Story 11. Glorification.
That was an ordinary autumn day. Too ordinary to expect any unusual extraordinary events from it. Another morning came to the castle. Quiet and rather mild, one would say. Nothing interesting.
Gareth was rather absent-minded, trying to whisk away the sleep from his face with some cold water. The last events were mixing in his head: two horses had foaled nearly at the same time, a land-slip had happened at the old mine and people had had a narrow escape, and in addition to that a recent Orchard encounter against Marauders… His hand wavered one moment. The man winced looking at his reflection – the razor left a cut on his chin.
Then someone knocked at his door. Thinking of who could it be, Gareth pressed his handkerchief to the cut and opened.
"Good morning, Spellbinder, - the servant at the doorstep bowed, - Regents asked me to inform you they are waiting in the hall of the Council".
That was unexpected. Yesterday evening there were neither requests, nor orders; no plans from the Regents. At least he wasn't aware of them. What was so important that made them gather together early in the morning?
"On my way", - Gareth nodded, closing the door and finishing with his dressing. He still had two hours before Ashka's lesson. Whatever they had, there was enough time. Thinking so, Gareth left his room, having no idea the servant's morning appearance was taking him to the great changes…
The Regents gathered in the hall looked strange. They seemed dressed as usual, according to the rules, serious, imperturbable… but something was wrong. Observing the room and people there – Jal next to the window, with arms folded on his chest, Lukan sitting at the table, holding a rolled parchment, Tark walking nearby – Gareth realized they had been discussing something before he entered. And the discussion was not one of the pleasant.
"Good morning, Gareth, - finishing the mutual greetings, Tark made an inviting gesture, - please, home here".
The Spellbinder came closer, looking at the three of them, one by one, and having no idea yet, why were these strange pauses, as if with some guilt, these almost careful glances attracting his attention? What had happened there?
"As you know, Regent Jal has been planning to leave his post for quite a long time, - was it his imagination or did Lukan really emphasized "a long time"? – Unfortunately he has no successor. His Apprentice died a couple of years ago, so there's no one to succeed the post".
"Oh yes…, - Jal smirked, standing near the wall, - there's no one, indeed".
Tark looked at him quite unambiguously, silencing.
"We put our heads together and made a decision…", - Lukan said.
"The unanimous one", - Tark added, still looking at Jal.
"You're to become a new Council member, Gareth, - Lukan finished in a very unexceptional manner, and then unrolled the parchment, - this is your assignment letter. A signature below is required".
For a moment he thought he had misheard. That he was still daydreaming in front of the mirror, with a razor in his hand. But it was the next moment when his frozen senses thawed out, his heart somersaulted, something started drumming in his ears and his eyes widened.
"Is it… true?" – he reached the table slowly, looking at the parchment that was so close.
"As true as I am able to think straight and make right decisions, - laughing quietly, Tark nodded at the letter, - everything is in this document, read it".
Swallowing, Gareth obeyed. He had all the reasons to believe but he couldn't. That was too strange, too… unexpected? Fast? And only taking the roll in his hands, feeling two a little crumpled paper edges with his fingertips, seeing his name written in small round hand of Jal, the Head of the Council, noticing three signatures of various sizes under the text, he finally realized. There was no delusion. No dream. No fantasy. There was truth.
"The decision was unanimous, - Jal left his place near the wall, making him come back to the reality, - well, congratulations on your honorary assignment".
Holding a quill, Gareth nodded calmly, facing both this glance and the crooked smile. Regent's dislike of Gareth was long and hardly understandable. Sometimes it could almost vanish, and sometimes it was nearly visible. Child rivalry, multiplied by envy, was still bothering many years later. Gareth couldn't understand what was it in his life that made Jal being envious. Achievements? As anyone else's. Appearance? In his opinion – quite ordinary. Private life or a good teacher? Oh no, that won't do… Speaking about court career, Jal had been nimbler with it and became a Regent earlier.
However, that was the fact. The dislike was obvious. Even now, pretending he didn't get it, Gareth smiled in order to stay within the bounds of decency.
"Thank you".
Quill squeaking, ink letters, each following was making this weird truth even more obvious, an oblique monogram below his name…
"The Crowning ceremony is to take place in a week, - Tark said taking the parchment, - and then you shall enter upon your new duties, Regent Gareth".
As if half asleep he received the other two Council members' congratulations, nodding to their smiles. Jal, standing aside, pretended he was examining his nail. But no one paid attention to that. Now the Spellbinder, being somewhere in the fog between his familiar status and the one he was to take, ignored such details. Stepping behind the hall doors, he went upstairs, listening to his steps reviving echo. It seemed only now he was shaving in front of the mirror, right?
And then, walking to the next level, Gareth stopped. No, that wasn't just some truth… That was TRUTH! Something that, in Brey's opinion, he could never reach, according to the lack of tactfulness, average achievements and the foolishness never leaving the head of the Apprentice. Something he'd dreamed about but was afraid to confess. A welcome beginning of new life.
"Regent Gareth…", - the man mumbled trying this new phrase and the sound of it. Then he suddenly remembered. Ashka! He had to tell her, right now, immediately, not waiting for the lesson! Her in the first place!
Running upstairs he rushed to his Apprentice.
Perhaps he was really absent-minded that morning and was understanding the situation rather slowly. Perhaps that wasn't good, but what could he do? He had to get used to, as soon as possible, to these new things. Only later, when two levels were left behind and he knocked at the wooden door, opening, when an explanation for his early visit was followed by: "I am so happy for you!" and Ashka nearly hung on his neck and Gareth hugged her – right then the ghosts of the past did finally freed him, symbolizing the refreshing. Joy that he was decent and they understood it, that Brey had been wrong, that he had a little person nearby to share this silly bright mixture of thoughts fragments – that joy overwhelmed his soul, inspiring.
Peasants were informed, preparing for the traditional three-day celebrations. The castle was also in preparations – scarlet flags with golden Spellbinder symbols were hung out in the throne room and the ballroom. Servants were cleaning the floors, polishing the dishes and furniture. The future Head of the Council was moving into his predecessor's room, more spacious and beautiful. Spellbinders and Apprentices were preparing the ceremonial clothes for the ball after the crowning. Every Regent's glorification consisted of familiar rituals and procedures. Every time it was well-known ten steps ahead. But now all the ceremonies seemed new. Now all these rituals were about his own glorification…
"You look like a nervous Apprentice, - Ashka giggled, finishing with his powersuit bracelets polishing, - what is so special in this Regency?"
"Don't you see? – Gareth answered with his own question. - This is something one should reach out for. Power that gives you a chance to do something, to affect the events and probably change them for the better!"
"I am far from politics", - Ashka shrugged, watching the result of her work.
Gareth laughed.
"However you are to succeed my post in time, so you'd better learn now. Come here, - taking the girls hand, he bowed courteously, inviting her for a short promenade, - once Regentess Ashka will make a great court career".
"The Regentess" waved it off.
"Stop it, - she turned around, making a small hop along with her partner, - you shall think of your own glory, not mine. Tomorrow they all will gather for you! The whole day will be for you! Long live regent Gareth!"
The man finished the promenade, bowing with a hand against his chest.
"You know… What I will do right after becoming a Council member?" – his blue eyes were shining with warm cheerful sparks.
"Oh what?" – The Apprentice asked in the same manner, sitting down on a chair.
"First of all I'll let Spellbinders marry to people from another class. And bring up children from villages, if it happens so, - Gareth said enthusiastically, crossing the room in half-dance steps, - I'm fed up with these exceptions from rules. We need new rules! It's time for changing them and changing ourselves".
Ashka watched her inspired mentor looking forward to future changes.
"You are to be a wonderful Regent".
"You think so? – stopping for a moment, he looked at the girl. - Sorry, suppose, I am to vainglorious for a Regent…"
"That's not the worst of the weaknesses, - his Apprentice objected, - especially if the Regent is good".
Gareth smiled shyly.
"Oh, I'd love to be like this. Very much. Perhaps, since the very first moment I saw Regents when I was a child, - he looked at the ceiling pensively, - you know, it's like wishing for a present for all your life, dreaming of the most important. And then suddenly getting it. At first You can't believe, feel like a fool. And then realization starts leaking in tiny drops…"
Spellbinder smirked ironically.
"Maybe one day they will add a title to my name in history books as it is usually made with great Regents? – Jal would roll his eyes dramatically and raise his eyebrows effectively, hearing him. - Oh, my vainglory is woken once again…"
"They will, - Ashka said confidently, pulling a lock of his hair lightly, as when she had been a child, - and you will definitely be great…"
"…You will definitely be great…"
Trumpeters announced him appearing. Guards opened the doors. Gareth, wearing a shining powersuit, with his usually unruly hair being combed now, was walking the red carpet slowly, between two lines of Spellbinders and Apprentices. Each of them was holding right hand against the chest, greeting the future Regent.
"…That's not the worst of the weaknesses…"
Standing in the middle of the left line, Ashka was solemnly imperturbable and concentrated. But meeting the eyes of Gareth she smiled, very lightly. The way she usually smiled only to him – trusting, approvingly and warmly. Gareth felt he was also smiling.
"…Be great…"
What a long way… Next to the distant wall of the hall there were three thrones at the podium. And near them the Regents stood, wearing ceremonial satin clothes and quadrangular black hats. Tark on the right, Lukan on the left. A little further – Jal with a velvet pillow where a silver chain with medallions and a slim silver crown with rubies were lying. Ancient Regalia of Larius the Great, going with every Crowning ceremony.
"You are to be a wonderful Regent".
Gareth knew that according to his teacher's death a predecessor leaving the post had to elevate him to the throne. And Jal couldn't be happy with such a "smile of fortune" considering it too faithless and unfair. Two servants brought in the long mantle Regent was to wear. Heavy velvet folds covered Gareth's shoulders…
"…You will definitely be great…"
He knelled. Jal gave the pillow to Lukan and took the chain.
"By the power vested in me by the Regents of this land I now pronounce you new Head of the Council, - the cold chain clanked upon the metal symbol of the powersuit, - in the name of the Spellbinder Order I shall elevate you to the throne as a Regent", - the silver crown was put on his head. Gareth closed his eyes for a moment, hiding a smile. Jal's trembling nostrils after he'd put the crown almost on his forehead could clearly voice all his thoughts at this moment.
Gareth stood up.
"Let your judgments be reasonable and your deeds be fair, let your rule be successful, - with a somehow hidden pious expression, Jal stood aside, - so be it".
A bow. A bow in return. He turned to the Spellbinders and Apprentices. They did the same greeting a new Regent with bows.
He was taking the oath of allegiance. Each Spellbinder and Apprentice came to the podium, getting down on one knee, putting his hands in Gareth's. And each following "I do recognize you, Spellbinder Gareth, as the Head of the Council and a new Regent" was making his heart beating faster for some seconds. It was him who was considered a decent one, him, dreaming for all these years that maybe once he'd stand here, on this podium. Him, who hadn't been considered at all before, being too ordinary. Stupid. Silly.
Ashka went to the podium, looking at the man on the throne happily. Gareth nodded with a smile. That was the second ceremony she was seeing. The first one was Lukan crowning several years ago, when the girl went to her mentor confused by what words she was to say. The oath text was usually started with a speaker saying his or her name, then father's name. The Spellbinder had explained her that day that mothers were out of this tradition – it has developed historically this way. And being an exception Ashka was allowed to say only her name.
And so she did that time. Nobody was asking questions. Nobody considered it strange. And that's why now preparing for nearly the same text, the man flinched when she started speaking:
"I, Ashka, daughter of Gareth, for the prosperity of our country and the great Order, do recognize you, Spellbinder Gareth, as the Head of the Council and a new Regent".
Pause. Gareth froze holding Ashka's hands. Those present whispered to one another behind her back. Tark and Lukan sitting on each side – he could feel it – were watching them both. Nobody took any actions or said a word. Now it was up to him – to decide what to say and how to act.
Thawing out a little, the man nodded in good part, shaking the girl's hands gently. Smiled. She smiled in return, but not shyly as before, now it was a triumphant smile. She came back to her place. The taking of the oath was continued…
Later, when he was greeted with "Long live Regent Gareth!" for an umpteenth time, when Jal decided to disappear, owing nothing more, when the official part of the ceremony was finished, the castle residents went back to their rooms – to prepare for the ball.
"Congratulations, Regent, - Correon went to him smiling and bowing, - let me wish you every happiness in your rule…"
"…And ask what we were all witnessing, apparently, - Gareth sighed, - thank you for your wish. I swear, we didn't rehearse the oath text with her. I was also surprised and…"
"And finally, Gareth, - Correon said with no formalities, his eyes were laughing, - finally. Right now, right tonight. You have already been having this status unofficially for so many years".
There was no bewilderment, questions or any negative emotions in his look. Only kindness.
"Go to her. And don't you dare punish her for that little trick. She was the first to take a step we all expected from you".
Coming back to formalities, Correon bowed and went further, to his own room. And Gareth went to his. He was ready to doubt before their talk but now it was right. Right now, right tonight. At first he would change and then, in a more proper clothes, not in a powersuit, he would visit her…
One of the maidservants opened the door. Seeing the Regent she bowed and stepped aside.
Ashka was standing in the center of the room waiting for another maidservant to finish with the buttons on the back of her attire. That was the dress Gareth imagined once, making a sketch on the parchment. The tailor made perfection from an abstract idea, putting it into practice with slightly changed details. Black dress with a square neckline and a long train. The skirt was decorated with white embroidery – the Order symbols made with extreme accuracy.
"Thank you, girls, - waiting for the last buttons to be done, Gareth nodded to Maids, - the hairstyle is up to me".
"You look wonderful, - the Regent said honestly when the door was closed, - this dress suits you very much".
Ashka giggled, giving him a hairbrush and hairpins.
"Thank you. And I should match you, right? – she looked at his black pants, high boots and a shining black-and-blue jacket. - We are to open the ball".
"And we will open it, - taking a lock of her hair Gareth started braiding it quickly, - but I was going to speak to you about something else, actually".
"Really? About what?" – Ashka's shoulders tensed a little.
"You know about what, - he put the braid across her head, pinning, - and I want you to know I won't argue. But I have a right to feel surprised, don't I?"
"Surprised about what? – Ashka turned to him, looking into his eyes. - If it wasn't you, I'd never stood here, in this room, wearing this dress, - she nodded to her clothes, - nothing would have happened without you. I've been living in this castle for so many years; you are raising me, teaching… That is so simple".
He swallowed, putting the hairbrush and the rest of hairpins on the table.
"Why now?"
Ashka took a long lock of hair, winding it on her finger.
"I wasn't sure before, whether you want me to say like this. I am an Apprentice also, anyway, - she smirked, - and tonight… Well, consider it was a good moment. I've made a surprise… for my dad".
"I swear with my post in the Council, you succeeded, - Gareth thought, pulling Ashka closer and kissing her forehead, - my precious girl, how much time did you lose because of my foolishness?" It seemed now she was able to read all his thoughts, everything he could say…
"Yesterday you were speaking of a family, - Ashka continued, - of the fact that we should change the rules and change ourselves. Perhaps that thing made me do it. Because you were right. Now I can also talk about it. And I also want you to know something. When a title for the lifetime achievements is conferred upon Regent Gareth, that title will be "The Noble".
"Thank you, - overwhelmed with gratitude, he touched her cheek, - thank you, Ashka, for these words…"
"You deserve them, - she straightened her sleeves quickly and smoothed her hair back, - as no one else. Let's go, a Regent shouldn't be late".
And they left the room. And they opened the ball, moving slowly across the ballroom, hand in hand. And making one figure after another along with Ashka, Gareth thought how grateful he felt to his fate for the fact that once in a forest he'd chosen the right track…
END OF PART ONE.