Chapter 5

Raylon

‘King’s palace’

‘Five Kingdoms’

The prince took his first steps while I was alone with him, in the grand hall, playing. He did not fear my face, nor did he love me any less for it.

I felt free, being alone with him, playing like this. I watched as he tumbled, and fell, but got back up again, and walked, six steps toward me.

He held out his hands for me to pick him up, and I scooped him into my arms, congratulating him for his success.

“You did it, prince Azmurtas! You are on your way to becoming a man now, dear boy,” I said as I spun him around.

The sound of his laugh melted my heart. A voice echoed in the grand hall. “Lord Raylon. The King summons you.”

“Mask,” I said quickly and waited until my face was covered before turning to the guard at the entrance.

The prince’s smile faded as he touched the cold metal on my face.

“Come back, Uncle. I do not like this face,” his sad voice said.

“I will return to you tonight when I come to tuck you into your bed. For now, your father has summoned me, and I must go to him. Go to your sisters. They are in the garden.”

I stood to my full height and called for the nurse to come to collect the boy.

I glanced at the guard at the side door as I passed. He bowed his head to me, then I heard his footsteps following me.

The king waited for me in a large meeting hall, next to the grand hall.

The stone-walled room, dominated by a large stone table and thirty matching chairs, felt cold and empty as my brother stood alone by the window.

He seemed lost in thought as he stared out at the garden and his children playing.

“You called for me, brother?” I asked as the door behind me closed.

He turned to me then, devastation filling his eyes with tears.

“Mystasar has fallen ill. She is with the healers, but they tell me that this is the Original Death. I fear she will be lost to me in only a few short days.”

His words hit me like a falling boulder.

~The queen is dying.~

“Brother, is there anything I can do?” I asked, knowing that nothing could be done for those with this sickness. It was in the blood, given from mother to child.

My brother turned back to the window and to his four children playing in the trees.

“No, brother, there is nothing anyone can do. I will lose her. I will lose the greatest love I have ever felt, and I risk losing my children.

“She carries it in her blood, and it will take her so young. What if it takes my son? Or my daughters before their time?

“What will be left of me when I lose everything I hold dear to my heart?” I heard the grief in his voice as he spoke.

I went to him and placed my hand on his shoulder. “Mask,” I whispered. My face revealed itself as my mechanized cover moved off my face and I spoke quietly to him.

“The queen is strong, and she has a fight in her that is rare. I do not wish to give you false hope of her recovery, but perhaps your children are lucky.

“There is a chance the sickness did not pass to them. They are healthy, and they are happy. They will need you when their mother goes to her final rest.

“I am here for you, brother, as I have always been. I will do whatever is needed of me.”

My heart broke for the woman who has been a part of my life since we were all children. A dear friend, and a promised bride to the king.

She would have been my wife, my queen if I had not abdicated. But our father chose her for the king, and that is not me. Now, I could not imagine our lives any other way.

Zasrus nodded absentmindedly and shrugged out of my grip. He left the room without another word, and when I was alone, I looked out at the children playing.

This happy moment would soon become the worst day of their lives. They would learn their mother was dying, and no one could help her.

~What did this family do to deserve this?~

My brother was a good, fair, and giving king. The queen was a loving woman, who loved not only her children but all the people they ruled over.

They gave so much and asked for nothing in return. Why did such tragedy befall such good people?

***

It was a late winter’s morning when we all stood by the edge of the ship and watched the casket holding the queen’s body slowly be released into the night sky.

Her fleet of warrior ships stood ready to escort her to her final resting place.

The Home of the Dead was a graveyard planet where only royalty were laid to rest. The small planet was covered with lush green and blue trees, with crystal clear waters and bright-blue skies.

This was where the queen’s body would be placed in a tomb constructed of pure gold. It was the final home for most of my family. I will be laid to rest there one day as well.

I held my nephew in my arms as the boy wept. His little face was drenched in tears and with each sob, my heart hurt more.

My brother said his final goodbye and returned into the arms of his daughters. The oldest, Laylar, now a young woman, held her grieving father in her arms.

The middle daughter, Asytar, still a child herself, held her youngest sister, Tomlee, only a few years older than the prince.

Each princess had a feature that resembled the queen.

Laylar had her mother’s thick black hair and dark eyes. Asytar had her strong chin and straight nose, while Tomlee had her mother’s smile, a smile I would not see for a long time.

I turned back to the casket floating toward the warships, shrouded in flowers and fabrics of silk made by her people, and wondered if anyone would mourn my passing.

Hundreds of thousands of people came to say their goodbyes, to show their respect, and to be there for their king and his family.

I bowed my head and let a stray tear fall from my eyes.

“Goodbye, my dear friend,” I whispered to myself. “You were loved, and you will be greatly missed.”