[ WP ] The King is dying and decides to abdicate his throne before he dies . During the coronation ceremony , he places the crown on a servant 's head and declares him king , rather than one of his two sons .

Hugh Grey roused from his feverish daze to a huge, robed figure and a powerful voice bellowing his name. He tried to shout for the guards but ended up coughing and gasping for air. Where had his guards gone to? How had this person entered his quarters? No officials were allowed to come in without his express permission. Hugh could not see the intruder clearly; he could only make out the billowy white robe and a yellow light which seemed to radiate from the intruder. That was the limit of his blurry vision. 
 
 `` HUGH GREY. HEAR MY WORDS, FOR THEY ARE THE WORDS OF HORA.'' 
 
 Hugh froze. This could n't be real. Was he so sick that he was hallucinating Hora now? 
 
 `` DO NOT BE AFEARED. I AM THE ONE AND TRUE HORA, KING OF THE SUNS, KEEPER OF THE LAND.'' 
 
 Hugh nodded, partly in reverence and partly in fear. Now his eyes were wide open and he was awake. From his bed, Hugh finally saw: the signature sun emblem on Hora's forehead, the brilliant yellow light that emanated from Hora, for Hora was the sun of suns, and the voluminous white robe which was the custom of gods. This was Hora, his maker, his guardian, his judge. Hugh was just surprised that Hora was of a human stature and shorter than Hugh himself, if Hugh ’ s eyes were to be trusted. 
 
 “ Blessed is the Lord, the Sun of Suns, Keeper of The Lan— ” Hugh coughed again and he felt his lungs and throat burning. 
 
 “ SPEAK NOT, MY CHILD. I COME BEARING INSTRUCTIONS. ” 
 
 Hugh watched Hora attentively while he wiped his lips. 
 
 “ HUGH GREY. THE NEXT RIGHTFUL KING IS CRASTOR WILDORF. HE IS THE ONE WHO WILL RULE OVER THE SUMMER ISLES AFTER YOUR DEATH. YOUR ELDEST SON WILL NOT SUCCEED YOU. THE GREY EMPIRE ENDS WITH YOU. ” 
 
 “ My Lord, surely this can not be true, ” said Hugh. How could he bear the burden of ending the Grey royal lineage? Yes, Raymond was playful and unruly, but he was only twenty and would become a wise king with proper tutelage. And Crastor Wildorf? The Chief of the Royal Guard as the next king? 
 
 “ IT IS THE WAY OF THE LIGHT. ” 
 
 “ But Raymond is so young! He can be taught. I know he can, ” said Hugh. 
 
 “ THAT IS SIMPLY WHAT YOU WANT TO BELIEVE. HE HAS NEVER WANTED TO BE KING. ” 
 
 “ How about Roland? Roland has a good— ” 
 
 “ MY CHILD. THE GREY EMPIRE HAS SHONE MY LIGHT ON THE PEOPLE OF SUMMER ISLES FOR HUNDREDS OF YEARS. NOW THE TIME HAS COME FOR THE WILDORF EMPIRE TO CARRY MY TORCH AND KEEP IT AFLAME. YOU CAN NOT FIGHT THE WAY OF THE LIGHT. ” 
 
 Hugh slumped against the wall, defeated. He thought about how he would be written in the annals as the last of the Greys, how his sons would be shocked by his announcement, and how the courtiers would take this news. The Way of The Light. Hugh saw more darkness ahead than light. The Chief of the Royal Guard succeeding as king. Would people listen to a man with no claim to the throne? But Hora was so sure. 
 
 “ Very well, my Lord. I will name Crastor as king. ” 
 
 “ THE LIGHT BLESSES YOU, MY CHILD. ” 
 
 Then, the yellow light surrounding Hora disappeared and the room became dark once again. As Hora left, Hugh drifted off to sleep… 
 
 Meanwhile, in Raymond ’ s room, Roland sat anxiously at the table. The door cracked open and in came Raymond, who went straight to the table and slammed a candelabra down. 
 
 “ How did it go? ” said Roland. 
 
 Raymond grinned at him in his ridiculous white robes, then doubled over laughing, then Roland burst out in laughter as well. 
 
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