The nobles have failed at their jobs. Those merchants and farmers wouldn’t be here right now if the nobles had handled the highwaymen. As it stands now, farmers are being slaughtered in their fields. Merchants are being robbed on the roads. Lawlessness is running rampant and the nobles have sat within the safety of their keeps and failed their people. If you fail your people, you are failing the crown. The lower classes are here because they love this kingdom and want it to be safe again. We would be fools not to accept the love and support of our people.” I sighed.
Aiden looked shocked and Leonide sank into the chair beside me. He held out his hand so I would take it. “Alizeyah, I know you are new to this and I understand your reasoning. It’s good reasoning, but traditions are there for a reason.”
Aiden looked at me and met my gaze. He pursed his lips and then sat in the chair on the other side of me. “No, father. She’s right. She did the right thing. It takes strength to challenge tradition when it isn’t what is best for the Kingdom. Her decision was based on what is best for all, not what is easiest for a few. I’ll support this decision.” He took my other hand and gave it a squeeze then looked back at Leonide.
Our father studied us both for a long moment before letting a grin split his face. “I’m proud of the people you both are. To know you both choose selflessness warms my heart and allows me to rest easier. Now, if we could just find you both mates and produce some grandchildren it would prove the world could be perfect.”
I pulled my hands away and stood. “I should get going. I need to change before dinner.”
As I left the room I heard Aiden begin to explain that I had had a Soul Mate, but he was killed in battle. I didn’t need to look back to feel my father’s sad eyes on me as I closed the door. I climbed the stairs to my chamber. Since learning who I was, I had been given Aiden’s old chamber, which was second largest only to the King’s. I basically had my own wing of the castle. It offered me solitude and peace. When I entered the bedroom I looked around and smiled at the mismatched decor.
Geren had given me permission to move whatever of Hue’s belongings I wanted to the castle. Mine and Hue’s chamber and vaults would remain at the nest, but he and Vallen recognized me as Hue’s mate even if it had never been made fully official. Now Hue’s bed and set of tall wing-backed chairs had replaced the bed and chairs in the room. The books of the Tempests his family had guarded for generations sat on shelves above my desk. Photos from my apartment in Seoul decorated every corner. Pictures of Hue and I, Dani, Ian, and the rest of my friends. I knew for the foreseeable future Everbloom would be my home. When I got Hue back we would stay here until such time as we were ready to return to the nest, if we ever did. To bring Hue back meant to violate sacred laws of the Dragons.
I breathed deeply. “I have an army to build and train,” I told myself.
