The Green Amulet

Chapter 4

I had never really fathomed my father's profound obsession for white. The castle walls were draped with white velvet curtains and the marble floors were also  a disturbing hue of stark white. His chamber resembled the palace to the tee with the bed adorned with white sheets and the windows covered with white curtains.  His most beloved attire had always been white in color christened with diamonds, just like the dress that had been selected for me to put on. Now, as his body was being placed on a raft, I couldn't help the queasy feeling in my stomach as to why I never inquired about his love for white. Such purity…such elegance was undeserving of Carraba.

"You are doing it again."

I looked down at my trembling hands then back at Mitchell who stood next to me in the front line with the nobles.

" Thank you Mitchell."

Warmth spread through my unsteady fingers as Mitchell entwined his fingers with mine. I heaved a sigh as my nerves seemingly relaxed, I made a mental note not to pull stunts on him for a whole seven moons. That is when it dawned on me, I could no longer pull stunts or goof around in the woods or swirl up deceptions to feed my father or my brother. My brother, that treacherous hooligan who had chosen that...that wench who was supposedly his world! He did not even attend his own father's burial ceremony all in the name of love. Was blood not thicker than water? Had he been so blinded with the so called emotion that he had sudden amnesia of his place as the future of this Kingdom? Had he not been groomed since childhood on how to make a fine King? Was it sorcery that had diverted his calling, his destiny, his life's  mission?

 Despair, anguish and solitude engulfed me as I thought of how my life had changed course in just but two moons , the double loss was worse than a stake to the heart. I was an orphan without a sibling and if the rumors had a kernel of truth in it, nanny Theresa would also desert me.

"I am here Ell, if you need me, I am here."

I squeezed Mitchell 's hand tighter digging my nails into his the fles of his palm. He flinched but only for a beat, he was indeed the best friend anyone could wish for.

"And now, we pray to the gods that your soul may drift to eternal peace soaring to the heavens to meet our ancestors. So long King Thaddeus."

A single wail sounded from the crowd as soon as the priest finished the sentence and soon after it was followed by a crescendo of moans from Carraba women. The men were somber, trying to be brave for their women. I watched as my father's body was lit and sent off into the lake. The blazing fire was blinding and the nobles in the first row took a step backwards but Mitchell and I stood our ground as the sparks flared towards us.

"Goodbye father, I will surely miss you."

The raft floated farther and farther away into the mist draping the lake, he was gone, he was really gone.

"Come on, people are starting to depart."

I did not budge when Mitchell held me by the arm and started pulling me to the direction away from the lake, I was not ready to leave him.

"More time?"

I bobbed my head and let him lead me to a grassed area around the bank of the lake. The sun was now setting in the horizon, leaving a beautiful red and orange hue in the sky, it was truly magnificent almost enough to aid in me forgetting my predicaments.

"When my mother died, I was... forlorn,  lost."

I turned to look at Mitchell who was drawing circles on my wrist avoiding eye contact. I maintained my silence, a part of me eager to listen to him opening up.  He had never addressed his mother's death let alone come to terms with it.

"I remember bashing my brother's head into the wall to stop him from spewing lies about how the sickness had overwhelmed her. My father kicked me out of the house that night,  saying I needed to grieve elsewhere since my methods of grieving  were rather extreme."

I snorted at the statement as he chuckled. Mitchell had a somewhat rage problem that rarely showcased itself but when it did, not even I or the knight order could stop him.

"In short I have had a tough time trying to come into terms with the loss but time has helped a great deal and it will help you too."

My lips tugged upwards at his efforts to alleviate my sadness, he was hardly ever serious.

"And of course a lot of gin. I was thinking since Earl is going to be King we could blackmail him into opening for us our own tavern which I would probably run under by my zealous drinking but then who cares...Lyra are you listening?  You have gone awfully quiet."

"I am next in line for the throne Mitch. Of course the elders have to officiate this but Mitch I’m not even two decades old  and there is a possibility that I may have to lead a whole Kingdom by myself! I am ill equipped and not to mention female, will the people even take me seriously?  I'm not ready Mitch...not even close."

Mitchell was now directly staring into my eyes, the shock evident in his features. Slowly, a smile crawled onto his lips, why in the name was he smiling?

"So does that mean we get to own all the taverns in the Kingdom? That would be swell!"

I playfully punched him on his arm as I let out a guffaw.

"Look Lyra, you are the wittiest, kindest, most generous person I know. You would make a fine queen, take it from someone who has grown up following your orders. Here I was worried that Earl would plummet this kingdom into nothingness but if you are the next one in line for the throne then I am confident we have a chance of actual prosperity."

I wrapped my hands around Mitchell’s neck, holding him for dear life. Confidence swirled my insides and for once since my brother walked out of my chambers,  I actually began to believe that I could actually lead this kingdom to greatness.

"Y-you are ch-choking me!"

I let him go as he took in a large gasp of air.

"Jeez woman, where did you summon that strength from?"

I chuckled as he let out a string of coughs. My ears caught a wave of loud music coming from the direction of the palace..

"I  am required to make a speech tonight at the feast."

Mitchell grinned at the mention of feast, he adored food.

"Well then, queens have speeches and commoners have mouth watering delicacies...shall we?"