Epilogue #2
Onric heard it too, as he glanced toward the ground.
His expression could never hide his feelings, and Ian could see both his bewilderment and his humility.
Robin was absolutely right. His brother had a fierce heart and an honest goodness that would serve Iseldis well.
He deserved the power and recognition solely because he had never sought them out.
And with Ashlin and her gentle strength by his side, they could accomplish anything.
Ian sent Robin a smirk. “It's not too late. The coronation hasn't happened yet.”
Robin shook her head frantically.
Behind her, Erich stepped out of the castle, Aizel at his side.
Aizel wore a beautiful dark purple gown that Mistress Cedrice and Ashlin had crafted to match Erich's favorite purple and orange jacket.
The dress even featured a long, fluttering feather that wrapped around her hips to match the one in Erich's hat.
“I didn't mean for us,” Ian continued speaking, lifting his voice to carry across the courtyard. “I just meant it wasn't too late to ask Erich to take the crown instead.”
Onric laughed, ease replacing the previous look of humble acceptance. “That is precisely why I accepted your offer. To save the kingdom from a magnificent disaster.” He turned to the approaching Erich.
Erich sniffed, pointing his face toward the sky. “I would have said no anyway.” He dropped his gaze to smile at each of them. “I have far more important work to to do.”
Despite his jesting tone, Ian knew his brother was serious.
Aizel wanted to return to her island home of Istroya with Celesta.
Their parents still lived there, as well as all the remaining Majis were still under the control of Gareth's taskers.
It would not be an easy task to restore justice and freedom to the island, but Sol and Meena were committed to the task and they had the support of Iseldis, the Iseldan Majis, and River's Talon behind them.
“Your mother was looking for you,” Aizel said, speaking to Onric. “The guests have begun to arrive.”
“I was on my way to find her,” Onric said. He walked toward the castle, Aizel and Erich following him.
Ian waited for a moment, not yet ready to enter to the great hall which was likely already crowded.
His eyes moved toward the barracks across the courtyard.
Robin gently slipped her hand into his arm, quietly saying nothing as though she knew what he was thinking.
Ian exhaled, letting his shoulders fall for a moment despite the joy of the day. She probably did know exactly what he was thinking. “I keep thinking he will come around the corner, telling me that my stance is weak.”
Robin pushed her shoulder against him, throwing her weight into him just hard enough to make him stumble. ““It probably is.”
Ian caught himself, extracting his arm from her grip and throwing it around her shoulders to hold both of the steady. He looked down. “He was a good man, until the end. And even then, he thought he was doing what was right.”
Robin took a deep breath, her shoulders gently lifting his arm with her inhale. “I am sorry that responsibility fell to you.”
“It is a moment I will never forget,” Ian said.
“You do not have to,” Robin replied.
Ian looked over to see her face close to his, her gaze gentle. He nodded. “Let us go attend a wedding.”
“And a coronation,” Robin replied.
Robin stepped through the crowded great hall, working her way toward the dais to stand next to Mistress Cedrice.
The silken fabric of her dark green skirt felt soft and unfamiliar against her legs.
While she far preferred her trousers, she found herself enjoying the feeling of being Lady Robin because she knew it would only last for a day.
The hall itself showed no signs of the battle that had taken place within its walls.
Garlands of greenery hung from every balcony railing and wrapped around the side of the dais.
Strands of light blue glass beads—a gift from the Lockwood Majis—glowed from inside each garland.
Even inside the crowded room, Robin felt as though the sky and forest had been brought indoors.
Behind the dais, carefully tacked along the entire length of the back wall, hung the Majis tapestry.
Nearly every panel had been restored, revealing the lost moments of Iseldan history, when the Majis and quotidian had lived peacefully together.
Aden, his tall head poking above the crowd, stood before the tapestry, carefully examining one of the panels and ignoring the noise and bustle of the crowded room.
Pushing herself up onto her toes, Robin could just barely make out Isa's head of shimmering brown hair leaning next to Aden's shoulder.
Isa had visited Lockwood several times over the past three sevennights to discuss a special project with several of the Majis there.
After the wedding and coronation, Isa and Aden were returning to Allys, taking many of the newly arrived Majis with them to build a library and found a school.
A school that would welcome all, and teach a new generation of children a far richer and truer history than anyone had previously had access to.
Isa was particularly excited to create the experience of learning which she herself had never had as a young woman.
King Alonso of Allys had already promised to help in providing land and financial support to the venture.
The visiting king sat in a row of chairs close to Robin, just at the foot of the dais.
His son August was seated next to him, as well as his daughter, Princess Octavia.
Standing behind her chair with his arms crossed, stood the only non-smiling person in the room.
Robin caught his eye, lifting her eyebrows by way of a small greeting.
The bluebearded Captain Julian gave her a sly grin in return.
His ship had carried many a Majis across the sea for her.
Looking around at the other people who stood or sat close to the dais, Robin felt her heart melt.
Everyone had been invited to partake in this celebration.
The steward and head cook of the castle were standing a place usually reserved for royal guests.
Up overhead, a wall of gray livery filled most of the second balcony.
Onric's castle guard stood stiffly at attention but beamed ear-to-ear to witness the wedding of their friend and comrade.
Robin wanted to salute them. These were the men who had literally chosen their loyalty on the battlefield when Onric had called on them to choose a side.
Beside that wall of gray stood another group of soldiers.
Her own band had done their best to wash and wear their finest clothing, but the simple brown and green of their leathers and woolen cloaks looked haphazard next to the castle guard.
Robin loved them all the more for it. Lane, the only one who had a fine enough jacket for the occasion, was speaking animatedly with one of the gray-clad guards.
Nele and Jette were leaning over the railing, pointing at things in the crowd below.
Ulli stood stiffly behind them, his eyes scanning the room in a different way.
He would be far more relaxed when they returned to Lockwood.
Brother Fletcher was nowhere in sight. He had likely found some of his former monks somewhere in the crowd.
Or perhaps he had taken it upon himself to 'help' in the kitchens so more of the staff could attend the wedding. Robin smiled.
Even Ilida had joined them for the day. She had protested, of course, but Bernard had convinced her to travel and enjoy herself—even if he had persuaded her to do it by asking her to help organize the travel plans for the Majis.
Rigelt stood amongst a group of Majis on the lower balcony.
The open joy in the room was far larger than any fear or discomfort that the people might have felt at the presence of several Majis.
Robin knew that there was still much work to be done to safely and openly re-integrate the Majis who wanted to remain in Iseldis.
But she was pleased and humbled to see the small and large steps that the royal family had taken to include them in this coronation.
From Aizel and Celesta standing proudly on the dais itself as part of the royal family, to the restored tapestry, to the small touch of the glowing blue glass.
Somewhere out of sight on one of the upper balconies, musicians began to play a celebratory march. The rest of the room slowly went quiet as the change in music signaled the start of the ceremony.
On the dais itself, King Frederich sat in a smaller chair beside his official throne—the throne that he was about to pass to his son.
Because of his injury, he would not be joining in the wedding procession.
He caught Robin's eye and lifted his hand, subtly gesturing to the space next to him.
Aden and Isa had joined him from their place at the tapestry, standing behind his chair.
Sol and Meena stood to one side, while Erich, Aizel, and Celesta stood on the other.
Ian had previously invited Robin to stand on the dais as part of the family, but she had declined. She did not particularly like being in a place where she could be seen. But in this moment, Frederich was openly inviting her to step into her place as a part of the family.
Taking a deep breath, Robin nodded and walked forward, climbing the few short steps onto the raised dais. She stepped past the king and stood next to Isa.
An ungodly whoop sounded from the second tier balcony. Robin felt her face grow warm and she refused to look at the place where Lane was standing.