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The Glass Horse:
The Death of a Legend (Part 1)
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My grandfather's death was just as swift an unexpected as my father's. It happened during my third year as a squire. My knight master was a cousin, Sir Gilmyn of Naxen. We stayed in Corus for most of the year, but each summer we spent a few glorious months in Naxen.

I found the palace to be quite stifling at times. I was eager to learn about the running of the kingdom, of course, since that was my fate, but sometimes I longed to hop on my horse and ride for days.

The summers at Naxen put fresh wind in my sails. They meant a respite from everyday life. Of course, there was still work to do to keep Naxen running smoothly, but I also had the freedom to fish or swim in the lake on whim, or hunt in the forest, or take one of my favorite early-morning rides. I couldn't do any of these things without an entourage in Corus, and I think Cousin Gil understood that. I'm positive that I still had guards looking out for me, but Gil made sure they stayed unseen, and that was good enough for me.

…..

One night in August I was shaken from my slumber by a maid. "Princess, you must come quickly!" she whispered urgently. "Your uncle wishes to see you. He's with Sir Gilmyn in his office."

She thrust a robe at me, and I tied it quickly over my nightgown, wondering vaguely which uncle she was speaking of. I was barefoot, but I hardly noticed, so shaken was I from the maid's odd behavior. As we passed the desk in my room, I pocketed my glass horse. Running my fingers over the smooth glass always helped me calm down.

When I entered Cousin Gil's office, he and my Uncle Jasson were speaking in hushed tones. They stopped abruptly when they saw me. I knew by the looks on their faces that something was gravely wrong.

"What's going on?" I asked tentatively. The two men looked at each other before Uncle Jasson spoke.

"Lia, your grandfather had a heart attack earlier today."

"Is he alright?" I asked.

"I really don't know much," Uncle Jasson told me. "The message I got told me that he'd had a heart attack, and that I should stop here on my way home to escort you. They also said that he'd asked Barira to become the Voice of the Tribe."

That was the part that worried me the most. Uncle Jasson's beautiful Bazhir wife was more than capable of being the Voice of the Tribe, but if Grandfather felt it was necessary to give that part of himself away, how bad was he feeling? I spoke this concern to my uncle and knight master.

"Perhaps it is part of the treatment?" Sir Gil suggested. "Maintaining as much magic as it takes to be the Voice must put a lot of strain on him."

"Perhaps," Uncle Jasson said, taking a swig of the brandy that had been placed before him. "I keep asking any god who will listen to protect him."

"So mote it be," I said, hoping they were listening. "When do we leave for Corus?"

"Right away," Uncle Jasson said.

At the same moment, Cousin Gil said, "We can be ready at first light." Uncle Jasson looked as though he was about to protest, but Gil continued. "You need to get some rest, Jasson. The least we could do is let you spend what's left of the night in a comfortable bed."

"A few hours won't make that big a difference, not in the long run," I said, reading the weariness on my uncle's face. I knew that he was anxious about his wife as much as his father. "The best healers and mages in the world are in Corus."

"Gods, you remind me of your father sometimes," Jasson said with a wry smile.

"Really?" I asked, smiling brightly. The world could be falling down around me, and I would still be happy to hear someone compare me to my da.

"Yes. He was always looking out for the rest of us, just like you."

I was nearly brought to tears by the compliment. "Thank you. I still miss him so dearly. It's lovely to hear that I'm like him." Uncle Jasson nodded.

"I know that this must be terrifying for you, Lia," he said. "I wish your father was here to guide us through it, but since he's not, I want to tell you something: whether this is the time, or it's not for years to come, you are going to be a great Queen. You were born to do this, and you will do well."

"Thank you," I said again, refusing to think about that in more detail. "And thank you for coming to get me." Uncle Jasson gave me a brief hug, then looked to Cousin Gil.

"We'll leave at first light."

…..

The two-day ride to Corus was miserable. It rained a good deal of the way, and every inch of me was wet and muddy just minutes after setting off. I was never so happy to sleep at an inn as I was that first night.

The second night we were too near to Corus to stop, so we kept riding until we reached the city gates. Uncle Jasson had been able to use his Gift to send a message ahead of us and had a carriage waiting at the gates.

Normally I despised traveling by carriage when I could be out in the fresh air, but this time I was all too happy to climb inside. For one, I could dry off. I would also enjoy being away from the prying eyes of anyone who was out and about the city in this weather.

To my surprise, my mother was inside the carriage, talking to Aunt Barira. Ten years ago, my Uncle Jasson had ridden off into the southern desert. When he returned, he was not only a warrior of the Golden Sandcat tribe of the Bazhir, but he was also married to the headman's youngest daughter. Barira Judar had been the talk of the palace for years after she married my uncle. I had always admired her for her wit and integrity. While my other aunts and uncles still treated me like a child, Aunt Barira had always spoken to me as an equal.

Now she greeted me with a smile. "Hello, Princess. Would you like a towel?"

"I can't imagine why I would need one, in this lovely weather?" I said, trying to keep my voice light. Mother crossed the carriage to sit beside me, fussing with my wet hair, and mumbling about how it wouldn't do for me to catch cold. She piled blankets on my lap, vowing to find me some dry clothes the second we arrived at the palace.

Uncle Jasson poked his head inside the carriage. "Ready in here? We should be carrying on to-" he stopped mid-sentence when his eyes beheld his wife. His shoulders grew visibly less slumped, as though he'd been carrying a boulder on his back, and someone had suddenly removed it. He conversed briefly with Gilmyn and the rest of our escort, then climbed into the carriage with us.

"How did the ceremony go?" he asked, taking her arm to see the new scar she had acquired in the ceremony that transferred the power from my grandfather to her. I didn't hear her answer. My eyes were transfixed on the scar that my uncle's fingers were tracing. The dark, smooth line ran up her arm from wrist to inner elbow.

What's more, Aunt Barira looked more powerful. I wished I could feel celebratory- she was the first woman who had ever become the Voice of the Tribe for the Bazhir, after all. But I couldn't bring myself to be happy. It was proof that my dear, sweet grandfather was as gravely ill as they said.

I do not know how many times Mother called my name before she touched my arm, startling me from my thoughts. Slowly I met her eyes.

"Are you alright?" she asked. I nodded, glancing back at Barira's scar.

"This is really happening, isn't it?" I asked. Mother looked me over.

"Yes, Darling," she said. "It's very dire."

"Barira was just saying that Father came through the transfer ceremony alright, but he's weak," Jasson told me gently.

"I half thought the ceremony would kill him. He was that weak," Barira said.

"You'll want to steel yourselves before we arrive," Mother told us. "Duke Baird and Sir Nealan have been pouring everything they can into healing him. So has the Lioness."

"I'd expect no less," Jasson said. "How is Mother?"

"Queen Thayet is putting on a brave face for everyone," Barira said. "She is anxious to see you and the princess."

"Let's not keep her waiting any longer than we must," I said.

…..

When we reached the palace, Mother insisted that I change. She'd set out a blue gown with a matching over robe. Of course it's a dress, I said, briefly mourning the loss of the comfortable tunic and leggings I donned most days at Naxen. Then I berated myself for worrying about something as trivial as clothing at a time like this. I sent a spark of my Gift into my hair, instantly drying it so I could run a comb through it. I threw it into a quick braid, tucking the ends up into a crown at the base of my neck.

I opened my door to find my brother waiting for me on the other side. I should have been overjoyed to see Kazu, but his presence in the royal wing when he should have been with the pages was another reminder of the dire situation we were facing. He gave me a quick hug, then told me.

"I've been sent to fetch you. The healers want to give us an update," he said, studying the carpet as we walked.

"How are you? Are you alright?" I asked, glancing at my brother. Kazu was only eleven, after all. Our father was gone before he was born, and he'd never experienced any other loss. I even couldn't think of a time when he'd been to a funeral.

"It's going to be okay, right?" Kazu asked, his walk slowing. I pulled my little brother into a hug.

"I don't know," I whispered.

…..

The family was all gathered in the antechamber. Uncle Liam and his wife, Princess Embla from Scanra sat with Uncle Jasson and Aunt Barira. Between them all there were five children, but they must have been abed- the hour was ungodly late. Aunt Vania was in the window seat, chanting prayers to the Goddess. My mother beckoned Kazu and I over to sit by her. I did as I was bid, trying not to notice how worried everyone looked.

"Baird and Nealan came out to talk to us, but the Lioness and your Grandmother called them back inside," Mother said quietly. She'd learned as a child to hide her emotions away, but I could tell that this was straining her. Her fingers worried at her wedding band, as they often did when she was feeling sad about Da. How could she not be reliving his death? I had spent countless hours remembering it over the last two days.

Unconsciously, my own hand dipped into my pocket, clutching that little glass horse again.

It seemed like hours dragged by before the door to my grandfather's chamber opened again. When it did, the Lioness burst from the room, tears streaming down her face. She looked pale and gaunt, as if she had poured most of herself into her magic. She stumbled weakly through the room. From where I sat, I could see her collapse in her husband's arms in the hallway.

Duke Baird and his son came out next. They were both somber. The room was silent as they glanced around at the family, struggling to figure out what to say to us. Uncle Nealan made eye contact with me at last, and that's when I knew it in my heart- my grandfather was gone.

Uncle Neal came to me and dropped to his knees at my feet. Duke Baird bowed from where he was. "Long live the queen," they both said. Half of the family gasped, and the rest burst into tears, but they all bowed and repeated the phrase. Oddly enough, my mother was the calmest of us all. She could sense that I was falling into a panic, so she moved closer to my side, squeezing my hand- the one that wasn't clutching onto the glass horse for dear life.

"Just breathe," she said into my ear. "You can do this."

"Thank you for your service, my lords," I said to the two healers. "The Conté family has been very lucky to have the men of Queenscove be so faithful to us all these years. I know that you did everything that you could."

"He was suffering," Grandmother said from the doorway. "It was time."

She came to me and kissed my forehead. I could see it her gaze: she had been weeping, but she'd pulled herself together for me. That gave me strength.

"My sweet, sweet child," she whispered. "He knew you'd be a strong ruler. He loved you so much. Your father did too. They're together now, and I just know your grandfather is bursting with pride, finally being able to tell your father all about you and your brother."

Her words made tears spring to my eyes, but I blinked them away. "Can I say goodbye?" I asked. She nodded, holding out an arm towards the bedchamber.

I went in alone, closing the door so I could have privacy. The tables and floor in the room were littered with potion bottles, dropped herbs, and linens- evidence of the healers' desperate work. Grandfather Jonathan was lying in his bed. He looked like he was sleeping peacefully. Quiet sobs forced themselves out of my mouth, and I sank to the floor next to his bed. I cried not just for my grandfather, but for my da as well. They should both still be here.

I allowed myself five minutes to fall apart, then dried my eyes with the sleeve of my dress. I rose to my knees, gazing at my grandfather again. He had always been a robust example of a leader, not just to the kingdom, but to the family as well. I smiled sadly, remembering how he'd helped care for my in the days after my father died and my brother was born.

Rising some more, I kissed his forehead. "I love you, Grandfather. I hope you can rest now. Give my da a hug for me."

I returned to Grandmother's side, and we sat in silence, drawing strength from each other. My uncles and aunts took their turns saying goodbye, as did my mother.

"Please, send messages to Kally in Carthak, and Lianne in Tyra," Thayet said at last. "I'd like them to hear it from one of us, rather than a strange messenger."

"I just spoke to each of them, on my scrying mirror," Aunt Vania said, slipping back into the room. I hadn't even realized that she'd left. "Lianne was up with the baby, but I woke Kally with the news."

"Thank you, my daughter," Thayet said. She looked around the room at the faces of her children and grandchildren, unsure what to say. I scrambled for words as well. It was Mother who found them.

"These are going to be some of the hardest days we've lived through, but we will get through them together," she said. "I would not have gotten through Roald's death if I hadn't been able to lean on this family. We'll do it again."

Thayet nodded proudly at her. "You all should try to get some sleep," she said. The aunts and uncles started to file out, Liam, Jasson, and Vania hugging their mother as they went.

"What about you?" I asked when it was my turn.

She looked back at the bedchamber. "I need a little more time," she said, tears muddling her words.

"Do you want me to stay?" I offered. I could tell that she almost agreed, but in the end she shook her head. "No. You will need to rest more than the rest of us, my sweet queen."

AN: This chapter got too long, so I decided to split it in half. The rest is coming soon :)

To the guest reviewer on the last chapter- I have read a couple of Mercedes Lackey books, but I've never heard of that video. I will have to check it out!