The official coronation of the king took three days.

All villages loyal to the king had representatives and banners and parades.

Those not loyal were mainly left alone, or dealt with.

The holy city had flags and cloth and roses floating everywhere.

Crowds from all over watched as the king was officially crowned, though many could hardly see the small square where the ceremony occurred.

Some doubted it ever happened, because no one of the common wealth got close enough to the actual ceremony.

After the coronation, day two was celebrations and songs and pageantry. Heroes of the outcast king and some of the exploits of Abner's men were honored.

Feasts and bonfires and laughter filled the night.

Day three was honoring the new army under Abner, and honoring the conquest of the vanquishing of the giants (most of them), and the Heroes of the Unknown, which was now public to all.

The tales of the exploits grew, but nobody seemed to care.

And at the small stage built for the event, the common wealth did come out. And all could see, which worried some that the king, who wouldn't come out again, was jealous.

But for now, all was well.

Abner stood, beaming, telling of the final Swordfall, of the battles of past, and the final conquest against the giants, and how Elah stood with the kingdom's flag on its tower.

He spoke briefly of Elhanan, the legend of a man, who came out of retirement to save the kingdom, and that no one knew if he was dead or alive. That only made his legend grow before the people.

Under order of the king, Abner announced that any who wished to migrate to Elah and rebuild it would receive a plot of land and some money, and the poorest of the poor started packing.

Beniah watched his leader and friend with pride behind the stage, waiting for himself to be called.

His wife stood next to him and smiled.

Adira had never questioned how Beniah had freed her. One day she was unlocked from her prison and told to wait for Beniah.

"Nervous?" She asked, watching Beniah.

"No. Yes." Beniah got out.

"Are you more scared of that stage than giants and war?" Adira said, poking Beniah.

"I am supposed to be without fear," Beniah replied. "I fear losing you again."

It was quite the answer. And it was the truth.

Adira said nothing, but understood it. She was in the most magnificent gown of anyone in their class, but it wasn't what she was wearing before.

When she saw the maidens march out with the king, she felt something. One turned to her and had smiled. Not jealousy. Not smite. But something.

"I am yours," she answered finally.

Beniah did not respond.

Abner then called up Abishai, to the cheering and elation of all the common wealth and the people of the sword.

Abishai came up the stairs and Abner then offered him a golden spear, with markings across it, telling of his exploits.

The warrior nodded and took it, and raised it for all the people to see, which was the loudest cheer of all.

Abner frowned. I hope the king did not hear that.

Abishai came down the stairs to the arms of Larkin, who was no longer wearing black.

She smiled and kissed him and praised him, and he touched the bump on her stomach.

They both secretly wanted to name the child Asahel.

Abner then called up those who had survived the attack in Elah.

Beniah kissed Adira and took the stage, with those who could make it and still had limbs and supported the king.

There was not many.

The cheering was loud for these elite, and Abner placed his hand on Beniah's shoulder as the clapping and whistling continued.

"You are great, Beniah. The king has many things in store for you. You are loyal, and one day, all will know your name. You might even be the king's own bodyguard."

Beniah nodded and hugged Abner, leaving the stage with the special swords made for them.

Abner then came forward and cleared his throat.

"There is one more warrior we must celebrate. He is the greatest of all warriors here. He led the armies under our king. He was my own enemy, and now we are brothers, serving the king. He led the spies against the Unknown. He started Swordfall, to lessen the bloodshed between the two houses. His brothers and house are - "

Abner could not speak for a moment, thinking of when he killed Asahel. All before him knew it.

"-they will be known forever. He has led militias, he has fought against giants and the horde and against enemies no one can speak of. He is now my friend. Please. Let him know you love him. We had to beg him to come today. I now present Joab, the sword of the kingdom."

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It was the largest cheer yet.

Those loyal to Joab ran to the front, as guards pushed them back.

No one had seen Joab since Elah.

Most thought he had died.

He slowly walked towards the stage.

In a new striking black cape and hood, with special armor.

His face and hair still like a mad animal, but leaner and different and clean.

Abishai smiled, thinking of all that had happened since Elah, and now he was here.

Back from death, though still not at full strength.

He had not taken an audience with the king yet after Elah, nor joined the army again. But all was forgiven.

Much work was to be done.

Once the crowd saw Joab marching forward, the cheering and crying became louder and more intense.

Abner was taken aback by it.

He then held out the sword of the kingdom. Modeled after Jalut's forever missing sword, but smaller. Etched across it was all of Joab's exploits, true and false.

Joab remained emotionless as he stepped up towards the platform.

He stared Abner as he marched up the stairs.

Abner smiled and nodded at him. Their conversation a week before had gone as pleasant as could be, considering the situation.

Joab now had an elite group of soldiers and tasks. He was given more money than he had ever dreamed of, and new armor and land.

Abner, when he had finally seen him, was shocked how calm he was...but he had also been in a coma on whispering to death since Elah.

Each step Joab took, the crowd cheered more.

Abner then raised the sword, as he did when he faced off with him at Swordfall.

Joab pulled his own sword and raised it, covering his face, honoring Abner.

Abner beckoned him to come, and they would exchange the swords.

Joab walked forward, lowering his sword.

Abner turned the sword of the kingdom, offering it to Joab.

Joab took it and gave Abner his.

The elation was deafening.

Abishai grinned.

Even Beniah could not help but smile, and then thought of Elhanan and what he would think of such a display.

He would have never attended, and Beniah hoped he would see him again, if he was alive. But Beniah felt and kenw that he was truly dead, and there were no facts against that.

All waited for Joab to raise his magnificent sword towards the crowd.

He then grabbed Abner and slammed the sword into his stomach, out his back.

Horror and screams.

Those loyal to Joab then pulled their own swords and started stabbing and fighting and blocking the soldiers up front.

Abner looked up in horror and pain.

Joab brought his face right to his, lips touching as they moved.

"This is for my brother's blood, you bastard."

Abner then saw and realized Joab had waited this whole time.

Joab did not have a smile, but his face was one of completion.

Abner wailed in pain and tried to pull back.

Joab then twisted the sword, and Abner screamed even more in agony. He had already been given the death blow, but now he was being tortured.

Screams and cheers and wails echoed.

Archers ran out.

Elite soldiers ran forward.

Joab pulled the sword and knocked Abner to the ground of the stage, then ran with speed and strength nobody knew he was capable of, and jumped off the stage towards the alleys of the city behind.

Beniah could not believe his eyes, but showed no emotion.

He immediately knew his next task and mission, and pulled his sword and ran after Joab.

Adira tried to grab him, but the assassin was off.

Beniah ran down the dark empty tunnels, trying to cut off Joab, as he saw him running through long dark passages, pierced by the sunlight.

All of the dignitaries and elite were rushed off the stage, but the battle had already begun.

Swords were stabbed and arrows were fired, and the house was broken, albeit briefly, again.

Those loyal to Joab fought.

Others ran and cried.

A full riot began.

The king had no one to run his army or kingdom, and did not have, who had been at one time, his most loyal warrior.

Beniah took a turn and saw Joab ahead.

"Joab!!!"

Before Joab could even turn, Beniah was stopped as Abishai stood before him, golden spear in hand.

It was placed right at Beniah's throat and almost entered it.

Joab saw this and continued his run.

"Abishai, move."

"Count to ten."

"I will - "

"Count to ten or you will be as dead as Abner."

Beniah angrily screamed, breaking character, but then started to count.

"One. Two. Three. Four. You will pay for this."

"I had nothing to do with this and you know it," Abishai coldly responded. His face did not lie, but he was not too upset Abner was dead either.

"You do now! In his escape!"

"He is my brother. Keep counting. They were both my brothers."

Passive tense.

"Five. Six. Seven. Eight. Nine - "

Abishai slowly moved and released Beniah from spear point, and Beniah took off again after Joab.

I wonder if I will ever see him again.

Joab mounted his horse that had been stashed away.

His new majestic and strong and triumphant horse. No one could catch him.

He did not celebrate nor cry. He did what was asked of himself by himself.

The kingdom might split. But my baby brother is avenged. All hail the kingdom.

Joab took off from the city, his horse attacking the hills and the forest.

Beniah and a new group of warriors were soon not far behind, ensuing chase.

the end.