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sunlight.  In his hand was the royal sword.  “The nobles are assembled and Brother Jonas is ready.  It is time.”
    Taking a deep breath and slowly releasing it, Keria smoothed her robes and walked over to the doorway.  She saw the assembled nobles waiting in the hall, the soft murmur of their conversations echoing against the stone walls, their attention focused on the doorway.  “Be brave, my queen,” Helgrant whispered to her as he signaled the herald.
    The herald loudly rapped his short staff three times against the marble floor of the hall.  “Her Royal Highness, Keria, Princess of the Realm and rightful heir to the throne, comes!” he cried out, his deep voice carrying throughout the hall.  “She comes!”
    Helgrant led her out, walking a few steps ahead.  She kept a serious look on her face as they slowly made their way to the throne dais.  Her gaze drifted over the assembled crowd, as they bowed and curtsied to her.  She nodded politely in response as she continued forward.  She saw Jonas standing at the base of the dais, the golden crown held in his hands.  She nodded to him as she stopped in front of him.  Helgrant continued to the other side of the dais, and then turned to face the hall, the royal sword cradled in his arms.
    Jonas’ voice seemed loud in the silent hall when he began the ceremony.  “Who comes to claim the throne of Sanduas?” he asked.
    “I, Keria, do so,” she responded formally.
    “By what right do you claim the throne?”
    “I am the natural-born daughter and only heir of the previous king, Kristin the First”
    “Do any here assembled challenge the daughter of Kristin’s claim to the throne?” he asked the crowd.
    Keria saw some in the crowd glance around, but only silence answered Jonas.
    “Hearing no objections, I deem the claim of Keria to be valid,” Jonas proclaimed.  “May the blessings of the One shine on us.”  Giving her a small smile, he gestured for Keria to ascend to the throne.
    Once she settled in the chair, she sat upright, back straight.  Jonas followed her, stopping next to the throne.  He faced the assembled nobles, the crown lifted above his head.
    “As Chief Cleric of Sanduas and by consent of the nobles present, I proclaim Keria, daughter of Kristin, Queen of Sanduas,” he intoned.  “She is now known as Queen Keria the First.  May she rule with honesty and fairness, under the protection of the One.  Let all here acknowledge her queen!”
    The hall rippled with a wave of bows and curtsies as the Royal Guard drew their swords and held them aloft.  “All hail, Keria, Queen of Sanduas!” they cried.  “Hail!”
    Jonas gently placed the crown on Keria’s head.  It felt cold and heavy to her.  “May the One guide and keep you, Keria.  Your parents would be proud of the woman you have become,” he said softly, his voice only for her.  She fought back tears as he turned back to the crowd.
    “Let all of the nobles come forward and proclaim their fealty to the new queen,” he announced.
    She saw the nobles begin to form a line, based on precedence, but she sought out only one face.  She found Marcus, dressed in a fine forest green doublet, standing next to Norlan, Madalin and Cherise, dressed in their finery.  Because of all they had done for Jake and Marcus, she had invited the family to attend the ceremony, which was normally restricted to the nobility.  Marcus’ handsome face was determined as he spoke quietly with Norlan.  Norlan leaned closed as they talked, concern written on his face as he watched the other nobles.
    Jonas told her what Norlan had done in the dungeons.  “I don’t believe I would have succeeded without his support, as he defended the door and freed me to confront the demon.  I know that I would not be here today if he had not followed me in,” Jonas had stated. 
    She had another reason to grateful for Norlan.  Marcus had grown close to him since the palace battle.  He had offered the use of