Book 2: Chapter 14- The Raven and the Flower

Eragon

Council Room

" I think it is the best time to attack Riverdell and get a hold of their prophet. If we know what's going to happen next, we will rule over all the kingdom!", One of the council members stood up. Aystar chuckled and nodded. "The truth lands on those who deserve to hear it", the King turned to the one who gave the suggestion. "You're making a hasty decision, elder", Aya said with a gentle voice. "Patience. I already planned about this", the King said with a straight face. "Attack the Riverdell Kingdom? Are we mad? For hundreds of years, Riverdell had always been a brother to Eragon. Are we not afraid of what fate will do to us who destroys such brotherhood?", Arnold, one of Volde's supporters stood up.

"You are free to leave the council, Sir Arnold", Aystar pointed to the door. "You failed when you tried to conquer Andor. Now that we're trying to enter the place that no Outsider had ever entered, how confident are you?", Arnold asked. "Who said that no Outsiders have entered the place? If you haven't heard, the forest is dying. Plus, the witches are forming their protest against them. They had turned their back against the descendants of the elves", Aystar glanced at every member of the council. Arnold furrowed his brow. "Then from this day forward, I am no longer part of your council", Arnold left.

They all left except Aystar and Aya.

"What do we do after being able to capture Riverdell?", Aya asked. "Capture Riverdell? They will leave their lair voluntarily together with old warriors to keep the next nest where they are to breed and hide for another century ", Aystar explained. "How are you so sure, Aystar? Who is telling you all of these?", Aya said with a sad tone. She had been with Aystar for a long time and yet she cannot read his husband. "You have your personal knights, have them kill Arnold from the House of Bareon. We can't afford to make another enemy", the Queen tried to demand. "He is free to wander in the Gaslow. From now on, we are withdrawing all the soldiers we assigned on the boundary and they will be forced to man it themselves", the King wore his coat and prepared to head out. "Where are you going?', Aya pressed her lips together. She waited but never received an answer.

Sanctuary

The king is allowed to enter the Sanctuary given that all his weapons are left with the maidens at the gate. He made his way to the garden and saw a young girl, 15 in age. She is with long braided black hair with flowers seemingly growing on her roots. The maidens placed the ocean blue wisteria flowers on her hair as decoration since accessories such as gems are not allowed in the sanctuary.

"Your Grace, you have come", the maidens having a cheery conversation with the lady in the middle stood from sitting on the grass. "Leave us", Aystar commanded. Soon, there were only two of them. "As condescending as ever, Your Grace, King Aystar the 112th King of Eragon", the youngster faced the man. Aystar melted with his ocean-blue eyes and beautiful smile. "Do not call me that way. Don't make it sound as if we are distant from each other", the man's eyes which had always been stern and looking forward dropped and looked at the grasses under his feet. "Hold your head up High, Your Grace. Have you come here to drink tea brewed by me? You riches to buy the sweetest and most fragrant tea in all lands. One day, these very hands will be the ones that'll end the tea party that you have always been looking forward to", Laia, the daughter of Aystar's son, the only keepsake left by his deceased child.

"Before that happens, let's have a cup of tea, my grandfather", Laia held his hand and led him to the pavilion surrounded by blue-petaled wisteria. "It's enchanted. So mystical that I fear I am under a witch's power", Aystar kept his head raise watching the wind play with the flowers. The maidens helped Laia in preparing the brewed tea. "I once saw a flower as innocent and pure as you back when I visited the land of Rowan. We hid our identity in order not to alarm those who have kept their silence for centuries. She was as delicate and vulnerable as you are", the King opened making Laia raise her head. The maiden left after preparing the hot water. The lady poured the tea for her grandfather. "What happened to her, grandfather?", Laia sat on the other side and looked into Aystar's softened eyes.

"She was made captive in an unknown land, torn apart from her father, and married to a foreign king. All for the purpose of maintaining a good relationship between Eragon and Andor. This was a decision that Aya came up with her own self without having to consult me", Aystar answered. "I understand. What are the odds that it won't happen to me as well, am I correct, grandfather? If there is a better way to make use of my existence, I think I have nothing to complain about", Laia chuckled.

ROWAN

House of Evregarden

"We have done our best to restore some of its former glory but we can only do as much", Lester placed his arms around his niece. "I couldn't ask for more, Uncle. The lake is still here. The only thing that's left is Dillon standing next to me. Why hasn't he returned from his mission? I know it will take some days to travel down the dock. Can you send someone to fetch him?", Zefania held into Lester's hand. "I am afraid that his mission will take longer than we expected. It has been a long ride. Take a rest, my niece", the man turned to Kalani and gave a nod.

"Mother, rest", the ladybird spread her wings and gently guided Zefania to enter the house. "Welcome, my cousin", Belladona, Lester's daughter spread her dress and bowed. "I don't deserve such an elegant bow, my cousin", the appearance of the lady gave Zefania some peace. She turned and saw Lester giving off a smile. "I know it must have been hard. Belladona is such a sweet child and she asked me if she could accompany you here", the man explained. "Thank you Uncle, I know that you also had a rough time and so I don't know how can I give my thanks", Zefania pressed on her shoulder. "Nothing is more important to me than to see all of the Rowans back in this peaceful land. And that, as the eldest, is also my oath to our ancestors", Lester gave a final look at the two then marched away.

Hall

"We decided to keep the old rugs that some servants were able to salvage. You look tired, cousin. Do you want some tea?", the sweet-sounding lady offered. They were just the same age. "We should have celebrated our coming of age but it happened that you were already wedded before it even happened", Belladona held Zefania's hand. "Your coming of age will be two full moons from now and I will have it three full moons from now", Zefania remembered. "You were born when the flowers are in full bloom and it is a very lovely time", Belladona stared outside the window and saw Kalani flying around. "Zefy, can I still call you that way? How did you become the Mother of the Lost? I know a lot had happened since the last time we saw each other. Your eyes are no longer that of an innocent child", the taller lady cupped Zefania's face.

"I feel your concern for my welfare, Bella. I think I should really rest for this afternoon. My apologies for having to stay in my room for a while", Zefania bowed her head.

MOAT CASTLE

"That will be the end of my report, milord", Dillon stood in front of the brothers. "You've heard of our young commander's report, shall we scare those flock?", Mance gritted his teeth. "Our men are being shipped to Eragon and made as soldiers for the King. Is that what you are trying to imply?", Oliver furrowed his brow. "I cannot make of any other possible explanation for the disappearance of the young men in the neighboring villages", the young commander bowed his head. "Why are you so worked up with it? It's just ten people missing. People travel once in their lifetime", Reinys cleared her throat. "Not all youngsters are as foolish and irresponsible as you", Dillon stared at her with a straight face. "How dare you call me as such?!", the princess retaliated. "It's not just ten people, your highness. Our family is blessed to have men in the family but the descendants and branch family of Rowan only get to have daughters. It will cause a great problem if the number of men is reduced in this land", Tyrone explained.

"We will talk more of this once Lester is back. For the time being, everyone should go back to their families and make sure they are all safe", Oliver clapped his hand indicating that the meeting is over. The brothers stood and prepared to leave. "You will be left here again. I'll be visiting occasionally", Tyrone patted Oliver's shoulder. "Why not bring some ladies? I would appreciate that more", the man chuckled and the rest joined in teasing Oliver.

Reinys stood beside Dillon. "They're all warmed up with each other. I could watch this all day", the riverdellian princess chuckled. "A princess watching men in tease each other, you're empty in the head, aren't you?", he didn't hesitate to comment. Reinys flushed in embarrassment and tried to push Dillon away but the door opened. "A letter from a brother in the North", Lester showed a rolled scroll. "A sighting of a Riverdellian man", Lester informed. Reinys eyes brightened and took it from him without hesitation. "Noldorin!", she called out his name.

ANDOR

Throne Room

Keane crossed his legs and had a poker face listening to Nimrod. Garen's fists are clenched and his expression looks like he's prepared to kill someone. "I am begging you, Your Grace. Please help us. Warwick had served you for hundreds of years", Nimrod begged with his forehead touching the ground. Keane just sat with an expressionless face. "You did serve us for hundreds of years and yet you don't know how to address your King properly. You speak a foreign language which showed that Warwick never wanted to be loyal to Andor", Keane spoke about history. Garren cleared his throat. "If it is history you would like to discuss, your predecessors conquered our land and left it naked, without an army to keep the Gaslows away. We could have protected our land if only the soldiers of Warwick did not serve as livestock for your beasts", Nimrod answered to Keane's words.

Keane sighed and raised his scepter. "Whether or not I allow some of my men to accompany Garren back to Warwick, my Kingdom will still stand strong because I am here. Where did you get your confidence that I will comply with your negotiations?", the Kralj lean his head to the throne. "Warwick had supplied Andor with grains and crops for years. Are those hundreds of years meant nothing to you, Your Grace? It's true. We haven't learned about your language. Isn't that because none of the Andors came and teach us such? It is as if we aren't truly welcomed to be part of the Kingdom", Nimrod slapped the truth.

Keane stood up. "Was it because we aren't of use other than giving you something to eat?", Nimrod raised his head. His father had always mocked Warwick for being a wasted soldier. They had amassed a large land and yet they weren't able to build their own kingdom because they had always been dependent on Eragon and Andor. They had always cowered with the threat of the Gaslows. It caused them to spend their wealth on buying protection from the neighboring kingdoms.

"Are you going to bend the knee and pay Andor again for your protection? Be in great debt that you won't be able to stand on your own?", Keane raised his scepter. Garen clenched his fist insulted by all the words. "Now that you've said it, Your Grace, I just remembered that I wasn't here to ask for your help. The people will be disappointed that I wasn't able to carry on the task they asked me to bring the soldiers they are expecting. Your Grace, if you would listen to just one request of mine, I wouldn't care what might happen to me", Nimrod stood up and looked at Keane at face level. The guards prepared their swords for commoners who aren't allowed to look at the King as their equals.

"Please let lord Garen go back to Warwick. If it's a Kingdom to be created, I can never think of anyone else who could lead the people", Nimrod removed the sword from his scabbard and dropped it on the ground as a signal of total surrender. "You have no idea what you are asking for. You are taking away one of my most trusted men", the Kralj stood from the throne.

Chapter end.