The Elementalist : Next of Kin: The Kothian Chronicles (12 page)

He felt himself being jolted, whether that was just in his sleep or for real he was not sure, such was the ferocity of it. A warning sign of some sort, but what it was, he could not make out. A power, the like of which he had never felt before rushed forth and stopped just before the young king. Even in his comatose state, he could feel his heart pounding, thumping like a hammer in his chest.

Ramon sat up, his brow dripping with sweat as he caught his breath. With his vision still firmly in his memory he re-lit the lamp in his room and stared vacantly at the wall opposite. He felt his breathing and heart rate slowly return to their normal rate as he tried to make sense of what he had been shown. Something was coming, he did not what it is was, or when it would arrive, but it was something momentous, of that he was certain.

Chapter 15.

The sun was barely up and Ramon was already preparing for his day ahead. His breakfast had been taken up to his room, and as he ate the thick stodgy porridge drizzled with a little honey, the images of the previous nights vision ran through his mind. One thing he could deduce from his glimpse into the future was at least Anden had made it to king; meaning today's funeral and tomorrows coronation would appear to go without dramatic incident.

As he picked up his bowl just slightly, scraping his spoon around the inside edges to get the last of his porridge, he cast his eye over the written list beside him. The number of tasks to do upon it was almost daunting to look at, and now Oran had gone it was growing daily. Ramon was aware that initially at least, Anden would have to be shown what needed to be done and when. If people thought that the life of a ruler was nothing more than one of idle luxury, Ramon was only too aware it was anything but; something the young crown prince would very soon find out.

After washing and dressing in his finest tunic and black trousers, Ramon ran a brush through his thinning hair whilst looking into the small mirror above his washstand. Happy that he looked his best for what would be a sad day, he headed out of the door and down the corridor. There were a few people about, even at this early hour, although most of them seemed to be staff; starting work early so as people such as he could have their breakfasts made for them.

Besides making a slight detour back to his office to collect some papers, Ramon firstly needed to go get Zack and Maxim. He then needed to collect Rylan and take them all to the quarters of the crown prince. After that was done, he needed to go outside to the stables, and make sure the hastily adapted carriage was ready to transport the king's coffin around the town.

After all that was done, Ramon then needed to go see the commander of the royal guard, and check the positioning of his soldiers around the course the royal funeral party was taking. There was also the grave to check, the headstone, the pallbearers, the guard of honour as well as refreshments in the dining hall for afterwards.

Mikel was almost glad when the door to his room burst open and Tia and Connor came running in. Zack and Maxim had already got up, and left him alone; something he thought might become more of a regular thing, especially now his friends were tasked to helping the new king after his coronation. Shadow also appeared happy to see his two young playmates, as the wolf quickly pounced up greeting them both with a lick to the face. Mikel's biggest smile however was reserved the young woman who followed them in just a few moments later.

Melia gave him a little wave, and he was glad when she walked over and sat beside him. Mikel actually felt a little nervous as he could feel Melia's body touching his own, but was disappointed when she got straight back up as Samuel made his way through the door. Deciding to stop wallowing in his gloomy mood, he stood and started getting ready. They all needed to go down and get breakfast, before standing out in the cold for the funeral to pass by.

Maxim stood beside Zack, as the young boy he was soon to be working for, walked into the room. The future king was smartly dressed and well groomed, and although he may have been a few years younger, was almost as tall as he was. Bowing his head slightly, Maxim heard Zack introduce him to Anden, and awaited a reply. He stood straight, as the young man stared at him, "Nice to meet you Max...I can call you Max can't I?" Maxim nodded, "Of course...Sire," he added as an afterthought, hoping it was not picked up on. Anden held out a hand in greeting and Maxim shook it, adding a smile as well.

Anden seemed fascinated by the colour of Maxim's hair and eyes, with the young royal staring at him for quite some time, moving his head one way then the other as if peering from different angles made a difference. He then explained that the two of them would have plenty of time to get to know each other in a little while, "Apparently it is too dangerous for me to be part of the ceremony beyond the inner wall. Despite the fact we are burying my father, I am only allowed to the latter part." Maxim quickly got the impression this was a point that had been forced upon Anden, and one that was clearly a sore point.

After a few minutes, Maxim's attention was drawn to two large burly looking guards making their way in through the door, and taking up positions either side of the room. Anden and Zack appeared as confused to their presence as he was, before he heard a voice from the adjoining room. A tall slim woman entered, dressed in a black silken dress that had a veil covering part of her face. "Do not be alarmed my dear. I have asked Commander Porter to have them posted here, whilst you are alone with...that," she added pointing in Maxim's general direction.

Maxim was quite used to verbal abuse and snidely remarks, and took no notice of the quite apparent slur by Anden's mother. Zack was clearly not amused by his aunt's comment, and was about to say something when he noticed Maxim shake his head just a little, to tell him not to bother. Even Anden seemed a little put out by her remark, but took a deep breath and left it at that.

When the time came for Zack to leave Maxim alone with Anden and the two guards, he placed a hand on his shoulder, "Good luck," he whispered moving his head a little closer. Maxim smiled and watched his friend follow the queen out of the door, where they were to meet Rylan and Ramon, before heading out for the funeral procession.

There was an awkward silence between the two, and although Maxim was happy for it to be kept that way, he was not sure whether perhaps he should try to engage in conversation. Fortunately, Anden set the wheels in motion, "So Max, my cousin speaks very highly of you, although as you can tell, my mother on the other hand seems not to trust you at all."

"I understand Highness," Maxim replied, not quite sure he should tell the crown prince what he really thought of his mother.

"Ignore her Max, she was quite happy to have you help when you rescued us and brought us to Pitford," Anden said walking around the room, before sitting down on a cushioned chair beside the fireplace.

Maxim was not certain whether his new role as royal protector, should mean he needed to follow the prince everywhere. After a little hesitation, he shuffled a little nearer, and noticed one of the guards on duty sniggering at him. Ignoring the man, Maxim was surprised when Anden gestured for him to sit alongside him, "I cannot talk to you if I have to keep straining my neck, come on sit down."

Anden seemed happy to engage in further conversation, and after enquiring about how he got on with Zack, he asked a little about Maxim's past. "I am sorry your highness I do not know much about my past, other than I was in an orphanage and then dumped on the streets. That was of course before Danton found me and brought me here with Zack and the others," he replied, finding talking to the young prince much easier than he had anticipated. "You do not know your parents?"

Maxim shook his head, "No your highness, sorry," he replied, feeling mentioning he had been seeing images of a woman, who he assumed was his dead mother in his dreams, was probably best left unmentioned.

Anden appeared genuinely saddened, "I am sorry to hear that Max...Oh and please call me Anden...If you are going to be my personal protector the least we can do is call each other by our names...No need for etiquette."

The two chatted for a while, with Anden opening up to Maxim about how he was nervous about becoming king, and that he was worried he would not meet people's expectations. "You will be fine...Ramon and Zack will help where they can I am sure of it," He replied not certain what else to say.

"You like Zack don't you?"

"I do your high...sorry Anden...Yes," Maxim replied remembering he was asked to call the prince by his name.

"I can tell the feelings are mutual as well, he is very defensive when anyone speaks ill of you."

Maxim smiled, there was only one person that sprung immediately to mind that spoke ill of him and that was the queen, but he kept his opinions to himself.

Anden stood and wandered about the room, before stopping at one of the two small windows in the place he was now forced to call home. "They should be starting about now, it will still be a while before I am allowed out," he said rather sullenly. Maxim stood and walked over to where the young prince was standing, just remaining a few yards to his left.  He heard Anden sniffle and thought he saw a tear or two on his face, but said nothing. He thought it must be difficult enough losing your father, without having to carry the burden of a divided, warring nation, and felt sorry for the young man beside him.

Anden suddenly turned to face him, "Ramon says you are probably the most powerful magician he has ever known, is that right?"

Maxim shrugged, he had never really thought about it. He could do things others could not, but then again others could do things he could not. True they did use him because for whatever reason he had more magical energy than the others, and he supposed if that meant he was more powerful, then he was indeed as Ramon had described him. Wanting to sound modest though, "I am not sure to be honest Anden," he eventually replied.

The young prince smiled at him, "My mother thinks I am safer with these two guards than you...Do you agree?"

"No," Maxim answered so quickly Anden appeared so surprised.

"You think you can better these two guards?" Anden asked waving his hand to the two men stood either side of the room. Maxim had a good idea where this was leading, and he was not certain he wanted to go there. However, Anden had already made his mind up, "You and you," he shouted over to the two guards in question come here please.

Both guards did as was asked, and walked regimentally over to where he stood. The two royal guardsmen towered over both the prince and Maxim, as Anden decided what best to do. "So if these two men were to attack me, you could stop them?" he asked looking to the elementalist. Maxim nodded quite confidently, although it was clear the two guards thought otherwise. Anden turned to the slightly taller of the two men, "So you do not think Max would be able to stop you?" The man laughed, "I'm quite certain I could tie one hand behind my back, stand on one leg, and still beat him your highness," he replied sounding rather arrogant.

Anden clapped his hands together, "Fine, let us do a little test then. You two will try to grab me...Max you must stop them before they do." With that announcement, the prince walked to the middle of the room, and gestured for his protector to stand beside him. Maxim was unsure he wanted to do this, "I do not want to hurt anyone," he said, worried that he may be a little heavy handed. One of the guards laughed again, "Don't worry about us ginger lad...I think we can manage anything you can throw at us."

Maxim thought that with everything that had gone on of late, those non-magical folk would have appreciated those that were a little more. However, it was clear that the queen was not the only person that still needed winning over. "Okay...when you are ready you two try to attack me then," Anden announced, clearly excited at the prospect.

The two men looked at each other before boldly strutting forward. Maxim waited a few moments to let them get a little nearer before stepping in front of the prince. With a mere flick of his hand, both men were suddenly sent flying backwards. One crashed into the table, knocking a couple of cups to the floor and causing them to smash, whilst the other thumped back first against the far wall, before landing on his backside.

Maxim grimaced, thinking he would be in trouble, but Anden clapped his hands together once more and burst out laughing. "Whoa...that is amazing...Right I have made my mind up Max...You are definitely going to be my Protector... You two can go," he added to the guards staggering to their feet. Clearly humbled, the two men glared Maxim's direction and headed for the door as ordered. Anden laughed and patted Maxim on the shoulder, "I think me and you will get along just fine...I can see why Zack speaks so highly of you."

After several minutes of Anden asking so many questions, all to do with Maxim's extraordinary powers, the call for the crown prince came. Maxim felt almost relieved when it did, although the prince's face suddenly turned to one of sadness, as the realisation of what he was about to do hit home. "Come on," Maxim said holding open the door for him. The two youngsters followed one of the house staff down the corridor, before each being handed a black cloak at the main entrance. "Best wrap up warm," Anden said trying to make light of the situation, although Maxim was certain he could already detect a few tears in Anden's eyes.

Once outside into the keep yard, they were ushered towards the gateway where they were to wait for the funeral procession to slowly make its way in. Fortunately, the wait was only a short one, as Maxim could see Zack and his father beside the queen and Princess Frona, walking just ahead of a horse drawn carriage. Dozens of soldiers, all smartly dressed in full uniform marched along either side of the coffin, as the fallen king made his final journey.