Chapter 183 Children
Eight months after the War of Succession.
The Royal Castle.
At the age of nine, the young Lord of Isla Real arrived in the city to serve as a representative at the royal court of Queen Olivia. The boy stepped down from the carriage and looked up at the nest, which was very high in the sky, above the palace. Almost immediately, he received images in his mind of the All-Mother.
Eneko: Now there are fewer voices in your voice.
All-Mother: Yes. Every new All-Mother needs to find her own voice among the voices of hundreds. I am glad you are here.
The boy: Me too. I think I have a destiny. That is the reason why I can understand Pegasi.
The Pegasus: Yes. When you are alone, we need to talk more.
At night, in the bedroom of Eneko.
The young man sat down at his small desk. Images swirled in his mind. He sketched a diagram on a piece of parchment. He jotted down some notes on a few key points. On another piece of parchment, he wrote words in a strange language. He did not understand how he knew how to pronounce those words that he could not comprehend.
Eneko: My father has spoken in all the languages of the realm in my presence. Are these words from one of the strange tongues of the North?
All-Mother: No. They come from the minds of the first humans who inhabited the lands near our nests. They arrived from the sea before the first All-Mother.
The boy: What happened to these people?
The Pegasus: They were destroyed by the very danger that led the first All-Mother to create our magic and our memories.
Eneko: The ritual you are teaching me, is it to summon other Pegasi to join the humans?
All-Mother: Yes. The memories speak to me of a great danger that is to occur. We need more Pegasi with riders. To survive the dangers of the future, the three families need one another.
The boy with a special mind: I understand. I am doing everything possible to learn everything that is necessary.
Mother of All: Thank you, child.
In the Ridges.
The new nest was about to be completed. It was larger than the previous nest, and much of it was made of stone instead of wood. Hernando and Snowfall oversaw the design. Sometimes it was difficult to explain to the workers a change that had been decided by a Pegasus. But Hernando would be the Master Rider of the Nest, and Snowfall would be the Matriarch. The rider was putting on his flight gear. His girlfriend was talking to a tall soldier in a language that the short man did not understand.
Birgit: Captain, what do you need?
Captain: A farm on Red Tree Ridge was attacked last night. Animals and food were stolen. No one was killed, but two women were attacked by the men.
Birgit: Warriors of the North?
Captain: No, they described some of them as wearing red and gold tabards. I believe it was one of those groups of soldiers who have turned bandit. If he manages to find them, we can kill them. I have two companies ready to mobilize at a signal from your man.
The woman: Fine. Get ready. My man hates these groups. He will find them.
The soldier walked away, and the blonde approached the rider and kissed him with a smile.
Birgit: You are very happy today.
Hernando: My Pegasus is pregnant.
She hugged him: That is great! Was it White Mask or Golden Arrow?
The man: She does not know, nor does she care. She told me that they are both strong and fast, so their baby will be just like them. What did the giant soldier want?
Birgit: A group of bandits, men of Aurelio. Find them for the giant, and he will cut off their heads.
Hernando: Cowards. Well, we will be flying in less than ten.
She touched his arm: Now that Snowfall is pregnant, do you think we can visit Chara?
The man sighed: Yes, I suppose so. When my beauty was mating with the males, it was difficult. No one knew the riders would feel that way. It was shameful to feel such attraction to Chara. And I do not want to talk about my feelings for Folker
The woman laughed: I am sorry. It was not your fault. She sent me a scroll, and she holds no grudge over it. We are friends.
Hernando: Fine. I give up. We can visit them soon.
Birgit: One more thing.. the males have done their job for Snowfall...it is time for you to do your job for me...
The rider smiled: We have tried many times.
The woman: Then we must try more often.
In the throne room.
The queen sat upon the throne, attired in an elegant gown crafted expressly for her. She was beginning to look more like a woman, for she was nearly sixteen years old. Her royal court stood at her sides. Facing them, a tall, fair-haired man and a petite brunette approached. Every face wore a smile. Many eyes sparkled with emotion. In the arms of the woman lay a baby, covered by a green and white blanket. He had blue eyes, like his father, and his hair suggested that it would resemble his mother. His stature was the subject of much speculation among people. However, his position as the future Count of Colinas Gemelas and Weisse Halle was secure. Priests from three cults stood ready to offer their prayers for the infant.
Marisela: My queen, I want to introduce you to my son, Francisco. We will call him Paco.
Olivia smiled: A charming gesture. I suppose Paco will be easier for his father to pronounce.
Heinrich laughed: Yes. He is perfect, regardless of the name.
The Queen: May I hold him?
The petite woman handed her baby to the young woman. The queen seemed happier than anyone had ever seen her.
Olivia: Welcome to my kingdom, Lord Francisco.