Page 124 of Silver & Smoke
Murmurs broke out across the gathered crowd as Audra strode forwards. ‘I have the power to swear in a monarch, but we need to do it quickly. Silas’s forces have regrouped. They ride for Dorinth as we speak. And they’ll be here by midday tomorrow.’
‘What about Aveum’s army? Harenth’s? What about Tver?’ Wren blustered. ‘Why in the name of the Furies are we wasting time on this—’
‘Aveum and Harenth’s armies have answered your call for aid, Elwren,’ Audra told her. ‘Tver... Tver refuses to honour its oath, citing the lack of a ruling queen as grounds for such treason.’
Wren blinked, her knees buckling beneath her. ‘So without the aid of the Devereux bannermen and Tver’s army, our force comes to what? Three thousand? Less?’
‘Less. Right now, our odds are two to one against.’
‘Has King Leiko allied himself with Silas? With Lord Lucian?’ Wren pressed. ‘Will Tver’s numbers reinforce those of the enemy?’
‘We cannot know for sure,’ Audra said. ‘All we know is that you need a crown on your head before you rally the midrealms to your cause. Are you ready?’
No. The word resounded in Wren’s mind.
You were born ready,came Torj’s reply, strong, resilient, full of conviction.
Wren took a deep breath. ‘As I’ll ever be, Audra.’
The Guild Master dipped her head and motioned to the temporary throne. ‘After you.’
Wren tried not to think about the slaughter ahead of them, or all the eyes on her as she made her way to what might have once been the dais. She tried not to think of the impending danger, of how, as she took her place in the wreckage, the enemy advanced upon them.
Audra addressed the gathered crowd first. ‘Today’s coronationwill be a condensed ceremony given the current circumstances, but it is no less legitimate than those that take place on a grand stage before the masses. The oath Princess Elwren of Delmira swears today will be recorded in the history books for the ages. It will solidify the Embervale line of succession.’ Audra turned to Wren. ‘Are you willing to take the vow?’
Wren swallowed the lump in her throat. ‘I am willing.’
Graves passed a thick volume to Audra, who held it out to Wren.
The Constitution of the Founding Furies, the title read in gold lettering. Wren remembered it from her time at Thezmarr. It was the book Audra had wielded to her advantage when Thea sought to become the first woman warrior in decades. Now, it was the tome Wren would swear upon to take her kingdom back.
‘Place your hand on the book,’ Audra instructed.
Distantly, Wren worried about the damage her sweaty palm might do to the ancient leather, but she did as she was told, finding the cover cool to her heated touch.
Audra cleared her throat. ‘Do you declare that you are the rightful heir to the Embervale throne?’
Wren fought to keep the quaver from her voice. ‘I declare that I am Elwren Embervale, true heir of Delmira, daughter of King Soren and Queen Brigh. With the passing of the firstborn daughter and the abdication of the second daughter, I am the rightful successor to the throne, and I shall take up the mantle as queen, as true ruler of this kingdom.’
Audra turned to Thea. ‘Bring forth the crown.’
Thea removed the fabric, and Wren stifled a gasp.
It was nothing like she expected.
The crown wassimple. A continuous band of bright silver, slender and delicate in its construction, with a single central pointed motif. Simple and practical – the exact sort of design Wren would have chosen for herself.
There were no garish embellishments or spikes, no ornate arches, nor did it embody the same haphazard nature that hertemporary throne did. It didn’t look like it had been hammered together in the hours before. The steel shimmered in a familiar way... but there was no way they could have found Naarvian steel out here in the ruins to reforge anew, was there?
She glanced at Thea.
Wasn’t me, her sister mouthed, stepping back as Audra handed the book off and took the crown.
‘You may kneel,’ the Guild Master said.
Wren’s joints cracked as she lowered herself to the ground, the broken stone biting into her flesh.
Audra held the crown over her head. ‘Repeat after me: I bond my life to this kingdom and its people.’
