The Four Swords

Chapter 16: More Petitions

The next petitioner approached the dais. He was in finery but seemed uncomfortable. I could relate.

The cap that he held in his hand had a wide brim. He unknowingly gave away that he was not a courtier. The merchants in the city market wore hats as such to keep the noonday's sun off their faces. I should have come to more petitioning days at court. I never knew I had a knack for spotting different kinds of countrymen. I listened intently again at the greeting I would soon mimic.

"Gracious sovereigns. King Caderyn, Queen Valerie and Princess Alina. Wait!" The man's eyes panicked. " I mean 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 breach in decorum made this poor man look sick. He finished the second half of the petitioner's script with such speed, it could scarcely be understood. Certain members of the court turned up their noses.

I looked over at Cali. The nobleman next to her sneered at the petitioner. His lips formed unkind words. I don't think she heard a word of what either man said. Her gaze was intensely focused on me. Her eyes softened as she registered my look.

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Before we left my home, my father had to basically pry the practice sword from her hand to save his dummy. The sword would probably need to be retired from all the trauma it sustained, or at least see the blacksmith. Maybe she was fighting for me. That warmed my heart, amazed at what a dear friend I had in her.

My thoughts were interrupted by Alina's sweet tone. "Good sir, it pleases me to hear your petition. And if we are to be called gracious, then we mustn't easily take offense at the unintended and innocent errors" Alina spoke for her family. She really was gracious.

The man's flushed face, relaxed. " I thank thee for listening to the petition of your humble servant." The man relaxed and started telling the royals of his grievance. I did not catch his name. It was something about taxes being inconsistent in different towns where he sold his wares. I tried to listen. Alina, however, held my attention.

These petitions would be part of our life together. Maybe my nose always being in a book would not be such a bad thing. I had read law books when nothing else piqued my interest on a particular day. I looked at Alina's deep blue eyes. Did she know all the laws that pertained to petitioners? Would we be learning these things together? Maybe I wouldn't be such a bad king after all.

I'm glad Alina was so kind to the man. Maybe if I made a fool of myself as well, the King and Queen would be just as kind. At least the King should understand how rushed this all has been.

"So shall it be done. Herald, please send notice henceforth that all tax collectors in every town shall make their books available for audit at the request of the citizenry." The king announced and dismissed the merchant. My stomach churned. Only one more petitioner before my turn.

A lady with dark hair, green eyes and simple clothes approached the dais. She dressed simply and seemed almost unremarkable. If asked to recall her face later on, I'm not sure I could.

"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?" She had a hint of an accent that I could not place.

Whenever she pronounced a vowel, the sound lasted a moment too long and her sentences seemed slightly sing-song, ending in a dramatic stop. To the causal observer, it might just be nerves, but for some reason this struck me as funny. Maybe it is just my own nerves looking for others' imperfections.

"It so pleases the throne" the king responded. If it were possible for the king to sit up straighter, he did. He locked eyes with me for a moment, noticing me for the first time. The corner of his mouth tickled into an almost undetectable smirk. He knew why I was there. My heart started to race. Did I always sweat this much? Was it possible for a person to melt?

"I thank thee for listening to the petition of your humble servant. I am seeking a position of employment in the city. I was the kitchen maid for a wealthy trading family who live in Sully. Unfortunately, the family has fallen on tough times with the death of the father and eldest son. I was relieved of my position..."

The woman went on, but I could not focus. Suddenly I was feeling numb. I didn't even give myself a day to think on this ridiculous plan before I traded in my future. Any confidence I had was gone. Maybe I should just leave. I tried to turn my body but I felt frozen in place.

I couldn't do that to Alina. I haven't spoken yet and even though only a few people would know I rejected her, it would still be embarrassing. Would the shame of rejection be better than a lifetime decided on a whim? Surely a day of a delay would not matter. My thoughts were cut short.

"So shall it be done. The head maid will grant you an interview. I hope your skills and temperament are a good fit for the castle. I'm sure if there is a position nearby that is a better fit, our head maid will know." The Queen smiled reassuringly.

The woman followed a servant away from the petitioner's line. Suddenly there was no line between me and the dais.