Chapter 3 - Warn everyone
29 Days till Alageasia's Downfall:
A messenger of the Empire stormed through llirea with a rushed expression, keeping his bag from spilling it's contents, and slightly panicked, if what he gathered had told him anything. His mission was clear; give the Queen a scroll which spoke of an important matter. Nothing else was known, except that the man who gave him the scroll was scared half to death, and had traveled from Teirm to the capital as fast as he could.
The messenger darted past passing horse-drawn carts full of goods, and shuffled through the crowded markets. At one point he nearly toppled over an elderly lady who was bending over, picking up fallen produce.
Then the catidel came into view, peering between various shops and apartments. The boy rounded the corner and clambered clumsily up the stairs to the large reddish wood doors. Two gaurds stood gaurd at the entrance, and crossed their pikes in the way as the boy stopped.
"State your business." The soldier to the right commanded.
The boy huffed, out of breath. "I... have an important message for Queen Nasuada from Teirm."
The gaurd nodded, then relayed a signal to a hidden spectator. The doors then slid open on undisclosed hinges, the soldier motioning the boy inside. The door closed behind them with a hollow thud, and the gaurd took the lead.
The first steps into the castle created an errie echo that vibrated across the hard, cold marble floor, made up of different alabaster tiles, specifically chosen for a certain taste in mind. Beautiful paintings and tapestries hung from the walls, hiding the plain stone bricks behind.
On either side of them were seperate double staircases that spiraled to the level above them. The railing surrounding the stairs was exquisitely engraved with vines and leaves, not one was similar. Up ahead, set into the flooring, was a moderate fountain that showered water gracefully back to the pool below it. Six large jasper pillars, evenly spaced, bordered the fountain, lined with entricate golden designs of mythical creatures. Beyond that was the door to the throne room, an ornate arch topped the door frame, friendly ivy hung from it, bringing the entranceway a stange, but wonderful scent.
The guard placed himself between the messenger and the door, and pounded the floor three times with the butt of his pike, creating a low thrum. The door slid into the door frame revealing an open room with a high-vaulted cieling with archways that molded into the roof, forming a ridged skeleton support system. The queen was standing halfway down the red carpet, right next to her was the red rider Murtagh, Zar'roc strapped to his side. Behind them, and next to the throne, lied Thorn, a stocky, compact dragon with very strong muscles and limbs. His eyes and hide, sparkled a startling ruby red, while his talons, teeth, and neck spikes were the color of snow, in amazing contrast compared to is body color.
"There is a certain matter that requires your knowledge, your majesty." Spoke the gaurd, bowing as he did.
Nasuada stepped closer as the boy reached inside his bag and pulled out a scroll bound in golden lace and sealed with a wax stamp. "We had just recieved it this morning your majesty." The boy said, bowing also.
Nasuada took the scroll and kindly dismissed the messenger and the gaurd, and waited for the door to close before she returned to Murtagh.
"Is all well?" The rider asked, remaining in his spot patiently.
She shook her head. "Not sure. The last time Teirm contacted me in this manor was when the attacks on their trade ships started again." She broke the seal and unrolled the scroll. Then she held it up for her and Murtagh to read:
Lady Nasuada, it has came to our attention that a large naval force is gathering along the entirety of the west coast. We know not who these people are for they sailed across the western ocean weeks ago and have been going back and forth, never making any contact, and swarming our coast. Trade has been interrupted severly due to this event. This may be a warning of a coming war, or something the Surdans are planning. However, King Orrin of Surda has brought his attention to this also, his concern has brought Surdan soldiers to protect all the coastal cities, but this is matter that needs your attention Queen Nasuada.
Lord Combay of Teirm.
Nasuada looked to Murtagh, confused. This brought a whole host of questions to her attention. Who were these people? Where did they come from? Were they an enemy or allies. Murtagh was similarly confused, he had no knowledge of any naval force that could be big enough to raise concern from all the major coastal cities, and Surda.
"What do you propose we do, my lady." Murtagh asked.
Nasuada looked down at the scroll, then up to the rider. "We need insight on these mystery people. I don't want to send an entire army there and cause an alarm to spread across Alageasia before we know if war is iminant. We need someone trust worthy, someone close to where these sightings are."
"Do you know of anyone?" Asked the rider, gripping his sword's handle.
The queen nodded. There was one person she could trust to gather and deliver information secretly without causing a panic. One person who was close enough to these sightings, one person who would help her in times of need. "How fast can you get to Carvnhall?"
He looked to Thorn, then said. "Two days tops."
The soft, cool, mountain-side wind blew through the field, rustling through trees, and causing the tall green grass to sway. The scents were of wild fruits and flowers, fresh water that flowed from the glacier-capped mountains, and pine trees. Birds soared in in the sky, and deer grazed in the field peacfully. In the center of the field was a beautiful monument, built to honor the life of one's father. For death was nothing to celebrate. Roran stood atop a hill over looking the plain, this was the spot he had grown up in. That is, until eight years ago when his life took a dramatic turn, sending him on an adventure wit elves, magic, and dragons. A place where war and tradegy existed out in the streets of cities.
"Lord Stronghammer." A messenger came running up the path that lead to the city of Carvnhall. "Sorry to interrupt you, but queen Nasuada wants an audience with you. It is of an important matter regarding complete secrecy."
Roran said nothing, and instead looked down to the resting place of his father, a burial chamber fit for a king. The breeze and the area calmed him, it reminded him of the years spent here as a kid. A place where dragons, elves, and magic didn't exist. A place he called home.
"Did she specify?" He finally asked a minute later.
The messenger shook her head. "No, but she did say it was of major importance."
With one last look at the monument he turned to face the messenger and together they trudged downhill towards the city.
"I did mention you'd be here. She apologizes for the timing, and she seems very frail, scared even." The messenger said, brushing her hair from her face.
Roran nodded, quickly seeing the walls of the city. As they rounded the last bit of trees that blocked their view, Roran could see dozens of soldiers lining the path leading up to the northern gate entrance. He recieved nods of honor and gratitude as he passed. Roran and Katrina's home was a mansion built in the center of the city on a hill that overlooked all of Carvnhall. "You are dismissed Yunnan." Roran said, entering his room. The messenger nodded and left.
The lord of Carvnhall sat down in front of a mirror as Nasuada's image appeared. "Roran Stronghammer. How nice to see you agian, and may I say, time has most certainly been kind to you. How is Katrina and Ismira?"
Roran laughed. "Same goes for you. Ismira is fine, and Katrina is with Gertrude, you remember Gertrude, we are about to have another child. And between you and me." He leaned in closely to the mirror. "I'm hoping for a boy this time."
Nasuada gave a friendly laugh, then replied. "Well I'm glad you're all fine. But I have another problem, or we all might have a big problem. I don't know if you've heard, but a naval force is gathering in great size, along the western coast."
"Yes, I've heard of them. Our tade port has had sightings of these ships. Their designed in an unfamiliar way, they don't even look stable enough to float." Roran said, angst growing in his stomach.
"Well even Surda has concern for these... people." The queen replied.
"Let me tell you this Nasuada, i don't know much of this, but i can tell you that whatever is in control of these ships are not people."
Nasuada leaned back, arching an eyebrow. "How do you know?"
"They've came onto land, I've seen them."
A\N: Chapter 3 is finally here. Did you like it. I'm trying to slowly impliment more characters. As always, enjoy and leave a review. Thanks to those who are following this story. Reply to reviews:
luckyponygirl- thnx alot for reading and giving support to my story. I hope you liked this chapter, much didn't happen, but the action comes very soon, and maybe some of your unanswered questions will be answered.