Broken promise

Aurelia

As we passed through the gates - ones that were simply remade after the original one had been burnt down - the wind ruffled the shirts of my dress and Scorch’s mane. The air still smelled of the burning wreckage I had wrought. I wanted to pale at the sight of it, but I was no coward.

I was the Queen of fire and darkness. I held my head high as we rode on, I kept a tally of the buildings that needed the most work, ones that needed to be condemned and ones that could be used over the next days of our preparations.

The street that Jaxson’s house once stood on was completely destroyed. The fire had jumped from house to house. It was a marvel that anyone had survived the flames. I searched the rubble and ash from my saddle, looking for the remains of my mother. I found none as I had suspected I would. I put my heels into Scorch and we left this place behind, only carrying the guilt of my temper.

We made it to the abandoned streets in good time after that, though the streets weren't abandoned anymore. Wagons full of rubble were making their way out of the open city walls, empty ones coming in a steady stream on the other side. People of every age and gender worked. They all had a look of determination on their sweat drenched faces. I was in awe of them.

Kairios was not hard to find in the crowd. He was observing each of the workers, giving small orders here and there when needed. His voice was hard and loud but his words were kind and encouraging. The perfect leader. Miranda was the first to come to me.

“So, you finally woke up. Needed the beauty sleep, did you?” Her hands were fisted and resting on her hips, her chin held high, stubborn through and through. When I looked into her eyes, I saw the joke mocking there for what it really was. She was happy to see me.

I smirked at her from where I sat on Scorch’s back. “I’m glad to see you as well, I see a good rest hasn’t brought out any hidden manners. How delightful.” I laughed as I dismounted and came to stand in front of her. “What are you doing here?”

“Bossing me around.” Kairios said, now standing next to me.

We all laughed. My hand found his and I said “you have been busy, thank you for letting me sleep.”

“There is still a lot to be done, but they are growing stronger by the hour. In a few more days we will have enough room to start training inside the city walls.”

He walked me through the area, pointing out this space or that space and what he wanted it to become. I was inspired by his vision and couldn’t wait to see it come to light. Of course, for some of his plans, we would have to wait till the end of this war, should we survive it. I looked over the people and wondered at how many of them would be the ones to live or die.

That their lives would be ours to command so soon sobered me to the realities. We had a long way to go if we wanted to think about life after. Was I ready to be a leader, to make the calls that I needed to? Miranda took Scorch for a ride around the city and I was happy to have the time to walk with Kairios.

“Lyanna sent word to three kingdoms nearby, hopefully they will send word back in a week.” Kairios filled me in.

“There is a lot of things to tend to in the next days, at least we will be busy and not waiting around like before.”

Spending those weeks waiting for any word from Lyanna had been agony in a way. “Have you heard anything on Massell?” He was a lingering threat and I wanted him found and punished.

“No one has seen him or had word of him. I am beginning to wonder if he died in the battle. Killed by Lycus or turned to ash in the fires.” He shivered at the memory of the flames on his own skin.

We walked on a little while longer, the hours of the day filled by the sights the city had for us. I told him my desire to see it all, and why. If I had the chance to remake this city, it would be a place of beauty and freedom. The only restraints people would have would be the limitations of their own minds and desires.

…

The next days turned to more days and then it was weeks later. The city looked better than the day I steeped foot inside of it, the smells like a city should, a touch of human filth mixed in with dust, sea and cooking foods. Where the people were weak and useless before, they were now filled with life and purpose. The sounds of weapons clanged through every window of the castle as the ranks trained day and night.

We all grew accustomed to the sound of it. Everyone worked, every one trained. Objections to the new order grew less and less. A busy peace washed over the city. When I walked the streets now, I saw strong bodies and fierce eyes in each and every one of them.

Our number was still so small, barely over two thousand in the city, and a fraction of that were those who could not fight. Small children, the elderly and some of the young mothers to manage the youth that had started to pour in. More and more people were being attacked near the mountains bordering both kingdoms.

Saira had done her work well. The sick had been healed, and the only ones that came to the healing house now were children with sore teeth and the occasional trainee that got cut but a stray blade. More and more she was in the castle. I didn’t have anything to complain about that, as I was always stuck there.

Letters had come back from the ones that Lyanna had sent out. They had all promised aid as long as they got to claim whatever they wished when the battle was done. We debated for days on how to respond to these absurd requests. In the end I felt like we had no choice but to accept.

Kairios stood by that we didn’t need their help, that we would find a way after all we had been through. Lyanna wanted to negotiate with them and Jaxson wanted to reach out elsewhere for help. They all waited for me to figure out what to say. I told them I wanted a day, then I would give my decision.

We needed help. That was the stark truth. If I wanted to save as many as I could, we would need a larger force. If they asked for my crown, I would give it so the children of these lands might have a future. They would have to face my wrath if they did not follow through with promises to me as well. And the other fact remained that I didn’t know what they would each ask. It was a gamble but one I had to make.

After my day of reflection was over, I told them all what I thought was best.

“Write letters back to them each, we will accept reasonable requests. Invite them here. We should make alliances with them. Tell them that after this war is done that we will have to recreate this world for the better. It's time to stop the fighting and separation.”

“How do we know if they can be trusted or not?” Kairios asked, arms crossed over his chest in frustration. He didn’t agree with me at all. The peace we had between us these days had been fragile and every argument we had brought us to cold stares.

“We don’t. We don’t know them and they don’t know us. We have to create the chance for trust to grow.”

Saira agreed with me first, Lyanna agreed right after her. She said we couldn’t stick to the old ways and would have to find a new one. They debated a while longer and I sat back and listened. After coming into agreement about how to write the letters and Kairios’ plans to protect the city if they did come, I was tired of talking.

I was saved from this meeting by a knock at the door. “Enter!” I called to them.

A guard stepped in and bowed his head. “There is a boat entering the harbor, it has no name or identification on it.”

Kairios was up in a flash. “Are they attacking?”

“No, they sail slowly and seem heavy in the water.”

I got up from my normal chair, I had yet to sit in a throne. “Let's go greet them then.” Excitement flashed through me. Something other than paper work or debates to attend to.

Lyanna stayed behind, saying that she would write up the letters. Saira, Jaxson, Kairios and I walked quickly to the pier. As we quickly walked through the streets, I watched as the ship sailed in swiftly and lined up with one of the docks. The ship itself was plain, made of a light brown wood. The sails were white and rolled up.

By the time we made it to the docks, they had slid out a ramp connecting the ship to the dock. A captain stood at the top and for a moment my heart skipped a beat. I had to work quickly to school the look of longing than disappointment that had shown up on my face. I prayed that no one saw it.

He was swift and sure in his steps as he descended to us. Blond hair peeked out from under his wide brimmed hat. His blue captains' jacket was buttoned to the top and his pants were black under it. Tall brown boots came up just under his knees. A sharp looking man, but not my captain.

“Welcome to the Kingdom of Scorch Crest.” I said as queenly as possible, remembering I had a role to play.

“What is your business here?” Jaxson asked calmly.

“I have been sent with food and men.” The captain said with a lazy shrug like we should have none the obviousness of it.

“Who sent you?” Kairios asked.

But I already knew the answer. For standing at the top of the ramp was Mana. His eyes already on me.

“Captain Galorian.” Another shrug. “He received word that you were in need of help, he has sent me to do your biding.”

Shock. He had found a way to undermine my order and promise of death. Brazen bastard. I looked at Kairios, as I could feel his stare on me. His arms were crossed again and his brows were raised. Pure anger flashed in his eyes.

Mana started to walk down the ramp and came to stand right in front of me. I had to look up to match his eyes with mine. I opened my mouth to say something, and closed it again as no words came out.

“Mana has been sent here to be your personal guard. His orders are to stay with you, until you order him away, that is. Who shall I discuss the details of unloading my ship with?”

Jaxson stepped up for me, “the harbor master will set you and your men up with lodgings. Do you have a roster of your cargo, so that I may determine who needs to be called to help?”

Kairios grabbed me by the elbow and turned me away from Mana. “Send him back now!” He roared at me as loud as he could without making a scene.

My back went straight in an instant at the command, I pulled my elbow from his hands and roared back, “I will do no such thing.”