The dawn of this historical day found Alaisdair and Pretty sitting on the Conservatory terrace of The House of the Prince, watching the early morning hue of gold rising into the Eastern sky, overpowering the moon's glow.
Alaisdair wanted to kiss Pretty, but in her wisdom, she said, "We must be married. We know our joy together, and I miss your closeness, but today, justice must prevail, and your parents await us to break the fast."
It was slightly baffling to be greeted with a 'Good morning, Children,' as they considered themselves adults, but Pretty smiled and said, "Good morning, Dad and Mom."
Alaisdair had not grown up with a child's outlook, but one of being an essential older sibling in his home and was torn between wanting to assert his position or embracing a family unit of completion.
Alaisdair's Mother said, "I know you are not used to family niceties, but you must grow into a fearless and compassionate hunter. Your foster parents are close friends of our families. Your training will align with Kingship, and you must allow the family to indulge yet uphold you.
"Yes, Mom, I understand this, and this morning will be hectic if we are to accomplish all with Clayton and Mercy. I understand there will be a family reunion as this is done, and all will appear as witnesses for the defense."
"This is a very true, son," King Sol said. There also will be profound ramifications in several sectors, including the non-Land of Myst time frame in Scotland."
Queen Maud said, " Let me indulge in being a Mother, "You two must finish breakfast. We must set out for the Prince House as soon as you are done."
"Yes, Mother," both said with a laugh.
Bradshaw was at the door to escort them to the ballroom area - the largest room in the Prince House. With the Conservatory, the Ballroom comprised the ground level with the staircase and elevator centralized.
All chattering instantly stopped as the arriving Royal party was ushered into the Ballroom. After accompanying them to the Dais, Bradshaw announces the King and Queen of The Land of Myst and their children.
"The King requests all remain seated and quiet until introductions are made. Alaisdair, while aware of relatives, has with his memory only names and needs faces and acceptance. King Steward will now commence."
King Steward says, "Princess Alaisclaire and Prince Drayson. Please step over to the Dais."
Alaisdair was amazed. His twin was, in fact, a mirror image of him, except her eyes were Emerald green, and she was short compared to him. She was beautiful.
Alaisdair held out his arms, and she walked into his hug. Their eyes were awash in tears. "I don't know how I could forget you," Alaisdair cried.
Prince Drayson went and put his arms, engulfing both his wife and her twin. Drayson said, "Perhaps the knock on your noggin when you fell off the bridge into the waters caused the amnesia." Drayson was a bigger version of Clayton.
King Steward murmured to Drayson, "We need to discuss a sensitive matter alone and then with all the relatives before we go into the trial this afternoon. Do not be surprised when you are pulled out into another room.
We will do the reunion hugs and then speak to you privately. Then, we will go back to the whole family for discussion and voting before we go to the court. And we also must take a mid-day repast."
"Yes, Uncle Sol," said Prince Drayson, "I await your orders."
Drayson went to Alaisdair and his wife, Alaisclair, who were taking faster than anyone could understand except themselves. "Welcome back, Brother. Sweetheart, we will catch up later. Alaisdair must say hello to all the relatives, and we have several meetings and a luncheon to get through before court starts."
"Yes, Love." Turning to her twin, she says, "Alaisdair, one more hug, and we will talk later."
Alaisdair was overwhelmed by seeing his brother/cousin, Mother/Aunt, and Father/Uncle, who was rescued almost immediately from the rival clan. All were in good health.
Fallon and his wife, Queen Maud's sister, he thought only a friend of his foster Mother's. He thought, 'I must get this all down so all this confusing chaos will make sense.
Everyone he knew and loved but thought was someone else. I need a writer to make sense of this information.'
Clayton and Mercy were waiting to talk and thank Alaisdair and Pretty Lady. The children were excited to see the man with the magic flute—the music that healed their Mother. The girls all ran to Alaisdair and clung to his legs. They all started to speak, and when Clayton said, "Girls, one at a time," they all stepped back and, looking up to Alaisdair, pushed Lilee to speak.
Lilee, with Raven hair and green eyes, asked, "Prince Alaisdair, could you sit down so we can see and speak with you?" Alaisdair sat on the tile floor.
"My name is Lilee. I am the oldest. We are triplets. This is Lyree; she is the secondborn. She says she should be the oldest, and I pushed her out of the way to be first, scaring her, which is why her hair is silver and her eyes are blue. That may be true, but I don't remember. And this is Alee. She looks the most like Mama. She has beautiful golden red hair and deep chocolate eyes. She is the baby. We all wanted to thank you for helping our Mama to heal with your magic flute."
"I am pleased to meet you girls. My flute is not magic, but it has a wonderful tone. And do you want to hear a secret?"
The three girls got closer to Alaisdair and whispered, "Yes."
"You are all my nieces!" Alaisdair whispered. "How do you feel about that?"
The three girls got closer to him and asked, "Will we be Princesses?"
"Yes, now go tell your Mama and new Papa." Alaisdair rose and went to speak to Clayton and Mercy.
"There will be a lot of decisions made today, and you will stay in The Land of Myst as long as you wish. We have a lot to discuss later today. Now, I must go to my father and to your brother."
Fallon escorted Alaisdair to the private room. He said, "Alaisdair, I am so proud of all you have accomplished these last few days. Your name as Master Hunter is well deserved. Here you are. I shall stand guard."
"Uncle, is that necessary?"
"Probably not," said Fallon as he opened the door to let Alaisdair in, "but we always take precautions for that, "Just in case time."
"Ah, just in time, Son. Do you wish to tell this tale, or shall I?"
"Father, I wish to put this on your shoulder, but I have heard the tale firsthand, and as you were involved in the infraction, you cannot be impersonal - you probably could, but it would appear like you were not."
"This is not something I want to tell you, Drayson, but as you are next in line to the Pegasi throne, this is the gist of this horror tail."
When finished, he asked for Drayson's feedback. He had watched Drayson go from hopeful to sad to angry and back to sorrowful.
Drayson said, "I have felt dismayed with my father's decisions. Ever since my Mother died in childbirth to our sister, his attitude has been erratic and sometimes insane. I recently discovered he has been heavily entangled with drinking. His inner circle is also involved. I had not known he had started to number our children or sent innocent people to their deaths."
"Are you ready to take over the enormous duties of Kingship for your country? If necessary? There really is no other answer at this time but you assuming leadership." said King Steward, "And we will discuss all this over our luncheon as we get ready to convene the court."