The Endeavor had arrived at the outskirts of the Drelda Forest. Shalvey made a call to the outpost. “Drelda Forest, this is the Endeavor, registry CRS-2784. We’re requesting permission to enter the Capital Tree.”
“Standby while we verify your clearance,” replied the Fairy man running Traffic Control. They waited for a minute. “Clearance accepted. You are granted permission to enter the Capital Tree. Please wait until the shrinking spell does its work.”
“Understood, Drelda Forest.” Golden mist then flowed over the ship, making Endea shudder.
“Everything all right?” asked Arsha.
“Shrinking spells always make me feel weird,” explained Endea. “Like I’m losing a lot of my hull.” The spell then finished and the Endeavor and the people within her were now of Fae proportions.
“Endeavor, you are cleared for Landing Bough 2 and are assigned flight path 1,” called Traffic Control. “Welcome to the Capital Tree.”
“Thank you, Drelda Forest,” replied Shalvey. Nazay got the flight path and followed it to the Landing Bough.
Once the ship landed, Arsha, Lardeth, Falnii, and Foresna headed to the castle. Rellmeer wanted to meet them. The guard led them to the throne room. When they arrived, Rellmeer stood up, dressed in robes of the darkest of greens. The four visitors winced and Arsha prepared a spell for her and Foresna’s clothes. “Not yet,” called Rellmeer. “Save that for the actual event.” It was clear that the Fae Empress was crying earlier.
“I’m sorry for the loss of your Emperor,” said Arsha.
“Embrek was a great man,” supplied Lardeth.
“It was he who supported me forming my personal harem,” sighed Rellmeer as she looked out the window, remembering him. “He was also a strong warrior. …It saddens me that he had to leave the Mortal Realms in such a manner.”
“Then the poison Jansha introduced into him,” asked Foresna, “couldn’t be extracted?”
“I’m afraid there was no cure,” mumbled Rellmeer. “It was drezzurnine. He fought hard against it. At least he could see the dawn of this new Age and died peacefully after that.”
“Embrek was a great Emperor,” said Arsha. “There will never be another like him.”
“Perhaps my son will be greater, now that the foundations for his rule are set in place.”
“Your son? The rumors are true?” asked Lardeth. “You’re abdicating?”
“I’m afraid my emotions are all over the place. I can’t rule effectively and my desire to simply hide away with my harem is too strong. Galnyar will take over as Emperor and his wife, Keshnakh, will be his Empress. I know I asked you to attend Embrek’s funeral, but could you attend Galnyar’s coronation and the subsequent ball?”
“My Lady,” replied Arsha, “we’d be honored.”
“Thank you, Arsha” said Rellmeer. “It would mean the world to my son to have a familiar face comforting him.”
The mourners, dressed all in dark green robes, had gathered by the hearse containing Embrek’s body. It was cast with preservation spells which would only wear off once he was buried. A team of eight tamed ants were tasked with pulling the hearse as the mourners followed on. Those of the Fae were prepared to fly overhead. Rellmeer was at the head of the procession, and they all left the Tree, two by two, from a door where the ground met the tree. The procession went to another tree about an hour’s march for someone a Fae’s size. There was a hole already dug into the earth. Everyone gathered around the open grave and the pallbearers opened the hearse, taking the body out and putting it onto a stretcher. They carried the body to the grave and lowered it down. “When one of the Fae is born, there is much joy,” said the priest. “When one of the Fae is taken from these Mortal Realms, there is a deep sadness. Emperor Embrek Almaydia has seen many an event and fought in two wars, knowing great sorrow and joy. He has had a long and happy life and now his soul answers the call to the Heights of the After-realm, where he may forever know peace. We return his body to the earth from which all life began. Rest well, Embrek Almaydia, Emperor of the Republic of the Fae.”
“Rest well, Emperor Embrek,” said the mourners. Two of the ants that pulled the hearse were then directed to move the dirt over Embrek’s body. Once the grave was filled, the priest cast his hands to the sky.
“Hear us, O Earth!” he called. “Accept now this body so that nature can flourish!”
“Hear us, O Earth!” repeated the mourners. Rellmeer felt a hand on each shoulder. Felfar and her son, Galnyar, were reassuring her in silence. She placed a hand over each of theirs and shut her eyes, letting the tears fall.
After the funeral, Galnyar wandered the castle, stopping at the throne room and staring at the throne. “…It will still be too soon after his death,” he mumbled.
“Maybe,” replied a woman’s voice. It was his wife, Keshnakh, an Orc/Zephyr woman. “You could just leave the throne to someone else,” she suggested. “No one will think ill of you if you do.”
“…I can’t do that. Not while Mother needs to know that the Republic’s in good hands. …Besides, it would annoy Thendar that he wasn’t chosen. Anything to spite him.” Keshnakh smiled.
“Yeah, the guys’ a bit of an ass. Why didn’t your parents exile him already?”
“He wasn’t dangerous enough. The only thing that would prompt his exile is for him to try and kill me during the coronation. …Yeah, that’s not a depressing thought.”
“Why does he stay anyways?”
“He provided us the space needed to keep Arsha safe during her coma. Now that he’s served his usefulness (pardon my rather villainous speech), one slip-up will be all that’s needed to banish him. With the amount of supporters we have, we won’t have a civil war on our hands.” Keshnakh arched an eyebrow.
“…‘WE have’?” she repeated.
“We ARE a team, are we not?” asked Galnyar. “You and I will rule the Republic together, yes?”
“I didn’t think I had ANY supporters.”
“Oh, nonsense!” He then tilted her chin up with just his pointer so he could look directly at him. “My beloved Keshnakh, you DO have supporters. The ladies of the Fae Republic are proud that someone that ISN’T a Fae is going to command them. They believe that you will help the Fae Republic in relations with the outside world. Surely word has reached you.”
“I only heard it when they said that to my face.” Galnyar then remembered her childhood and smiled.
“I assure you, they not only said that to your face, but behind your back as well. They DO support you, both publicly and privately.” Keshnakh sniffled as tears fell from her eyes. She hugged her husband and cried happy tears; a heavy weight finally lifted from her shoulders. Galnyar hugged her back and they just stood there in silence.