Eastar looked in the mirror. two months has pass since he get down in Londrian. His days were limited to training and time spent with Sindar, knowing the city and its inhabitants, although the tours became less and less frequent.
Groups of priests had been giving public speeches in some parts of the city. They talked about the abnormality that the young star was and that there had never been anyone like him. They didn't look very happy with the discovery of the boy. So, Eastar chose to focus more on training.
Sometimes he trained with his father, who kept repeating his favorite phrase: "You can't forget how you dance, brat." The castle's practice yard had been badly harassed by their use, the small punched holes that missed the target or the target itself as it was thrown to the ground. This was Eastar himself, since the few times he had managed to hit his father was not enough to bring him down.
The reflection of the mirror showed a young tan, since the skin cloak needed to adapt to the changes in Belron's energy emission, which strongly insiduated the planet.
The muscle — which, in stars, formed by linking chains of internal energy, expanding in width and amount to meet the receptacle consumption — had grown and become more durable.
Training on earth acted differently on his body. He had realized that was learning fast and getting better every day, but that was not all. His body was aching, and he felt as if the workouts were much more intense than those done in space, maybe it had to do with the way time spent on the planet, he could not tell, but he liked to see such a rapid improvement.
He smiled and get his hair out of his face. That was another thing he had realized, not only did he evolve fast in training, but time for his body went faster, his hair grew longer each day, and he had even discovered some thin strands of beard that were just beginning to appear.
He walked to the closet, chose a comfortable outfit, and went down to the hall. Was at the bottom of the stairs when he began to hear voices.
— No, capitain! I told you, you won't go. — Recognized the voice of the king. — There is no necessity. I have decided that Edwin will check what is going on, he'll choose some soldiers to accompany him.
The star entered the hall and saw king Herimbor sitting on his throne with his arms crossed. The young page wrote frantically on a sheet.
Sindar was on the side of her father's throne and, in front of the two, were the capitain Jorg in your impeccably clean tunic and his head completely shaved, also the lieutenant Edwin, who seemed to have decided to put on a boot and close the buttons of his clothing, although he still has the messy hair and unshaven beard.
Aros was there too and, when he saw Eastar, nodded for him to approach.
— If that's what you decided, your majesty, I obey. Despite the desire to participate in the raid. — Jorg bowed and continued: — I trust Edwin, but who can go with him? — Only then did he see the young stellar stand beside his father. — Ah. Hi, Eastar.
— Good morning, captain. — The boy salute with a smile. — Good morning, everyone. What is happening?
— Herimbor decided to send a troop to settle matters in the Dark Forest. One more merchant was attacked the night before while camping. — Aros crossed his arms with a serious look. — It's the fifth since we arrived. This time, only one mercenary accompanying the convoy escaped.
— Yes. — The king turned to the stellar and said: — I said it was not possible to identify what the thieves looked like and they attacked in the shadows that always surrounded the forest. They put out the fire of the convoy and killed them all.
— And that's very strange, usually ordinary thieves don't mess with convoys that have hired soldiers or mercenaries. The risk is not worth it... we are probably dealing with storegemen. — Edwin scratched his head as he considered this. — Well, anyway, it's good to get this sorted out as soon as possible. I'll gather the soldiers, your majesty.
— I'll go with you. — Eastar said, turning to the lieutenant.
Edwin looked at the boy, then at the king, who looked at the boy and then at Aros. The commander finally just shrugged.
— Eastar, my boy. — Herimbor shook his head. — I talked about this with your father. We better solve our problems ourselves.
— Well, Herimbor, I think in that case it would be better if my son and I were part of the group. — Aros grinned and stepped forward.
Everyone began to watch him, until that moment he had said very little, and they thought he didn't want to get into it. But that did not seem to be the case. Sitting on the throne, the king sighed.
— Aros, you had agreed with me on that. Why do you discuss the matter again?
— Because I intend to solve another at the same time. Think about how you could get rid of the High Priest with this.
The king looked confused for a second, but understood and scratched his beard thoughtfully.
— Well, I had not thought of that. But you see, Aros, doing that would be like agreeing with Tully on something he's wrong. I do not want to do the priests' wishes for no reason.
— What are you two talking about? — Eastar and Sindar asked together.
They looked at each other. The princess raised an eyebrow, the young stellar shrugged and turned to his father.
— Remember the speeches that priests have been giving? — They both nodded. —Well, it seems High Priest Tully has been bothering king Herimbor a few weeks after he "apparently " decided what to think about us by agreeing with his subordinates. I don't think it was a good idea to leave they know that you were my son, Eastar.
The boy remind your first ride by Londrian, then out what triggered all that reaction .
— I realized that as soon as I told him. But what's the big deal? Few people listen to the speeches, and I'm told that few people take these religions seriously here.
— Well, Herimbor and I were in agreement that you could get mad a little too much if you got inside the whole story. We prefer not to comment with you.
The young stellar frowned
— What did the High Priest say?
— No big deal, Eastar. Not what matters now.
— I want to know! — He looked at his father, serious, his blue eyes shining brightly.
Aros sighed at his son's expression, was sure of the reaction that would follow, but decided to explain.
— Basically, he said we were abominations, that me and your mother are Ulmo's creations that were touched by wickedness and perversion and that through incest we brought you forth, which would bring misfortune into the world.
— He... how.... Incest? — The star could not understand.
— I mean sex between relatives. Isn't very well regarded around here, even though it has been used by the sirions for a few generations to try to keep the blood pure. And, well, if we think that your mother and I have the same father, as well as all the stellars, that even has some logic. — Aros shrugged, a yellow smile on his face.
— What? What an idiot! — Eastar I put his hands to his head. — You didn't do anything? Even hearing him talking like this about you and mom? I'll munch on his face!
He began to light up the room, anger flowing all over his body. He turned to leave the castle, would end that High Priest. But his father grabbed his wrist.
— See what I was talking about? Control yourself, brat! — The slap that struck the back of the boy's head could have thrown any normal person within yards. — It doesn't affect me, much less your mother. — We know what we are and a priest is nothing for us. Focus yourself on what matters!
The boy looked at his father, still angry. His eyes were serious. Eastar took a deep breath and considered what he had heard. Your father was right, why would he care what any sirion says? The priest did not know them, was not his friend, was nothing. He calmed down, and was embarrassed by the reaction he had.
— I'm sorry. I just ... — He paused for a moment. — I just didn't think they could think of something like that. Let's get back to the main subject, please.
— Very well. As I was saying, your majesty. — Aros turned to the king and continued: — Although I don't care what is said, having me and my son out for a few days could avoid some unnecessary confusion and make time to soothe things here.
— I understand… — The king took off his crown and scratched his bald head. — It makes no sense to deny your proposal. — He smiled. — Since that is so, I will send you two with Edwin. Also, when I want you to call one more person, lieutenant. I think it's Allyn.
— Yes, your majesty. It was precisely she who I had in mind. But I think ...
Edwin could not complete his sentence at that time the castle doors opened with a bang and a soldier entered rushed.
— Your majesty, problems. — The sirion was panting.
— More? — Eastar raised an eyebrow, things could really get busy in that realm.
— What happened? — Herimbor insisted that the messenger continue.
— In the central square, the priests are revolting.
— Looks like we didn't leave fast enough. — Aros crossed his arms.
— Jorg, Edwin. Can you go to the place?
— Yes, your majesty. — The two answered in unison.
Eastar followed right behind them, ignoring when the king and his father called his name.