PART 14

The colors of ocean and sunset made up the crest of this kingdom. Symbols of older times, Dresden recognized one; the symbol of the Dragon truce. This was depicted as a curved, stylized Dragon figure to the right side of the shield extending an olive leaf in a giant, clawed hand. The other half of the shield held the Queen’s family crest, derived from several images that were artfully weaved into one shape. A sun symbol, an upright sword, and a crown of thorns. Dresden felt it was an oddly crafted crest for a family, especially a monarchy, since there were no symbols for purity, kindness or feminine nature. The strength in those two images together was quite a sight. Dresden had seen it before throughout the kingdom in various places, but here, in such large displays, it held a greater meaning. They entered the castle together and Dresden followed Vlad to the throne room where most of the other guests were headed.
“It’s customary for everyone to bow to Her Majesty upon entering. This is how it has been done for generations.” Vlad narrated everything, happy to be entertaining Dresden. Dresden guessed that he hadn’t many, if any, friends at all. The cheerful throne room was brimming with decorations and flowers. Large vases housed red roses, salmon colored asiatic lilies, babies breath, ocean blue gladioli and white daisies. Fine cloths of cream, tan and blue were draped against the walls behind the vases. Orange banners with the family crest hung from the ceiling to the floor between them. The look was nothing less than regal. Dresden thought again of his time in the Northern Lands. He cringed at the memories that arose, then realised that Vlad was talking to him again.
“Now, when we approach, I will go first and show you what to do. Never look up at the Queen, we are just here to show a gesture of respect. Keep your head down and just do what I do.” Vlad clapped Dresden on the back this time. Vlad was very touchy-feely for such a fat, unattractive man. Once Vlad had taken the step up the tiered landing, he gave his best bow, got down on one knee, extended his arms out in front of him palms up, then clasped them together at his chest, stood up slowly, bowed slightly again and turned to his left to go. He looked back at Dresden, gesturing for him to do the same. Dresden approached the tiered landing, his black boot like a scar on such light alabaster stone. He had gotten some questioning looks from the other gathering people, since Dresden had chosen to wear his attire that he had brought with him from the Northern Lands, all black and dark, with shiny buttons and plush velvet in places. Even his gloves were black, a scorch mark on this coastal castle. Everyone else had on such colorful attire: silks and textiles of greens, blues, pinks, oranges and even yellow. Brightly colored people mingling around him and his midnight frame. He had intentionally been blending in during the past few weeks, as he was getting to know the place. Today however, he wanted to make an impression that would not be soon forgotten.
Dresden went through all the proper motions, but while he was kneeling, as he extended his arms out in front of him, he glanced up at Her Majesty on the throne. It was subtle and went overlooked by most, but Queen Adeline Donan noticed. He stood, bowed again and turned to his left. Dresden glanced out of the corner of his eye to see the Queen make a subtle gesture that followed him as he walked off the tiered landing and met back up with Vlad.
“Very good my friend!” Vlad cheered. “Now we can go to the banqueting hall and get ourselves something to eat. They will sound the trumpets when the ceremony will take place.” Dresden watched his fat friend pat an oversized belly at the mention of food. They quickly walked into the banqueting hall which had tables lining the walls with more fancy drapes, flowers and banners. The casual feeling of this room would have been comforting except that the mingling guests regarded Dresden as a foreign object. Whispers behind hands, fans and other accessories broke out all around him. Vlad seemed deaf to it, making his way right over to a table and shamelessly helping himself to a variety of food.
“Ignore them my friend!” Vlad called out when he realized that Dresden wasn’t standing next to him. “They aren’t used to seeing someone dressed the way you are. You are an oddity, and that is a good thing in this sleepy place. Nothing to challenge their poor minds. Drunk on the ocean and too often with nothing of interest from one day to the next.” Vlad shrugged them off and waved them away with his hand, ushering Dresden towards one of the archways that led to a view over the sea. From this vantage point, Dresden could see the damage of cannon fire. Crumbling walls and rough stone within gaping dents over their heads were the only decorations on this outlook. Vlad made a point to let Dresden know he had been there many times. He pointed out the damage and commented on the repairs taking place. Far below them, the ocean beat against the walls, leaving seafoam behind, just to come up again and again. Dresden peered out at the ocean beyond. He knew the island of El Rey was not too far off in the distance. High above him, he could see soldiers walking the walls on the lookout to make sure no trouble would come from that direction. Vlad was talking again about the changing of the monarch and the queens that had come before, his fantasy crush on Lady Ruby Donan, and how she used to bat her eyes at him, or at least Vlad had imagined that she did.
The sounding of trumpets got everyone’s attention so the crowd headed back out to the courtyard where the Queen would raise the kingdom flag and secure another year for her people in peace. Dresden had witnessed a similar ceremony in the Northern Lands. The Queen addressed her people in a typical fashion, praised their efforts and gave her thanks for their continued support. Dresden noticed the Royal Guard dressed in clean, freshly made tunics, that he guessed were purchased the day he met the Queen in the Eastern Province upon entering Sveldin Donan. They were fine indeed, good craftsmanship. When his gaze returned to the Queen, he caught her looking at him directly. He was pretty easy to pick out of the crowd. When he returned her stare, she looked away and smiled at her people. Vlad was oblivious to this exchange as he was talking to a shapely woman next to them.
Royal ceremonies had lost their flavor for Dresden since he had participated in so many. He thought back to the years of service he had offered the king and his family in the kingdom of Olvergon. He was captain of the Royal guard, which is what allowed him to appreciate the fine group of men who stood at the side of Her Majesty. He studied them, watching their movements and how they held themselves; like statues against the bleak stone walls. They could have been decorations like the banners, if not for the turn of a head or a shift in weight from time to time. They were perfect. He smiled. The Queen was in good hands here. There didn’t seem to be any kind of threat from within. In Olvergon, he had routed out a spy who had intended to kill the king while he slept and overthrow the kingdom from within. The spy had dug itself deep into royal affairs, like a tick. It had taken him months to discover the truth and he was glad to personally execute the man himself. Damn you man, he told himself. He had been very good at being a loyal soldier, the king’s dog. It filled him at least with a sense of purpose at the time. Now he felt stupid for being a toy for a monarch. He cursed himself again silently. Vlad was flirting heavily and Dresden was glad to see him happy. It had been a very long time since he had considered anyone a friend. Lazarus had been a true friend in the end, but in their exile, their disagreements had torn them apart. Dresden had been able to forget him, but Lazarus, it seemed, had kept Dresden in his thoughts. Perhaps it was the Dragon’s annoying ability to see the future which brought him back to Dresden, or maybe Lazarus had really felt a kinship with him. What did it matter now? Thinking again too much. He glanced around at the crowd. People were leaving. He looked back up at the balcony but it was deserted. Vlad had his arm around the waist of the woman. He turned to Dresden now.
“Well that was that, my friend! Why don’t the three of us head back to the inn? I will make us something to eat.”
“Didn’t you just eat?” Dresden asked.
“What do you mean?” Vlad patted his extended belly, drooping below a belt. “I’m wasting away as we stand here!” He let out a hearty laugh and his lady friend joined in while she rubbed his fat stomach.
Dresden let out a chuckle, shot one last look at the balcony where the Queen had been, and watched the flag, high up on the flag pole, dancing in the wind. The Dragon symbol twisted around in the breeze. Dresden wondered just how long he could continue hiding from the Dragons on BasNassal and the Council of Seven.