Iron Crowned Chapter 18

It re wholey matte up like that, like I was killing a living issue. And in a way, I was. I was destroying the estate of the realms connection to Katrice. The area and its monarch be one. Kind of an esoteric concept unless, well, the truth. Id certainly felt it in the digestbone put down. It was why I couldnt perpetu wholey check mark away from that kingdom for actu all in ally long. It called to me. It was part of me.And so, I was essentially cutting a living thing in devil. White-hot power burned through me as I did, the pinchs magic connecting with my own and pouring into the dirt below. I had small smack of my surroundings, save Katrice screaming. Below me, in a spiritual sort of way, I could feel the place down resisting at first. It didnt indigence to break its ties. In the end, it had nonechoice. The crowns magic was too strong. Seconds, proceeding, hours I dont know how long it took, probably hardly some(prenominal) time at all. muchover suddenly, it was done. The crowns power faded from me, and the land lay there open and unclaimed. Raw and wounded.As the magics haze wore off, the lodge in of the human slowly shifted back into focus for me. I stared around at the gaping faces and at Katrice, huddled and sobbing. I thought shed aged before, save it was nothing compared to now. Being ripped from the land had devastated her. Her dark hair was almost all gray now, her face gaunt and lined.And all around all around, the land was restless. I could feel its energy, calling reveal reaching reveal fervent for a new master. Hardly any of the people pull togethered showed any recognition of this. They were still watching the drama of me and Katrice. A few spectators had gravel looks on their faces, as though they too could hear the land.It was because they were powerful seemly to take it, I realized. The land was already seeking those who possessed the speciality to join with it, and looking up, I saw from Cassiuss face that he could moxie that. Katrices son hadnt had the power to claim a kingdom, tho her nephew did.So, for my next spontaneous act of the day, I stuck my free hand into the ground. Just like the inhabit time, soil that scrawled off hard and ungiving soon grew soft and warm. My hand sank into the earth, and I was welcomed, as though someone were clasping my hand in return. Warmth modify my body, a comforting warmth very different from the crowns searing heat. I unappealing my look, striving to stay with that connection, to show I was worthy. Part of me was already precondition over to the Thorn Land. I had to fight to claim this land as well.Then, I felt it. I felt the land accept me. And as it did, the ground began to shake. At first, I thought it was just some aftereffect of the magic, entirely then I remembered what had happened when the Thorn Land had bound itself to me. The land took on the form that wheel spoke to my soul, that was natural and right to me. Aesons former k ingdom had determine itself into the Sonora Desert, the land of my birth. The rowan Land was trying to do the resembling thing.No, no Not again. A semi-tropical kingdom transforming into a desert had wreaked slaughter on its residents. Wed faced starvation, drought, poverty. It was tho recently that the kingdom had gotten on its feet again, be coming prosperous and self-sustaining. I wouldnt go through that again. Frantically, I essay to think of some other form. But what? I hardly ever leftover the southwestern United States. A quick image of the Catalina mountains flashed into my mind, the slopes whitened and pine-covered like the day Kiyo and I had fought the demon. I could feel the land prick to grip that picture, and I yanked it away. This kingdom had some small mountains, except that was a tiny percentage of its terrain. I couldnt turn this place into Switzerland or Nepal. check-out procedure the same, stay the same, I begged the land. For the sake of its occupants, I necessitateed the landscape to outride unchanged. It was difficult, though. The land wanted to bond to me, to what was ingrained within my soul. Thinking back to the journey here, I tried to picture the rows and rows of cherry trees along the road. I remembered the sun shining through other deciduous trees and flowers growing in clusters. I thought about the stretch of rowan trees. Stay the same, stay the same.Gradually, the earth around me began to slow its shaking and in the long run stop pull out for one compass point. Not utmost from where I rested my hand, the ground cracked open and leaves and branches burst through. I scurried back, watching in as practically awe as I had the first time a witching(prenominal) tree burst forth, growing and unfurling its leaves to dependable-size in seconds. I held my breath, wonder what it would be, this tree that dictated my new kingdoms nature.It was a rowan tree.I wasnt the only one who thought this was weird. Didnt you claim it? asked Jasmine, puzzled. I rose to my feet beside her, brushing spit off of my jeans.I Had I? That was a rowan tree, making this by all Otherworldly reasoning the Rowan Land. Which is what it had been already. Maybe it hadnt worked. Maybe the crown hadnt done what I expected it to. Maybe Katrice had won it back somehow.But, no. There it was. I felt it. The land. The earth. The rocks. Every leaf and flower. The scents, the colors they were all sharper and more intense. If I opened myself up, I could feel both single piece of this land. It hummed. It buzzed. The energy was dizzying, and I forced myself to shut it out for a moment.No, I told Jasmine, wonderingly. Its mine. I stared at the rowan tree, more appraisall than any real one could be, its orange-colored berries bright against green leaves swaying in the breeze. I reached out and stroked one of the leaves, vaguely aware of Katrice still sobbing. A tingle of power ran through me. Its still the Rowan Land except, its my Rowan Land.Things were a little awkward after that.The soldiers were no agelong trying to discard me, scarce they also werent ready to jump at my every order. My companions were of little use. Imanuelle, per her nature, was content to sit back and watch the mess Id stumbled into. Kiyo wore a judge look on his face, and I feared Id imbibe a lecture coming later. Jasmine still seemed to be in shock. The only time she came to life was when I debated what to do with Katrice and Cassius. Unsurprisingly, Jasmines suggestion was to kill them.Confine them to her rooms, I ordered, hoping someone would accompany me. Guard them with I was kindly of at a loss. Theoretically, gentry knew how this worked. Whoever controlled the land ruled, but I wasnt entirely sure the guards around here would be so keen about toss awaying the woman who had ruled them ten minutes ago. Volusian, I thought. outright that I was in control, I could summon him without fear. Then, I realized I needed him f or more important things. I looked beseechingly at Kiyo, needing no words.He nodded. Ill watch them. He turned abruptly, acantha the former royalty at heart with a couple of guards whod decided to stay put on board with me right away. Kiyo being on guard served two purposes. I could trust him to do a good job and, the longer he did, the longer I was safe from his disapproval.I then spoke the words to bring Volusian to me, the sight of him further frightening those who already watched me with terror. Id permit the storm dissipate, but darkness still seemed to wrap around my minion as his red eyes assessed me, the weight-lift Crown, and the tree.Unexpected, he said.Go to Rurik, I told him. pardon what happened and have him bring an occupying force here immediately. I didnt know what that meant exactly, but I did know army control took precedence here if we were sledding to secure the land. Rurik would know what to do. Governing would come later. And then Now I hesitated. Hav e Shaya contact Dorian about what happened. Then return to me.Volusian paused, delay for anything else I might add. When nothing more came, he vanished, and the sun seemed to affect a little brighter. It was all a waiting game now, and I glanced around at the Rowan Lands still-stunned residents.Well thats it. Carry on as usual. Guard the gates. No one leaves. And you go get your soup or whatever youre eating. That was for the civilians. When no one moved, I hardened my expression and iterate my orders more loudly. Fear flashed across the Rowan citizens faces, and they sprang into action.This inner courtyard was huge, and I spotted an unoccupied spot near some carts that must have delivered supplies earlier. I walked over to them, Jasmine following, and sat on the ground. It was a weird spot for a queen, I supposed, but I wanted to rest bandage waiting for Rurik. Plus, it still allow me keep an eye on this sharp and dangerous situation. The bulk of the guards were out here, and I didnt think mutiny was out of the question yet. People were moving after my commands, but it was mostly to gather in anxious clusters and discuss what had happened.Jasmine sighed and leaned her head back against the wall. I want to go home, she said.We will. As soon as Rurik gets here, well head back to the move and let him deal with this.No. Her voice was small. My other home. The human world.I turned to her in astonishment, dragging my gaze from some peasants who were begging the guards to let them out. What? But you hate that world. You always said this is where you fit in.It is, she agreed. But I just want I want to get away from all this for a little while. From magic. And castles. And whatever. I want to watch TV. I perchance want to see Wil. I want to charge my iPod. And my playlist doesnt suck.I couldnt help a laugh. I kind of want all those things too. Well go soon. Well well cut those chains. I-Im sorry I dont have the key with me.She shrugged. Its fine. Kiyos g oing to be upset about all this, I murmured, surprised to be break in her.You did the right thing, Jasmine said. I mean, aside from not killing Katrice and Cassius. But you can still do that.Any residual smile left on my lips vanished. Cassius They were lying, she said bluntly. He didnt do anything.Jasmine Im serious. She looked at me, her blue-gray gaze take and steady. He talked a lot of talk when he came to see me fey me a little. But that was it. I think they just wanted to scoot me.She didnt elaborate on the touching. I didnt ask. I was just relieved she hadnt foregone through what I had. Im sorry, I told her. Im sorry I didnt protect you better.Now she smiled. You did fine. And hey, you ended the war, right? You won.I turned away, staring off into space. I guess I did.We didnt talk much after that. I was tired, worn out from all the magic. Apparently, using an ancient, powerful artifact wasnt as easy as it seemed. Neither was proving your dominance over a large piece of land. Id felt wiped out last time but had gotten out of the Thorn Land as quickly as possible. Now, sitting here, I was stuck in the Rowan Land, still acutely aware of its every sensation. That intensity would fade, just as it had with the Thorn Land, but for now, it was like a hammer banging inside my head, demanding attention.I practically flew to the gate when Rurik arrived. Once admitted, he and the force roll in the hay him paused. Studying the situation, he had a reaction similar to Volusians.Really?Things happened kind of fast, I admitted.It was well done. Possessing this land was a much better idea than simply defeating Katrice in battle.I scowled. Well, can you possess it for now?He grinned. Gladly.Turning from me, he fixed a hard gaze on those gathered. Youre all now subjects of Queen Eugenie, daughter of Tirigan Storm King, he barked. Kneel.I looked on imperiously as they obeyed. I knew this was necessary to establish our control. No weakness, no hesitation. We were con querors. Id long since taken off the Iron Crown but wished Id brought my normal one of authority. Oh, well. It wasnt like I couldve foreseen this when packing.Everyone in the keep overlook to their knees, heads bowed. We let them stay like that for several seconds while my stomach sank. Finally, they were allowed to rise, and Rurik kicked into full martial law mode, demanding an assessment of all soldiers and issuing rules for servants and refugees. He had a few tasks for me more actions that made me seem queenly before finally declaring I could leave.Ill sort out the immediate problems, he told me in a low voice. My own soldiers were now out and about, establishing order. Well lock this place down, start scouting the immediate area, sifting out those who can be trusted. He paused eloquently. Ill probably have to throw a large part of their military into the dungeon.Do what you have to do, I said. I had a feeling hed at last want to talk executions but was holding back for now. I imagined I looked as tired as I felt.And you simply want to imprison the former queen for now? he asked.For now.Jasmine scoffed beside me, and Ruriks expression showed he dual-lane her opinion.Well, dont stay away long, he said. You need to make your presence felt. And you need to connect with the land.I know, I know, I grumbled. Id avoided the Thorn Land before, but it had kept calling me back. I know how this works.He arched an eyebrow, that sardonic smile of his returning. Do you? Do you know whats happened?I threw my hands up, gesturing around. I got stuck with another kingdom.Do you know how many other monarchs control more than one kingdom?I shook my head, presuming whoever did must live far from me.No one, said Rurik.I What? No. Dorian had mentioned conquering more than one land, making me think it must happen now and then. The Iron Crowns purpose suggested as much. There must be someone else.No one, Rurik repeated. Youre the only one. The only one in ages well, except f or Storm King.The world swayed around me again. I once more just wanted to go somewhere and lie down. My reaction brought a bigger smile to Ruriks face, but I swore there was a little sympathy in his eyes too.Congratulations, he said. Congratulations, Eugenie Queen of Rowan and Thorn.