Book 2: Chapter 2-Let the Dead be in Peace

#2: Let the Dead be in Peace

Andor

Zakili passed by and saw Keanne standing outside the Kraljica's door. "Did she eat anything?", Zakili asked. Keane nodded. "She still thinks of the life inside of her. She cannot afford to lose two at the same time", Keanne bowed his head. The Kralj opened the door and saw Zefania curled in the bed gritting her teeth trying to suppress the tears from bursting. Zakili sat on the edge of her bed. "Tell me, how did my father die?", Zefania sat down and grabbed the man's arm. She burrowed her fingers into Zakili's trembling arm. At that moment, the man known for being emotionally stable to keep his military intact felt extreme fear deep inside him. He was afraid that if he told her the truth, his wife will leave her again. "He was killed by the young King. He offered him a drink made of hellebore and stabbed him. ", Zakili lied. It was a drink that he offered to the King which Varick voluntarily drank. The man clenched his fist and pulled the lady to give her a tight embrace.

"Forgive me for not being able to save him", Zakili bit his lip and brushed Zefania's hair with his long slender fingers. "My stomach hurts, Zakili. Can you call Nova for me?", Zefania held onto her lower abdomen. Zakili went out and called Keanne to follow him.

Holding Hall for Children of the Lost

Zakili and Keanne stood in front of the huge cell with thick iron bars. Keane can smell blood from inside. He can also feel the overwhelming blood lust. One of them must have died. "Until when are we going to let the others die?!", Zakili looked at the man. "What are you asking me to do?", Keanne looked at the ground. "I can no longer control them. I'm scared, brother. I don't want to show Zefania to them", Zakili gulped. "I don't want her to get eaten like her", the Kralj, the most important man in Andor, held onto his chest and felt bitterness inside. "If you cannot protect her, do you mind if I take her for me?", Keanne raised his chin and looked seriously at his King. The man grabbed his neck and had a burning dislike for what Keanne suggested. "Once you think of those thoughts again, be reminded of your extreme dislike of imagining her with someone else. You are the one who is with her right now because you chose to be", Keanne held unto the iron bars. The children of the lost stepped back.

Eragon

Royal Court

"The Andor broke their pact with us. We are going to wage a war with them", Aystar sat on the highly desired seat of the Kingdom and held the most powerful scepter from the five kingdoms. "Your Grace, Riverdell had expressed their rejection of your becoming the King", Wise Cressen read the letter from the citadel. "Any more?", Aystar asked. "The North sent their regards but without any confirmation of yielding to your rulership. Currently, you have control over Oneison ", Wise Cressen added. The old man's hands are trembling in sadness and sorrow. His student died at the hands of the Ravens. Two of his former Kings were murdered in front of him without him being able to do anything.

"How about that Bithen woman?", Aya seemed to be a bit concerned about her whereabouts. "She's at the cell, the soldiers are waiting for your permission for execution", one of the soldiers answered. "Then execute her tomorrow", Aystar, the 112th King of Eragon, just shove off the conversation like that. A soldier came marching into the throne room. He dropped Jack's head in front of the King. "I came to fulfill the mission", Geryon reported. "Well done. Kingsguard. For fulfilling your duty, you are to be rewarded a land and also the wife of your choice", Aystar clapped his hand but his eyes weren't laughing. "I don't need your reward. I came here to bid farewell, traitor. I serve no other King than the First of the Flock", Geryon dropped his pin as the Kingsguard. "You will regret this day, Geryon of the house Erythia", Aystar stood up and halted the soldiers preparing to take the man's head off. He's seen so much blood spill. He would like to give the hall's floor some dignity just for one day.

Royal Garden

Geryon walked to the peaceful garden and cursed it. How is it so peaceful when just a few days ago, his friend and his King died? He had flashbacks of his days with Varick training Volde to be a wise and brave King. He saw how much Volde had grown from being such an egocentric brat to a man who deserves his position. "You are leaving?", the old man followed him from the throne room. "You should think about your life as well, Wise. You had been a prisoner of this place. I am headed to Andor. I can drop you off at some peaceful village", Geryon suggested. "My heart isn't at peace to know that ravens are brooding over this place scavenging the corpse of the pasts", Cressen coughed and sat at the huge pile of rock. "So long, Wise", the soldier was about to take another step. "Can you take the lady with you? She was your Queen. They are to behead her tomorrow", Cressen informed. "Alone man like me can't withstand a thousand arrows directed towards me", Geryon looked down and felt a thug on his chest.

"If this woman is someone you cannot save, at least save another one. The young lady has still held captive in Andor. The King is preparing to wage a war against their ally for abandoning them during the rebellion. It caused the death of Raven and Eragon soldiers", Cressen almost bent his knees to give the request but Geryon held onto his shoulder. "If that's the quest I can do for a dead friend. There's a higher chance that I can do it. But what can I do for my dead King?", Geryon bit his lip. "You already paid him with your loyalty, Geryon. You rejected the offer of being a lord as well as having land just to buy your loyalty for the new King", Cressen patted his back. "I've lost a precious friend and my pride as a Kingsguard, I wasn't there when they both died. I shall forever walk in this land with shame", the huge man covered his face.

Rowan's Moat Castle

Round Table

"I want to retrieve my brother's daughter in Andor", Lester opened. Reinys played with her knife given by Noldorin when she was just young. It was sharp with white marble stones as its handle. "I haven't been to Andor. I heard they practiced a lot of black magic in that place", Reinys had an interest. "My lady, it seems that we can also look for the person you had been searching for in that palace. Allow me to give my suggestion", Oliver stood up. "Speak", Reinys sat properly. "How about half of the men will rescue my niece? The rest will be searching for the man to who you are referring", Oliver suggested. "Who will stay here?", Lester was doubtful of the plan. "You may stay here, brother. Along with the rest of the brothers. We cannot afford to lose you. Dillon and I will lead this expedition. Dillon will be searching for his princess while I will be looking for the man her lady had been looking for", Oliver's eyes were brightened talking about the man to which Reinys had been referring. Ever since she mentioned him, Oliver hasn't stopped his obsession to meet him. "What do you think about that suggestion, lord Lester?", Reinys looked at the man who seems to calculate the situation. "The main objective is to save Zefania", Mance stood up and raised his hand. "Our main objective is to save Zefania and look for Noldorin", Reinys gave a serious look.

The brothers left. Dillon, Lester, and Reinys were left. After some time, the freshly forged swords were presented to the soldiers. Lester saw the amazement in the eyes of the soldiers. "I can buy thousands of swords with just one gem from my necklace. I also bought some horses", Reinys looked down from the window. "We still have something else, aside from being good riders", Dillon was insulted by the comment. "Show me then, knight boy", Reinys had a short laugh. "Dillon, take the princess to the underground", Lester ordered.

Underground Hall

Reinys was awes trucked to see such an intricate hall with traces of gold and silver on the walls and posts. "Eragon had a good relationship with Rowan but I didn't think he was blessed enough with this underground passage", the lady commented. In the middle of the hall was a large mirror. Reinys felt as if it was calling her. "I just have to light up the torches. Don't do anything stupid", Dillon had a poker face and left her in the middle. The temptation was so strong. Reinys went closer to the mirror with the feeling that it will suck her anytime. Her right hand raised itself and pressed her palm against the crystal clear mirror. She lost consciousness.

Reinys Vision

Reinys opened her eyes and felt detached from her body. She looked at her hand and saw how nearly transparent she is. She stood in the middle of the forest with children playing around. They passed through her as if she was a ghost. She realized that it was a vision. In the distance, she can see a beautiful woman with hair as brown as the muddy soil and eyes so green as the grasses in the valley. She was surrounded by butterflies and children sat in front of her listening to a story.

"For the dragon and a man made a pact, that no one would pierce through the man's heart and no one shalt disturbs the peace of the large beast. The man had scales, the dragon had peace. Both the conquered the war within and the war outside".

"Princess!".

Reinys woke up and saw that she was lying down in front of the mirror. It was such a surreal experience. "Tell me, Dillon. What did the dragon ask Eragon when he gave his word to him?", Reinys asked while still lying on the ground. Dillon was puzzled but he gave his answer.

"Peace".

"From what?", Reinys slowly sat down.

"Dragons had endless inner battles within themselves. Men had endless battles outside of their own world".

North Kingdom of Eire

Abandoned Castle

"I also have brothers in the east of the North. With this number, you won't be able to get past the gate of the capital", Gezer drank his ale. Noldorin stabbed some meat with his fork and furrowed his brow. "Don't worry, one of the boys saw a deer lost in the snow", Gezer laughed. "I don't eat meat", Noldorin put the fork down. "You may feast on the herbs if you want", Gezer sighed. "We don't need many people. The more people we add to this group, the more people we need to owe", Noldorin grabbed a map he bought in Eragon and spread it on the table. "This is the houses of the Eire. Add the house of Stan and Loira, there are more than ten houses that support the second brother as their rightful King. We just need to convince them that their prince is alive", Noldorin encircled the houses. "Eire people aren't as gullible as you thought", Declan shook his head. "I've heard of stories before", Noldorin opened. "Of winter fairies?!", Gezer and the rest of the giants laughed. "My father was allowed to leave Riverdell and journey in this region to find a deserter and punish him. He mentioned those that looked like fire fairies at a distance. One after the other, lights will show up in the dark and cold kingdom. What might those be?", the story shut the mouth of the giants. Declan searched for an answer in his mind. It had been a decade since the last time he spent with his father.

Audric entered with firewoods in his arm. "Fire", Declan answered. The two repeated it. "Father had the amusement of setting up the huge fire. He makes sure that all the people in the town are reminded that the cold isn't something that can kill us", Declan had a smile on his face while remembering it. "Fire, it is. Audric, we have a long night to collect thousands of firewood", Noldorin winked at the young child.

"We will spread the wildest fire the north had ever seen", Noldorin held unto his pendant.

Chapter end.