My gratitude, My death

THE PRINCESS' CORONATION

The long-awaited day came. The Princess was sitting in front of the mirror in her room. Six young women surrounded her, they were dressing her up one step after the other. From her wears to her feet, her neck, and her ears. Her face and hair were the last places they decorated. Meanwhile, her household and some eminent members of King Eric's council were at the court waiting.

Every living in the castle was already standing outside, waiting for her.

Her maid stood by the Princess’ door waiting. She was putting on a white gown. As soon as she saw the Princess standing up, she opened the door with her right hand.

She came gliding gracefully into the king’s court in a long flowing gown. Her white gown, necklace, and hand bands were sparkling. Her eyelashes were long, her nails well polished. She was a goddess. Four girls were bathing her sight with flowers. While two other girls held the tails of her gown. As she entered the court, the king who sitting, stood to welcome her. Everyone was on their feet. All eyes were on her. The drummers beat their drums and everyone was at a standstill.

The Princess walked straight to her father. King Eric held her hand and took her outside. Those in the court followed them. There was a huge crowd outside. The royal drummers in white uniforms stopped beating their drums and the whole place became quiet. There was tension in King Eric's face and those standing close to him felt it from his breath. He managed to replace it with a fake smile and smiled at the crowd.

The king standing in between three men dressed in a white and red uniform. On their heads, red royal hats. One was holding the king’s staff, the other, the tablet of the oath, and the last one the crown of dignity. King Eric was in a white robe and its collar was weaved with red color. The three men went to the front of the king and the Princess and they formed an irregular circle.

"Put your hands on the tablet," said the man carrying the rocky tablet. The Princess put her hands on it and the three men recited the decree of the ordinance. After the short recitation, she removed her hands. King Eric took the staff made of gold and silver and stretched it over to the Princess.

“Today, before the elites and sons and daughters of Portsmouth. I present the staff of the office of this Kingdom to you. On your return, you must present it back to me as it is the symbol of glory and honor of this great kingdom.”

Suddenly, the wind made a sound and caused some dust to rise from the ground. All looked up and turned towards the dust. They drew closer to one another. They were terrified. Nothing as such has happened again since the exile of all the sorcerers in the land. The sharp look of the crowd made the sound disappear. As they turned their faces to the Princess and the King, there came some drops of rain and it dried up at a glance. The sound made the King delay the giving of the staff to the Princess. The crowd waited for the king’s action. The Princess could not stretch her hand to take the staff. But she stood still looking at his father and, then the sky.

When the sky became normal, the King reluctantly handed the staff to the Princess. The crowd saw the tension on King Eric's face. No one clapped at first. Seconds passed, one after the other, they clapped. The Princess held the staff with her two hands. The staff shared almost the same height as the Princess.

The third man with the crown moved further and King Eric took the crown and crowned the Princess. The crowd changed the Princess' look. She became more adorable. She embraced her household and great applause cheered her coronation. They soon forgot the sign that popped their minds with fear. One of the royal chariots rode in and stood in front of them. King Eric demonstrated with his right.

“You may go, your chariot is waiting.”

The Princess entered the chariot like a newly wedded bride. They rode away while other chariots followed them. The trumpets and drums resumed their sounds. The chariots were fifteen in numbers. Seven at the front, seven at her back, and her chariot were in the middle. All armed except the one she was in.

As the Princess left the gate, the Commander in chief of Portsmouth armies left the crowd at once. He went to meet his men. There were groups of soldiers numbering hundreds at the back of the castle. They were waiting for the General to come and meet them after the coronation. Their duty was to safeguard all the borders of Portsmouth till the return of the Princess.

The Princess had left the castle for the very first time. She was very happy. The smile on her lips knew no end. The environment was strange but lovely. The birds were different but intriguing and the soil was much darker, but fascinating. And as they rode faster, it was as if the wind was singing songs to her ears. The trees, shrubs, and grasses seemed to be moving backward and the hills smaller as they rode afar.

She reached the first town, males and females formed queues along the edges of the road. They waved their hands to the Princess with a smile on their faces. Seeing their actions, she smiled back, closed her mouth with her hands covered with gloves. There was joyous noise everywhere. Some were throwing red and white roses on her chariot. The Princess was happy with the way they demonstrated. Then the chariots stopped in the heart of the town. She came down from her chariot. Before her very eyes, Morris dancers dressed in white and black stripes came out and displayed. She stood and watched and she has not seen such dressing and dancing steps before. The name of the town was Esburg and they have prepared for this moment. Multitudes came out and there was a great stampede. Everyone wanted to set their eyes on her. But the soldiers prevented them from getting too close to her. They were all delighted. She spent some time in Esburg. And different elites of Esburg came to her and paid homage with gifts.

Princess Stephanie visited eight towns and several villages. Still, there were many places to visit. Day after day, her appetite for visiting more places increased. During her tour, she discovered that life couldn’t be fully understood. It comprised of the rich, average, and the poor, then the humble and the arrogant. She discovered that everyone on earth was all out for survival, but she had never known this all her life in the castle. She saw for the very first time how people were suffering. In some of the villages she entered, she felt the need to empty some of the gifts given to her by the richer towns and cities.

There came a messenger on a horse from Marina and this messenger caught them on a bush path. The messenger must have been tracing her from the way he jumped down from his horse. The messager was first accosted by some soldiers. They questioned him and after his satisfactory answer, they brought him brought the Princess. In his hands was a letter tied in a form of a scroll and he stood before the Princess.

“Our Empress, the people of Marina send their warm greetings. Here are their words.”

The Princess ordered one of the soldiers to collect and read the letter. Going through the words in the letter, he turned to the Princess.

“Your majesty, you have been invited to the Marina Sword feast.”

“Feast? Sword feast? Tell me about it,” as she smiled and turned to the messenger with facial interest.

“It is an honor given to the best sword user. Though the majority of them are prisoners. Hundreds of prisoners will be there to show their skills with the sword. The one who wins the prize will be set free. The event usually pulls a large crowd. People come from every corner of the community to watch brave warriors. No town celebrates such in the whole Portsmouth except that of the royal contest done in the castle. This is a match of commoners. Organized every twenty-five years. It would be a great pleasure to have you, the reigning ruler of this great kingdom in such a feast. Your majesty, pay us this honor and the sons and daughters of Marina will ever live to remember it.”

At that time, the Princess and her entourage were planning to visit a different town when the messenger caught up with them. She looked at her maids. Some nodded and smiled. The Princess turned to the messenger after getting a silent approval from her maids.

“I will be your guest… at the grand finale.” The messenger opened his eyes in excitement.

“Thank you, thank you, your majesty, this will be an honor and a privilege to the people of Marina.” He made a fist with his right hand and he turned and climbed his ox-blood colored horse and left.