The Chosen King Collection E-Book

M.J. Sewall

• Herausgeber: Next Chapter
• Kategorie: Gesellschafts- und Liebesromane
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2023

Beschreibung

All three books in 'Chosen King', a series of middle grade fantasy novels by M.J. Sewall, now available in one volume!
Dream of Empty Crowns: Gordon is chosen to become the new king after his name is drawn in the Choosing Tower, but his celebration is cut short. Hunted by the ruthless First Councillor Thrundulin, he is pursued by airships and soldiers. With the help of the healer Loren and warrior Aline, Gordon must find a way to save himself and his kingdom.
The Trials of Boy Kings: As the two young kings stand oceans apart, old truths put them in grave danger. Sworn enemies, they are held captive by fate and forced to come together in unexpected ways. Meanwhile, a new threat rises as the distant leader known as the Father steps out of the shadows, wielding a deadly new weapon. With destiny-altering choices before them, both kings must rely on allies to defeat their true enemies and set right the history that has been stolen.
Plague of Tyrants: The two young kings face unprecedented challenges as enemies surround them and a new threat looms. Their prized airships are no longer enough to protect them, and one must venture forth while the other stays behind to face foes on all sides. Loyalties are tested, boundaries broken, and their Kingdom is more vulnerable than ever. With destiny calling, the two kings must unite their people, defeat their enemies, and stay true to themselves.

Leseprobe

The Chosen King Collection

THE COMPLETE SERIES

M.J. SEWALL

Contents

Map

Dream of Empty Crowns

1. The Tower

2. Falling

3. The Choosing

4. Our New King

5. What Went Wrong

6. Dangerous Note

7. Trouble at the Crowning

8. Strange Vision

9. Horses and Rain

10. Misdirection

11. The Law Room

12. Danger on the Water

13. Unhappy Crowds

14. A Familiar Face

15. Fear and Chocolate

16. First Training

17. Brenddel's Gift

18. A New Prize

19. Thure

20. Dressed to Kill

21. Bad Day for All

22. Escape

23. Bad Weather

24. Much to Learn

25. Lost

26. Old Woman's Plan

27. The New Guests

28. Bad Etiquette

29. To Rule the Paper Kingdom

30. Monster in the Trees

31. Roll of the Dice

32. Roasted Alive

33. True Nature

34. Path to Truth

35. Dance for the Dead

36. Answers

37. Strange Alliance

38. What is Just

39. Annoying Guest

40. Like a Friend

41. Brenddel's Betrayal

42. Offending the Gods

43. Sweet Gestures

44. Friend in Artoth

45. Red Cloak

46. Old Wounds

47. Imprisoned

48. Mantuan and Brenddel

49. Catching the Prisoners

50. At the Docks

Author Note

Thanks and Acknowledgements

Index of Names and Terms

The Trials of Boy Kings

1. Monsters

2. Visions

3. The Lawkeeper

4. Gordon's First Ride

5. The Two Kings

6. The Father

7. Stories of the Dead

8. The Great Statue

9. Merry Meetings

10. Angry Return

11. Father and Son

12. Darion and the Queen

13. Asa and Brenddel

14. Gates of Dard

15. Out of Prison

16. The Real Prize

17. Deliver the Dead

18. Coated in Sweet Salt

19. Brenddel Attacks

20. Reunions

21. Brenddel's Story

22. Win or Lose

23. Secret Meeting

24. Battle of the Fortress

25. The Extatumm Fields

26. Smoke and Rain

27. Below

28. The Battle of Thure

29. The Gashouse

30. Letters

31. Under Attack

32. Small Cut

33. The Fathership

34. Feast

35. King Asa's Decision

36. Battle of Gray Mists

37. Begin the Trial

38. The Trial Turns

39. Final Proof

40. Endings

Author Note

Thanks and Acknowledgements

Index of Names and Terms

Plague of Tyrants

1. Maker of Death

2. Late Visitors

3. Blue Poison

4. To Kill a King

5. Fallen

6. Kings Decide

7. Angry Queen

8. Rumblings

9. Lands Unknown

10. The Ruined Forest

11. Old Man of the Sea

12. Banner Burning

13. The Smoke

14. Surprise on the Water

15. First Warning

16. Slaves or Dead

17. Oath of Truth

18. Bad to Worse

19. Unwelcome Guests

20. What Sea Lords Do

21. Firstman to the Rescue

22. Quanna

23. Dangerous Friends

24. Fight or Die

25. Dead Weight

26. We've Been Looking for You

27. Just a Finger

28. The Champion

29. Escape

30. New Trouble

31. The Dragon

32. Betrayed

33. Floating City

34. The Council Meets

35. A Strange Land

36. Welcome Visitors

37. Attack by Night

38. Courtyard Massacre

39. Bleeding Tower

40. Help from a Friend

41. Rusty Webs

42. No Escape

43. Stand or Die

44. Changing Sides

45. To the Gods

46. The King's Plan

47. With Horse and Axe

48. Dark Surprise

49. More Trials

50. New Kind of War

Epilogue

Author Note

Thanks and Acknowledgements

Glossary of Characters and Terms

About the Author

Copyright (C) 2023 M.J. Sewall

Layout design and Copyright (C) 2023 by Next Chapter

Published 2023 by Next Chapter

Map by Angelina La Pointe

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the author's permission.

Dream of Empty Crowns

CHOSEN KING BOOK 1

This book is dedicated to my son Preston

Steps no longer apply

Now I write of two kings born from the same story

I will set down the tale of fire and blood

And those that would lead kingdoms

No false history, no fantasies of flawless heroes

I will tell of those who changed our world

And the tragedies that befell them

~ Llawes the Younger

Chapter1

The Tower

Gordon was falling from the airship, again.

He was on deck watching his kingdom's soldiers fighting the man with the patch and the fierce warrior girl, her long blond hair swinging as she leapt onto a soldier. The clanging of longknives rang in his ears and he could actually smell the sweat and the metallic tinge of blood in the air. Almost glimpsing her face this time, something heavy hit him and Gordon was over the railing and falling. His body turned and he was now facing the vast armies below.

Gordon's eyes darted wildly over the massive sea of men crashing against each other. Fire was everywhere, surrounding them, washing over buildings and forests. Gordon flinched as the massive, strange airships exploded out of the sky around him. As the ground rushed toward him, Gordon looked away from the armies and saw the shadow, which appeared as big as the world, blotting out the sun, making everything else seem gray. It was almost like a man, with dark eyes.

It was laughing.

Gordon jerked awake, hoping he had not screamed like last time. He didn't want to worry his uncle Loren in the next room. Gordon concentrated on slowing his breathing and wiped the cold sweat from his brow. He decided against getting up and lighting the gas lamp on the wall. Instead, he lay in his dark bedroom with eyes wide open; trying to forget his dream and forcing his thoughts back to the beginning of the exciting day.

Asa, Gordon and Skyler had decided years before to put their names in the tower together. They were all ten then. Now, they were thirteen and it was King Stathen's last trial. Gordon and Asa were certain Skyler would be chosen; Skyler won at everything, he always seemed to know more about any subject, and everyone looked up to him in school.

Gordon's uncle Loren told them to put their names in long before today, but they made a pact to do it together, and Asa always did everything late. The law said every thirteen year old had to put their name in, as long as it was before the choosing ceremony. On the road to the palace, Asa, thirteen and small for his age, swung his name board at his side. As usual, he was bare footed. Gordon scratched his thick brown hair and thought, my uncle's right. I do need a haircut. Not wanting to drop his board, Gordon held it tight in his right hand. Skyler had carelessly slid his into a back pocket. Gordon smiled as he realized they looked like steps, Skyler half a foot taller than he was, and shorter Asa walking next to him, all in order of height.

“So Asa, is the paint still wet?” asked Skyler.

Asa glanced quickly at his name and let it hang by his leg so the other boys couldn't see. “Shut up, Sky. When did you paint yours?”

“About two moons ago, like I was supposed to,” replied Skyler, “How about you, Gord? When did you paint your name board?”

Gordon didn't answer as he popped a sweet into his mouth.

“Gord?” Asa asked, concerned, “you okay?”

Gordon chewed for a moment. “I'm good. It's just a little longer to get to the tower than I thought. I think I brought enough sweets and sour cakes, though. And I finished my name board a while ago.”

The road to the palace was alive with activity. The closer they got to the tower courtyard, the more crowds of people they saw. The roads had become markets. All along the road, there were pots of stews, and sweets, and traders selling three pointed banners. Gordon got out a coin and thought of buying more food, just in case. He decided against it, but smiled as he rubbed his finger over the triangle on one side. He flipped it over to see the profile of the famous firstcouncilor Trunculin on the other.

As the boys continued toward the tower, Gordon began flipping the coin carelessly. Asa made a grab for it and missed, just as a girl from school came up to them.

“Want to see my name?” Enricca had broken off from her group of friends to come over to the boys. She held up her name board to Skyler. Enricca had painted it with at least five different colors, with tiny triangles all around her name.

Truly impressed, Asa asked, “How long did that take you?”

“Probably forever,” offered Skyler, “That looks dumb. No one's going to see it anyway.”

“Shut up, shoe boy. When I'm queen, I'm going to… throw you in a deep hole to rot. I'll ban the name Skyler forever,” replied Enricca.

“Sure. Except there hasn't been a queen chosen since before Salenn the Peacemaker, like a hundred years ago. Asa has a better chance than you,” replied Skyler.

Asa said, “Hey!”

Gordon jumped in, “Come on, you know any thirteen year old can be chosen, even Asa.”

“Hey!” protested Asa again.

“Your name board looks nice, Enricca,” offered Gordon.

Enricca smiled, “Thank you Gordon,” as she sneered at Skyler.

“Oooh, Gordon, why don't you just kiss Queen Enricca, then?” mocked Skyler, pushing him toward Enricca.

“Stupid boys…” Enricca walked back to her pack of girls across the road, with a wry smile.

Gordon shook his head, confused, “Sky? I thought you liked Enricca.”

“Shut up,” was all he said, looking straight ahead. Gordon realized it was Enricca calling him 'shoe-boy' that had made him mad. Pointing out that Skyler's father was a shoe maker always seemed to embarrass him. Gordon also knew that Skyler did like Enricca.

They could just see the top of the tower. There were lots of people everywhere they looked. It was loud, but with happy, friendly sounds, thought Gordon. Everyone seemed to feel they were a part of the same excitement, old and young alike. Gordon recognized many of the boys and girls his own age from his village. He spotted at least four boys and girls from his school, name boards in hand. As the three boys made their way closer to the tower, they saw the long line of thirteen year olds, all ready to climb the steps.

“Ugg. This is going to take forever,” moaned Skyler. “Why did you have to wait so long, Asa?”

Gordon jumped in before Asa had a chance to say anything, “Uncle Loren says the lines have been this long every day for a while. He says it's the biggest choosing he's ever seen.”

They all looked at the line in front of them.

Skyler shook his head, “How are there this many thirteen year olds in the kingdom?”

Gordon just smiled. The only thing that Skyler wasn't good at was being patient.

They could feel the nervous energy and knew everyone was thinking the same thing. “What if one of us does get chosen? It could happen you know: King Skyler of the airships…” offered Gordon.

Skyler replied, “King Asa the awesome… and late for everything…”

Asa ignored Skyler's jab and finished their ritual, “…King Gordon the Great.”

“Yeah, right, like a kid like us will ever be chosen king? I've heard it's not really fair anyway,” said Skyler, “I've heard the rich councilors pay to have their kid's name put in lots of times.”

“It has to be fair. Everyone puts their name in, in front of everyone. You can't cheat. There are palace guards watching the tower, even at night,” offered Asa.

Gordon agreed, “That's right. Besides, it's happened before. King Rolenn and King Giber were village rats like us. They didn't come from rich families.”

“Yeah, over a hundred years ago. Look at that tower. There must be fifty of us in line now, and kids from all over the kingdom have been putting their names in for two or three moons. There are probably thousands of names in there. Even if it is fair, the odds are pretty bad.”

Asa looked at his name board and shrugged, “Well, someone has to be chosen, right?”

They were through the entrance, and in the large palace courtyard. They were close enough to see a boy who had just rounded the last turn and was standing on the platform around the mouth of the tower, just standing there, leaning over the large tower opening.

“What's he waiting for?” asked Asa, extending his neck to see over the crowds.

“I don't know. Just toss it in already!” yelled Skyler impatiently, startling the person in front of them.

Gordon said, “He's probably thinking how his life will change if he's chosen. I mean, what if it actually happened?”

The boy finally tossed in his name board and began the walk down the stone tower steps. Gordon popped another sweet.

“You sure you're okay Gord?” asked Skyler.

Gordon shot Skyler a warning glance, “I'm fine, Sky.”

“Has anyone with sweetblood illness ever been king?” asked Asa innocently.

Skyler said, “Shut up Asa, he doesn't like to talk…”

Gordon said, “No. Sky, it's okay. No Asa, a lot of people with the sweetblood don't live very long. I've just been lucky.”

“That, and your uncle Loren was the firsthealer for the palace,” offered Skyler.

“Yeah, my uncle has saved my life a few times. But there is still no cure for… what I have,” changing the subject, Gordon asked, “Asa, what's the first thing you would do if you're chosen king?”

Asa thought for a second, “I would take the fleet of airships and drop fire on Extatumm.”

Skyler slapped his own name board across Asa's shoulder.

“Oww!” shouted Asa.

“And start a war with the only other kingdom with airships? You dolt! The two councils have to approve a war anyway. Dumb…” said Skyler.

“No one has airships but us.” Asa tried to hit Skyler with his name plate, but he knocked it out of Asa's hand instead. “Hey, don't. The paint will smear,” said Asa.

“Ha! You did just paint it this morning!” Skyler laughed.

“Shut up, Sky.” Asa said.

“Alright, Sky. What would you do as king?” asked Gordon.

The three boys laid out their fantastical kingdoms as each thirteen-year-old climbed the tower and threw in their name. It took over an hour until they reached the tower. Asa and Skyler went first. They both came down, exclaiming how big the hole was and how many names they saw. Then it was Gordon's turn.

As Gordon climbed, he passed the small doors that were built into the sides of the tower. Each one had a number and a lock on it, to be chosen at random on the day of the choosing. Each step brought a new thought. He didn't know how to tell his friends that he was glad he would never be king. He couldn't imagine how anyone his age could make those hard decisions. What does it feel like to be looked up to by millions of people? The whole idea was overwhelming.

Gordon pushed his thought aside as he reached the landing at the edge of the hole. As he stood over the massive opening, it reminded him of a large lake, this one filled with names instead of water. He smiled as he threw in his name. After seeing all of the thousands of name boards, Gordon knew he had nothing to worry about. His name board dropped into the lake of names.

The line of thirteen-year-olds looked even longer now as Gordon came down and rejoined his friends. At the bottom step, a girl brushed past him. She was clearly older than Gordon. Maybe she's here with a younger brother or sister, he thought. She looked into his eyes for just a second. Her eyes were deep blue and a wisp of blond hair fell across her forehead. It only lasted for that brief moment, but he thought of it frequently on the way home. He didn't know why, and he didn't tell Asa or Skyler about it.

The boys made their way home in high spirits, talking of everything that would happen at the choosing ceremony in a few days. Gordon was thirsty and made his way home. It was getting dark, but he was within sight of his house. He saw the lamp lighter at the gas lamps along his street. He saw movement to his right as the shadows fled from the light of the lamps. A man was standing by the wall. The man's hood was up, so Gordon couldn't see his face. The man didn't speak to him, and Gordon looked away, hurrying to his house.

The streets in his village were safe, but better not to get too close to mysterious strangers at night. He wasn't sure if the man was looking at him or not. Strangely, he thought of the girl again. Her blue eyes. Gordon thought, I wonder why people are staring at me today as he went through the front door of his Uncle Loren's house.

Chapter2

Falling

“Gordon?” called Uncle Loren.

“It's me; it took a lot longer than I thought,” answered Gordon.

“I'll say. I was going to send out a hunting dog to fetch you,” Uncle Loren came around the corner from the kitchen, “I told you the tower would be overrun by other thirteen year olds. Hungry?”

Gordon said, “Thirsty mostly. I took enough food, sweets and sour cakes just in case, but not enough water.”

Loren looked over Gordon, with the concern Gordon had grown up with. “Let me look at you.” Loren took Gordon's face in his hands, looked in his eyes, and then took his hand, “Hands numb at all? Any tingling?”

“No, they're fine.” He often got annoyed with how much his uncle checked him over every day, but he loved that he cared so much.

“Here, you know what to do,” Loren said, handing him a small metal pot.

Gordon sighed, “Now? Can't it wait?”

“You know I have to test it. Either that or I take some blood,” insisted Loren.

“It's okay, I need to go anyway,” Gordon said as he went into the next room and relieved himself into the pot and brought it back to Loren.

“I can smell a little sweet from here, I'll go test it. Food's almost ready.”

“Food smells good,” Gordon offered as his stomach began to rumble.

“I got some good stag meat and circle bread,” Uncle Loren left for his work room and Gordon went to the kitchen pump. He pumped the handle at the metal lined sink, and held his cup under the spout until he had finished two cups of water.

“It's too sweet, nearly two hundred parts. Here's some sour cake. Better let that work until you have any more food,” Loren handed Gordon a small, round purple cake, which Gordon finished with another cup of water.

Later, they ate the delicious stew and had the fresh bread. Gordon told him of the day's events and how much his friends wanted to be king, “I'm just glad I won't ever be chosen. Maybe I'll be the king's healer one day like you were.”

Loren said, “You'd make a fine king, Gordon. You are brave and kind. You never let anything take your good spirits, not even the sweetblood. But I wouldn't wish the kingship on anyone. Working at the palace is not the fun it seems.”

Gordon said, “If you say so… well, I'd better finish that book you gave me. Only two days to go, and you said it had to be done by the choosing.”

“That's right. Study your history carefully, otherwise you will be doomed to relive it,” said Loren, taking the dishes.

“But I'm thirteen, I don't have any history yet,” Gordon said with a smile.

Loren smiled back, “Ha, ha, you know what I mean. Get to your book. We can discuss it tomorrow when we visit the sick.”

Gordon thought about his own history from time to time. He loved his uncle. All he could remember was living with him since his parents had died. His father died in a terrible accident aboard ship, before he was born. His mother had drowned in a river the same year he was born. It always made Loren sad when Gordon asked about them, so he tried not to. Gordon had a lot of questions. As he got older it was harder not to ask.

Gordon made his way to his bed and finished reading The Kings And Queens, Great and Small. Gordon realized why Uncle Loren wanted him to finish it before the choosing. The last two kings in the book both had memorable choosing ceremonies. Bartomm the Bold was chosen king during the second revolt. There had been actual fighting at the ceremony; more than fifty people died in the very same courtyard where he had been earlier in the day. Bartomm had to continue the war at age thirteen while learning to be king. The other king, Jamesson, had tripped and accidentally fallen off the choosing tower and broken both legs. He began his kinghood in a wheeled chair.

Loren often found ways to teach Gordon about things using something that happened in history. When Gordon was helping Uncle Loren with the sick, he was constantly explaining what he was doing so Gordon would understand. Some of his favorite memories were of the talks they had as they traveled from house to house, helping the sick. Gordon also read many books from Uncle Loren's private library. None of Loren's books were taught in school. Whenever Gordon asked why, his uncle always shook his head and said, “I have my theories. But they should be taught.”

Gordon put out the gas lamp and fell asleep quickly. He didn't dream that night. At least, nothing he could remember. The day before the choosing came too quickly. It was a regular day of chores and going around the village as Loren's helper. He carried the bags of healing herbs and mixtures that his uncle used. There were only five people to visit that day. Most everyone seemed to be in good health, awaiting the excitement of the choosing ceremony. The streets seemed more alive somehow; people carrying bundles home excitedly, all the wagons and carts full of food for sale lined along nearly every road, and everyone talking of nothing but the ceremony.

The day passed quickly and ended with the dream again. Gordon was falling from the airship. He could feel the cold wind rushing past his face. He passed through a cloud and he saw his kingdom, and many more beyond. Large armies from every kingdom were smashing into each other like great waves on the sea. Everywhere there was fire, great plumes of smoke rising to the sky he was falling from. This time the sky was surrounded by the shadow, its eyes burning. There was no mouth to the shadow, but the laughter got louder anyway, coming from nowhere and everywhere. As the ground rushed towards Gordon, he could smell the smoke and feel the flames begin to burn his skin.

Gordon woke up, breathless.

“Gordon?” called his uncle. Gordon realized he must have screamed again.

Gordon called back, “I'm okay, Uncle Loren.”

Loren rushed into the room. Gordon threw his blankets off. He still felt like he was burning. He was sticky with sweat. Loren came to him, “Are you alright?” putting his hand to Gordon's head, “You're burning up.”

Gordon concentrated on slowing his breathing, “I'm fine. It was just the dream again.”

Loren asked, “The same dream? This has been happening since spring.”

Gordon nodded, “I know. It was the same dream, but it's changing. I was falling again. There was fire everywhere. And the shadow is getting bigger, closer. I just wish I knew what it meant.”

“A terrible dream. I've consulted my books. Falling dreams means you feel out of control. Is that how you feel, Gordon?” Loren asked.

“I don't know. Sometimes I feel like I have no control. I mean, I trip over my feet, I'm not very good at games, and the stupid sweetblood…” he said, trying to smile.

Loren continued, “I understand. Fire in a dream can mean lots of things: transformation in your life, something about to change, needing to change. Seems like many elements of your dream are about things out of control. But this shadow figure is the strangest part.”

“It sure is, and the scariest. I don't know why it scares me, not exactly. And why is it laughing during all the fire?”

Loren offered, “Anything I can give you to sleep would complicate the sweetblood. But I suppose I can give you something just for tonight…”

“No… Thanks anyway,” Gordon said, “I think I can sleep again. I've never had the dream twice in one night.”

“Alright,” Loren said, kissing his own hand and putting it on Gordon's forehead, “Love you, Gordon. About the control issues, well, we all have to be thirteen once. We all feel out of control sometimes, even at my age. Hopefully that was the last time you'll have the dream. And don't forget we leave early tomorrow for the choosing…. Oh, did Asa finish his name board?” Loren asked.

Gordon smiled, “Yes, finally. Sky thinks he painted it that morning.”

Loren smiled, “Asa's a funny boy. Goodnight then, the choosing doesn't wait for sleepy boys,” said Loren.

Loren went to his own bedroom. The dream scared Gordon, and he didn't know if he should tell his uncle, but in some ways, it also excited him. It almost felt like flying. It had to mean something, dreaming it so often. Gordon always wondered why his dream ended before he hit ground, or why he woke before he puzzled out what it meant. He had heard that if you died in a dream, you died in real life. He wondered how anyone could know that, since the person dreaming would have died. How could anyone tell what they had been dreaming if they were dead?

Uncle Loren was right, though, he did want to be rested for the choosing. He had been only eight for the last choosing ceremony, and didn't remember much. Gordon tried not to be, but he was getting excited about the choosing after all.

Chapter3

The Choosing

Loren and Gordon were up at first light. Nearly the whole village was on the road to the choosing with them. Gordon knew how lucky they were to be so close. Some villagers had to make journeys of days and weeks to make it to the choosing on time.

Since everyone was going the same direction, it was strange to see one man leaning against a wall, not moving at all. He was just standing there. Gordon thought the man was staring at Asa's family up ahead, but he couldn't be sure, since there were so many people. He wondered if it was the same hooded man he had seen before, “Loren, do you see that man? Why do you think he's just standing there?”

Loren glanced at the man with little interest, “Attendance isn't required by law. Not everyone is excited about the choosing ceremony. The law requires all thirteen years old put their name in, but the whole world will know who the king is by tomorrow, whether they attend the choosing or not.”

Gordon still thought there was something strange about the man, but he soon forgot. Gordon waved to other friends as he saw their families along the road. Asa's family was way ahead of them now, and Sky's was behind. There were too many people in between to walk together. Besides, Gordon was still eager to discuss the history book he'd finished with his uncle. They discussed many kings and queens on the trip. It didn't seem that long before they were at the courtyard awaiting the ceremony to begin.

Gordon had never seen so many people in one place. There was a kind of excitement from every direction; people were laughing, eating, drinking, and having a good time while they waited. The courtyard still looked huge, even filled with all the people. Gordon looked at the statues of the three sisters standing over the courtyard. The three figures made of white stone all stood for something different. He looked on, trying to remember what each detail of the statue meant. The statue that stood for Freedom was a young woman with flowing hair. She was clearly running someplace, the movement carved into the beautiful stone. She held a small book in her hand. Gordon always wondered what it was, but even Uncle Loren wasn't sure. The Justice statue was a woman standing still, holding a longknife high in one hand. The other hand held a thick judge's staff. The last statue was an old woman, standing in the center of the two, and stood for Humanity. She had her arms wide and there was a boy and a girl carved on each side of her.

Gordon looked all around at the balconies overlooking the courtyard. There were people seated on both sides of the courtyard, he assumed they were from the two councils. The choosing tower was at the center of the courtyard, the palace entrance behind it. Three loud gongs rose from the third terrace of the palace and bounced around the great courtyard. The crowd began to quiet.

A wooden walkway had been constructed from the first balcony of the palace to the top of the tower. The enormous hole at the top of the tower had been topped by a round wooden stage. Gordon wondered how they had built all of that so fast, since he had just been here a few days before.

There was a rumbling in the crowd that turned into cheers as Firstcouncilor Trunculin emerged from the first balcony. He walked slowly towards the stage, his long robe hiding his feet. Gordon saw men with longknives and arrowmen behind the firstcouncilor. The firstman of the kingdom, Brenddel, stood by Trunculin's side. He knew it was the firstman because of the one inked stripe across each cheek.

At first, Gordon thought it was strange that no guards came out ahead of Trunculin. He excused the thought quickly when Trunculin reached the stage and smiled brightly. The crowds cheered loudly as he raised his arms. No one would hurt Trunculin, he thought, he's the most popular man in the kingdom. Gordon had to stretch his neck to see, as many in the crowd raised their arms in response.

Trunculin, the firstcouncilor to so many kings, gently motioned for the crowd to quiet down. He smiled his famous wide smile, and a large glass jar was set next to Trunculin. It reached to the height of his waist.

The ceremony had begun.

Trunculin announced to the crowd, “Friends, neighbors, subjects of the kingdom of the thirteen, welcome to the solemn choosing of a new king… or, maybe… a queen?” he smiled widely to the crowd. There was a smattering of laughter.

“From the days of our first great kings, through the dark days of war in other lands, older kingdoms have fallen away. But our kingdom stands proudly, stronger than ever! The first thirteen kings came and put this great system in place so long ago. Knowing the darkness of their own hearts as men, they formed the amazing idea: After their rule, let the wickedness of men fall away. Let the innocent child lead us. Let the child shape the future that is theirs to command!” said Trunculin.

A great cheer rose from the crowd. Gordon couldn't believe the sound of the crowd cheering as one.

Trunculin continued, “As the great kings said: Let the child that has grown up in innocence, in this great kingdom, put their name in this tower. Since that child has not yet been corrupted by the evil ways of men, let one be chosen king. Only through innocence can we find strength!”

The sound of the cheering crowd got louder. Then there was another sound, a kind of humming sound.

Gordon got close to Loren's ear so that he could ask, “Loren, what is that sound?”

Loren did not answer, but pointed his finger toward the edge of the courtyard, up to the sky. Gordon was one of the first to see the large shape coming over the wall of the courtyard. Only a moment later, the rest of the crowd started to see, and the cheers got even louder.

Trunculin continued, “…and let that child who leads us, lead the greatest kingdom ever seen! The only kingdom with the power to fly!”

The large shape overshadowed the courtyard. The airship seemed enormous, probably because it was so close to the crowds. Gordon could see the tips of the large arrow guns all around the square deck. The flat deck hung from ropes, suspended from the giant gas-filled ship above. It didn't stop to hover, but kept floating over them until it passed out of sight. It had made its intended impression. Gordon wondered if he might be witnessing the greatest choosing of his lifetime.

Trunculin called for calm again only with his gestures, “Let us begin,” Trunculin reached into the great glass jar next to him. The jar contained strips of paper with names on it.

“As you all know,” Trunculin began, “the eight year olds of our great kingdom have their own type of choosing, putting their names here to have a chance to choose the new king.”

He put his arm deep into the scraps of paper and pulled out a name, “Sanjee, would you come join me for the choosing?”

Though the crowd was enormous, later everyone would claim that they heard the gasp from the little girl Sanjee. Gordon could see movement far into the crowd to his left. Soon, the eight year old girl Sanjee slowly made her way up the tower steps. She was shaking and shyly came up to Trunculin. He bent down and she whispered something in his ear. Trunculin smiled broadly and said to the crowd, “Sanjee asks if I could pick someone else!”

The crowd roared with laughter and cheers. Trunculin put his arm around the girl's shoulders and said, “Sanjee, I think that question makes you more than worthy for this task.” The crowd roared again. Sanjee offered a small smile.

“Since the beginning, a boy or girl of eight is asked to choose the door and pick out the name board of our new king. After the new king's fifth trial, this girl will be thirteen and will place her own name in the tower. Sanjee will now choose the door number from this bowl, thus revealing our new king.”

A small glass bowl with thirteen bits of paper was given to Trunculin by a guard. Trunculin bent over, and offered the bowl to Sanjee, “Let's find out who our new king or queen shall we, hey little one?”

The crowd roared their approval like a beast alive. Gordon leaned over to Loren, “The firstcouncilor sure knows his audience, doesn't he?”

Loren issued a low chuckle and stared ahead, “Yes, Gordon, he certainly does.”

The girl reached into the bowl and pulled out a small paper number. Sanjee whispered in Trunculin's ear, and he smiled again, “She wants me to read the number!”

Trunculin had to calm the crowd down again before he spoke, “Very well, Sanjee, we go to the last door, number thirteen! A very fateful number.” The girl, Trunculin and the firstman Brenddel proceeded down a few steps to door number thirteen.

The firstman gave the large key ring to Trunculin with the thirteenth key first. Trunculin turned the lock and a jumbled pile of wooden name boards could be seen through the opening. The girl put her hand in the door and pull out a name board.

She showed it to Trunculin. The girl said something else, but Trunculin shook his head. They both stood facing the crowd. Apparently the girl would read the name herself.

Trunculin scanned over the crowd, but he was not smiling as widely as he had been. Gordon began to wonder what the expression on Trunculin's face meant, but the crowd had erupted with shouts.

“Gordon!” a man shouted from near him. Gordon looked at his uncle. Loren's face had gone pale, and his mouth was open. He stared at Gordon when another man shouted, “Gordon!?”

Then everyone seemed to be shouting his name. The girl must have said the name wrong, he thought. Gordon started to feel light headed. He worried that it was a sweetblood reaction. Do I need something to eat? He thought. He turned back to his uncle.

Before he could form another thought, hands were grabbing him in all directions. He felt lighter than air. The crowd was lifting him up and passing him to the tower, like he was a boat on a sea of people. My people now? He thought briefly. No, this is a mistake. But they had not stopped shouting his name.

He got to the tower and the firstman Brenddel took his arm and lifted Gordon up to the steps by door number thirteen. The man was incredibly strong, and Gordon nearly flew up to the steps, like he weighed nothing at all. He hoped he would not fall and look foolish as he stood there on wobbling legs. He thought of the king that had fallen from this very stage, and swallowed hard.

Trunculin took Gordon's hand and bent at the waist. He said, “Congratulations, my king.”

Gordon didn't know what to say. He was about to speak when Trunculin stood upright, raised Gordon's hand in the air and announced to the crowd, “Your… new… king… Gordon!” Gordon noticed that the old familiar smile was back on Trunculin's face.

The cheering from the crowds seemed to go on forever. Gordon kept looking over the crowd, trying to find a familiar face. He scanned where his uncle Loren should have been, but he couldn't find him.

He also looked for his friends, but the crowd was too big. He was sure he heard Skyler shout his name, but Gordon couldn't see him anywhere.

Sanjee whispered something else to Trunculin, “She wants to know if she can kiss the new king's cheek!”

Gordon looked to the girl and smiled. He bent down and the girl kissed him quickly on the cheek. She blushed and Gordon was sure he was blushing too. Just then, the crowd started to go quiet and uneasy. Gordon was sure he had done something wrong.

He looked at the crowd, who were all looking behind Gordon. Along the newly erected walkway, guards were marching in. He wondered briefly if the temporary wooden walkway was going to collapse as it shook with their marching.

The soldiers came right up to Gordon. They were not smiling. They stopped and made a kind of shout, “Knives up!” At the signal, they all stepped back and faced each other, raising their longknives. It formed a corridor through which appeared the current ruler. King Stathen was a young, handsome twenty-two and the only king Gordon could remember.

Stathen was not smiling either.

He walked through the guard's archway of longknives and came to within a foot of Gordon's face. King Stathen glared down at Gordon, who hoped he didn't look as terrified as he felt. The king said nothing at first, but slowly shook his head and then turned to the crowds, “Was I this short when I was chosen?”

The crowd exploded with laughter. A wide smile came across King Stathen's face.

As the crowd cheered, King Stathen turned back to Gordon, serious again. He winked at Gordon and whispered, “Time for the serious part.” The king motioned for quiet, “Gordon, do you accept this honor and responsibility fate has chosen for you? Or do you put aside the crown for another to be chosen?”

Trunculin said quickly, “You may put it aside at this point only. It is your legal right to do so,” just loud enough for Gordon to hear him. King Stathen shot an annoyed glance to Trunculin.

Stathen continued, “…What is your free choice, Gordon?”

Gordon looked at the king, then uneasily looked at the crowd, “I…I…”

“If you accept, say I accept.” King Stathen whispered.

“I… accept,” said Gordon as loud as he could. He hoped it hadn't sounded like a question.

The king smiled down at Gordon. With both hands, he took the crown off of his head and put it on Gordon's. To Gordon's great surprise, it nearly fit his head, “Now, face your people, our new king…. Gordon!”

The crowd went on cheering for what seemed like days. King Stathen motioned for Gordon to go through the corridor of guards, “You are king now, Gordon. You should go first.”

Gordon glanced back to where Loren had been standing, but still couldn't see him. He reluctantly made his way through the guards and their longknives. He tried not to look at their faces. He didn't want to see disappointment on them. He was relieved to see that they all stared straight ahead. King Stathen followed him, then Trunculin and the firstman after. Another guard led Sanjee back down the stone steps of the tower.

They made their way into the palace until Gordon could no longer hear the crowds. The ceremony was over.

Chapter4

Our New King

As soon as they were all inside, two guards produced a large wooden box trimmed with gold. The crown was quickly removed from Gordon's head to the box, and the crown and the guards were gone before the new king could ask anything. Brenddel made a quick, courteous bow and left as well.

“The crown will be stored until the crowning ceremony, when everything will be official,” said Trunculin, anticipating Gordon's question.

“You only have to wear it for special occasions anyway,” offered King Stathen, “thing's heavy, isn't it?”

Before Gordon could reply, Trunculin interrupted.

“Yes, now, my king … Gordon. This is my assistant Rolem, who is now also your assistant. He has the list of events and will show you around the palace. If you need anything at all, consider Rolem the man to get it done,” said Trunculin as he left them with a bow.

King Stathen added, “The first order of business is the king's meal. It will happen in a few hours. It's where we try to eat together, but everyone will be stopping by to interrupt every bite. My advice, eat something before you get there.”

Gordon said, “I think I do need to eat something. How do I… where…?”

“Rolem here will get you what you need. Just don't treat him too badly, you don't want Rolem to poison you or anything,” Stathen said smiling.

Gordon looked with alarm at Rolem, who glanced at Stathen uncomfortably.

Stathen laughed, “I'm just jesting with you. Rolem's a good man. He's been working here a long time. Knows everything that is going on.”

Gordon gave Rolem a weak smile, unconvinced.

“I must be off, a lot to do before I stop being king,” Stathen put a hand on Gordon's shoulder, “You'll do great. There are a lot of councilors to help you. Most of them have been here a long time too. We'll talk more at dinner… I hope,” Stathen said as he left Gordon.

Gordon turned to Rolem, “Can I get something to eat, please… um…? Ro…”

“Rolem, my king,” the assistant offered back professionally, “There is a lot to learn, I know. Let me show you around the palace. The kitchens are this way.”

“Here is the upper council chamber…” Rolem was casually naming each chamber as they passed. Gordon wanted to stop at each room. The main hallway that connected the rooms were massive. He figured at least five of his uncle's entire house could be stacked in the hallway with room to spare.

His uncle! He had almost forgotten him. It seemed like Uncle Loren must have left the ceremony when he was named king. It was strange that he would do that, more likely he was just swallowed up by the crowds. It all happened so fast. Gordon remembered Loren's expression of horror when he had been chosen, but maybe he was just worried. Loren worried too much. Still, he wished his uncle was here to share in all the excitement.

“Hey, um, Rolem… Can I ask for my uncle to come visit?”

Rolem offered a courteous smile as they walked down the great hall, “Well… my king, you can ask for anything you wish. You are king now, almost officially. Anything that the laws allow, of course. I will talk to the firstcouncilor about it.”

“Of course. I know I can't just do anything I want. I mean, I know I can't just make a law up on my own or anything. That duty is for the upper and lower councils. I just have to agree and sign them, right?” inquired Gordon.

Rolem laughed.

“Oh no, did I say something wrong already?” asked Gordon.

“No, no. I'm very sorry, my king, but that is correct. It's just… it took King Stathen nearly his entire first trial to learn that concept,” offered Rolem, “Oh, I probably shouldn't have said that.”

“That's okay. I forgot each year of the…my…kingship is called a trial. Why don't they just call it a year? I learned why once… I just can't remember it right now,” Gordon asked, embarrassed.

“My king, there is much for you to learn, and quickly. No need to be embarrassed that you don't know everything. No king does, even after each successive trial,” Rolem said. “You will be learning how to fight, about the law, dealing with other kings, and much more. It will be a very intense, trying time. Thus each year is called a trial.”

Gordon stopped suddenly and had to lean against a wall.

Rolem looked worried, “I'm sorry, my king, I didn't mean to alarm you. Trunculin will council you about…perhaps it wasn't my place…”

“No, no, I just feel a little dizzy. I do need something to eat. My uncle makes me special… wait, I have some here…” Gordon took a small sweet out and started eating it. Rolem looked at it carefully. Gordon noticed this and put it back in his pocket after taking a bite, “Sorry. I'm thirsty too. How far to the kitchens?”

Gordon thought he saw a curious flicker on Rolem's face, but the man quickly smiled. “The kitchens are very close. I can fetch some water sooner if you need it. Are you feeling well?”

“Oh, no, I'm fine,” Gordon didn't want to lie, but he wasn't sure how the news of his sweetblood illness would be received.

Rolem looked at Gordon for a moment, smiled and said, “This way then, my king.”

Like everywhere he had seen, the kitchens were massive. Everywhere there were long tables piled with food in different states of readiness. There were easily a hundred people working at the fire ovens, stirring impossibly large pots, and hurrying food out through several different passages and hallways. Gordon wondered if he would ever find out where they all led. Rolem had gone to talk to a man with a red hat. Gordon thought it looked more like a long piece of cloth rolled up and laid onto his head in a kind of orderly pile.

The man with the red pile went to the table and came to Gordon with a tray full of food and three cups of different drinks. Every bite was like he was eating food for the first time. Everything he ate and drank was better than the last. He spent a lot of time looking around. Everything was enormous; the fires, the ovens, the ceilings, even many of the cooks were large around the middle. Gordon imagined that the first kings must have been twelve feet tall to build such a large palace. He left the kitchens stuffed and happy.

They went to the seventh and highest level of the palace. Rolem and Gordon came to two giant doors, towering over them as tall as five men end to end. A guard stood at either side with a long weapon, and at the top of each there was a large blade.

Rolem said, “This is Gordon, please open the door for our new king,” The two guards did not look at Gordon, but both pushed their doors open to reveal the king's chamber.

Gordon's breath caught in his throat.

Rolem smiled, “It is said quietly that a few kings have fainted when these doors opened,” he cleared his throat and led Gordon into the room, “I never actually said that, of course.”

The chamber was circular and rose to a round dome. As Gordon looked around, he thought maybe the space was shaped a little more like an egg than a circle. The celling was painted with scenes from the kingdom's history: The first thirteen coming to these lands, the first wars, and the great banner of their kingdom.

It was the best quality banner Gordon had ever seen; much better than the cheap small banners they sold along the roads. It showed the triangle symbol in the middle, surrounded by thirteen longknives radiating out from the triangle. Unlike the cheap versions, the triangle was filled in with the three oak branches that stretched to each corner of the triangle.

In the middle of the room stood the great king's chair. Gordon felt small next to the chair he would be expected to sit in. He felt that as they went higher into the palace that somehow his body had gotten smaller and smaller. He had a strange thought that he might disappear altogether. Gordon looked up at the ceiling and was feeling dizzy again.

“Ah, our young king has found his way to his new home.” Trunculin had quietly entered the room. “Apologies, my king,” he bowed. “I didn't mean to surprise you. Thank you, Rolem, I will finish the tour.”

Rolem nodded at Trunculin and bowed his head to Gordon, leaving the room without another word. “Uh, thank you, Rolem…” Gordon began, but Rolem was already gone. Trunculin took his arm and lead him toward the great chair.

“Now, there is much to discuss. The king's meal is in a few hours. After the crowning ceremony tomorrow you will officially meet your firstman, Brenddel and begin your fight training. After that, I will discuss all the learning: the law you must study, and really just how it all works. Of course, at high sun is the crowning ceremony. All of Stathen's powers will transfer to you. Officially that is. Your speech has been written, and it would be best to study the copy I left in your chamber. Come this way and I will show you.”

Trunculin led Gordon behind the King's Chair. If he hadn't been led, he would never have guessed there was a hallway leading in either direction into rooms behind the chair.

They passed guards along the curved hallways as Trunculin led him into a chamber with a large window. The room was the biggest bedroom Gordon had ever seen. The walls were white, with hundreds of books lining one of the large walls. There was also a bed big enough for three people, comfortably, and a writing table and chair. Trunculin demonstrated how the cover rolled up into the desk and disappeared, revealing pen and paper and lined with small square holes that Gordon couldn't wait to explore. Trunculin let Gordon look around the room and found two doors, one leading to a large bathing room, the other a room for clothes, which was empty.

Trunculin smiled, “I hope this will be enough space?”

“Yes…yes, this will be…uh, fine,” said Gordon, looking around.

“We are bringing some clothes for dinner now. Starting tomorrow your clothier will start making your garments. Tomorrow you will meet all of the important people that will be a help to you…” Gordon was looking around the room, “Is everything alright, my king?”

“Sorry. It's just… this is a lot to… it's just a lot,” Gordon said.

Trunculin smiled again, “Of course, my king. I have counseled many kings before you. Every one of them felt overwhelmed at first. But, you were chosen. And I'm sure you were chosen for a reason.”

Trunculin was smiling the warm smile he was famous for, but Gordon still felt uneasy. A thought occurred to him, “Oh, can we find my uncle? I guess he got lost in the crowd. I would sure like to see someone I know right now. Oh, no offense… I just…”

“Of course. No offense taken. We are looking for Loren right now, in fact. He will be brought to the palace as soon as we find him, I promise you that,” Trunculin said.

Gordon replied, “Good, thank you. Wait, how did you know Loren was my uncle? Did I tell…?”

Trunculin interrupted “…No, no, my king, as soon as a king is chosen, there is a whole army of people whose job it is find out as much as we can about him. Oh, I almost forgot, in the next few days we will also have the firsthealer look you over…”

Gordon interrupted, “Oh, um, Loren is my healer. He used to work here at the palace. He knows how to….”

“How to what, my king?” Trunculin looked very interested.

“…How to… to take care of me.” Gordon didn't know how much to say before he talked to Loren. He never liked talking about his illness with people he didn't know. He wanted to talk to Loren about everything else too, and soon.

Trunculin said smoothly, “Of course, my king. As soon as he is found, all will be well. I must go prepare the king's meal ceremony. If there is anything you need, just tell a guard. They will know what to do.”

“Okay. Thank you, um… Trunculin. Is that what I should call you?”

“Or firstcouncilor if you'd like. Please don't hesitate to ask for anything. I will see you at the king's meal.” Trunculin bowed his head slightly, leaving the room quickly.

Gordon went to the large window and looked out over all the people. There were still large crowds of people that would stay close to the palace for tomorrow's crowning ceremony. Gordon wondered if the people were truly glad he was king. He was all the way up on the seventh level. The people looked very small from here, as did the purple mountains in the distance. Gordon backed away from the window, realizing how far it would be to fall.

Chapter5

What Went Wrong

Trunculin made his way to the sixth level of the palace. He went past the guards without looking at them, straight to Brenddel's chambers and pushed the door open without knocking, “Where are they?” he demanded angrily.

Brenddel was signing papers and calmly looked up from his work. His thick arms pushed on the edge of the desk while he raised himself from the chair with a soldier's economy of movement. Taking the name board from his desk, he said, “Room three,” as he led Trunculin back to the holding rooms, “They all claim they switched the name boards. They tell the same details. No one can explain it.”

“They will explain it to me. How could this happen?” Trunculin fumed as they reached the door. Brenddel had the key ready and unlocked it. The moment the door opened Trunculin heard the tail end of a scream.

In the room there were six men. Three knifemen of Brenddel's guard stood around three men in the middle of the room. In the middle, the men were hanging from a bar by their arms. Their feet were not touching the floor. Trunculin walked up to the man hanging closest to him, “What happened?”

“I don't know. I swear it. We switched the name boards like we were supposed to. I swear it!” answered the man.

“You are swearing that between last night and the choosing, someone else snuck into the tower tunnels and placed name boards like these inside the tower near every door?” Trunculin grabbed the name board from Brenddel and held it up to the man's face. Through his pain, the man saw the name Gordon.

Trunculin said, “We found hundreds of these – all say Gordon – just behind every locked door, so that his name alone would be chosen,” The firstcouncilor got closer to the man's face, “His name should not have been in the tower at all!”

“It's not possible. We replaced all of the name boards. I swear…” one of the knifemen hit the hanging man across the rib cage with a wooden training weapon. The man screamed.

Trunculin got even closer to the man's terrified face, “Every choosing we find men just like you. Men desperate for coin, men that no one will miss. We hire them quietly, then dispose of them quickly. Not this time. This time it will be slow. Scream all you want; no one can hear you outside this room.”

The man began to protest, but Trunculin and Brenddel were already leaving the room. As the door was closed to the sound-proofed holding room, they heard the last, “Pleeeeeasse!” anyone would hear from the men.

Brenddel walked quietly beside Trunculin as he raged, “Never! Never has a name been switched by anyone but us. How could this happen? How many of your men do you think are involved?”

Brenddel glanced briefly at Trunculin, “I put some of my best on guard last night outside the tower. It was a small, loyal three that stood guard inside while those men changed the tiles from the tunnels under the tower. They witnessed those men switch the boards. I am still questioning those guards separately. The top of the tower was covered just like every choosing, so it had to be from the tunnels. I do not know how this happened, but I will find out.”

Trunculin said, “I know you will, Brenddel. I apologize for my fire, but it upsets years of planning. Have you found Loren yet? I knew we should have killed him before he became the hero healer of the villages. They must be hiding him in the filthy low lands.”

Brenddel replied, “That is the first place we looked. We are still doing a house by house search and nothing yet. He couldn't have gotten far, but with so many new faces here, because of the choosing ceremony, many of the houses are empty. Nearly everyone is here in the palace city. My men were ready for the extra crowd control, we are spread thin. But we will find him.”

“To make this happen, it has to be more than a few. Who is leading them? The conspirers could be many. And I have to go play the kind councilor to our empty-brained King Stathen, and the new boy king from the dirty villages. I'm counting on you,” said Trunculin.

Brenddel asked, “What will we do with our new king? He may not be as weak as your first choice. We weren't watching this Gordon boy.”

“I can keep most of the plan the same, with a few alterations,” said Trunculin, “I'm meeting with the mystic guild now.”