Aetherian(Part 1): A War Begins

Belle

 Belle and Melody wouldn't leave their father's side ever since he was brought back to his chamber in the Ivory Tower. A plaster cast was placed around his leg where Arry cut him. Her sword went straight to the bone and nearly severed the lower leg, rendering it useless. The King came to check in on him, and so did the Queen, returning from her travels early.

"How is he?" King Robar asked.

"I don't know," Belle answered. She began to sense a feeling of anger from her sister and saw her clutching her lightsword, and sneering at Queen Alicent. Melody must have been ready to strike if the Queen made any sudden movements.

"Mel," Belle whispered, and Melody looked her way. "Calm down." Of course, Belle was as anxious as she was. It was a Lysander that had injured their father, and a Lysander that had threatened them with death a dozen times now.

"Stay away from him," Melody hissed, at Alicent.

"Mind your tone, Captain," the Queen warned.

"Ally, don't mess with her," warned King Robar. "Not everyone can say they've defeated a Dragon Knight in single combat."

"That Dragon Knight was your niece," Queen Alicent reminded, then she pointed to Melody and said, "And she attacked her."

"Was she supposed to just let Arry kill her and her father?" the King asked. "She attacked them in the streets."

"There's a reason for that," snapped Alicent, then she turned to Belle and Melody, asking "Do you know what your uncle has done?"

"Do I care?" Melody snapped, stepping up to the Queen. "Our father had nothing to do with it!"

"Enough!" roared the King, loud enough to wake Commander Vestarr.

"Father!" Belle gasped, and she climbed onto his bed and threw her arms around him, and Melody did the same. They both had tears running from their eyes as their father pressed his face against theirs.

"I'm glad you're okay," Belle wept.

"I'm glad you're both alright," said Garrett.

"Arry has fled the city, Garrett," King Robar spoke up.

"Good thing for her," said Melody.

"Forgive me, Your Grace," Commander Vestarr apologized, sitting in his bed. "For not rising before you."

"You can't stand," Robar reminded, then he took the Head Councilor's pin out of his pocket and tossed it to Garrett. "I forbid you to leave this city, do you understand me?"

"Tell him about Darien and Damien," said Alicent.

"Oh, yes," agreed King Robar. "Apparently, Lord Edward Ingram has accused my sons of murdering his father."

"It wasn't them," said Garrett.

"I know!" the King snapped. "Get that through Edward's head, and tell him to send them home!"

"Robar," Garrett begged. "Valeria Karvine, she..."

"She has made it to Vale, Garrett," said Robar. "She took the city in the night. Alessia is hers. I want her dead before she reaches Aetherian. I'll hear no more about it."