NOTE: This is more about an OC than Ranger's Apprentice. However, I don't own any of the characters or places from the book series.
A special thank you goes to Jessica, a wonderful fan that spent her free-time to create covers for our fanfictions. I'm utterly amazed at how they look. Thank you!
I decided to hang out in the Foundation Ceremony. It provided a decent setting for the plot to advance in.
You all ready to learn part of Ringus's plan for Delilah?
Review and Enjoy!
Various servants clad in pure white raced around the table. They had to get it ready for the feast. The Founding Celebration started with a feast remembering the previous year and ended with a feast looking forward to what was coming. The finest fruits, vegetables, and meats had been brought to castle just for these meals. Deep in the kitchens, the cooks were roasting a boar that had been hunted that day. It was tradition for the gods to hunt the meat for the feasts. It was a means of fun and enjoyment. The goddesses entertained themselves by decorating vases for various flowers. Normally they would do an outdoor activity but none of them wanted to exclude Delilah because of her condition. Gingerly several servants placed the vases in the center of the table. Each goddess's favorite flower was in the vase they decorated.
As moon pulled itself away from the mountains, the servants pulled back the thick curtains that looked into the dining room. Moonlight streamed across the marble floors. Plush, golden chairs surrounded the circular table. Ringus preferred everyone see each other as equals unless business had to be done. It's what allowed this group of gods and goddesses to last so long. It's what caused Ringus to be elected king of gods since the Founding. The candles on the three crystal chandeliers were lit before they were lifted using gold chains. A flag bearing the crest of a god or goddess hung from the wooden beams that were just above the chandeliers. Two massive oak doors led into the dining room. A golden tree was etched in the wood with a stag standing on the right and a doe on the left. An eagle rested upon one of the branches as a leopard climbed upward. The tree was divided in half as the doors swung inward. The same pattern was etched on the other side. Immediately the servants lined into two rows.
Ringus stepped in with Wasdo on his left arm. The king of the gods was a sight to behold. A deep green shirt was accented perfectly by a dark brown vest. Dark brown pants were neatly tucked into polished black boots. A black leather belt with a golden buckle was a manly touch. His black hair and beard were carefully combed. Wasdo was stunning in a simple, pale yellow dress. Golden colored silk slippers allowed her to walk without a sound. A short train followed behind her. Her red-brown hair was pulled back with a double braid. No makeup covered her white skin. Green eyes were half-closed with pleasure as she leaned against her husband. Her husband's deep, sapphire blue eyes glanced down the line of servants as he made sure everything was perfect. He was pleased to see that it was. Soon the two reached their chairs and stood behind them.
Collin followed the rulers into the room. His graying brown hair had been freshly cut for this celebration. His green eyes were locked on the floor. A perpetual frown pulled at his lips. Even in the midst of this celebration there was work to be done. He was dressed in white shirt with a black jacket and black pants. His boots were black with white toes. White gloves covered his hands. Like the king and queen, he stood behind his chair as the others. Only then did his eyes rise to watch the proceedings.
Ghyrmear had been joined by Savder. Keeping with his power, the god of storms was dressed in a gray shirt and pants with a dark gray suit and boots. His beady brown eyes were staring at the woman walking at his side. It should be noted that Ghyrmear is so thin that he looked sickly beside the thin Savder. The goddess was dressed in a vibrant purple dress with faint strips of pink and a white ribbon around her waist. She was about a centimeter shorter than the god of storms. Her dark brown hair fell over her shoulders, curling slightly outward at the ends. Her brown eyes shined with a bright light. Red lipstick made her lips stand out. Ringus's eyes narrowed as he noticed faint patches of red on Ghyrmear's lips. Obvious this relationship was moving forward. Whether that was a good thing or not was to be seen.
Verdon, dressed in a tan suit and pants, a white shirt, and brown boots, came next with Tawhy. His dirty blond hair was flat and lightly oiled. The goddess of animals had chosen a red dress with a green leaf design. A few eagle feathers were pinned to her blond hair. Her gray eyes shined with joy as they approached the table. Verdon dipped his head to Ringus and Wasdo as he took his place. Tawhy stepped up to her chair at his left side.
Rezug, her misty blue glowing like a stormy sky, came in with Meri. Both were dressed in blue though Rezug chose a deeper, richer blue than Meri. Wasdo rolled her eyes. The deep, rich blue clashed painfully with Rezug's autumn red hair. As if knowing this, the goddess of liquids had chosen emerald green shoes. She hated it when the other goddesses made her dressed in a color-coordinated fashion. Meri was the exact opposite of her friend. Her blue dress had a white underdress that barely appeared at the bottom, collar, and sleeves. An aqua-green ribbon was wrapped around her waist, connecting the blue dress to her green eyes. White gloves covered her hands beautifully. A gold chain held an emerald around her thin neck. Her high cheekbones had a slight blush to them.
The brothers, Hyorn and Bvalt, came next. As twins often do, the two dressed identically to the other. A black suit over a light gray shirt. Black leather gloves matched their boots. Dark gray pants completed the outfit. Both walked tall, shoulders squared. The only difference between them was their hair. Hyorn's red hair was brushed so the front rolled upward. Bvalt's brown hair had been combed and oiled flat. Both of their brown eyes were locked on the set table. Hyorn chose the seat between Meri and his brother to keep them separated. His action resulted a warm smile from Meri and a glare from his brother. Bvalt, after all these years, was still trying to impress the goddess of love, kindness, and mercy.
The last three to come through was Maluk carrying Delilah and Gallus. The god of fire had chosen a more stylized version of his everyday clothing: a black shirt covered by a blood red vest, black pants stitched with gold thread, and polished black boots. Gallus was in a leaf green dress with a white underdress, green silk shoes with gold thread, a leaf amulet around her neck, and her ever present green shawl. Delilah was the one who got all the attention. Her father had dressed her in red dress with yellow and orange hues. Her silk shoes were red on top and black on the bottom. Servants had pulled her brown hair back into a wide ponytail and two strands of braids tied together. Her hazel eyes were accented by a little glitter dusted onto her cheekbones. A little red lipstick was put on her lips. The back of her dress remained open until the bottom of her shoulder blades.
A servant stepped up to the seat on Ringus's right. Maluk gingerly lowered his daughter into the chair. That's when the others took their seats. As a show of equality it was customary for them to sit together. The servant pushed Delilah's seat in as her father sat down on her right. More servants stepped forward and poured some more wine. Ringus picked up his glass, swirled the liquid for a few seconds, and then raised it above his head.
His voice washed over the room like a low rumble of thunder, "This year hasn't been perfect but life moves on. Let us toast to the memories, both good and bad, of this past year. May the lessons learned never be forgotten."
"Cheers!" everyone replied, lifting their glasses into the air.
Delilah took a small sip of her wine. It had never been her favorite drink but it was customary in these situations. She watched as Bvalt drank half of his glass in one drink. Savder and Ghyrmear tapped their glasses together before taking a drink. Her father also took a small sip but that was because he limited the amount of alcohol he consumed. Wasdo and Ringus clasped hands and shared a loving smile. Her heart twisted deep inside her chest. Thomas was the only man that had ever drawn that type of smile from her. She glanced across the table to Verdon and Tawhy. The couple were facing away from each other, talking to their neighbors. Rezug rolled her eyes at Tawhy's attempt to make a joke. Verdon and Ghyrmear shared a smile over a shared memory.
Maluk placed his hand on her shoulder as he spoke to Collin, "Delilah actually chased a cougar away from the castle simply by snapping her fingers."
Collin replied casually, "Cougars don't like fire. I'm sure it realized she was the goddess of fire so it knew to stay away."
Both men chuckled. Delilah rolled her eyes. That had been one of the false stories she had told her father. The forest was dangerous after all so it made sense that she would run into trouble. If all her stories had been peaceful ones then it would have drawn her father's attention. Her eyes glanced left to Ringus. The king of the gods was talking with Meri, who sat across from him. That's when she caught it. A small movement of his deep blue eyes as he looked at her. It was brief, a mere flicker, but it still happened. A cold hand clutched at Delilah's heart. Had the king of the gods figured out her secret? Did he know she was Ashka Scarmt? Her mind went back to his statement at their dance earlier. What had he meant? What was his bigger plan that he had in mind for her?
Drawing in a deep breath, Delilah willed her heart to calm down.
It ignored her.
The feast itself was massive. Six courses of full plates. By the third course, Delilah was desperately willing her stomach to keep the food down. Everyone else remained unaffected. Bvalt dug into his plate as if he was starving. The roasted boar was the fourth course on the feast's menu. It was this course that held significance. The animal's death represented the dead world the land had once been. The nourishment of the meal was a reminder that life can come from everything. The greens on the plate represented the hope these gods and goddesses had brought with their arrival. Delilah felt her heart twist as each god and goddess toasted to a new beginning. They were happy. They laughed and joked as one big family. And yet there were families that were starving, lost in mourning for loved ones lost. She couldn't understand how they celebrated the destruction of a people. And this celebration was only just beginning. That made the knife in her stomach hurt all the more.
Near the end of the feast, Ringus rose from his seat. His deep, sapphire blue eyes glowed with a new light. Delilah watched a proud smile touch her father's lips. She frowned internally. Something was going on. Her mind went back to Ringus's words about a bigger plan. Was she about to learn what he had meant? Did her father know what it was? If so, why didn't he tell her in advance? Her hazel eyes shot a glance towards Wasdo. The goddess was beaming with joy as she watched her husband. The queen of the gods evidently knew the secret. That's when she noticed how the other gods and goddesses were watching Ringus expectantly. A cold hand started wrapping its fingers around her heart. They all knew something was going on. This secret had been kept from her alone. She looked at her father, looking for some sign of what was to come. Maluk noticed her confused gaze. He gave her a warm smile before wrapping an arm around her shoulders.
Ringus spoke up at that moment, "This Celebration is to remind us of the past but also to look forward to the future. With humanity nearing its end, we look forward to new future in a new home. Wasdo and I have been scouring the world for the perfect place. We believe we have found one in an island country. Most of their old deities have long since moved on as the people lost faith in them. Only one still walks among them and he is ecstatic about us coming his home. To commemorate this agreement, we have invited him here to join our Celebration. He should arrive tomorrow."
Meri instantly piped up, "What's his name?"
"Where is he from?" Tawhy joined in.
"What abilities does he possess?" Ghyrmear asked.
Ringus dipped his head, "His name is Icarus, god of forests and hunting. He is from an island that has since been divided into three countries. During our conversations, he suggested we move into the middle one. The northern group are inflexible and less likely to change. The southern country cares little for gods and religion, preferring to dig in their ground. Araluen seems to be the best fit for us."
Delilah froze, her heart in her mouth. Araluen. They were going to Araluen! Will's home. She could faintly hear the other gods and goddesses talking excitedly. This was truly a time to celebrate. None of them had any qualms about conquering another country. They were gods after all. Humans were nothing to them. Gallus was happy to meet another god with similar powers to her. Maluk smiled at his sister as she chatted excitedly with Savder. His arm remained wrapped around his daughter's shoulders. He never sensed the panic that was rising in her chest.
Ringus's voice cut through the chatter and fog of panic in Delilah's mind, "There is one more reason for Icarus to come here and join us." He looked sideways at Maluk and Delilah, a gleam of pride in his eyes, "To make our agreement official…
Icarus and Delilah will be married after the war."
Oh, Delilah is going to be pissed. So pissed…(I can't stop laughing and I'm sure that going to make her come after me).