The Forged King

Marina hated Renue. It was freezing, and the royal family was intolerable. She had spent at least an hour up here every week to speak with Prince Ingvi, and contemplated running away every time.

This time, she was accompanied by her mother and brother, all nearly as uncomfortable in the supposedly warm clothes as they were merely standing in the throne room. Renue liked to put them on the wrong foot if they could help it. Her mother always said it was because Renue fears Mineria for good reason, but Marina considered it to just be plain cruelty.

“Princess Marina,” Prince Ingvi finally said, stepping away from his parents’ side, “It gives me great joy to see your face.”

“And I yours,” she lied. His face made her want nothing more than to bash it in, but the task remained as it was. He couldn’t actually tell, both because he ignored her and because she was well-practiced in diplomacy.

“You grow more beautiful each time I see you. The cold does nothing more than emphasize the fact.”

The cold was freezing her alive, but who was she to complain, just the princess of a close neighbor they shouldn’t want angry at them.

“And your beauty grows as well,” she said.

She stepped forward as Ingvi came down so they were face to face, save the fact Ingvi emphasized his greater height. He grabbed her hands, she was grateful for the warmth.

“Through our time together, I have realized there is nothing I would want more than you by my side.” he sounded so genuine.

He placed something in her hands, pulling his away. It was a silver ring with an ice white crystal flanked by two smaller blue ones. She held it up to observe. Though she didn’t like the gift-giver, she couldn’t deny the craftsmanship. Turning it to see just under the crystal revealed the reason was because it wasn’t made by anyone in Renue, but by the Forge. Every smith placed a personal symbol on their work. Marina looked to see if she recognized the symbol, but she couldn’t place where she had seen it before.

“Will you, Princess Marina,” she flinched as she looked back at Ingvi, “Do me the great honor, and pleasure, of marrying me and becoming my wife?”

She kept herself from glancing back at her mother, focusing on Ingvi’s eyes as much as she could see them. A piercing light blue, barely contrasting the whites of his eyes, and not a lick of honesty within them.

“I will, once I come of age.”

Sixteen and 3 seasons, seventeen in a few months. Barely over a year before she had to live in this terrible place.

They shared a kiss. She was again glad for the warmth of his skin in this cold place. Cheers came from the courtiers, and tame claps from their families. This was not the first attempt to join their two families, and both sides felt weary.

To continue their performance, Ingvi pulled her away to a place without anyone there to watch them. Instead of pushing her away, like she expected, Ingvi gave her another kiss, this one longer, more passionate.

“What was that for?” like the old stories told of curses, one kiss was all it took to crack her spell of diplomacy.

“I wanted to kiss you again.”

“You have shown nothing but absolute derision every time I have visited. Why would you want to kiss me?”

Ingvi just smiled.

“Because I wanted to be sure you were mine.” he lightly slid his fingers down the side of her face.

“I am not here to be owned, Prince Ingvi.” she took a step away from him, “I am here because your kingdom is so weak, it knows Avalon will side with it even as an aggressor.”

The first thing she was told never to say while any Renuean was in earshot, directly to the prince’s face. His scowl was almost worth it, though.

“You brat.”

“There’s the prince I’ve come to know.”

She had to play it off like she planned it. Then he’d think attacking would lose the fight.

“There’s the happy couple.” the slamming open of doors revealed one of the more tolerable members of the Renuean court, Ingvi’s cousin, Anarri.

“I didn’t see you at the ceremony,” Marina said. Anarri seemed to often disappear, both from Marina’s experience and Ingvi’s reports.

“I did my best, but I especially cannot stop the winds from their will.” Anarri offered a bow in apology.

“You should plan better, cousin,” Ingvi replied.

“Perhaps one of these days, I shall. For the moment we will have to outlive the insult.”

Ingvi rolled his eyes. He didn’t hide his negative feelings for Anarri, calling him inferior for being a lack-magek. The rumors Anarri was a closer relative than officially acknowledged didn’t help much.

Anarri didn’t acknowledge, and reached into the bag he had with him, pulling out a package.

“A gift, for your coming of age, your highness. I suppose it is also for your engagement. Congratulations on both counts.”

Ingvi grabbed the package, ripping into it. Inside the box it hid was a set of crowns.

“Though it may not quite match your father’s, I thought you could use the practice.”

Though definitely a vanity, it was one well thought out. Whether the thought was kind, or to incense Ingvi was more of a question.

“Leave us,” Ingvi growled.

“Of course, I need not take up any more of your time.”

“And, Anarri.”

“Yes?”

“Tell no one of your gift.”

“Of course, your highness.”

Ingvi held the crowns in his hands, one designed with Minerian symbols clearly with Marina in mind, and covered them in ice. Glaring straight at Marina, he tossed them to the floor, shattering them.

“I apologize for that intrusion, Princess Marina.”

Marina stared at the shattered crowns, unable to shift her focus.

“I’ll call a servant to clean it up. You should return to your family.”

Marina fidgeted with her ring, pulling it on and off and staring at the symbol hidden underneath the ice-white gem. She tried to forget most of the morning, focusing on the task at hand.

“That’s unbecoming of a princess, especially a future consort.” Neri said, standing at the opposite side of the grand entrance. Marina wanted to clobber him, though it would likely be just as unbecoming to injure the crown prince, even if he was her brother.

“It’s a good thing I didn’t ask for your advice.”

“It makes you look nervous. You need to seem confident at all times.” he stood a little straighter in example.

“Mother does the same thing.”

“I’ve never seen her do it.”

“Maybe she trusts me more than you.”

“You shouldn’t speak ill of those who might hear you.”

Marina turned to her mother, decked in a display’s worth of royal pageantry.

“Waiting for Tessa as well, are we?” she asked.

Marina looked at her own simple garment. The sparse layers of sheer fabric made her look like any citizen of Mineria.

“Should I dress up?” Neri had dressed up, but he always wanted to impress Tessa.

“Heavens no. Most of this can’t be easily put on, and I am expecting an invitation from Solam for the council today, for which I need all this pageantry, not that a future court wizard is not worth impressing.”

Of course, Queen Clarisse was always thinking ahead, as was expected of her.

“I will need you to dress up for the invitation, obviously, Marina.”

“But not quite as much?”

“Of course not, I can’t have you steal the attention, especially not with Phoenicians.”

Marina cringed. She understood why her mother preferred to hide her around Phoenix, but she didn’t have to be so blatant. It wasn’t Marina’s fault Solam’s child was never born. She hadn’t negotiated for her marriage to Prince Ingvi of Renue a few years ago.

“Do you think Tessa will look any different?” Neri asked.

“It’s only been two seasons,” Marina said, “And she’s pretty much just been studying.”

“But she’s been on land this whole time.”

“Just because Avalon is the farthest kingdom from Mineria doesn’t make it a desert, that’s Phoenix.”

As Marina finished her point, the middle of the room swirled with water, transforming into a kind of bird before collapsing to reveal a completely dry Tessa wearing Avalonian garb of several fabrics and laces and layers.

“Welcome Tessa,” Mother said, “It is good to see you in the palace once again.

Tessa bowed.

“Thank you, your majesty. It is good to return, though I also look forward to returning to my studies once this break is over.”

Mother glanced toward Neri a moment before returning gaze to Tessa.

“Would you be willing to act as wizard for our travels to Phoenix? I’m sure Mirsham would appreciate it.”

Mirsham was the current wizard, who Tessa was soon set to replace once she finished her studies.

“I would be honored to.”

“Excellent. I’ll leave my children to finish welcoming you.”

“You look radiant as ever, Tessa,” Neri said, moving in close and taking her hand.

“Thank you, your highness.” Tessa was clearly trying to move away. Marina ran up and grabbed the other hand.

“I have something I need to tell you.” she gave Tessa a wink as she pulled her away from Neri.

Once they reached the end of the room, Marina jumped into the water-filled hall, legs quickly turning into a dark blue tail. Tessa transformed into a brown seal as she followed.

Marina led her to her room, where she quickly activated the runes that pulled the water out of it, so Tessa could speak in more than arfs.

“Thank you, Marina.”

Though a few years older than her, Tessa had been Marina’s closest friend since she could speak. Marina had even been the one to recognize her arcane talent, which Mirsham then fostered until the queen sponsored Tessa’s placement at the Wyrd Sisters Academy.

“Tell me everything that’s happened,” Marina ordered.

“I thought you had something to tell me.”

“That was just to get you away from Neri. What I need is for you to tell me everything, especially what you can’t tell Mirsham.”

“You mean all of the gossip.”

Marina nodded.

“I think the Dragon Lord and the Craddock in my hall have an interest in each other. He at least has in interest in her.”

“The Craddocks never marry into royal families. It’s never worked out. Disaster always strikes.”

“Well disaster has sometimes meant change of royal families, in which case things tend to work out really well. Not every family clings to royal status the way yours does.” Tessa tapped her on the nose.

“It’s not like we don’t earn it.”

“Can you seriously tell me Neri has earned his place as next in line for the throne?” Tessa immediately covered her mouth.

“I don’t think he has, no. I would be a better choice, but I’m stuck in marriage negotiations.”

Tessa seemed to smile.

“Why did that make you smile? You know Renue is the worst, and prince Ingvi is a tyrant among them.”

“I wasn’t thinking of your future marriage.”

“Then what?”

Tessa pulled her hair back from her face.

“I may have met someone at the academy.”

“Who are they? A fellow student? You could always have a secondary wizard.” she just had to be sure to marry before Neri took the throne, as Neri wouldn’t let anyone else have her.

“Oh,” Tessa slightly collapsed, “I didn’t realize they made perfect people until I met him, but he proves it.”

“Describe him.” Marina droned.

“He’s tall, strong, smarter than he’s given credit for. He protected me for the whole session without anyone asking him to. I even asked him to stop several times—you know I can take care of myself—but I just loved seeing him.” she leaned on Marina’s shoulder, “Before I left, I snuck out with him and he gave me this.” she revealed a pendant, an old one, though well cared for.

That wasn’t good. If this man was from where Marina thought, then that pendant meant so much more.

“I thought you said the Dragon Lord was smitten with a Craddock.”

“He’s guarding the Dragon Lord,” Tessa explained, “He’ll be guarding him for the council of kings as well, if you would like to meet him.”

“No, I would not like to meet your failed paramour.”

“Singe isn’t a failed paramour. What on earth do you mean, Marina?”

“If he’s protecting a Dragon Lord, then he’s a member of the Black Dragon corps, that means he won’t be able to join you here, and you made vows to be our court wizard as part of your education. You won’t be able to be together, and even if he were willing to come here, Neri would do everything in his power to ruin you. Why would you accept his proposal?” she shoved the pendant in Tessa’s face.

“I haven’t accepted yet,” Tessa said, “I haven’t had the time to make a necklace for him. He told me he wouldn’t want the necklace back unless the impossible happened and he moved on from me.”

“He’s known you less than a year.”

“And yet he knew exactly how to ask.”

Marina had never seen Tessa like this. She fidgeted with her ring a little more in frustration.

“Is that what Prince Ingvi gave you as a betrothal gift?” Tessa asked, changing the subject.

“Yes, commissioned from The Forge with ice crystals. The symbol on it looks familiar though.”

“Really, from where?”

Marina flopped onto her bed.

“I have no idea. I’ve checked every Forge-made item in the whole palace, and none of them have the same symbol.”

“Maybe I can bring it to the academy and compare it to some of the runes there.”

“I can’t part with it for the time it would take to do that.”

Tessa rolled her eyes.

“What was that for?”

“Not you, just all of this situation. I’ll just say I’m glad the position I’m in removes political marriages as an option.”

“Thanks for your commiseration.”

Tessa stepped over to her, giving a tight hug, with her chin just above Marina’s head.

“I am here to talk to you whenever you might need it.”

“You aren’t, with everything you have to do, but I appreciate the sentiment nonetheless.”

Marina moved away to get changed, ignoring the pitying look on Tessa’s face.

“Your highness,” a servant said from just outside of the door, “Your mother the queen requests your presence in the royal chamber to greet the messenger from Phoenix.”

“If you’ll excuse me, Tessa, I have royal duties to attend to.”

Marina poised herself for elegance, doing her best to match her mother’s posture, not quite matching in ethereal nature. Nothing made it more obvious that Queen Clarisse was in a league all her own.

She chose to go without a consort, leaving the father of each of her children a mystery. Even Neri and Marina didn’t even know if they were full siblings or half. She’d focused on ruling over raising her own children, which made for a more businesslike than familial relationship between all of them.

“Greetings from Phoenix, and the court of Phoenix King Solam.” The messenger bent on one knee, offering an envelope with a red seal. “I bear a message for Queen Clarisse Elanorei.”

“We accept these greetings, and this offering with great joy, and hope for continuing good relationship between our kingdoms.” The Queen didn’t even look down as she took the envelope.

The messenger stood up, nodded, and left the three of them. All that work for less than a minute of interaction.

Clarisse placed her glasses on as she opened the document. Neri and Marina watched in interest.

“It appears you two have an invitation to visit the Forge, on this great anniversary of King Solam’s ascension to the throne, due to his valuable connection to it in his formative years.”

Marina held her tongue to keep from reciting the history, but not quickly enough.

“He was raised in the Forge. Calling it a valuable connection is a bit flowery, is it not?”

Her mother gave her an annoyed look.

“As the timing cannot be made long enough, and the Forge was barely willing to allow these visitors, it will be extended only to the younger members of the entourage, without permission of guards.”

“This sounds like a trap,” Neri said.

Marina looked down at her ring. Maybe she could ask the source where this symbol came from.

“Is it King Solam or the Forge you don’t trust?” the queen asked, “As he’ll likely feel insulted by whoever chooses not to go, if they do not have a good excuse.”

Neri swallowed.

“I would like to go, mother,” Marina said, “There is much to be learned from the Forge.”

“Indeed there is, and the fact the heir is refusing will seem less of an insult due to the condition of no guards.”

Marina was glad to help, but mad about the reminder of her position.

“We will send a return message. If one of you would be willing to bring this to Podeca for preservation and forming the RSVP.”

Marina grabbed the envelope before Neri could, closing it to watch the seal reform, then froze.

When slightly larger, she could see the wings turning to fire, the regal beak.

Why did her ring have the symbol of the Phoenix king engraved inside?