Geren and Kat Chat
Tessa and I sat in a quiet corner of the great hall. I had spent the better part of the morning meeting with the people of my kingdom and helping resolve issues. I had sorted through land disputes, revenge-fueled brothers, chicken populations, and of course the ongoing vegetable-eating cat problem. We had just started discussing lunch possibilities when a messenger approached the table. “Your Highness, there is a Lord Geren of the Drakemoore Nest here to see you. Should I show him in?”
I looked at Tess and gave her a smile. “Geren’s really nice. Sort of a big goof, but still nice.” I turned back to the messenger awaiting my reply. “Yes, have him shown to my brother’s solar, and please also let the kitchen staff know that we will take lunch there for three.” The young woman gave me a polite bow and darted away to do as she was instructed. I stood and made my way to the solar with Tessa close behind.
“Is this one of the Dragons responsible for banning you from your home?” Tessa asked as we entered the solar.
I shrugged. “I’m not sure responsible is the correct word for it. He is an elder, but I know that most of the anger at the Nest stems from Lord Vallen.” I reflected about it from Vallen’s perspective. “With good reason,” I added.
Tessa patiently waited for me to take a seat first. She still wasn’t comfortable around me, but I knew that would come with time and I would someday see something other than the demure and proper side of her. I took a seat at the end of the table and she sat to my right. I started to ask her a question – I wanted to know more about when she had discovered she was a Banshee – when I was interrupted by a loud pounding on the door. It opened and the messenger stepped inside. “His noble Lordship, Geren Sturlungar Dreki,” she announced.
Geren stepped into the room. He was dressed in leather boots and leggings and a tunic in vivid green and gold – which was almost overkill considering the rest of his looks. The top of his bright yellow hair was pulled away from his face while all his golden waves tumbled down his back. His golden eyes and light skin, glimmering with the shine of golden scales, served as a reminder that he and Hue were cousins. He approached me with a half-serious smile and a red wooden box in his hands. I stood to greet him. When he was less than an arm’s length from me, he knelt to one knee. “Princess Alizeyah, my deep gratitude for your agreement to see me given current circumstances.”
“Geren, it’s always good to see you,” I told him. I held out a hand, meaning to offer it as a hand up. Instead he took it in his, turned it over, and kissed my palm. Then he looked up at me and gave me a dazzling smile. It was the same smile Hue gave me when he was trying to be charming.
Geren released my hand and stood. I motioned for him to take a seat before I also sat. Carefully he set the box on the table. “Princess, I am here on a secret mission. Neither Hudraer nor members of the Nest know I am here at the moment. Least of all with this.” He patted the box beside him. “What I am about to show you must stay a secret.” He turned to face the box and opened it. It unfolded in three parts that came together at the latch and inside was a crown of silver and gold that seemed to glow with its own power.
“It’s beautiful,” I told him.
He smiled. “As you know, my family has been responsible for watching over a number of artifacts important to the Dragon race. This crown belonged to the Original Dragon. Do you know who that is?” he asked.
I nodded, remembering that he was the Dragon that had given his blood to Arthur to teach Humans to rule themselves and not be ruled by magic. “Yes, I do.”
“Then you know he was chosen because of his pure soul, honor, and power. When Hue, Vallen and I were young, we all took turns touching the crown. All three of us are of the noble bloodline, but only Vallen chose to swear his oath to the Knights of the Order. Hue and I were both Knighted, but under different banners. All three of us were burned when we touched the crown. When the King rises again he will be pure of soul, honor and power.” He took a deep breath and I stared at him.
“Ok, so the Original Dragon will come again?” I said with a smile. “It sounds like a fairy tale.”
“When Hue came to the Nest to collect your parents before going to see my aunt and uncle, he told Lady Jura how you had looked without your glamours during Cariss’s funeral. Something about his description reminded me of something. I remembered the crown. Your armor and the sword you call on is like that of Vallen’s. Only those of the bloodline have that ability. So I’d like you to touch the crown.” He pushed the box towards me.
I laughed as he smiled broadly at me. I shook my head. “You’re being silly,” I told him. “I’m not even full Dragon.”
“Touch it anyway. I’m probably wrong and you’ll get a tiny burn on your finger,” he said mischievously.
“I don’t want a burn on my finger,” I argued.
“Do this for me and I will never never make another silly request of you.”
I glared at him. “You shouldn’t say never when you and I both know that won’t be the case,” I taunted. He wiggled the box in front of me. Sighing loudly, I reached out with a single finger and touched the crown. There was a hiss of something burning, but it didn’t come from me. It sounded like it came from the crown. Geren, Tessa and I all watched with fascination as the crown seemed to glow like fire then turn white in a flow from my finger. I turned my hand over to look at my fingertip. Not so much as a spot of pink.
Geren’s smile faded into something else and he sat the box back on the table. In one fluid motion he drew his sword and sank to his knees. With lowered eyes he stared at my feet. “Forgive me, your Majesty,” he pleaded.
I laughed. “Geren, get up. I’m sorry I broke your crown, but you have nothing to apologize for. I wasn’t burned. If anyone is sorry it’s me. I’ve ruined your sacred crown.”
Geren looked up at me with a mix of awe and outrage. He laid his sword at my feet. “From this day forward I swear my life blood to you and the kingdom you will build.”
“What?” I blinked several times before turning to look at Tessa, who was nodding.
Tessa met my gaze. “It makes so much sense now,” she said.
“What does?” I demanded. I looked back down at Geren. “Will you get up? You kneeling like that makes me uncomfortable.”
Geren immediately rose at my request. “Your Majesty, you have been reborn. Don’t you see Alizeyah? You are the King.”
I looked over at the gleaming crown. “No I’m not. Take it home, put it in your vault, and don’t speak of this with anyone.”
Geren nodded, closing the box. “I will keep your secret, but as I said, from this day forward I am sworn to you. I won’t be the last to make that promise even if you don’t accept my oath.”
I shook my head. “I can’t be who you think I am,” I told him. “You need to pray I’m not.” I buried what had just happened deeper and deeper within me where I hoped neither Ian nor Hue would ever find it.
Lunch arrived then. Nervously, I invited Tessa and Geren to take a seat and enjoy the meal with me. We didn’t speak of the crown or the Original Dragon for the rest of the day. We stayed on topics like the binding ceremony, my upcoming trip back to Vesaria for Lily’s baby shower, and how much I was missing ice cream in the daytime heat.
