The Peace Treaty
Rivka
Stop fussing. You look beautiful.” Ellis chided Rivka as they waited at the doors to the great sanctuary. Queen Vivian insisted on using this place for every Treaty signing ceremony in her province. To be honest, the first time Rivka was brought here with her mother and father, she had felt uncomfortable. Even at seventeen, the Rune Province was so blatantly prideful in her eyes, with a young queen whose merciless nature was already well known. A woman like that should not feel so at home in such a welcoming and spiritual place as this sanctuary. The contradiction was disorienting.
Each province had their own ideas of a proper ceremony for the signing. The Rune Province was all fanfare and pompous gowns with only the most elite bearing witness. Each council member would be bedecked in their finest regalia andmost expensive jewels. Queen Vivian never shied away from basking in the spotlight and showcasing her wealth.
The Kalmia Province ceremony was Rivka’s favorite. It was held out in the fields among the crops and dirt that fed the entire realm of Diathan. It didn’t hurt that Vivian always looked miserable, sweating through the fancy gowns she refused to give up wearing, even in the oppressive heat of full summer.
The giant double doors in front of them opened but they did not walk through. Of course, Queen Vivian and Captain Luther Blackwood were standing in the open archway. A proper entrance must be made. The chords of an organ struck in a flourishing announcement of grandeur.
“Welcome Queens of Diathan!” Vivian’s regal voice dominated the space easily. “Please take your seat as your province is announced.”
With that Vivian turned her back. Rivka watched with humor as Luther attempted to stand at Vivian’s side only to have his instep crushed by a pointed heel. He stepped behind her quickly dipping his chin.
“Queen Vivian Rune, accompanied by her sons Prince Tristan, Prince Erik, and Prince Jackson,” the Master of Ceremonies announced, his voice sounding across the empty room.
“Well, here we go my dear, ready to face the vipers?” Ellis teased, his whisper only loud enough to reach Rivka. She just jabbed him in his side with her elbow, which he promptly looped his arm through, preparing to lead her into the room. The voice bellowed a second time.
“Queen Anika Brynn and King Consort Donovan Brynn, accompanied by their daughters Princesses Harper and Elenor.”
“It’s Elenor’s first Signing Ceremony.” Rivka leaned in to hear Ellis better. “Pity this is her first, poor dearwill either be scarred for life or have the best nap of her life.” They stifled their giggles. The four barely made it through the archway before the announcer continued.
“Queen Tessa Kalmia and King Consort Theon Kalmia, accompanied by their eldest son Prince Lucas.”
“When did Theon decide to try and grow a mustache?” Rivka asked Ellis as they shifted to the side to let them pass through.
“Oh he’s been trying for years, can’t ever seem to manage more than what you see though. If I was a betting man, and you know I am, he’ll have it shaved by tonight’s ball. Too much work for such little result.” Rivka attempted a polite cough to cover her laugh, but it didn’t go unnoticed.
“Queen Galen Morrows and King Consort Asa Morrows, accompanied by their eldest daughter, Princess Ashlyn.”
Rivka looked up at her Aunt and gave a bright smile. This was the one good thing that came from the annual ceremonies and balls. It allowed her a little time with a part of her family she rarely got to see.
“Queen Rivka Varon and King Consort Ellis Varon…unaccompanied.”
The veiled insult silenced the room. The barb hung in the air like noxious gas. Ellis squeezed her hand, and Rivka lifted her chin, pouring all the kindness and pride she could muster into her smile as they strode into the great sanctuary and to their seats.
Luther moved to the dais at the front of the room and began:
THE PEACE TREATY
“The realm of Diathan’s most sacred and vital act occurred during a time when the realmfelt the trials of utter devastation and loss. Bloodshed, war, and bleak starvation were at their peak. The Peace Treaty, written and signed by the five strongest bloodlines of Diathan, was enacted, forging the five represented provinces here today, uniting our realm as one and creating a prosperous and safe land once more.”
You could tell that Luther took great satisfaction in being the one to read the words of the Peace Treaty; all eyes focused solely on him. Finally, he directed his eyes downward at the scroll laid out before him. He would read the words of the Peace Treaty for all to hear, and one by one, each queen would approach the dais, sign their name, and press their seal to the scroll.
“Whereas the most powerful of ancient bloodlines, we, the chosen queens of the realm of Diathan, united in the name of peace, representatives of the Rune Province, Varon Province, Kalmia Province, Brynn Province, and Morrows Province, do hereby declare the end to war, bloodshed, treachery, and all violent acts within the realm of Diathan. We reject any and all actions that would risk the prosperity and safety between our provinces and enact this our Peace Treaty.
The queens of Diathan shall gather together henceforth every year at the summer solstice to renew and reaffirm their unity and continued commitment to the realm in itsentirety.”
“Article 1…”
Luther’s voice droned on in Rivka’s ears. She couldn’t fathom why Vivian always insisted on reading every word of the Peace Treaty aloud, knowing that the Articles clearly state that each queen must read every word to themselves before signing to ensure that nothing had been changed or altered since the last signing. What a colossal waste of time. Ellis pinched her thigh, and she nearly yelped.
“It would not be such a smart thing to nod off at this important time, my Queen.”
Sometimes Rivka hated Ellis’ perceptive nature, but damn, the man was right. This was only the beginning of what would likely be an incredibly long day and well into the night.
The day had finally come to a close. Each queen had signed the treaty, sealing their fate for another year and bringing continued peace to the realm. Of course, Queen Vivian had to make a flowery, over-the-top speech before eventually dismissing them for the evening. They were all to return to their bedchambers to begin their primping for tonight’s grand ball. Rivka was exhausted. She really did not want to attend the night’s festivities. She would much rather stay in her bed, curled up around Ria, devouring that novel they had started together.
