Damn.Savine didn’t want to cause more bloodshed. Already too many Latians had died in this bitter conflict, but he wasn’t going to stand aside now and lose what was rightfully his.
At that same moment, a screeching groan came from the preserved trees of the building. Savine looked up to see the King's Residencein motion.An ancient branch came down at Davian as he stood guard at the edge of the King's Residence. A terrified scream echoed through Orofine as Savine saw that the very building itself grasped Davian in an ancient branch—a branch that had given its life to serve and protect the King of Latiah and this city.
It was yet another reason he’d never tried to attack Orofine.Ifthe sentinels of trees that made up the city saw him as a threat, he’d be ripped to shreds.
“At least the trees took care of that threat,” Garnel muttered. “Made things easier, and after that who would question your rule?”
“Whoever does will need to be more crafty than Davian if they want to survive the attack,” Savine said.
And that was just what the trees in the King's Residence were doing now. Jari lightly snorted with nervous energy as Davian was tossed and shredded by the branches sworn to protect Savine.
Savine dismounted from Jari’s back and immediately a steward—it had been so long since he’d seen a Latian steward— was at his side, taking Jari for him. Jari let out a reluctant huff as Savine began walking away from his side. Savine saw as the steward took a small treat of some kind from his pocket and gave it to Jari. The bull elk settled down, following the steward without protest.
Raikin and Garnel were immediately at Savine’s side as they began walking up the cedar-planked stairs to his former home, stepping over what remained of his father’s former Sage.
“Say something,” Raikin muttered under his breath.
Savine gave the tiniest nod before he turned and looked at the crowd. The entire city of Orofine seemed to be staring at him,waiting for him to address them. Some had the whorls of essence like his own, others resembled fur, still others had that slight tinge of green to their skin, fae who drew their essence from grasses and underbrush. But they were all Latians, all looking to him to see what sort of ruler he would be. Finally, he let his voice carry over the crowd.
“Fellow Latians, we are no longer loyalists and rebels. Never again will brother fight against brother, sister against sister. Today is the day that tyranny ends. Today we are a united Latiah once again.” Savine’s voice rang out strong and proud. He’d always had this confidence buried in him. He’d mustered it out of the shadowy grave of his soul from time to time when his rebels needed it, but now he had to share that part of himself with his nation as their rightful king.
The crowd cheered and Savine felt the victory in this moment across the city. “Today we celebrate a new beginning. As your king, I vow to serveyou.”
Raikin gave a subtle brush of his hand to Savine’s shoulders before motioning toward the imposing stairway that led to the King's Residence. Savine turned with his general and soon to be Sage as the crowd continued to roar.
The wooden stairs, carved into the mountainside, led them up to the cedar-built structure. It was all just as Savine had remembered it. Massive trees supported rooms interconnected by open air breezeways. On the lower levels were the king’s administrative rooms, offices, and throne room, while higher up the network of trees held the residency for the king and his closest advisors.
“Home. We’re home,” Garnel said with a sorrowful smile. “I didn’t think it would ever happen.”
“Now the hard work begins,” Raikin muttered, his face set into a stern expression as they walked past courtiers and servants on their way up the outer stairs to the throne room. They bent theirknee for Savine, no doubt afraid the King's Residence would detect their traitorous actions or words.
The folk of the King's Residence had little choice but to accept his loyalty, or face death.
“Raikin, can we just enjoy this moment without your pessimism?” Garnel growled.
Savine let out a small chuckle. He was in Orofine, and it hardly felt real. As he walked, the sacrificed trees that supported the structure dipped in his presence. His hands itched with the urge to touch the bough and antler crown on his head, if only to remind himself that this was finally happening.
The halls were filled with Jasper’s court. Some cried out in anguish as they held the bodies of slain loyalists. Bodies torn limb from limb by the trees sworn to protect him. Others bowed low, a look of distrust and awe on their faces.
A fae he’d recognize anywhere waited for them at the top of the stairs. He felt the lines of his face harden as he looked at the moss hued woman. She bowed low as he reached the top step.
“Your highness. It’s my honor to serve you.” Her expression was unsure. Fear twinkled in her eyes as she looked up to him.
“Darby,” Savine muttered before his hard facade cracked. He couldn’t stop the grin that spread across his cheeks. “Rise, old friend.”
The apprehension faded and her face took on a crinkled smile as she stood tall and proud before him. She looked like she wanted to hug him close, but didn’t dare.
Garnel didn’t hesitate as he pulled the woman into a tight hug. “You made it through everything! I didn’t know if we’d see you here.”
She pulled back from his hug and gave a quick nod as the apprehension grew again over her face.
“I never understood why you didn’t leave with us,” Garnel said as he pulled back.
Darby wrung her hands as she turned her attention to Savine and said, “Someone had to stay with your mother.” She looked at him with deep brown eyes. “I knew you couldn’t do it. You had to get away before the king killed you, but I couldn’t leave her without knowing she was put to rest properly. Then I suppose I felt I had an obligation to her memory and to preserving this place for you. I became a good loyalist, never sharing what was in my heart. I knew I’d have to if I were to survive,” Darby said with a shrug, glancing at the mangled bodies being carried out of the hall.
“Where is she?” Savine asked with a frown. Darby had stayed to bury his mother, something he and Kyla should have done. She’d always been loyal to his mother, coming from the distant seafaring lands with Jasper’s bride so many years ago. She’d been a second mother to him, always there to bring him comfort when his mother couldn’t show it herself. So often, she’d been the one to tuck him in at night and read him stories. Yet after all these years, the sting of her perceived betrayal felt like an old bruise.
“She’s up the mountain just past the springs. We took her body and buried her in secret. Jasper never noticed, but I knew you and Kyla would want her near the place that gave her such comfort. We can finally honor her memory properly.”
