#3:The Invasion
Castle Moat of Rowan
"You sent a precious hostage of us to the other side of this world. How can we be assured that she will honor her words?", Oliver entered the library and saw Lester reading an old book. "How can she also be sure that we will not turn our back on her? There are no such things as deal with no equivalent exchange", Lester closed the book revealing Varick's name on the leather cover. "What were you reading?", Oliver looked outside the window. "Varick had an ideal beyond the intellect of an individual. It's never close to possible. An era where beasts no longer exist. As long as humans reproduce, there will always be one ", Lester had a short laugh. "And a world of unity, you say?", Oliver sighed and had a weak smile on his face.
"Dillon is one of our most trusted men, he will surely come home with our princess", Lester said with an obvious fondness for the brown-haired lady. "That lad was found by Varick abandoned in the village we once raided", Oliver reminisced. "Poor soul, he never got to see or even know who his parents were", Lester clicked his tongue. They heard footsteps and directed their attention to the source of the sound. "Brother, your daughter died this morning. I am deeply sorry for your list. May her soul find peace", Mance came with a heavy heart. Oliver furrowed his brow trying to hide the sadness that swallowed him at that moment. Lester wasn't able to give any word but just stand and turns his back on the two. "Brother, this is an omen. Don't you think that woman brought with her misfortune?", Oliver tried to hold on to onto shoulder. "Leave me. Laura had always been a sickly child", Lester ordered.
Bridge of Riodan
"You're walking too fast", Reinys complained. "I never asked you to come. We're just a few miles away from the moat. You may leave and go back", Dillon said with a poker face and just proceeded in walking. Reinys sighed and lifted her dress. "Why can't we use horses? I even bought a lot. Also, why are we the only ones on this route? Where are the rest of the soldiers?", Reinys said while panting. "We can travel safer if we remain hidden. We're taking a route that requires climbing rocks and even crossing rivers and reuniting with the rest in Andor", Dillon informed. "Does that even include fighting bare hands with bears?", Reinys sighed deeply. Dillon heard some people singing. He pulled Reinys to hide in the bush and prepared his sword.
"Then his head came tumbling on the cold cement. His eyes were eaten by the hawk. Beheaded, poisoned, burnt alive. So long, the heir of Eragon", the group of freemen are singing together.
"That's quite a brutal way to die", Reinys held on to her neck wanting to make sure her head is still attached to her body. Dillon burnt in anger listening to the rest of the song. He knew how much Zefania respected Eragon and his descendant. Dillon himself has doubts about Claudius' decision not to wage war with any nation and yield to their negotiations.
"Surely the young lady was fresh. Oh how sweet the taste of the untouched".
Dillon revealed himself and grabbed Reinys bow and arrow. He shot one then they all rushed to him. They were slashed and stabbed by just one sword. Blood splattered all over the place. Dillon grabbed one of the free men's necks and continuously crushed it. "Enough Dillon. He's dying with the wound on his chest", Reinys held onto his arm. "Stop. Help... mee", he begged with tears in his eyes. Dillon's brain went blank and snapped his neck burrowing his fingers into his neck. Blood flowed in his arm and he felt the warm liquid. Reinys gulped and let go of him. It was as if there was a different person in front of her.
"They didn't deserve to die", Reinys said with power in her words. "Nor did they deserve to live", Dillon wiped his sword. "Who else in this world deserves to live? You?", Reinys looked up to the sky.
The two continued their journey with neither of them speaking. "Why is your loyalty to this house beyond my understanding?", Reinys broke the silence. Dillon seems to be having a flashback of his own. He remembered fragments of his childhood. Their village was already destroyed when the Rowans raided an unknown nomadic group. The only survivor was a young boy pushed into the well. Fortunately, Oliver saw him. He was taught and raised with the same attention and affection Varick gave to Zefania. He, who was no one, was loved by another family. He asked himself the question,
Who deserves to live?
Andor
Inner Forest
Zefania dipped her legs in the stream of water with fish playing along. Everything seems like a nightmare to her since she slowly accepted the fact that her father died. She felt extreme disappointment for the previous King Volde for allowing his subject, a loyal one, to die in his hand. She shook her head trying to keep hatred and anger aroused by just remembering the sound of Volde's voice.
The tiger, Zala, sat beside her and drink from the river. Zala's eyes were big round ocean blue. Her fur is white as snow layered with black lines. "Zala, do you miss your former queen?", Zefania reached out to its head and patted it. Come to think of it, she wasn't able to ask Zakili about his former wife. Zala lay down with her tail around Zefania. "You have to go inside. It's getting cold", Zakili approached her. "You haven't visited me for a while", the lady caressed the tiger's back. "I have some duties to fulfill as the Kralj", Zakili answered. Zefania can't seem to find any word to tell him. She found herself moving away from Zakili ever since his father's death. There was a rustling of the bush. The man knew it wasn't a rabbit or a bore.
He held unto his sword. Slowly, a hand crept outside. Zakili held Zefania and assisted her to stand. Eventually, the unknown revealed itself. It was a young girl with sharp teeth gritting at them. She was salivating a lot. Her nails were also sharp, closely turned into claws. "Did one of them leave the dungeon?" Zefania asked. "No, I haven't seen her before. She must have been born outside after we captured all of the lost children", Zakili held unto something in his pocket. The young girl attacked and Zakili used his arm to be bitten. He forced an herb into the young girl's mouth. She made some distance and started to get drowsy. The Kralj carried the young girl in his arm and looked at Zefania. "She'll go inside the dungeon", Zakili looked away. "She can't be there. There's full of monstrous creatures inside. She'll be... hurt", Zefania stepped forward. "Zefania, they're not monsters because they chose to be. They were the ones who suffered the consequences instead of us. Also, there was a reason why we call them Children before acknowledging the other fact that they were lost", Zakili said with sadness in his eyes. He whistled and dropped the young lady on the huge rock. "Someone's going to take her and bring her inside the dungeon", Zakili fixed the young girl's hair.
"Why are there children of the lost?" Zefania asked. Zakili looked at the sky and turned his attention back to Zefania. "Let's take a walk", the man led the way as they finally left the palace.
Town Circle
It was Zefania's first time leaving the palace and entering the town. There were merchants all around. People are wearing colorful silk making them look. The shops were filled with pretty gems and porcelains. "This is the kingdom that you reigned", Zefania smiled and clipped her arm to Zakili's. "The children of the loss took the curse of the Centaur. Andorians started to be greedy every day. Cutting off trees and mindlessly killing animals to creating clothes", Zakili opened. "That's why it wasn't their fault being called monsters. And then, as soon as they come out from the wombs. They were thrown into the forest where the beast takes care of them. Then, the father took advantage of them. Used them to get more land and protect this kingdom. They were held in chains. Slept in cold places. I wasn't different. I cannot think of anything else but place them in a dungeon", the man explained and covered his face. Zefania felt the sincerity in his words. She tightens her grip on Zakili's arm.
"You weren't the same as your father. You didn't give them a dungeon. It was your concern that wanted them to be protected", Zefania smiled. "Once our baby is born, he'll hear from me about the great deeds of the Kralj, I promise that", the lady rested her head on the man's shoulder.
"Kralj, it's an honor seeing you here. Shall we prepare a dance for you and the lovely Kraljica?", the leader of the town merchant noticed them. Just for a short time, he was able to gather musicians and dancers. The lively music made Zefania's grieving heart lighten up.
"Let us dance, Zefania", the Kraljica offered his hand. The lady's face turned red and the young ladies were giggling to watch the feared Kralj delicately handling the woman. Nova's lesson paid off as the two performed a wonderful dance in the middle of the crowd. They brought out wine and started feasting. "What was the feast for?", Zefania asked Zakili who is carrying a cup of wine. He wasn't worried about being poisoned for no one dared assassinate the Kralj. It was a curse to be a Kralj in the first place. "You are carrying a life inside. For a baby to be made out of love and to be born, isn't that enough reason to celebrate?", Zakili patted her head. "No wine for me this time, though", the lady chuckled.
The bells rang.
Zakili felt extreme fear of something about to happen. He whistled. "He is coming to get you here. Don't go anywhere, Zefania", Zakili acted calm and held onto her shoulders. He pressed his lips against her. "I will go with you", the lady held his hand after locking lips with the Kralj. "Once the baby is out, let's drink a bottle of grape wine", Zakili gave a smile.
After a while, they heard the horn being blown as a welcome to the King of Eragon. Zefania looked at the gate and saw the flag of Ravens. A hand grabbed her shoulder. She gasped and was about to slap the hand. "It's me", Keanne informed. "What is happening?", the lady was worried. "The New King of Eragon wanted to pay a visit. You'll need to be fixed for dinner", Keanne patted her back and led the way. "This wasn't the route I took with Zakili", Zefania stopped walking. She remembered Zakili's shaking hands. "He's in danger", Zefania turned in the other direction and was about to run away. "This is your chance to escape. Be with your family. Be with your people", his knight said with a sad tone. "Zakili is also my home to return to", Zefania bit her lip and then continued to run.
Keane stood in the middle of nowhere. He looked up to the sky. He was torn between two. His task was to take care of Zefania but Zakili is his younger brother. The Kraljica wasn't far from him. Zefania looked back and saw Keanne taking a casual walk.
"This sounds silly, Keane. I think I love Zakili so much that I can't stand his absence", Zefania suddenly spoke.
Throne Room
"You took a long journey to be here, Your Grace. Seems that you succeeded in abducting the throne for yourself", Zakili sat on his throne with his legs crossed. There are five soldiers beside Aystar. The group is composed of different races. He also studied the weapons they are carrying. "I am deeply thankful for the help that you rendered during that night. Oh, should I say, I specifically thank you for killing my main enemy. That foolish Maester", Aystar clapped his hand. "But I don't see her Grace. Is she playing with the beasts?", Aystar circled.
"Unfortunately, Kralj, I am not fond to be in the company of beasts", Aystar had a smirk and snapped his finger. The five prepared their weapons. Zakili's guards are also prepared."My people had already infiltrated strategically the palace while you were taking your sweet walk with your Kraljica", Aystar informed.
Town Circle
A battle broke out in the middle of the mass. Civilians are being caught in the battle. "How is it possible that they entered this place?", Zefania gripped her dress. "There's only one reason. One or two of the officers betrayed the Kralj", Keane is ready to kill someone.
There was a riot and the people are all panicking. Keane was about to grab Zefania's hand but a group of people went in between them. The lady was pushed to the ground. She felt extreme pain in her stomach. "Keane!!", she shouted. There was no response. "Go and protect the King. Without him, this kingdom will crumble. I am begging you, please save him", Zefani cried. She felt blood oozing from her insides.
He heard her plea. "My lady!", Keane heard from a distance. He saw two figures rushing towards the opposite of where he was. Keane furrowed his brow and saw a sigil pinned in the soldier's chest. Soon, other Rowan soldiers surrounded the lady fighting the Raven soldiers that were distributed in the capital town. Keane closed his eyes and ran right away to the Palace.
"My lady", Dillon knelt and cupped the Kraljica's face. He saw that she was crying painfully. "Dillon", Zefania gasped for air and tried to stand. "She's bleeding", Reinys held unto her shoulders to give support. She wore her hood to stay unidentified. "We're leaving, my lady. You can now go home", Dillon said with cheer. "Dillon, this is my home", Zefania said with a faint voice. "You've been brainwashed. I heard that Andorians hold too much black magic", Dillon held unto her hand. This time, she won't let her go. "I need to go back to the Pa-", Zefania fainted.
Chapter end.