The Elementalist : Next of Kin: The Kothian Chronicles (16 page)

Chapter 19.

By early evening, the dining hall had been transformed into a room befitting of the occasion. Lamps flickered their light, illuminating the room just enough to give the place a certain relaxing atmosphere. Tables were lined up around the edge of the room, aside from the one that was placed at one end upon the short dais; this one was set aside for the new king. The kitchen staff had been working most of the day cooking and preparing all manner of foods for the feast. Despite the current austere times they were going through, a little extra had been allowed to make the occasion that little bit special.

Tucked away in a corner were a group of musicians who were still warming up as the first of the guests started to arrive. The number invited to the evening frivolities were far fewer in number than had been allowed to the coronation several hours earlier. Fortunately, Zack and Maxim had been the first two names on the list, and because of their inclusion, they had managed to wrangle invites for Melia and Mikel; although Samuel, Connor and Tia would have to make do with being baby sat by a couple of old friends.

Stanton and Aileen had settled in well into the town, although the recent fighting had come as an unwelcome surprise; as it had too many others. Fortunately, for the elderly couple their home and belongings had remained untouched during the attacks, and they had been able to return there shortly after it had ceased. Aileen had found a little job helping around the keep, cleaning the student's rooms and serving food to the masters when required. Stanton had busied himself working on their small home, as well as helping out with the large amount of building projects currently being undertaken in the town. However, their job for the evening was to ensure the three young Bosarians did not go about causing mischief. Their mere presence in the keep had already caused one or two remarks from those less welcoming; folk who saw it an insult that three of the enemy were allowed to live amongst them, even if they were only children.

Samuel's injuries had all but gone, and the young teenager had clearly grown a crush on the young woman who had saved his life. Melia had spent days alone with the lad, treating and caring for him when he had been close to death. Naturally, Mikel had deemed the lad's crush on the focus of his own desires as a threat to his own chances, and had taken quite a dislike to him. Melia on the other hand had merely laughed it off, telling Mikel he was being foolish. This had meant Mikel having to be, or at least appearing, to be nice to Samuel, just so it appeared Melia thought him a better person. Of course, Mikel did not actually dislike Samuel, and aside the youngsters crush on the girl he wanted, he actually did quite like him.

Maxim had spent most of the day in the company of his father, having spent hours talking they had also lunched together, as well as strolled the small gardens at the back of the keep. During this time, they had gotten to know each other much better, although the main point of disparity, that being Joren and his people helping Kothia in their plight, still remained between them. The point was obviously not going to be agreed upon anytime soon, and as a result, Maxim had let the matter lie for now at least.

Zack had been forced to endure an uncomfortable afternoon with his father and Anden as they had tried to get the previous queen to see reason. Whether it was her grief or not, the fact remained that, her anger and hatred towards anybody magical had not waned since their earlier argument. Anden was clearly distressed at seeing his mother behaving in such a way, but had stepped up to the mark, once more showing he could cope with the pressures being asked of him. The young king had been left with little choice but to have his mother sedated and kept under guard, as much for her own wellbeing as everyone else's.

Zack had spent the hours wondering how Maxim was getting on; worried his closest friend would once more be taken away from him. On several occasions, he had thought about leaving the king and his father to continue their own discussions, so he could seek out Maxim. Only the fact he knew his father would not be happy with him had he done so had kept him there.

Maxim and his father strolled side by side, toward the rooms allocated to the royal family, with the intention of joining them in their walk down to the hall. As they walked the last corridor, Maxim noticed the very people already having left the room and walking towards them. "Here they come now father," he said, the name still feeling strange to him. Joren looked up to see the young king walking towards them, his uncle and cousin either side of him.

Zack placed a welcoming arm about Maxim's shoulder and despite Joren still in ear shot asked, "How did you get on?" Maxim smiled, "Very well...We still have much to learn about each other...but I think...I don't know...it is all still a little surreal at the moment," he said not quite sure how to explain the feelings he had. Zack just nodded and smiled; although he wanted his friend to be happy, the thought Joren would take him away was not one he particularly welcomed.

The amalgamated group slowly headed down the flights of stairs, their way lit up by the lamps burning on the keep walls. Anden felt the need to explain to Joren that Pitford was only his temporary home, "Of course the palace at Berxsley is a fine one. I just need to get it back," he added realising his words might sound like a further hint at wanting help in doing so. Joren however did not take it as so and merely nodded, clearly his thoughts were elsewhere.

They were asked to stop outside the doors to the large dining hall as a rather large looking gent, smartly dressed in royal household uniform stepped in front of them. The man turned to those already within, "Silence!" he bellowed in a voice that echoed around the room. Within just a few seconds, the chatter had all but ceased, and the man spoke again, "Ladies and gentlemen, please be upstanding for our new ruler, King Anden," he shouted out. Those inside shuffled to their feet and let out a loud roar and started clapping, "Your Majesty may go in now," the man said bowing just slightly to Anden.

Anden rather bashfully stepped forward as Maxim and Zack fell in either side of him. Joren and Rylan followed behind as honoured guests, all of whom would be seated at the head table where Ramon, Danton, Darion and Katria were already waiting for them. Anden gave a timid looking wave to those still cheering and clapping as he made his way to the front of the hall.

Once they were in position, it was time for Ramon to make a small speech, as he held his arms aloft for silence. Darion was clearly unimpressed by all the protocol and etiquette as Katria slapped his hand to stop him from started to eat, "Not yet," she whispered with a smile. The old man merely grumbled, suitably admonished, he sat puling a face as Ramon started his speech.

The seer firstly declared himself and every magician in Pitford, loyal to the young man sat just a few places from him. Despite not wanting to sound as if he was begging their Icenian guests for aid, he did lay it on a bit thick, saying how much of a struggle lay ahead of them. "Many more people will die in the process, but in the end we will succeed in reuniting our nation and ridding it of those who seek to destroy us." As those very words were spoken, Maxim turned to his father sat beside him, "A debate for another day father," he whispered not wanting to put the man in an awkward position.

Thankfully, Ramon's speech was over in a few minutes, and as Darion reached out once more for the food in front of him, he heard Katria, "Not yet," she said leaning slightly his direction so she could be heard. "Bloody hell...what now?" he whispered back. Anden stood and thanked Ramon for his words, "Our fight can continue another day. Let us not dwell on the past, but look to the future," he said sounding quite assured for one so young. "Tonight let us all enjoy what little we have, let us feast with friends both old and new," he added looking towards Joren once more. 

Once Anden was once more seated, the signal was given, and the musicians started playing as the low noise of chatter returned to the room. "About bloody time...stupid people gibbering on letting this fine spread get cold," Darion grumbled, helping himself to several slices of pork from a platter just in front of him.

Aside from the variety of meats, including pork, beef and chicken, there were also bowls of winter green vegetables, bread rolls in abundance and ample wine to swill it all down. Joren had to admit to his son, that for a country supposedly struggling, they had put on a good spread. "We do not eat a lot of meat in Icenia," he said shoving a large piece of chicken in his mouth. He politely placed his hand up as he chewed and spoke at the same time, "We mainly eat fruit and vegetables, which grow in abundance...but then again it is much warmer there than here," he added with a smile.

Although Maxim had only known his father since that very morning, he was already feeling a certain closeness to him. Whether that feeling was mutual, he was as yet unsure. During their conversations earlier, he had begun to think that his father was disappointed in what he had found, although whether that was actually the case or just him, he was unsure.

"I have been thinking Max..." his father said between bites, "I can call you Max...you do not mind do you?" Maxim smiled, "Not at all father...Zack calls me Max...I quite like the shortened variation," he replied. "Am I to understand correctly that Zack's father has to return to his home tomorrow?" he asked. Maxim nodded, "Yes...Samuel...the young Bosarian lad Melia saved helps us. I'm just used as a kind of mobile energy source," he chuckled, "My skills at teleporting are not particularly great," he added.

Joren pondered for a moment, taking another bite from the chicken leg he now held in his hand, "If you wish I can have my people take Rylan back...Of course they can take Zack along as well if he wishes...and bring him back of course," he added as an afterthought. Maxim smiled, "That is very kind of you...I will see what they say to the offer...it would of course give us a little more time together." Joren smiled at his son, still feeling how strange it was that the child he had thought dead all these years was now sat right beside him.

As the evening progressed, the musicians picked up the pace just a little, and already some of the guests were dancing in the space in the middle of the room. Mikel, who sat beside Melia at one of the side tables, watched on wondering how to go about asking her if she wished to join them. He was never really one for dancing, but he thought it looked good fun, and if it helped in his relationship with her more the better. After their holding of hands earlier, Melia had shown no further signs they were in fact anything but friends, yet Mikel's yearnings were started to get the better of him. His feelings for Melia appeared to be getting stronger by the day, almost to the point of him wanting to grab hold of her and kiss her. Of course had he done that she would probably have slapped him and never wanted to speak to him again, as a result he was finding it increasingly difficult to rein in his feelings for her.

"Do you want to dance Mikel," Melia leaned over to ask him. "Yes..." He answered straight away almost shouting his reply back at her. "I mean yes... I would like that very much Melia," he added trying to remain composed as he stood. He held out his hand for her to take, before leading her toward the other folk dancing. Only when they stood looking at each other did Mikel realise the musicians had changed to a much slower tempo. "Come on hold me," Melia said grabbing Mikel's hands and placing them around her waist.

As the music played, Mikel was lost in a world of emotions, as Melia's body appeared to press closer and closer to his own. As she placed her head on his chest, he wrapped his arms around her, whilst inhaling he could smell her sweet scented fragrance. Suddenly she looked up at him, "Mikel..." she said in a naughty way..."Shall we sneak out," she added with a wicked look in her eye. Mikel did not say anything, but merely nodded, hoping she was thinking of the same thing he was.

The young Princess Frena was another that did not stay long for the festivities, and was escorted back to her rooms whilst the night was still young. Darion was still stuffing his face, long after everyone else on the top table had finished eating, "Where do you put it all," Katria asked with a small chuckle. "No good wasting good food," he replied helping himself to more. Zack looked a little lonely sat beside the king, who seemed quite content just watching on. Several times, he looked over to where his friend was sat; hoping to catch his eye, but each time Maxim was in conversation with his father. Fortunately, Danton who was sat the other side of him seemed to notice his rather forlorn state, and started talking to him.

Melia giggled like a little girl, as she clasped tightly to Mikel's arm. In the dimness of the corridor, she pulled him to a stop, and wrapped her arms around the back of his neck pulling him closer. Without giving it further thought, Mikel leaned in and kissed her hard on the lips, as he felt his emotions finally getting the better of him. "Oh I love you Melia," he blurted out between kisses, before going in for another. He then found himself being led down the corridor, and into a room; quite whose room it was, he did not know nor did he particularly care. It was dark inside and cold, an indication that nobody was actually making use of it.