Hey everyone sorry this chapter took so long I have been busy with other projects and haven't had any inspiration for this one. But I was finally hit with insperation to get this chapter out, hope you enjoy it. Thank you.
We left through a back tunnel into the surrounding forest where several other knights and horses waited for us. After double checking that I was presentable for the courts we mounted up then left for the castle, the quickest route being throw the monastery. Sir Galahout and Sir Dinadan rode in front carrying our kingdoms banner, two others rode in front and behind me acting as my guards, with two others bringing up the rear also carrying banners. Sir Galahout announced our company giving anyone in the roads a heads up that our party would be coming throw. We passed throw the monastery passing by the monastery stables as we did. Out of the corner of my eye I saw the stable boy sparing with dummy he had made before he rushed out of the stable to watch us pass. I watched him fallow us till we came to the edge of the monastery. I smiled at him before I lost sight of the boy.
"I have a feeling that lad fancies you your majesty," one of my guards leaned closer to me as we rode.
"I believe he fancies the men at my side more that myself," I chuckled, "A young lad hoping to change his stars I would wager."
"He seemed passionate enough your majesty," Galahout chuckled back to me, "Footing was off, but passionate."
We rode up to the castle arriving alongside a few other parties as well. My guards stayed with the horses while Sir Galahout and Sir Dinadan fallowed me into the open air throne room, where the ceremony was being held. Galahout and Dinadan stayed close to my side as through the ceremony and Sir Osric oath. I held back a sneer as he used the Old Code as his oath to the king. I never did like the man. He had an air around him that seemed like he was trying to hide a more devious side.
"Not the most passionate ceremony," Sir Galahout whispered as Osric spoke his oath, "Very dull actually."
"I would have to agree but we have to keep up appearances my dear knight," I whispered back.
"It's a nice day though," Sir Dinadan whispered as Lord Osric finished his oath, "Nice day for a hunt wouldn't you say your majesty ."
"Hold that thought," I whispered back giving Lord Osric my full attention as he addressed the crowd of nobles and court officials.
"As chief advisor my goal is nothing less than that of the Old Code lives on in the hearts and minds of our people. Everyone should share in our kingdoms bounty. Tomorrow I shall pesto a personal gift to all men, women, and children of the land."
"I'm not the only one getting an off feeling from this guy right," Sir Dinadan whispered to me as he leaned closer to me.
"No, I feel it too. We will have to keep our eyes on him."
"Everyone shall receive two new tunics in the style and color that suited to their inherited station," Osric continued, "From now on no one will wear anything else."
"Called it," Dinadan whispered as we all began clapping to Lord Osric. Afterwards many of the nobles began mingling amongst themselves, some congratulated Lord Osric, others went about their day. I still had little trust in this man and his 'gift' only fueled that mistrust even more. My hand slowly went to rest on the handle of my sword in an effort to calm the memories of Eion and the suffering he had caused. My breathing kicked up a notch as those memories raced through my mind till Galahout noticed this. He gently gripped my wrist moving it away from my sword.
"Easy Lady Ava," he whispered as he lightly squeezed my wrist centering me back to the present, "Keep your head here and now. Don't let it wonder to battles long past."
I nodded to him calming my breath before going to speak with Lord Osric, "Congratulation on your promotion Lord Osric. I look forward to working with you to continue peace and good trade between our two kingdoms."
"Thank you, Queen Ava. I look forward to the continued prosperity between our two kingdoms as well," Osric said as he bowed to me, I bowed in return as did my knights before other nobles came to talk to Osric. While they were spoke with him Sir Galahout, Sir Dinadan, and myself quietly left the castle riding into the woods to hunt.
Later that night in Drakes chamber.
Sir Galahout and Sir Dinadan stayed with Drake and I for dinner and relaxed with us in the library as they sharpened their blades. Drake was read while I went over over some paper work at my desk.
"Ava can I ask you something," Drake spoke up.
"Of course, "I said as I signed a document sealing it with my stamp.
"I was wondering what would happen if someone other than you or the other knights came down here?"
We all stopped what we were doing at Drakes words. I looked from my work to Drake to the others before back at my brother, "If anyone else but our knights, our family, Friar Peter or Brother Mansel were to come down here and find you it would not be good little brother."
"They'd be dead that's what," Sir Galahout said.
"Drake why do you ask," Sir Dinadan asked him.
"No reason I'm just curious," Drake said going back to his book. I looked at Galahout and Dinadan. Both were just as suspicions as I was of my brother's question but none of us said anything else about it to him.
My knights and myself woke before the sun rose the next morning to meet up with my other knights in the woods to discuss my sisters arrive the next day and the preparations for the comets arrive at the end of the week . The early morning light was just on the horizon as the stars began to disappear from the sky. We rode deep into the woods to meet up with the other knights.
"You don't think someone found us out do you," Dinadan asked as we rode.
"I don't believe so Drake wouldn't keep something like that from us," I replied.
"He could be keeping something from us," Galahout said riding up on my right, "He still is just a youngling. A teenager in fact and we all know they tend to disobey their elders from time to time."
"True but I know my brother he wouldn't lie to me. Besides he is a terrible liar. But I agree that he is hiding something. But I don't believe it is of any danger to him or any of us. As naïve as he is I trust him to fallow his gut. I still want to know what he is hiding from us, just so that my own anxieties will be eased."
We met up with the other knights discussing the plans for meeting my sisters procession when she arrives tomorrow. I wanted every knight to be at the ready for the upcoming week.
"I want you all to keep your blades on you," I said to the knights of the monastery, "Keep them under your monk robes but keep them on you. The comet is to arrive in a week. We all must be ready for anything."
"Keep your eyes and ears open men," Galahout addressed all the knights, "If someone even whispers the word 'dragon' I want it reported right away. Understand?"
"Yes sir," all the knights replied.
"Sir then you will want to hear this," one of the monastery knights stepped forward.
"What is it," I asked.
"Your Majesty last night two foreigners came to the monastery last night and spoke with Friar Peter. I listened in on their conversation and they spoke of looking for the dragon of the prophecy of the Two Tailed Comet."
"Do you know what their intentions were," Dinadan asked.
"They said they wished to prevent it from coming true."
"Did they say anything else," I asked.
"Not that I heard. But Friar Peter denied any living dragon existed or of any affiliation to the knowledge of dragons other than the poems written by Brother Gilbert in the monastery's library."
"That's good. I want you to keep an eye on them and inform me, Sir Dinadan or Sir Galahout, about anything else involving them."
"Yes your majesty," the knights said in unison. We finished our meeting as the sun peaked over the horizon. We began our ride back to the monastery as the bells of the monastery began ringing. But these bells were different. A feeling of dread washed over me as the bells echoed their ringing.
"Haven't heard those before," Galahout said as he rode up next to me. I had once, years ago when one of the monks had died. Something told me who those bells are for. Somethings told me I'm missing someone. Thoughts of Friar Peter began racing through my mind as my horse raced through the forest.
The entire time I tried to calm myself, telling myself, "I don't know who it could be. I'm wrong. This feeling is wrong."
Fear froze my heart as I kicked my horse into a speeding gallop back to our tunnel's entrance. I hopped off my horse leaving my knights behind me as I rushed into the tunnel. I ran through our living chambers to the entrance of the monastery nearly running over Brother Mansell. He had a look of sorrow on his face. Galahout and Dinadan ran up behind me almost running me over as well. His face said it all. I was right. I wished I hadn't been.
I stared at Mansell in denial grief already tearing into my heart," No!"
"I'm sorry your Majesty," Brother Mansell spoked softly to us, "Friar Peter passed away last night."
Tears ran down my cheeks at Mansel's words. My breathing became heavy as I tried to hold back a sob tearing its way up my throat from my chest. I leaned into Galahout's chest my hand covered my mouth as it was getting harder and harder to hold back my sobs. Tears ran freely down my face as Galahout hugged me, rubbing my back while I silently cried into his chest.
"Do we know how he died," Dinadan asked Mansel.
"He just went to bed and didn't wake up this morning," Mansel explained, "No fallow play was found your majesty. He was old and just passed on in his sleep."
"Does my brother know," I whimpered into Galahout's chest.
"Ava is everything alright," Drake called out. Mansel shook his head to Dinadan.
"You're going to have to tell him," Dinadan whispered to Mansel.
"We will both tell him," I hiccupped. I dried my eyes, straighten up as much as I could under the pain in my heart before we all entered the living chamber. Drake stood at the center of the chamber. He looked at us concerned.
"Ava what's wrong where's Friar Peter?"
I shucked in a breath before I spoke, "Drake, I'm so sorry. But Friar Peter. He's gone little brother."
"Gone where?"
"He went to Heaven Drake," Mansel said. I struggled to speak through the tears that fell and the sobs that knotted my throat. Drake was silent as it hit him what that meant. He hung his head as he tried to hold back the tears.
"Did it hurt him," he shuttered.
"He passed in his sleep peacefully," I told him as I changed into my dragon form. I nuzzled my head against his as his tears finally fell.
"My heart hurts sister," Drake cried to me.
I nuzzled my cheek against his then craned my around him, "I know little brother. Mine does as well. It's how you know that he had touched your heart and it that your heart misses that touch."
"Will it always hurt this much," he cried.
"It won't always hurt this much. The pain will fade, but your heart will always miss him till it stops beating."
I moved back and pressed my forehead against his making him look me in the eyes, "Remember this little brother, remember him and those who have passed before us. Remember them and they will be with you as you continue through your life. Keep their teachings in your heart and pass that knowledge on, pray for their peaceful rest let them know they are not forgotten. Do these things and none shall ever be far from your heart."
Drake cried harder pressing himself against my chest. I rested my head onto his as he cried, my wings folded over him. He cried for a while before he spoke again, "Can I be alone Ava?"
"Yes we'll give you your time to grieve little brother," I said as I kissed the top of his head.
"We'll be back to night Drake," Galahout said, "Just before sunset."
I changed to my human form before we left. We walked around the forest with no place in mind Galahout and Dinadan fallowed close behind me as I walked with no real purpose, letting my feet guide me to where ever they pleased. We ended up at the small river by the monastery. I don't know why but I just wanted to sit there and listen to the water, so the three of us did. I wished for Aurther to hold me and comfort me. I missed my daughters and wished to hold them. I wanted my father and Bowen to aid me in this grief as they had always done for me. I screamed my pain out before I fell to my knees on the bank. I cried till I had shed all of my tears, then just sat there on the bank. Dinadan and Galahout sat next to me in silence the three of us just watched the river in silence too drained to feel anything anymore.