Thirty-Three
Celebration
Winter 961 MC
The first snow of winter fell, sending cold winds blowing across the land as the army arrived back in Summersgate to great applause and ceremony. The queen insisted on welcoming home the heroes of the kingdom with a parade. Leofric rode at the head of the troops, Anna and Gerald beside him in a place of honour.
The festivities continued indoors with feasting and celebration in abundance. King Leofric requested that the Mercerians stay at the Royal Palace, even going so far as to give over an entire wing of the grand structure to the princess's entourage.
Now, three days later, a consequential assemblage of the kingdom's most important people arrived to bear witness as the Kurathian leaders swore an oath to serve Anna's cause.
Leofric and Queen I
