Epilogue Chapter 146: Crowd Control

Brendan Devark sat in the high back chair that was far too large for him, and looked out at the sea of Troivackian nobility that gazed up at him. Their faces were pale, and grim. Ever since news of their defeat in Daxaria and the death of the King, there had been great unrest amongst them.

“Do you, Prince Brendan Devark, swear to uphold Troivackia’s strength and discipline?” the official magistrate’s sonorous voice echoed somberly through the throne room.

“I do,” the seven year old child managed to reply without stammering.

“Do you swear to be a role model for your people, to rule firmly but fairly, with the true heart and courage befitting the King of Troivackia?”

“I do.”

The magistrate stepped forward and crossed the child’s brow with frankincense oil.

“Do you swear to uphold the dignity and responsibility of your forebears from this day forward as Troivackia’s King?”

The Prince was then handed the heavy iron scepter his father had wielded, its top melded with gold shaped as flames, as the golden crown with a thin band of iron set in its center winding its way around the circumference, was rested upon his head.

“I do.”

“By the power vested in me by the nobility of Troivackia, and the Goddess herself, I declare you, Brendan Devark the First, King of Troivackia!”

The room remained in a hush for a brief moment.

Brendan stared out into the faces of his people, and pointedly avoided glancing at his mother, who was holding his younger brother, Henry in her arms.

The faint echo of the back row of nobles stomping their feet in unison at the back of the room fluttered through the bodies. Followed by the second row… then the third… then the fourth… it carried on until the most powerful nobles that stood at his feet joined the steady beat.

Only when the sound of hundreds of pounding feet filled the entire room, thrumming heavily with Brendan’s heartbeat, they all raised their right hands to their hearts, and pressed their left fists to the air.

The chant “RA, RA, RA, RA, RA!” began as though the two hundred or so people called with one voice, the intensity of the shout building until it was overwhelming.

Brendan eyes shifted to over their heads towards the great doors that stood open. Outside them was sunlight shining through the stained glass window of the image of the Goddess, the Green Man, and their children.

It was then he realized the power he was given… the power he was meant to manage and master as his father had…

It was then he also realized that during his journey, he would be alone.

Glancing at long last to his mother, Brendan felt his insides quake to see her, the only woman allowed in the hall for the moment, was curtsied to the ground behind her guards before her son.

Henry was the only one who met his gaze, yet all the three year old did at that moment was smile happily up at his brother.

Somehow, this made Brendan want to cry as every inch of him squirmed to stay in control… To not let his inner trembling be seen. So instead, he turned back to the nobles, and grit his teeth.

The heavy luxurious cloak made out of the hide of a bear and white wolf was too large, and awkward. The scepter in his hand was beginning to make his arm ache, but that only made him grip onto it harder.

When the shouts and stomps grew until it was absolutely deafening, the new King raised his free hand to silence them.

“My people,” he began, shouting so that everyone- even those in the back of the room could hear.

‘Father’s voice could always be heard… why is it so hard for me to be louder…?’ the anguished whisper in his head wondered for a moment before reciting the speech his advisors had helped him write.

“I have much to learn, and there is much growing I need to do, but I will grow with Troivackia. I will bring it back onto its feet until it stands taller than any great tree or mountain!”

The loud shouts and applause thundered in response.

“My father once told me…”

‘Why does my throat feel so tight…?’

“That… it is our duty as men to help one another grow strong! Well, I need your help for now, but soon, I will be your strength!”

Once again the hall burst out into fierce cheers.

Then, with his arms shaking, Brendan reached to his side where his sword hung, and drew it out so that its tip pointed to the heavens. The scepter raised in the air as the earth shook from the yells and stomps from his people's show of support.

Brendan could feel their voracious need, strength, greed, love, fear, hatred, and ambition fill his blood and veins. The souls of his people consumed him whole, leaving him swirling about in their endless abyss without any sense of where to turn or how to move in the right direction.

His face lifted to the heavens, his arms feeling as though they were on fire, a lone tear escaped the corner of his eye that none of the souls that had already devoured him ever noticed.

***

“Lady Laurent…”

“A slight inclination is required, Viscount. I am after all the wife of your political superior.”  

Fin let out an anguished sigh before pinching the bridge of his nose. “Lady Laurent, I understand you are to be my etiquette instructor; however… what are they all doing here?” he asked while gesturing towards the rows and rows of chairs filled with a strange array of women from every class in the banquet hall.

“Well, as you know the Coven of Wittica negotiated that a select few of their members would also be instructed as they will be setting up offices in our great cities.”

The Viscount nodded towards three of the women present that he knew to be Coven members.

“Yes, but… there are at least… thirty women here in total,” he observed dryly.

“Well, we are going to have you practice by greeting all of us to make sure you get it right,” one woman Fin thought looked vaguely familiar blurted as she stood up a little too hastily and made her chair scrape loudly against the stone floor.

The other women surrounding her all were quick to agree, though there was a touch of blush on more than just a few faces.

“I see…”

Fin shifted uncomfortably in his seat in front of the audience, and was starting to feel his ears begin to burn when the banquet room doors opened, and in stepped Mr. Howard.

“Lady Laurent, I received your missive and I-” the assistant stopped dead in his tracks as thirty heads swiveled to stare at him with a discerning glint in their eyes.

Freezing like an animal caught in the sights of a predator, the man took a moment to regard the number of noblewomen, maids, and witches present… and then his eyes rested on Finlay who sat with his arms crossed, his ankle over his knee, and an equally stricken expression on his face.

“Lady Laurent, you… sent for me?” Mr. Howard ventured carefully into the room, stepping around the group of women.

“Yes, I did. Thank you for joining us, I’m sure you are busy preparing to leave so I won’t keep you past the dining hour.”

“The dining hour?! My Lady, I have to-”

“Help Lord Ashowan learn proper court decorum! Soon he will be left without your prestigious guidance, and many of us courtiers will be leaving with his majesty, and will not be able to help the Viscount with his education!”

Mr. Howard looked to Fin, his face pale as the Lady Laurent descended upon him and tugged him forward in front of everyone.

“Now, if you could please take a seat next to Lord Ashowan, and observe as he greets each of us. We would greatly appreciate your male perspective as he does so,” the Earl’s wife explained primly, without a trace of guilt on her face.

Mr. Howard glanced at Fin as he seated himself, and noticed the witch’s eyes were closed as though he were trying to fall asleep to get out of the current situation.

“Why did you let them do this?” the assistant muttered through clenched teeth while bobing his head subserviently to the noblewoman.

“I had no idea they were doing this. Let’s just try to suffer through the next three hours the best we can.”

“Three hours?!” Mr. Howard began to launch himself out of his chair only to have Fin’s hand snap out and stop him by pressing against his chest.

There was a collective gasp amongst the women, and both Fin and Mr. Howard grew rigid as they slowly turned their attention to their audience. There were several blushing faces, and smiles being hidden behind demure hands.

“Oh Gods… I will have to really kill you this time…” the assistant uttered while sounding as though he had been punched in the gut.

“Let’s just get this over with. Be as professional as possible and we might get out of here alive,” Fin managed to communicate through clenched teeth and a fake polite smile towards the Lady Laurent who had finally finished situating herself on the chair opposite them.

“Wonderful, now that we have an extra set of eyes to help us, Lord Ashowan, when you greet an Earl, Count, or Marquess, you will lower yourself like so,” the Lady demonstrated a slight regal bow. “A Duke like this,” her bow deepened. “Of course you already know to greet the King, but just to be certain,” she bowed even more deeply.

“Ah, yes. What she is demonstrating is that you are only above Barons, Knights, and commoners. The Dukes, Earls, Counts, and Marquess’ of the kingdom are higher ranking than yourself. Even though the original Viscount Jenoure was offered to become an Earl, he refused as he was offered the title while his first wife was ill. His majesty made the same offer to you after the war; however-” Mr. Howard was beginning to turn his chastizing tone onto Fin, who was rolling his eyes in response.

There were a series of excited whispers that fluttered throughout the room that had the two men stopping their interaction immediately.

“Oh, for the love of-” Mr. Howard was suddenly interrupted when the banquet hall doors once again opened.

“Pardon the intrusion, My Lord, but- oh!” Peter had stepped into the room, Tam cradled in his arms was whimpering with fat tears rolling down his olive colored cheeks. However when the aide gazed about the banquet hall and noticed the unexpected crowd he immediately bowed before them.

“I did not realize there was a meeting, I will bother the Viscount another time.”

“Peter, it’s fine. Do you need me to take Tam?” the redhead stood, blatantly ignored the starry gazes that followed him across the room, and took his son into his arms with practiced ease.

Smiling, the aide looked up at Fin who had already set to gently bouncing Tam in his arms. “Any time he gets bored he immediately needs to go to a new room, but I’m in the middle of taking care of dinner, so I-”

“Not a problem, thank you for bringing him to me. Is Katarina still alright with Hannah?”

“Oh yes, the two seem to get along famously,” Peter chuckled and Fin grinned back. He had to admit his daughter and the young blonde aide seemed to be kindred spirits…

A strained cough from behind Fin, had him turning around to notice Mr. Howard was the color of a beet with the women in a tizzy as they watched the exchange and immediately began commenting and gossiping in slightly louder voices.

“What’s wrong with them?” Peter whispered with a note of fear.

The Viscount let out an annoyed grunt. “Lady Laurent, would it perhaps be possible for us to postpone the lesson? I’d like to try and get Tam to go to sleep and-”

“He’s already asleep!” a maid burst out excitedly pointing giddily at the infant in the redhead’s arms that was, indeed, fast asleep.

Lady Laurent cast the maid a warning glance before turning back to the Viscount.“I believe, Lord Ashowan, we will be perfectly fine to continue the lesson if we all remain quiet.”

Fin looked around at the eager faces fixated on him. Then glanced to Mr. Howard who appeared to be on the verge of tears, then over to Peter who seemed blissfully unaware but deeply confused.

Dropping his chin to his chest for a brief moment, he finally lifted his chin.

“Alright, I think this has run its course. I am not gay. Nor have I ever been gay, or been in love with Mr. Howard or Peter.”

The aide at his side went rigid and his cheeks pinkened.

Mr. Howard sat back in his chair, and let out a long liberating breath of relief.

The women all sat frozen to their seats for a brief moment. There was no emotion on their faces, nor any movement.

For a moment, Fin worried they would become an angry bloodthirsty mob as the tension in the room swiftly rose to stifling levels…

“Lord Ashowan, I… am not sure why you are making such an announcement during our lesson, but rest assured we are all very aware of how much you love the Viscountess,” Lady Laurent interjected while looking innocently perplexed and awkward.

Blushing ever so slightly, Fin bowed to her. “My apologies, if I’ve made things strange. I would like to find a place for Tam to finish his nap, however, so I will return after finding his mother. Pardon me.”

With a final bow, the redhead left the room with Peter trailing behind him unable to look at any of the women staring up at him.

The Lady Laurent let out a long breath, her shoulders slumping forward ever so slightly the moment the banquet hall doors had firmly shut.

“Ah… forgive Lord Ashowan, Lady Laurent. He means well, I think it just goes to show how much he requires your tutelage.” Mr. Howard straightened in his seat and gave a dignified sniff.

Lady Laurent’s eyes fluttered open, right as another wave of whispers echoed out amongst the women.

“...apologizing for him!”

“So sweet…”

“...Unrequited!”

The Earl’s wife smoothed her skirts, as a new expression morphed her features of deep understanding.

“My apologies, Mr. Howard. That was insensitive of me. I’m sure you are equally upset by his thoughtless words.”

Mr. Howard’s jaw fell open. “N-No! Th-That isn’t- wait! H-He said…” that was when the assistant realized that while Fin had declared his own sexuality, he had expertly omitted his fellow victims’ details.

“That magnificent bastard,” Mr. Howard growled under his breath.

Lady Laurent’s hand flew to her chest as her eyes belied her shared pain. “Now, now, dear. Name calling won’t make you feel better.”

Looking to the skies as though waiting for divine beings to smite him, all the assistant could bring himself to say was,

“Son of a mage.”