The Forged King

Garret hadn’t had a chance to properly thank Ivy for whatever she did to convince his mother, but he had to do something. Right now though he had to do his job.

He had arrived ahead of time through the portal to Vulcan Library, then was taken to the reception area alongside the other scribes for the event.

He was comforted to not be the only one who wore a mask, a condition his mother set. The Vulcan representative wore one of intricate metal work, contrasting the full-covering of wood Garret had over his face. His mask was at least painted well, but angled so nobody could see his eyes, which made it difficult for his eyes to see anybody. He managed somehow to make notes.

Mineria: Queen Clarisse, Prince Neri, Princess Marina, Three Courtiers.

Renue: King Gandr, Prince Ingvi, Duke Anarri, five courtiers.

Ilva: Queen Oleander, General Mistletoe

He paused as he saw a face he recognized standing in the middle of the other princets, so there was no questioning what her title could be even if it wasn’t announced, especially with the jewelry she adorned herself with. He recognized some of it from his birthday.

Prince Oak, Princess Ivy, Princess Nightshade, no courtiers.

Ivy didn’t even bother looking at him as far as he could tell, not that he could afford changing his angle as the next group came in.

Avalon: Sovereign Odde, Lady Evana, Prince Inten, Lord Phantasm

Armath: Prime Minister Larian, no entourage

Garret would be taking the room beside the prime minister for the assignment, allowing him to ask questions. It would be good for the people of Armath to know the Prime Minister’s opinions.

Draconis: Dragon Lady Veilia, Dragon Lord Avery, Dragons, Guard

He would find names for those unannounced later. He followed the entourage of scribes to the banquet, trying his best not to watch Ivy too intently.

It wasn’t like Ivy was required to talk to him, or that Garret had the time, but he felt insulted, ignored. He didn’t recognize the blushing girl underneath the kind but formal princess.

Once, early on, they’d accidentally bumped into each other while she was running. He tried to take advantage of the lack of witnesses to say anything, but she apologized and kept running. She had even used his name as if to prove she recognized him and was choosing to ignore him.

Now that she’d revealed her rank, she couldn’t pretend he was good enough for her.

He ignored her back as best he could, simple with their schedules. He only had to see her when the scribes were recording events, which they weren’t allowed to participate in.

He wanted to ask why Prince Ingvi tried to trip her during a dance, or why she was so close to Lord Avery, nearly four years her senior. He wanted her to ask about his work, so he could tell her it was against the rules.

He wanted his friend back, and he had one opportunity.

The visit to the Forge had not allowed scribes, so during their meetings, the scribes had agreed they should ask the princesses what, if anything, had happened.

“Garret Forge should ask them,” Endra, the representative from Everin said, “It is his name after all.”

“From my mother,” he said, before anyone could ask him about the Forge.

“He’s also around their age,” the old woman from Avalon who never gave her name said, “Which may make the girls more comfortable.”

“It is his age that is exactly the flaw,” the head scribe of Vulcan said, “How can we trust him to record them properly?”

“I have seen his records,” Endra said, “He will excel at the task.”

Why had an Everin scribe seen his work? They wouldn’t have had time to search after word of Garret’s promotion considering the preparations that went into the Sovereign Council.

The Mineria representative, who never spoke aloud, gave a confirming sign. The Renuean offered a similar nod. Soon everyone other than Garret had given approval.

“Thank you,” he bowed, and left for where the princesses would arrive. Someone placed a hand on his shoulder. He gave a quiet stare as scribes were meant to with interference. It was Endra.

“Do this well, and you will have an invitation to Everin.”

Garret was grateful for his mask covering the way his jaw-dropped, then closed it.

“When did you read my records?”

“Princess Ivy has been using Everin to enter Kitaba. Your library doesn’t share our prestige, so on a hunch I checked through all the younger and apprentice scribes to see any mention of the princess. Instead I found an apprentice with promise. I wanted to see you in action, and you do not disappoint.”

“And who do you think is the reason Princess Ivy went to Kitaba?”

If he was being asked only because of his friendship with Ivy, he couldn’t accept.

Endra smiled.

“I spotted your potential before I saw how you and the princess avoid looks. The royal family’s influence on Everin is limited to their access, and their necessity in the appointment of a new head scribe.”

Garret waited for any bystanders to pass them by.

“Is my relationship with Princess Ivy the real reason you recommended I ask the princesses?”

“You’re not invited to Everin yet, Forge.”

Endra disappeared before Garret could push them, which was probably for the better.

He watched the entrance as the princesses came in. Ivy’s expression turned to concern for a moment before returning to composure.

“Princesses, would you be willing to speak of your visit to the Forge?” he asked.

“There is nothing to tell,” Princess Marina said, rushing past him. Ivy placed a hand on his arm.

“There is something. I will convince her to tell you, but keep your mask on, your voice low, and your eyes hidden.”

“Why can’t you tell me?”

“Because I’m already breaking my promise to tell you this much.”

She moved toward Princess Marina, and Garret could do nothing but watch. What promise?

One of Marina’s guards came up to him.

“You will follow.”

He nodded, obeying, unsure what else to do.

The guards kept him at a distance from the princess, and themselves. He took notes on the hostility, sure to ignore them once the time came to record.

“What I am going to tell you,” Princess Marina said as the guards moved to give him sight of her, “Is a secret, and will be kept as such, do you understand?”

“I do.”

“Good,” she opened the door to her chamber, gesturing for him to enter. None of the guards followed.

The room was far more luxurious than his, with fine sheets, and soft carpet which they both sat down on.

Garret pulled out a different piece of paper and a new pen. He made a seal on it, ensuring the words could be read by none but him and the head scribes.

“What do you know of the Forged Queen?” Princess Marina asked.

“That is an ominous question to start with. Why do you ask?”

“Because I don’t know how much I need to tell you.”

This felt like a challenge. Garret straightened himself as he sat across from her.

“Like King Solam, she was raised in the Forge, which is likely why he cared enough to ask her to be his consort. Though she had a good reputation among the people, she disliked diplomacy.

“Moving forward, just as her children were born, they were accused of being another man’s: an ambassador from Armath. Blinded by rage, King Solam possibly killed her and the children, but their bodies were never found.”

Marina gave an approving nod.

“Queen Ariana’s son is alive.”

Garret barely held his composure at his mother’s name. He adjusted his mask to make his eyes less obvious like Ivy told him.

“Where is he?”

“He is being raised in the Forge by his grandparents, Kardin and Sariel Forge.”

Those were his grandparents’ names according to the genealogies. Something was clicking into place about why his mother didn’t want him in Phoenix.

“What is his name?”

“Reuben Forge. He has trained as a goldsmith, and made this ring.” she revealed her hand, which had a lovely ring, just a bit more complex than the one Ivy always wore. “Which bears the emblem of the Phoenix King inside.”

“Would you be willing to take it off so I can draw it?” he asked. “I only need to draw whatever part the emblem is on.”

She placed it on the table, and he drew up the design.

“How did you learn of this?” he asked.

“By asking after the ring. The symbol and his eyes made clear his heritage.”

“What about his eyes?” Garret asked, focusing on the drawing.

“They’re the same red as King Solam. Apparently he has Ariana’s chin as well.”

Garret did his best not to feel his chin. He’d never thought about if it looked like his mother’s or not.

“How old is he?” Garret asked, sure he knew it exactly.

“I did not ask, but I imagine somewhere around 16.”

16 and a few weeks, probably, same age as Garret.

“So Ariana’s son lives,” Garret said, returning to his job, “And is definitely Solam’s as well, thus proving her loyalty. This son is named Reuben Forge, and was raised by his grandparents at the Forge, right under Solam’s nose. His existence was discovered because you, Princess Marina, commissioned a ring from the Forge—”

“Prince Ingvi commissioned it. It was an engagement gift.”

Garret corrected his notes.

“His existence was discovered because Prince Ingvi gave you a ring that Reuben made as an engagement present, and this ring had the emblem of the Phoenix King on it. You asked about who made this ring out of understandable curiosity, and were led to Reuben Forge who was obviously Solam’s son.”

“I wasn’t led, exactly. He gave the tour.”

Garret took note of that as well.

“Thank you, Princess Marina. This information is valuable.” he bowed and began to leave the room.

“Before you go,” the princess said, “What is your name?”

His mother’s name could damn him, given his attire was clearly from Armath. He’d planned on waiting until he could get into Everin before changing his name, but it wasn’t like Endra could check if he did a good job unless they were miraculously the chief scribe. He had one name available to him.

“Garret Kitaba.”

Garret did his best not to stare at the king, whose eyes matched his, who his mother claimed was taken from her. He avoided even muttering the questions bubbling up in favor of his safety.

Red eyes or not, Garret was an Air Mage, the same kind his mother had been accused of having an affair with. If this man’s trust could be shattered, it could cut Garret and his mother apart.

He knew his notes would be shoddy, which damaged his chance even further. The council announced a break, and Garret sighed in relief.

“What did you learn from the princesses,” Endra asked, “If anything?”

He showed his notes. Endra’s eyes did not stray from the seal.

“They demanded secrecy of you?”

“Yes.”

“For what purpose?”

“The purpose of keeping their words a secret. The information is a few paragraphs at best, but I agree with the princesses’ assessment.”

Endra gave a disapproving stare.

“I can’t submit this to my superiors.”

“And I can’t betray the trust of my sources.”

He had vows. Information could be harmful, and it was his job to record that for a time when it would be safe.

“Your behavior is commendable, but it cannot recommend you to Everin. I’m sorry.”

Endra offered him a nod, and Garret waited a moment, trying not to cry before joining them for refreshments.

The Sovereign Council ended with little change in policy, but before they could truly end the session, a young man entered the chamber.

“How did you enter here?” King Solam asked.

“I am Reuben Forge,” announced the young man, “Son of Queen Ariana and King Solam. I was left at the gates of the Forge to be raised by my grandparents with this seal to prove my heritage.”

Reuben Forge held in his hand a piece of leather emblazoned with the symbol of the Phoenix King. His gaze never turned from Solam, and Solam returned it in kind.

“What proof do you have beyond a stolen symbol?” Solam asked, without dismissal in his tone.

“Kardin Forge knows me to be his daughter’s son. She left a letter giving me a name, and asking for my grandparents to care for me. Most importantly, you and I share the same eyes, Father.”

The king stared at the young man for several minutes more, the chamber silent aside from the vicious scribbling of the scribes.

“I believe our business was done,” Queen Clarisse of Mineria announced, with a glare toward the scribes. “I propose a dismissal to allow King Solam his privacy.”

The council quickly agreed, all except Solam and Reuben left the chamber, Scribes included.

All scribes waited outside the door, as nothing of the royal families could be near as worthy of note as Solam’s response to this boy. We were rewarded as they exited the chamber with Solam’s arm across Reuben’s shoulders.

“I acknowledge Prince Reuben of Phoenix as my son and heir.”

—Addendum, 8th year of Queen Ivy’s Reign, Garret Kitaba, Head Scribe of Everin Library:

Thus began the age of the Forged King.