We traveled for about two days before we got to another village. Kara and Bowen stayed quite for almost all of the trip, which I found both pleasing and disturbing. She staid close to my sister and I when we would give our horses a brake. After the first day she wouldn't leave my side. She fallowed me when we stopped for a break and I went looking for herbs for Bowen's wound, staid close to my sister when I went hunting, she even slept close to the fire. I felt bad for her for what my brother must have done to her. Though when she was riding with Bowen she held onto him so that was at least a good sigh that she wasn't avoiding men. She even helped me clean Bowen's wound switching out the herbal mix. Around late noon we reached the outside of the next village. It was mostly surrounded by water so that would give father a good escape route. We crossed a bridge that lead to the village our horses walked next to us. My sister and I stayed a pit behind Bowen and Kara while the two talked.
"I think she likes him," Abiagael said nudging me in the ribs.
"They're just talking sister," I told her as I watched Kara look at Bowen's wound, "Though they do look really cute together."
We both laughed as they kept talking.
Later we arrived in the village ,which to find out was only dependent of the pigs they raised and only ate meat, just after father had made his entrance. Bowen had negotiated payment for our serves which was going well till Kara thought it would be a good idea to say it was a lie. Then the monk that was with Bowen the first day he came to us showed up.
"Brother Gilbert," Bowen shouted for joy when he saw the monk walking into the village vouching for him.
"Who is the monk," my sister asked.
"A friend," Bowen told her embracing Brother Gilbert.
"Bowen it is so good to see you're alive and whole," Brother Gilbert said looking Bowen up and down then turned back to the villagers, "You could not put your trust in a better man I have personally seen him slay almost two dragons. And it seems he even has two apprentices with him so his skills are talent."
"Almost," Kara said back.
"I didn't actually see the death blow but seeing that he is here he must have won."
My sister and I stayed out of the conversation hoping Kara wouldn't bring my sister and I into this. We stayed behind my horse keeping quite the whole time making ourselves as small as possible. A trick I learned many times when I went into a village for supplies which kept people from noticing me or my sister.
"Can't you see they are in league with the dragon," and she brought us into it.
'Thanks a lot Kara,' I thought clenching my teeth.
Bowen gave the villagers a sly smile and everyone started laughing. My sister and I even faked a laugh, even though Kara was giving us a stone cold drop dead look. After we all calmed down we set up the spear launcher. Though Bowen didn't need mine or my sisters help because Brother Gilbert offered to help. So Abiageal, Kara and I stood back and watched the two work. Father came just in time when he was close enough Bowen cut the rope launching the spear into the air. But father was too close when he caught the spear he dived head first into a shallow end of the lake falling onto his back.
"Uh-oh," I said under my breath.
"Sink sink,"Bowen said to father.
"I can't it doesn't get any deeper."
"Well done Bowen," Brother Gilbert praised, "You've done it again! What a brute! That's even bigger than the last one!'
"Actually he's about the same size." When the villagers saw that father was down they started chanting 'meat' and running after him. He saw them and quickly got up and started running away from them then flew off.
"Come," I said grabbing Abiageals arm and running to my horse jumping on him spiring him to run out of the village
"What about the others," Abiageal asked halfway across the bridge.
"Don't worry little sister," I told her stopping my horse, "I see father coming this way."
As father flew closer to us we lifted up our arms, he then lifted us off my horse. My horse then ran back to our cave. Abiageal and I started climbing up fathers arm and onto his back. Father than flew back to the village just in time to see Bowen and the others being surrounded by the villagers. Before they could get any closer to them father flew down grabbed Bowen's horse and flew off with Bowen, Kara, and Brother Gilbert on the horse.
"We're going to die," Brother Gilbert shouted, "God help us! We're all going to die!"
"Must be his first time flying," I said to father and Abiageal. Abiageal let out a little chuckle.
"Calm down Brother Gilbert we are not going to die we are just flying," Bowen said trying to clam Brother Gilbert down.
"How's it going,"Abiageal asked looking over fathers side. Brother Gilbert then let out another scream, "I guess not well."
"If you're going to get yourself killed you might as well do it in the fight against Einon," Kara said.
"Would you guys calm down we aren't going to die under fathers watch," I said leaning over to see them.
"What," Gilbert let out another another scream, " I would rather discuses all of this on the ground."
We stayed quiet for the most part of our flight. Till we see an island come into view. There were castle ruins on the cliffs of the island which had a thick fog around them which gives the place an eary look.
Before my sister and I could ask where we were Bowen asked, "Draco what unholy place is this?"
"Unholy? This is Avalon the resting place of King Arthur himself."
"We are really going to Avalon," my sister and I shouted happily. Father nodded yes and my sister and I start squealing with joy. When we landed Brother Gilbert started kissing the ground thanking God that he survived our trip. Abiageal and I giggled a little at the sight of Brother Gilbert but we passed it by and went over to the grave sight. The others started fallowing us father walking next to my sister and I. In the grave yard at the center were stone columns in a circle marking the graves of King Arthur and his knights. amazed at this sight my sister and I removed our masks and walked to the center of the circle facing King Arthur's grave.
"Sister are we really here," Abiageal asked me. I nodded to her smiling at her. She smiled back looking around at the columns naming off all the knights. I smiled at her then stared at King Arthur's grave. I was here, I was in Avalon a most holy place for any knight. Father arrived shortly after us and flew up to a ruined tower looking over the sight. Brother Gilbert came after, followed by Kara, and lastly Bowen. Brother Gilbert was star struck by the sight and crossed himself three times. I smiled at him then called my sister over to me.
"Little sister I think it would be a good idea to renew our code," I told her.
"Here," she asked excitement building in her eyes, "Now?"
"Where else do you think we should do it," I smiled at her then drew out my sword and walked closer to King Arthur's column kneeling before it. Abiageal fallowed taking her ax off her back kneeling before the column. We then spoke the Old Code my sword in front of me the tip on the ground both my hands on the handle Abiageal copied me with her own weapon.
"Inside the tables circle," we both spoke bowing our heads, "The knight must vow to fallow the code that is unending. Unending as the table a ring by honor bound. A knight is sworn to valor, her heart knows only virtue, her blade defends the helpless, her might upholds the weak, her word speaks only truth, her wrath undoes the wicked. The right can never die. If one man still recalls. The words are not forgot. If one voice speaks them clear. The code forever shines. If one heart holds it bright."
When we finished we place our fist on our chest bowing our heads then stood up with our fists still on our chest bowed at the waist then stepped aside sheathing our weapons. Brother Gilbert then stepped up the the column and began to pray. My sister and I left the circle and went over to fathers tower siting against the stone.
"Well spoken my daughters," father said.
"Thank you father," we said back.
We stayed there for maybe an hour while Brother Gilbert prayed. Kara stood off to the side clenching a red bandanna in her hand. I thought she was praying to God as well, most likely for her village. I sighed looking up at the stars to the group that formed the Dragons Heaven. I had long since gave up the belief of God when I left the life of a princess. The Code was my prayer and the Dragons Heaven was my god. Even though I wasn't a dragon I would still pray to those stars for aid, I guess before a battle was the best time to start praying for aid. Brother Gilbert finished his pray then tried to see if Bowen would fight with us.
"It's a divine omen," he told him.
"Omens won't win battles," Bowen said back, "Nor will you. And you'll find out when you try to raise an army."
He then went over to Kara, "You already know the courage in your village. They're very brave at pelting young girls with vegetables. "
"We have to start somewhere," Abiageal said stepping into the circle.
"Will you wish us luck," Kara said to my family.
"Long ago when man kind was young and dragon was already old the wisest of our race took pity on man. He gathered together all the dragons making them vow to watch over man always. and at the moment of his death the night came alive with those stars, " father pointed to the Dragon constellation, "And thus was born the dragon's heaven. But when we die not all dragons are admitted to this shining place. No, we have to earn it. and if we don't our spirits disappears as if we never were. And that's why I shared my life force with a dying boy so I would reunite man and dragon and ensure my place among my ancient brothers of the sky. But my sacrifice became my sin."
"It was you," Bowen said with an air that he had already figured that out, "Your heart beats in Einon's breast."
'Maybe if he figured out father maybe he already knows who I was,' I thought to myself as father landed in front of Bowen, 'He wouldn't know about Abiageal though. She was just a baby when he met her.'
"Yes my half heart that cost me all of my soul," father said, "Even then I knew his blood thirsty nature but I thought my heart could change him. My God, I was so naive."
"You were as naive as I was father," I said walking closer to him, "I had hoped if my mother brought Einon to you I would have a kinder brother. But instead I was foolish enough to hope that the Kings evil wouldn't still be in my brother even after his death."
"Catherine," Bowen said shocked, "It can't be you."
"You finally figured it out," I said half smiling at him, "I no longer go by that name. That girl died the day you left her. Her sister with her."
"Sister what are you talking about," Abiageal asked walking towards me.
"Little sister there are some things I need to tell you," I told her motioning her to fallow me. She did and we walked out of the circle and through the grave yard. We walked in silence for a while till I began my story, "Abiageal you remember when I told you we were taken in by father after our human father was killed.''
"Yes and you said that day you died as well and became Ava,"she replied, "When I asked you about our old life you wouldn't answer me. I asked father one day and he said that we were once princesses but that was it."
"Yes we were till Einon became king and I had to take you away from that life. I had to protect you from Einon. He never wanted sisters or any siblings for that matter. The king never payed any attention to me even though I was his first born and when you were born he acted as if you weren't even his. Einon shared that opion hating you from the moment you were born. Our mother the queen abandoned her responsibilities to you when you were eight months old. I then took care of you you even slept in my room next to my bed. The villagers had rebelled once against the king and they fail but were able to kill the king but that made Einon king. Einon went after the crown and got himself mortally wounded in the progress."
"That's why he shares fathers heart,"Abiageal said, "Because he was being stupid and selfish."
"Yes and that cause much pain for many lives," I told her, "Before he was brought to father I went ahead armed with my bow and my sword to fathers cave to either ask him not to help my brother or kill him."
A look of shock came over my sisters face as I told her this.
"Yes I had plans on spilling blood that day but it turned out differently for both of us. I told father how I wanted to protect you and end our fathers cruelty in the form of Einon but when he said he believed his heart could change our brother I started to hope our family could be redeemed from our fathers sins. I hoped he would change but he was even worse than our father. He even tried to hurt you when you were still a baby. I stopped him but that was it. That same day I left with you tied to my back, back to fathers cave and that is where he named us and calmed us as his daughters."
"So if we beat Einon what will happen," she asked.
"I will be queen and I will fix every thing Einon has done."
"Would we still have father," she asked her blue eyes seemed to get bigger at the question. I was silent. What would happen to father if we bet Einon. I mean if all else fails we can lock Einon away for his crimes he wouldn't be able to make any friends to break him out and he is still my brother but what would happen to father.
"I'm sure he will be alright he is pretty tough," I said giving a false smile, "And remember what we promised him."
"We would always find him," she smiled at him.
"Yes we will always find him," I smiled at her hugging her, "And I will always find you." She smiled at me hugging me back.
"I will always protect you my light," I whispered to her. We met back with Kara, Brother Gilbert, and father a few minutes later.
"Where is Bowen," I asked.
"Is not coming with us," Abiageal asked. Father shook his head.
"Oh well then," I said walking past them.
"Where are you going," Kara asked me.
"I'm going to go get my teacher and general," I said walking away, "I'm not going into this fight without him."
I found Bowen sitting in a shrine. He seemed deep in thought about something staring at the ground.
"Hey,"I said walking up to him, "What are you doing we are leaving soon."
He didn't answer me just kept staring off into space, "Earth to Bowen your princess is talking to you."
Still nothing, "So you're just going to sit there? You're leaving me again when I need you. Some 'Knight of the Old Code' you are. Leaving my sister and I alone, ignoring the weak, and running away from your past. Well guess what your past has been running after you and it just caught up to you. So you can either keep running away from your mistakes or you can run screaming towards them and face them like a real fighter."
He stayed quite glazing up at me.
"Fine then," I said turning away, "Keep running away. You're just lucky I didn't bring a book with me." I went back to the others who were waiting for me.
"Lets go," I said coming up to the group.
"Bowen's not coming," Abiageal asked.
"No," I said climbing onto fathers back, "Lets get going."
Shrugging her shoulders Abiageal climbed onto fathers back. Father helped a shaking Brother Gilbert onto his back then helped Kara onto his back. As Brother Gilbert was set onto fathers back he death-latched onto me. Wrapping his arms around my waist nearly breaking one of my ribs and we hadn't even left the ground yet. Though a few minutes after take off he started to relax. We made it back to our cave at midnight, I set up beds for Brother Gilbert and Kara who fell asleep as soon as their heads touched the fur blankets. Abiageal and I fallowed soon after.
I found an extended version of the Old Code online, thinking it was cool I used that version for this scene seeing as it would be the big moment that Ava was preparing to go to war. Here where I found the extended version wiki/Old_Code . I hope you guys enjoy this chapter let me know what you think about it.