Sweet Waters Throne

71 Chapter 7No matter how much loud the lions roared, and how much blood was spilled in Stonedance. It was a whole new day in the capital of Maldonia, Blackmount and the celebrations in the city never ended. All the great cities of Maldonia which were Sea Tone, Cooperstone, Green Town and Blackmount where the king ruled from were all at peace. With exception of Old City, Iron Falcon and Horriss who were big cities but empty without men since their lords took them to war.

From the Dark Town in the further north to the mines in the south it was so peaceful, not even swords were heard because Stonedance was miles away. Whatever was happening in the heat of the desert was no concern to Artemis who spent his days learning maps and trying to build up his city while Aurora spent hers with Visenya.

They shared what they learned during the day when they laid down at night. Everything Aurora was learning from Visenya, she taught Artemis. From the history of House Morrow and their legacy of ruling all the great kingdoms of Maldonia, Prophis, the Liberty Cities, Doha and Santagar.

“They ruled all the kingdoms?” Artemis would ask.

A very excited Aurora full of joy would reply “Yes, and they rode dragons. Huge dragons breathing fire...”

“What part of Liberty Cities did they rule?”

“All of the cities, Arkala, Penrith and the big city of Whitebridge. It’s said they were all ruled under one King”

“Hmm” Artemis groaned “How come I never heard of this tale?”

“Cause it’s ancient” replied Aurora.

.....

“Lost in history?”

“Perhaps there weren’t many historians to take notes of the chronicles. Or... maybe they didn’t want to be remembered” said Aurora and then she took a pause as if she was thinking about something.

Both of them were laying down on bed naked, so comfortable of each other’s nakedness. It had been a moon turn already since they were wed, and a fortnight since the battle of Stonedance commenced. The news of what was taking place in the stony desert was delivered by ravens and rodents belonging to Balrus.

Whenever Artemis needed news of the war, he knew where to ask. But during the night he only focused on his newly bride and strengthening their bond. Artemis was sweet, caring and very romantic. Each night he would bring Aurora flowers, sweet pastries and just anything to cheer up her mood.

So when she seemed so lost in her ancient history, he leaned on her “May I kiss you, Lady Morrow?” he asked in Low Moor language which he’s been learning from Aurora. Not only was Aurora shocked, but she was also joyful in seeing how much Artemis has been supporting her and her endeavors.

Hence she kissed him deep and passionately, then she raised a question “If I were to be with child, what sex would you prefer our child to be?”

“A girl” replied Artemis without thinking. And Aurora didn’t expect that “A girl?” she asked him.

Artemis insisted “Yes, a bouncy healthy baby girl”

“I thought you’ll want a boy, an heir...”

“Whoever will be my first born, no matter the sex will be my heir. If it’s a girl, then praise the gods Maldonia will have a Queen. If it’s a boy... then I guess a King”

“But you wouldn’t like that, will you?”

“I want my kingdom to be a place of equality where there’s no superior sex. A cock doesn’t make one a good ruler, its wisdom and knowing how to be a leader. Look at the Squires, two twins born at the same time... yet the fool Gandalf rules Old City while the extraordinary Aryan gets to be second just because she doesn’t posses a cock. Now the fool leads their house to war and an open rebellion against the crown”

Aurora seemed so taken by this conversation, perhaps Artemis was indeed a different man who had unique views compared to many men who would always favor a boy. The topic of sex of their child who was yet to be born, dragons, witches and House Morrow took a better half of their night until the hour of the wolf when Artemis became the first one to fall asleep and Aurora slept on his chest. The next morning they did that all over again, planning and decorating and talk about babies.

Back in Storm Town, a fortnight had passed since Princess Aeryn arrived at the castle of Lord Petrus Octavianus. The very anticipated wedding took place inside a Sept where the high septon of Storm Town was set to perform the rituals. Witnesses came from all over the town but very few people were allowed inside the Sept, according to Lady Allysa Octavianus orders.

She would tell the people trying to get inside the Sept by force “This isn’t some wedding for thieves and peasants, it’s a royal wedding and it must be treated as such. My son is marrying a princess of Blackmount and heir to Sweet Waters throne, have some respect” and she closed the doors.

Even though Princess Aeryn didn’t seem to mind at all the presence of the people of Storm Town at her wedding, she had no choice but to adhere the rules of her mother in law. The high septon delivered a powerful speech of love and union, he spoke about the tales of true love and the binding of two people into one body and soul.

He finished with “Cursed be he who will seek to tear them asunder” and then tied Princess Aeryn’s hand with Lord Petrus’s. “Lord and Lady of Storm Town” a man from the audience blurted out when Petrus sealed the union with a kiss.

Cheers and claps from the guest could be heard even down the streets, the long awaited wedding finally took place. Princess Aeryn was the happiest bride that day and she looked surpassingly lovely with a great mane of silver – gold ringlets that fell down past her waist. Her thick straight hair fell effortlessly behind her back, black as a raven.

Petrus wore his expensive silk robe with a golden cloak, he combed his hair, applied perfume and some of the rodents who brought back news to Lord Balrus said “He was the comeliest groom ever seen” and he had the wide smile.

Later on a feast was held inside Lord Petrus Octavianus castle, only few invited guests attended and all of them had status in the Storm Town. They were either fellow lords, successful merchants, royal consorts and even a so called Prince of a forgotten kingdom showed up.

While the storm raged during the night, inside the walls of Petrus Octavianus’s chambers the heat of passion had reached its peak. That night Lord Petrus was shedding Princess Aeryn’s maiden’s blood upon the sword of his manhood. Ever since she first had her flower when she was thirteen, Aeryn had saved her maidenhood for the perfect man she saw fit to give and none other than her husband.

Petrus deflowered the princess in a sacred bedding ceremony although this one wasn’t attended by witnesses. But the sounds of pleasure coming from the princess convinced everyone that the wedding was indeed consummated for they were heard all night.

Lady Allysa Octavianus smiled when she heard her daughter in law screaming for she knew what exactly was going on and she prayed her son puts a baby inside the princess’s belly as soon as possible. The blood connection with a Princess of Blackmount will not only benefit Storm Town but also rise the standards of Octavianus’ who for so long searched for a rise of station.

And so it turns out the next day Artemis received a note from Lord Balrus, later on he summoned him in the council chambers for more questioning. “Is the marriage consummated?” asked Artemis.

“Yes, Your Grace although my rodents are telling me there was no bedding ceremony. It’s not the tradition for the people of Storm Town to...”

Before Lord Balrus finished his sentence, Artemis intervened “She made a grave mistake. This guy... he will devour her gold and wealth and leave her with nothing. How could she be so blind?”

“We did try to stop her Your Grace, it’s best to leave things as they are at least for now”

“You are right my lord” Artemis sighed softly and sat down. “What’s the status in Stonedance?” he asked straight away.

“So it happens, five lions have been killed. The war is taking a toll on both sides I’m being told. Your uncle... Lord Aethelind has suffered a great blow during the battle and men say he burns from within. It’s just a matter of days Your Grace”

The news of his uncle’s wounds made Artemis unsure of what to feel, whether to be happy or sad. Lord Aethelind was attacked by a lion and he went straight after his abdomens and tear the outside before he was attacked by the men and killed instantly. However, the blow left Lord Aethelind mortally wounded and he was escorted back to his camp.

Both sides lost men, as King Castellan predicted indeed the pursuit of war was to fill graves although in this matter it wasn’t graves who were filled but vultures who fed upon the corpses to their fill.