The skies were ablaze with fire and colors. Sparks erupted and the sky was crossed with dragons and mystical creatures made out of balls of fire. Each comet that was launched from the ground carried a trail of glitter and as it reached the clouds exploded in a multitude of colors.
The kingdoms eyes turned from the sky to merriment that surrounded them. Shops donned the royal seal and hung banners that flapped in the wind of the royal house and kingdom. Cups and glasses clanked together in cheers for the long life of their king. A king that had taken the lands that they now held, brought them from the monsters that pillaged and burned them, and conquered the forces of a fantastical dark entity. Bringing in a new age, a time of prosperity,wealth and infinite possibilities. Through blood and death, he carved the road for pure hope for the people. To take their land back from the horrors that had been spawned upon them for hundreds of years from an unreachable darkness from beyond. He was un touchable on the battlefield, but time, that was another story. King Multon could not conquer the reaper of time. Instead, as if he knew when his time was up, as if the reaper was an old friend. He asked his servants to leave him alone, but bring him two glasses of Oxfum tea .That morning in a crisp autumn air, the king sat on his large terrace out looking at the sun rising on his kingdom. When the servants returned for his breakfast. The king sat motionless. Eyes closed and with a serene smile on his face. He looked as if he was recounting a pleasant memory. Both cups of tea had been finished and next to the one across from the king, a purple clematis. The royal flower.
The kingdom wept,but the tears soon turned o cheers and celebration.As the oldest son, which was out of four, rose to occasion and started off his fathers journey with celebration of a life lived, instead of one lost. The best of all customs were brought out. The gleaming winter plates and Ironic silverware, the finest of fabrics were woven into flags and banners to be hung out on the streets and deck the roads and passages with bright reds and golds. All the lights in the kingdom were lit and kept lit in his memory. The light that guided them from darkness had gone out, but the kingdom could light itself now. The oldest son and soon to be king, Peter, was a just and a strong leader. His father sat with him many nights and discussed matters that he thought would aid him when he would rise to the kingship. His brothers, while not trained, supported stoutly their brother and his position. Somehow the drama of brotherhood and politics for the throne was not present between them.
The final ceremony lay their father in tombs of Calic. Surrounded by large oaken trees called Laken that rose higher than most buildings, Calic had held all of the kings fallen trusted soldiers. It had been said that the reason for the Laken’s height and strength is form the fallen soldiers taking their final rest by their roots. The king had claimed his final resting place the moment he set eyes on it. The largest oaken rose in the middle Calic. The north side had a large gash which the oaken had never healed. The king would be buried infront of this gash. Hoping to bring the oaken more health so it could finally heal itself.
During the witching hour, the kingdom lined up all the way to Calic where the Kings body was carried by a carriage pulled by Filec horses. As his body past the citizens they cheered and knelt in honor, but as the carriage drifted out of their site, tears flowed freely.
Peter and his brothers lowered their father, the king, into his final home. His armor polished and forever protecting his body, his sword placed in his hands and shield laid across him.
He was lowered, buried and remembered forever.
The king is dead, long live the king.
I am reading the Dragon Bone chair, by Tad Williams. In the beginning the great king is very old and ends up passing away. There is a celebration and the kingdom is tuned into a festival of sorts. Unfortunately the sons of the king do not have the best relationship and some things are afoot with the new King. It is a great read so far. I wanted to capture that moment. Of a life being celebrated, but instead of the future looking dim and the unknown taking hold after the celebrations, having the kingdom be secure with its new king. Life should be celebrated when it is time to move beyond. Celebrate the memories, the person and the life that was lived. I wanted to capture that.