Chapter 3
The Offer
The next morning Bella lay in her bed wide awake for once. Everyone knew that she wasn't a morning person and took any opportunity to sleep in. However, she had a lot on her mind this morning. There were two clans with hostile feelings towards each other under one roof. The Hallams and the Kai Clan and now the Zonda and her own clan. Bella let out a big sigh as she turned over in her bed. She hated conflict and confrontation. She wanted nothing more than to have peace between all the clans.
Which is why today she was going to make a request to her mother. Once that will make her think her daughter had gone insane. She heard her chamber doors open, but she didn't move from her position.
"You are entirely too early Rose," she said pulling the cover over her head. While she may not be able to sleep, she wasn't entirely ready to rise for the day either. The sun wasn't even up yet.
"Not Rose" she heard a voice, startling her. She jumped throwing the cover from her head. There was Samuel dressed down in plain sleeping attire. "Samuel! Are you mad?! What are you doing" she asked.
"What? I can't come and see the woman I love before the sunrises" he asked climbing into her bed, pushing her back making her squeal as he began to kiss her. "You are crazy, what if someone walks in and sees us," she asked in a breathy tone. "Has anyone ever told you that you worry too much" he replied looking into her face. "I am the future queen ser it's my job to worry," she said back to him pushing him off her.
"You're no fun," he said with a sigh laying on his back. They lay there in silence for a bit before Bella said, "Samuel there is something I've been thinking about".
"What"
"I've been thinking about the clans and how they are all divided" "Yeah what of it". Bella sat up to look at him. "I want to do something to change that," she said to him. "And just what are you planning," he asked her sitting up as well.
"You know that every clan has its own customs, its own ways of doing magic"
"Yes"
"What if that wasn't the case," she said. Samuel was confused about what she meant. "I don't follow," he told her.
"Think about your clan. The Hallams have hated the Kai's for years and for what?" she asked him.
"Because they are a bunch of obnoxious pricks," he said to her. She couldn't dispute that.
"Maybe…. but mostly because you don't understand each other and I want to change that" "How will you do that," he asked feeling suspicious. She took a deep breath before telling him.
"I want to go on a solo mission to each clan and learn their different styles and customs" she finally admitted. "And eventually I want us all to unite into one single clan instead of being four separate ones". Samuel looked at her before finally laughing. "What is so funny," she asked irritated at the response. Seeing the look on her face he stopped.
"Oh, you're serious" "Of course I'm serious," she said crossing her arms. "Bella, have you gone mad," he asked her. She rolled her eyes at the statement. "I know it's a little extreme" "Extreme!" he said cutting her off.
"Bella, you want the clans to break centuries of traditions," he asked her. "I don't want to know clan secrets. I just want a better understanding of each other's ways" she explained. Samuel sighed shaking his head at her.
"Just consider this for a moment our country could stand so much stronger if we were all united as one," she said. "Bella-'' he stared choosing his word carefully. "I think it is a noble idea, but I just don't see it happening," he said. "I know it won't happen overnight but that's why I want to start with myself. I'm already close to your family and the Kai family because of Rosalie. You all have such a fascinating history I want to know more".
"You're serious aren't you," he asked her. "Yes, I am. And I would really appreciate it if you would support me" she replied. He thought over what she said for a moment before he responded. "I think that you are being naïve, but I also know how stubborn you are once you set your mind to a task. So, if you think this will work then you have my support"
She smiled gratefully at him for taking her seriously. "When do you plan on doing this," he asked.
"As soon as possible. Before we get married," "That soon" he said. "Yes, I want to start making some progress". "And how do you think your mother will react".
"Oh, I'm sure I can convince her"
"Absolutely not!" Renee screamed at her daughter. When Bella asked for a private audience with her, she never expected that she was has such an outlandish request.
"Mother please just listen-"
"No Bella you listen. You want me to allow my only child and heir to go unattended and defenseless into possible hostile environments where your life could be in danger" Renee asked her.
"Mother I would hardly be defenseless I can protect myself" Bella replied. "I know how skilled you are Bella. But what you are suggesting is reckless and dangerous"
"But for a good reason mother. This is the best thing to lead our people into the future" Bella stated. "What are you talking about?"
"Think about it mother. What if there was a way to combine our magic with the wind clan, or the water clan mixing with the earth clan? The possibilities are endless if we were all united".
"We are untied daughter," Renee said.
"You know what I mean mother" "If you want to know about other clans there are plenty of sources in The Solar that can help you". "That's not the same as experiencing firsthand". Bella signed, sitting in a chair in front of her mother's desk. She knew this wouldn't be easy but didn't expect it to be this hard either. Renee approached her daughter and kneeled in front of her.
"My dear I think you are brave for this idea of yours, but you must understand that as your mother and queen I cannot allow my heir to behave so recklessly". "But mother-" "No let me finish," Renee said cutting her off again taking her hands into her own.
"You have lived within these walls your entire life. You don't know just how different things are outside of it how people are"
"But that's just it mother I need to know these things. How can I expect to be an efficient ruler if I don't know my people? Why should anyone follow me? Why should anyone respect me? I know it sounds crazy and maybe it is, but I truly feel this would be the best thing for us, our people".
Renee was impressed. She knew that her daughter would be a great ruler one day. While the idea sounded good in theory, she knew better. She stood and said "While I can respect your efforts Bella, I cannot allow you to take such a risk"
"But Mother-"
"I have made my decision and will speak no more on the matter" Renee stopped her. Bella let out a frustrated sigh and left the office but not before almost running into her father. She didn't say anything to him just keep walking. Charles walked into the office with his wife giving her a look.
"Don't give me that look" she told her husband sitting back at her desk. She knew he overheard the whole thing. "You cannot protect her forever Renee," he told her. "You think it's wise to allow our daughter to go around the country alone".
"I think it is worth thinking about" he replied. Renee looked at him with shock. "You cannot be serious"
"I am"
"Charles she is our only heir" she explained.
"Yes, she is. And our only heir is right she cannot expect to rule what she doesn't understand" he told her.
"She is marrying the heir of the Earth tribe; her favorite Lady is a daughter of the Water Clan. What more does she need to know that they cannot tell her" Renee stated in frustration.
"It's more than that and you know it" he pointed out. Of course, she did. Bella had always had a curious mind. She knew that her child longed for adventure and wanted to see more than just the Kenna territory. "Bella is strong and wise beyond her years most of the time. If she brought this to you then you know she's serious. Our daughter is a lot of things but flighty is not one of them" he explained.
Renee sighed and looked away from her husband shaking her head. "I cannot lose her too Charles," she said quietly. Charles came around the desk to pull her into his arms. They suffered the loss of 5 stillborn children before Bella was born and two more after.
"I know Renee, but you cannot keep your eyes on her forever," he told her. She knew that he was right but that didn't make it any easier. "I will take some time to think on it," she said finally.
While she wanted nothing more than to keep her daughter safe within these walls, her father did have a good point. Perhaps it is time for Bella to have some real-world experience.
"Ugh!" Bella screamed storming out into the courtyard. She was so frustrated her blood felt like it was boiling! Why couldn't her mother see she wasn't a child anymore? She didn't need constant supervision. Bella was aware of her mother's problems when it came to childbirth. She knew that her parents wanted more children. However, it wasn't to be. She could understand them wanting to protect her at all costs considering she was their only living child and heir. But that didn't mean she shouldn't be allowed to live a little. To see the world beyond these walls.
Bella took some deep breaths to calm her temper. It would do no good to have a tantrum, that would not help her case. Now calmed, she decided that she would approach her mother again later. With that thought, she unclipped the light purple cape she was wearing taking some weight off her shoulders. She was dressed comfortably today with no major ceremonies going on in a simple purple and black jumpsuit with a black sash tied around her waist and a purple and diamond studded headband on her head covering part of her wavy red hair.
She took a deep breath and felt the familiar heat rising in her body. Her eyes began to glow a bright red as the magic began to seep out of her. 'Come' she called in her mind. She heard it before she saw her. A burst of purple flames in the sky, it shaped and morphed into a bird-like being. Finally, there in the sky was the beautiful phoenix familiar of Princess Bella, Vysta. Her purple feathers glowed like diamonds in the sky, with a tail like smooth silk and the size of a large horse.
Bella smiled seeing her friend. It had been too long since she was called. "Hello my friend" She greeted approaching Vysta as she landed. She started petting her head, "I've missed you girl" she told her making Vysta purr at the attention.
"So, this is your familiar" Bella heard behind her. She turned to see Lord Demetri standing behind her.
"Oh, Good Afternoon Lord Demetri how are you," she asked kindly.
"I am well, Your Grace" he replied with his attention on the phoenix.
"This is my friend Vysta," she told him. "She is beautiful. My sister's and mother's familiars aren't much when it comes to looks" he joked causing Bella to chuckle.
"What does yours look like," she asked him. "I don't have one" he replied to her.
Bella was shocked. She knew that some people were never able to summon their familiars, however, she never would have thought that the son of Victoria would be one of them.
"I tried once in my fifteenth year but failed miserably. Magic has always been a bit more difficult for me," he told her. It's not something he was proud of, and his mother would kill him if she found out that he told the princess. But for some reason, he felt at ease around his distant cousin.
"Such is the case for some I know. But maybe your skills are more tailored to other areas," she suggested. "Yes, I'm a much better warrior than a magician," he told her with his hand grabbing the sword at his side.
"I can see that's where your passion lies. Sometimes magic isn't for everyone as long as you're doing what makes your life enjoyable that's all that matters" she told him as she sent Vysta away knowing that she would summon her later. Demetri smiled at her positivity.
"Tell that to my mother would you," he asked her, laughing while doing so. An idea popped into Bella's head.
"Well, how about I make you a deal? I'll help you get a better understanding of magic if you help me learn how to use a sword" she said to him pointing toward the weapon.
"You want to learn how to fight'', Demetri was shocked at the admission. Most magicians didn't bother with learning swordplay relying solely on their powers. Only the Zonda clan practices the use of multiple ways of combat.
"Why not it couldn't be that hard" She responded. "I would suggest against such a notion princess" "Why afraid I might be better than you" "Of course not more like afraid of starting a war," he told her. Bella laughed knowing he spoke the truth.
"Well, how about I help you find your familiar and you just owe me one" she offered. He looked at her skeptically. "You think you can help me call my familiar" "Of course, I can trust me I've helped others before," she told him.
"I don't know" "Come on trust me what have you got to lose," she asked. That was true. What could it hurt?
"Okay" the worst thing that could happen was that he fail again. Bella took his hand leading him to the Solar.
"Your concerns are very much valid Renee," Master Tanya said. The queen had come into the Solar seeking her advice on the subject from this morning with her daughter. Bella had voiced such an opinion to her before and thought the idea was a good one. But she also knew that Bella would have a hard time convincing her mother. They were currently walking the corridors alone, so the formalities were dropped at that moment.
"The Princess is determined to make this idea of hers a reality. Instead of shutting it down I think you should stand with her".
"Yes, that's what her father suggested," Renee said. "I know that Bella wants to make to do this. She feels if she goes alone then it wouldn't be seen as a hostile intent but if she does then she would be putting her very life and the future of this clan at risk".
"Then don't let her go alone. You're correct, letting her go alone would be foolish. Send her with the best guards and mages we have to protect her" Master Tanya suggested. "While all the clans are at peace now you and I both know that each clan only needs a small push before they declare war on each other. What Keegan has right now is a tentative peace at best. Bella is right, if you want to have a truly peaceful country then you must bring everyone together"
Before Renee could respond, they both heard a loud commotion coming from outside. They both moved towards the nearest window and saw Bella with Lord Demetri standing on the stone that connected them to the Spirit Realm.
"What in the world are they doing!" Renee said getting ready to run toward them, but Master Tanya stopped her. "No Renee just watch," she said knowing what Bella was doing. "She is putting the Zonda heir at risk!" Renee shouted. Master Tanya responded with a simple "Trust her" as she continued to watch them.
Bella stood on the sides watching as Demetri was engulfed in winds coming up from the stone. When a sorcerer placed their blood onto it, the stone reacted to your natural element. "Pull Demetri! Pull with everything you've got and don't let go" she shouted at him.
Before they got started, Bella told him that he had to search for his familiar from within. Once you feel it you need to prove your strength to it, or it will either reject you or pull you into its world. Also, he needed to stay focused. If he hesitated or lost concentration for even a second, he wouldn't make it. "Block out everything else from your mind," she told him.
Demetri felt the tugging on the other side, and it wouldn't give an inch no matter how hard he pulled. "It's no use" he shouted over the winds. "Don't give up Demetri keep pulling do not let go trust me" she replied.
"You can do this Demetri trust your instincts".
Demetri wasn't kidding when he told her that magic wasn't his thing. He never really cared for it. So much so that his mother contemplated naming his sister the heir instead of him. Even though she never said it to him, he would overhear other clansmen talking about it. When he couldn't call his familiar 5 years ago it was pretty much a done deal even though Victoria never made it official just yet.
But he didn't want to fail this time. He wanted to prove himself worthy, so he kept his ground and kept his hold. Finally, he felt it! It was faint but he felt just a slight give on the opposite side. Demetri seized on it and pulled even harder. This was the first time he felt he might be able to succussed.
"That's it Demetri you got it! Bring it to you now'' Bella encouraged. Demetri with a scream was suddenly thrown off the stone. Bella approached him kneeling at his side.
"Are you okay?" she asked while helping him sit up. "Yes I think so," he said groaning as he sat up. "I told you it wouldn't work".
"You sure about that," she asked him. He was about to respond but a light caught his eye. It was the same as before. The light changed and morphed into a shape and finally, there it was. His familiar!
It was brown in color, rough looking feathers, and medium size. An eagle? It was an eagle! He couldn't believe it! He had actually done it with Bella's help. "I don't believe this," he said to her.
"Believe it my friend. Well don't just sit here" she said pushing him up toward the creature.
Demetri stood to walk toward it. As he approached, it squawks at him flapping its wing in as a warning. Demetri stopped holding his hand up showing he meant no harm. It seemed to calm it a bit, but it still looked at Demetri with suspension. Eagles were proud creatures and were easily offended. Demetri had to take great care in his approach. He kept his approach slow and deliberate before he finally came close enough to touch him, but he didn't. He waited for the bird to come to him now.
The eagle stared at him as if he were sizing Demetri up. After a time, it finally approached Demetri allowing him to touch its head. Bond accepted! Bella smiled as she walked a bit closer to the pair.
"I told you to trust me" she bragged. "Yes, you were right princess I cannot thank you enough for your help," he said to her. "My pleasure Demetri and you don't have to call me princess my friends just call me Bella," she said to him warmly. "Bella it is then".
Master Tanya and Queen Renee stood above watching the entire thing. "Do you still think it a foolish idea, your majesty?" Master Tanya asked. Renee didn't bother responding.
