I scoffed. “And this is what the king wants me to become.”
“I doubt it. I think he wishes only for you to be his brother. His childhood was a lonely one, and aside from the company of his dear friend Kenton, he had no other playmates to speak of. Perhaps that is why he is so overly excited to now have a brother.”
That was obvious. And touching. The doors to the dining hall swung open. The servants all bowed as my brother—that would take much getting used to—bounded in with a sheaf of vellum in his hand. His blue eyes were bright, his smile upon seeing me growing wide. We all rose to greet him with bowed heads and fists to chests.
“Ah, I finally found you. I thought you were in the library today, reading up on the writings of Lord Goldhorn and his thoughts on how to best build a relationship between landowners and their vassal houses. I found the seventh book most helpful when I was being taught inheritance laws.”
“We did that yesterday, Your Majesty,” Le’ral said as the king bounded over to me. Pasil entered then. His head bob to me was a new thing, but not an unwelcome one. I suspected he might always see me as a poxy scallywag, but now he had to be polite to me. That was one good thing about being brought forth as a noble. So far, it was the only thing to enjoy. “Today we are enjoying a light luncheon while touching base on proper decorum for day meals.”
“I see. It is not all that complicated, Coelum. Merely do what I do after I do it,” Aelir said, then brandished the vellum out in front of him with a flourish. “The court scribes have finished the proclamation that we shall read to the people of Celear. Criers will be sent out as well to ensure the largest boroughs and vills are informed of your succession. I thought you might like to read it over before it is copied and sent out?”
“Oh, thank you.” That was kind. I took the vellum from his fingers, smiled at him, and began to read it.
“Out loud, please. I should like Le’ral and the ambassador’s thoughts on it as they are both skilled orators,” Aelir said, reaching around me to pluck a small finger sandwich of thin dark bread, frilly lettuce, cold sea trout, and a hot mustard sauce from a platter.
“Yes, of course.” I cleared my throat theatrically. “By decree of King Aelir Stillcloud, Ninth Sovereign of the Sublime Court of Elves, Emperor and Commander of the Elven Army and Navy, Blooded kin of the Queen of the Seventh Trient, Magnate of the wood, sea, air, and all the beasts within, Unifier of the Realm, Defender of the Moon Sisters, Keeper of the Holy Scepter of Ihdos, and Seeker of Serenity for the whole of Melowynn and her people, let this proclamation be carried to every village green and marbled hall of our lands.
“It has recently come to the crown’s divine attention and knowledge that a son unknown to the realm has been restored to the light. Through ancient rite and sacred witness beneath the vaulted stars of the Exalted Cloisterer and the Wisdom of the Elder Mages, the blood of House Stillcloud has spoken true! The rites—sealed in the most holy blessings of Ihdos and sanctified by his chosen voice—have revealed that the elf known for many years as Coelum Cadere is in truth Lord Coelum Stillcloud, firstborn son of the late Lady Gialar Stillcloud, just and rightful heir to the vills of Renedith.
“Let no tongue cast doubt where the old magicks have rendered its verdict. Thus it is decreed that Lord Coelum Stillcloud is of noble blood, sprung from the verified lineage of nobility. That he shall be granted his rightful name, titles, and lands, and shall sit at the king’s right hand as a newly anointed prince of the realm, decreed by royal prerogative.
“Be it known that any who challenge his birthright shall challenge the crown itself and shall answer accordingly.
“Let bells be rung from the frost-bound north to the gold coasts of the south. Let banners be unfurled from every parapet. Let feasts be laid in great halls and humble cottages. May wine be poured in rivers through the streets, for the lost son has returned. And with him comes hope reborn, new alliances formed, and a destiny that shall bind the realm’s future not only in steel and sovereignty, but in love yet whispered of in the corridors of fate.
“So sworn under crown, star, and the blessed eye of Ihdos,
This fifteenth sun of the eighth cycle of moons,
In the sixth season of His Majesty’s reign.
Long live Prince Coelum Stillcloud.
Long live the King.
Long live the realm of Melowynn.”
My mouth was dry. My mind blank. What did one say to something so flamboyantly penned?
“That is most…it’s very fanciful,” I finally managed to blurt out, passing the vellum to Le’ral, who seemed unfazed by the declaration. Wind rattled the closed doors, sending the cat to hide under the table. “The winds are blowing in a foul tide,” I whispered.
“We get storms like this frequently,” Aelir replied around a bite of his tiny treat. “What do you think, Coelum? Would you reword any of it?”
“I think it would be fine to not herald that I was a prince at all.”
“You are far too modest. The titles are yours by right of birth and by my hand,” Aelir reminded me yet again.
“If I may, Your Majesty,” Le’ral slipped in while passing the announcement to the mahouk to read over. “While I understand your joy at discovering you do have a sibling,” Aelir gave me a warm smile, which I returned, “perhaps it would be best tolet the privy council affirm that Lord Stillcloud is not going to present any kind of claim to the crown before moving on with spreading the news.”
“He cannot make a claim to the throne as he is half human. He may, though, sit at my side as an advisor or a confidante. I have no worries that he will decide to try to wrest the crown from my head,” Aelir stated with confidence.
“Of that you need not worry. I don’t want the titles or the lands. I would just like to have my ship repaired so I can sail about the seas as any sailor would.”
“And sail you will. I would like to have you and Raewyn sit down after the royal welcome gala to discuss diplomatic overtures to the privateers that you know, so that we can expand the navy without fear of attack or cutting out the smaller fisherman who rely on the sea for their living. Perhaps a naval advisor of some sort.”
“I…that would be…surely the queen has no wish to parlay with a pirate.”
“She will. She is a bright woman who will understand your input and insight to put an end to piracy.” He stole another sandwich, gave my arm a squeeze, and plucked the missive from the ambassador. “I take it you all find this to be acceptably worded?”