Cantrell Chronicles
The Shaking of Foundations, a Cantrell Chronicles, Part One_ Chapter One
The call came in the dead of night. Reaching an arm out from underneath the covers, Joseph groped for his cellphone on the nightstand. “This is Joseph Cantrell,” he said. The voice on the other end was unfamiliar. The man introduced himself as Walter Noel.
“I’m your uncle’s . . . lawyer. I’m very sorry to bring this news to you. But the old gent deceased last night. Kitchen fire.”
Slowly, Joseph unwound himself from the bed covers to sit up. “So, he was still able to care for himself at his lofty age.”
“Oh, absolutely, in fact he insisted. Said he’s always been on his own and it would be a cold day in Hades were he to surrender himself to the care of another. Not even his valet. He often went down to the kitchen to make and get his own coffee, too. I guess old habits die hard. Pardon the phrase.”
“That sounds like Uncle Joe. Capable to the end, except for the fire.”
“Yes. We were all very shocked, didn’t see that coming. Listen, I’m calling because you have been named his sole-beneficiary. Your father’s sudden death left a vacancy, some years back. His next younger brother, Joseph, stepped up to fill it. Joseph was meant to be regent, since he was to care for Aaron’s children, getting them ready for the role they would fulfill in the future. It should have been you on the Throne and the nation wouldn’t be facing all of this now. But he insisted you were still much too young and dare I say, immature, in his estimation.”
“He was right on that. I was quite the dreamer, in my youth. I enlisted in the military shortly thereafter, which helped me to become a man. Saw a good chunk of the universe, as a result. My service also enabled me to fund my college education, the GI Bill, revised and renewed. A great deal of good came out of it.”
“Yes, His Majesty spoke of you often. He couldn’t have been more proud of you were you his own son. You’ll be pleased to know he’s made some changes to the estate that I do believe you will approve of. It is beginning to take the shape of a proper home, as it were.
“As the eldest, the crown is yours. Joseph had no issue and yours is the proper line of succession, as your father’s firstborn son. Although in the interim, Alexandra has stepped in where she had no place. But such is palace intrigued. You get the dwelling, the property and the horse Joseph the First left behind. Also the contents of his bank account. Your uncle was a very rich man. You are required to attend the reading of the will. How soon can you get here? And, of course after DNA testing there will be a ceremony to cement your position.”
“Yes, of course. Can’t be too careful, I suppose. And I am also aware of the steps of Nobility I need to fulfil beforehand, too.” Joseph ran a hand over his head, catching the stray wisps of dark red hair unleashed from the tie that held it together during his slumber. “Two months at the earliest. We’re currently residing on Vulcan.”
“Vulcan! He told me you were far away. I didn’t anticipate off planet. I shall postpone the reading, then. Since no one else is mentioned in his will, and there is no one else who can or should step up, we have that luxury. We just have to do something about Alexandra, you understand. Get you properly inserted as the head of the dynasty. It could cause disagreeable feelings toward you, which I regret. Nothing more disruptive than unrest in a dynasty. Your siblings, of course, will also be there. In order to help facilitate a timelier arrival, I shall send the royal space vessel to pick up you and your family — is two weeks' time enough to get your affairs in order, sir?”
“We will make it work. Thank you for calling.” Joseph quietly ended the call and set his phone aside. Early, the Vulcan sun not yet up, he was tired, but expected not to sleep, even so. At least now he understood his feelings of unrest, most recently. Most of his children, in varying strength inherited the psychic abilities that ran through his noble family. Hearing a slight noise, he looked toward the bedroom door.
*~~*~*~~*~~*
“Dad, what is it, what’s wrong?” Erik said, stumbling groggily into his parents’ room. His father was seated on the edge of the rumpled bed, his mother surprisingly fast asleep. Must have taken a sedative, the boy thought to himself. For the first time in his young life, his father looked on the worn side. Haggard. A tad older, as if he suddenly carried the weight of the world on his shoulders.
Clearing his throat, Joseph said, “It’s your Grand-Uncle,” Joseph said, struggling to get the words out, lest he give into the grief that battered the back of his eyes. For all of the old man’s faults, Joseph loved him dearly. His uncle was a caring and affectionate force in the Cantrell children’s lives truly filling in where their father had left off.
“The one you were named for?” Erik said. “He’s ancient, isn’t he?”
“You might say so, he just had his one-hundred and fourth birthday. Last time I saw him he was still so full of life. You can’t keep that one down,”
“Dad?”
“Kitchen fire. He apparently tried to put it out, but his efforts were futile. Smoke inhalation.”
“I’m so sorry.”
“What a guy he was, though, I remember when . . .”
“So you’re saying Uncle Joe basically raised you and your siblings,” Erik said.
Joseph nodded, “After your grandfather passed so suddenly, Uncle Joe did come to live with my siblings and me, in the family estate. You see, your grandmother died years before, fell off her horse. Broke her neck, she died instantly."
“Oh, that’s terrible. I don’t believe you’ve ever shared that story before.”
“Still so painful, losing my mother. Uncle Joe was great. He used to tell such outrageous stories.” For a brief moment Joseph Sr.’s, mouth curved into the slightest of grins. “I’m guessing that’s where you get your penchant for such. In many ways you remind me of him.” Joseph shook his head. “We didn’t know you couldn’t see well, but you made up some of the most delicious stories about what you were seeing in the picture books. My favorite was the angels dancing on the top of candles.”
“Okay, maybe.”
Erik had never met the man, but he used to relish the stories his aunts and uncles shared whenever they came to visit. His father’s family was very close. He knew his dad was really hurting over this loss, too. Reaching over, he placed a warm hand on his father’s shoulder. “Are you going to be okay?” Placing a hand over Erik’s Joseph nodded, slowly.
“That’s enough reminiscing for now. Why don’t you turn in and get some rest. We have lots to do, in just a few days. So many loose ends . . . before I ascend the throne,” Joseph’s voice was nearly a whisper as his voice trailed off.
“What? Dad, did you say throne, what throne? What are you talking about? Are you saying we’re royals? I don’t believe it. How come I’m just hearing about this now? Why did you let me dream about my future. to become a rock star? That can’t be possible now, can it?” Erik watched his father closely, waiting for his response, hoping beyond hope his dreams hadn’t just been dashed.
“Did you never wonder why your aunt and uncles always visited us all dressed up as if they had just been to Court or a fancy ball? Lady and Gentlemen. Grand Dukes and Grand Duchess, all. That’s their titles when their father is king. You, too, will be a Grand Duke.”
Erik sat on the bed next to his father gasping for breath as he hyperventilated. “Easy, Erik, slowly in and out, you’re going to be fine, I promise. Besides, you’re the Second Son, like Spock. I will permit you to pursue your dream, but there are other things I’ve been remiss in teaching you. University, for one, to make sure each of you can competently take the throne, if needed.
“You’ll each have to learn fencing lest a duel be required. Archery. Diplomacy, that sort of thing. How to be a Noble. You already are a leader, I can tell.”
“But I’m the second son. . . .”
“As for not telling any of you — I promise I will explain things more fully when we get settled into the estate. This is a big move, you understand. A total change of our lives.”
All for now, thanks for reading!
