Book 1: Chapter 4-First of the Flock

#4: First of the Flock

Eragon

Throne Room

"This is Volde Raven, First of His name. First of the Flock. 111th King of Eragon", Aystar introduced.

The foreigners bent their knees. "It's a great pleasure to be in the midst of the great king. I am Garen, the lord of the House Warwick", Garen Warwick raised his head, the lord of House Warwick. He was covered in full armor and have a large shield on his back. His dark brown eyes are covered with wrinkles. His hair is blonde known for the house Warwick possesses. "Stand. Tell my Hand and my Adviser what you need", Volde crossed his leg. "Wanderers of Gaslow on the West are raiding manors and even villages. Our farmers already refuse to go back to the fields. Drought is coming soon and we wouldn't be able to survive it without food. I am begging for His Grace to send men to stop the injustice. I will vow with my life that I will serve you", Garen stayed on his knees.

Volde stared at Varick. "Lord Garen, if I am not mistaken. Your House is a few miles away from Andor and you once swore your loyalty to them ", Varick stepped forward. "Yes, Wise Varick-", Garen was cut off by Volde's clearing of his throat. "He's no longer a Wise. He's my royal adviser", Volde clarified. "My apologies, Your Grace, our people are dying every day. The King of Andor had given up on our lands. We tried to give our plea but he never answered our cries", Garen stood up and went closer. Geryon gripped his sword. No one approaches the King unless told to. "Basically, you ask us to trespass on land that doesn't belong to us. You know that it could wage a war", Volde played with his dagger. "I am aware of the request I have made. I am willing to gamble on everything I have to protect my people. Wouldn't you do the same?", Garen looked into the King's eyes. "Your King doesn't wish to light a fire and make conflict with the Wanderers. He already has his hands full", Varick clenched his fists knowing that her daughter is held captive in that place.

"Given that we will kill all the bandits and their families, what would you offer to us? Grains?", Aystar raised his brow. "We shouldn't speak terms unless approved by the King", Varick butted in. "What would be your choice? Royal Adviser Varick?", Volde looked at the man. Aystar furrowed his brow. His son decided to seek the counsel of a stranger. "Our trespassing will anger the King of Andor. In addition to that, we don't have enough men to protect the castle if we set out to the west. We only have 10,000 soldiers. Most of them haven't yet experienced any fight", Varick bowed his head. "And whose fault do you think that we never had enough soldiers? All we have are Eunuchs stripped of their manhood. Your former king forbids violence and thus was mocked by the other Kingdom. Eragon was known to be the best fighter and here we are cowering in fear", Aystar broke out. There was a tense silence between them. "Your answer, Royal adviser?", Volde rolled his eyes. "Soldiers are forged and paid attention if a battle is rising. War is to be waged if there is rebellion against the throne. But during his reign, there was never a house or even a Kingdom that dared to challenge his fate of sitting on the throne. This is why he saw no reason to give birth to an army. There is no need because there were no threats", Varick answered calmly.

Volde gritted his teeth. "Your Grace, but this time there is a threat. These bandits are growing in numbers. Sooner or later, they'd be more than 10,000. They've been recruiting free men and villagers to join them", Garen raised his voice. "What does that concern us?", Volde stood up and was about to leave. "They know that you are the weakest of all the Kingdoms, Your Grace. Help me and I will give you my loyalty and the army of Warwick", Garen triggered. Volde threw the dagger passing through Garen's ears. "Strange. Loyalty also killed the former King but...", Volde closed his eyes. Garen's soldiers positioned themselves. "You have a very observant eye. I like you. You're fearless and honest", Volde had a sly smile. "You are a guest in this place. Give Lord Garen a room", Volde's eyes looked down on Garen.

Garen was led into his room along with the few soldiers he brought. "Aren't you curious about what happened to your daughter?", Volde tried to trigger Varick. "I gave my word that I will serve till my last breath. I was just hoping that the wise and great king would honor his words", Varick immediately answered. "Here is my gift to you, faithful servant", Volde threw a letter to Varick. His eyes widened as soon as he read the Andorian letters. "I will be a king who will keep his words until death", Volde gave a challenging look to Varick.

King's Room

"You've called for me", Varick gave a bow. "Sit down. Pour me a wine", Volde instructed. Varick told what was said. "I am being mocked by Kingdoms and people. I bet they are laughing. A king without a kingdom", Volde threw his sword on the ground.

"Even without an army, you were able to bind your oath back with Oneison and Andor. If your break Andor's trust, I doubt you could gain it back again", Varick passed the cup to Volde. "Heh. The kingdom made a pact with the centaur. Just like the nature they adore, nature will betray anyone who betrays it", Volde bit his lip. "Are you telling me to shoo them away? Another rumor will spread out. King Volde, the coward king, invited and shove the Warwick away", Volde sighed and sat on the chair. "You are worried about what people have to say about you", Varick commented and dropped a book on the table.

Royal Garden

Volde walked alone carrying the book which Varick wrote when he was around his age. He'll be turning fifteen a few days after and he wouldn't even reach the accomplishment that his Royal Adviser achieved when he was young. The Wise Varick was able to study a lot of herbs and compiled their usage in a book that is used by almost all of the houses in the Middle Kingdom.

A great ruler is one who justifies the means first before the end.

Volde closed the book in disagreement with the first statement that he read. "Are you reading alone, Your Grace? Where is your Royal Adviser?", Cressen also passed the same route. "Are you blind? Yes, I am alone", Volde sighed and sat at the chairs prepared in the garden. "My apologies, Your Grace. It seems that my eyes are no longer cooperating as they once were", Cressen bowed. "How did you know that it was me?", Volde furrowed his brow. He hates people who lie. "I only know of one who closes the book immediately once he hated what was written in the beginning. I watched you grow up, Your Grace", Cressen explained. "Leave me", Volde commanded.

Andor

Kraljica- Queen's Room

A wooden tub is prepared specially for the next Queen. The steam oozing out indicates that it will be a warm bath. Zefania watches as the female servants crush Thyme and Lavender flowers. One of them gently held unto Zefania's shoulder. "Please remove your clothes", she politely instructed. Zefania took the hint that she needs to remove her clothes. She did as was said. The female servants were amazed at her fair porcelain skin unlike them who got marks on their bodies.

"Finally, the Kralj (King) already found himself a Kralj (Queen)".

"Do you know how to speak the common tongue?", Zefania dipped herself in the wooden tub. The female servants just looked at each other. "They weren't taught how to speak your language, my lady or should I say Kralj", a manly voice enveloped the place. The servants bowed very low and made a distance. Zefania covered her chest and searched for a piece of cloth. "Worry not, my lady. I will be your personal guard from now on", the man stepped forward in the light. Zefania felt comforted to see a non-Andorian. He has long straight black hair and amber eyes. "My name is Keane", the man reached out his hand. Zefania doesn't wish to raise her hand so he just nodded. "Zefania", she responded. "Yes, Kraljica. I shall remember your name", Keane gave a friendly smile and exited. After scrubbing her skin and washing her hair, the female servants dried her. Long thin silk dresses were presented to Zefania to choose from. Her eyes were captivated by the blue silk dress with embroidery of a blue scorpion. It was their house sigil. Her eyes turned teary. She held the dress. She was kept in her room for months with no one to talk to but the messenger of the Kralj, Nova. He will teach her how to read the Andorian alphabet. She's still trying to learn some of the simple words.

Her hair was braided on the side and was clipped with a silver ornament with precious rubies. The female servants left right away after she was fixed. The girl peeked outside and found that it was empty. "You look astounding, Kraljica. Where do you wish to visit?", Keane suddenly appeared from one of the posts. "You have a noble accent. From what house are you again?", Zefania shyly asked. Keane pressed his lips and shrugged his shoulder. He placed his hand on Zefania's back and straighten it. He also raised her chin. "You are now a Queen, Kraljica. You should speak with authority", Keane gave a friendly smile. "Is she prepared?", they heard a familiar voice. Keane knelt down in the direction of the voice. Zefania gulped and turned to face him. He got an overwhelming presence and strong facial features. He's got eyes that seem to pierce the soul. He didn't even bat a look at the new Queen. "Leave us", Zakili instructed. Keane looked at Zefania and gave a nod. "Don't leave me", Zefania thoughtlessly grabbed Keane's arm. She doesn't want to be alone with a man who slapped her in the first meeting. He gave her such a bad impression. Keane gently removed her grip. "I gave my vow, Kraljica. I will be your personal guard. You might not see me but I will always watch over you", Keane bowed his head. Zefania's heart broke to see him leaving.

Palace Balcony

Zakili led the lady to the palace balcony for her to see a better view of the Kingdom. Zefania's eyes widened as she saw the mixture of green, brown, and blue. It was such a majestic view. The forests are well taken care of. Zakili looked at her face which was brightened for the moment. "I took care of these lands since I was your age", Zakili suddenly opened. Zefania forgot about the responsibility whispered to her ever since the first day. Mother of the Lost Children. She wondered what kind of children is Zakili referring to. She wondered if she is allowed to speak. "Speak", Zakili noticed her mouth twitching.

"When am I going to meet the lost children?", Zefania spoke softly. "Are you a lowly servant?", Zakili made his voice louder as if he was mad. Zefania's eyes turned teary once more. Zakili grabbed her cheeks. "One shed of tear and I'm going to slap you again. You will meet them when you're ready", Zakili harshly lets go of her cheeks. Zefania pressed her lips together to hold her emotion from bursting out. They heard footsteps. "The councils are here to discuss matters upon the decision of choosing your own Kraljica", Keane butted in with Nova behind him. Zakili gestured Nova to follow him. "Cover her face", Zakili instructed. Keane prepared the black veil and placed it around Zefania's head. The two already left the room allowing Zefania to let out a long sigh. "You said you are going to protect me", Zefania's voice cracked. "What he did was not to harm you, he was just trying to teach you", Keane gave a confident stare. "How do you call that protecting? He threatens me every time my words do not suit him", Zefania complained. "I am your personal guard, Kraljica. I vowed to protect even your image. What I know is that he is preparing you", Keane gave a bow of the head and led the lady into the throne room.