knows your country. We are all operating on legends, folktales, and accounts in history books older than Jasper is. What do you think?”
He smiled resignedly. “I think I could be of help.”
“Good lad. Now, let’s all finish this dessert because we certainly won’t be getting berry pies where we’re going.”
The King and Queen of Albion sat astride beautiful white horses. Rex, an expert at evading horses’ hooves, trotted along beside them, tongue lolling and tail wagging. The king wore his regalia, the cut and style of the tunic and trousers marking them as a military ensemble. The queen, in honor of the name of her homeland, wore a gown in shades of rose, gold, and light blue. The day was cold, but clear and bright, and the winter sunlight caught the glitter of their golden crowns.
The crowds thronged the streets of Bowerstone, cheering, tossing confetti and flowers, their faces shining with hope anddevotion to their leader. The king returned their smiles, exuding an air of confidence he did not quite feel.
Behind the royal couple rode Ben, Page, Timmins, and Shan. They, too, were greeted with adulation and approval. Finn seemed to revel in the attention, catching the odd thrown rose now and then, inhaling, and smiling at the lady who had tossed it to him. Page and Timmins, however, did not seem quite as comfortable with being, quite literally, on parade; indeed, Page’s horse seemed uncomfortable with her on his back as well.
They rode to the docks and dismounted. The horses were led onto the waiting ships while the king, Rex following, moved to a dais and podium that had been set up the previous night. He waved for the cheering to die down, then began to address his subjects.
“For seven years, I have striven to bring peace and prosperity to Albion,” he said, his clear tenor voice carrying. “To an extent, I have succeeded—thanks to the hard work and faith of you, my people. Now, a threat looms, both perhaps in Albion and in a far-distant land. Benjamin Finn and thousands of trained soldiers, along with engines of war and weapons aplenty, will be sailing to Samarkand to meet the enemy in its own lair. Know that I have the utmost faith in my lady wife, Queen Laylah, to lead you as well as I should. She will be advised by Page, whom many of you know as a woman whose passion for justice and equality helped make our revolution successful, and Captain Jack Timmins, whose military expertise is without peer and whose loyalty and insight is beyond question. You may do better with these three than you did under my solo rule!”
Friendly laughter rippled through the crowd. The king let it linger for a moment, then sobered.
“I will do everything in my power to stop this evil, and to protect Albion and all those who dwell here. With your support, weembark today on the noblest of crusades. And we will return victorious!”
Enthusiastic cheering went up. He waved and stepped back, then glanced down at Rex. His gut twisted when he realized that he couldn’t take his old friend—literally,
old
friend. He had been warned that Samarkand had freezing nights and scalding days. Rex was over a decade old, of an age where he liked warm fires and soft pillows. To take him into so harsh an environment would be wrong. Rex had earned a comfortable retirement.
“I’m sorry,” the king said. “You’ll have to stay behind.”
Rex lifted his black ears, his brown eyes soulful, and whimpered. The king patted his head.
“Stay, Rex. Stay with me,” came a soft voice. It belonged to Laylah. The king rose and regarded her. She looked every inch a true queen, calm and confident, but he saw tears she refused to shed filling her eyes. Impulsively he swept her into his arms and gave her a deep, loving kiss. He heard Timmins clearing his throat, Ben saying, “Yes!” and the crowd going wild. The exotic love affair of their king and the beautiful maiden of Aurora had been very popular, and it seemed that they would
He smiled resignedly. “I think I could be of help.”
“Good lad. Now, let’s all finish this dessert because we certainly won’t be getting berry pies where we’re going.”
The King and Queen of Albion sat astride beautiful white horses. Rex, an expert at evading horses’ hooves, trotted along beside them, tongue lolling and tail wagging. The king wore his regalia, the cut and style of the tunic and trousers marking them as a military ensemble. The queen, in honor of the name of her homeland, wore a gown in shades of rose, gold, and light blue. The day was cold, but clear and bright, and the winter sunlight caught the glitter of their golden crowns.
The crowds thronged the streets of Bowerstone, cheering, tossing confetti and flowers, their faces shining with hope anddevotion to their leader. The king returned their smiles, exuding an air of confidence he did not quite feel.
Behind the royal couple rode Ben, Page, Timmins, and Shan. They, too, were greeted with adulation and approval. Finn seemed to revel in the attention, catching the odd thrown rose now and then, inhaling, and smiling at the lady who had tossed it to him. Page and Timmins, however, did not seem quite as comfortable with being, quite literally, on parade; indeed, Page’s horse seemed uncomfortable with her on his back as well.
They rode to the docks and dismounted. The horses were led onto the waiting ships while the king, Rex following, moved to a dais and podium that had been set up the previous night. He waved for the cheering to die down, then began to address his subjects.
“For seven years, I have striven to bring peace and prosperity to Albion,” he said, his clear tenor voice carrying. “To an extent, I have succeeded—thanks to the hard work and faith of you, my people. Now, a threat looms, both perhaps in Albion and in a far-distant land. Benjamin Finn and thousands of trained soldiers, along with engines of war and weapons aplenty, will be sailing to Samarkand to meet the enemy in its own lair. Know that I have the utmost faith in my lady wife, Queen Laylah, to lead you as well as I should. She will be advised by Page, whom many of you know as a woman whose passion for justice and equality helped make our revolution successful, and Captain Jack Timmins, whose military expertise is without peer and whose loyalty and insight is beyond question. You may do better with these three than you did under my solo rule!”
Friendly laughter rippled through the crowd. The king let it linger for a moment, then sobered.
“I will do everything in my power to stop this evil, and to protect Albion and all those who dwell here. With your support, weembark today on the noblest of crusades. And we will return victorious!”
Enthusiastic cheering went up. He waved and stepped back, then glanced down at Rex. His gut twisted when he realized that he couldn’t take his old friend—literally,
old
friend. He had been warned that Samarkand had freezing nights and scalding days. Rex was over a decade old, of an age where he liked warm fires and soft pillows. To take him into so harsh an environment would be wrong. Rex had earned a comfortable retirement.
“I’m sorry,” the king said. “You’ll have to stay behind.”
Rex lifted his black ears, his brown eyes soulful, and whimpered. The king patted his head.
“Stay, Rex. Stay with me,” came a soft voice. It belonged to Laylah. The king rose and regarded her. She looked every inch a true queen, calm and confident, but he saw tears she refused to shed filling her eyes. Impulsively he swept her into his arms and gave her a deep, loving kiss. He heard Timmins clearing his throat, Ben saying, “Yes!” and the crowd going wild. The exotic love affair of their king and the beautiful maiden of Aurora had been very popular, and it seemed that they would
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