Book 2: Chapter 11-Age of the Wonders

#11: Age of the Wonders

Land of Desolation, Shkretim

Cave of Mining

"Move, you lowly creatures", the soldiers mocked them. Lawliet had a straight face breaking rocks and moving from one area to another. Noldorin observed his lethargic movement. He discretely approached him and offered a bag of water. Lawliet stared at him and saw some strands of his hair different from the rest. "If you're trying to start a rebellion here, then you must've had a lot of your people outside", Lawliet took it and drank. "I wish we could have brought more but there are only us and one more man waiting for my signal", Noldorin answered. "You are quite confident of yourself, stranger", Lawliet refused to call him by his name. They heard some heavy footsteps outside. Noldorin's eyes widened as he saw a battalion of soldiers outside with another man wearing a general's coat.

The two peeked and saw Chazar cowering in fear. "You are indeed confident to take this place with your people alone", Lawliet said with a bored tone and left him wondering how come the number of soldiers was doubled. It will be just a few days until his hair dye will lose effect. He needs to do something as fast as he can.

The night crept in and Noldorin gathered all the defective giants. They sat around the fire. "This might be the last time we'd be gathering like this. I knew that I imposed for you to follow me in this resolve. I didn't expect the soldiers to double like this. Tomorrow, I will fire the signal. That time, you are free to do whatever you wish to do. There is just one thing I would request for any of you who could reach Declan. Tell him, he doesn't need an outsider to mingle with his affairs. It is his land to protect. In protecting what is ours, we cannot depend on someone else to do it for us", Noldorin stared at the flames. "But then, I am fortunate to be of his service", Noldorin stood up and gave them a final glance.

Lawliet threw a sword at him. "No matter how good you are at fighting. There is no way you could draw blood from someone without using anything", Lawliet looked away and started to walk out. "Where did you get this sword?", Noldorin couldn't see it clearly due to the lack of light. "It was with me ever since", Lawliet answered and totally disappeared.

Chazar woke up from his bed with two women on his side. He was frustrated to have an unexpected guest. He wore his robe and opened the tent. Cold steel stabbed his chest. The women screamed. "May you find your eternal damnation", Noldorin whispered with his hood on. Chazar looked up at him and saw golden strands of hair peeping from the hood. "You are-", Chazar was about to shout for help but Noldorin twisted the sword.

After a while, the tallest tower was on fire. The new General ordered the soldiers to surround every corner of the wall. The rebellion started. The defects used their pick-axes to fight with the soldiers. Noldorin went down to look for the General. They met in the middle of the inside battle. He could hear some of his comrades scream in pain. He wants to settle it as soon as possible. He heard Gezer shouting as he enjoys the thrill of decapitating the soldiers. "This will not go unnoticed by the Queen", the general smirked. "In whose name had you swore your allegiance?", the general squinted his brow. Noldorin ran towards him and stood at the same height as the general. The general was able to block his attack using his shield. He was surprised by the amount of strength the lad has. Blood continued to splash in every corner.

Lawliet saw the ladies being used as shields. His eyes suddenly widened when he saw little children being dragged by the soldiers and getting killed by the other side. His feet suddenly initiated for him to step forward.

Move!

He clenched his fist feeling his feet stuck on the ground.

I wonder if it will look like her when she grows up.

Some memories flashed in his mind. He suddenly felt a pain in his head. His feet directed him to the children and grabbed one pick-axe. He dug it into one soldier's skull. The rest of the children screamed and gathered in a circle. "Follow me", he instructed them.

Noldorin wiped his bloody face after slashing the general. For all those years that he had been pursuing bandits lost in Riverdell as well as deserters, the look on their faces never failed to give the former Captain of Haven a little scare. The eyes still wide shut seems to give a message that the dead will keep haunting even after death. He looked around and saw how much blood had been spilled. He was relieved to see that he was not the only man standing in the midst of the battle. He went to help the others. After a while, the place was already silent. Gezer approached him. "I made sure that no one left to tell a single soul", Gezer assured and threw Lawliet in between them. "Except that, I saw some rats trying to steal some cheese", Gezer was referring to the children who were with Lawliet. Gezer showed his big axe about to execute the man. "He's a friend. He helped us", Noldorin passed the sword back to Lawliet. "It is a sharp sword. It is not an ordinary one. Tell me, who are you?", Noldorin offered his hand. Lawliet looked away. "I told you, I have no idea who I was", Lawliet answered.

Or Who I should be...

Rowan

House of Chasin

Library

Zefania taught Kalani how to speak some words in the common language. Kalani was bright and easy to learn. She remembered the rest of the Children of the Lost. What happened to them? She doesn't want to write a letter to Keane. She might crawl back at Andor. "My Lady, I am tasked to investigate the disappearance of male villagers. I would be outside for a long period of time. Please be in good hands", Dillon approached her. He pressed his lips together and his heart was pounding loud. Even his tongue seemed to curl back with what he is to say. "When you come back, I'll be the first person to welcome you", Zefania smiled and hugged Dillon. The young man closed his eyes and savored the moment. "You have to protect her", Dillon looked at Kalani. The ladybird nodded her head.

Dillon left and his shadow disappeared from Zefania's sight. She went to the library terrace and looked at the sea. There's a huge mass of water and land separating her and the rest of the beasts. She held on to her chest remembering how Zakili tried to protect them behind the thick iron bars. A bird fell on the floor. Its wings were broken and bleeding. Kalani picked it up and seems to feel bad about it. She hid it under her wings. "Kalani, let me take care of its wounds", Zefania gave a weak smile. Kalani shook her head. "It's okay, let me see", Zefania assured. Kalani slowly passed the bird and Zefania felt that it was already cold. Her heartfelt tight realization that the Children of the lost could meet the same end. Without the iron bars, they are vulnerable.

Andor

Inner Forest

Keane stood in the midst of the beast. Geryon stayed quite close to them. Keane killed an antelope for them to eat. "Geryon, do you know that antelope taste like chicken?", the new Kralj suddenly opened. "I haven't tried one yet. On the battlefield, there's no way we could prepare a fire to roast it", Geryon talked casually. "I didn't eat it roasted. They taste chicken when they're raw. I have no idea how it would taste if you cook it", Keane wiped the blood from his hand using a handkerchief.

"What do you have in mind? How are we going to gather them back?", Geryon was one of those who tied the beast that was trying to leave the Palace area. "They're looking for their Mother. It would be no surprise if we won't be able to capture them all", Keanne sighed in disbelief. "How about you? Don't you feel it also...like the urge to look for her?", Geryon was curious. He never spoke of Zefania's name for a month.

"Once, my father looked me in the eyes. The only words that left his mouth were a verification that my mother left me because I am a monster. For years, she never claimed for me. I have been left behind in a filthy dungeon with nothing but beasts around me. I would act and eat the way that they did. That might have been the reason why... I never felt the same longing that they have for a mother. I loathed the person who bore me. Because of her, I was also labeled as someone who is lost", Keanne opened. Geryon cleared his throat since he didn't see such a serious topic coming. "If you think of it, aren't we all the same? Aren't we all lost? Maybe that's the same reason why we all have holes inside us. Maybe that's the reason why we keep on searching for something that may fill that void", Geryon shrugged.

RIVERDELL

Faelar woke up and climbed down from his bed. He opened the curtain and was greeted by the rays of the sun piercing through his skin. He was disturbed by the knocking on the door. "A letter from the princess, my lord", the servant informed. Faelar opened the door and got the letter. After some time, he heard some noises in the town. He looked outside and saw some flames rising from the city.

He went to check into Vaeril in the middle tower and saw him lying on the floor. "Is anyone there?! Call for the Chief Wise! The High King had been poisoned", Faelar shouted. Vaeril coughed blood. "This is the preparation you were talking about?", Vaeril winced in pain. "Don't talk. If you move, the poison might take effect faster", Faelar assisted him to leaning on him. The Wise came with herbs and some apparatus to remove the poison. After which, the High King was placed back on his bed. "Gather all the men, surround the Middle Tower. Send the rest of the unit of the command to the city and surround all the exits. Imprison all of the suspicious men you find", Faelar ordered. "I only follow orders from the High King", Lindir stood firm. "Follow his order, Lindir", Vaeril forced himself to sit down. Lindir bowed and did what was asked of him.

"He sounded like your son, don't you agree?", Vaeril chuckled. "Your daughter had sent me a letter", Faelar informed. "Look at you getting all the attention", the High King sighed. "Last night, I was about to sleep. I looked at the moon and was enchanted by its beauty. I was in a trance and didn't seem to feel anything at that certain moment. When I came back to my senses, I am already holding a cup of wine", Vaeril narrated. "Witch. Now, they decided to turn their back on us", Faelar clenched his fist. "Time is moving, Faelar. Do you remember back then? You always tell me about an absurd future. Dragons are long dead, it is time for humans to stand on their own feet. We, the descendants of elves, are no different from the beast of the past. Should we as well stop existing?", the High King stared into his friend's eyes and saw a sorrowful expression.

Leuronna

Darian Dining Hall

The long table was filled with exquisite porcelain plates and a banquet of food. "Welcome, thy foreigners. I heard that you are my Second in Command's sister. I truly owe your brother my lands", Yio, the sandy kingdom's Darian, commended. Nymeria looked at Dan who gave her a reassuring smile. Leuronna has two important political figures, the High Priest, deemed as the kingdom's god, and the Darian. "I have seen two huge statutes coming here, who are those people?", Hick whispered to Nymeria. "Do not whisper, you're being watched by their soldiers", the lady kicked Hick's feet under the table. "The one on the left is the Darian who built Leuronna from the ashes. After being burnt by Eragon, the remaining descendants of Leuronna gathered their strength and were led by Darian Brennus. Along with him is the person on the right, the High Priest Idris who talked with the gods to be with them in all of their battles", Dan heard the two whispering to each other. "Shall we hear from our guests", Yio pointed his scepter at Nymeria.

"Our gratitude for allowing us in your Palace. Your Majesty, there is one thing I ask of you", Nymeria stood up and bowed. "Would you lend us your aid in recapturing our own Oneison?", Nymeria spoke politely. "It is not an easy request that you are making, dear. I supposed that Dan had already told you how we do things here", Yio asked. The lady raised her head and nodded. "In one condition, Your Majesty. Once we recapture Oneison, half of the Kingdom's wealth will be yours in exchange for Gilbert's freedom", Nymeria clenched her fist. It's as if she's turning him into a political hostage once again. Yio laughed. "Is he your lover, dear?", Yio hummed. "He is...", Nymeria paused.

"My first mate..", Nymeria smiled as she looked at Gilbert. The young man was surprised to hear that. He felt relief that Nymeria agreed with the condition and he was near to having tears upon hearing the word freedom. "Have you forgotten about me as well?", Hick sighed and joined the conversation. Gilbert remained silenced the whole time.

Terrace

Nymeria saw Gilbert looking at the vast desert. It will be a long way toward the icy land. "You will be alright. I heard that Eire isn't just like Oneison. They treat political hostages well", Nymeria assured. "That's not what I was thinking of. Also, before coming to Oneison, I was raised in a small village west of the Eire", Gilbert had a short laugh. They came this far and it's time to get separated. Nymeria took a coin from her pocket. She handed it to Gilbert. "This coin is enough for a fiery man to bring you to Oneison Palace. I'll see you in that fishy place again", Nymeria pressed her lips together. "Sorry, I won't be there when they'll put the crown on your head", Gilbert apologized. the lady punched his side. "You can always see me wear my crown once you come back to Oneison. There's no need to apologize", Nymeria sighed.

Chapter end.