Seliaryn had expected there to be a punishment. Some sort of trial to question his actions. Or at the very least, he thought he would have to apologize. So he could hardly believe it when he was standing at his coronation in the throne room only two days after Dukaryns death, surrounded by all the noblemen and women of Raffyre, practically the entire Lumynos family and some Destynians.

     He stood there in front of the throne, wearing a black tunic made of rich fabric with the Lumynos family crest embroidered beautifully on the back. His trousers were also black, and tucked into his long new boots that shined better than his old boots had ever shone. His hair, which was now long enough to be pulled back into a stubby ponytail, was tied neatly earlier that morning by maids and around his waist was a belt that held his brand new, magnificent sword.

     Everyone in the room couldn't understand why the man wouldn't smile.

     In their eyes, he was about to enter the lifestyle that they all dreamed of.

     Seliaryn wasn't paying attention to the Raffyrian priest that prayed to the gods of Raffyre and asked them to protect the new king. He had done the same for Dukaryn. Clearly the gods hadn't heard his prayers.

     Besides, Seliaryn wasn’t the praying type.

     But when the throne room doors opened and everyone fell to their knees, Seliaryn's face finally showed a flash of emotion.

     He didn't bow as the head of the Lumynos clan walked into the throne room. Her long black dress had a heart shaped neckline and held a large ruby right between her breasts, where her heart would have been. And if someone couldn’t recognize her face, the ruby was a clear indicator of who she was. It was a ruby of Lumyryn after all, no one would ever find rubies of that size anywhere else in the world.

     Her heeled shoes clacked against the floor and echoed through the silenced hall because no one dared to utter a word in the presence of this woman.

     A smug smile graced her face and her long black hair danced against her back as she walked. And, as everyone cautiausly looked at her, they saw that her red eyes shined like precious rubies that were thrown into a fire.

     Beautiful, she was.

     But she was too frightening to comprehend.

     Seliaryn got down onto his knee only when she reached him, and from the corner of his eye, he could see that even is father bowed low.

     "Seliaryn the Sixth of the Lumynos clan," She said, getting straight to business. Her voice was as mighty as her image and the sound of it sent a shiver down Seliaryn's spine. "I give you my blessings and hope you will rule as a ferocious and righteous ruler."

     Seliaryn wanted to snort.

     He didn't though.

     But it almost seemed like this woman was waiting for him to do so.

     However, she continued. "Thus, I, Kiaryna, as the Chief of the Lumynos clan, Queen of Lumyryn and the protector of our red eyed people, name you the new King of Raffyre." She placed the heavy crown on Seliaryn's head, and though it had been there before, this time it felt even heavier.

     "May our Lord Lumyryn protect your soul and give you strength. And may you rule as graciously and responsibly as he had a thousand years ago."

     Lumyryn. Seliaryn thought. The last King to rule his way was Kyryn.

     And he died.

     His wife and daughter disappeared.

     His son became a criminal who killed hundreds of people.

     And his country was left in the immature hands of Dukaryn.

     Seliaryn sighed as he stood up and he finally met the eyes of his supposed protector.

     "Live long." She said, the smug smile still on her face. She then turned around. "You may all rise." She said to the audience.

     And they did.

     And when they did, they all applauded for the new King.

     When the applause had ended, Lady Kiaryna looked back at Seliaryn.

     "My gift to you on this marvelous day is my daughter."

     Seliaryn almost choked on air as she presented him with her daughter.

     For a moment, Seliaryn thought that she meant as a wife. But when Seliaryn saw the woman, he knew that that wouldn't be the case.

     The woman was tall and remarkably fit. Her very long black hair was tied into a tight ponytail at the back of her head and her red eyes were framed with thick, black eyeliner. Her eyelashes were so long and thick that Seliaryn wondered how her eyes held them up, and her lips were full and a lovely shade of red.

     And what made it clear to Seliaryn that she was not being presented as a wife was her outfit.

     Her black trousers were so tight against her legs that Seliaryn wondered how they were comfortable for her, and her boots came right up to the top of her calves. Her belly was showing as the top part of her outfit only covered her chest and a little bit of her shoulders, but that too was tight and again it made Seliaryn wonder how comfortable it could really be.

     But around her neck was a ruby necklace that matched the one on her mothers dress.

     And of course, Seliaryn couldn't ignore the massive sword that this woman carried. The blade was almost as tall as she was, coming up to her chest if she were to hold it straight. It was thick and as wide as any mans stretched out hand and the long handle of the blade was covered with engravings and jewels.

One side of the blade was fairly blunt and the other was sharp. She held the sword up with one hand, the blunt end of blade sat on her shoulder and her other hand sat on her hip.

     The woman smiled at Seliaryn. She had a gorgeous smile.

     “I give her to you to be your new right hand woman. She is as strong as strength allows and an excellent fighter,” Lady Kiaryna looked proudly at her daughter. Then she looked back at Seliaryn, her eyebrows rising because she forgot to mention something. “And how can I forget. I can assure you that no matter what, she will not run her sword through your heart.”

     The comment made Seliaryn smirk, and Kiaryna’s daughter let out a laugh.

     “I thank you.” Seliaryn said, not really knowing what else to say.

     Lady Kiaryna’s smile was a little more genuine. But with that, she turned around and left the throne room, not saying another word.

     When she left though, his new right hand woman lifted the sword off her shoulder, held it at one side of her and got down onto a knee. “I will serve you well, my King. And I swear to protect you so long as you are alive.”

     Seliaryn looked down at her. He wondered if that was how he looked when he bowed for Dukaryn.

     “And your name, my Lady?” Seliaryn asked when the woman stood back up.

     “Ameryna,” The woman said, “but I prefer to be called Am.”

     The new King nodded. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Am.”

     And just as he exchanged a smile with his new right hand woman, he was surprised by the Destynian King, Mayor Gryre, Lord Kyrus and even Master Red.

     The four men stepped forward and the Destynian King went to speak first.

     But Seliaryn simply held a hand up, stopping the King from speaking. “I wish to apologize on the previous King’s behalf for the way he treated your people. Any Destynians that are still in prisons will be released and I hope to keep peace with your nation.”

     The Destynian King smiled, looking relieved. His court exchanged looks, looking shocked, but said nothing to their King. “Thank you, King Seliaryn. That was all I was hoping for.”

     Seliaryn nodded his head before looking at the Mayor and Lord Kyrus.

     The two men bowed but Seliaryn spoke quickly. “Please,” he said, stopping them in the middle of their bow, “I’d rather you not.”

     Lord Kyrus and the Mayor straightened themselves up and smiled.

     “Dukaryn was unfair to you and your village and I must apologize for that.”

     The Mayor bowed his head. “We appreciate your understanding. We only wish for peace and hope that we have your trust.”

     “You do,” Seliaryn said. “Of course you do.”

     “Thank you, son.” Lord Kyrus said with a smile.

     Seliaryn nodded and then hesitated. “Is… Meenu alright?”

     “She is perfect. Thanks to you.” Lord Kyrus said. “Truly… thank you.”

     The new King nodded again. “I’m glad.”

     With that, Lord Kyrus, the mayor and the King of Destyn returned to their spot in the throne room, leaving Master Red.

     Everyone could tell by the shift in Seliaryn’s expression that he wasn’t going to be as forgiving with Master Red.

     Master Red smiled behind his mask, seeing that this was going to be difficult.

     “I suppose you have come hoping for a truce as well?” Seliaryn asked, and without thinking much about it, he found himself stepping back and sitting in his throne.

     “Of course,” Master Red said. “Our only enemy was Dukaryn, not you.”

     Seliaryn narrowed his eyes.

     “We ask for your trust.” Master Red said.

     “If you want my trust then remove your mask,” Seliaryn said, “you shouldn’t have anything to hide. At least, not anymore"

     Master Red knew something like this would happen. And he also knew that he had to do what he had to do. So Master Red put his hand on his mask and pulled it off.

     Seliaryn hesitated, not too surprised that he was of the Lumynos family. He recognized the man’s face but not being able to put a name on it. And from the corner of his eye, he saw his father’s eyebrows rise and he even saw a smile grow on Am’s face.

     Well, they must know him.

     He would ask his father later.

     But right now, what surprised Seliaryn was that this man seemed sincere. At least, sincere enough to show his face.

     “I suppose you trust me?”

     “You are the leader of a treasonous group,” Seliaryn said, “I can–”

     “I don’t think it’s fair to say that,” Master Red said, not worrying about interrupting the new king, “not anymore, at least.”

     Seliaryn hesitated.

     “All we wanted was the removal of Dukaryn from the throne, or his death. In the end, you are the one who carried out our will. It wasn’t us. So calling us treasonous is unfair, is it not?”

     Seliaryn swallowed. He was right.

     “We ask now that you trust us as we hope to work with you. All we want is to better this nation… which I am sure is what you want too.”

     Seliaryn and Master Red stared at each other for some time, and finally, Seliaryn gave in.

     “Fine,” he said, “but on one condition.”

     Master Red already knew the condition.

     “Remove Avaryn from your group. I will not accept you if he is still working with you.”

     “Alright.” Master Red said, without hesitation. “That is fine with me.”

     Life, who was standing closely behind Master Red, was surprised.

     “My warriors will benefit you greatly. And I promise that you will not regret this decision.”

     “I hope not.” Seliaryn said.

     Master Red smiled again before he bowed his head. “Then I shall be off.”

     Seliaryn simply nodded, pleased that this was all over with.

     But as Master Red walked off, Seliaryn was unbelievably disappointed when more noblemen stepped in front of his throne to speak with him.

     It was going to be a long day.

     Life walked faster to join her Master’s side. “What do you mean we’re going to get rid of Avaryn?”

     Master Red just closed his eyes for a moment and then opened them.

     Life, who was still confused, stepped back.

     But as Master Red made it to the doors of the throne room, he was surprised to see Lady Maryryna.

     She stood behind a pillar, almost as if she was hiding behind it, and watched as Master Red walked in her direction.

     When he reached her, he heard her small, soft voice. “Vilaryn.”

     Master Red stopped walking and looked at her. “My Lady.”

     She had a distressed look on her face, but from what Master Red had heard, she was a sickly woman. So he simply assumed that that was the reason why.

     But then she looked away.

     Master Red was going to continue walking, but he heard her soft voice again. “Please…” She started, “Please tell Avaryn that I would like to speak with him.”

     The man looked at her in surprise.

     “Tell him to come see me when he can.”

     Master Red hesitated, but nodded his head. “I will.”

     She nodded her head without looking at him. “Thank you.” It came out as a whisper.

     And with that, Master Red left.