In Harmony We Trust by Ryan Matthew Harker (chromebook ebook reader .TXT) 📕

been having a dream- a premonition if you will- and he said it was a dream of a glorious time for both AnEerth and Earth. He said that during this time the twin worlds both would become united under one king, a wise and kind man, full of compassion and light, who would lead the two worlds to peace and greatness. You are aware that the king and I never had any children of our own?” Mega’N asked, suddenly shifting gears.
“Um, I think I heard mention of it from somewhere,” Candlelite answered.
“Well, it’s true. So we haven’t anyone to be an heir to our throne,” Mega’N told him and then returned to what the king had told her. “So I asked him who this king was who would unite our worlds and do you know who he told me it was? Of course you don’t,” she answered for him. “Although by the expression on your face you may have guessed. He told me that this man, this great king would be you Candlelite.”
Candlelite’s entire body went numb with shock and his mouth fell open, shut and then fell open again.
“And so we come to the question which Zakeriah told me to ask of you.” Mega’N leaned further until she could take his hand in hers. “Will you, Candlelite, will you except this offer and take the throne as High King of AnEerth?”
“I don’t know what to say,” Candlelite stammered and he finally managed to get his mouth to stay shut.
“Don’t say anything yet,” Mega’N told him. “Think about it over the next week or so and let me know what you decide.” She let go of his hand, sat back in her chair and took a drink of her wine. “Talk it over with Absinthe for it is as much her decision as it is yours.”
“Of course, your majesty,” Candlelite slipped back into formality and stood up. “If you’ll excuse me, I think I need to go to bed.”
“Of course,” Mega’N kept her seat. “Perhaps, before long, I shall be calling you ‘Your Majesty’.”
Candlelite’s face turned red. Without another word he left the room and returned to his own chamber.


It was three weeks after he had spoke with the queen in her bed chamber and Candlelite had yet to give an answer to her question. He and Absinthe had just enjoyed a special meal with their friends in the royal dining hall and were recently returned to their rooms to enjoy an intimate evening discussion, something they had made a habit of since Candlelite’s depression had started to lift. More often or not their topic of discussion was whether or not they were comfortable accepting the responsibility of ruling an entire planet or, if King Zakeriah’s dream was to be taken seriously, the rule of two planets.
Tonight’s conversation was of less serious things though and it was interrupted by a gentle knock at their chamber door.
“It’s open,” Absinthe sang out happily while Candlelite continued to laugh at her last remark.
The door opened and in came McAriicoys, Vohrmint, and Max. McAriicoys and Vohrmint carried between them a plain wooden box about four and a half feet long.
“Ahoy there lovebirds!” Vohrmint loudly teased in greeting as he and McAriicoys sat the box on a bare table top.
‘Hello Vohrmint.” Absinthe got up from the couch she had been sharing with Candlelite and gave the big man a hug before greeting the other two men in the same fashion. “Max, have you been drinking?” She held the little scientist at arm’s length and frowned at him.
“Only always milady,” Max conceded with a belch. “Excuse me.”
Candlelite came up behind Absinthe and shook each of his friends’ hands in turn. “What’s in the box?” he asked when he got to McAriicoys.
The newly appointed Commander General of the mercenary army colored slightly and said, “Just a little something from us to you to show our appreciation for everything you’ve done.”
“Yep, a present fit for a king!” Max declared drunkenly which drew scowls from McAriicoys and Vohrmint.
“What do you mean by that?” Candlelite exchanged frowns with Absinthe. Although both had had many conversations concerning the queen’s proposition they had done so quietly and had made certain not to mention it to anyone. Furthermore, both of them were sure that the queen had kept Candlelite’s possible kingship to herself.
“Damnit Max!” Vohrmint bellowed and lightly cuffed the smaller man upside his head, being careful not to rattle his brains too much.
McAriicoys cleared his throat and said carefully, “To be honest Candlelite, there have been some rumors floating around the city.”
“What kind of rumors?” Candlelite asked just as carefully.
“That yur gonna be king,” Max slurred happily, which earned him another fresh set of glares, this time from all four of his companions. “What?” he asked with drunken innocence.
“I knew we should have left him in his cups,” Vohrmint whispered to McAriicoys.
“And just where did you hear such absurdities?” Absinthe demanded.
“At th’ bar,” Max intoned solemnly. “Of course.”
“And you actually validated those rumors among yourselves?” Absinthe demanded.
“Well at first we thought nothing of them,” Vohrmint assured her.
“But then I was talking to Queen Mega’N and she dropped some hints that I couldn’t ignore,” McAriicoys interrupted. He followed the look that passed between the young couple before confiding, “She told me about Zakeriah’s dream.”
“She told you?” Candlelite exclaimed.
“He damn near had to drag it out of her!” Vohrmint guffawed as his good humor shone through. “I was there and heard the whole argument. I believe the queen’s exact words had something to do with ‘imprisonment’ and ‘dungeons’.”
“It was not an argument,” McAriicoys argued, which sent Vohrmint into a fit of laughter that left him coughing. “But at one point she did threaten to have me thrown in the dungeons,” the mercenary admitted.
Absinthe looked at the two men crossly and Candlelite shook his head in disbelief. “And how did he find out?” the young man pointed at Max.
“At th’ bar,” Max repeated. “Di’n’t I say tha’ a’redy?”
“Ok then! How did the bar find out?” Candlelite threw his arms up in exasperation.
“I d’know,” Max said seriously. “Bu’ tha’s not th’ only place they’re talkin’ about it.”
“How the hell did this happen?” Candlelite raised his arms and his eyes to the ceiling as if his question was aimed at God.
“I don’t know son.” McAriicoys put a reassuring hand on Candlelite’s shoulder. “But if it’s any consolation most of the people in the city seem to support the idea.”
“Really?” Absinthe asked, surprised. She slipped her arm around Candlelite’s shoulder. “That’s some good news.”
“I suppose,” Candlelite grumbled. “Let’s table it for a moment. You still didn’t really answer my question. What’s in the box?”
“Ah, why don’t you open it and find out,” Vohrmint said with a gleam in his eyes as he held up a silver key.
“You locked it?” Candlelite was skeptical as he walked over to the box.
“It kinda contains a nashnal treshur,” Max explained.
Candlelite inserted the key into the keyhole and gave it a slight twist to the right. There was a soft click and the lid popped open a quarter of an inch. Candlelite left the key in the hole and lifted the lid. The inside of the box was lined in velvet, a royal blue in color, and contained a long scepter carved of ancient ironwood and only a little longer than a walking cane.
“What the hell?” Candlelite whispered. “This isn’t what I think it is, is it?”
Transfixed to the top of the scepter, with a high polish that reflected every light around it, was a gleaming white skull which stared up from empty eye sockets at the five people who stared down at it, two of them with eyes open very wide.
“Yep,” Max grinned. “Harmony.”
Candlelite quickly slammed the lid down on the box and relocked it.
“I don’t believe it.” Candlelite shook visibly as he tugged the key free of the lock. “What have you guys done?”
“Every king needs a symbol of his power.” Vohrmint kept his tone serious.
“I’m not king!” Candlelite exploded. “What the hell were you guys thinking?”
“No Candlelite, calm down,” McAriicoys said evenly.
“I will not calm down!” Candlelite pointed to his face. “You see this? This is me not being calm.”
“Candlelite!” McAriicoys used the voice of command. “You may not have realized it but whether you like it or not you will be king. Zakeriah foretold it coming to pass and his premonitions, though very few and very far apart, were never wrong. Never. Now the sooner you come to terms with this fact the happier you’ll be. No one can fight fate. You of all people should know this.”
Candlelite turned away from his friends, sank into the couch he had been sitting in when everyone had arrived and put his face into his hands. After a few deep breaths he lifted his head and said, “You’re right McAriicoys. I’ve known it every since Mega’N told me Zakeriah’s dream, I’ve just been in denial.” He looked at Absinthe. “I’m sorry Abbie but it’s no use fighting it any longer.”
Absinthe looked straight into her lover’s eyes and asked, “So you’ve decided then?”
“I don’t think I ever had a choice,” he admitted.
“Perhaps not,” Absinthe sighed. “Whatever may come I’ll always be by your side.” She walked over to sit beside him and took his hand in hers.
“Whoopee!” Max burst out drunkenly and danced a mad little jig.
McAriicoys and Vohrmint kept quiet but exchanged knowing looks.
Candlelite took a serious look at Absinthe and the others, each in turn, before telling them all, “I’ll inform the queen of my decision first thing in the morning.”

Imprint

Publication Date: 05-25-2011

All Rights Reserved

Dedication:
For all of those who'll cross to the other side!