Book 2: Chapter 12-Warning to Heed

#12: Warning to Heed

Erie

North Castle

Throne room

"You were sent here by the Darian, it's a great pleasure to have met those precious gems, once more", Euphemia rose from the throne seat and went down to cup Gilbert's face. As what was promised to her, the young man had a perfect jaw-line and tall stature. His travel on the sand caused his skin to look tanner making him manlier. The queen had taken interest in him though he ages like her own daughter.

"Speak, subject. Your name, your house, your origin. Everything about you. Leave nothing unsaid", Euphemia wrapped her arms around him which made Gilbert feel uncomfortable. He saw the disgusted stares of 12 female servants wearing pure white dresses. They're all at par with his height. Some are even taller than him. "I will gauge your eyes if you keep staring at my precious gem. When did I ever allow you to have your head raised at the same level as mine?", the Queen widened her eyes making the servants fall flat on their faces.

Another lady entered the room and saw her mother hugging a stranger. She gave a hateful look at her mother. The Queen had been a whore after her husband died. "I am Gilbert Waters. As far as I remember, I never belonged to a house. Your Grace, the only reason that I am here is for the Captain I wish to support", Gilbert was referring to Nymeria. "I heard of it. The Captain that you wish to follow is a woman. What is she to you?", Euphemia lets go of him. "As you have said, she is my Captain and I will follow what she commands me to do. For this mission though, I was the one who begged her to be of help", the green-eyed man answered. "From now until the day you die, you will now follow whatever I am to tell you. Of course, I will consider what you have in mind. You shall have a special place in this Palace. Make yourself feel at home", she permitted. Gilbert was suspicious of such a warm welcome.

Gilbert's Room

He was surprised to be given a decent room with even a large bed and his own wooden bath. The only thing that he didn't find accommodating was the absence of a window in that room. The ventilation is sufficient but escaping isn't possible. It was close to being a cell. He doesn't have any plan of doing so but the thought rang in his mind.

One female servant entered to prepare his bath. "The Queen is expecting you to dine with her", the servant trembled as she talked to him with her head bowed low. "Dine with her? I was brought here as a representative. I am not worthy to dine with Her Grace", Gilbert commented. The female servant knelt down and cowered. "I am begging you to please follow the Queen's order. I also prepared your clothes, Sir. If this doesn't fit your liking, I will prepare another one", she cried loudly. Gilbert sensed the fear of the servant toward the Queen. 'Worry not. I will take my bath and wear what you have prepared", the man nodded. The female servant left Gilbert alone.

This time is different. He wasn't imprisoned in a cold and dark place. It's so accommodating that he feels like something worse is coming after. There is always a calm before the storm. After taking a bath, he wore the clothes prepared for him. Someone knocked on the door. "I am the Wise, Kasper, the Queen had asked for me to accompany you", Kasper informed. "I'll be heading out", Gilbert opened the door and saw the blindfolded man. "Let us go", Kasper led the way. He felt that Gilbert is staring at his blindfolds. "I am not blind, Sir Gilbert. The Queen had wished to have my eyes covered. I am able to locate the rooms in the Palace. You also look good in your coat", Kasper commented. "Why did she ask you to cover your eyes?", Gilbert was curious. Kasper just smiled and didn't give any response.

Dining Hall

It looked like a feast. The finest meats are on the table. The fruits also look as if they were just ripened. "Your Grace, I have arrived", Gilbert knelt down. "Stand, dear. From this moment on, you will be dining with us", Euphemia gave a smile. Gilbert already suspected that there is something suspicious about how he is treated. The Queen's daughter, Shery, who is around 19, rolled her eyes and didn't even dare to look at the new play toy of her mother.

Gilbert sat down and looked at the silver plate. Everything looks so grand. He wasn't used to this scenario. "Gilbert, tomorrow. We will be roaming around the Palace. Where would you like to go first?", Euphemia asked. "Your Grace, I believe that your hands are full with all your responsibilities. I will be fine on my own", Gilbert didn't dare to look into her eyes. "But I don't want you to leave my side. I don't want to separate with those gems", Euphemia said with such longings.

"I'm done", Sheryl stood up from her seat and then left. Gilbert watches her leave the dining hall. Sheryl isn't as tall as the giants. Her skin isn't too snow-white as well. Her hair isn't ash grey like her mother's but instead was ginger. "She's a bastard. Born from a whore from the brothel", Euphemia noticed Gilbert looking at her. "Did you know that the fur you are wearing now is from dire wolves my soldiers caught in the west village? Have you taken it to like?", Euphemia smiled. "It is very warm, Your Grace", the man nodded and held into the fur.

Don't wander too much, Gilbert. There are dire wolves in the forest. In no time, you'll be a feast for them.

One of the soldiers entered. "Your Grace, a news from the watchers", the soldier knelt down. "Can you not see that I am eating?", she threw the plate at the soldier. "Lord Lauren told me to say it as soon as possible. The Warden of the Land of Shkretim hasn't sent any letters after arriving in the mines", the soldier bowed his head very low. Gilbert silently took one of the chicken's legs. He was famished during the whole journey. He studied any sign of poisoning but it was clear that the meat was well cooked. The spices scent is also strong that his hunger pangs kept coming back. He was about to bite into the chicken leg when Euphemia slammed the table.

It took some time for the Queen to process the given information by the soldier. The New Warden promised to send a message after he takes the head of the coward Chazar. She was planning to take the mine for herself. It seems that it wasn't a successful mission."Send soldiers to the Mines!", Euphemia roared like a wild beast.

Leuronna

High Palace

"Your Majesty, we are truly thankful for the aid you would be giving us. We will not fail our promise", Nymeria knelt down and saw her brother standing next to the leader of the nation that had been an enemy of the five Kingdoms for centuries but because of some reason, they found terms with each other. The old man with a wrinkled face and dimly lighted vision nodded his head and raised his scepter. "Pirate Princess. You will regain the power of the sea and you will open the waters for the desert", the Darian ordered. His voice made the walls tremble with its loudness.

"Your Majesty. I have to apologize. The sea is no good for wanderers. It is rumored that a huge beast is sleeping in the depths of the ocean. If we disturb its slumber, we are to suffer its damnation", one of the priests knelt down. "Fool!!! There is no such beast that won't bow down to the power of Leuronna", Yio roared and stood up from his seat.

"What say you? Pirate Princess?", the Darian raised his golden scepter and pointed it to the lady. "My father had always been so firm in his words. He killed even women and children who are wandering in the Open Sea. The vast ocean of the South was a responsibility given to the people of Oneison", Nymeria explained. "But I chose not to believe fairy tales that are told by fools who only manipulate the minds of those who fear. For the powerful feeds on those who cower in fear", Nymeria quoted a known principle of the sand.

Pavilion

Dan walked with his sister and watched the maidens tease each other near the pool. The maidens were chosen and prepared for the Darian since they were born. It was a belief that if the female young born didn't cry or made a sound, they are perfect to submit to the powerful one. Thus, are chosen to be Darian's concubine. Clearly, women in Leuronna are viewed lowly.

"The Kraken is real", Dan suddenly broke the silence." If that creature was alive, it should have been long awoken by the disturbances happening in the open sea", Nymeria said with her eyes showing disbelief. "That man that was with you, Gilbert, that was his name. Why have you traveled with such a peculiar company?", Dan asked. "That man, somehow, is a person I wouldn't want to leave alone. He's a wimp and a soft-hearted idiot. He was like you when we were younger, the view of blood would make you cry and make him have nightmares. But then, something happened, right, brother? What is it that made you turn your back to Father and choose another path? In order for you to escape, you killed your very own personal guards and servants", the younger sister gulped.

"That's not good. For a person who had been given such a burden, it isn't good for him to have a soft heart", Dan shook his head as if knowing the true identity of the man. "But just like you, Nymeria. I did horrible sins just to be with the one I love. We're truly siblings, aren't we? We go as far across the ocean for the ones we love", Dan hugged her sister.

Hick met them and looked at Dan. "You're sure that our dude is alive in that icy palace?", Hick showed some aggressive glare. "The Queen of Eire has spent half of her wealth searching for him. I couldn't imagine her wasting those years of searching", Dan answered and released Nymeria from his grip. "What do you know about him?", Hick held his spear. The soldiers around were alarmed and prepared their swords following the two. "I know of such precious gem that won't melt in the midst of fire and wouldn't bend no matter how much you hammer it", Dan said with amusement in his tone. The lady furrowed her brow unable to catch up with the two.

Riverdell

Middle Tower Council room

It took some time for the elders to realize the crisis they are going through. Their High King had been poisoned and a lot of skilled soldiers are dying one by one as they protect the border.

"Where is Noldorin?! We need him here!!!", Oregon, the blacksmith stood up and slammed the center table. Violence had never been part of Riverdellian's tradition. "Manners, Oregon", Faelar saw Vaeril flinch. Oregon had been known to be a great soldier but now, he can no longer even stand. He was inflicted with a disease eating his bones on the lower part of his body. The witch said that it was a punishment given to him for marrying an outsider who needed to be chased away.

"Noldorin is a rogue and can never be reassigned for a position that he abandoned", Faelar informed. All the elders looked at him with their attention. Faelar isn't the High King but he has a commanding tone. This made Vaeril feel jealous before. His people bow to his propositions. "I already advised you, Your Grace. We have to abandon these palaces and move hidden inside the waterfalls. The location would be more strategic for defense", Faelar bowed his head.

"We are the Riverdellians! We are proud fighters. Why are we cowering and retracting back to the inner forest?!", Oregon lost it once more. "Once war broke out in the Outside Lands, innocent lives will have to look for refuge. We are going to give them this land. As always, we are not allowed to mingle with outsiders that is why we need to find another place", Faelar explained. "Why do we have to give up ours for these little devils?", Oregon muttered under his breath. "The outer forest is dying. The air isn't suited for a pure breed like us to inhale the darkness creeping. It seems that Andor wasn't able to protect the forest. Also, as we abandon this place to give those with no home to be sheltered", Faelar gave a gentle look at Vaeril.

Throne Room

"It is unusual for you to care for outsiders", Vaeril sat on his throne.

"Was it something you saw on the premonition?", Vaeril asked. Faelar served juice from the wildberry. "Your Grace, there will be blood that will be spilled on this Palace. As how I see it, it will take some decades for Riverdell to regain back its power. This bloodshed is inevitable. But rest assured, help will be on its way. Please trust me. As your subject, I couldn't think of any other leader than you. The soldiers will be replaced and some young boys will be trained but the blood of the true heir will never be replaced", Faelar knelt down and held onto Vaeril's hand. He pressed his forehead on the back of Vaeril's palm.

Chapter end.