Dawn was greeted with the sound of trumpets, the announcement of a new king. The people began to gather out in the square, and I wrapped Joshua in a blanket and brought him out to hear the announcement. Most were groggily finding their way through the streets, some of the old men still fighting off their drunkenness. I, however, had already been awake. A hush fell over the crowd as the vizier stepped out onto the royal balcony. He unrolled a scroll, an unnecessary but formal action.
"Ahem. Last night, whilst a storm covered the moon, a vile assassin snuck into our palace, disabling the king's guards. He managed to get into the king's bedroom and mortally wound him. The king is dead. In his final moments, King Tansigero named his replacement, and we have obliged. Bow before your new king, Tyrl Kevander. The king is dead; long live the king!"
A shy-looking gentleman with a thick brown mustache and the kingly garments stepped onto the balcony, at which point the entire square knelt.
"Long live the king!" echoed through the square a thousand times. I knelt with them, but this was not out of respect for King Kevander. Things had not gone according to plan, and there was going to be hell to pay. The shy new king raised his hands for the people to stop professing their love. As silence fell once again, he cleared his throat.
"Thank you for your love and respect. I am quite honored and, honestly, quite surprised at this turn of events. But, I vow to be a good king, to lead you through these troubling times, and bring our kingdom to victory against Bazallyn!"
The crowd erupted into cheers. I cheered with them, but I could feel panic growing in my chest. Joshua began to cry, giving me a wonderful excuse to leave the square. I walked trembling back to my cottage. Once inside, I hurriedly locked the door and bolted the shutters.
"Reesa, how good to see you!"
I yelped and swung around. I was too late. Midal Asafan sat lounging in my rocking chair. "My lord, you startled me."
Asafan let out a chuckle. "Apologies, I wouldn't want you to drop the baby. How old is he now?"
"Seven months."
"Ah," Asafan stood and walked over to me. "May I?"
I hesitated, but then quickly remembered that Asafan does not like to be denied. Reluctantly I relinquished Joshua to him. "Hello there," Asafan's voice took on a disgustingly sweet sound. He cooed at the baby, who giggled, having forgotten what had made him cry moments earlier.
"You seem like a very strong boy. Are you going to be an assassin like mother dearest? Here's a little something to get you started."
Asafan pulled out a tiny dagger, more of a dart than anything. He placed it in Joshua's hands, who gripped it and shook it like a rattle. He handed Joshua back to me. I wanted to pry the dagger from his hands but I knew Asafan would react negatively.
"You have made errors, Reesa."
"I am aware."
"The king was not to be left alive long enough to elect a successor. Then it would've gone to our benefactor. But he chose that no name Kevander, and it is entirely your fault."
"Yes, I'm sorry."
"Sorry doesn't change anything. Fix it."
"How?"
"I don't know. But one thing is certain. You will find a way to get Frago Anaximander on that throne, or we will be short a young assassin."
Asafan eyed the baby one final time and stepped out the door, leaving me with my thoughts and my child, who might not be alive much longer.
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