Nothing came of the threat made at the parade, and if anything, it made tensions run even higher. No apprehended culprit meant that someone was still out there, perhaps waiting to pounce again. The longer the wait, the more Blayre felt that everyone would have their guard down.
She longed to enjoy the festivities leading up to Briannon's coronation and the ball that would follow, but the morning of the coronation had her sweaty and trembling with unease. She and the rest of the Seekers had been ordered not to clothe themselves in their dress uniforms in the hopes that they could blend into the crowd. "There are plenty of bloody guards all over the city. We need you to be less conspicuous."
She had no objections to that, she thought as she smoothed the fabric of the flowing sleeveless tunic and loose fitting trousers that Alessa had selected for her on a trip to the middle district where the shops were plentiful with imported goods. While not as much variety as Port Roubeles, there was still a lot to choose from. The clothing reflected the Blumore colors with a stone gray base made of mage-woven material more breathable than silk, and chiffon overlay.
Blayre secured the banded collar - the only part of the garment that she worried would make her warmer than she'd like. Embroidered mountain wildflowers in hues of indigo and periwinkle wound up the bodice - the vines and blooms becoming more concentrated on her upper torso and neck, and fading out nearer to her hips.
The best part of the ensemble, she thought, stroking the fabric fondly, was the attachable skirt that she would add for the coronation ball that would take place the following evening,
Leave it to clothing to calm her down.
She strode out of the room, footsteps light in her slippered feet, though she suspected she would miss her sturdy boots by the end of the afternoon, and hoped that the day's events wouldn't require any running.
Her palms became damp with moisture once more. Twelve hells. Worrying about the day would not help in any situation.
Ainslee was exiting her own room, and as Blayre approached her door, the redhead looked Blayre up and down, "Very nice. I'm glad you finally gave in to the full Alessa shopping experience." She smirked.
Blayre flashed a smile, "Me too, actually."
Ainslee herself was resplendent in a lavender button down tunic and ivory britches. She touched an earbob that hung from one of her earlobes. "Think Seaver will like these?" she asked.
Blayre snorted as they rounded a corner in the hallway and descended a staircase, "You'll be lucky if he notices at all."
The Sun was certainly smiling down on this occasion. Its rays of warmth lighted on Blayre's upturned face as they walked toward the central temple courtyard where the coronation would take place in just a few short hours.
The circular courtyard of the Palace temple was like the core of the sun, and on this coronation day especially when everyone wanted their chance to see the crowning of their queen.
The temple was a ring around the courtyard that climbed every floor of the palace up to the rooftop, with balconies that overlooked the courtyard and the circular stone on which Briannon would be crowned. Dragonstone, they said it was. Black with iridescent specks of orange and green, blue and red, purple and yellow, created from the fiery breath of an ancient dragon.
Blayre peered down from her second story perch. This was dangerous. Anyone could harm the Queen Ascended - or Rory for that matter - from these vantage points. And it seemed, if it was this theorized rebel order of unmarked mages, that they wanted both of them out of the way. For what reason? To take power themselves? To be rid of their ruling monarch?
Didn't they know that someone else would merely slip into power?
She projected her sense out, sending it diving down into the belly of the courtyard like a river otter diving for a trout.
She felt - something - Crown Sorcerer Conal. She determined. And Caval. Of course they would have protections in place. But were they fool-proof? One could never be 100% certain. If they had been, perhaps they would not be standing here right now. Crowning a new queen after her father's untimely passing.
She sifted through the additional magics present around the temple courtyard - it seemed that many of the mages were using their abilities for small tasks such as cooling themselves or keeping their hats on in the breeze that swirled through the open space.
Pulling herself back to the outer edges of her Sense, where she could keep tabs on magic, while still being completely present during the ceremonies, Blayre now noticed the wild chatter of the onlookers - mostly nobility and foreign dignitaries who had been near enough to make the trip, as well as a sprinkling of common folk who had the funds to secure a place at the highly anticipated event.
There would be celebrating in the city afterward where folk would gather around for food and drink - an event that was already compounded by the annual midsummer festival. Thinking about it all made her head ache.
A trumpet began to sound and a sudden hush fell over the crowd. The Master of Ceremonies strode out to the courtyard, unfurling a carpet woven with threads of gold, silver and emerald, to the platform that had been erected in the center of the courtyard, his green coat-tails fluttering in the soft breeze. He was a short, trim man with a white beard that began as sideburns and curtained his chin.
He stepped up to the platform, and mustache twitching, turned to the crowd. He spread his silk clad arms in a welcoming gesture. "Welcome, Dukes and Duchesses, Lords and Ladies, Masters and Misses and all in between! The coronation ceremonies of her royal majesty, Briannon of Emares are now commencing. If you would, please rise." Here he paused, looking toward one of the courtyard entrances, the crowd followed his gaze like deer alerted to a predator.
"If I may now announce, his Honor: High Priest Newton, and her honor, High Priestess Laurelay." The Solar Priest, who would be bestowing Briannon her new crown was a friendly looking older man. Most said that he was completely bald under his golden headdress, though Blayre often wondered who, aside from his acolytes had ever seen him without it. He walked gracefully down the carpet that split the courtyard in two, flanked by four lower priests who carried the crown in a glass case between the four of them. Priest Newton, and his entourage, were followed by the Lunar Priestess, who would bestow the scepter upon the newly crowned queen. The silver haired woman floated down the carpet, ethereal in appearance with two lower priestesses in her wake, the silver scepter between them.
Blayre detected a familiar magical presence that she knew to be the Crown Sorcerer Conal. When his name was announced, he strode out clad in black dress robes, and came to a stop to the left of the High Priest, hands clasped behind his back.
Various others were announced and filled in, including Dukes Rorrick and Lonan. Several advisors. And a golden haired woman who Blayre recognized to be Rory's mother and Briannon's aunt. They stood in an arc on the back end of the platform, facing the courtyard's entrance. The royal minstrels seated by the dais, struck up a slow tune, and the Master of Ceremonies cleared his throat. "Finally, Her Royal Highness, soon to be crowned Ruler of Emares: Queen Ascended, Briannon."
Briannon floated out in a whisper of silver accented in green. Her golden hair had been pulled into an elaborate style of braids and twists and it shimmered in the sunlight that pooled in the courtyard. For now it was unornamented, awaiting its crown. She stared straight ahead with a green-eyed gaze that did not falter. She was flanked by The Twelve - six on each side, all wearing elaborately designed uniforms in green, gold and black, and dragon helms that were more ceremonial than functional. Blayre's breath hitched in her throat at the sight of them.
One day. She thought. One day, she would stand among their ranks.
The crowd was silent, except for the court musicians, playing the Queen's Song - a soft, slow tune, equal parts mournful and powerful.
Briannon's approach was steady and gradual. When she reached the dais, The Twelve spread out three on each side of her, the inner two hooking arms with her as she ascended the steps. The remaining six fanned out behind her. The soon-to-be-queen took a moment to stand face to face with each of the persons standing on the dais. Each touched the first two fingers from their right hand to the other's left cheek, in the customary Emarian greeting. She then stepped to the center of the stage where the Solar Priest and Lunar Priestess awaited her, the head political advisor - Lord Marken - standing between the two.
"My child," The head advisor began "We stand here, on this day, prepared to crown you as the new ruler of Emares. Are you prepared to begin this chapter?"
"I am, your honor." She said, dipping her head in respect.
"Very well. Then we shall begin. Everyone may take their seats."
A collective sigh could be heard around the courtyard as the crowd returned to sitting position. Blayre watched, absently twisting the ring on her finger, as the advisor was presented with a ceremonial sword.
"Briannon d'Emares, do you swear to protect Emares and her people, whatever the cost?" he asked.
"I do, your honor." Briannon's voice could be heard clearly throughout the courtyard - the voice of a ruler.
"Then I present to you, the Emarian sword Cosainne. May you use her to protect and defend your kingdom, and never to harm it." The princess accepted the sheathed sword with reverence, and one of The Twelve belted it to Briannon's slim waist where it rested over her silver skirt.
Priestess Lorelay stepped forward in a rustle of robes, the silver scepter in her wrinkled hands. "Briannon d'Emares, do you swear to guide Emares, into prosperity and away from unrest?" The Priestess's voice was cool and steady like a night wind.
"I do, your honor."
"Then I present to you the royal scepter. May you use it to represent your authority and never willfully lead your kingdom into needless turmoil."
"This brings us to the last piece." The Solar Priest now turned and removed the glass case from the crown, handing it over to one of the lower priests. The crowd was utterly still, and yet rippling with excited tension like a bowstring. Gingerly, Priest Newton lifted the crown from its place of refuge. This was Briannon's cue to go down on one knee, her skirts pooling like moonlight around her.
It was the Queen's Crown - more delicately fashioned than the King's Crown, but representative of the same measure of authority. It was made of gold and dripping with emeralds and black diamonds.
Minister Newton held it tenderly in one hand, and with the other, he placed his finger under the queen-to-be's chin and lifted her head so that their eyes met. "Briannon d'Emares, this crown is representative of your legitimacy as a ruler. Do you swear to wear it with the blessing of your people and your land, and never willingly relinquish it to another?"
There was a pause and it felt to Blayre as though the entire courtyard collectively held its breath.
"I do, your honor," Briannon said, and Priest Newton slowly set the crown on her head where it rested perfectly within the loops and braids of her golden hair. Blayre was startled when she felt a snap of magic, like a lock clicking shut. She realized that magic had come from the crown when it settled on the head of Queen Briannon. Ainslee had noticed her flinch and gave her a nudge and a questioning look. Blayre shook her head and mouthed later to her friend. She was aware that the coronation ceremony was both magically and symbolically binding of the monarch to the throne (to what extent it went, Blayre was unaware). But having never attended one, it hadn't occurred to her that she would feel the change.
Briannon rose, and the solar priest gave his final blessing, then took a step back.
The Master of Ceremonies stepped forward. "I now present to you, her majesty Briannon, Queen regnant of Emares!"
Briannon spun around in one fluid motion and turned her gaze to the crowd, raising sword and scepter, the crown twinkling green and gold in the intense sunlight. The Twelve knelt on one knee around her in a semicircle, their heads bowed in respect to their newly appointed monarch.
"Rise, people of Emares!" Briannon called, her voice strong and clear. There was a whoosh of sound as everyone in the courtyard stood at once, all eyes trained on the newly minted Queen. "It is on this day that I accept my destiny as ruler of the great Kingdom of Emares. I mourn that my father's life was cut short, yet am grateful to him for keeping our kingdom full of peace and prosperity during his rule. I hope that my reign will be an honor to him and his legacy." She made a hand motion and The Twelve, who had remained kneeling around her, stood and resumed formation, six on each side of her.
And so the coronation of Queen Briannon of Emares concluded. Those in the courtyard began to form a line to the dais where each would individually acknowledge their new queen with the customary Emarian greeting. Blayre and her friends descended in a slow moving line.
When Blayre finally approached the dais, she looked into Briannon's smiling face and returned the expression. "My Queen." she bowed her head and knelt down on one knee.
"Rise, Seeker." Briannon commanded her. Eyes smiling, she reached out her right index and middle fingers and touched them gently to Blayre's cheek while Blayre did the same in unison. The dark haired girl felt a spark of magical energy when the golden queen touched her. It felt powerful and royal and like no other magic that Blayre had ever felt. She wondered if others could feel this at the Queen's touch, or if it was because of her Gift. She had never heard of it before.
Blayre composed herself and said, "I look forward to serving you, your majesty."
"And I, you," Briannon nodded. "May the moon smile upon you," chanted Briannon.
"And the sun warm your soul." Blayre finished the blessing.
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Weekly recommendation: Genius by SallySlater :
I binge read the first several chapters of this and I eagerly await each and every update. I have a feeling it will be one of my favorite steampunk novels of all time. Check it out, as well as Sally's other works!