Kingdom of Magic

"Good. Now Repeat after me. I Matthias Mark Stone solemnly swear that I will do everything in my power and beyond to protect the fine Kingdom of Albuaras and all that is within it. From the largest of mountains to the smallest grain of dirt. I will fight with all my strength no matter what the odds. I will fight with the people and for the people, and many years from now, when I lie on my death bed my last breath will be. For the Phoenix!" Matthias repeated the oath, it was no challenge for him, he could still remember Andrew's coronation and the oath was still stuck in his mind, "Now you must recite the Kingdom's motto."

Matthias took a deep and calming breath; "Dead in the ashes, I will rise, reborn of fire. A Phoenix!" Cecil sprinkled the ashes over Matthias' head, he took some on his fingers and rubbed a grey, white streak on Matthias' forehead, he poured oil on Matthias' head and placed a thin crown of gold encrusted with diamonds on Matthias' head. The crown wasn't as bad as he perceived, it was much lighter, it pushed his blonde hair down so that his fuzzy fringe fell over his left eye.

"You are now reborn as a Phoenix and as our new King!" proclaimed Cecil. The crowds roared and clapped but some still bore tears from the death of their previous King.

Matthias pushed himself back to his feet, he wanted to dust himself off but he dared not, if the people saw him they would kill him. It wasn't just any old ash he had over him. It was the ashes of his closest friend and a great King; "As many of you know, Andrew was my closest and dearest friend, I will never be as great a king as he but I promise you that I will do my best to honour his legacy!" The crowds went wild with tears and uproars of hope. Not all the tears were sorrowful. Many were tears of joy that the Kingdom would not fall into the hands of a cruel King. From his appearance and manner it was not hard to tell that Matthias was cool and collected and from the way he treated his family, he was kind-hearted and loving. He was going to make a fine King and was going in at the right age for it, thirty, mature enough to make wise decisions but bold enough to take risks. All good qualities in a King or any leader for that matter.

"To King Matthias!" roared a man in the crowd and the crowd followed his example, "To the King!" Matthias lifted his little Prince and kissed his beautiful Queen.

"You're a King now my love." she said.

"Not yet my love. I have the title of King but that doesn't make me a King. Being a King is something you learn with time not something you are given." sighed Matthias. He was worried about his new found responsibilities and didn't know very much about allies and enemies. He knew a little about who he could trust and who would stab him in the back from eavesdropping on Andrew. However he did not know who the other five Kings in the realm were and what intentions they had.

"Andrew always used to say that." she smiled.

"Mummy. I'm tired." said Rupert.

"Take him to bed. You've done enough for today."

"I will do it your Majesty." interrupted Cecil, "After all I am your assistant. It is my duty to take care of you and your family."

"As you will Cecil."

"If I may be so bold to ask. do you know about the week of a blessed child?"

"No. Is it important?"