Cantrell Chronicles RESET, Part One

The Order of Things, a Cantrell Chronicles Reset_Chapter Five

 

 

The funeral had yet to take place. Erik found himself more and more confused. If his father was truly king, then why delay the coronation? He asked a series of important and relevant questions. Joseph having been a Mentor Teacher, smiled patiently at his son, glad he was taking a real interest in their family’s new situation. Heading toward the dining table, he offered Erik a cup of hot tea, before he sat across from the young man.

 

The long day was finally drawing to an end, the others had already gone to bed. Only a few staff remained awake. Erik noticed they saw to the domestic duties, sweeping, dusting, putting objects back into their proper places. The teen couldn’t help but admire how efficiently and more importantly how quietly they went about these chores. 

 

Twirling the tea in the porcelain cup, Joseph began, “Each monarch arranges their own funeral. From beginning to end. Your uncle Joe wanted to have his last tour through each neighborhood in the kingdom. To lie in State in the center of each for a period of time so his subjects, note the language, could pay their last respects. The new monarch must wait until a funeral or memorial has taken place before they are ‘sworn in’ to their new office.”

 

“So, and please don’t take this the wrong way,” Erik said, placing his hand on Joseph’s arm, “is Uncle Joe now done with his farewell tour?”

“Yes, I’m told his coffin will be at the cemetery by tomorrow morning. The service is to be held at ten AM.”

“Was that by your planning or his?” Erik made his way to the front door, shrugging into his coat.

 

“And just where re you going at this late hour?,” Joseph said, smiling at his second son.

“I have to package and then release my album if I expect to climb ever higher on that star-studded ladder.”

“Okay, just get back home in time to get some sleep. Tomorrow is likely going to be a long, emotionally charged day.”

 

*~~*~~*~~*~~*

 

Of Kings and Princes Cemetery was privately owned by the Cantrell family. In looking around, Erik found it peaceful, beautiful, and in its own way calming. After he got his first album, Just Erik, out the door, he slept like a baby. Today, however, he was concerned that his father looked a tad more haggard than the day before. Made him wonder if his father was just full of grief, which Erik had witnessed, or if the looming coronation was also on his mind.

 

Waiting outside watching the looming dark clouds fill the sky, he noted the group that made their way around to the gate. In retrospect, Erik wondered why there was only one gate and that on the far side. Both came off of roads. Wouldn’t it be easier to have assess on each side? Then his mind lept to the possibility of some screwy regulation, enacted by a King while in a bad mood. 

He did ponder what the

 

day held for everyone.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Picture of the group on the other side of the cemetery

 

Besides the weight of governing, Joseph also had to keep their dynasty in order. And then, there was Her Royal Highness Alexandra to consider. She had made it more than plain, she was the legitimate monarch and how dare Joseph show up out of nowhere and usurp her reign. Yes, she was angry, as his father suggested she would be. 

 

Actually, she was more than that. She was a pain in just about everybody’s side, but her own. Erik rarely took a dislike to people, but there was something about his auntie that stuck in his craw. He continued to be gracious, to hold her chair for her, to pander to her as much as any man dared, to no avail. She was . . . well, the best way he could put it, politely, was Alexandra was Alexandra.

 

*~~*~~*~~*~~*

 

Crown Prince and Heir, Joseph took his pl

 

ace at the podium and called everyone to their seats. “Today, we put King Joseph to rest,” dropping his head down, he drew in a ragged breath. 

 

 

 

 

 

Picture (eulogy)

 

“While I spent time training in the military and getting my higher education, Joe, as we all called him, acted as regent for Ondarion. And while I have as yet, to go over the books for this nation, he seems to have caused no major damage. I can say the treasury is full.  Moving on. Joe used to distract us kids with some of the most outlandish, outrageous stories I have ever heard. Whatever could be said of him as a ruler, as a caregiver, he was attentive, kind and gentle. He took care of scraped knees, bruised egos, and gave serious hugs when a heart was broken. A job he stepped into without hesitation, nor experience having never been married, nor ever having had a child of his own. For that alone, he was a very good man. And this is what I hope we all take away from today.”

 

 

 

 

 

Picture (23)

 

With that Joseph turned and walked over to the closed casket, placing his hand on it. “Please join me in a moment of silence if you will.”

 

 

 

 

Joe’s back to chairs, (21)

 

As more and more people joined in, the room was so silent, it was eerie.

 

 

 

 

 

Picture (26)

 

 

 

 

Picture (58)

 

“Thank you very much,” Joseph said, at last. “And now I pour out this cup signifying your life has come to an end.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Picture (30)

 

“And as a symbol of the Light you must follow home, I ignite this candle that you may find your Way.”

 

 

 

 

 

Picture (15)

 

The group solemnly went outside into the rain that had started mid-way through the service and now came down in torrents. Gathering into a tight group between the porch steps and the porch itself, “As befitting a man of your station, however you came by it, I shall set off this small canon.” Sadly, the only thing that emerged from the small artillery was a weak puff of gray smoke.

“You can’t get anything out of a canon if the black powder is wet, don’t you know anything?” Prince James said.

“I do hope your style of rule won’t be as impotent,” Prince Reginald said.

“Disrespect doesn’t become either one of you, my dear little brothers. If you will forgive me, I have yet another task to attend.”  

 

Walking down the row of tombstones, Joseph took a moment to pray over each one, beginning with the newly interred King Joseph Alistair Cantrell, the First, toasting him and then releasing his spirit.  

Finally, he reached his father, King Aaron and his wife, Joseph’ stepmother, Queen Julianna. He prayed for the release of their spirits, too. Michael his next younger and only full brother, whom he sorely missed.

 

Shortly thereafter Joseph dismissed the guests. Donning jackets and coats, the new royal family went home.  All of the kids ran indoors to get out of the weather, leaving Louise and Joseph to themselves.  He smiled at his very pregnant wife and turning, he tapped his cheek. “Oh, Joseph you’re being so silly.”

“I thought you liked it when I was silly,” he defended.

“But you weren’t a king then, as you are now.”

“True but being a king doesn’t mean I have to stop being human.”

 

“Point well taken,” she said, as the two walked arm-in-arm into their ancient abode.