~Chapter 10~
Gothel
The storm slowed down the voyage to Ravadyn by a couple of days, anchoring down on a small island in between the two continents. Waiting out the storm truly tested my patience. My hair was full of greying strands and I needed the power of Sol Lillitalus. Between the island and pulling into the harbor of Ravadyn, a stomach illness was spread around the ship due to the close quarters. The only symptom I had was a slight fever and dry mouth, though I would be healed once I found her, so I kept moving. I asked several people in the village about Rapunzel's whereabouts. It was easy to describe a woman with long blonde hair. Though everyone I talked to called her the captive who happened to have blonde hair. I was directed to Briarwell Manor which stood just beyond the village up the hillside. I spotted a handful of guards as I made my way up to the gate. If Rapunzel was here, getting her out wouldn't be easy. I would have to act quickly and think of a way to appeal to this local lord. After informing the guards of my business here and telling them the bare minimum, I was escorted inside. I made a note of the locations of guards and the many rooms. If Rapunzel was here, she could be anywhere like finding a needle in a haystack. I came down a long corridor and finally through some double doors into a large chamber. The insignia of Ravadyn hung all around as I approached the man in the cushioned seat at the other end of the room. My eyes widened recognizing the man from years ago, the man I was once engaged to. Xander Conwyn. He's aged since I last laid eyes on him naturally. I too would look much older had it not been for the flower. Though right now, I'm more aged than normal from Rapunzel's absence. I took a step forward and bowed politely.
"Emelia, is that you?"
"Greetings Xander." I said looking up at him.
There was a timidity to my tone. I was not the same delicate woman I was all those years ago. He stood up stepping toward me looking in awe.
"How is this possible, you haven't aged in the eighteen years since I last saw you."
I pursed my lips wishing to avoid all these ridiculous pleasantries. I had to appeal to Xander's good nature if I was going to have a chance at getting Rapunzel back.
"I assure you, the years have treated me well as I hope they have for you."
"Indeed, well, what brought you here today?"
Xander sat back down in his chair looking at me curiously.
"I've come to collect my daughter. She was kidnapped and after following many leads, it brought me to your shores. The villagers told me that she was taken here to Briarwell."
"Indeed," Xander replied, gruffly.
"I hope she hasn't been any trouble."
"Not at all, Rapunzel has been nothing but obedient and helpful since she got here."
"I'm glad to hear it. Please, bring her to me, so I can return her home."
"That's out of the question, Emelia!"
His tone grew harsh and sharp like a knife. I glared at him at the outburst and him thinking he could talk to me in such a disrespectful way.
"I see you're just as stubborn as ever," I grumbled.
His face grew enraged, I recognized this same look from when I last knew him. Short-tempered and impatient.
"She was stolen away from her home, you must return her to me!"
"Rapunzel's circumstances are regrettable, but she's here now and has done marvelous things since she's arrived. She's been bought and paid for."
I thought up a lie hoping to calm him down and see things my way.
"Your daughter isn't some sort of prize!"
You could hear a pin drop in the room, it was so quiet. Xander looked at me doubtfully and in disbelief.
"What did you just say?"
"You heard me." I snapped.
"Rapunzel is eighteen."
Xander paused looking perplexed and seemingly doubting my claim.
"How come I never knew?"
"Because you didn't want to be a part of my life back then, so clearly you didn't desire to be a part of hers."
"I didn't know she existed, that's hardly fair."
"Life isn't fair though, is it?" I grumbled.
"You're as spiteful as ever. Well my answer is still no on returning Rapunzel. With your new information, I can hardly return her to you. Her power will aid my lands and heal me or anyone that I need her to. She is a gift. Besides, it's time she got to know her own father better."
"Xander,"
"Enough Emelia, you've said your piece." He barked, "I'll let you see her and say your goodbyes because my daughter stays with me."
He ordered a servant to go and fetch Rapunzel and I stood here fuming in frustration. There had to be another way to take her from this place. As we waited, I glanced over at Xander thinking of a trade. One thing I think would appeal to him.
"Xander, what do you say to a trade?"
"What are you on about?"
"'Rapunzel, in exchange for information you'll be pleased to hear."
"Do you think of me a fool?" He snapped.
"You know of my family being protectors of rarities in the world. I have knowledge of a bloom that makes desires of conquest much more obtainable."
"I'm listening."
"Luna Callima."'
"What is that?"
"A rare flower that grants the power of death with one's tongue. Though it only works when the moon is high in the sky."
"Emelia, are you sure of this? I swear if you're lying."
I pulled out my mother's journal from my satchel and showed him the image of Luna Callima. Its coloring, stem, and bloom. The flower existed at one time, but I didn't know if it still did and Xander need not know. I had to appeal to his desire for power.
"Where is this flower?"
"My mother only learned it inhabits a continent very far north where snow knows no bounds. A frigid desolate landscape devoid of life and population."
"Sounds ominous."
"Well, a flower that grants death shouldn't be easy to obtain."
"The location isn't much to go on, but it sounds like it could be found on Odonrora."
"Will you return my daughter to me then?"
"Our daughter will make her own choice once the Luna Callima is in my possession."
Him saying 'our' sent a chill down my spine. Even after all these years, I found him intimidating.
"Xander, she can't make such choices."
"Why not? She is eighteen, Emelia."
My idea had backfired and now I was in a corner. I detested being forced into a corner. He would regret denying me. Several minutes later, the doors opened and Rapunzel came into the room. Her hair and dress were quite ridiculous and I could imagine how headache inducing they were. Though Rapunzel ran toward me with tears in her eyes. At last, my flower was here.