Book 1: Chapter 9-Flower forbidden to Bloom

#9: Flower forbidden to Bloom

Oneison

Port Royal

"I've been sent by the Captain to be a representative", Gilbert sat in the middle of the Seven Treasures along with the other Masters. "You're quite favored by the Captain, lad. I can't help but think that you might be the next Captain. Don't forget me when you hold onto that scepter", John Stane, the First Mate removed his hat as a sign of respect. He was cheerful to look at and gained a lot of weight staying at the port. "I do not wish to hold the Captain's Scepter", Gilbert found the necessity to reject the scepter. "Then, why are we gathered here?", the quartermaster asked in bitterness. "The Suna of Bithen died, his daughter took his head off and gave it as a gift to the King of the Middle Kingdom. We gave our words to the Suna that we will continuously be their sworn brothers. The Captain asked for a consensus on what will the Treasures decision about this", Gilbert opened the floor for suggestions.

"We will not bend our knees for some brat sitting on the throne. Since Suna died, it means the pact was already broken", Vane crossed his arms. "His daughter still carries his blood. The vow remains", Peter, Owner of the Papers, explained how the pact goes. "We cannot rebel against the Middle Kingdom; we already settled our accounts with them. Now that they tied hands with the Ravens, they can trample us whenever they want to", Jean is aware of the remaining source of powder used for making explosives. "We are pirates, we don't bow to anyone other than our Captain", John Davis raised his hand.

Nymeria joined the table discussion. "A woman has no place at this table", Vane noticed her. "I'm not here as a woman. I am here as the escort for the man that my father has sent", Nymeria looked at Gilbert. The lady used her peripheral vision and saw shadows hiding behind the posts. "We will cast votes. The silver coin for those who agree to maintain peace with Bithen. Gold coin for those who would wish to break the pact and prepare for battle. It's either we attack Bithen while their princess is at the Middle Kingdom or die in their hands when they joint powers with the King", Gilbert initiated the voting. "The votes had been tied", Gilbert counted.

"The only one who can give the last vote would be you", Vane pointed the dagger at him. "I cannot assume such authority to cast a vote", Gilbert stood up and looked at Nymeria. "You are the one whom the Captain chose for himself. He must have seen something on you, young lad. Tell us, what do you think about this", John hummed in anticipation of what the lad had to say. "You are pirates. You are known for not letting anyone govern you but I am not one of you. That's why I cannot think the same way as you do", Gilbert gulped and sat down. "You heard him; he disowns his identity as a pirate. We don't have to waste time having you with us", Vane whistled and some pirates went out from hiding. "We're not involved with this. We just wish you luck, boy", John threw a sword at Gilbert.

The rest of the Treasures and Masters left except for Vane and his men. "You are to be arrested for disowning your identity. That is one of the grounds for execution. Be glad, you won't publicly be executed", Vane signaled his men to get him. Nymeria stood behind him. "I'll watch your back", Nymeria assured. "My lady, you need to go back with the Masters", Gilbert said worriedly. "You can't even kill a quail after you executed hundreds at that platform. How are you supposed to survive this?", Nymeria sighed and removes her sword from the scabbard.

The pirates started to attack them. "Nymeria, you are such a disgrace to your father", Vane closed his eyes and left them. Gilbert watches as Nymeria thrust her sword without hesitation. She grabbed Gilbert's hand and led him towards a secret passage. They ran without any break until they reached the creek leading to the small river. Nymeria gasped as soon as she saw a person at the opening of the cave. "Worry not, Nymeria. Someday, all I wanted would be for you to allow the pirates to have a better name other than people who steal, kill, and defile", John patted Gilbert's shoulder. "Why?", Gilbert gulped and pushed the sword back to John. The man looked at the sword full of hope. It was originally Gilbert's belonging but he found it more rational to stay away from it. The footsteps are approaching. John pushed the two as they fell into the river.

Andor

Herbarium

Zefania looks around to see if someone is following her. She stepped back and bumped into someone. "If you keep using that, you won't be able to bear children in the future", she heard the very voice she was running from. "I don't have any idea what you are talking about. The royal doctor already confirmed my condition", Zefania tried her best to hide it. "Walk with me"¸Zakili grabbed her arms and dropped the herbs. Her eyes turned teary. "One drop of your tear and you know what will happen", Zakili threatened. He lets her go and led the way heading to the inner forest.

Inner Forest

Zefania was amazed at how nature seemed to serve Zakili. The wind blew just the right amount to make allow a tolerable temperature. The animals seem to acknowledge his presence and they froze in their spots. The trees provided shade for the valuable man. Rabbits came hoping on his side. He patted them. Zefania was puzzled by the scenery in front of her. The man who's feared by the whole kingdom is cuddling a rabbit in his arms. "You were like these little ones when you first entered the Palace", Zakili remembered. Rabbits continued gathering around him. He grabbed some leaves and started to feed them. He whistled and a white tiger jumped in front of Zefania. It sniffed her. The lady stiffened. Keane is not there to save her just in case the tiger hasn't eaten anything for the last weeks. The beast just circled around her and went to Zakili.

"This is Zala, the former Kraljica's pet", Zakili informed. Zefania heard the sadness in his voice when he mentioned the late Kraljica. She never was interested in the Kingdom and just thought of ways how to get out of the Kingdom. Zakili reached out his hand to Zefania and the lady stepped forward. "The council is waiting for an heir. They are fearful", Zakili's words made Zefania stop walking. "Unlike other Kingdoms, the title of Kralj is something that no one wants to inherit", Zakili suddenly opened. They never went deep in their conversation as Zefania felt a wall that Zakili put up as soon as he announced that he has chosen her as the Kraljica. The only thing they would talk about was the tasks that Nova gave Zefania. The Kralj would just supplement the said lectures. "You have a wife before me. Wasn't she able to bear a child?", Zefania mustered the strength to ask him.

Zakili's aura changed making the rabbits jump away from him. Zala, the white tiger remained on his side licking his hand. "You are really an ignorant woman", Zakili scoffed and looked at Zefania. "No, you're just a child", Zakili took back naming her a woman. Zefania's stomach started to ache. She feels like kneeling on the ground but Zakili would notice and suspect her. "Stop drinking those herbs. You cannot fool me", Zakili carried her in his arms. "I will have the servants attend to your needs once we go back to the Palace. You cannot run away from your responsibilities as the Kraljica", Zakili looked at her eyes with some touch of gentleness.

Kraljica's Room

"I don't know what it feels like", Zefania lies down on her bed while Keanne lighted the lamps and burned some nightshade to help her sleep. "Do you want me to teach you? Well, the best way for you to get through it is through wine. You can drink at your fill and let the Kralj finish it all the way through", Keane discussed with a smile on his face. Zefania felt blood rushing down her cheeks. The man caught the pillow that the lady threw with all her might. "That's not what I mean", Zefania covered her face with a blanket. "What an innocent child. Don't worry, the Kralj also doesn't have many experiences with women", Keane assured. "I don't know what it feels like being a mother", Zefania said in a soft voice. There was silence between them.

"What a coincidence. Kralj also doesn't know what it feels like", Keane sat on the edge of her bed. Zefania seems to be intrigued and removed her blanket. Keane was looking down at her with pair of gentle and kind eyes. "What else do you know about the Kralj?", Zefania sat down leveling her face with her guard. "Kralj isn't chosen by name or by blood. Regardless if you are a bastard or a peasant's son, you can be a Kralj. It wasn't the people who choose their king either but as soon as you held the Scepter, your name is changed to Andor", Keanne paused. "How does a Kralj claim the Scepter?", Zefania was more curious. They heard a knock on the door. "It's a tiring day, Kraljica. I would be visiting you this morning", Keanne bowed and then left the room.

Nova entered as well. "Kraljica, starting tomorrow. You will be sleeping with the Kralj", Nova informed.

Eragon

Throne Room

"In the name of our forefathers, you are tied by blood and let no man or any prowess separate thy hearts", the high priest tied their hands in the red thick rope which was believed to be dipped in dragon's blood. Volde cupped the woman's face and bend down to give a peck on her lips.

Geryon and Varick stood next to each other. "Does that count as a kiss? Did you also advise him who to choose?", Geryon teased. "He is old enough to even choose whom he would like to spend his life with", Varick sighed. "Just in case he got what he needs, do you think he won't slit her throat", Geryon asked. Varick looked at Volde raising the hand of Astrid as if she was a hero of a battle. The King married a southerner which poses a threat to Oneison. It's either they will bend the knee or wage war in Bithen while their supposed commander is away.

"It doesn't matter if those pirates will bend the knee, the King already vowed to the new Queen that they will eradicate every single pirate", Aystar butted in their conversation. "And how will he do it? If we leave the Palace unguarded, Andor will attack us", Varick asked without looking at the Hand of the King. "Did you forget? My ambitious wife didn't leave her son all those years just to roam around cities. She convinced almost all of the Ravens to join her in claiming back what was theirs", Aystar explained.

Riverdell

Reinys Room

"I can't think of any other ways to keep you alive", Vaeril said while facing the door. They locked Reinys for almost half a year. "Is this how you protect me? You might as well want to break my legs and take them off so that I may not be able to run away. Still, I have hands to crawl away from here ", Reinys had a faint voice. "I don't know what that witch whispered to you but Noldorin is going to fulfill a prophecy that can never be stopped", Vaeril tried to convince his daughter. She attempted to leave the hidden kingdom five times.

"I'm a defective father which means I will age faster than you. I might even die earlier than you. Won't you allow me to love Noldorin with just the remaining days I have", Reinys walked towards the door. "I love you, my child. I also love this Kingdom your grandfather protected countless times from Outsiders. That's why, whether you like it or not. You will have to bear the next heir to the throne. You will raise him and teach him how to hold the scepter. You will have to marry my brother's son. There is more to chasing shadows we can never hold. Let your fate chase you and not the other way around", Vaeril pushed his palm against the door.

Throne Room

Faelar stood in front of the throne seat with the scepter lying down. "Will he hold it?", Vaeril suddenly appeared. "Noldorin will never return to this place", Faelar informed. "How fortunate for you to see what's coming", Vaeril sighed. "Your Grace, I know how much you love your daughter and I know the fear of having only one. She's delicate and fragile. She needs to be protected", Faelar turned his stares to the High King. "You have all the right to keep her in the palace, safe from the uncertainties of the outside world. Even I, who can see the future, was never sure of the decision I had made and will make. That is why, if you think that her highness should follow after Noldorin, I won't question your decision", Faelar bowed his head. "I don't have such an ability to see how it's going to be for her. I am not like you who has the confidence to send Noldorin away", Vaeril bit his lip and stiffened his shoulders. "A warrior doesn't win a battle without any wounds. I wasn't confident either but knowing my son, he will not take His Grace's words lightly", Faelar held on his shoulder.