Book 1: Chapter 10-The Journey of a Thousand Mile

#10: The Journey of a Thousand Mile

Town of Eleanor

Dock

"You really look sharp", Audric pouted as he looks at Noldorin. His hair was dyed black and his clothes were changed into a commoner's clothing. Finally, after half a year, the two were able to reach their destination with enough coins they gathered for playing music in the taverns. The young lad learned how to play the peculiar stringed instrument that Noldorin created for him. As for the Riverdellian, he just stood on the side gaining the attention of ladies. "What business do you have here?", one of the merchants asked. "I'm here to kill the king", Audric said in an instant as he looked at the distant Palace. Few more miles and he will be able to grab onto the King's neck and strangle him to death. The people looked at him. Noldorin was ready to draw his sword. "Kid, everyone in this dock wanted to slit his throat but we can't", the merchant went back to his store.

"What happened here?", Noldorin saw the change of faces as soon as Audric mentioned the King. It is clear that they are unhappy with whoever is on the throne. Noldorin has no clear idea of what he chose to visit the Kingdom. Whoever Aragon was referring to, the high counsel might have any idea who it was. Noldorin sensed a presence spying on them.

"Audric, wait for me in the inn", Noldorin patted his shoulder. "I'm coming with you", Audric insisted. "I'll make it fast. I promise", Noldorin raised his right arm.

Noldorin walked around and searched for any eerie-looking area. He saw a familiar necklace worn by the witch near their place, Lucia. He followed her until he was led to a deserted underground library. The books are rotting and the walls are nearly falling. "What does a Riverdellian man doing in my nest?", the dark blue-haired woman grabbed his shoulder. She has a snake on her shoulders. "You know who I am and I am quite sure, you know why I am here", Noldorin drew his sword and pointed it at the woman. "My name is Hyria, the snake. You met Lucia, the scorpion", Hyria walked around.

"Answer me", Noldorin stood still. "You have a long journey to travel. Why should I spoil the good ending?", Hyria laughed. "I know you witches are deceitful ones. You were thrown away by Eragon because of that", Noldorin furrowed his brow. "What do you really wish to know? Speak the questions and I will answer but don't forget about the equivalent exchange ", Hyria smirked. Noldorin stepped back. Noldorin dropped coins and Hyria let the coins slide through her hand and dropped to the floor. "That is not what I want", Hyria looked into his eyes. "What do you want then?", Noldorin made a distance. " I'll let you know and when the time comes, I'll search for you", Hyria walked away. Noldorin placed his sword back on the scabbard.

"Where can I find the last descendant of Eragon? The one true king", Noldorin pressed his lips together. "That is not a question I can answer but I can give you a piece of advice on what you are supposed to do", Hyria circled around him. "Head to the north", Hyria played with her snake. "What shall I do there?", Noldorin grabbed the snake and stopped Hyria from circling around. "Mine for precious gems, maybe", Hyria shrugged. Noldorin lets go of the snake and gave up getting information from Hyria. "You have no army to place the right heir to the throne. They're the only ones left whom you can gain favor from. The four Kingdoms have their matters to settle", Hyria explained. Noldorin started to walk away still feeling burdened hearing about the North.

"One more thing", Hyria made her voice louder. "When the river meets the sea, you can no longer separate that which is bonded. They shall become one", Hyria smirked. Noldorin turned around and no longer saw the woman.

Inn

"I killed ten boars and also skinned hundreds of rabbits", Audric was surrounded by ladies. Noldorin entered with a long face realizing how unprepared he was for the certain mission that was given to him. He pressed his chest to where the pendant of which Aragon gave him was before he died. "Oh, what a handsome man", the ladies' attention was on the tall fair-skinned man. "Would you like a cup of ale?", they offered to him. Noldorin politely rejected their offers and went directly into their room. He doesn't like the company of noise this time and never was fond of being the center of attention.

He dove onto the bed and stared at the ceiling for a short period of time before the sound of the knocking disturbed the silence. He arose from the bed and cracked his neck. He opened the door and saw a huge figure standing in front of him. He grabbed his ax and started to swing it around. Noldorin drew his sword and was able to evade the unknown man. He jumped around the small space trying not to get hit by the large ax. From the looks of it, he'll get beheaded as soon as it lands on his neck. "What is a Riverdellian doing in this place? You gave an oath to never leave your place. Unless you are one of those who rebelled", the man removed his hood. He has freckles on his face, ginger hair, and ocean-blue eyes. "You're from the North?', Noldorin studied his feature. He was unnaturally tall and huge like the books he and his father sneaked out to catch a glimpse of the outside world. "How did you know? I am right. You are a rebel", he gritted his teeth and hit the bed with the ax. Noldorin's large movements caused the pendant to reveal itself.

The huge man stopped moving around as soon as he saw the pendant. "You killed the High King?", he glared at him. "I am not sure why you knew much about us and how you figured out that I am a Riverdellian. But I find it necessary to let you know that I didn't harm the High King. I am Noldorin Maedhros, former Captain of Haven, named after King Aragon. He gave me a task which I vowed to complete", Noldorin stood with authority and dignity genuine enough for the huge man to believe. The huge man lowered his ax and then turned around. "That's not how you do it. It is right for you to give me your name as well", Noldorin stepped forward. "Don't come near me", he roared. "I was told to head North. I have no knowledge of how to reach the place without bloodshed", Noldorin admitted. "If you were anointed by the High King, he must've trusted you a lot", the huge man scoffed then started to walk away. "I could have left as soon as I heard it but I have someone with me", Noldorin informed. Audric went upstairs to check on the loud noise. He peeked and saw their ruined room. "You told me not to be suspicious and to keep it low! You're the one who messed it up", Audric crossed his arms. The huge man sighed and turned to look at the man. "Declan Erythia", he said before passing by the lad. "Come to my room, at the edge of this floor. We'll have a long night to discuss your mission", Declan sighed. Noldorin smiled and nodded.

Eragon

Palace Balcony

"Your Grace, you must've been tired. The head maidservant prepared fruits for you", Astrid said as she walked towards the younger lad, the King. She maintained a distance between them. She understood her place. "Oneison is waging a war with Bithen. It is a war we cannot afford to lose", Volde crossed his arms as he looks at the sea. "If you would allow me to go back, I would make sure to bring the head of their leader", Astrid bowed down. "You can't. You are to bore the heir to the throne. I will be sending my Knights to assist in the war", the King turned to look at her. Astrid bowed her head and was about to say something but she hesitated. Varick came with a cup of wine. "Your Grace. The Masters of Coins would like to see you", Varick informed and looked at Astrid. He sighed. "You won't be able to bear a son if you sleep separately. Do you also need my advice for that?", Varick tried to tease the boy. "You have better things to do, Royal Adviser", Volde cleared his throat. "I'll visit you in your room, Your Grace", Varick gave a wide grin.

Council Room

"The council is displeased with the King marrying a southerner but we cannot do anything about it anymore".

"This is against the law that had been established for many years".

"What if they turn their back on us?".

"Silence", Aystar, the Hand of the King also has his own headache for his son's impulsive decisions. Just a while ago, the King ordered him to prepare all the necessities for the war in the South. War is such an expensive event. "Calm down, lords and ladies. The King is knowledgeable about what he is doing. Bithen is known for its skill in fighting and its tough skin to survive under any weather. Pirates are just known in the sea, we don't have any idea how they fight inland", Aya eased the tension. The council meeting was adjourned with the council agreeing for them to participate in giving the necessities of the coming war.

Two couples were left on the platform. "You are such an incompetent man as your son. You could have stopped the wedding by strangling that woman in the bed", Aya commented. "Don't just blame me in this. We both know that even you couldn't stop the wedding. In addition to that, the Ravens are already losing their trust in us. We made that brat sit on the throne for us to re-establish our name and yet the Lords and Ladies of the Land remain the same. It's because of that Royal Adviser that you suggested", Aystar blamed on his wife. "If I haven't used any methods to make Varick as the Royal Adviser, we could have lost the loyalty of the different houses. They hated Ravens for as long as I remember", Aya reminded. "If your son does only one stupid mistake, death would be waiting at his door", Aystar stood up. "If my son was the one who lived, he should have been the one sitting on the throne", Aystar bit his lip leaving his wife tears in her eyes.

Royal Garden

Astrid is walking with the female servants. They were teaching her some of the etiquettes needed in the Palace. Aya met them halfway and heard their discussions. "Leave us", Aya looked at them. She was the Queen for five years and now it came to an end. The female servants bowed and then gave them privacy.

"You gave your word to my son, did you ask anything in return?", Aya clipped her arms on her. "I love your son, Your Grace", Astrid answered. Aya raised her eyebrow hearing the word "love" from a daughter who cut her father's head off. "My son is ruthless. You must've known that he didn't marry you because of love", Aya hummed. "I know. He married me because he wanted Bithen. Father mocked him for not having an army. All he wanted was the strength of our men and the best way to form an alliance is through marriage", Astrid looked into Aya's eyes. "And you love a man who will use you with nothing in return?", Aya was suspicious. "For the reason why I love him, I don't find it proper for others to know before him", Astrid gave a bow and gently removed Aya's grip on her.

"Your Grace. I dreamt of carrying a child whose father is worth emulating", Astrid's voice is firm. "Dream, child. The man you love has no father worth emulating. He was a monster", Aya seems to have flashbacks. "That's why the King is born out of hatred, betrayal, and suffering", Aya clenched her fist. "Are you talking about the Hand of the King?", Astrid was curious. Aya caught herself and passed through Astrid. "Your beloved King is a product of captivity. I watched my whole family butchered while he was forced into my womb", Aya whispered. "He's no noble blood. He's no pure. He is tainted to the bone", Aya added. Astrid's face changed. Volde happened to pass by and saw Aya whispering to his wife.

King's Room

Volde preparing for bed when he heard a knock. "Enter", he permitted as he sighed. He removed his shirt and waited for the man to speak but he heard nothing. He turned around; a bit startled to see the tanned princess. "Your Grace, I'm here to discuss the war. I apologize for coming this late", Astrid lowered her head. "I am your husband. You shouldn't be embarrassed seeing me half-naked", Volde clicked his tongue and wore another shirt. "Forgive me, Your Grace", Astrid lifted her head. "You are a peculiar woman. You were fearless when I first saw you. You even had a straight face when you offered your father's head to me. You've been tamed. Did my mother and father threaten you?", Volde sat on the bed. "I fear no one. I just respect you. Those are two completely different things", Astrid answered. Volde was taken back. "You speak well, woman. It's just the two of us, though. You can treat me how you wish to do so", Volde allowed. The woman stepped forward having Volde prepared for what was coming next. He wonders if she's going to retaliate against him for asking for her father's head.

Astrid sat beside him. "Can I sit here?", Astrid asked. Volde just nodded and feel frustrated for feeling awkward. Astrid removed her necklace and dropped it on Volde's hand. It was a misshaped gem that Volde couldn't recognize. "Is this someone's bone or what?", Volde looked intently. "Do you think I will just give you human parts?", Astrid chuckled. "That's a blue diamond. The limestones grew on them which made it white", Astrid explained. "This holds a such great value that you can even but a Kingdom with his", Volde held it gently. "You can have it, Your Grace. You can buy a Kingdom if you wish to", Astrid closed Volde's palm. "Astrid, this is an heirloom from your clan? Am I correct?", Volde asked. The lady nodded. "You cannot give your heirloom to anyone else. This is proof of your Family's greatness. You should protect it. People died trying to maintain your kin", Volde slightly raised his voice.

"And that is why I chose you. You will be the Father of the next heir. Both Bithen and your House. " I am a man full of scars. Things that you can see and things you cannot", Volde clenched his fist.

Chapter end.