"If you go that route then you're on your own. I can't help you, and you'll be dead or a prisoner in a short matter of time. I can't ally with a dead man. I'm trying to help, but be reasonable." Laelliandir tossed his hood back on and turned. "Nightfall. Be there or not. It is up to you." He retreated up the stairs leaving King Edward and General Kadwalador to decide their fate. To return home empty-handed would bring great shame, but to never return at all would be worse.
Chapter Five
The Calling
A fter leaving Kadwalador and King Edward to discuss their next move, Laelliandir hurried back through the halls of the castle making his way to his bedroom chamber where he grabbed two prepacked bags and his Novanian blade. He had missed his mother, Bella, and Luminear by mere moments when the three had stopped by to check up on him. After securing his chamber door, he set out, this time to the prisons of Garroth where he had one more item to collect.
A panicky Bella Luna caught up with Lady Laella, who had retreated to her bedchambers after the wedding reception. She’d come to inquire after Laelliandir's whereabouts. After Lady Laella heard Bella suspected her son intended to harm her new husband, she too joined the search for Laelliandir. Lady Laella did not get the city guard involved as she wished to speak to him herself. Throughout the keep, they looked for him until almost sundown when the three, at last, spotted him riding his white horse beyond the castle gate into the city. Given he was leaving Garroth, it appeared he had no intention of harming Albatros.
Laella led the two girls straight to the stables planning to go after him. She instructed her guard to stay behind. What her son was up to, she did not know, but she intended to find out. Luminear, who was aware of more than the other two, kept her silence and Laelliandir's secret.
As Laelliandir left the city, he stopped one last time to look back at Garroth when he saw two horses, one bearing Bella and Luminear while his mother rode the other. It was a sight he did not welcome, but he stopped and waited for them to catch up.
"Laelliandir, what is the meaning of this?" questioned his mother as they rode upon him. Bella jumped from her horse after it came to a stop and ran before Laelliandir.
"Where are you going?" Laelliandir caught Luminear's eye and realized she had kept his secret.
"I'm leaving Garroth for a time. There are things I have to do."
"Lae!" Bella blurted out in worry. "No notice? Just like that?"
Lady Laella interrupted, suspecting he was angry about the wedding. "I didn't have a choice, son. I had to marry him. We were all in jeopardy if I did not. You must understand this."
"I know! I understand. This is not about that, though."
"What is it?" Bella asked on the verge of panic.
"I am going to see the Overlords and try to talk them out of their current plans to acquire the remaining kingdoms. They plan to turn Divox into one ruling state."
"You already knew?" Lady Laella had expected to tell Laelliandir this information, so this came as a surprise. Laelliandir nodded in answer. "The High Queen just told me. She asked for you to prepare the armies in case of rebellion."
"I've had my eye on them for months. Javalla has a lot of loyalists who don't agree with the Overlords, and they've been keeping me informed. I'm one of the only White Lions left and the son of Orion. That must mean something. Uncle has lost his mind, and if father were alive, they would never have taken Neighraellium's advice over his. I'm his son and I must reverse this before it ever begins."
"And if they don't listen?" Lady Laella asked.
"Then we're all in trouble. Uncle must be removed from power. The poison or father's death has disturbed his thinking. He's not right. He's evil, and I can feel it. I must stop this. It's my calling. My duty as the last acting true White Lion of the house Javalla. Neighraellium is not a Lion, but a snake." Bella stepped closer, reaching for the reins of his horse.
"Write to them then! Your place is here. You can't leave us." Bella urged. Caught by surprise, Lady Laella noticed tears forming in Bella’s eyes, and the wrenching pain in her voice as she pleaded with Laelliandir. She thought Bella may have liked him, but now Laella realized to what extent, measured by Bella’s distress. "What if they don't like what you say? What if they consider it treason? What if we go to jail?" As she often did, Bella expressed her emotions by shouting in anger. However, Laelliandir was blind to how attached Bella was to him. Even with her outburst, he remained oblivious.
"Jail? No, I won't be jailed. They can't do that because I request counsel. I won't be gone but a month at most, Bell, and we'll pick right up with your sword training. You are leagues beyond any of the other students I've taught."
"Sword training? You think that's what I'm worried about?" Bella shot back. "We all need you. I need you here. You're... I'll miss you." Bella's voice broke. Laelliandir picked up on it this time as did his mother.
"Stop that, Bella. My son doesn't need emotional girls clinging to his horse." Displeased and uncomfortable, Lady Laella lectured. "If he said he will go, then he's going. He is acting Lord of Gargurthian and a White Lion of Javalla." She shifted her focus back on Laelliandir. "Is there anything we can say that will change your mind?" Laella hid her own emotions as she waited. She knew her son well. Should the lords reject his advice, he would find another way, but would not turn his back on what he perceived as injustice. Laelliandir shook his head to confirm his mother's words.
"I have to do this. I'm sorry. Please, turn around. Don't make this harder than it should be." He looked between all three. Distraught, Laella turned her head while Luminear looked on with sympathy.
"Laelliandir," Luminear said, getting his attention. "Take care of yourself and come back in one piece. You may have a duty out there, but you have one here too. We all need you." Laelliandir nodded at his friend, but Bella fumed. Every day for months she'd been waking up and going to sleep thinking of this young man, and him leaving was too much to bear.
"Lae, please!" Bella pleaded. Laelliandir knew he'd miss them all, Bella maybe more than any, but he had responsibilities that far outweighed anything else. "You can't!"
"Bell. I promise I'll return. I enjoy our days too much not to,” he said kindly reaching to kiss the back of her hand, hoping it might help. "I will miss you terribly, but this must be done."
"If that's how you want it, then go on! Leave us then. Right when we need you." Lady Laella veiled her sadness, joining Bella with her temper. "Girls! Come on! Let the man do what he must!" Luminear looked between Laella and Bella finding their outbursts most unsettling.
"Everyone, please stay calm and stop yelling. This isn't helpful." Luminear tried squeezing in, yet her advice went entirely ignored.
"Lady Laella! Make him stop, please!" Bella begged, tightening her grip on his hand.
"Bella Luna! I'm not telling you again! Let him go!" Laelliandir was much like Luminear wishing everyone would settle down.
"Mother," Laelliandir interrupted sternly. "Bell." He turned his attention to her as her eyes filled with tears. "I'll be back. I would never leave you all if I wasn’t sure I would return. Take care of my mother, Bell. I promise you." Bella slowly began releasing her grip wanting badly to believe him.
"You better." She wept. Laelliandir smiled then looked back to Luminear.
"And take care of your sister, Lumi. And all of you keep an eye on that minotaur parading around in my house." He tried to lighten the mood by joking. "You're all going to have your hands filled with that one."
"Well, at least he is a man that will be in the house, and not running off," his mother snapped. "Bella now! I'm not telling you again." She reached out and pulled Bella's hands away from her son.
"Come on, Bell," Luminear pleaded not wanting it to be harder than it was already. Bella kept her eyes glued on Laelliandir though and ripped her arm back to grab Laelliandir's hand once more.
"You better come back! We'll be waiting for you. I'll be waiting for you." Laelliandir was taken by surprise, starting to understa
nd that Bella liked him more than he was aware. Honestly, it felt nice her clinging to him in such concern. Nice, but it also made it harder to leave. Laella had had enough, however. She grabbed the back of Bella's dress, pulling her back once more.
"I will, Bell. I promise. I will return. If there is a delay, I will send word. Now follow mother's orders, or you'll be scrubbing out dungeons. Mother, be good to them!" Bella nodded, a few tears trailing down her cheeks.
"Just go, son. They'll be fine. I'll be fine," Laella reassured her son.
Laelliandir looked to the three one last time and nodded, "I love you, mother. I'll return in no time."
After their farewells, Laelliandir turned his horse and rode into the sunset while Laella, Bella, and Luminear turned toward Garroth. As they rode, Laella warned them to keep quiet about Laelliandir's whereabouts. Then she asked the girls to accompany her to her chambers to help get dressed for the evening dinner ball. She looked for an opening to speak with Bella about her feelings for Laelliandir but couldn't find one. For now, Lady Laella let it go. She saw Bella as young and foolish, and she understood her son had too much on his mind, being deeply involved in politics to acknowledge Bella's crush. Laella did not yet realize Laelliandir likewise was too occupied to comprehend his own attraction to Bella. For now, Laella could focus on diverting Bella's attention to Markus, Fern, or other boys. Laella was unlikely to tolerate unity between her son and Bella as Luminear was all too aware. For Luminear, Bella's developing attachment to the esteemed White Lion was a growing concern.
While the three returned to Garroth and prepared for the rest of the events, Laelliandir rode about an hour north arriving on the banks of the northern river which divided Divox and Tragmont of elven country. It wasn't long riding along the shore until he spotted the green-cloaked and hooded Kadwalador and King Edward still disguised as vagabonds. Laelliandir rode upon them, as they awaited his arrival on the riverfront under the gleam of a half-moon. He stopped and tossed a brown bag near their feet. It landed with a thud.
"What is that?" Kadwalador grimaced at the bag as Laelliandir's horse halted before them.
"It's a head."
"Whose head?" asked King Edward.
"Some unfortunate soul who died today in the torture chambers. He's an older man, about the age of your fugitive. He's skinny and has withered flesh. You can take it home to your people and pretend to have found this Icaz of yours and claim to have beheaded him yourself. As I told you, the real tyrant died some time ago, and his remains’ location is unknown. By the time you get home, the head should be decayed enough to pass for whoever you want it to be."
"So, lie?" Edward disapproved of that option.
"We don't have a lot of choices, Edward." reminded Kadwalador.
"I'll know the truth. Kadwalador will know the truth. You expect us to lie and live with ourselves?"
"I couldn't do it,” Laelliandir admitted. “It is up to you, but in this world, lies are plentiful and around every corner. I'm beginning to wonder if everything I’ve believed isn't one big lie. You feared to return empty-handed, and now you don't have to. I'm not proud of it, but I...” Laelliandir hesitated as the two northerners listened. "I used the sketch of your fugitive to mark the head. I tried to create the same scars upon your fugitive's face, like those on the wanted poster. For credibility." The idea disgusted Edward.
"Who was this man?" Kadwalador asked.
"Just a poor beggar that tried to steal food. Maybe he still can serve a useful purpose now, and perhaps Xio will forgive him in the afterlife." Kadwalador reached down and chucked the bag over his shoulder.
"Keep your southern God. We have no use for him. Now how do we go back?" Kadwalador demanded.
"This is what you want? To return?" Laelliandir asked one more time.
"Aye. For now. You send word to my cousin, and you keep your word not to lose contact with us. I want updates and eventually Lonewolf if you want an alliance." Laelliandir nodded his agreement with the Northern King.
"Of course. I'll send word to Lockage tonight. It'll take a long time to reach their ear, but they will have word. If you're determined not to take the tunnel you came from, then a few miles ahead there is a small contraption that can get you across this river." Laelliandir reassured the two as they all looked at the intimidating water. To brave the river appeared to be certain death for the current was mighty and the river over a mile in width. To step foot in such a flow would be dangerous. "I'll lead you if we are agreed."
"The horses you promised?" Kadwalador asked.
"They are also waiting there. I had them sent out here earlier by one of my people."
"Before we even gave you an answer?" Kadwalador grunted, his usual temper in evidence.
"I trusted you'd make the wise decision, General." While Laelliandir impressed Edward, Kadwalador remained skeptical yet envied the younger man's respect. Besides, he prided himself on being unpredictable, and Laelliandir's correct assumptions infuriated him.
Regardless, the trio hiked up the riverfront for about an hour until they came upon a ferry bobbing on the side of the river with two horses standing inside it. The boat was more like a large raft, with high bulky sides to keep the water out. It had been anchored down, and a long series of ropes that stretched diagonally across the water kept the boat in place as well. "This contraption goes one way. Once I lift these anchors, this raft will follow the course of the rope it's connected to and sail with the current until it reaches the other side. There is no coming back until the current slows down, and that won't be for months." Ropes were set up to guide the raft and had been drilled into the wood itself, to assure it would not stop until reaching the shore on the opposite side of the river. Kadwalador and Edward had seen nothing like it before, and it made them nervous.
"Will it work?"
"Oh yes. To get to the other side where the ropes stop. The ends of the ropes are pinned into the ground on the other side of the river. You'll get there safely. You can trust me."
"Oddly enough, I do." King Edward Dawnhand said, looking to Kadwalador and Laelliandir before he braved the square raft which straddled land and water.
"Humph." Kadwalador groaned, looking at the rapid river then back to Divox. "Gratitude is in order, I suppose. You keep your word, boy." Laelliandir assured the two he would and helped assist Kadwalador into the rocking raft. After wishing them well on their journey home, he raised the anchors one at a time and pushed the raft into the raging river, where they took off in haste. In no time they bridged the distance across the river. Although difficult to make out, Laelliandir stayed on the shore until they reached the other side where he saw them disembark with their horses.
"Lord Xio, let them make it home safe. Let me make it home safe," Laelliandir spoke aloud as he turned his horse from the river to the southeast, toward Nova. "To Nova!" He kicked his white steed with his heels, and they were off.
Chapter Six
Final Attempt
T wo weeks after taking leave from Garroth, Laelliandir rode into the kingdom of Nova, the supreme power of Divox. The High Queen arrived two days before Laelliandir as he stopped in a village along the way to tend to pressing matters with Javalla loyalists. For a young man, Laelliandir had many followers who were devoted to his father before him. Although their allegiance lay primarily with Nova, the Javalla family was where their loyalty remained.
The past six months had irreparably damaged Laelliandir’s loyalty to Nova. Given the trial of Lonewolf, Ockgillith and Albatros ending in a ruling that led to the unjust marriage of his widowed mother, along with his growing concern about the relationship between his uncle and Lonewolf, Laelliandir’s ambition had shifted, and he had been very busy making his own plans. With the state of Divox rule only getting worse, Laelliandir sensed it was time to act.
In the past, the house of Javalla shared responsibility with the High King and Queen, but here of late only Neighraellium seemed to hold any sway over the ruling pair. This change made not only La
elliandir nervous, but also counselors, soldiers, and loyalists to the Javalla name. Laelliandir did not intend to give up his power without making sure their voices were also heard, and he had already set in motion plans to counter any sudden movement the throne made which he found an abuse of the Overlord's power.
Standing by were several hundred loyalists and spies throughout villages between the Novanian lands and Gargurthian. Many of these people scrutinized the capital of Nova itself. Even if Laelliandir were young, he'd not earned the title of "White Lion" without merit. He was keen, cunning, brave, and kind to his people. Many of the Javalla loyalists wondered if Laelliandir didn't belong on the throne in Nova, but Laelliandir did not seek ultimate power. He still believed in the law of the land, but feared that his uncle and others with wicked agendas deceived their leaders and fed their paranoia. He had not abandoned his country, but was ready to act if the Overlords dared overstep their power. After a short stay with some of his most trusted loyalists, he sent each of them into the southernmost lands of Divox to pay a little visit to the lords of kingdoms that Nova intended to conquer. While there, he also kept his word and dispatched a letter to Lord Lucas Dawnhand in Lockage to notify him of his King and General's whereabouts.
From there, Laelliandir made his way to Magwhen arriving early on a mid-Autumn morning. Nova sat within a vast valley beneath a mountainous region that enclosed it in a backward U shape. A calm river flowed along the rim of the mountains that branched off the same rapids where Kadwalador and King Edward Dawnhand had crossed not long before. Past the river, a lush green forest bordered the river and mountain. Beyond that stood Nova's castle towering into the cliffs with the massive city below filling the entire valley. Laelliandir rode in from the north and stopped long enough to admire the splendor of one of the greatest mortal cities ever made. Unlike the towering Wonder City, Lockage, Magwhen was lengthy and broad. High white stone walls rose in the air one hundred feet from one side of the far mountainscape all the way across the valley to the other mountainscape. The city had thousands of homes and buildings within, compacted together so that there were few trees. White stone roads traversed across the city, going this way and that between marketplaces and neighborhoods filled with various-shaped abodes in a variety of colors.
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