“Or maybe you envy their ignorance,” my brother answered over a mouthful of saffron loaf.
“Aye. I am hopeful, too. Perhaps he will rule justly as his father did, and now maybe I am being ignorant.”
“It is never ignorant to be hopeful,” Sylvain conceded, then took a swallow from his pint.
“Perhaps not, but ignorance is a malicious teacher. Only recently have I been forced to see what truly hides in the darkest corners of men’s hearts.”
“You are lucky.” Sylvain answered. “Many people never see what lives in the shadows and so they pretend it does not exist and rage when what they have left unseen attacks and wounds them.” He managed a smile. “You are not a fool, Virago, but are now awake.”
It was an accurate description. I felt blazingly awake. While I may be rubbing my eyes, stunned like a child who has woken to find the day, I felt truly awake.
While I was thinking this, I felt Sylvain pull on my sleeve. I stopped and only nearly missed walking into a large woman with a child on either hand.
“He’s coming!” she shrieked and both children squealed excitedly.
On the street, men hurriedly rolled the bedraggled and torn carpet, their bodies straining behind the massive weight of it.
“Do you see him? What do you see, Virago?” Sylvain held onto my arm.
“They are rolling the carpet is all. I cannot see anything else.” The crowd came to a complete stop on either side of the street and I could see the tops of the flags being carried by the guards who would precede and follow Duir.
Sylvain tugged on my sleeve. “Come, let us move closer. Some part of you must want to see him wearing the vest?”
“You forget I was the one who put it on him.”
“Father would be proud, it is your first coronation vest, Virago. See it for him and for me.”
“Come.” I took his hand and rested it on my shoulder. “I will see Duir, if only for you and the memory of what was.”
Once we made it to the front of the crowds, I felt naked and exposed to not only Duir, but to Cale and the others. Nervous sweat soaked my shirt so I shivered and silently cursed the masses of people pressing in on us from behind, forcing the damp fabric to stick to my wet back. “Damn this heat,” I swore and mopped my brow with a handkerchief I’d thankfully remembered, as I’d given my earlier one to Therese.
“It’s a fine day!” a man next to me snapped. “His Highness has perfect weather for his crowning. It is you who is dripping like a fevered wench!”
“Be quiet, you old fool!” the woman with the two children I’d almost run into before barked. She cast a worried eye upon me. “Pay him no mind, dearie. You do look a touch feverish. Must be the excitement of it, ehh? Look at me. My hands are shaking so I can barely hold on to these two!” She broke into nervous laughter and yanked the children closer to her wide hips.
“King Duir and long live him!” someone shouted.
“Virago, do you see him? Tell me, is he splendid? The vest?” Sylvain drew close and gripped my shoulder tightly.
“He’s coming.” I was certain Sylvain didn’t hear me, for the crowd’s murmurs and awed cries grew deafening.
“Silence!” a voice shouted over the din and behind this command, the crowd calmed. It was the voice of Auberon flanked by Briar on one side, Cale on the other. In their uniforms of crimson and black, they cut a formidable impression among the peasants and common folk. They stepped aside once the crowd was hushed and bowed low and as they did, the crowd following suit.
“Bow.” I felt Sylvain’s hand fall from my shoulder.
“Your Lord and God Anointed King, His Grace.” Auberon’s voice rose dramatically with each word. “King Duir. Long may he live and reign!”
“My people!” Duir’s voice was clear as a bell being rung from a high steeple. “My dear people. I am humbled by your gratitude but you may rise!”
Around us the applause and cheers of God save the King exploded, followed by blaring trumpets. Before us, Duir made a sweeping, gracious bow. I saw his gleaming smile. Beneath the dark, elaborate cut of the coronation coat, the velvet showed itself magnificently.
“How does he look?” Sylvain asked. “Are you pleased?”
“I am awake,” I answered as my eyes lingered on Auberon’s face. Tienne was by his side and smiling. Briar was there, his bald head shining, his face a mask of pride. Cale turned on the crowd. Our eyes met. I clasped a hand over Sylvain’s. “And I am afraid.”
Chapter 16
“Oh, Virago.” Tienne rushed upon me at the entrance to the hall where Duir was holding court and receiving his foreign guests.
“My Lady.” I took her hand and bowed.
She laughed and drew my head up with her delicate fingers. “You are a friend, Virago. You need not bow as if I am a queen.”
“Ahh, but you are cousin to a King now and worthy of not only my bending of knee, but the entire court, as well you know.”
“But I think of you as family, as does Duir. Is it not incredible he is lastly crowned?” Tienne looked behind. “And who is this?”
I saw Sylvain, who, overwhelmed by his first appearance in court, lingered in the doorway.
“Sylvain, my brother,” I replied.
I heard her sigh as her eyes continued to linger on Sylvain. “He is quite handsome. I’d forgotten how beautiful he was. Even in your own handsome shadow, he cuts quite a figure. Might you introduce us?”
“My Lady.” I bowed and went to Sylvain, who although nervous, seemed to be enjoying himself amid the chaos.
“The air is alive and wild and the food smells are savory, sweet, and sour. Is the banquet table already spread?” His earnest inquiries made my heart ache. He had such a wide view of the world outside the palace and yet was
