#8: The Cage without Locks
Castle of Chasin
Underground Prison Cell
Nymeria and Hick were freed from the cell. They were transferred to the guest's room. Gilbert remained still. He knew he angered the leader of the house. He looked around and saw how old the prison cell was. He never heard anything about the house of Rowan. The walls looked sturdy and though it shows how ancient it is, the house still stood with pride. The pirates are only interested in Eragon so they piled up books about their medicine and trading routes. He heard footsteps and lay down on the cold cement pretending to be asleep.
Zefania sat on the floor and leaned on the iron bars. "Why did you ask Uncle to let your friends go without you?", Zefania asked. Gilbert pressed his eyes in order to ignore the lady. "They were actually cautious if one of you is a sorcerer who can shape-shift. You must have noticed, the only ones with emerald eyes like yours and brown heads are direct descent of Rowan", the lady opened. "I am not a Rowan. I am an orphan who grew up in the North and was shipped to the South", Gilbert defended. "You were shipped? For what reason?", Zefania was intrigued. "Lady, you shouldn't concern yourself with the matters of the outsider", Gilbert faced the other side in order to evade the lady's stares. "You were shipped in order to maintain peace for both Kingdoms", Zefania guessed. Gilbert turns to her once more and saw the same eyes he sees whenever he looks in a mirror. It wasn't just the green eyes but orbs that carried such heavy emotions. Gilbert's soft stares turned bitter. "How did you know? Did you torture one of my comrades?", the man was worried. "My House, Evregardenwas burned and was captured to be a political hostage of Andor", Zefania informed. "Did they send a young woman and act just to get whatever information they desire?", Gilbert bit his lower lip.
"No. I- I apologize for coming here", Zefania pulled her legs together and burrowed her face into them. Gilbert felt guilty for giving such a comment. They heard footsteps outside. The soldier stationed themselves at the entrance but was busy with their conversation that they weren't able to notice the princess. "Shouldn't we prepare now? We took their Queen away. What if that beast is a spy to alarm them about where she is? First, this House lost Wise Varick causing the brothers to wage war and now his daughter is bringing damnation to us all", one of the soldiers complained. "Don't be too hard on the lady. I heard that her husband, the King died. An unknown brother of the former King replaced him. Maybe she left because the new King wants her dead", the other one elbowed his partner. "But so, I've heard stories about his father. He was gifted with so much knowledge and yet he was told to carry a curse. I heard this from Sir Dillon and Lord Lester. She even lost her child while still in the belly", the end statement made Zefania grip her dress.
"You are Wise Varick's daughter?", Gilbert asked. Zefania just nodded covered her mouth and gripped her chest. "Why don't you just cry for a while? At times, we just couldn't get the right words to explain what is happening inside our heads. I won't tell anyone if that's what you're worried about", the man sat straight and watched the lady. Zefania was a hostage in that Palace and yet she doesn't feel like one. "You loved him", Gilbert concluded referring to the King of which he heard from the soldiers.
Round Table
"Don't make this more complicated brother. Let's just free him and let them go", Mance suggested. "What are you saying? Have you seen his company? They're spies", Oliver rejected the suggestion. "If we are to make them stay here, what do we do with them?", Norman crossed his arms. "Tyrone is still on his way back. We can't rely on his judgment", Mance insisted. "We let them go", Lester decided. "Wait. If they are truly spies, then we are damned", Norman shook his head. "We have more things to focus on", Lester ended the discussion and laid out the map that Reinys got for them.
"For the next months, we'd be training young soldiers, raiding nearby lands, and making allies. Is that boy more important than avenging our dead brother?", Lester asked. The brothers remained silenced and looked at the map.
The door opened and Reinys entered. "That was one useless discussion. The prisoner already left along with his minions", she informed. "Where are the guards?", Oliver asked. "They were asleep when Dillon went to check them up", Reinys answered.
BOUNDARY of LEURONA
"What kind of charm had you used on that lady?", Hick elbowed Gilbert. "I haven't done anything", Gilbert pushed his elbow and looked at the horizon. "Where to? Captain?", Hick saw the light in Gilbert's eyes. "We journey to the Leurona passing the sand", Gilbert sighed deeply. "Nymeria, you have been quiet ever since we left the House", Hick turned and saw her on the edge. "What if we fail? This decision should be on my account but you can always choose where to go. Once we are able to convince my brother, I don't know if he will aid in taking back Oneison and neither could I promise to bring back Bithen to its order", Nymeria suddenly had a decline in her confidence. Gilbert held unto her hand and raised it. "This decision is not only yours to be burdened of. I promised your father that I would take care of you", Gilbert remembered Jack's final words for him.
"On the desert, we go then love birds", Hick winked at the two.
While walking, Gilbert had a question reoccurring in his thoughts. "What happens to the Queen if the King died?", Gilbert asked. "Which Kingdom?", Hick hummed. "Like, An-dor?", Gilbert's voice cracked. "Andor? That Land of Black Magic?", Nymeria recalled a book that she read before. "I'll answer first, the woman always has something to say", Hick proudly stepped forward. "I don't often read so I get my information from the ladies I had along with the battles. Well, one of them came from Andor. They said that the Queen is also called Mother of the Lost Children for some reason. Well, if that beast is one of the Lost Children, then that explains that the lady is really the Queen because it followed her all the way through", Hick ended. "He was asking what happens to the Queen when the King dies, idiot", Nymeria sighed. "Well, maybe she gets remarried to the next King. In Andor, the King isn't really the most important figure", Hick explained. "So, it is the Queen? Then why is she here?", Nymeria furrowed her brow. "Don't ask me. I just heard it from that slave. It was a known truth. She also added that they hear beastly cries and warlike footsteps during the nights when the position of the Queen had been emptied", Hick played with his tone.
"What kind of beasts are the Children of the Lost?", Gilbert asked again. "Who knows? If a creature like what we had seen could exist, then what are the odds that a dragon could also exist", Hick nodded to show how he agrees with his statements. "Dragons are far dead before us. They had stopped existing ever since Eragon died... for who-knows-reason", Gilbert's voice cracked.
ERAGON
Bath Area
The servants are carefully washing Aya's hair. Femi, one of Aystar's female knights entered and presented a silk dress to the Queen. "A souvenir from Andor", Femi knelt down. "This is not the souvenir I wanted to see. Where is that woman? Where is she?", Aya was referring to Zefania. "It seems that the lady perished during the battle. She wasn't seen anywhere in the palace", Femi reported. "Then, where is the scepter? Is there an emerald gem with it?", Aya was excited. "Your Grace. There is no scepter nor victory. The soldiers were asked to pull back", Feme informed. Aya stood up and threw the bucket at one of her maids. "Where is the King?", Aya asked with an irritated tone.
THRONE ROOM
"You said you are going to win this battle", Aya stormed inside. "Your Grace, the King is tired", Ferox tried to calm her down. "I spent on you almost all the wealth my father had passed on to me. What is this? Another failure of yours. When you planned on taking another baby to be our puppet King, you failed again. When will you ever win anything at all?!", Aya screamed at the top of her voice. Aystar went down the platform and slapped his wife. Aya's wet hair is all over her face. She didn't move for a while.
"You will not speak to your king in that manner. Take her away from here", Aystar regained his composure and raised his chin to show his power. "You have forgotten who I am", Aya said in a soft voice. The door opened with all Aystar's Knight. One of them is carrying someone's head. "The new Andor King sends his regards", Adom said with a playful voice. "How can they find a king this fast?", Ferox asked. "It seems that creating a bastard is one of the nobles' pastimes", Adom shrugged his shoulder. "Gather all the men and guard the gate", Aystar shouted. "You have to rest, Your Grace", Ferox placed his hand on Aystar's shoulder. "There is no army marching towards us, Your Grace", Selim looks behind to assure the King. "We are the ones who will march towards them", the King said with a calm voice. "Your Grace, we just lost half of our men when we attacked Andor", Ferox reminded. "Am I not worthy of all those foot soldiers?", his eyes sharpened.
Council Room
Wise Cressen stood beside Aya as she becomes the representative of the King for the table discussion. "Your Grace, what is this that we heard that the King went to a battle with Andor without consulting us?", one of the elders questioned. Aya is well aware that these elders are the holder of such great wealth from different families. Without them, the Kingdom will also crumble and generate more rebellion. The council was filled with murmurs. Ferox looked at the Queen who just closed her eyes.
"It is true", she silenced the room. "The King will never forget the betrayal that the Andorians have committed. They had killed one of the greatest Wise and also...my child. Any parent would have a burning desire to hunt down whoever had harmed their child. This is why Aystar, the King, had decided to avenge our child. And yet, we haven't won", Aya stood up. "But fear not, wise and kind elders. As long as we have the support of the main families, nothing can harm any of you", Aya tried to convince the council. "Your Grace, we don't doubt your protection. It is understood, as the King's action. All we ever wish is to establish back the peace that your son had brought for us", one of the elders which Aya recognized bowed his head. It was one of the elders who were so fond of the former King. He always sent souvenir weapons to the places which he travels.
The discussion ended. Everyone left except Cressen, Aya, and Ferox. "Bring me wine", Aya looked at Ferox. He bowed and left immediately. "Do you have any news about him?" Aya looked at Maester Luwin who had a pitiful look for the woman. "The only thing we saw is his bloody robe and traces of flesh. The place where he was dropped is known as a breeding place for wolves. He must've been taken by one-", Wise Cressen stopped when Aya coughed. "Is he dead or alive?", Aya said straightforwardly. "Any person who drops to that height would die. What answer would you like to hear?", the Wise asked with a soft voice. "That woman's body. Where had they kept it?", Aya asked. "The Bithen Princess' body is kept at the crypt", the old wise answered. "Why didn't you spread her corpse on the field to be eaten by ravens?!", Aya slammed the table.
Eire- Abandoned Castle
The group is gathered around the stone table. Noldorin was in the middle of the circle. "Why am I here?", he whispered to Declan. "Only for one reason", Declan cleared his throat. "Your Grace, we are honored to see you once again. It was the most excellent summoning I had seen in my entire life. Your father had always been calling us through lighting up torches. You went to the extent of burning the forest to call us", Magnus, the leader of the Nilfeim clan praised. "I am flattered to hear that but I have a confession to make. It wasn't my idea to cause such a romanticized use of flames", Declan revealed. The giants looked at each other. "Is it this bald-head then?", Titus, the leader of the Brasil clan mocked. "He is a loyal servant of mine", Declan lied. They were about to be eaten if not for Noldorin. Declan placed his hand on Noldorin's shoulder. "This young man helped me in this quest of gathering all of you", Declan informed. All of the huge men looked at Noldorin who was just near their shoulders. "He is a Riverdellian, Your Grace. What terms do we have with the elves' descendants?", Magnus furrowed his brow. "I came here of my own will. This has nothing to do with Riverdell", Noldorin clarified. "Your Grace, why to listen to a foreigner?", Titus questioned.
"Brothers, my people, I owe a lot to the High King of Riverdell of whom he once served, King Aragon. When my father was brutally killed and my house was burnt to ashes, the High King responded to my father's letter sent by the ravens. He took care of me as a young boy and sent me to a safe place. He anointed this man as his Captain of Haven. I place my trust in him. Right now, I have no knowledge of leading a group, a nation. I need him to be on my side as we take the throne. He opened my eyes to the condition that my people are going through. He was the one who pushed me to this desire to take what was supposed to be mine", Declan made in his speech.