The Varapren were on their horse each, silently traveling on the road leading to the city of Jébaru, the infamous. The faces were closed today, everyone was still under the effect of the fact that their enemies knew about the existence of Belda. It has been a very hard hit to their morals.
Only Belda and Luzalé were smiling. The little girl was with her and talking with her.
-When we will be at Jébaru, can we go to the circus please ? Asked the little lady.
-If you behave, we might consider it. I said we might, it's not a promise.
-Don't worry, i will be invisible !
-That would more concerning.
-Why ? She said as she leaned her head back to look at the face of her guardian.
-Because everytime you are invisible, you do something bad.
-What~ That's not true. She defended hersefl, playing the innocent.
-We will see then.
-Yes, we will see !
-We have arrived. Jébaru. Said Régidal in a neutral voice.
The city and its walls were in sight from at least a good hundreds or even thousands meters. It was not as impressive as their city but it was a not a little place.
When they entered the city, it was clean, pretty, crowded and it was alive. There were musicians, jokester, painter, poet, merchant and on and on. Belda was amazed, smiling like laughing at the clowns or the funny people doing funny things. Luzalé could not refrain herself from being amused by her little princess.
Régidal and the others were looking at her, slowly her shining spirit and unbreakable joy was affecting them. If Luzalé was a bright star when all is dark, Belda was also a star. Both of them could chase away sadness and worry. It was their most powerful magic.
Belda noticed a man holding a stick then with a firm and quick hand gesture, he lighted the stick by removing the top, which was some kind of red cap. Immediately, sparks were coming out.
-Oh wow ! What is this ? Luzalé what is this ?
-It's a star stick.
-Oh~ Léol can you make this ?
She turned her face to look at him, he had until then a gloomy face but when she talked to him, he snaped out of it and looked back at her, with a serious face now.
-Huh..yes.
-Can you make one for me ? Please~ I'll pay you !
-You don't even have....He sighed while quickly closing his eyes. I will make some for you.
-Thank you, you are the best ! She said joyfull.
Léol smiled, make her happy and seeing her carefree like that was comforting. The others started to smile more.
Régidal was looking at her and Luzalé, she felt his gaze and locked his eyes with him. Her eyes were telling him to be more relax. He then turned his face to look forward zfter giving her a soft smile.
Soon they arrived at the entrance of the castle of the duke Horaldir, the traitor. It was a tall building but much more large. This castle seemed to had many places and mansions attached to it. The main gate had been open for the Varapren and all the guards, maids and servants were surprised by their arriving here. They stood still on each side of the path made of stone tiles.
-Welcome, Ô Lords and Ladies of Varapren family. May the goddess Varanita bless you on this day of grace.
They bow their head while the Stars of Aurora were advancing with their horse. Proudness and power was the aura coming from them.
They reached the main entrance of the castle. They got down of their horse and entered while their animals were conducted to the stable. A man came to them, he was well dressed and looked like the intendant.
-I welcome you humbly in the house of the duke Horaldir and his family. He said while bowing too.
-Thank you. Replied Régidal.
-He will receive you very soon, as well as his family. I will guide to the meeting room. Please my lords and ladies, follow me.
The started to follow him in the middle of those huge corridors, decorated with paintings, flowers, armors and heralds. Belda was looking at all of that like she was in a museum, the same for the others.
-Aesta, i want you to go in one of the guest room with Belda. Said Régidal.
-Understood.
-I can't come with you ? Asked the little girl to the chief.
-No, it is a private discussion between adults.
-Aw. She retorted, disappointed.
-Don't worry, auntie will play with you. Added Aesta.
-Okay.
It was so easy to change her mood, for the better.
For Régidal he already looking forward to his meeting with the man of the house.
-What do you mean they are here !? What are they doing here ?
Asked the lady, panicked. The man putting on his cape was in the same state of emotion.
-I don't know ! They didn't told me they were coming !
-What if it is for the deal you made with the knights of the moon ?
-No, it can't be, it mustn't be that or we are doom.
-Horaldir, i am scared. Said the woman while almost making a prayer sign with her hands.
-Do not worry, Ajéta. Everything will be fine.
He held the hands of his and tried to comfort her.
Someone knocked on the door of their bedroom.
-Yes ? Answered the duke.
Two woman entered, his daughters, the eldest had blonde hair and a red dress while the younger had a green dress and brune hair.
-We are ready. Said the eldest.
-Okay. We will go, smile, be polite and act naturally. Understood.
-Yes. Replied the mother and the daughters.
After a moment, they were now in front of the meeting room, hesitating to enter.
-Be a man and open it ! You are stressing us out !
-Do you think it's easy to open the door when they are in there. They are more scary than the knights.
-Another reason why you should hurry. Retorted Ajéta.
-Okay, okay.
He took a deep breath and opened the door. The Stars were here, sitting around the table. Their eyes were already locked on the family. At first intimidated, they slowly entered the room by sheer amount of courage.
-Hello, dear Varapren family. I welcome you in my domain. May you be bless by Varanita. Said Horaldir, bowing his head a little.
Ajéta and her daughters imitated him.
-Thank you. Take a seat, duke. We have to talk.
They obeyed his cold order , they were scared of what was about to happen.
-My question will be simple. Why did you made a secret deal with the Reformist, our enemy ?
That was his simple question. The heart of the duke's family droped in their bodied before going back in place.
-I...i don't know what you are talking about, my lord. Replied with no confidence the noble.
-Do not play that game with me, Horaldir. He scold coldly and sharply but not loudly. Do not forget who put you here. I can take everything away from you with no hesitation.
The duke hesitated before speaking again while his family was just staying silent and looking down to avoid the eyes of the higher nobles.
-Yes. I made a deal with them. For...for the reason that i knew the war would soon resume. I...i wanted to be on the winning side because it is very clear that their victory is almost guaranteed. I wanted to ensure the future of my family safety.
He revealed all of that with a guilty tone, his daughters, who looked like they were not informed by this scheme, stare at him in shock.
-Why did you do that ? Are you...are you serious ? Asked in disbealief his eldest daughter.
-It's the truth Laéla. I am sorry, it was for your security. I feared that if the Loyalist were about, the consequences would be terrible for us. I don't want you to be taken as prize or worse, as toy and slave. I don't think i would be able to live with that.
-He is speaking with honesty. Whispered Luzalé in the ear of Régidal.
He stayed unreadable.
-I hope you understand my choice better now. You can punish or even kill me for what i have done but please, spare them, i beg you.
He looked directly in the dark eyes of Régidal.
-I should have you killed for what you did. Do you know the extent of the consequences of your actions ?
-No.
Luzalé put her hand on his hand, she was telling him with her face and through her eyes to spare them. He closed his eyes, disapproving her demand but he could not say no. He opened them and said.
-You will be spared. Nonetheless, it will be you only warning and the last mistake of this kind. Next time, i will have you beheaded and your daughters wed to other families. Do you understand ?
-Yes, Lord Régidal. Thank you for your mercy, you are truly...
-Stop talking nonsense. Tell me what are their plans.
-They did not told me much, except that they wanted a part of the ressources of the dukedom to help them prepare their troops and logistic. They said i was now helping them for a greater cause than this war. They talked about the savin the kingdom, even the continent against a growing menace.
The Stars were listening attentively, nothing had to escape.
-That's all.
-That tell us nothing very important.
-I know but that's what they said to me.
-Very well. You can leave. We will see each other at the diner.
-Okay. Thank you again. Lord Régidal, Lady Luzalé.
He bowed multilple times, same for his wife, only their daughters bowed one time each.
-It's time to go. Said Horaldir to his family.
They quickly exited the meeting room under the eyes of the Varapren, Osmadrey and Sarika could not maintain a proper serious face. They were fighting against their laugh.
-What a bunch of idiots. Critized Léol.
-I can understand them. I would have done the same maybe. Responded Crécio.
-Thank you, Régidal. Said Luzalé with gratitude.
-They should be thanking you.