Rune

We get to see King Edgar in Rune’s memories. He is sitting on the throne and holding a staff, which indicates that he’s holding court. Rune is observing, since he needs to learn how to be king.

Notice that the kings in Valheigh don’t wear crowns. Other kingdoms in their world have crowns, but not Valheigh. The characters in the book always says “claiming the throne” rather than “claiming the crown.”

The throne itself is a metallic piece, and not very comfortable. The people of Valheigh don’t remember this, but the throne is actually an artifact from before the Purging.