The Four Swords

Chapter 15: Court Petitions

I walked into a still quiet house to get dressed for the day. Exhausted from the night before, my eyes longed for my pillow. They would lose their pleading battle. There was too much to do.

I debated on what to put on. My father and I would have to present ourselves to the petitions court. I knew that much, but little about the process. Royal proposals were never something that piqued my interest in my studies.

I finally decided on a light blue doublet and matching breeches. They were not my finest clothes, but my mother always said they were her favorite things I owned. Although I thought they made my sandy hair look like the beach of some pond, it was something suitable for court without having to wear a waistcoat.

As I finished getting dressed, I heard a knock at the door. Uncle John popped his head in, carefully avoiding the creaky floorboard that might awaken my siblings in the nearby rooms.

"Jack, are you ready? The court just opened." John informed me. I had heard the striking of the town clock, but I could not tell you the hour.

A nervous gurgle rose from my complaining stomach. Experiencing extreme nausea, breakfast was out of the question. " I don't know my speech" I admitted.

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To join the royal family required the approval of the petitioners court. There was a traditional petition that was required.

"Luckily, I know it by heart. Come on, we will practice on the way" John smiled for a moment before his face fell into a different expression. "Jack, you know you don't have to do this, right?"

It didn't feel like his words were true, but in my heart I knew they were. "I know." The words came out of my mouth flatly. I didn't even believe them.

John nodded, seeming to have said his peace. We then returned to the practice field to collect the others.

When we entered the castle, we were ushered to the throne room. The king and queen opened the castle for petitioners and the occasional belated well-wisher for Alina's birthday. Upon entering, Alina continued to the dais to take her place near her parents. She rarely participated in petitioning. More often than not, she would spend these days with Cali and myself. Our lives were about to change.

Cali joined the group of noble spectators. She hid her breeches behind a traveling cloak, attempting to fit in. My uncle, father and I joined the line. Ever since I changed into court appropriate finery, I had been going over my speech. To ask for Alina's hand publicly took all the courage I could find. I was terrified and there were only three petitioners left in front of me.

The man at the front of the line had on earth toned clothes that were not exactly new. His face and hands were clean and his hair had been brushed. He was obviously not used to being in the palace. He approached the dais and began his petition. I listened, trying to make sure I remembered the formality of it all.

"My gracious sovereigns. His Majesty King Caderyn, Her Majesty Queen Valerie and Her Highness Princess Alina. May you live long and your reign be fair and just. If it pleases the house of the phoenix, may I request permission to petition the court?" The man bowed at the waist awaiting the answer.

"It so pleases the throne" the king boomed

" I thank thee for listening to the petition of your humble servant." The man bowed low and began his request. Listening to him was a good distraction from my own nerves. I hung on his words as he continued.

"My name is Bartlet from the northern town of Lorcan. I farm my acreage on the outskirts of town and we do not often get travelers. The last few months, my most northern crops have been picked over before I sow them. It might sound strange, but it's only the best of the crop that seems to disappear." Bartlet paused for a moment and looked worried. Maybe he thought he sounded insane.

"I'm sorry to hear of this, Mister Bartlet. Have you asked your neighbors if they know what happened to your crops? Per chance this is a misunderstanding?" Queen Valerie chimed in with a tone to soothe the poor man.

Bartlet gave a weak smirk. The questions prodded him to continue. "The Queen is very wise. I have inquired about my crops to my neighbors and it seems that they are having similar problems. Sadly this is not the most pressing part of my petition. Three days ago, I awoke in the middle of the night to a sound of flames. When I went outside, a fire had enveloped my wheat field. It seemed strange for it to have caught so easily with how wet a season I had been having. On top of that, when I went to put it out, I saw a bright flash. The fire was mysteriously gone and the field scorched." Bartlet's face twisted into a grimace. He sounded insane and I'm sure he knew it.

The Royal family for their part looked concerned. They must take each petition seriously. Could I keep such a face? This would be my job. I would have to discern truth and enact justice. It sounds poetic. It sounds so heroic. But I have never thought of myself as the lead character in any of the poetry or epics I read. I always thought I was more suited for research or recording history. I guess I would be making history books in another way now.

"I would like to petition the throne to investigate the fire, if it pleases your Majesties and my fellow countrymen of Ensis." Bartlet bent at the waist once more in respect.

"So shall it be done. Herald, please inform the clan of Bear of this incident." King Caderyn announced and waved to dismiss an ever bowing Bartlet.

At least he was a good distraction. I stepped forward, being one step closer to an engaged man