His Queen

Back Home {part.1-unedited}

The news of Queen Ziya's disappearance rippled through the Kingdom of Asgard like wildfire. Those who didn't know the full story immediately pointed their fingers at Afisa. The cries of war could be heard from every corner of the kingdom; they wanted blood. The more sensible side of Asgard took a more proactive approach the situation and set up search parties. For days they trekked beyond palace walls in search of their Queen.

As for the nobles, they were at a loss as well. Every single possible location and tracker spell was used. They even went as far as dabbling in black magic, but they came up empty handed. The war room was a constant battlefield in itself. Flurries of insults and complaints were hurled at one another like they were each other's greatest foe rather than family.

After having explained the events of what happened in the forest, Fergus fell into a coma of a sort. Every once and a while he would come to, but for only minutes at a time.

James had taken on the heady weight of what Ziya's capturing had entailed. If they could not find her in time and she happened to be dead...he would be pronounced king. A responsibility he didn't think he was ready for.

James was at a loss to say the least; stuck at a crossroads of the demands his family wanted from him. On one side some wanted war; they were thoroughly convinced Afisa was behind the whole thing and this was simply a set up. On the other hand, others thought this situation was much bigger than what was presented. There were too many conflicting thoughts and opinions that overwhelmed James.

He sat alone in the courtyard contemplating what he should do. For all his aunts and uncles demands and wishes; he was the one left in charge. The next step forward would be one dictated by him and him alone.

By himself he tried to think of anything, anything that could possibly help. And then he recalled a forgotten moment between Ziya and him.

Flashback...

  "I just don't understand," James said.

  "What is there to understand? In the event of my passing, if I have not bore a child yet, you are to be my successor," Ziya explained.

  "But I am only fourteen...surely there are more people you know that would be qualified for the position," James reasoned.

  "James, I chose you because you see things in the same way that I do. You make connections between contradictory lines of thought—you allow the impossible to be an option. You're an observer, who notices even the most minute details. You are compassionate and strong...all the great qualities that Asgard need," Ziya said.

  "But what if I mess up? What if I fail? What if something happens to you before I am ready?," James ranted.

  Ziya laughed that magical laugh of hers.

  "I can assure you, I asked myself those very same questions. But when that crown was placed on my head and that first scroll...that first complaint was put on my desk. It felt natural...almost like breathing. Every solution to a problem came to me like a whirlwind. Answers sprang from the very recesses of my mind. When I messed up and found that my answer was incorrect; I stepped back and evaluated, them I tried once more. Being a leader does not mean the absence of mistakes, but rather the absence of quitting after mistakes. You have already been given a better opportunity to be a better leader than I was. I'll be there for you every step of the way, but you must not fear," Ziya said.

  Flashback end...

  "I must not fear," James said. He mulled over her words over and over again.

  James agreed with some of his family that the situation was so much bigger than Afisa, he just needed to make the connection and find the answer. He raced to his studies and pulled out a paper and quill and wrote a quick letter. James sent the letter off to its destination and hurried to the library looking for a specific spell. One that would show the memories of ones past.