|
When Evander woke up, he was back inside his cottage
room where the sun warmed his face. It felt good to be back home after challenging
the Monoceraptor and rescuing Appolonia. He felt a surge of happiness fill his
insides and brighten his feeling. But the three long scars on his wing kept
as a constant reminder of the pain he had endured. In the end it was all worth
it, for the accomplishments he made... and for Appolonia.
Evander gazed outside his window to view the
castle grounds nearby. The windows were glassy and clear and the trees were
strung with large red banners. Banquet tables were set up on the lawn, with
shining platters and foods decorated on its surface. Already, a large group
of locals were gathering in song and merriment. They were there to take part
in a celebration in Evander's honor.
With a smile curved on his lips, Evander walked
outside and into the fresh air. The morning glowed with warmth and happiness
and the cherry trees blossomed and produced a buzzing aroma. Evander walked
across the meadow to where the celebration was being held. As soon as he arrived,
the crowd begun to holler and cheer with excitement. Everyone passed him flashing
grins and words of congratulations. Evander felt an overwhelming emotion of
exhilaration take over him.
The king gestured towards Evander and he walked
up to the high throne. With a sweeping bow, Evander knelt by the king and lowered
his eyes to the ground. "Your highness, it would be my pleasure to offer you
thanks for this celebration," he said softly. The king smiled graciously at
Evander's words. From inside his crimson robes, the king held out a long, beautiful
sword. It glittered vibrantly with sapphire and diamond jewels. Inscribed on
the golden hilt were flowing words of a foreign language. The sword was just
about the most wondrous and precious treasure Evander had ever seen.
"Evander, knight of Riverence," announced the
king. "It is with appreciation for your courageous acts of saving my daughter
that I present to you this sword." The crowd ooed and awed at the magical object.
"This sword is an honor to receive, as it has been passed down through many
generations to the most noble kings and knights in the land. Use it with strength,
and it shall serve you well."
Evander beamed when he took the sword in his
hands. He turned it over, admiring the delicate silver edge and golden jeweled
hilt. He couldn't imagine anything better. That is, except for Appolonia.
Later that day, Evander found himself strolling
along the nearby stream, tossing pebbles into the water and watching the rippling
patterns the glassy water formed. He glanced at his reflection -- a tall and
handsome Draik with soft clear eyes. But all Evander could see was the reflection
of a shy, scared little creature. He could battle the Monoceraptor, the most
feared beast in the land, but he could not work up the courage to tell the princess
how he felt about her. Evander sighed and continued tossing stones in the water,
one after another... just like the minutes that rolled by endlessly.
Just then Evander heard a slight sound of giggling
coming from upstream. It was childish and playful and it contained a hint of
love too. Evander watched as a small boat drifted along the peaceful river.
At first it didn't interest him much but that was until he got a closer look
at the two inside the boat. To his disbelief, Evander watched Faunus and Appolonia
playfully kissing and embracing each other. The two were constantly talking
and laughing cheerfully but they didn't seem to notice Evander staring wide-eyed
on the river bank. A feeling of hurt and betrayal immediately pounded Evander
in the heart as he watched the two. "No..." he breathed slightly.
Faunus just about tipped the boat over when he
rounded the corner and spotted Evander. "Oh, umm Evander... I uhh didn't see
you there," said Faunus.
"No..." repeated Evander under his breath.
"Look, I can explain. You see, me and Appolonia..."
"Faunus, I... I can't believe you!" Evander called.
Tears started to wet his eyes and stream down his cheeks. He tried to control
himself, but he just let go. "I thought you were a real friend!"
"Appolonia is with me. If you wanted her, you
should have come to her sooner!" Evander started shaking when he heard his best
friend's hurtful words. All the respect and trust he had held for his friend
crumbled away. There was nothing left.
Appolonia looked at Evander with a cool and distant
expression in her eyes. "I am sorry, Evander, but my true hearts desire lies
with Faunus. Please leave." There was a moment of stiff silence in which Evander
took one last look at Faunus. Something strange happened when he studied his
eyes, though. Flashbacks suddenly stormed through Evander's head like a brilliant
flash of lightning. The night of the raiding, the Black Thieves... the eyes.
It occurred to Evander just then in a moment of shock. Now he knew who Faunus
truly was all along.
And after that moment of burning truth, Evander
wiped away his tears and turned towards home.
****
It had not been but a few days later when a loud knock sounded on Evander's
door. He unwillingly dragged himself to the entrance to see who it was. Evander
had not eaten in these few days and his face turned a placid sickly color. His
stomach ached and moaned and his lungs pleaded for fresh cool air, but Evander
ignored his body and continued to sleep and stare at the blank walls depressingly.
He was losing himself, but no one was there to care.
"Hello, Sir Evander," said the knight who addressed
him. Evander just stared back blankly with lost, disk shaped eyes.
"What do you want?" he answered back annoyingly.
The knight at the door took a step back as if expecting Evander to create a
chaotic rampage with his lunacy.
"I am here to inform you that your property is
being seized and you shall be transported and detained momentarily." Any sane
person would have been in full outraged shock after being told this, but nothing
seemed to matter to Evander anymore. He simply walked outside his cottage and
waited for what would happen next. "We have heard some vital information from
our most trusted affiliates pertaining to you." The knight waited for Evander
to say something, but he never did. "We have reasonable belief and suspicion
that it was not you who battled the Monoceraptor and rescued the king's daughter,
but that it was Sir Knight Faunus. We will have you know that Riverence is extremely
shocked and upset with your faulty actions. This is why, with the king's order,
that you must return the sword that was awarded in your name."
Evander was hardly listening to what the knight
was telling him. Everything seemed vague and unreal, as if in a dream. His life
had changed so much in so short of time that Evander hardly knew who he was
anymore. After a long and uncomfortable silence, Evander reached towards his
belt and took out the sword. It gleamed brilliantly in the light, and Evander
knew he would miss it.
"It is also, with the king's order, that you
leave Riverence immediately." This was the last thing that the knight had to
say. Evander felt trapped behind a wall of injustice. Why was this happening
to him? That was a question that would be left unanswered for all of eternity.
All Evander could think of was his broken heart, his denial of trust, his torn
friendship. He wanted to run away and never come back. Yet this was something
he willingly accepted and entered knowingly. Maybe one day he would regain courage
and avenge his past... or maybe it would remain secret and lost to the rippling
waters of the river and the blooming meadowlands. So with the turn of the key,
and the droplet of a tear, Evander walked away.
The End.
| 
