Gerald gazed out the windows of the palace. He was facing south, looking down upon the courtyard that lay below.
"There's quite a crowd beyond the gates," he said. "Are you sure this is a good idea?"
"Of course," said Anna, who sat still as Sophie finished her hair. "I want the commoners to be able to bear witness, it's their kingdom too."
"I agree with your sentiment," he said, "but I don't know if taking the oaths outside is a good idea."
"Nonsense," she said, "it'll keep the nobles on their toes. I doubt any of them will say anything troubling with so many witnesses."
"This is a dangerous game, Anna," he warned. "I saw a mob run rampant at Walpole street, back in ’53. You don’t want to witness what can happen.”
“I understand your concerns, Gerald, but the situation here is quite different. These people are not starving, and they know I have their best interests at heart.”
“You seem so sure of yourself,” continued the old warrior, “a far cry from the nervous girl that was afraid to talk to them only a short time ago.”
“That’s because you’re here to help me,” she said.
She held her head still as Sophie made a slight adjustment to her hair.
"Remember what you taught me, Gerald?" she asked.
"I've taught you many things," he mused. "Which particular lesson did you have in mind?"
"It is the obligation of the nobility to protect the commoners," she declared, “and that runs both ways. A wise man once told me that if you look after your people, they will, in turn, look after you."
"Who was that?" he asked.
"You, Gerald," she said, then smiled. She glanced in the mirror, "Very nice, Sophie."
"Thank you, Highness," said the maid. "I've left it over your ears to keep you warmer. Are you sure you won't wear the wrap? It's a little chilly for this time of year."
"I'll be fine," the princess declared.
"You should have it nearby," suggested Gerald, "just in case."
"Very well," surrendered Anna. "You can carry it, Sophie, just in case I need it. I wouldn't want the Duke of Wincaster worrying about it."
"I'm not a duke, Anna," he protested.
"You will be, once you take the oath," she said, turning in her chair to face him. "And I want you to know, regardless of the oath, I always want you to speak your mind."
"Understood," he said. "Now, hadn't we better be moving? The nobles look like they're all assembled."
"Let them wait a little longer," said Anna, "it'll teach them humility." She rose from her chair and twirled in front of the mirror. "What do you think?" she asked.
"You look beautiful," said Gerald, "and Sophie's done an impressive job with your hair. You look so much older."
"Good," she grinned. "Now, let's go take some oaths, shall we?"
"Very well, Your Highness," he said, moving from the window to the door. He opened it to see Dame Beverly waiting outside. "We're ready," he announced.
Beverly led them downstairs and through the Palace. They exited the structure by means of the massive front doors, and then paused, surveying the area before them. A large wooden platform had been built, topped by the warrior's throne. Steps led from either side, allowing those pledging their oaths to reach the monarch on one side, then withdraw from the other.
"Remind me again why the platform's so tall?" asked Gerald.
"So that the commoners beyond the gate can watch," answered Anna. "Now, where's Tempus?"
In answer, there was a bark from the massive dog, who sat beside Dame Hayley as she stood just behind the throne. No, thought Gerald, it's Lady Hayley now that she was a baroness.
As Anna made her way forward, horns sounded, and then a roar of appreciation erupted from the crowd. Gerald watched as Anna ascended the stairs, towards the throne, then turned and stood before it, looking to her audience.
"People of Merceria," she called out, her voice loud and clear, "I come here today to begin my reign by receiving the oath of allegiance from my loyal subjects." She paused as the crowd, once more, applauded.
Gerald watched the visitors within the gate. The nobles of the realm seemed unimpressed with the spectacle before them, and he wondered how many were already plotting against her. Was he being paranoid to think such a thing?
Anna sat down on the warrior's throne. She had refused to wear the crown until her coronation, so instead, today, she had opted for a simpler display of power, that of the throne itself. It was a seat of stone, with a high back and arms, simple in design, and yet, steeped in history.
When the Master of Heralds stepped forward, horns sounded once more, compelling the audience to fall silent.
Gerald absently listened to the words pouring forth from the man, but was not really paying attention. It caught him by surprise when his name was the first to be announced. He stepped forward, climbing the steps to pass Beverly, who stood with drawn sword. She nodded to him, and then he knelt before Anna, who extended her hand. He kissed her ring, as was the custom.
"I swear my fealty to you, Princess Anna of Merceria, and all your heirs as long as I shall live. To serve you faithfully, and without exception, until the end of my days."
"I accept your oath," she replied, in a formal tone, "and do promise to be a true and valiant sovereign of this realm. Arise, Lord Gerald Matheson, Duke of Wincaster and Marshal of the Realm."
There was only scattered applause from the nobles, and most of that from Aubrey and Hayley, but the commoners beyond the gate seemed thrilled by the announcement and exploded into a cacophony of cheers.
Anna waited until the cheers subsided before continuing. "Come stand beside me, Gerald, so that people may see the esteem in which I hold you."
"Are you sure?" he whispered.
"Of course," she said, "to my right, that's where you belong."
He moved up beside her, turning to face the crowd. He recognized the look of disgust on the Earl of Shrewesdale's face, but there was little he could do about it.
One by one, the Master of Heralds announced the nobles, each one climbing the platform to kiss the ring and proclaim their fealty. The last to do so was Lady Hayley Chambers, the new Baroness of Queenston. This brought some surprise, for many commoners knew nothing of the new town, whatsoever.
Gerald thought the ceremony complete when the Master of Heralds stepped forward again. Was this to last forever?
A commoner walked up to the throne, his head bowed in obeisance. He took the oath on behalf of the commoners of Merceria. A nice touch in Gerald's mind, and one which he hadn't expected. The man's oath complete, he left the platform.
Finally, Anna rose from her seat, marking the end of the ceremony. The herald announced a day of celebration and then Anna held out her hand for Gerald to escort her from the platform. They walked past the guards, and Beverly fell in behind them. Hayley soon followed, Tempus beside her, while the rest of the nobles waited their turn to enter the great hall.
An enormous banquet had been laid out in honour of the day, but this time Anna had insisted on changes to the seating arrangement. Gerald, as always, sat to her right while the huge bulk of Tempus lay to her left. Beside the great dog was Aubrey while Beverly was placed to Gerald's right. Past them, on either side, sat the great dukes and earls of the kingdom with the lesser nobles after them, based on their seniority.
In addition to the nobles, there were quite a few knights in attendance. Anna had issued a general amnesty for those who fought for her brother, but the wording of it had been precise; fighting for the other side was forgiven, but acts of violence towards the populace was not. There had been no reports detailing specific problems as yet, but Gerald thought it likely that in the coming days, stories would soon emerge about atrocities committed in the name of King Henry.
He knew that Beverly, in addition to her military duties, had been looking into the Knights of the Sword. Strictly speaking, they were not part of her command, for they fell under the direct order of the sovereign, but Beverly had been given the queen’s authority to investigate them, with an eye to determining their loyalty. They were, after all, the senior order of knighthood in the kingdom, and as such, still deserved to take up their rightful place in defence of the crown.
Gerald looked around the room and smiled as he noticed the guards. They were dressed in the finest armour, but he knew that beneath the chainmail, lay members of the Guard Cavalry, perhaps the most elite troops of the realm. They were armed and armoured as knights, but they were, to a man, born commoners. Most were professional soldiers, with years of experience behind them, while only their leader, Dame Beverly, held a title, that of Knight of the Hound.
There were only three such knights left, and he looked down the table to see one of them, Sir Arnim Caster, deep in conversation with his wife, Lady Nicole. The last, Dame Hayley, sat in her seat as Baroness of Queenston, beside the Royal Life Mage Revi Bloom. They, too, were chatting together, and Gerald was glad to see the mage back to some semblance of his old self.
"What do you think, Gerald?" Anna asked, interrupting his musings.
"Of what?" he replied.
"Of the ceremony, of course. How do you think it went?"
"Rather well," he said. "That was a nice touch, having someone swear on behalf of the commoners. Who came up with that?"
"I did," she beamed, letting loose the little girl that was still inside her. "The citizens of Wincaster loved it."
"They certainly did," said Gerald, "but some of the nobles weren't impressed."
"You worry too much," said Anna. "I know I'm pushing them hard, but it will all pay off in the end."
"And what is the end, Anna?"
"The rule of law," she said, "where everyone is treated equally when it comes to the courts. I know there will still be nobles, and privilege, for that matter, but the law of the land should be fair and equal for all."
"It's a noble sentiment," agreed Gerald, "but if you move too fast, you'll make more enemies. The kingdom's already divided by old loyalties."
"I know," she said, "and we shall have to find some way to mend bridges. I'm hoping to soften my approach now that they've given me their oath."
"Soften? How do you intend to do that?"
"By seeking their counsel when appointing the empty titles."
"Won't they just take advantage?" he warned.
"Perhaps," she said, “but I'll have to be careful not to give up too much power."
"What about Eastwood?" he asked.
"I had hoped to give that to Baron Fitzwilliam, but he refused."
"Did he? I suppose that's not too surprising, he's always loved Bodden."
"I considered making him the Earl of Bodden, but the town's not big enough," confessed Anna, "so what am I to do?"
"What about the other races?" asked Gerald, keeping his voice low. "If you can get them onto the council, you'd have more influence."
"Yes," she agreed, "but I can't imagine any of the nobles of Merceria wishing to dilute their own power to do so. I'll wait till I'm queen and then make a few changes by proclamation."
"You can do that?" he asked.
"Oh yes," she said, "thanks to King Andred, I can get away with all manner of things."
"Then why not use that to make your changes now?" he asked.
"I want people to embrace the changes, not have them shoved down their throats. If I use force, I'll turn everyone against me. I must try to be diplomatic about this."
"So, you're going to buy their support by appointments?"
"Yes," she confessed, "I know it's not a perfect solution, but it's better than ruling by decree."
Farther down the table, Lord Montrose leaned closer to the Earl of Tewsbury.
"I trust the day finds you in good health, Lord Stanton?"
"It does," replied the elderly duke, "though I daresay I've been better. I'm afraid some of the day's activities have not agreed with my stomach."
"I'm sorry to hear that," said Montrose. "Is there anything I can do to help?"
"I doubt it," replied Lord Stanton. "I suppose we'll just have to weather it out."
"In that, I think we are in agreement," offered Montrose. "How was the trip down here?"
"Pleasant enough," replied Stanton. "I understand you've been spending some time in the company of my cousin. He tells me great things about you."
"Does he now?"
"Indeed, he does. I also have it on good authority that your list of friends is growing."
"You humble me," said Montrose. "I am merely a facilitator."
"Do you remember the Walters family?" asked Stanton.
"Wasn't it their nephew that died at Walpole Street?" asked Montrose.
"It was. It seems the uncle takes exception to the appointment of this new marshal. I might suggest you have someone talk to him, I'm sure his thoughts on the kingdom might align with your own."
"I shall keep that in mind," said Montrose
"Might I enquire if you have any... plans for the foreseeable future?"
"None that I would take seriously," said Montrose. "Why do you ask?"
"I thought I might invite you and your companions to Tewsbury for a visit. Sometimes it's nice to get away from the rigours of court, don't you think?"
"And away from prying eyes?" asked Montrose.
"Precisely," Stanton agreed.
"And when might this visit take place, do you think?"
"I believe the midwinter festival would be a grand time to get together, don't you?"
"I do," said Montrose, "and I look forward to seeing you there, as, I suspect, the rest will."
"Very well then, it's all settled. We'll meet again over the winter."