When they reached the fort at the center of Great Ashes, Conri handed the child off to one of the serving girls.
"Clean up the boy and the dog. Bring them to me when they are presentable."
The serving girl curtsied and did as she was bade.
Conri turned to the steward.
"Where is the body of the Ash King?"
The steward led the Mountain King and his men to Dennys Merrins' death chamber.
Some time later Conri and his Kingsguard sat at a table in the king's suite.
"Two hundred years of war and finally the Mountains take the Ashlands. These people seem eager to pledge us fealty, Conri. Perhaps it's time we built up our armies more. There are fourteen more kingdoms out there, just waiting for a new king." Lord Desmond Luthor of Stone Valley looked pleased at the thought of conquer.
"Most aren't waiting for a new king, Des," Gerard replied with annoyance. "They're happy with the king's they've got. The Ashlands only welcome us because their king was mad and cruel."
"They see that our Conri is a better king than Mad Dennys," Desmond insisted. "We just have to show the others that he's better than their kings as well."
"How?" Myron broke in. "By invading their land and murdering their people?"
"Enough!" Lord Renald Von Garten of Green Valley shouted. "This is not the time or place to be discussing this."
Desmond looked like he was about to argue when a soft knock came at the door. Edwin, who had stayed out of the argument, rose to answer.
"Begging your Lords' pardon," the serving girl curtsied, "I've brought the little girl and the dog, as his grace requested."
"Little girl?" Edwin turned to Conri, "Did you request a little girl, Con?"
"The child from the street, Edwin," Myron reminded him.
"I thought that was a boy child."
"If I might be so bold, my Lord, the child looks quite like a boy. It's an easy mistake to make."
"Yes," Conri agreed, "easy. Come here, girl." He beckoned the child hiding behind the serving girl's skirts. "What is your name?"
"No name," she replied.
"No name? Didn't your mother and father give you one?"
"No mother or father."
"I see. Well, we shall have to give you a name. What shall it be?"
"Call her Rochelle after your Queen," Myron suggested.
"I hardly think my Rochelle will appreciate having an orphan girl from the Ashlands named in her honor. What about you?" he turned to the serving girl. "What would you call her?"
"If it please your grace, the girl looks a bit like the old Queen Ione."
"Queen Ione?" Desmond asked.
"An Ash Queen from long ago," Renald told him. "She was known for her great beauty and wisdom. The Leafwalk was built as a gift to her from the Ash people." He referred to the walkways built through the trees in the town of Crackling. They ran from branch to branch so one could walk among the leaves.
"A strong name for such a little thing," Conri said thoughtfully. "I suppose she'll grow into it."
"It will be good for the Ashfolk to see that their new king has taken a little Ash girl as his ward and given her the name of a beloved Ash Queen," Myron said.
"Dennys' sister died two years ago. With Dennys dead, the Ashlands have no heir for you to marry off. If the people take to this child, perhaps you can marry a lord's son to her and raise them to protectors of the Ashlands," Renald suggested.
"Perhaps," Conri agreed. "Do you consider your son a suitable candidate?"
He laughed as Renald flushed at his comment.
"You, girl," Gerard said to the serving girl. "What's your name?"
"Beatrise, my lord. Beatrise Drake."
"Give the Ashgirl an Ash governess, Conri."
"Very well. Beatrise Drake, you will come back with us to Elfwyns Rock and raise Ione."
"Begging your pardon, your grace, but I don't know how to raise a child."
"My son has a governess who will teach you. Just keep her alive until we reach the mountains."
"As your grace wishes. Come, Ione. If you're to be a proper noble, you'll need proper noble clothes."
She curtsied to the Mountain King and his Kingsguard and led the child away.
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