Bath Area
Nimrod and Geryon are soaking in the huge cemented tub. The hot water is naturally coming from the spring. "It's no rumor. Andor's baths are truly relaxing", Nimrod commented. "It seems that you don't feel like a hostage at all. Just to remind you, you are going to be abandoned here by your leader", Geryon said with irritation. He wasn't sure but Garen's future disappearance suddenly made him more hot-tempered. "It seems that you had a good relationship with lord Garen", Nimrod noticed how Geryon and Garen would talk to each other. "Who is?", Geryon turns his back onuy7h
the younger man.
"If I am not mistaken, the former Kraljica is the Royal Adviser's daughter. I've heard that Sir Varick had a daughter that was brought to Andor when she was still 12. Was she scared all those times? I have a daughter who is 11 and I cannot imagine her being a political hostage ", Nimrod looked at the ceiling. "Varick is my friend. He asked me to look after her daughter when he's gone. I failed him twice. When I arrived here, she was no longer to be found", Geryon suddenly remembered. "You were the former Kings guard, it must have been so difficult for you to lose a master and a friend...at the same time", Nimrod revived the feelings of guilt inside Geryon. "Why did you remain here?", Nimrod asked. "Because he promised me that he could be both to me. A master..and a friend", Geryon had a weak smile.
Throne Room
"I am leaving this morning", Garen suddenly spoke to break the silence between the two. "It was short-lived, Garen. I was a little fond of you. We often get lost in time when we are soaked in whatever is pleasant", Keane leaned on the throne and gave a short laugh. "I won't lie and say that I will leech on you forever and will die for your sake. Just as what you've said, we only knew each other just recently and we met under an unfortunate condition", the Hand reached to his left chest. The Kralj counted in his mind those that recently left him as well. First, it was his brother he cherished the most regardless of how Andor did not recognize his existence. Second, the lady he served for four years and spent watching the seasons change. Now, one of the ones he saved and started to trust is to be taken away from him. He thought that he can get used to the feeling but being abandoned had been a great deal since he was a child.
"Take half of my soldiers. Just as how I accommodated you in Andor, give them a roof over their head and something they could be proud of. You've been toyed around for centuries, Garen. If it is time for you to build your palace, do as you see fit. I'll give my support", Keane raised his scepter. "I cannot take such favor, Kralj. If you do so, Eragon will march in Andor once more", the man knelt down. "I'll never know when fate will be cruel to me and bring back my humanity. The reason why I am strong is that I discarded my humanity in the past. Help me when that time comes", Keane gave a smile and closed his eyes. "How can you give me such trust, Kralj?", Garen had tears in his eyes. "I have my own fascination for the weak", the Kralj answered and stood. He went out of the balcony and spread his glance on the Kingdom that he is now reigning over.
Riverdell
Boundary- Cave
"What do you mean there's nothing left to go back to?", Reinys asked while they are around the fire. "Raven soldiers burnt the Palace into ashes. I and another man checked the city and we found no one alive", Lawleit said with a straight face.
Dillon threw a rock on the fire. "Those darn Ravens. I will pluck their wings one by one", he said with rage in his eyes. "How about you? How did you end up with Reinys here?", Noldorin was surprised to see Reinys with a non-Riverdellian."I ran away from Riverdell as well to find you. I stumbled into the House of Rowan. I promised to aid them in avenging someone but then...", Reinys covered her face. She cannot comprehend that what she saw in Rowan was also done in her own Kingdom.
"Father? Noldorin.. where is father?!", Reinys stood up but Noldorin grabbed her hand. He shook his head and opened his bag. The mighty crown of Riverdell was covered in blood. Reinys held on to her chest and trembled as she reaches out to the crown. "I'm sorry. I came here so late", Noldorin gritted his teeth.
Forest
After some time, Lawleit and Dillon went to get some food. "Riverdellian doesn't eat meat. I'll go and look for some berries", Lawleit informed. "I have to go back to Rowan as soon as possible. The beasts are all gathered around my lady but I cannot help but think that she is still in danger", Dillon clenched his fist. Lawleit looked at Dillon's scarred fist. "You've been in so many battles, stranger", Lawleit walked in front of him. "My name is Dillon from the House of Rowan", he introduced not wanting to be called as a stranger. "I am Lawleit, I came from nowhere", the young man removed the ferns in front of them. "I don't know what story you have but you seem to really dislike the Ravens", Lawleit turned to look at him. "I loathe them! My stomach churns at the mention of their name", Dillon used his sword to slash the large ferns on the way. "Aren't we humans foolish creatures?", Lawleit laughed for a while. "We avenge and the other side avenge as well until there is an unending cycle of hatred and unforgiveness", he added. "Tell me, is there a way for us to fight our very nature?", Dillon looked away.
Cave
"What will you do now, Noldorin?" Reinys asked. "I will do what His former Grace asked me to do. I will find someone for the sake of this fallen land", Noldorin answered. "Take me with you, Noldorin. I'm not that weak woman as you've known before. I could be your weapon", Reinys held his hand. "Your Highness, I had never seen you as a weak woman. You are the pride of your father", Noldorin gave a weak smile.
"Noldorin, I think I have the ability that your father has. If he could see the future, I have the ability to see the past. I don't know how it all started but I think it could be used to find whom you are looking for", Reinys released his hand. "What do you mean?", Noldorin gulped. "You are looking for the remaining dragon, aren't you?", the princess said with a confident tone. They heard someone drop the fruits. They turned and saw Lawleit. "What are you saying? The dragons are long dead", Lawleit has a look in his eyes that showed extreme fear.
"Listen to me Noldorin, in one of my visions. I saw a woman with ash grey hair. I believe she is an elf. There is a prophecy she had been repeating over and over again. When the east settles on the west and the north is drowned in the sea and the south stops raining, the center will rise once again to restore what was lost and to throw what was found. Live to serve the one true King", Reinys said with conviction in her words. Noldorin felt weak and fell to his knees. "How? How did you know those words? His Grace...the High King Aragon, it was only me who was in the room when he said those words", Noldorin cannot believe that he is listening to the same words. He looked at Reinys eyes and was convinced that she was given the premonition. "Such nonsense!", Lawleit clenched his fist. Noldorin hasn't seen him so worked up. "Dragons are long dead", he repeated.
Oneison
Camp
Hick is wrapping his arms with bandages. "Did you hurt yourself?", Nymeria passed by. "Are you worried, Princess? Don't worry. We're going to take your Palace in a blink of an eye", Hick assured. "That's not my Palace", Nymeria sighed. "What are you saying? You're going to sit on the throne and wear the crown. Then, you will declare us as free men just like the Rowan", Hick clapped. "Rowan is no longer free", John Stane passed by as well. "The House of Rowan fell in the hands of Raven as well as Riverdell. If we don't act fast, they will swallow us whole", John Stane informed. "Rowan...and Riverdell?", the two asked in unison. They couldn't believe such news. "How could the proud descendants of elves lose?", Hick asked. "We might be the next one. That's why we need to take the Palace as soon as possible", Nymeria clenched her fist. John Stane held her hand. "Princess, as what this young man had addressed you, Oneison will never be disturbed. We have the blessing of the sea", John stane assured. The rain started to fall once again. "It really rains a lot in this place", Hick sighed.
"Old man, how did you know about the fall of Riverdell and Rowan?", Hick asked. John Stane gave a bow and then left.
"He's one of a suspicious soul", Hick commented. "He might not look like much but he is a very influential man. He's been roaming the world with my father. John Stane was my father's first mate", Nymeria informed. "He's got a lot of connections. He's got a lot of eyes", Nymeria added.
Sea Shore
The night came and the moon finally showed itself. "Gilbert will be fine. He's strong", Hick leaned on the coconut tree. "I wasn't thinking about that", Nymeria threw a shell on Hick. The man caught it. "What a pretty shell, just like you Nymeria", Hick showed a pure white shell. The lady felt hot on her cheeks. Never did someone call her as such. She knew that the word is only used for people like the Rowan lady and nobles of the other lands. She cleared her throat and breathed deeply to regain her composure. "I will not back down with my words. I never doubted myself for once. When I decided to leave with Gilbert, I never regretted that. When I went to Leuronna, I was confident that my brother would welcome me. When I came here, knew that there will be people who will support me in raiding the Palace and Port Royal. I oath to myself to never regret any decision I am to make, not even one", Nymeria clasped her hands.
Hick smiled and looked at the moon as well. "Just like I said, you look like you were always praying. Tell me honestly, Princess. What do you think of Gilbert?", Hick asked. Nymeria paused for a while.
"He is an orphan. He was made a political hostage in Oneison and treated so badly. He was forced to do things he never wanted to. Whenever I see him in hard times, I want to put him behind me and allow the spears and swords to pierce through me just so that I could protect him. He's someone I want and has to protect", Nymeria's expression soften. "Because?", Hick hummed. "I don't know what you are implying. That's it. No more and no less", Nymeria flicked his forehead as she passes through him. She finally left him alone.
"So bad for me then. You've been thinking of someone who isn't even here", Hick sighed.
Chapter end.