The fire's whispers, a seductive song, Beguiling senses, enticing all along.

Its radiant warmth, a passionate embrace, Drew them in, leaving no trace of space.

They reached out, fingers grazing the heat, Mesmerized by the fire's rhythmic beat.

It mirrored their heart's unspoken yearn, A fervent dance, a fervid lesson to learn.

Chapter 14: All The World's A Stage

Parigrah - Ahrman capital

The sound of hammers and saws continued even as the sun relaxed beneath the horizon. For months men worked diligently to restore the capital to its former glory. While I admired their effort and resolve, couldn’t a girl get some peace and quiet around here?

I mean, being stuck in this drab chamber for days was bad enough. I wanted to see more of the castle, the city; but noooo. I’m not ready yet, according to the “Royal Guard”.

Pish posh!

I’m the queen, aren’t I? I should be out there kissing babies, shaking hands, meeting all fine looking men the capital has to offer. Ugh! I can’t even get out to replenish my stash of biscuits. I’m running low!

The voices from the other room sounded inviting. The Generals from Ras Almal were here to meet the crown. It’s official business. Shouldn’t the queen be present?

Jericha wanted me to stay hidden, but surely, one little peek won’t hurt.

“I noticed during the flyover that the building material we sent has gone untouched,” said Idris. This was the first time in my life I’d ever seen a General of Ras Almal. I heard that Idris and Isa were both Generals, but Idris was wearing civilian clothes.

Midaharian or not, Idris was a rather stylish dresser.

“The crown appreciates Ras Almal’s gesture, Idris, but its citizens do not,” Jericha replied. “I’m sure you understand.” Kind of ungrateful of them if you asked me.

I mean, I know all the dirty details about Haggard and all, but the man that green lighted its destruction was dead and buried now. Let our neighbors try to atone for his sins.

“We’ll gladly take it back if no one wants to use it,” Isa said. He sounded annoyed. He looked annoyed. I don’t think I like him much. I mean, he wears glasses. One thing I remember my father telling us growing up was to never trust a man wearing glasses.

“It’s yours for the taking, General,” Jericha replied. Now she sounds annoyed.

Idris looked at Isa and said, “Look, it stays. That’s final.” Oh ho! I can tell Isa didn’t agree with that.

“Anyway, we’d better keep our visit brief. Has the queen’s treaty been ratified?”

“It’s just waiting for your signature,” Jericha said, handing Idris some documents. Ah, is that what she had me sign earlier?

While Idris did that, Isa removed a cloth from his lapel and wiped his narrow framed glasses. “And how is her highness these days?” he asked, scanning over the room as if he’d lost something. I hope you like the way it looked. I decorated it myself.

He sure was looking hard this way. Whoops! I hoped he didn’t see me just now.

“She’s touring a few other cities at the moment,” Jericha lied. “She regrets she couldn’t be here for the official signing of our peace treaty.”

“Hmph,” Isa didn’t sound convinced. “And Alba?”

“Still comatosed.”

“How convenient,” Isa said, placing his glasses perfectly on his nose. “He’s going to have to face up to his crimes one day.”

That comment stirred Jericha out of her seat. “You know very well that the Damnation rune was responsible for what happened. Not Alba.”

“Isa,” Idris said, almost commanded. He handed Jericha the signed documents. “Thank you, Jericha. We’ll be going now. Do send Queen Katherine our regards. We hope to see her in person again soon.”

Jericha waited until the sounds of the Midaharian’s boots were quiet before saying, “You can come out now.”

“Wow,” I said, parting the curtains. “You still sound angry.”

“And you still don’t sound like the queen,” Jericha snapped.

“But no one else is here but us,” I said, my voice filled with the wrong tone.

Jericha walked over to me and corrected my posture, fiddled with my hair, styled my sleeves; I felt like a child. “Those Midaharians have eyes and ears all over the place. You need to walk, talk, and conduct yourself as Queen Katherine at all times. Do you not understand that?”

“I get it. I get it,” I scoffed. The way the queen spoke hurt my throat. “How long am I supposed to keep up with this ruse?”

“For as long as nece....” Jericha caught her words and narrowed her eyes on my face. She clutched my jaw with some kind of alligator grip! “Have you been eating sweets again?”

Busted. “Uh, no of course not!”

“You have chocolate crumbs all over your lips!” Jericha stormed into the other room and found my stash of goodies. My last stash of goodies!

“C..Can’t we just say the queen started eating sweets to help her cope?” I suggested. More like pleading. She held my bag so tight my little treats were surely goners!

“Queen Katherine hated sweets, including chocolate! I told you that, Miriam! And you gain weight so easily, just one of these biscuits would put twenty pounds on you overnight!”

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“Hey, you just called me by my real name,” I said, feeling a bit more vindicated. “So, you know, I’m not the only one botching up here.”

And by the look on her face, Jericha did not appreciate my disposition. “Get! Your! Act! Together! Or I will send you back to the woods of Winchestre!”

“Fine!” At least no one in Winchestre got their backs in a hump as quickly as she did. But she was careful to leave the queen’s chamber all calm and formal.

“Next week is the unveiling of the late king’s statue,” she said, before leaving the chamber. “Make sure you’re ready by then.”

“I’ll be ready,” I promised. Maybe.

Gain twenty pounds overnight. Exaggerate much, Jericha?

I’ll show her. I dug around my pockets and grabbed a half eaten biscuit. If this was going to be my last one for who knows how long, I’m going to savor it.

Want Miriam of Winchestre to play the queen, Jericha? *munch*

Fine. I’ll play the queen.

*munch munch munch*

***

There were so many people gathered around the town square; many more than I thought there would be. Jericha told me that the citizens of the capital weren’t very pleased with the queen’s decision to call a truce with Midaharia.

But, it looked as if the entire city came out for the statue unveiling. Kinda proves Jericha doesn’t always know what she’s talking about. I stood in the statue’s long shadow. It was still draped in a veil and at least three stories tall. That’s..um..that’s a whole lot in feet...

After a deep breath, I approached the statue, my hand outstretched to pull away the veil that obscured the work of art. A hush fell over the crowd, as the fabric fell away. Before them, stood the likeness of their late...king?

..erm..

That’s not the king..!

Why that...that’s..!

I turned to Jericha. Was this some kind of a joke?

She didn’t answer. She seemed as awestruck by the unveiling as the rest of the square. Do they not see what I do?!

“That’s not king what’s-his-name!” I said, standing forward. “That’s...!”

“Now, now, Miriam!” a bellowing voice from the statue said. An annoyingly familiar voice that matched the ugly face carved in rose gold!

“Lars!” I blurted out. What’s he doing here?! That good-for-nothing, sloth of a man! I can’t believe I wasted four years of my life married to him!

“Mhahahah! Going to blow your cover, aren’t you?” he asked, lowering his ugly, chiseled face to mine. “But we both knew you’re too much of a rube to play queen.”

“Ooh! I hate you!” I scowled. I threw my fist in his face and instantly regretted it. Now he really had a hard head.

“Awh, did her highness hurt her little hand?” Lars said, mockingly. I struggled as he grabbed my hand and proceeded to plant his lips on it. “Let Lars make it all better.”

“Let go of me!” I shouted. My hand started to numb; my heart trembled at what happened next! My body was turning into stone, just like the statue! Lars held on to me so tightly. I tried to scream, but my voice was muffled by his maniacal laughter and choked with rose gold...

“I told you you’d never be rid of me, Miriam...”

***

I was aghast; my nightgown was wet as my forehead. I was back in the castle, beneath rich people's sheets.

..Only a dream...It was only a dream.. A nightmare...!

Deep breaths, Miriam. Lars isn’t here. Lars isn’t here.

When was the last time I had one of those? Was it when I was a child with tales and fantasies in my head? I could still remember the whoppers mother would lay on us about nocturnal fiends that fed children who didn’t do their chores.

I could really use some sweets right about now. Surely, a rich piece of chocolate would calm my mind. Darn you, Jericha! I need my treats!

Hmm. This castle had servants, didn’t it? I wonder if it was too late to send one on a quick errand? A sweet errand.

I grabbed my robe and climbed out of bed. Don’t think I’ll ever get used to sleeping in a bed so high off the ground. As I inched my way to the chamber door, voices on the other side stopped me in my tracks.

Pish posh! Didn't Jericha ever go to sleep?!

“You’re sure?” I overheard her ask.

“I’m telling you, Jericha, Sisten was there,” a man said. Oh, I think that’s the other R.G, Breuke. “And he’s plotting to overthrow the crown.”

Overthrow the crown? Me? How dare they!?

“With a bunch of Ozark gruel? I can imagine the smell..”

“If it were just the Ozarks, I wouldn’t be concerned. But Sisten’s with them, and he's gotten stronger with his fire rune; too strong. We’re going to have a terrible time challenging him.”

“My fault. I should have taken it from him when I had the chance.”

“How’s recruitment going?”

“Nowhere. Not a single Ahrmanian has answered the call to become a Royal Guard.”

“Why’s that?”

“Word on the street is that the capital has gotten too cozy with Ras Almal. Someone leaked the queen’s peace agreement to the gazette. Noone wants to defend her now.”

Which meant no one wanted to defend me.

“May as well let the Ozarks have the capital,” Breuke grumbled.

“Sure, then we’ll be at war with Midaharia in the blink of an eye.”

“I think that’s what Sisten wants.”

Who the fudge is Sisten??

“We’ll send scouts out to the Ozarks and triple security around the castle,” Jericha said. That didn’t ease my nerves, though.

“I’d better go and make use of the night, myself.”

“One more thing, Breuke.”

“I’m listening.”

“Beneath the maze garden, there’s a problem I need you to solve.”

Ohh. Sounds like juicy secrets.

“I’ll be there.”

Silence fell over the hall. Did they leave?

I cracked the door as quietly as I could and only saw Jericha standing guard. Breuke was already gone.

That man didn’t make a sound, did he?

I’d better high tail it back to bed before Jericha sees me. Not sure if I’m going to get much beauty sleep now.

How come Jericha never told me about this fire wielding Sisten character? And he’s a threat to the crown, too?

Why did I agree to this charade?

Well, I’m not going to sit here and do nothing. I am the queen, after all. If none wants to protect me, I’m just going to have to encourage them to join the Royal Guard.

I snapped my fingers as an idea instantly came to thought. This was going to be great!