#3: High Towers and Rocky Castles
Riverdell-Middle Tower
Riverdell, the land of long-living humans, had been gifted three towers. The left tower belongs to the counsels and thousands of books. The right tower, the tower of haven, belongs to the army. The middle tower, the royal tower, belongs to the High King and his family. For hundreds of years, the tower stood strong. Eragon used the help of the dragon to forge the strongest towers in honor of Riverdell, his closest friend, and his sworn brother.
A man with long straight golden hair and silver-blue eyes stood in front of a fountain built by the elves in the middle of the highest room of the Tower of Wisdom. Blessed to protect the realm of truth, the Riverdellian were given the gift of premonition reflected by the fountain. It was the same fountain where their ancestor Riverdell drank from and gained the prolonged lifespan of elves. Though not all were given the eyes to see what needed to be seen. Faelar was chosen to be the High Council. He's seen many premonitions for the past 30 years. It helped them avoid a lot of wars between the Kingdoms of the Land.
"There have been disturbances with the fountain ever since that Raven ruled the Eragon", the High Council, opened the discussion. "Oh, one of the flocks managed to fly high. And now, an innocent brat is sitting on the most powerful throne in the Land", Vaeril Riverdell, the High King's son, sighed deeply. "Innocent you say? That innocent brat slit the throat of the King who raised him up like his child. Anyway, this time is different. The fountain shows no sign of disapproval or approval", Faelar informed. "What does that mean?", Vaeril furrowed his brow.
The door flung open. "Father, Noldorin and I are getting married today!", Reinys Riverdell dragged, daughter of Vaeril and granddaughter of the King, a noble beauty blessed with mesmerizing light blue eyes imitating that of an aquamarine gem. "Get your hands-off Captain Noldorin. I apologize for my daughter's actions", Vaeril pulled Reiynis behind her. "Your Highness. If you may excuse me", Noldorin bowed his head. "Are you not going to pay respect to your father?", Faelar looked outside the windows. "I was an orphan at the age of eight", Noldorin turned his back and then started to walk away. "How old is he now?", Faelar hummed. "Half a century old yet he has the face of a young man", Vaeril answered and looked at Reiynis. "What? I'm a defect that's why I can reach his age so fast", Reiynis, being a 16-year-old child at the time, displayed childishness by humping. "We both have troubled children", Vaeril sighed once more.
Forest
Noldorin practiced with his precision of using a bow and arrow. He was able to hit the target thrice with three arrows shot at the same time. He heard a clap from behind him that made him search for the source of the sound. "Your Grace, what brought you here?", Noldorin gave a bow of the head to show respect. "Continue, son. I was just there to get some air", Aragon Riverdell waved his hand, Second of His name, High King of Riverdell. "Would you like to have some company, Your Grace?", Noldorin dropped his bow and arrow. "Walk with me, son", Aragon invited him as they went near the cliff overlooking the whole kingdom.
Aragon remembered when he was crowned as the 10th King of the Riverdell. It was such a glorious day for him. The crown was a reward for fighting five straight days and nights in the boundary against the Outsider to protect their land. Everyone who is not of Riverdell is an Outsider. Eragon the Great gave a decree of Riverdell being a sacred area that is not supposed to be disturbed. The High Towers and safe location are a physical manifestation of his affection for his sworn brother, Riverdell. "When was the last time you visited the town and the small villages?", Aragon asked the man without giving him a glance", Aragon asked. "When I was a boy, Your Grace. Father would give me company as we search for books on the Outside. It wasn't that I was curious. Father told me that I will be the Captain of Haven and it is necessary for me to know about the maps and their common tongue", Noldorin answered. Aragon had a smile on his face when the Captain mentioned his father. "Have you been visiting him lately?", Aragon was referring to Faelar, the High Council. "Your father is a man of his duty. He did what was right", Aragon patted Noldorin's shoulder.
Oneison
Pirate Castle
"Raining, it's always raining", Nymeria Oneison, daughter of the Pirate King, sighed as she looked outside from her room. Her deep blue eyes were like the sky on a sunny day without any clouds hovering. Oneison only has two seasons, a long duration of rainy days, and short days for the sun to peek in. She lived eighteen years watching the rain fall down. They believed that it was the curse of the mermaid princess who was betrayed by a man. He tricked her only to get pearls from her tears. Nymeria, being filled with rationality and logic, denied that fact and blamed it on their geographical location. Her room was located at the topmost part of the castle, the Caribbean, carved from the rocky island isolated by the towns and cities. The nearest island is Port Royal miles away to travel by boat.
As she was disgustingly looking at the horizon, she caught one of the ravens and knew it carried an important message from any of the kingdoms. She sighed and went out of her room. She was welcomed by empty corridors and cold cement. "I believe you are holding an important piece of information, my lady", a young man in his thin clothing bowed his head to show respect. "I'm not a lady", Nymeria slightly rolled her eyes and diverted her attention. The young man just kept silent after being turned down upon his endearment for Nymeria. It had been some months since the young man was brought into the castle. He was clearly not from any of the pirate villages or neighboring towns. "Speak, where are you from?", Nymeria roughly asked. "I'm from Eragon- ", he seeks to find how he will address the daughter of the Pirate King in order not to offend her. He showed signs of nervousness. These past months, his treatment wasn't that humane. He was kept in a dark cellar with nothing but cold cement and a small window. The prison cell was located on the lowest part of the castle which made it extremely cold and isolated from any noise. The silence is loud that it makes a person insane for staying there for so long. Nymeria was surprised that he was able to survive the long cold nights. "You can call me whatever you wish. What's your name?", Nymeria turned to look at the twenty-two-year-old man with brown hair reaching to his neck and green eyes. Nymeria admits that he's got the looks but not rough enough to be in a place where people are used to robbing, killing, and defiling. "I was named Gilbert Water", the lad answered. Nymeria was caught with his surname. "I'm an orphan", Gilbert clarified. "I know. No need to tell me", Nymeria was irritated with the thought that Pirates were thought of as uneducated.
The two reached the council hall where around three of the Seven Treasures were gathered and just drinking around. "Oh, here comes our princess and the pauper", Jean Low, owner of the Powdery, threw a knife which Gilbert luckily evaded. He was dressed neatly and filled with ornaments. His deep black braided hair stood out from the two who have common short black hair. "Come here, boy. I have something for you to do", Howell Vane, owner of the Blacksmith, gestured for Gilbert to go closer. He did what was asked. Howell slapped him with the cup of rum and laughed. "Looking at pretty lads like you makes me puke. We, pirates, should be feared by men. Look at me", Howell grabbed his hair and move his face closer to Gilbert. His left eye was covered with a patch and his face was full of scars. "One of my blue orbs was taken by your kind when we landed on your port", Howell narrated. "The lad had no share for what happened to you. Don't blame him", a feminine pirate stood from his seat and cupped Gilbert's face. "If you want help, you can always come inside my room. There's a lot of comfort in that place", John Davis, owner of Entertainers, whispered seductively to the lad. He had long curly hair that is ponytailed by a golden hair ornament. Gilbert withdrew his face and went back behind Nymeria. "Oh, so that's what you're going to do. Hide under a woman's skirt. Sadly, thy woman wears no skirt", John pouted looking at Nymeria in her pants and high-cut boots. "Don't you dare lad? Nymeria is mine to marry", Jean winked at the lady who just received a scoff. "I'd be headed to my father's room. You can stay here", Nymeria looked at Gilbert with such worry.
Pirate King's Chamber
"Father, I wish to speak with you", Nymeria knocked on the door. "Come in", Jack Oneison, first by his name, Pirate King of Oneison, gave his permission. Nymeria entered and stepped on coins. The king's room is filled with gold and silver. He gained the title of the richest man in the five kingdoms. "A letter came, I haven't read it yet", Nymeria passed the paper. Jack opened it and tore the paper at once. "Get me some rum", he ordered. Nymeria looked at the pieces of paper. "Aren't we going to give any reply?", Nymeria asked. "Who are you, woman?", Jack raised his brow. The lady felt a pang in her chest when she heard her father's statement, "Your daughter", she bravely answered. "Exactly. You are just my daughter. You're not my first mate or quartermaster so don't you get involved with my matters as the King", Jack lectured. Nymeria just gave a nod and served his father a rum on a silver cup.
Nymeria went out and heard people cheering. She ran to check the pit to see if a criminal is being challenged. The arena was created as a mercy act of an accused criminal. If he dies in the battle, he will be claimed guilty.
Go on boy! This is not a match of who runs the most! Go on, finish him!
Pit of Challenge
Nymeria peeked in from above and saw two people in the arena with a lot of pirates watching. She squinted her eyes and saw Gilbert being chased by a huge man with a big ax. He was only given a shield to defend himself. "Who gave the orders to conduct this trial?", Nymeria shook one of the pirates. "It's the Owner of the Blacksmith", he answered. Gilbert tried to counter the pound of the ax with his shield but was brought down to the ground. His face is already covered in mud. "Stop this nonsense!", Nymeria stood on the platform. The pirates looked at her and just ignored her orders.
"Oath #15: Whoever makes us of the pit without the permission of the Seven Treasures will be relieved of his position. Would you like that, owner of a blacksmith?", Nymeria walked in the middle of the pit and looked straight into Howell's eyes. "My lady. This was just some sort of fun. See, we even gave him a shield. We're not going to allow him to die", Howell said with a sweet tone. Nymeria bit her lip and just reached out her hand for Gilbert. "Stand", Nymeria gave the order. "Yes. My lady", Gilbert took it and walked behind her.
Eragon
Citadel Tower
"Any words from Oneison?", Varick asked. Geryon shook his head. "I'm afraid none", the huge man answered with pity in his eyes. "Go back to your post, Sir Geryon. The king has issues with loyalty. He might be suspicious if he sees both of us talking in secret", Varick held unto the man's arm. "I trained that boy to be a warrior in spite of his skinny body. I fed and dressed him well. I won't give up until Oneison writes back to us", Geryon clenched his fist. "We both send fourteen letters if you combine them. He'll probably love you more for not giving up easily", Varick had a short laugh.