Aetherian(Part 1): A War Begins

Roderick

 "Illyria, don't do this," Roderick begged.

"I won't do anything," Illyria promised. "I just don't appreciate a threat to my friend."

"Everyone, calm down!" Commander Vestarr shouted, stepping past the Dragon Guard. "You're all getting worked up over nothing. Illyria, unhand the King." Illyria reluctantly took her hand off King Robar's shoulder, then stood next to Trevor, and the Dragon Guard lowered their rifles.

"Trevor's right, Your Grace," Commander Vestarr advised. "This isn't a matter for the Guardians."

"You don't care, you mean," the King argued, as he sat back in the Dragon Throne.

"It's not that we don't care, it's just that it isn't our problem," Vestarr corrected. "It's only my problem because I'm the Head Counselor. I would advise you to let Valeria come, Your Grace."

"What?" Roderick whispered. "Commander, what are you saying?"

"She started a war just to try and get here," Commander Vestarr advised. "I say let her taste what a united Aetherian can do, that is if she manages to get through the Alessians."

"He actually has a point, father," Roderick agreed. "There's a chance that the Karvine girl won't make it out of Alessia, and you're overlooking this."

"Am I the only one here who's looking at what is obvious?" King Robar demanded as if he was disregarding Roderick's suggestion.

"No, father," Vorian promised. "This whole thing has only proven what I suggested. That the Guardians cannot be trusted."

"Excuse me?" Trevor snapped, then he looked to the King and reminded him of the Redwald Rebellion, saying "Your Grace, I fought at your side with my squad in the Bronze Mountains, and countless battles before that."

"You should consider that it was a Guardian..." said Roderick, then he pointed to Trevor and continued "This Guardian, that helped save Andrella."

"I have not forgotten that," King Robar admitted.

"As much as I appreciate you saving my sister, Captain, I'm not an idiot," said Prince Vorian. "You helped save her to gain our trust."

"I was with him, Vorian," reminded Roderick. "He and Illyria helped save Andrella because it was their job. They didn't do it to gain anything!"

"Enough!" King Robar roared. "I am sorry that I hid Valeria from you, Captain, but I had to consider the safety of my country and the people in it. Understand that, at least."

"How would me knowing of her have been so bad?" Trevor asked. "How would it have caused harm to anyone?"

"The harm would have come from you," Commander Vestarr reminded. "When you were younger, maybe."

"Captain, all I am is a King that loves his people, and would do anything to keep them safe," said King Robar. "Please, help me keep them safe." Roderick could see a tear escape Trevor's eye. He was trying to fight every urge to take out his lightsword and drive it through King Robar's throat, but he would have to get past Roderick, first.

"I can't," Trevor admitted. "She's all I have left, and I won't stop her from taking what's hers."

"Than you've made your decision," said King Robar. "You will walk safely in this city until nightfall."

"Father..." Roderick pleaded, but his father interrupted him.

"I have spoken!" he roared. Trevor and Illyria turned around and left the elevator. Roderick could see the shock in the eyes of Melody and Belle. Trevor had been a brother to both of them, and they might not see him again by morning.

He could hear Melody whispering to her father "He can't. Father, please tell him to say he can stay here." As the other nobles of the court stood from the risers and left after Trevor and Illyria, Roderick went to Belle, who was weeping with her hands over her eyes. He couldn't believe what his father had done, and neither could Belle.

"Belle," he said, putting his halberd on the ground, holding one of her hands.

"Roderick, why did he do that?" Belle sobbed. "Why won't he listen to you?"

"He seems to be listening to Vorian more," Roderick suggested. "I don't know why he would do that to Trevor."

"They were about to kill him," said Belle. "You were about to kill him."

"I didn't want to hurt him, Belle," Roderick promised. "I didn't want to hurt him or Illyria. Besides, he doesn't have to leave until nightfall. You can see him again before he leaves if you catch him. Myself, on the other hand, I need a serious talk with my father and brother." Roderick stepped to his father, who was talking with Commander Vestarr and quickly turned him around by the shoulder.

"Roderick, what...?"

"What the hell is wrong with you?" Roderick demanded.

"Don't take that tone with me, Roderick!" his father scolded, pushing Roderick away from him. "I did what I had to do."

"What did you think was going to happen?" said Roderick. "Did you honestly think he would tell his sister to back off just because you asked nicely?"

"It's what I hoped for," King Robar admitted.

"And what about what you told him about being concerned for your people?" Roderick asked. "Did you honestly think that would change his mind? Was that even true?"

"Of course it was," said the King. Roderick had a hard time believing him. He may claim to love his people, but the way that he told Trevor about Valeria made it obvious that he wanted her to back off so he could stay on the Dragon Throne.

"Whatever," he snapped, then stomped to Vorian.

"What's your problem?" Vorian demanded.

"My problem?" Roderick snapped. "What's your problem with the Guardians? Trevor saved Andrella, and probably the entire world two years ago. Why do you not trust them?"

"They have yet to declare for father," Vorian reminded.

"The Crown has respected their oath not to declare for anyone for ten thousand years," said Roderick.

"That was a different family ruling Aetherian," Vorian reminded. "There isn't a single King that wouldn't demand the same."

"Uh, what about the thousands of Kings that sat on the Dragon Throne before father?" asked Roderick.

"Like I said," said Vorian. "We rule Aetherian, now."