Chapter 57
The celebrating rekindled at the reception days later, after everything had been cleaned up and taken care of. The ATA panicked once they saw that their leader, Rick, had been killed. Most of them surrendered, but a few escaped. The warriors let out a victory cry as remaining ATA members were arrested. Orion heard them as he was being carried out of the great hall by his father, but he didn’t join in. It wasn’t a victory for Orion; he had lost his brother. Thoughts of Rick, and how much time they had spent together, haunted Orion over the next few days while he was in the hospital wing. Tanya had stayed with him until he was strong enough to be healed. His parents came often, too, but Orion was still miserable. He wanted his older brother back.
After the third day, Joshua healed Orion and led him down to the great hall for Orion and Tanya’s reception. Tanya had gone earlier to get changed back into her wedding dress. Orion had been given a new wedding suit, since his old one was torn and bloody.
“Hey, buddy,” Alex said, meeting the two of them before the entrance to the great hall. He wore a grim expression as he greeted them.
“Hi, Alex,” Orion sighed, “I’m glad to see you’re alright,” Orion looked down.
“Orion,” Alex gazed sympathetically into Orion’s good eye, “I’m sorry about Rick. I know you loved him, I just...” his voice trailed off.
“It’s not your fault, Alex,” Orion met Alex’s gaze and put a hand on his friend’s shoulder, “He chose his fate. You saved my life. I owe you, big,” Orion smiled.
“That’s right,” Joshua added, “You’re a hero, Alex.”
“Yea, well,” Alex shook his head, “I don’t feel like it.”
“Why don’t we go inside?” Orion asked, grabbing both of them around the shoulders. He smiled at them, trying to hide his anguish at losing Rick, and suppress the urge to hit Alex. Alex had, after all, saved Orion’s life by taking Rick’s. Holding back the heavy, black velvet curtain that separated them from the great hall, Alex allowed Orion and Joshua in before him. Orion stepped from the hall to the platform where two thrones sat, a large one for the king, and a smaller one for the queen. The floor of the great hall was sunk below the platform, with stairs covered in red carpeting joining the two.
“His majesty,” an announcer, who had been standing in the corner of the platform startled Orion, “King Orion!” Orion stared at the announcer, confused for a moment before he remembered that he had been crowned king just before the battle took place. Cheering erupted from the great hall as the large crowd of telblecs and lunimorves alike welcomed their new king. Tanya leapt up from one of the thrones and threw her arms around Orion, her lips meeting his. Startled, Orion took a step back before wrapping his arms around her and returning the kiss.
“Orion,” the strong voice of King Frederic separated Orion and his wife. Orion turned to face his father, who was holding the large, golden crown, it’s diamonds, emeralds, and rubies sparkling. Orion closed his eyes and bowed his head as his father placed the crown on Orion’s hair and stepped back. Orion lifted his eyes to see his father beaming at him, with an arm around his mother’s waist. She was smiling and holding a tissue, tears flowing freely down her face. Orion turned back to Tanya, smiling, and mimicked his father by wrapping his arm around Tanya’s waist. He glanced over at Joshua and Alex; Joshua was standing there proudly, having been given a small, golden crown of his own to wear. Alex, on the other hand, had fallen to one knee, bowing to his new king. Orion nodded his approval, and watched as other warriors separated themselves from the crowd, each falling to one knee in front of the platform as they reached the stairs. He let his gaze travel from the warriors bowing at the stairs to the rest of the cheering crowd. He had done it. He had brought peace to a people who never knew anything but war. He had fulfilled the legend and become the Irdisae.
About the Author
C.L. Mozena lives in southeast Ohio, and has been writing for years. She has had short stories published in the local newspaper, as well as book collections of short stories. She enjoys participating in The Living Word Outdoor Drama on weekends.
Find me online at facebook and twitter!
www.CLMozena.webs.com
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