Vaehandre: Where The Stars Fall [Under Revision]

Chapter 31: What Thoughts Remain

As time passed by, everything that afternoon seemed quiet. Aiden looked over the array of windows overlooking the capital of his province reminiscing all that's happened in the past few days and weeks. He saw a clear divide in the town below the castle. The worn-down houses he and Henry saw before the castle were the closest to the gates, an outer ring. The sturdier and brighter houses were closer to Rathorn keep. 'The rich and poor,' he thought. This reminded him of the Mundane world, his time as a worker living in the cheapest apartment in the area near the outskirts of town. He thought that it might be the same case in his capital town.

He'd have his talk late in the afternoon with Lucan. They sat on two armchairs next to a fireplace. They discussed matters of the past, consequence and duty in the noble advisor's study room.

Rathorn used to be a military community highly focused on training the best soldiers, but ever since lesser wars and battles had been waging, the need for so many soldiers was considered unnecessary. Eventually, the military-based castle and town grew into a community of man and Elite like most places in Vaehandre. But in their capital, man and Elite refused to coexist together. The rift started when the Elite did all the laborious work, which was also often the ones with the most pay. Man could hardly compete with the Elite when it came to being employed. And so the Elite continued to grow richer and work with less effort while the likes of man were left with farm work and cleaning. They lived in different sections of the town. It had been that way for the past hundred years, according to the records Lucan read. He cautioned Aiden on this fact and emphasized on its unpredictability.

"Find a balance, Lord Aiden. There's a time for mercy and kindness, and there's a time to be a brute. I cannot tell you where to draw the line. You must determine that for yourself. That is your duty to the people. To decide what is best for them, with their best interests in mind. Now they are at peace and have accepted their place. The tournaments will keep any brutes at bay ... With that said, my lord, you have to know that whatever you chose, you can't please everyone. People will rebel, and people have rebelled. Rathorn has seen many dark times because of this." Lucan said to Aiden.

After hearing those words, Aiden felt uneasy, but he felt free. Caged but in control. He kept his thoughts to himself.

Lucan crooked his mouth. "I think I've said enough. That will be the last advice I give you." He stood up.

Aiden directed his attention to the fire.

"May the North star guide you, my lord," Lucan said as he bowed.

"And your path be true."

When night came and the stars shown, Aiden thought of Lôra. How he swore she could shine brighter than the brightest star in the sky that night. He remembered that look in her winter grey eyes—the look of hope, despair, love, grief, and pain. The White Knight wondered how it was possible to express so much emotion in just one look. He hoped to see her again somehow. The following nights he dreamt of her, but she was always out of reach. He'd always find her in the terrace of the North castle, but no matter how much he tried, no matter how fast he ran to her, he could never reach her. He could only call out her name. She'd look at him then the dream would end. Most nights, he would wake up with tears in his eyes, often still sobbing. His cries would reach the other room. Henry could hear him.

One morning before checking with his men, Henry knocked on Aiden's door.

"Trouble with the men?" Aiden asked.

Henry glanced at Aiden's eyes. They looked swollen. He shook his head. "None. I don't think any of them know I'm a hybrid. I don't see the need to let them know of my true nature. Finnian has been of great help letting me get to know the other knights."

"I'm sorry. I feel like I promised you a knighthood where you could be yourself ... but I agree. Stirring doubt in the minds of the men and people is dangerous."

Henry didn't need the pendant anymore, so to everyone else he was a regular man or Elite.

"Agreed. Ehy, Aiden? ... Could you train me?" Henry asked.

"Train you?" Aiden said as he crooked his brow.

Scratching his head, Henry replied, "I was only a novice knight during my Elite knighthood. I barely got to squire, I sparred with Brum, but during the battle, I grazed by in my beast form. I would like to be able to fight without my special abilities. Could you help me finish my training?"

Aiden smiled. "Of course. When would you like to start?"

"Whenever it's good with you, my lord."

Aiden tilted his head. "After you check in with the men."

● ● ●

An hour had gone after lunch when Aiden and Henry suited up for a sparring session. Each one only wore a chainmail shirt and wielded a dull sword. Aiden was tightening his glove.

"How have you been, Aiden, really?" asked Henry, fixing his boot.

Aiden glanced sideways while whirling his sword. "What do you mean?"

Henry chuckled, then frowned. "You know what I mean."

Lord Aiden only stared.

"It's been three weeks since the battle."

The young lord cast down his gaze and forcefully planted his sword into the ground without raising it. "My thoughts still think of her as if she isn't gone," he said before looking up at Henry. "There is much regret and sorrow. I..." Aiden broke eye contact and bit his lip. "I hope you'll never come to know such pain."

"But then I would never come to know love."

Aiden laughed light-heartedly. "That's true." He sniffled and pulled his sword out off the ground. "Now make yourself ready, rook!"

Their blades met with a clang.