A Raven's Choice (Book 2)

Chapter 17: Emerald's Decision

Emerald's Point Of View:

"What's the problem, Sandra?" She sighed dramatically and began to tell me everything she learned from Gi, the messenger for Queen Cynthia. Queen Cynthia was deceased and King Barchur was out of control. "Sandra, thank you for notifying me of this information. I doubt a month will be long enough for my army and I to find the animals. I'll get with Commander Aaron about this." I paused as Sandra's small voice responded, "What of Darey and I?" I thought deeply. "See King Ivan and report this finding to him." Sandra chuckled lightly. "Already done, Commander. I have Darey informing him now." I nodded. "Good. I will start supplying what I can. I'll see you on the battlefield." With that, we ended the call. I dialed up Commander Aaron. After a few rings, he answered. "This is Commander Aaron." I responded, "I have news regarding Queen Cynthia." I heard Aaron ruffle his hair. "I know she is deceased." I paused. "How?" Aaron explained how Oanin was weakened due to Cynthia's death. Without her mark, he was not as strong as he once was. "What's the game plan now?" I asked him. He sighed as he had Oanin respond, "Commander Aaron will take me to the Craven Clan. Once there, I will take the helm and have the armies join yours for the war. We only have a month, so we must be quick." I heard a woman's voice as well, "Tick tock. We need to start our journey." I questioned Aaron, "Who is that voice?" I could hear the smile in his voice. "No need to be jealous, Commander Emerald. This is just one of John's animals named Willow. If you're that intrigued, meet us at the Craven Clan. Commander Aaron, signing off." He clicked the hang up option as my mouth was open to question him again. Curious and frustrated, I made my way back to the troops. "Let's head out to the Craven Clan."

Emerald's Point Of View:

We marched until we arrived at the Craven Clan. I saw Commander Aaron, the woman, Oanin, Sandra, Darey, Gi, and a few soldiers at the gates. We all gathered closely. Commander Aaron smiled. "Glad you could make it, Commander." I bowed. "Of course." Oanin was talking with Gi about the plan. She smiled. "Since the late Queen Cynthia can't stop you from temporarily taking the reins, you have my approval. Please, guide us." Oanin looked at the Craven soldiers and sighed greatly. "First off, I apologize greatly that you lost Queen Cynthia. I will do my best to honor her memory and keep as many of you alive as possible." He paused, as I felt Commander Aaron's hand reaching out. Being blind, he needed help. I put his hand on my shoulder and he smiled. "We march to the Bunard Clan tonight. I was told from my group they want everyone to meet there. We will have the five nullifying casters with us, so do not fear. We unite to end this threat." I heard cheering behind Gi as she rallied the troops. "Bring your horses!" With the Craven army and the horses, we rode out through the night sky. Commander Aaron rode beside me, relying on his hearing on my position. "We only have a month to train these kids." I narrowed my eyes as flashbacks of war ran rampant throughout my mind. "It's not long enough." He sighed. "I know." He paused and continued, "However, we will have every clan with us. We could strategically train them from each of our individual skills." I looked at him in thought as our horses feet clanked against the ground. He was trying to see the positive from this, when there was none. "We will do our best, that I promise you." Aaron's smile fell just slightly. Willow rode faster to be next to Oanin. "Oanin, tell me more about your group." Oanin rolled his eyes as darkness enveloped him like a shadow. Willow backed off. "Okay, fine, cranky man."

Emerald's Point Of View:

We were the first group to arrive. Our horses , exhausted from the several minutes of travel, barely limped in as we hitched them to some posts by the inn. We looked toward the large group of people that we came to know as Raven, Rater, Darth, Trish, and Carter. Raven walked toward us, featuring a large smile. "Commander Aaron, it's good to see you again!" Aaron, recognizing Raven's voice, smiled. "I'd say the same, but my vision fails me." Everyone cracked up at that as I made my way to them. "I am Commander Emerald. Commander Aaron and I will help train you for war. How many more do you plan on coming?" Raven glanced at me. "King Gorgon let every clan know of the war and to meet us here." Commander Aaron responded, "Good. We will make sure to get with their Commanders and come up with the best training strategy." Raven smiled. "Wonderful, thank you guys." I nodded. "It is our duty, no need to thank us." Willow peeked her head out from behind my single green striped cape. "Hey, guys..." Rater immediately locked eyes with Oanin and the rest of the Craven army behind him. Oanin slowly walked up, using his staff as leverage. "Prince Rater." Rater cautiously addressed Oanin, "Last time we saw you, Carter betrayed us and Racon was severely injured. What right do you have to lead my clan?" The soldiers started whispering to themselves as Gi popped up beside Oanin. She placed a hand on his back and addressed Rater, "Prince Rater, unless you or your brother take the throne right now, in the middle of war I might add, I gave my permission for him being a temporary." Oanin extended his arm, "Carter is with you now, is he not?" Carter slowly walked up to the group. Raven looked at Rater as Rater's eyes were changing color. She held up a hand. "Yes, Oanin, he is." Rater looked at Raven and his eyes stopped changing. Raven continued, "You are welcome to join us. However, after the war, you two will need to decide what is best for your clan." Oanin looked at Rater. "That can be arranged." Rater crossed his arms, clearly irritated beyond belief. "Fine." Willow snuck out from behind my cape. "Don't be so mad, handsome." Rater looked at her in disappointment. "Willow, where were you when we needed you?" Raven looked at Rater in anger. "Go see Racon and cool off." Rater rushed out. Raven looked at Willow's sad eyes. "I don't know your story, but you are welcome here with us." Carter looked at Trish and then us. "Both you and Trish say that handsome word. Perhaps you could be friends?" Willow sniffled and smiled slightly. "Thank you."

Racon's Point Of View:

Julia left the room when King Gorgon called her. I was laying down resting when I heard the door swing open. My eyes flew open and I slowly sat up. Rater came in with his arms crossed, pacing the room in irritation. "I take it, the meeting with Carter didn't go so well?" Rater made a sound like a growl and sat down in front of me. "Carter is fine. It's the other's I am worried about." I raised an eyebrow. "What did I miss? Is Raven okay?" Rater nodded. "Raven is okay. We met with Carter and his group. Essentially, they want the nullifying casters to join the war. We met with Zachar to let them know. When we came back, that's when the trouble happened." He paused and sighed greatly, poking his nose with his fingers. "Oanin is here with the Craven army and the Outlander Commanders Aaron and Emerald." I raised my eyebrow again. "Wasn't Oanin banished by our mother?" We stared at each other in silence, not wanting to accept this fact. We haven't talked about any of this yet, and with the war coming, we couldn't exactly get our closure. Rater sighed deeply and put his hand on my shoulder. "Brother, Oanin is leading the army now. Gi approved of him being temporarily in charge until either of us accepts the position after the war." I furrowed my brows. "If he was banished, why would Gi allow him to take charge?" Rater took his hand off of my shoulder. He placed a hand under his chin in thought. "Oanin must of struck a deal with them. Even if he helps us in this war, he will be a problem after." He paused. "Brother, we have to watch out for him." I slowly laid back down, recollecting my thoughts. "I understand."

Rater's Point Of View:

I could tell Racon was on the verge of breaking. He needed to talk about this with someone. Heck, we both needed to. "Racon, can we talk now? Before the war and in case-" I paused, as he sat up in acknowledgement. "I refuse to lose you or Raven." He paused. "Cynthia is gone and our Clan is in shambles being led by a traitor." I chuckled lightly. "And our father will be the death of us all." Racon paused and we stared at each other. I saw a single tear forming in the back on his eye. "Do you remember the days when our mother would let us hang out with Raven? The days before she took our memories?" I smiled slightly. He was reminiscing, which was a good sign. "I remember, yes." Racon let the tear fall and he swatted it away with his finger. "She went from that mother to the mother being controlled by John. If we let him live, can you imagine the pain he would spread to others?" I had to be cautious here. If I wasn't, he would let the pain turn to anger. "It's not John we need to worry about, brother." Racon looked at me in deep pain. "If you had to, would you put him down?" I cliched my hand into a fist. "It will take more than us, brother. It will take a full army." I paused as he looked away. "We will have an army. However, with father, a lot of people will die." I grimly nodded. "I don't know how to break John's hold any other way." Racon paused and looked at me. "Promise to make it quick." I bowed. "Of course."

Racon's Point Of View:

We finally accepted our parent's fate. Now, we needed to decide the future. "Do you still stand by what you said a few months ago?" Rater stood and nodded. "Yes, I would like to step down and have you and Raven take the throne." My hand laid on his shoulder. "Are you sure?" Rater sighed. "Come on brother, if I didn't mean it, I wouldn't say it." We both chuckled as my hand fell from his shoulder. "So, what is your plan?" Rater paused in thought. "Without a clan to lead myself, I could be your Commander. It would be like how the Outlanders do it, with King Ivan and Commander Aaron." I shook my head slowly. "But, is that what you really want?" Rater scoffed and put his hands in his pockets. "Don't get me wrong Racon, it would be an honor." He paused as he looked up and then at me. "However, I have never been a fighter like you have. I was always more interesting in books and magic." I raised an eyebrow. "So, if not a Commander, what would you like to do?" I could see his thoughts reeling, as his emotions went from depressed to hopeful. I encouraged him, "With the clans uniting like this, it's safe to assume you could study in more than ours." Rater blinked. "Are you saying I should join another clan?" I shook my head. "Just that you could technically visit the clans. You could study the way they do magic as well, as they have different elements and technics." Rater's excitement elevated even more. "You're right, brother. That would suit me better." He smiled and slapped a hand on my shoulder. "I'll proudly be your informant." I chuckled lightly. "Who would you like to join you on your travels? You can't mean to go alone." I wiggled my eyebrows and Rater took back his hand in shock. "Racon! You know I don't have a girlfriend!" I just started chuckling as the door swung open at that moment. Willow gracefully and carefully entered. "Um, Princess Raven said to come check on you?" My eyebrow rose as I looked at Rater. "Are you sure about that?"