Page 104 of The Royal Throne
“Thank you Captain Drew for saving my life. I’m not sure why the king was so upset.”
“What do you want us to do with the bodies?” Aaren asked.
“Wrap King Rainer’s body up to be transported back to the palace. A service will be held for him there so he can be buried with his deceased family members.” Her hands were shaking.
“And Captain Cutler?” he asked.
“I’d like to honor him here.” That seemed to be the right thing to say as soldiers immediately got to work building a pyre next to the side of the stage. Then she spoke louder so everyone could hear. “There has been enough death and bloodshed. After honoring Cutler, we will dismantle the camp, pack up, and return home to our families. We will not go to war.”
Drew and Aaren dropped to their knees, bowing their heads in supplication. Everyone else began doing the same.
Four men came forward, lifting Cutler’s body and carrying him to the pyre. His body was placed atop the wood. Another soldier came forward, handing Sabine a torch.
“I am thankful Captain Cutler was brave enough, honorable enough, and loyal enough to step in to save my life at the expense of his own. His sacrifice won’t be forgotten.” She lowered the torch to the pyre and it immediately caught fire, engulfing Cutler’s body.
She stood there, surrounded by hundreds of soldiers, as they all paid their respects to the captain.
There had been far too much death. Poor Lady Regina—she’d lost not only her husband and daughter-in-law, but now her son. Sabine didn’t think the woman had any family left.
That could have easily been Sabine in those flames. Rainer had been so close to ending her life today. But Cutler had saved her. When she’d first met him, she’d feared him. Disliked him. Wanted nothing to do with him. But they’d formed an alliance of sorts over the Heather situation. He proved to be loyal, trustworthy, and a friend.
She wiped her tears.
The following hours were a whirlwind of activity. The soldiers began dismantling and packing up the camp. A messenger was sent to the other gate to inform the soldiers camped there to return home.
Though most soldiers kept their distance, a few thanked the queen for not sending them to war.
Sabine had a lot of work ahead of her. Work that she would have to handle and figure out on her own. Gone were the days of being confined to her room and thought of as only a decoration. She was in charge of Lynk and needed to make sure she appeared strong. The last thing she needed was some sort of insurrection. However, most of those who opposed her rule were dead.
Once she appointed a new commander, Sabine left with Drew and a dozen soldiers. She wanted to ride quickly to the palace and stay off the main roads. If what she’d overheard last night had been real, then she thought the Avoni assassins had left Lynk. She was safe. But just in case, she wanted to be smart and not let her guard down.
They made it to the palace without incident where she was greeted by Captain Higman and Captain Lithane along with Prince Anton and Prince Axel. She told them what happened and about Rainer’s death. No one seemed particularly sad. She dispatched a letter to the League informing them of what had taken place.
With news of the king’s death, many nobles began leaving the palace and returning to their private homes. Most preferred to stay there during the cooler months. Sabine hadn’t noticed it getting any colder.
She spent the following week going through Rainer’s rooms and learning as much as she could. She saw little of Anton and Axel.
When the soldiers returned, she gave most of them leave to see their families while requesting some stay to ensure the safety of the town and palace. New officers were appointed. With the return of the soldiers meant the return of the dogs. Harta was now back with Sabine, in her room, keeping her company. Life seemed to be moving on.
Sabine hadn’t heard a word from Evander. With so much going on in Lynk, she tried not to let it bother her. At least she had enough to do to keep her mind occupied.
At Rainer’s funeral, she didn’t say a word about him. She’d simply had his body buried with the other royals who’d gone before him.
A letter arrived from her parents asking her about attending Viktor’s wedding. Sabine wrote back that she would love to visit home and see her brother married. She could be there in a few weeks if they would wait that long.
Drew said he would see to the proper accommodations for her travel.
She’d taken to eating in the royal dining room. After a couple of nights, Anton started joining her. Then Axel as well. At dinner one night, Sabine informed the princes that she would be leaving in a week to attend her brother’s wedding. She asked Anton to oversee things while she was gone.
“I have to meet with the League in a couple of days,” Anton replied. “Axel might have to rule for me.”
She didn’t much care which brother ruled so long as one of them did.
“Why’d you ask him and not me?” Axel inquired while sipping on his wine.
“Since he’s a League member, I thought he’d know more about how things are handled.” In truth, she thought Anton was more reliable.
“I’m hurt,” Axel said, bowing his head.
