The Queen sat beside the dying King "Shhhhh…." She whispered when the man tried to speak. "No" he breathed out "My brothers…..eldest son…..shall be…..the future King…..that is my last wish…."he breathed, eyes fogging over "I love you…..Elizabeth…..I always have….." the King mouthed breathing his last breath. The Queen stared at the King for a moment, tears welling up in her eyes. She stood and pushed past the Kings door to the hallway where the Jack and a few others were waiting. She gazed around at them, until her eyes landed on the Jack. "Bring the carriage around we must now find our replacements, and the future King" she said determined.
The Jack nodded "Yes, you're Highness" he said, and then turned to look pointedly at a servant to do it for him. The servant tensed and rushed off, leaving the others. "If I may remind you my Queen, have we not picked the families our replacements are already coming from?" he asked with a confused grin. She nodded, graying hair swishing "We have chosen families, but it seems our beloved King had already chosen his brothers child"
The Jacks eyes softened "Yes, we will go choose and find this boy shall we not?" he asked with a glint of mischief. The Queen nodded in silent agreement "Let us be on our way" she said and with that the two of them were off.
Alfred climb higher, hand reaching out to grab the fluffy-or maybe fat- white cat with a black ring around its neck. "Com` here kitty" he cooed softly in a thick accent, the cat realizing he was here to help it jumped into the boys arms. Alfred gave a big grin, and began to climb his way down from the tall tree.
He landed on the ground, and looked up to see two women, and his brother watching with smiles on their faces. "That was great!" Matthew laughed quietly "Al it the best when it comes to animals, huh Mrs. Brooks?" he said with a tug of the other women's dress. Mrs. Brooks gave a soft smile "yes, I suppose he is" she said voice filled with amusement and the brothers. She turned to the brothers mom, and with a bigger smile said "His 15th birthday is coming up, why don't you let him keep the cat as a present?" she asked their mother.
The boys turned to stare at their mom with hopeful eyes, making her laugh lightly "only is Alfie keeps it nice and healthy!" she laughed. Alfred nodded "His name will be America!" he called out randomly. Matthew gave him a funny look "Why America, Al?" he asked quietly. "Cause it sounds like a hero's name!" Alfred proclaimed loudly. Their mother shook her head in amusement for her sons 'Well lets go to town we need to get some things, and a collar for Hero" she said with a small giggle.
Alfred smiled at her, and took off at a break-neck pace down the hill with the large kitten on his shoulder-were it now claimed to be its place on the boy.- and Matthew trailing not far behind. Their mother turned and thanked Mrs. Brooks and then quickly followed her sons not wanting them to get lost or hurt.
It took some time to get to the small town, because they were tens and lived in the farmlands. Together they soon reached the pet shop, and were looking at collars for the kitten when a large trumpet sounded. They all stood up simultaneously, collar forgotten, made their way to the main street of the little town and the large stage that had been set up with the Spades flag flying high on it, and the colors of red, white and blue for their territories colors hung across the stage. They morphed with the crowd on their journey there, and soon made it to the stage standing near the back with other farmers that had come to town.
The Governor of the small town was standing next a podium, that had a strong looking women up there with high cheek bones, and red hair (yet her hair was graying with age) She looked around at the people then said loudly "I am looking for the son of Face Card Ace Jones" she said. Alfred gulped, and slowly made his way forward, mother and brother close behind. "That is, we" Matthew said softly looking up at the women from their now front view spots.
She looked down on them with a sneer "I need your eldest son, he is to take the thrown at the Kings wishes" she informed the small family. Alfred and Matthew both turned to their mother, a look of confusion on their faces. Their mother gulped "Al-Alfred is oldest" she murmured. Alfred's blue eyes widened "yes he does have his father's royal blue eyes" the Queen mused, eyes still not hiding her slight disgust at the sight of the three. Alfred gulped then looked once more at the Queen "Soo….?" He said head tipped to the side slightly.
"You will come with me to the palace to begin your training" The Queen said green eyes bored. "And we must be on our way soon, so let us go now we will get you all new clothes and education" Alfred looked at his mother sadness washing over him, he opened his mouth to decline but his mother beat him to it "He will accept" she deadpanned.