Goodbyes and Beginnings

My family fell in line behind the Royal procession. Since my father died in the line of duty, he would be buried in the Hall of Remembrance. This small fortress outside the city was for monarchs and those who fell while serving the royal family directly.

The ornate carriage that carried the King's body led the slow moving parade down the hill from the castle. The royal family was in a carriage behind it. The next carriage carried my father.

Generally the families of the fallen walked behind the carriage. It was quite a distance to the Hall of Remembrance. Little legs of my siblings would not quite hold up to such a journey. The castle graciously provided a carriage for my family.

We started at the castle, starting down the same parade route that honored me not that long ago. I wish bestowing honor on my family was not wrapped up with someone defending the monarchy. Hundreds of townsfolk lined the streets, honoring the two fallen men. The crowds only grew as we neared the market.

As we rounded the path into the market, right before the city gates, I could hear the gentle raindrops of an approaching storm on the carriage roof. By the time we made it to the small fortress outside the city, a torrential downpour was upon us. The guards saluted the passing entourage.

The guards that watched The Hall of Remembrance took it as a special honor. These men generally served their country for many years. Faithfully wanting to protect the monarchs they knew even after the royals passed, these men took a position that they would hold until their own passing.

The rain let up slightly for the King's service of honor. The crowds that followed the carriages from the city faithfully stood in the rain and wind for the service.

Alina stood next to her mother, with Cali on her other side. My friends held hands hidden in their skirts just as they had in front of the gnomes. I wished to provide more support for Alina, but my family stood next to my own father's graveside, awaiting the next part of the service.

I held Liliana and my mother wrapped Abrin in her arms. Soft sobs could be heard from his snuggled hiding spot on my mother's shoulder. The rain made it impossible for my own tears to be clearly visible.

After the words of remembrance were complete for King Caderyn, my friends parted the crowd of mourners to stand by me. It seemed appropriate for such a day of sadness to be marked by rain and cold. My friends and family brought their own warmth and hope for the future for me.

I was expected to speak. A million things went through my mind. I managed to say my father's last words to me loud and true.

"Proud of you."

—-

The next day was full of pomp and circumstance. The sorrow from the previous day all but forgotten on the faces of those who gathered in the streets to celebrate the latest swordsman. I had seen this type of jubilation for Lord Holden, but did not realize then that the next time banners were hung in the city streets, they would hold my name and my clan's colors.

The people shouted my name from the streets, as my family crammed inside a carriage for the second day. There must not have been a bud of a flower still on the stem for miles. Between the ones used to honor the fallen and the ones thrown toward our carriage today, all were picked.

As we entered the castle, a steward ushered us to a holding room. My mother tried to corral my siblings into a corner to help them not dirty their clothes before the ceremony. This finery was created for a wedding that would never happen, but I was thankful my siblings got to use it at least once before they outgrew it.

Abrin looked like myself, but in miniature. The light blue fabric set off his eyes. He would definitely have his cheeks pinched by admiring noblewomen by the end of the day.

Liliana's white gown was accented with blue flowers and a wide silk sash. She would have been the most precious flower girl. Lydia was a credit to her profession with such a design. If she could make my sister look like an angel, I could only imagine the gown she would create for the wedding gown of a Princess.

As if knowing my thoughts, Alina entered the room with Cali and Queen Valerie shortly behind her. The Queen passed toward my mother while my friends headed straight for me.

Alina's gown was stunning. It mirrored Liliana's with similar flowers embroidered up the bodice, but instead of stems ending in blue buds, the stems of silver were accented with buds of gold. The white bodice flowed over her hips in a bell shaped skirt, ending in a dramatic train weaving together gold, silver and stands of blue to represent my clan. Alina honored my Swordman ceremony with that would have been her wedding gown.

"Wow, Alina. You're stunning. Too bad a Swordsman cannot be a prince. I'm so sorry that this is the way we officially end our engagement," the words slipped off my tongue without much thought about how anyone would receive them.

Liliana broke free from my mother's confinement at the sight of her friend, our princess. Upon hearing my words, her face fell into the sorrow it held the day before.

"If you don't marry Jack, does that mean we aren't sisters?" Liliana held back tears. She had already lost so much. How could that be taken from her as well? Before I had a chance to console my little sister, Alina jumped in.

"No. Sisters are forever. You, little one, will always be mine. In fact, go ask your mother if you, as well as our little brother, will sit with me during the ceremony." Alina encouraged.

Liliana's face brightened as she scrambled off to my mother. Since my mother was supposed to be part of the ceremony, I was sure she would not object to having someone to officially watch my siblings.

"Thank you for that. I'm sorry I was not a better betrothed. I hope you find someone worthy of you, Princess Alina," I said, trying to keep my composure with formality.

"You always loved me as a brother. I could not ask for more than what you've already given for our country. Besides, I am so excited to see where the future takes you," Alina beamed and nodded her head toward Cali.

"Quiet, you!" Cali retorted, holding back a smile.

"Sister! Come here! She said it's okay!" Liliana yelled across the room.

"I am being summoned," Alina giggled as she faked a curtsy toward Cali and myself.

Cali and I looked at each other in blissful silence for a moment. It was the first moment we had together alone since the barn when she kissed me.

"I suppose we should…" I started at the same time as Cali.

"I guess congratulations…" Cali began.

We both smiled and waited for the other. When neither of us restarted, I motioned for her to begin again.

"I guess congratulations are in order. I think you are the youngest Swordsman to ever protect Ensis," Cali smiled weakly, reading in my eyes my uncertainty of the situation.

"Thank you," I replied. I paused for a moment, collecting my thoughts on how to proceed. "Quite a bit of my life is changing right now. Including between us."

Cali's face fell from the strained smile into a blank canvas, worried about what I would say next. Did she think I was going to break both our hearts?

"With all this change, including my recent broken engagement, is it alright if we take things slow between us?" I questioned. I didn't want to hurt her. I hoped she understood my intent was not to separate us, but simply to allow myself to grieve before flooding my heart with more emotion.

"Certainly," she responded. Her smile creeped onto her face at the mention of us. It seemed that she wanted to say more, but it would have to wait till later.

A herald popped his head into the room. Upon seeing the queen, he entered. "Queen Valerie, the hall is ready for you. That is whenever you're ready, Your Majesty."

"Alright, places everyone!" Queen Valerie announced.

Alina, Cali and my siblings exited the room together, going to find their seats. Upon their exit, I heard the trumpeters play the tune announcing a Royal entrance. Queen Valerie took measured steps and began her entrance into the main hall.

My mother came to stand next to me. I put out my arm for her to take. She wrapped it through tightly. I could not tell if she was trying to steel her own nerves or calm mine through her actions. I patted her hand gently and she loosened her grip. We exchanged smiles at that.

The music changed to a different jovial march. It was our cue to enter. I took an unsteady step forward. I suddenly felt calm and collected. I remembered my father was proud of me. As if he were next to me, I could hear his gentle voice. With his resounding advice echoing in my head, I began the journey to my new title. One simple word guiding me.

"Breathe."