From Cygnet to Swan Page 3

  Chapter 3

  Early in the morning two days after Kawa’s death, heralds were dispatched from the palace. They traveled through every city and town in Imatsuro with the news of the king’s death and issued this proclamation.

  To the subjects of the Kingdom of Imatsuro:

  In honor of our late king, Kawa-Matsu, and in memory of his prosperous rule, I issue the following decree: For seven days the Kingdom of Imatsuro will mourn. There shall be no celebrations during those seven days. It shall be a time of remembrance for our king.

  At the end of the seven days of mourning shall be the coronation of our new king, Sheiji-Yueng, chosen by the late King Kawa as his heir and successor.

  May you prosper in your homes and cities.

  Advisor to the King

  Fa-Ying

  In the week following the king’s death, the whole kingdom went into mourning. King Kawa had been a kind and just king. He was generous and peace loving. His subjects were heartbroken at his death.

  Many people shaved their heads as a symbol of their grief, and many others laid aside their colorful clothing and dressed in black or gray. Even the sky seemed to put on a dress of mourning and cried big drops of rain, though it was the dry season.

  The day of Sheiji’s coronation drew near. Seamstresses busied themselves making new clothes for the fourteen-year-old king. The palace cooks planned and prepared a feast for the special day. Sheiji began the fasting and meditation that would purify him for his coronation.

  At last, after much preparation, the day arrived. That morning, Sheiji woke early with a large knot in his stomach. He felt so nervous that he did not even notice the pinch of hunger.

  He clapped twice and several servants came running from the next room, carrying his coronation regalia. The floor-length tunic was a rich, purple silk with silver dragons embroidered over its surface. The hem was embroidered in gold thread and the neckline was a pattern of jasmine blossoms. The shoes were of the same purple silk with gold tassels to match the hem and embroidery.

  After much primping and altering, the royal dressers declared that Sheiji looked resplendent. A knock sounded at the door and Sheiji opened it himself.

  “Good morning, Sheiji.”

  “Good morning, Fa-Ying,” replied Sheiji.

  “You’re ready early,” commented Fa-Ying.

  “I couldn’t sleep, Fa-Ying. I’m too nervous,” Sheiji explained.

  “Do not worry,” replied Fa-Ying with a gentle smile.

  Sheiji sighed.

  “If you’re ready we’ll go. Already there is a crowd outside the balcony.” Fa-Ying chuckled, “Not many people get to see a coronation in their lifetime.”

  Sheiji nodded and swallowed hard. “How many people will be watching me?” he asked weakly.

  “You’ll do fine,” said Fa-Ying.

  They walked down the hall in a dignified manner. Two armed guards followed close behind them, with several servants bringing up the rear. The silk slippers and straw sandals of the servants and guards made a soft whoosh whoosh on the floor as they walked. Otherwise, the corridor was silent.

  They stopped at a thick wooden door. “It’s time, my king,” said Fa-Ying as he pushed open the door. Fa-Ying, as protector and advisor to the young king, stepped out onto the balcony that overlooked the city of Taiyunyi. The crowd threw up a cheer.

  Fa-Ying raised his arms for silence. “Good people of Imatsuro!” he began when the noise had subsided. “Good people of Imatsuro, today we are celebrating the coronation of our new king, Sheiji-Yueng!”

  The crowd cheered and waited for the new king to appear. They waited and waited, and slowly the cheering began to subside.

  “King Sheiji-Yueng!” Fa-Ying said again. Sheiji did not appear. “Poor boy,” Fa-Ying said under his breath as he turned toward the door where Sheiji was supposed to make his entrance.

  “Sheiji?” he said coming back into the palace. “What are you doing? Your subjects are waiting for you!”

  “I don’t want to,” sobbed Sheiji. “I don’t want to.”

  “Why, Sheiji?”

  “There are too many people out there.” Sheiji sobbed. “I’m afraid.”

  “What are you afraid of, Sheiji?” asked Fa-Ying.

  “I’m afraid of all the people. What if they don’t like me? What if they think I’m too young? What if I say something and they laugh at me?”

  “They wouldn’t dare to laugh at the king,” Fa-Ying said with a wink. “There really is nothing to be afraid of. And I’m sure they’ll love you.”

  “What’s going on, Ying?” asked a mocking voice.

  Fa-Ying turned to see Sheiji’s half brother Sui-Tsai watching them with narrowed eyes and his mouth curled into a sneer.

  “This boy-king is afraid, I see,” he laughed. “Afraid of a few thousand judgmental, hateful people who will laugh at your every word and your boyish features.”

  Sheiji looked at his brother with a worried expression.

  “Do you have business here?” asked Fa-Ying in a low, dangerous voice.

  “Is it a crime to want to give my little brother a few tips on how to win a crowd’s approval?” asked Sui-Tsai innocently.

  “The people are waiting to see you, Sheiji. Are you ready?” asked Fa-Ying, ignoring Sui-Tsai.

  Sheiji nodded bravely and followed Fa-Ying out the door.

  “Sheiji-Yueng!” announced Fa-Ying for the final time.

  Sheiji forced a smile and inclined his head to the slightest degree, acknowledging his people as his father had done.

  The crowd erupted in a volley of cheers and shouts.

  “Sheiji-Yueng, kneel and receive your crown,” said Fa-Ying in a loud voice. Sheiji knelt and bowed his head. Fa-Ying placed the royal crown on his head. It was pure gold, studded with rare jewels. In silver lettering were the words: May all who wear this crown, be worthy of its power.

  “Now you are Sheiji-Yueng, king of all Imatsuro,” announced Fa-Ying.

  The crowd cheered again and Sheiji rose to his feet. “Thank you. I will try hard to be a good king. I will try to be like my father.”

  Fa-Ying smiled contentedly. The kingdom would be in good hands.

  “Good people,” called out Sui-Tsai and the people turned their heads to him. Several people cheered. “As my brother, the king, is still young and has not been trained in the ways of ruling a country as I have, I shall govern as Prince Regent for him until he possesses the knowledge to rule the nation for himself. It is the custom of this country, as you well know, for an older relative to reign in place of a king who is too young. I proudly take the weight of this job on my shoulders to fulfill my duty to my king and my country.” Sui-Tsai bowed.

  Again several people cheered, but most looked up at Sui-Tsai with angry faces.