Samantha Edwhan

End of the Winter Star

Chapter 17

Gerold trudged up the stairs and turned for the Throne Room. He was exhausted. It was only morning, but he’d barely been able to eat. Every step on the staircase felt like climbing a mountain with the castle strapped to his back. Griffin was walking alongside him.

“Are you going to be alright today?” Griffin asked. “You can take the day off if you need to.”

Gerold shook his head. “I’m the High Caln. I can’t just take a day off because I’m a little tired.”

“I don’t think you’re just ‘a little tired,’ Gerold. You look horrible,” Griffin told him. “What if you’re sick?”

“I’m not sick, Griffin,” Gerold insisted. “I’ve just been working a little too hard.”

Griffin didn’t look convinced, but Gerold pushed his way into the Throne Room regardless. He took a seat at his throne and suppressed a sigh. It was a relief to sit down. But he still felt tired.

“Good morning, High Caln, Prinze,” Freya greeted them once Griffin was seated. “Today’s list of requests is only small, however, there may be a court case coming your way.”

“A court case? What has happened?” Gerold asked.

Freya shrugged her wings. “I’m not entirely sure yet, but I heard talk that there was an attack in one of the Northern Districts. A business was robbed and the staff there were injured. The dragons responsible have been caught, but the judges feel uneasy making a ruling on such a high level crime.”

Gerold managed to avoid cursing out loud. How had this happened? He’d been High Caln twenty-three years and never had such an incident. Were these dragons acting out of malice or desperation? Could he have avoided such an incident with closer management of the Calndom’s expenses? If they were acting out of malice, why? Who or what had caused them to think this would solve their problem?

“Gerold,” Griffin whispered.

Gerold blinked and looked at him. Griffin nodded to Freya, who was standing in front of them with an unfurled scroll. She gave him an expectant look. Oh dear.

“I’m sorry, Freya. I must have gotten distracted. Could you please repeat what you just said?” Gerold asked.

Freya nodded politely. “Of course, High Caln. The Glasswing family have announced a recent betrothal between their youngest daughter and the son of the Miller family. They have requested your presence at the wedding.”

Gerold gave a slightly forced smile. “I wouldn’t miss it. You can tell them I’ll be there.”

Freya nodded and made a note on her scroll. Then she read out the next line. “The heavy rains lately have caused flooding at the lake and river. Farmers in the Northern Districts have reported losing livestock to the flooding. They wish to know if there will be any reimbursement or future preventative measures.”

“Right. Flooding,” Gerold muttered to himself.

He was so used to proactively sending Water Dragons to redirect excess rainwater to prevent flooding. It seems he’d forgotten it this year. Was it because he’d been so tired, or had he been too focused on his and Adelaide’s egg?

Gerold pushed the thought from his mind and looked back at Freya. “The castle won’t be able to reimburse the cost of the lost livestock, however, we will ensure that future floods are mitigated as much as possible. I will also arrange for Water Dragons to go out and redirect the water away from the farmlands.”

Freya nodded and made a note. Griffin felt a wave of nausea come over him as he waited. The courts had only just started. He would have to work through it. What kind of ruler would he be if he ran off the moment he felt a little sick?

“The quarry has unearthed a new precious stone,” Freya announced, reading from the scroll. “They would like the High Caln to inspect it before it can be released to the market.”

Gerold nodded slightly. He would have to find the time to travel to the quarry. He hadn’t visited in quite a while. Perhaps it would be a good opportunity to review the conditions there. But when would he be feeling well enough for the flight?

“Gerold,” Griffin whispered again, this time nudging him with a wing. Gerold looked up at him. “Are you feeling alright, Gerold? You look a little pale.”

Gerold took a breath. He was feeling a little shaky. “Perhaps it would be best to postpone the rest of the courts. I think I need to lie down.”

Griffin nodded. Freya dipped her head respectfully and said, “I will keep the scroll in your office for review.”

“Thank you, Freya,” Gerold said.

He forced himself up and began to slowly walk towards the door. He managed just a few steps before his head felt light. The room began to spin. Gerold paused to take a breath. He could do this. But as he lifted his foot to take another step, his legs failed beneath him and everything went dark.