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 ...
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A Twisted Fate, Cantrell Chronicles, Chapter Three
“Gather around, children,” Joseph said, as his family grabbed a plate of food, prepared by the Cook, unaccustomed as they were to being served. They took seats on the side of the long table closest to the kitchen door. For a moment or two, as if uncertain, seventeen-year-old Aaron, having been informed he was the Heir-Apparent, set his plate at the head of the table, since his father didn’t take it. He just stood there. Waiting to be directed.
“That’s all right, Aaron, just take a seat, so we can get started.” After Joseph led them in prayer thanking God for their meal and safe interplanetary journey. They sat in eerie silence, eating their repast, concentrating on their food. Until Louise initiated a conversation. “So, are your rooms adequate? We tried to convey each of your likes and dislikes and allowed the Staff to fill in the rest.”
“Can’t complain, for the first time in my life I have a room to myself.”
“Sure, mine’s great. Glad to have a roommate,” Erik said, nodding at his next younger brother.
“At least maybe I can get some sleep, “Joey said. “Place sure is spooky, though.”
“Well, I don’t know what vibe you’re picking up, but I like it here. It’s homey in its ancient way.”
After some animated cross-conversation, for which he was glad to see his children were acting more like themselves, a smiling, Joseph took the hilt of his butter knife and gently clinked his glass to get their attention.
Glancing up at them, he gazed at each of their faces. “Listen up, please. It’s time for me to explain the circumstance that drew us here, as I promised. I have been made aware, most of you are clueless, which was in fact by design. You see, having been brought up a royal with all of the tedium, the pomp and circumstance, the duties, that goes along with it, and lack of personal freedom, regarding one’s choices in life, if you will; I wanted you to have a normal upbringing, to know you were liked simply because you were you, and not merely for your title, which can be very disconcerting. Of course I let your mother know. She agreed to marry me anyway.” At this a bit of laughter filled the large room. “And, yes, as it’s also been brought up, I dutifully registered each one of you at birth. That means the title was passed down and not forever lost, as suggested.”
At this Aaron nearly choked, spewing his drink across the highly polished formal dining table. “What? Are you suggesting you were shirking your duty? Hiding out on Vulcan all of this time?”
“Never. Everybody knew where I was. You met your aunt and uncles, after all. However, your Grand Uncle took the throne, sighting my apparent immaturity at the time; leaving me to pursue my own life. That was then. This is now. Joe had no heirs of his own, besides I am in the proper line of succession.”
“But I’ve read where heirs who are too young have a regent. What happened with that?” Joey said. “Did uncle Joe just up steal the throne right out from underneath you? How could he do that?”
“Yes, I suppose you could say that. Sadly, palace intrigue does happen, sometimes. This allowed me the freedom I craved. To have the life I always wanted. I do suspect he knew that, too. Let this bird out of his cage. Let’s look at it this way. If I hadn’t gone into the military, I could never have afforded my higher education. I met your mother at Britechester-U. We married right after graduation. You kids came shortly thereafter. If things had been any different, none of you would exist.”
Louise smiled at her husband and gazed around the table at each of her children. “Your father allowed me to continue my life as an artist. Fame came quickly, almost as quickly as you kids. We struggled for a good long time, financially. It was only when Ambassador Sarek of Vulcan paid your father a visit offering him the chance of a lifetime, that things finally turned around.” Louise sipped her glass of Von Haute Estate Meloire and fell silent.
Joseph also took a sip of his, “Now that we’re here, however, in our rightful place, I can promise you, this won’t be an easy life, not as before. It can be trying, having to be so proper all of the time. I wanted something better for you children. I fully expected things would fall into place, when the time came. Please forgive me for being remiss. . . since it’s fallen upon all of us so much sooner than anticipated. Had your grand uncle been ailing . . .”
“It’s all right, Dad,” Erik said, gazing across the table at his father. “It is what it is. Life seems completely random.”
Joseph ran a hand down his beard. “Yes it does. Thank you, son. Oh, and your mother and I have both begun the journey required to become Nobles. We have tasks to complete, but all of you now have the Title of Lord and Lady,” He nodded toward his only daughter. He found himself both surprised and amused that his own family reflected that of his late father, King Aaron. Four sons, (the sonogram showed the baby- to-be was another boy), and one daughter. “Any questions?”
Once again his family fell into a jarring silence. The only thing that filled the air was the sounds of a cellphone going off. “Sorry, sorry,” Erik said as he grabbed his phone from his back pocket and sat staring at it in disbelief. “I just got pinged on my phone informing me I have class tomorrow. What is that about? I have already graduated high school. Do I have to repeat it all again?”
Joseph frowned. “No. Attend for the one day, then opt to graduate early. That way you have time to pursue your music, among other things . . .”
Erik sighed in relief, dragging his shoulder-length blond hair back from his forehead. “Phew, thank you. I thought you had changed your mind.”
Sharing a glance, Joseph and Louise knew their second son was special and not just for his musical prowess that emerged from a very early age, but also for the fact he was conceived on Earth, but was born in space, just outside of Vulcan jurisdiction. He was actually a citizen of Nowhere. So when the family left Vulcan to attend to the business of Joseph’s uncle, leaving him his true legacy; throne, castle, dynasty, et al, they also had this problem to resolve. He attended to it promptly. Turned out to all involved that since his parents were already citizens of planet Earth, and with his birth registered, Erik was a citizen, too. More importantly of Bellacorde, where they now resided, and so therefore, Ondarion.
Tentatively raising his hand, Joey said, “Ah, are we to call you your majesty, your highness, or what?” Joey asked.
“Dad and mom will do when we’re here together without outsiders. When in public, however, your highness will do for now. Once I ascend the throne, it switches to your majesty, just to be clear.”
“This is crazy-insane,” Aaron said. “What about this dynasty thing?”
Joseph spread his hands wide, then said, “I have been inserted, rightfully, as the head. Sadly your aunt Alexandra is very angry. I shall have to work hard to get back into her good graces, I’m afraid. As for you kids, are you willing to be a part of it?”
What Joseph got back was three yeses and one no. Erik was the lone holdout.
Aaron shook his head. “So like you, Brother, only ever thinking you can make a career out of music. What a farce. You are a royal now, whether you like it or not, so please do your best not to disgrace the family. Got it?”
“What I got, was an overbearing older brother who insists he’s the one in charge.”
“You’re just afraid I will prove better at archery than you. I will hit you where you sit with an arrow repeatedly until you get in line. Whilst your arrow continually un-nocks and falls haplessly to the ground.”
Before the argument could escalate any further, and thus damage the dynasty, disrupting it all together. Joseph banged his open palms on the table as he stood up. “Kroika, enough of this. We must hold to our high standards. Meanness isn’t one of them. Aaron, I have given Erik permission to pursue his dream, it’s not up to you. We are all to use our God-given gifts to their fullest. Each one of you.” Leveling a forefinger at Aaron, He said. “You, young man, are showing all the ear-marks of being an absolute Autocrat. I may have to rethink my choice of heir. Got it?”
“Did it suddenly get icy in here?” Aaron said, slumping further into his seat.
“It’s late,” Louise said. “Upstairs with all of you. Wash up and go to bed. We’ve had a big day and obviously you’re all exhausted. Good night, children.”
More to Come . . .
Interesting to see if Aaron gains the maturity he will need to be heir, and gives up the rivalry with his brother.
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