XV. A Close Encounter

Aislyn gulped down a glass of water and set it upon the vanity with trembling hands. Behind her, the pale blue-green glow of the moon filtered in through the curtains as her husband lay in blissful slumber. She wiped the tears from her eyes on the back of her hand, spearing the makeup she had neglected to remove. She had made excuses so far, and Odell had kindly gone along, but she knew it would come to this eventually. In many respects, it was her essential duty as queen. Her face was contorted in an incongruent mask of mirth, fear, and sorrow. She slowly reached under her red silk nightdress and placed a hand on her stomach, still damp from perspiration.

It had lasted longer than she expected. There were always rumors swirling around regarding performance, and as such, she went in with expectations lower than the wine cellar. The maids and noblewoman also failed to properly express how good it felt. Aislyn closed her eyes and shuddered as she re-lived her husband’s touch, and felt his breath as he whispered sweet nothings into her ear, and finally the explosion of life giving warmth in her womb.

The reality of her situation snatched her from her ecstasy, and she leaned her head against the table. It was necessary. It was after all her role as Queen, to sire heirs and continue the line. She could honestly think of no one better to have a child with than Odell, no one more worthy of her and the power bestowed upon him by their coupling. Odell was a man utterly devoted to her and her alone, unlike the greedy lords who sought her favor while her father held the throne. Nevertheless, the prospect of mothering a child terrified her.

“It doesn’t always work the first time, fortunately.”

An icy terror gripped Aislyn’s heart, and she froze. It was impossible for the voice to belong to who she thought.

“So you needn’t be so fearful.”

Aislyn whipped around on her stool, knocking over the glass in the process. The glass shattered on the tile floor in time with her startled gasp. Standing in the moonlight was none other than the usurper himself, in full ceremonial garb.

“However,” Laelianus said thoughtfully, “I have noticed that the common rabble is often unreasonably fertile. Like Vermin…”

“You…”

Aislyn shot up and dashed across the room to fetch her bow from a display rack. She quickly nocked an arrow and let it fly before Laelianus could even turn around. The arrow sailed right through him and out the window. Aislyn swore and let another arrow fly, and more glass fell whilst Laelianus stood, unfazed.

“Yes, yes your highness, your marksmanship is unparalleled.” Laelianus motioned for her to have a seat. “However, my time is limited so if you would…”

“You’re dead!” she screamed and fired another arrow.

“How perceptive…” Laelianus replied drolly as an arrow sailed through his chest.

Aislyn raised her charm bracelet to her mouth. “Guards!”

Odell stepped out from the bedchamber clad in only in boxing shorts. “What’s going on in…holy shit!”

“Ah, the new king.” Laelianus bowed grandly. “A pleasure to finally meet.”

“Odell! Stay away from him!” Aislyn ordered, holding out her arm to bar the door.

Odell looked from his wife to the specter of Laelianus and back again. “Didn’t he die?”

The doors burst open and several knights with swords drawn stormed in. Aislyn gestured towards Laelianus.

“Seize him!”

The captain of the guard confusedly looked to the shattered glass and motioned for his men to check out the broken window.

“Are you hurt, your majesty?” He asked.

Aislyn shook her head, her body shaking with rage. “No.”

“No sign of any intruder’s captain.”

“Secure the wing, he couldn’t have gotten far.” The captain ordered.

“Gotten far?” Aislyn angrily pointed at Laelianus. “He’s standing right there!”

“There is no one there my Queen…” the guard said cautiously. “Shall I fetch a cleric?”

Aislyn looked from the confused guard to the smug Laelianus. “No one there?”

Aislyn looked to her shocked and stationary husband, then turned her gaze back to the smiling Laelianus.

“You, boy.” Laelianus said, not breaking eye contact with Aislyn.

“It is king sir.”

The hint of a snarl crossed Laelianus’ lips as he narrowed his eyes in Odell’s direction. “Is it now? Well in that case, time has come for you to earn that title.”

The guards exchanged worried looks. “Your majesty? Whom are you speaking to?”

“Laelianus, I think.” Odell said, looking to his wife for some sort of explanation. “What do you mean by ‘earn my title’?”

Laelianus smirked. “If you want a prosperous reign, meet me at the tomb of kings.”

“The tomb of kings? Where is that?”

Laelianus chuckled. “Ask your wife.”

A cloud passed before the moon, taking with its light, the shade of Laelianus.

“You spoke with the former king?” A guard asked excitedly.

“That man was no king!” Aislyn set down her bow and folded her arms across her chest in the ensuing silence. “You are dismissed captain.”

“Hold.” Odell ordered. “What is the tomb of kings, and why were we the only two to see him?”

Aislyn forced a smile and made her way over to her husband. “It is not something you need to concern yourself with for many years to come my love. You may leave captain.”

“Belay that.”

Aislyn stopped mid stride, fury briefly flashed across her face.

“Aislyn, what aren’t you telling me? Why was a ghost in our bedchambers?”

Aislyn looked away, remaining silent. There shouldn’t have been a ghost, least of all the shade of a usurper.

“Fine.” Odell said impatiently. “Captain, what do you know of this tomb?”

The captain looked hesitantly to Aislyn before responding. “Tradition dictates that the sitting king make the journey to open the gates to the next realm for the previous king. Not only so the previous liege can know peace, but so that he can fulfill his role as guardian of that place.”

“And if he doesn’t? Odell persisted.

“Pestilence, famine, death of heirs and all of that other curse nonsense.” Aislyn said exasperated. “Problem is; that fool was not king.”

Odell sighed and ran his hand through his hair. Aislyn was struck by how mature he looked, and the grace with which he was handling this whole affair. She failed to contain her smile as he took a seat, she had chosen wisely.

“Will I be king?” Odell asked. “A true king. I have no royal blood in me, no pedigree or even money. Hell, I haven’t even a surname.”

Aislyn rushed to his side and threw herself at his feet, clasping his hands in hers. “Of course you will be king my love, a true, just and righteous king!”

Aislyn nuzzled her face into her lover’s hands. “Laelianus was a villain who murdered my father to seize his throne. You cannot compare yourself to one such as him. No one can.”

Odell tilted her head up and smiled. “You can’t deny people aren’t too happy with my new role.”

Aislyn shook her head. “They are meaningless. We will move up your coronation. You will be ordained king by The Order as intended by the gods. In defying you, they deny the very gods themselves. The people of Duvachellé will respect your reign, I will see to it personally if need be.”

Odell smiled and tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. “You’re frightening sometimes, ye know that?”

“You will be king.” Aislyn repeated earnestly. “The rightful king. Isn’t that right captain?”

The captain of the guard jumped with a start and hastily cleared his throat. “Yes your majesty, and I shall guard both of you with my life.”

Odell offered his wife a wan smile and kissed her on the forehead. Aislyn pouted and grabbed him by the chin, playfully pulling him back towards her.

“You don’t get off that easily.” She murmured seductively.

Odell grinned widely before her lips locked with his. After several moments of passionate kisses and playful gropes, the captain of the guard cleared his throat once more.

“If that is all your majesties…”

Aislyn waved her hand, shooing him off. To her displeasure, Odell broke free and motioned for the guard to stay.

“Wait, one more question.”

The guard pursed his lips in a tight smile. “Yes your highness?”

“Did Laelianus go through this coronation process?”

“Odell, please…” Aislyn pleaded.

“Yes, of course your majesty.”

Odell sighed and leaned back in his chair. She knew what he was planning, every noble thought running through his simple mind. He was far from the malleable simpleton many of her court saw him as. Though not well learned, he was incorruptible. Though these same traits she valued had begun to annoy her in recent days, she knew if he were completely made of clay, she could never have loved him.

“How long do we have to open this tomb?”

Aislyn stood with a huff and stormed across the room to gaze at the mountains in the distance. He had reached a decision, and despite her loathing of the usurper, she knew it was the correct one. Only kings could bury kings in Duvachellé, this would solidify his position more than any heir she may bear or temple ceremony. Likely, he knew this as well as she did.

“About a month.” The guard said cautiously. “We usually leave within two weeks of visitation. It is usually an uneventful journey, though I cannot guarantee that with those creatures about.”

Odell nodded thoughtfully. “Aislyn…. Aislyn?”

Aislyn rubbed the makeup off her eyes with a kerchief. “We shall move the coronation up to next week. Take a retinue of no less than two-hundred men, I need you to come home so we can rule our kingdom together.”

Odell smirked. “Of course my Queen, any other requests?”

Aislyn paused. “Yes, take Aichlan with you. He’s become a bit of a nuisance of late.”