Chapter 1 Chosen

It’s such an honor. I can’t believe how lucky I was. — Prince Eater #34

YEAR 374, PRESENT TIME

HILLTOWN STREETS LEADING TO THE TARA CITADEL

Alec and the Royal Archers stood at attention along the parade route as Prince Reginald the Chosen, dressed in the full regalia and uniform of an Honorary Commander of the Kings Soldiers, rode on a white stallion in the Ritual Procession ahead of his brothers, the Kings Guards, and even Holy King Harrison. The crowd cheered. Some threw flowers. Others clapped wildly. Alec and Archer O’Leary struggled to restrain a group of young women who, despite the presence of Colleen, pressed forward frenziedly and bawled, “We love you, Reggie! We love you.”

When Prince Reginald neared the steps of Tara Citadel, a young novitiate named Ainsley pushed her dark hair away from her face and she rushed to pull open the wide doors to the Great Hall. Novitiate Ainsley was joined by other immaculately dressed novitiates who held the doors wide so that the magi could emerge and greet their honored guest.

The twenty-three-year-old prince turned his stallion back to ride over to his family. He reached out one hand to Gunnar, who clasped it awkwardly and then let go. Reggie moved his horse to do the same with Seán and Jon. Both clasped Reggie’s hand, only releasing it with reluctance. When Reggie reached Ethan, his brother guided his horse forward, and instead of clasping Ethan’s hand, he wrapped his arms around Ethan’s shoulders and held him before slapping him on his back and smiling.

Reggie paused with Colleen for long moments as he pressed a kiss on the underside of her wrist, then enclosed her hand in both of his. As the pair stared into each other’s eyes silently, Jon wondered why Colleen O’Reilly was standing with the royal family. Previously she had never been extended that level of respect and recognition, so Jon was curious as to what had happened to convince their father to accept her despite having disapproved the entire five years Reggie and Colleen had been together.

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Last of all Prince Reginald rode up to his father where the Commander of the Kings Guards immediately took the reins of the prince’s stallion. Reginald acknowledged the Kings Guard respectfully and then swung majestically off the white stallion. As the prince strode up to his father the brightly polished row of medals and ribbons across his chest glimmered in the sunslight. Reggie bowed deeply from his waist and then sank to one knee to wait while Holy King Harrison rested a palm on Reggie’s head. The king mumbled words that were intended to be a prayer of encouragement for the Chosen, but the prince could not hear what his father was saying.

From the way his father stooped under the weight of the horns protruding from his back, Reggie questioned if the king was well. He wondered if he too would have that same defeated look one day.

While the king prayed, Ava Most Revered appeared in the open door of the Tara Citadel. A tiny woman with olive skin, black hair, and deep brown eyes, she made her way gracefully down the wide, elegant staircase as drums pounded, trumpets and horns blared, and a choir of priests and magi raised their voices in song. The Most Revered placed one of her palms on Prince Reginald beside Holy King Harrison’s and took up the prayer in a strong, articulated voice. When it ended, and Holy King Harrison didn’t respond to his name, she forcefully removed the king’s hand. The prince rose, and started to bow respectfully to the Most Revered who stopped him by saying loudly, “It is I who bows to you, Chosen.”

The crowd cheered as she bent solemnly from her waist, straightened, and gestured toward the steps of the Tara Citadel with one hand. When they walked forward, she followed two paces behind to indicate his new status.

Prince Reginald the Chosen mounted the elegant steps, covered now with a finely made runner hand-knotted in the royal green, gold, and white of the Holy Prince. As he gained the top step, Novitiate Ainsley suppressed a giggle, but not before the Most Revered noticed and narrowed her eyes. Reggie winked at the novitiate to put her at ease, then turned and lifted his hand in a wave to the crowd. As the crowd’s answering roar reached a crescendo, Reggie bowed to them and then entered the Great Hall.

The doors slapped closed behind him and immediately Magi Soldiers grabbed his arms, ripped off the sleeves of his jacket, and shackled him in iron fetters and chains.

©2022 Vera S. Scott