Destiny of Loss Part 1: sec11

Part 1: Section 11

The next day proved to be an interesting one as far as La’hara was concerned. After breakfast, she had opted out of spending time with Khris to go spend some time in her room. And as soon as she’d returned, a breathless page met her at her door, obviously in an extreme hurry, as pages normally are. It was no surprise really—except for the fact that the page was looking for La’hara specifically, and not some person of import. This thoroughly confused her after she had confirmed for the page that she was La’hara. The page then took a deep breath and sighed with relief. Apparently, he’d looked for her yesterday morn, but she hadn’t been to her room. So he was glad he wouldn’t have to spend a third day in a fruitless search for her.

La’hara finally opened her door and let the page in to have a seat before relaying his message:  “Queen Sadara would like an audience with your person in your quarters this evening after dinner.”

La’hara’s heart stopped for a second. Really it stopped. “What…?”

The page patiently repeated the message. “The Queen Sadara would like an audience with your person, in private, in your quarters this evening after dinner.”

La’hara found herself slightly stunned by the statement. “Well, uhmn … I’d be honoured to have her speak with me in my quarters after dinner. And send her my apologies for not being available yesterday morn to receive her message. I was still trying to get used to the sights and sounds of the area, since I’ve never seen such a field as the Field of the Bonded.”

The page nodded. “Of course Miss La’hara. Terrible sorry about not being able ta reach you Miss until today.” The page bowed in apology.

La’hara waved him off. “It’s ok, it was really no problem. It’s really my fault for not being here yesterday and not leaving a notice of my absence.”

The page just nodded. “Alright then, I’ll be off.”

The page got up and bowed, exchanging courtesies of leave, and rushed out of the room. The poor boy probably had a lot of errands to run, but she’d probably been first on the list. Better that way, since her room was one of the farthest and highest of the rooms in the building. She didn’t even bother to look for the hidden elevator; she preferred to take the stairs over taking the elevator up the height of the building to her room. She liked the exercise she got from being able to take the stairs. So she didn’t mind at all that she had to walk up eleven flights of stairs to her room. She would have preferred to be on the top floor with the farthest room down the hall. She may request that room, since she found it was unoccupied and probably will be until she vouched to take it. Not really a big deal; not with the Queen herself seeking an audience with La’hara.

Why does the Queen want a private audience with me? La’hara mused, then realized why: “You may have to see the Queen before the school session starts.” That had been what Mage Kavin had mind-sent her. And there was only one thing that could possibly call for the Queen to see her because of her Gifts; La’hara had what it takes to become Heir. That was the only explanation that La’hara could come up with and it wasn’t something she really wanted on her shoulders. Not at all.

La’hara decided it was time to have a lengthy talk with Hi’iestra. earheart, I really need to talk to you.:

:What is it?: Hi’iestra sent back.

:It’s about the Queen visiting here this evening. I think that I’m destined to become the Heir to the crown after this visit with her. And I’m not really looking forward to having that weight on my shoulders. Hell, I don’t think I’m even capable of being a Queen, let alone the presumptive Heir.:

:Are you sure about that?: Hi’iestra inquired. :You may have been a street thief for a lot of your life, and then a mercenary after that; but being a mercenary has given you the discipline to be a good leader. Hellfires, you’re probably the first person I would choose for the Heir. Anyways, you’ll be trained during your four years at the Collegium. So as far as discipline goes, you’ll be trained for that.:

La’hara frowned. :True, but I don’t really like the idea of me becoming a leader for such a prosperous country as Pyir’ran. And I think something bad will happen before I become Queen, even if I get the training I do. That’s the main thing that bugs me.:

:Really?: Hi’iestra sounded worried.

:Yea, really.: La’hara began to fiddle with her fountain pen. :I don’t know what it is, or where it came from, but I somehow got this message that says, “Pyir’ran shall change in time to a new heartbeat, but not until a great Sorrow passes through Her Kingdom.” Maybe it’s my crazy, delirious mind talking, but I think that that phrase has more meaning behind it than just a random memory from a random dream.:

:Hmm…: There was a brief silence from Hi’iestra. :I think you’re right about this one La’hara—something doesn’t smell right. And I think you’re also right about not wanting to take the throne after that kind of message. I think that that’s a real message sent to you somehow. I’d be careful if I were you—there could be danger coming up in this country, and not just those assassins sent by that pompous highborn.:

La’hara agreed completely. :That’s what I was afraid of. I doubt that I was just dreaming that. However, there’s no sign of war or malcontent that I’ve seen. And what’s more, the only major enemy of Pyir’ran is having its own internal conflicts. So there can’t be a war coming up. And it can’t just pertain to me or the Queen, because that wouldn’t cause great Sorrow. The phrase seemed to stress that sorrow is a pronoun, making it a whole lot bigger than individual deaths or sorrows.:

erhaps it’s an unseen threat?: Hi’iestra hazarded. :You never know if an ally will become an envious enemy. And with the Queen nearing her deathbed, there’s a good chance foreign princes will be fighting tooth and nail to get their hands in with the Heir. I’d watch your back if I were you. It may be a good thing to actually announce or make it public that you and Khris are more or at least becoming more than just friends. Even though it will make him a target for the assassins, he’d probably be as avidly watched as you’ll be once you are Heir. It’s always a good idea that the prince Consort is protected, since his existence contributes to the Heir’s sanity.:

That was actually a good point. :Hmm, I think you may be right. I’ll probably do that once I become the official Heir, if that happens tonight.: La’hara paused. :You know, I’ve never heard of what the Queen is like before. I’ve only got what Khris has told me to go by. I wonder if she’s a kind person—and I wonder how her bonded Harpy is. She seems to be quite a lady of a gryphon.:

Hi’iestra gave Hara a mental grin. :I’ve heard from gossip among the bonded that both the Queen and Harpy are very kind and great people personality-wise. You’ll like them.:

erhaps I shall,: sent La’hara. erhaps I shall.:


Written by: Li'l Wyvern Girl
Ideas and themes from Valdemar belong to Mercedes Lackey and DAW Books