Ok, first, I'm sorry I haven't updated this story since summer, but I had no clue where to go from where I was. Second, what I am posting today is kinda like a Christmas chapter, I'm sorry I missed the chance to write and post this last month, but in all fairness, I was quite busy. I hope you guys enjoy this chapter, and thank you to everyone who has reviewed!
I'm adding a second note at the bottom because of information throughout the chapter.
-owl
Lucette emerged from the brightly lit stairwell, Bryer only a few steps behind her. In her hands was a small parcel which she handed to him.
"No one is forcing you to stay," she repeated. "Yes, we would greatly appreciate you to stay here and learn, but we are not going to tell you that you can't leave. My brother, there was a time that he left because this was not what he wanted. He did, however, come back. It is your choice, Rollan. Stay. Go. Come back. Just know that whatever you choose, we'll be here for you."
Rollan nodded. "Ok."
Rollen ultimately decided to stay at Greenhaven. He did well in training, and he and Essix grew together in their bond. However the gyrfalcon still refused to enter passive state. Six months after Rollan's arrival at the castle, it was time for the winter solstice celebration.
The castle had been decorated in huge drapes of various colors, and extra lanterns were set out to bring light to the longer nights.
Rollan woke up on the day of the winter solstice, the sun weekly shining through the window of his lonely tower. Essix was perched on the headboard, her head under her wing. Rollan stretched, his arms reaching for the ceiling. He also let out a huge yawn.
When he stood up, Essix lifted her head, her sharp eyes following him as he moved around the room, getting dressed. Rollan had decided to put on his one set of nice clothing.
When he walked into the common area outside his room, he found a small box, wrapped in butcher paper on the table under the window. There was writing on the packaging saying that it was a gift from Nicolai and Lucette.
Tearing into the paper with reckless abandon, Rollan found a set of jacks. Proper jacks, all the same size and color, no dings, dents, or missing points. A new rubber ball was also there, bouncing better than the one Rollan had in his room was able to do.
Rollan quickly pushed away the torn wrappings to make room to play with the jacks on the floor. He hadn't been playing long, though, when there was a knock at the door. The door was then opened by whoever was knocking on and, and before he knew it, Rollan was staring up at Tarik.
Tarik smiled gently at him. "Good morning, Rollan, I see you found your gift from Nicolai and Lucette."
Rollen nodded, a small smile on his face. "Yes. I will have to thank them for it later. Was there anything you needed me for this morning?"
Tarik shook his head. "No, but we are going to be having a celebration for the winter solstice tonight, and I'd thought you'd like to help decorate."
That night, when the sun had set completely, Rollan stood in the Greenhaven courtyard, wrapped tightly in his traveling cloak, amongst the other greencloaks. Everyone was holding a candle, and those who knew the carols were singing along.
Rollan had never been part of something like this. Then again, he had never been part of something, period. Lucette was standing to his left, and Nicolai on hers. She was singing, though he wasn't. For obvious reasons, neither was Rollan.
"Thank you for convincing me to stay," Rollan said, leaning in towards Lucette. "I think I would have left otherwise."
She smiled at him, breaking off her singing. "I didn't do anything to convince you, though, Rollan. You made the choice yourself, it had nothing to do with me."
Rollan didn't agree with her, but decided that changing the subject might be a better idea. "Do you know when I'll be able to go with Tarik or Nicolai on a mission?"
In the half year that he had been at Greenhaven castle, Tarik and Nicolai both had often been called away for various missions. Almost always, one of them was at the castle, though there had been three different times that they both had been away. Those times Rollan followed Lucette around all day.
Lucette shrugged. "I'm honestly not quite sure. I think Nicolai will be leaving on a mission of some sort in the morning, and Tarik will be leaving the first day of the new year."
"Where are they going? Could I go with?"
"I think Nicolai had said that he was going to Zhong, I think to see General Teng. Tarik is going to be sent to Eura. you'll have to ask both them and Olvan."
"Do you ever go on missions?"
That caught her off guard, clearly she wasn't expecting the question. "No, not really. Although I am going to be making a quick journey home to see my parents, soon after Nicolai returns from Zhong."
Rollan nodded and silently slunk away from Lucette, to find Olvan. Olvan wasn't hard to find. He had made the decision to let someone else lead the winter solstice celebration and was observing the merriment from the back of the crowd.
"Olvan, Sir?" Rollan asked, startling the man a little. "I'm sorry to bother you tonight, but I was wondering if I was going to be going with either Nicolai or Tarik on either of their upcoming missions?"
Olvan looked at him, as though sizing him up. "I'll talk to the pair of them tonight, after all, Nicolai leaves tomorrow. I want to get their opinions on you accompanying them."
Rollan nodded. "Thank you, Sir!" Then he scurried off, weaving his way among the crowd of people. Essix flew above him, screeching into the dark of the night around them.
Late that night, soon after Rollan had changed into his sleep clothes and gotten under the blankets of his bed, there was a knock at the door. Not the outer door, because Rollan would not have heard it from his bed, but from the door to his bedroom.
"Get your stuff ready, Rollan, you'll be coming with me," a voice filtered through the heavy wooden door.
So... I don't know who I want to send Rollan with, Tarik or Nicolai. If it isn't obvious, Nicolai might be running into Meilin, and Tarik could end up in Turnswick. Please, please, please, let me know who Rollan should go with!
-owl