Page 54 of An Archer's Redemption

But I couldn’t proclaim myself.

Rather, I needed them to discover the prophecy and, through their faith, call me to serve as their master. It had to betheirdiscovery andtheirdivine providence.

In the end, the morsels I buried in my holy texts worked better than I ever imagined. I was prepared to send them on quests, force them into trials, induce them with intoxicants that would produce visions and prophecies of their own—all magically controlled, of course—but none of that had been necessary. These men and women were devoid of purpose and clung to the first life raft to drift by.

I couldn’t have been more pleased.

“Rise, my Children,” I said. “It is time the people learned the tenets of our faith. You, my most trusted disciples, will carry word of my return to every city, town, and village throughout the Kingdom. You will feed and clothe those in need, teach those who cannot read, and minister to the sick and dying as if they were your own kin.

“But remember this, the return of the One is a foretelling. The time for the people to learn of my return will come, but it isnottoday. You must build anticipation and hope in the hearts of our people first. Fan the flames of faith and build their belief, stone by precious stone. Only then will the path be laid for my return.”

“By your command, Excellency,” the figures intoned in unison.

The one on the end dropped to a knee. “Excellency, what if the people resist your words? What if they refuse our call?”

I smiled down at the sheep before me.

“My Child, you will help them follow our path through benevolence and compassion. From this day forth, you are no longer Children, butPriestsof the One. You are my voices on the wind, whispering of my return to our people. Do not trouble yourself with those who fail to believe. Others among our Order will follow to help those reluctant souls see our Light.”

“And what of the new Queen, Excellency? How should we speak of her to the people?”

“Hear my words,” I said in a formal tone, as if issuing an edict. “Today, there is the State, and the Faith. Soon, the State and the Faith will be one. We welcome the Queen into her new role as the leader of mortal men and invite her to hear our words and subjugate herself to our spiritual guidance.”

“Yes, Excellency,” the man replied.

“Now go. Our brother, the Voice, attends to the new Queen in the capital. Hold to the faith, and know you bring peace and prosperity to our people.”

The ten Priests bowed one last time.

“By your command, Excellency.”

When the last of my disciples vanished through the doors, a tall man strode out from behind one of the massive marble columns clutching a mask in his right hand, an odd mix of a bear with feathers in place of ears. I was striding down the steps of the dais when Bear approached and bowed.

“Excellency, I have chosen five. They await your command.”

“Five will do nicely.” I steepled my fingers and grinned at the man. “You have done well,Priest. Bring them to me.”

Chapter 22

Jess

Weeks passed in rapid succession following our return to the Palace. Much of my time was consumed with the work of rebuilding the military and reassuring my people of the Kingdom’s commitment to peace with their neighbor.

Rumors still ran throughout the country carrying wild tales of Melucian demons summoned to strike down our righteous King and Prince, and no manner of royal decree would stop them. The stories Thorn carefully crafted prior to the invasion, those of Melucian malevolence, hadn’t simply taken root; they had grown and flowered through taverns and inns, bearing fruit in temples and shops throughout the land. Hatred of our eastern neighbor hadn’t waned with the conclusion of hostilities as I had hoped. It had actually grown with each tale of soldierly valor or Melucian deceit.

I marveled at the willingness of the masses to believe such lies and innuendo.

Amid this atmosphere of misplaced loathing, my popularity soared.

Sympathy for the Princess who’d lost everything, combined with nationalistic fervor fueled by beleaguered troops returning from their bitter defeat, made me the single point of hope across the land. Miraculously, the people had forgotten the petulant teenager who tried to abandon her duty and outrun her birthright only months earlier. All they saw now was a beautiful, fierce Queen giving her all to knit together a war-torn Kingdom.

Conjecture surrounding my relationship with Keelan buzzed among nobles and servants alike. I counted on his counsel and willing shoulder in ways I could never trust my own people, but our friendship was far less sensational than rumors claimed.

Still, wildfires were hard to suppress once lit.

Keelan was well liked, but the idea of the Queen consorting with a commoner, and aMelucian, left a bitter taste on many tongues, though they rarely stopped wagging long enough to savor it.

He didn’t accompany me as I rode among my people, even in the safety of the capital, but I was rarely without his company as I strode through the gardens or Palace proper. The Council had even become accustomed to the towering Guardsman attending sessions, with his perpetually stern features and humorless advice. They grew to appreciate his thoughtful, direct insights despite his often-gruff delivery.

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