The air was cool and crisp as the first hints of fall crept into Anatol. Some vendors sold pumpkins to keep monsters at bay; others sold spiced ciders and other warm beverages to stave off the encroaching cold weather.
Halloween had arrived at last, and the Calypse children were practically bursting with excitement to go out and trick or treat with their parents.
Andrew had his costume picked out months in advance. He was going to be, to no one's surprise, a Remdragon Knight. He had asked the forge master to craft him miniature versions of the knight's armor with the official crest and lapels. The boy's eagerness and high spirits were nearly palpable, and the craftsman happily obliged.
Victoria was far more indecisive. At first, she wanted to be a water mage, then a horse, then a princess, and finally, a few days before the holiday, she settled on a warrior princess with magic powers. She filled a small leather pouch with smooth rocks to use as her mana stones. Rudis and Maxi helped design her warrior dress. It was an odd combination consisting of fake corset leather for the armor and a fluffy pink skirt for the gown with yards of tulle.
Maxi wanted to pair with Hadrian, so she and Rudis fashioned an outfit that made him look like an adorable puff pastry. Maxi was dressed in plain clothes and a chef's hat and apron. She was the cook, and he was her newest creation.
Maxi and the children gathered in the crowded foyer. The halls were adorned with pumpkins and fallen foliage. The relaxing scents of cinnamon and baked apples drifted from the kitchens. The candlelight, which often provided comfort in the dark halls at night, appeared to cast unnaturally long shadows upon the stone walls. There was undoubtedly an eerie feeling in the air.
Most of the knights had gathered with them. Hebaron lost a bet with Victoria, and now the entire legion was adorned with silver lapels that read "Princess Protection."
Truthfully, the knights hadn't made much of a fuss about it. They adored Lady Victoria and were happy to be a part of the festivities, in addition to getting themselves out of their nightly patrol duties.
"Why do you look so smug? It's just a costume." Uslin asked Hebaron, who strutted around, his chin high and chest puffed out.
"Is that any way to speak to your commanding officer, boy?" Hebaron barked.
"Commanding what!?" Gabel blanched. "On whose authority? What idiot put you in charge?"
"I did," said Hebaron plainly.
"That explains it," said Uslin.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Hebaron said, crossing his arms defiantly.
"Exactly what you think it means," grumbled Ruth, who had somehow reluctantly been dragged into this mess.
"What about the Commander?" Yulysion asked.
"What about him?" asked Gabel. "He didn't get roped into the bet."
"No, not that," said the young knight. "I wondered if the Commander might wear a fancy hat or some sort of costume like the rest of his family."
"The Commander will absolutely wear the fanciest, most outlandish hat there ever was," said Elliot, "when elephants learn to fly."
"Maybe he'll be a royal guard," said Garrow. "He's certainly grumpy enough."
That earned a low chuckle from the knights; even Maxi couldn't help but smile a little.
"Or maybe a ghost!" said Yulision.
"No, he's scary enough," said Hebaron, "he doesn't need any-"
"Do you truly think it's wise to finish that statement, Nirta?" rumbled a low voice directly behind him.
"Ahhh!" the burly knight hollered as he nearly lept in the air in surprise.
The room tore itself apart with laughter that echoed loudly off the cold stone walls.
"Remind me to increase your vigilance training," Riftan muttered. "You are still terribly unaware of your surroundings."
Without allowing the man a moment to defend himself, Riftan stepped away and walked over to his little family.
"Father!" the children cried, racing forward to embrace him.
"Are you going to defend your brother and sister from the monsters that roam the streets on All Hallows' Eve?" Riftan asked, recognizing the knight's armor his son wore.
"Of course! No spirits or spooks will get past me," Andrew said, drawing his little sword from his side and demonstrating a few defensive stances.
Riftan smiled warmly at Andrew, though it secretly brought a tinge of pain to his heart to see his son in armor.
"Are you going to a ball or to battle?" Riftan asked as he turned to look over his daughter's costume.
"Probably both," she said with a gleeful, toothy grin, practically bouncing on her toes.
"Very impressive, your Highness," he said with a small bow.
Maxi slowly approached them, bouncing her baby on her hip, who had grown a bit fussy. Riftan pulled Hadrian into his arms and then held him above his head. He carefully tossed the baby mere centimeters from his grasp, but Hadrian loved it, squealing and cooing with joy.
Riftan handed his son back to his lovely wife.
"I never thought I would hear myself calling a pastry adorable, but this family has taught me to never question or anticipate the unexpected," Riftan said with a low chuckle.
"Isn't he the sweetest?" Maxi asked, unable to resist the urge to pinch her baby's cheeks.
Riftan leaned down and stole a kiss from Maxi's cheek. Maxi had really gotten into the role and covered part of her face in powder and sugar to look as though she had just finished baking.
"Actually, I think you might be the sweetest, Maxi," Riftan said after licking his lips, which had been coated in some sugary substance.
"It's cinnamon and a pinch of sugar, just like the dusting on your favorite dessert," Maxi said proudly.
"Those pastries are good," Riftan said with a fond smile, "but they aren't my favorite."
Maxi's eyes went wide. Her mouth was agape.
"What?!" she exclaimed. "You said that—I can't believe—what is it then??"
"You don't remember my favorite dessert?" Riftan asked.
"No!" she whined.
Riftan dropped his gaze to the floor and slowly raised his eyes towards hers, taking in every beautiful curve and dip of her body. Riftan's jaw tightened. He held her gaze with a sinful hunger in his eyes as he raised a single eyebrow.
Maxi clamped her hand over her mouth to stifle a squeal as her face turned as red as her hair. She pulled a dishrag from her apron pocket and began lashing it at him. She did as much damage to him as she would have done with a feather pillow. He chuckled and pulled her against him, kissing the top of her head that wasn't hidden beneath her chef's hat.
"My sweet lady," he mumbled.
Maxi groaned against his chest.
"Come on! Let's go!" Andrew said impatiently.
"Wait!" cried Victoria. "What about Father?! He needs a costume!"
"I'll be a happy man who is enjoying the night watching his family have fun," Riftan said reassuringly.
"No, no, no!" said Victoria, stomping her little slippered foot. "You need to be something you're not. Wait right here, I have an idea."
Without another word, she took off, racing down the halls towards her room. She ran back into the hall a few moments later, slightly breathless.
In her hands, she clutched a large velvet bag.
"If I am a warrior princess, then if you want, you could be our king," she said happily.
"King Calypse," said Hebaron, "I quite like the sound of that. Of course, I'll be the general of his armies."
"No, you'll be the cup bearer," Uslin chuckled.
"What?!" the redheaded knight shouted.
"Enough!" Victoria yelled above the loud voices. "Let Father swear his oath as king so we can start trick or treating!"
Victoria waved her hand, motioning for her brother to stand beside her.
"Kneel," she commanded.
Riftan kneeled before his children.
His son placed the tip of his sword on Riftan's right shoulder.
Victoria spoke as her brother raised his sword above their father's head and laid it on his other shoulder.
"Will you solemnly promise and swear to govern the people of the kingdom of Anatol and any future realms and territories belonging to or pertaining to them in accordance with their respective laws and customs?"
Riftan didn't answer for a moment, completely stunned by the words pouring from the mouth of his young daughter. She had definitely been spending too much time in the library.
Maxi cleared her throat, shaking him out of his daze.
"I solemnly promise to do so."
"Will you, in your power, bring law, justice, and mercy to be executed in all your judgments?"
"I will."
"Will you act in service to your countrymen as you would your own family? To shield, guide, and lead those of all ages, nationalities, and customs to the best of your ability."
"I swear I will."
Victoria nodded to her brother, who removed the sword from atop their father's shoulder.
"Bow your head."
Riftan did as he was instructed.
He couldn't help but sneak a glance at the crown that his daughter carefully pulled from the soft bag. His cheeks burned and were likely an unflattering shade of pink. In her hands, Victoria held the most bejeweled, sparkliest crown she owned. She placed her prized possession on his head and then stood back for a moment to admire it.
"Rise."
He stood but kept his eyes on his daughter, who was beaming up at him with love and pride.
"God save King Calypse!" Victoria shouted.
"God save the King!" Maxi and Andrew answered.
"God save the King!" the knights cheered.
"God save the King!" the servants chorused, joining in the fun.
"Power's already gone to the captain's head; look at him, proud as a princeling," Hebaron mumbled.
Rifton's gaze snapped over to his subordinate. It took everything in Sir Nirta not to flinch back. Even with a prissy, sparkly pink crown on his head, Riftan's aura was as ferocious as it had always been.
"I have a generous habit of regularly tolerating your faults, mistakes, and insubordination," Riftan said coldly as the crown upon his head glittered in the soft candlelight. "But not tonight. If you act foolish or let your guard down around my family, I will break you."
Hebaron said nothing; he just kept his head bowed, unable to hold Riftan's cold gaze.
"If you address me or my daughter, as anything less than "Your Grace," I will have your head on a pike before dawn," Riftan said darkly.
If Sir Hebaron were completely honest with himself, he would have admitted that he was afraid. In truth, he couldn't tell if the king was simply joking or actually threatening to behead him.
"Of course, Your Grace," he answered quickly, "as you wish."
And with that, the family of five and a legion of very nervous knights stepped out into the cool fall air for a bit of Halloween fun.