Diara flies to the North as fast she can. A battle is upon Ga'Hoole and she has to relay the message. Now 19 hours remain as she reaches the Northern Forest. The mists dissipate as it makes a clear path for the messenger. It is fairly odd, but works. The messenger has an easy path to the mountains and is getting close to the palace, where Lydea remains with her daughter.
It has been a few nights since Josh had left the North. The worried mother is concerned for what affect her beloved husband is having on the Ga'Hoolian monarchy. Already, she senses something with her snowsight. She had a vision of Coryn speaking to his people saying that they will keep Josh in the dark and another of both the king and queen, her in-laws, Boron and Barran, dying. She sees that he wants vengeance for the usurped throne, but she herself has the same level of understanding as her husband.
Currently at this time, Lydea is having a meeting with the Northern Council while Sina sits quietly in the corner reading. Since Josh has been away, Lydea decides to take her daughter everywhere with her. She is still worries for the Pure Ones, as they have been around. Ever since she had the near-death experience that Ezylryb had saved her from, she has been yeep. She has been also very worried of Pure Ones since she had become queen also. She always has the Northern Army patrolling the area and watching the palace (and her daughter's hollow when she and Josh aren't there).
They are arguing about the current situation, which is Josh's battle, and whether they have to get involved or not. The North is renounced for being neutral and not getting involved, that is what most, and their queen are saying that they do. Lydea opposes violence at any measure, since her near death experience and her status as being pacifist. Two members do not agree with the pacifist ideals. The floor is open to any suggestions.
There are 12 members of the council. Queen Lydea at the head of it and there being 11 more members. The 11 represent their regions and Lydea represents the mountains. There are at least six Snowy Owls (including her highness) and the other six are other species that live in the North.
"We are not getting involved with the Aristocratic War at any costs, milady. If we do, that will leave us open to attacks from Nyra and the Pure Ones. We all don't want a repeat of what happened in the Northern Coup." Zach says
"On the contrary, we would be doing his highness a favour by helping him take back the kingdom of Ga'Hoole." Bray says on the offensive
"Surely we would be informed of his highness' progress? It has been three weeks since he left." Adie asks
The doors of the council room open and Diara is escorted in by two guards. She then steps before Lydea and bows her head.
"I have an urgent message for Queen Lydea of Snow. It is from King Coryn of Hoole." Diara announces
She hands the Northern Queen the scroll. Young Sina has been intrigued by the hubbub and is looking with utter curiosity. She may be young, but she takes after her father greatly. She already reads books at her young age. It is said that Sina also has the gift of intelligence like her father, but remains a child. She still plays dolls and has little tea parties all the time. Lydea is still reading and maintaining her stance on the relevant topic. It is a make or break decision she is dealing with, but if she doesn't assert her power, they will be lead into the Aristocratic war and her pacifist ideals will be tested.
"What does it say, Queen Lydea?" Liza asks
Lydea turns her head to look at her daughter who is still playing with her blocks and says "Sina, get mummy her stationary set."
Her council is baffled on why she had asked for her stationary, seeing as they don't even know what the scroll is about. They all have a small discussion as Lydea is looking at the door. Little Sina waddles back in carrying a box of pens and paper scented with the fine fragrance of lavender.
"What happened?" Adie asks
"Josh is almost upon claiming his throne." She replies
She takes a piece of paper with a letter and she moves the gavel on the table aside as she begins to write her reply. She speaks aloud her letter as she wants her council to listen to what she was going to say to them before.
"Dear Coryn,
I am not going to support my husband, neither you, in this time. in the North, we are of neutral as we do not approve of getting involved with such regimes. Sure, we are allies in battle, however, since I myself am pacifist and most of my council agrees, I have decided to stay as a neutral power in the ranks of this aristocratic war. I know my husband can be threatening, but I am sure you will find a way or die trying. The Northern Council members and I have aligned ourselves neutral and we wish to stay uninvolved.
Signed,
Lydea Schana, Queen of the Northern Kingdom."
"I'll take that." Diara says
The messenger takes the letter that Lydea had sealed with a royal stamp before quickly flying off. The council is slightly approving, but some are perturbed about what their queen had said about the status of their kingdom. Most agree it is wise to stay out of it, as they are too pacifist like their queen and some would care to disagree, as she had ignored a plea of help from the "usurper" of the Ga'Hoolian throne.
In the midst of all the drama, young Princess Sina is a tad confused. She already knows that Pure Ones are bad owls and Guardians are good, but she doesn't know most of the words that her mother said. She is a mere four years old and she comes beside her mother, who then lifts her up onto her perch and cuddles her under her wing while the council still talks.
"Mummy, where is daddy?" Sina asks
"Gone for a bit, but he will return soon. If not, we will visit." Lydea replies to her daughter before giving her a big kiss on the head
Later, In Ga'Hoole, Coryn and Liana are in Coryn's study. It is less than nine hours till the fight and Diara hasn't returned yet. Coryn is looking out the hollow entrance as the gong tolls to mark eight hours to go. He knows the battle will be soon as he had sent Soren to supervise the training. Coryn is worried and confident at the same time. Since last night, Coryn has been worried for what would happen in the battle later on. He is especially worried on how he will keep Liana safe. Liana is reading another book, seeing as they don't have these sorts of books in the library of her home of Middle Kingdom. Most of them are kept away from her for when she comes of age. She finds that annoying most of the time.
Then he steps down from the entrance to see Liana. The Middle Princess remains engrossed in her book as she is a bookworm when you come to think about it. He sits next to her and she seems unfazed as she is still reading. Coryn has known her for a year and a half and she enjoys reading about histories and legends. Her father, Zeke had always allowed for Liana to read books, as it keeps her happy. He has been hesitant to learn some histories, since he thinks she is a child and is barely mature. However, Liana is more grown up than she thinks. She had only been allowed to hear some of the Middle Kingdom legends from when she was thirteen; she had decided to study them all by herself.
One thing to note is that Coryn has been admiring Liana for a year and a half, meaning, as long as he had known her. They had become good friends. She also somewhat admires Coryn as she thinks of him as a noble soldier. She overlooks his title as King of Ga'Hoole and likes him for who he really is. He overlooks the stereotype of the typical princess as she is a furious fighter, always likes to help out, and doesn't mind being covered in dirt from head to talon.
"What's up? Are you still waiting?" She asks
"I am. Eight hours to go…" He replies with a frown
"Is something troubling you? Is it the battle?" She asks
"Liana, I will die out there. Josh is stronger than me and has more forces behind him. I just know that I will not be strong enough to go on a one on one with the top of the senior year student. I haven't heard from your father or even Lydea yet and I am worried about Nyra too." He replies
"Coryn, I don't like it when you are sad." She says
We share a smile and then Diara coughs. I take the scroll and read it as Diana flies off. I go over to the door As I read every word. Upon reading her reply, my heart sinks. Lydea isn't going to help neither I nor Josh. By the sounds of it, she knows that I am going to die. As far as I know, she has the ability of what they call "Snowsight". It is like my firesight, but she can see into the past and it is only about events that link to the future, not just random stuff or whatever. Liana approaches me and I put the scroll down. I understand why she would be neutral, but why won't she help me. I need all the help I can get and she declines. I'll just let her that go now.
"What did it say?" She asks me
"Lydea is neutral and a pacifist. She will not help me, nor Josh in this battle. She is pacifist in the first place anyway." I reply
"What will you do?" She asks
I take a moment. I had to try to rely on a Northern Queen to try to fix this. I have to try to fix this. Battle Royale in progress. I never knew that I would be challenged. Sure, I was hypno'd, but I have never been challenged for the crown. Josh is about to go down and I will fight with I got.
"I will fight, that is what I have done many times before." I reply
"Coryn, Wait!" She yells
"What?" I ask
"I… I…" She stutters
"This will have to wait, ok." I reply
"Coryn!" She yells
I ignore her and take off. I hate to do that, but this is what it has become to. Hours later, I am now prepared for battle. A familiar sight of mine is the battle garments I possess. A Helmet I donned atop of my head, symbolising my power as king and sharpened battle claws upon my talons, symbolising my strength and prowess. Liana has been moved to the parliament for her own safety as the battlelines are drawn. She wishes me the best of luck and I can see in her eyes that she is worried. I would hug her… but I don't know what she would say.
The battle hour comes. The calm before the battle comes upon us. My friends and few members of my family (Pellimore, Eglantine, Soren and Eg's boyfriend, Dylan) are backing me. Guardians and rybs in the tree are also backing me, but they are the ones that decided to follow me, not Josh. The enemy, that were once the other half my loyal subjects, now enemies approach. Josh in front of them as they fly up. He is the exact lookalike of his father, except for his eye-marking birthmark. I am in front of the owls who had decided to support me, as we watch them approach. We stay in mid-air until it is time. I look into the eyes of my enemy. He has ambition in his amber eyes. I know he wants to waste me. (If anyone has seen Tribe, you will know what I mean by "waste") Probably to take my head to my mother on a silver platter.
The gong chimes three times. With each bong sound, I feel my heart and body slow as my nerves catch up. I take a deep breath as the final bong sounds. The battle begins.
"For the Nyctea!" Josh yells as he charges
"For the Canner!" I yell also
We charge at them with speed and Josh and I ascend higher to fight. I charge at josh and he catches me and throws me back. He comes at me and I dodge his attacks. Then this gets serious as we claw and scratch each other. I get a massive mark on my chest and he has one on his face. Josh head-butts me and I go flying into the parliament. I crash into the royal perch and my back feels like sprinking racdrops. Liana checks if I am ok. She helps me up and I tell her that I am fine. Josh laughs as he lands at the high entrance.
"You see, I am worthy to rule my kingdom. You are still a child." Josh scoffs
"You don't deserve to be king if you do this!" I reply
We then take battle stance and we circle each other in the parliament. He charges at me and before I can do anything, he throws me into a wall. Liana helps me up again and I am about to charge when she blocks my way and latches onto my chest.
"Coryn, please don't." Liana begs
"Is this your girlfriend?" Josh asks before he bursts out laughing. He has a terribly evil laugh right now and I want to knock his block off just for doing that "How did a jerk like you ever get with a girl like this?"
"Whatever you may think…" I start
"Shut up! You can't deny it. I can see the feelings you have for her. She is a princess, Coryn; you are just an annoying usurper…"
"I didn't not usurp the throne!" I snarl
"as if! There is real sprinked up racdrops going on here. You sprinking bastard are the reason my mother is dead. There will be no sprinking way I am going allow you to live." He roars
He charges toward Liana, I push her out of the way, and I fight back. I hit Josh in the gizzard and then grab him by the talons then I throw him into the wall of the parliament. Liana clutches onto me again and she is speaking Ke'va in panic.
"We have to go now!" I yell "This is only temporary. If I know my enemy here, he is a GTA trained. He will wake up in less than two."
"Where?" She asks "He will track you down and kill you!"
"The Library. Hurry, before Josh wakes up." I reply
We quickly leave as Josh is getting up. I take Liana by the wing and drag her until we rush off. Owls are still fighting as we weave though the battlefield. I tell Liana to stay close to me and she gives it the ok. Liana and I are in the Library then Soren joins us after Josh had given up and gone back to his hideout. On the other hand, Josh has now taken over the palace. Josh could be raiding my study and raiding the scrolls and other things I had hid away. I was told by Ezylryb, a few days after my arrival in the tree, to hide a scroll that was written by the Queen Barran herself. It is meant for Josh and I don't know what he would say.
Tables have now turned; he was going to kill Liana. I will never let him do that to her. She was worried for me. I got my back checked and they say I am fine. I just have a massive swollen line across my back and it is a bit purple, even though my feathers, like an Autumn Scar. Liana is worried for what happens next and I say I will keep fighting until I win. She is reluctant to say anything that would mean she is upset with me, but I would forgive her if she said anything like that.
Since we have been thrown out of the palace, I don't give a damn really. Therefore, we are taking refuge in the library while This is just stupid! He could be learning all the things he could use against me. I have no secrets or some sort of stupid diary, but there are things (like the scroll) that I don't want him to find. What will I do now? With No help from Lydea, I am Screwed.