THE FLIGHT OF THE SWALLOW: RECONCILIATION
CHAPTER 4
Roach
Finally she got freedom.
"Ah!" good, finally fresh air! Ciri expressed when she stretched her body, and smelled the fragrances of the plants and the royal garden. She gazed at the beauty of Tir ná Lia with fascination. It could get there a thousand times and always be in awe of the place.
Auberon Muircetach approached her with a smile. The servants quickly prepared baskets of fruit and drinks on a marble bench for them to eat and drink. Auberon took a fruit and put it in his mouth. Ciri looked at the King of the Alders and smiled when she realized, that he was no longer the sad and bitter person she had known. But she was wrong to think that. When she get home, on her time. Auberon would still be dead. She thought.
"Thank you for healing my wounds and taking care of me… your majesty. As soon as my skills are restored, I will go home to my world. "
"Oh my little Zireael on the contrary, we owe you an apology, for treating you in an unfortunate way last time" The king replied.
"Of course, it's a shame that… you have to go… and I was thinking of preparing a nice festival for your arrival." He said.
Ciri looked at Auberon curiously, smiled and blushed slightly at the news she had just witnessed. Curiosity washed over her again. To learn a little more about the customs of The Alder Folk. It would not hurt to stay to see that show.
The King left that fruit that he had taken, it was a strawberry. He wiped his lips with a fine handkerchief with gold accents on the edges and placed it on the bench. He walked over to Ciri, took her hand, and make a reverence.
"I, Auberon Muircetach true ruler of these beloved and fertile lands, King of Tir ná Lia, King of the Alders, I apologize for my actions and words that in the past have inflicted harm on you my lady: Cirilla Fiona Elen Riannon". And he kissed the young woman's hand.
Ciri blushed at such a formal act.
"I… I… accept your apology, Your Majesty. She said a little nervous.
"And I cordially accept your invitation to said festival ... sir." Ciri finished and decided to stay to contemplate that festival, her curiosity about it also enraptured her.
It took her a while to get used to the etiquette of nobles and palace affairs. After all, she had been born and raised in one. Now was a good time for her to resume those ways.
"Splendid! What a joy Zireael!
The King stopped seeing his excitement at the preparation of the event and made some gestures in that language; which Ciri recognized as Ellylon. He ordered his subjects to do something, because they quickly surrounded him and left anyway.
"Little Zireael I will host a great dinner and dance for your arrival. I would be very happy to have your appreciative presence.
Ciri looked at him almost incredulously, because she knew that in the past Auberon despised humans, the dh'oine, with great rancor. She will not forget the hurtful words he had said at that time. I forgive you but I never forget Auberon. And now he was there jumping with happiness for the presence of a human.
"Of course I am delighted. She said with her arms behind her back.
The King of the Alders thanked Ciri's comment and said goodbye to her. He left the gardens to leave his guest alone. Ciri was left alone in that place, she sat down and also took fruit to her mouth, took some strawberries and made a face because they came out bitter, and she spat them, cursed and took another fruit.
"Argh! How indecency of yours to waste fruit and shameless manners worthy of your decrepit species".
The Swallow turned and Eredin was there leaning on a marble railing.
Ciri's eyes grew furious, sparked, and with the fruit still in her mouth she managed to wave back.
"Ah… you bastard!
Eredin looked at her with contempt for the girl's manners.
Ciri picked up the remains of the bitter strawberries and out of fury she did not even chew the fruit in her mouth. Her rosy cheeks seemed like those of a small mouse full of food and that she kept saving to later take them to her burrow.
She approached to Eredin firmly and without fear. She was very proud, overcoming her fears was a very personal triumph and if it was necessary to face the person who caused her fear, even more so. She got close enough to toss the strawberries into the elf's boots and spit the fruit on her cheeks.
"Happy? No? Too bad for you, because I'm going to stay for a long time. And the King, whom you serve, has lowered himself, so low as to apologize to me and kiss my hand. To me! To the decrepit species that I represent!. Ciri said proud and triumphant.
"And let's see if it's time for you to do the same too! Forget the damn flowers because I'll stick them up your despicable elven ass! She said threateningly and showing her a fist.
Ciri turned red for saying the latter, she herself found it very funny ... to put the arrogant elf in his place.
The elf looked at her with the same contempt and did not change his posture at the awkward situation.
Ciri passed by and walked away from the place.
"Well, well, The Swallow finally pulled out its teeth. That must be recognized". Eredin finally spoke.
Ciri downplayed it and didn't stop, she didn't want to be there with unpleasant company.
"I suppose you don't want to see your mare or ... you're going to give it to me as payment for saving you. I'm going to collect that debt and you know it". Eredin said with irony.
She stopped abruptly, forgot that her mare was in Eredin's hands and cares.
"Yes, I want to see her, take me." She put her hands to her chest and felt concern.
"I'll pay you".
"I will pay my debt and…. Thank you for helping us both". Ciri lowered her face looking at her own boots and resigned.
Eredin smiled calmly looking at Ciri's back. He wanted to say something in response but… he kept it to himself. He shook off his metal boots and the clothes he was wearing and guided Ciri to see her mare.
"Come on and don't be late". He told her
Ciri smiled silently and followed him.
They rode quietly down a road between wheatgrass, golden grasses swaying in the light whipping wind. Ciri could see beyond some farms, in the distance some mountains and strange clouds were forming around it. Rain clouds, storm clouds, they looked very strange. She remembered The Black Unicorn.
She was behind Eredin, and they had spent a long time in silence. She wanted to ask him many things, but the elf made it a condition not to ask him questions. Ciri started to yawn.
"Hey, and it's a long way off? It's making me sleepy and you're very obnoxious and boring". Ciri broke the silence
Eredin did not reply.
"I don't understand how Avallac'h supports you, because I know that in my eyes he sees his Lara, and that he really misses her and the only thing he can do is ... guide me, but sometimes he is very hard on me and that despairs. The Avallac'h of my world is… the same. He didn't really change at all."
"We Aen Elle bond far superior to yours. I look someone in the eyes and I know who I can trust. I can see the lies and the false promises. But it doesn't matter what I say. You would not understand". Eredin said.
"You see you're hateful. You should be nice like Ge'els, it's... More... or less... kind, for he is not a saint either, in fact no elf is. She said.
"Oh you know him?"
"Yes in a bad way, the last I knew is that Tir ná Lia took over after the Wild Hunt…." Ciri stopped suddenly, because she began to say more. Eredin realized that.
"Forget that, I think you wouldn't understand either." Ciri told him. Eredin frowned at the comment. But then he watched as The Dearg Ruadhri garrison came into view.
"Amazing! " Ciri was fascinated by the place.
Crimson flags and banners adorned the place. Tents everywhere. Soldiers came and went, and many others trained their fighting techniques. They brought out those elven swords …so beautiful so lethal. She told herself. This was like a small town but for soldiers and horsemen. The master smiths maintained swords and other weapons. And the gunsmith took care of the armor.
She never had seen that. The sparkle in her eyes was so brimming, that she decided to get off the horse to see it more closely. She ran forward, overtaking the rider, who was the owner and lord of that place. Eredin Bréacc Glas commanding general of the Dearg Ruadhri throughout Tir ná Lia.
Ciri seemed like a curious little girl, she looked everywhere at the important people who gave life to the place. Soldiers, crimson elves everywhere.
They began to approach the main tent, Ahh his castle, of course because he also has his own. She thought. Ciri distinguished one of the soldiers sitting outside at a table. He was very robust and bald, he stood out above the others, he measured his strength with another of the elves. Imlerith?. They were making a little fuss, because the stout elf had won for the tenth time that day. But as soon as they saw their leader's presence, they rushed to pay their respects and offer a military salute.
Ciri analyzing Imlerith, she remembered Geralt had told her he looked pathetic with warrior paint on his face, when Geralt confronted him. He did not wear that painting, he looked strange with those outfits, Imlerith honestly suits you better the "other infamous" armor, By the time Ciri finished looking at the robust and giant elf, he looked at her and smiled at her. Oh yeah, you mind readers. Ciri blushed slightly. She still did not get used to those looks of the Aen Elle elves, which read your soul.
Eredin got off his horse and greeted the men, one of them breaking the line and heading towards him. He said something in her ear and stared at her. Ciri now began to analyze him too.
" Zireael may I present my advisor and Lieutenant Caranthir Ar-Feiniel, he will take you to where your horse is installed, and if you'll excuse me I have other matters to attend to".
Ciri said nothing but shook her head slightly forward. Responding to the presentation. Interesting, I had never seen his face, he is very young and handsome. He intrigues me. She thought
"Commander, aren't you going to introduce me? I implore you". Imlerith demanded.
Eredin exhaled hard at the protest, he knew his subordinate well enough. Sometimes he acted childishly and allowed him certain games, because they put him in a good mood and because he was famous for organizing "parties" that echoed between the garrison and the palace. He made the nobles and the court nervous because of his scandalous events. He had a certain fame.
"Zireael this man is my General Imlerith and I advise you not to spend a lot of time with him. He is a very careful elf".
Imlerith smiled proudly showing his teeth.
"Mmm ... yes..of course". She responded to the presentation.
"Please follow me, Zireael." Caranthir mentioned him. "Here".
Ciri and the elf headed a long way towards the cavalries. Imlerith followed behind.
They arrived at the place and Roach was eating its food, she remained in a wide place with fences. Outdoor. Caranthir explained that in the morning they took the horses out to stretch their bodies. And at night they stayed indoors in another place. He explained to her, Ciri realized that they pampered their horses a lot. It was a pride and privilege to have such a noble animal in his service. Ciri observed that Roach was not alone, there was a huge beast with shiny fur and enormous physiognomy, a stallion, a black horse, if you add a horn, it would automatically become a unicorn. But it was impossible. Beautiful creature. Ciri thought.
"Oh yeah! that over there is the commander's horse. When we put your mare here, she was already in heat, the stallion appropriated her, did not leave her alone for a single moment and analyzing her behavior, in a few days the mare will mate with him". Caranthir explained
Ciri became very uncomfortable and the temperature rose to her face.
"Hahaha the stallion fell in love with her". Imlerith said laughing. "Look that your mare is foreign, and has seriously captivated the commander's horse. That's why the stallion is here. A horse in love is of no use to the commander. And here between us ... I think I have seen Eredin very distracted with you Zireael. Asking questions, going here and there, he spends more time in the palace than here with us, and sometimes I have seen him with lost look. And a commander in love doesn't serve us either. Look what a coincidence, that things look like their owner, don't you think Zireael?
Caranthir shot him a disapproving and angry look.
"OK OK. I give up". Imlerith said turning to Caranthir.
"How long do I have to wait for Roach to be calm?" She asked completely ignoring Imlerith's comment
"In two weeks she will be fine." Caranthir replied, looking at the mare again.
"What kind of name is that, Roach?" Imlerith asked
"My father… Geralt, he gives that name to all his horses. And me too, it makes me feel a bit close to him". She told him with nostalgia in her voice.
Ciri whistled and Roach approached very happily when she saw her friend. Eredin's horse was immediately following her. Ultimately he became a faithful and loyal shadow towards the mare. Ciri put her face on her and kissed Roach.
"I will come to see you from time to time friend, I do not want to interrupt your affairs, because I know you get in a very bad mood. Take care of yourself Roach do not forget to bite when necessary". The Swallow smiled at her and kissed her Roach again. Gently patting her on the cheek.
The black horse also approached Ciri, put his snout next to the mare and kissed her, in his equine way. Ciri saw such an act and blushed and also stroked the stallion.
"Take care of her too and be kind, do you want? " Kissing the black horse too.
Imlerith sighed and whispered childishly, "How romantic!" a big smile was drawn to the elf.
Caranthir was smiling calmly.
Ciri turned for the last time to say goodbye to her mare as she left the place, while Raoach grazed the surroundings and the black horse was always by its side. Ciri's eyes gleamed widely when she saw that scene.