To his surprise she laughed, "In what, a dress? I like them they are more comfortable, besides when I fight it's in my Ascended form, I have no need of armor and swords. I hope your Samantha doesn't find out you've been ogling other women," she said wryly.
Now it was his turn to laugh. "I'm not ogling you, I just think you look out of place is all," he sighed again. "Hey, thanks for cheering me up."
"You take the deaths of your men to heart don't you?" she asked.
Barnin searched for how to answer her. "I do. You understand. There's a bond between people when you fight together, it's like you are brothers you know?" he said. She did and he went on, "Plus, I see the families of those that are killed a lot of the time, in Manton we can go find a widow or a father or mother, we find people to come to events like this, give them closure. But out here, who is going to come to Josher’s grave? Who is going to leave flowers, what closure will his mother and father have? Will they have any at all? Do you know what it's like telling a family that their loved ones won’t be coming back?"
He watched Umbra as a myriad of emotions crossed her face. "I was ten; this was before the war of course, a war that wouldn't happen for decades. We were in the front garden making poppies grow, my sister and I, when a man came to our house asking after my mother and father..." her face reddened. "He told us that my brother had been killed. You see, before the war there were minor conflicts with the Iumenta. Anyway, he was gone, so I know what it is like to have a house call, if you will. Then my sister and I fought in the war, she was almost one hundred years older than I, her husband fought with us. They didn't make it. I was the one who told his family and mine of their deaths. So, to answer your question, yes, I do know the feeling you are talking about."
He didn't always remember Umbra's age. While he thought that he had seen a lot in his time, it was nothing to the woman next to him. How many times had she delivered news of people being lost? What would it have been like living in Elf cities after the War of Generations? There wasn't an Elf alive at the time that hadn't lost several friends and family members.
They were to the harbor now. A small ship waited to ferry Barnin, Keither, Sara and Umbra to the Carrier where Arkin's service was to be held.
* * * * *
Keither stood holding Sara's hand as the ferry pulled alongside one of house Evindass' massive dragon Carriers. A door on its side opened, a gangplank sliding out for them to walk on. The ship sent was that of sap and sea, it reminded him of his time in Seeon. They walked down a narrow hallway lined with crystal bulbs lighting the ship.
Even after the time he'd spent living in them, Elf structures still felt odd to Keither. The ship that had brought Sara and himself to Noris was human; he felt the waves fully and heard the ship creek and waves lap against its hull. But now aboard an Elvin Carrier there was none of those things. The halls were like that of a dragon dome, smooth and refined, there was no sound from the outside world and he barely felt the sea on the large ship. More so when they entered the ship as spells made it so one didn't feel the effects of motion sickness. In effect the slight rocking of the ship seemed to be nullified; it was like being on land.
The passage they were in spilled into a large cargo hold that at the moment was empty. Sara walked ahead, down the center isle of rows of padded chairs all facing a podium and altar. Atop the altar sat a coffin, it looked to be aspen, its cream wood shone with a glossy clear coat broken only by gold embroidery. Keither sat on one of the soft wooden chairs resisting the urge to peek in the open casket.
Barnin sat next to Keither, he'd been given clothes to wear on the ferry and had showered, the Ascended Umbra sat on the other side of Barnin. The room filled slowly with Elves and some of the human command. Keither knew that most in the room did not know Arkin directly, but had respect for the work he did.
Emma walked in, sitting next to Sara. "Hello Sara, Keither, I am so sorry for your loss," she said.
"Thank you Em, is Stacy doing better?" Sara asked.
Emma nodded, "Still weak and out of it most of the time. She can't come today; we will have her at the ceremony in Coreum."
Keither had forgotten about that. The event today was a public one. Arkin had done the Elves great services with Legon and Sasha; this was their time to honor him. But Arkin's known living family was in Coreum, the Elves would keep Arkin's remains and give them to his family once the city was taken.
* * * * *
Emma contented herself with looking forward at the altar. She didn't have a relationship with Arkin. She didn't dislike him, but she wasn't close to him like the others were. For her, today was sad, but not as impact full as it was for others. Arkin was closest to Legon, Sasha and Iselin; as such it was they that put the event together. They who grew Arkin's coffin, made the clothes he wore and painstaking used magic to remove any signs of his violent end.
Emma had been surprised by the Cona Republic. House Paldin had offered to grow caskets for all of their dead and ship them to Manton to be returned to family members; but they insisted on burying their dead in Noris, in the hopes that at the war’s end Noris would have a monument made. Emma wondered if it was the right thing to do, or if it was the humans’ way of staying independent, if even only in how they handled their loss.
Legon, Sasha and Iselin entered the room. All were in black; the only other color they wore was the white robes of the Head of House. Sasha and Iselin sat in chairs next to a podium. Legon walked to the podium. He looked tired to Emma, the tiredness of a man who had put in too many hours, but that of a man who knew that his work was at the beginning and not an end.
"Thank you all for coming today," Legon started. "Today we honor Arkin. He was my teacher, mentor and friend. He protected my sister and gave me what I needed to protect that which I love.
"He lived a life of service; he sacrificed everything for what he believed in. I wonder if I could do the same. Arkin was a humble man and would not boast of himself." Legon smirked a bit, "But I am not Arkin; therefore, I can boast about him to my heart’s content. As can my wife Iselin and my sister Sasha; and that is what we intend to do today, we are not going to morn this great loss but rather celebrate his life. I would ask all of you who have been touched by Arkin to come and share your stories with us."
Emma had wondered why Sasha had insisted on the most comfortable of chairs aboard the ship, but now she understood. Legon started with his stories of Arkin, and then Sasha spoke, her tale bringing the room to tears. Iselin's was that of a young man who inspired her. Sydin, Opes, and even those that Emma didn't know spoke. Barnin talked of Arkin helping him escape the empire and giving him what he needed to fight back against injustice. Keither and Sara spoke as well. It was many hours before people stopped sharing; Emma was stunned at what an influence Arkin had been on those in the room. Now as she took in the gathered people, some of which who were the most powerful people in Airmelia, she questioned how many in living memory were as influential as Arkin was.
Legon ended the day with a thank you, there was no call to arms, no pitch to avenging Arkin, just a thank you. As people left they filed past the open casket. Emma took her turn, looking down at Salmont's old carpenter. He looked at peace she thought, his hands folded around a letter Stacy had written in the sick bay. Emma worried for the girl Stacy, she loved Arkin and he her. Emma decided that she would befriend the girl; after all they had both lost their loves to the Iumenta.
As she left, Emma followed Sasha to the sickbay to visit Stacy. The room and its many tables were bathed in honeyed tones giving it a peaceful and relaxing feel. Emma always noted the distinct lack of odor in Elvin medical facilities.
Stacy was in one of the corner beds sitting up. Emma could see that she was feeling better; all of her cuts and broken bones had been healed. Now, she was just recovering her strength.
Legon and Iselin were behind Emma with Opes and Sydin in tow. The later spoke to Stacy once everyone was around her bed.
"Stacy my name is Sydin, I am th
e Head of House Evindass' military. I know that you have been through a lot in the last few days, but we need to ask you some questions about when you were attacked."
Stacy looked weak but nodded. "Wh-what would you like to know?"
"Everything," Legon said with gentle simplicity.
Stacy composed herself. "Well, as you know we were meeting a contact of mine, on our way we ran into some trouble...there were seven or eight of them I think, but I can't be sure." She sucked in ragged breaths and Emma felt her heart break for the girl, Stacy went on. "We fought of course, Arkin tried to defend me...but...but," her face fell into her hands and she sobbed. "He died and then I was on my own, I don't remember a lot, just that it hurt. I had wards protecting vital organs, so it took them a long time before I fell. I thought I was going to die, it hurt so much I wanted to die...and Arkin," she choked, "I'm sorry."
Legon put a hand on her shoulder and squeezed. "Don't be sorry, you were very brave, you don't have to tell us anymore. Thank you for being there for Arkin," Legon said.
Stacy looked up at him with fire in her eyes. "They killed him and I'm going to kill them. Please, please, please, let me help. I know what Arkin was doing, he trusted me with so much. I could help; I helped him set the whole thing up," she said almost fanatically.
Emma could empathize, hadn't she clung onto what Kovos had been doing prior to his death? Her service to Evindass was evidence enough of that. Yes, Stacy was looking for the same, looking to keep Arkin alive in her own way by finishing his work. Emma would talk to Legon and Sasha on Stacy's behalf, she decided.
Opes broke in with his breathy voice, "Thank you Stacy for the offer, we have a lot to talk about regarding the work being done in the Cona Empire, but I promise you that you will be a big part of it, now please rest."
* * * * *
Legon walked out of the sickbay, leaving Emma behind to keep Stacy company. The bay door closed with a soft thump. "We need to figure out what we are going to do, Arkin's network is too important for us to let die with him. Also, we have a meeting later today with the other Houses to decide a course of action for this war. Opes, can you please gather all of the information available about Arkin's network; we need to find either a new way of running it or a new Head. Sydin, we need reports on our end of the war for the meeting as well."
Sydin and Opes went on their way to complete their respective tasks. That left him with Sasha and his wife. "Love," he said to Iselin "we need to find out what the human forces are doing. Keither has given us some details about what he is doing, but we need to find out what all of their plans are. Do you think maybe you could grease the wheels a bit?"
"Are you asking me to flirt with Enrich?" she asked coyly.
He smiled, "I would never ask you to flirt my love, but charm..."
She laughed, "I will do my best."
"Thank you," he said and then directed his words at Sasha, "Sash, I know today has been long but we need to do more."
She nodded, "What do you want me to do?"
"The Iumenta had crystals and other magical objects placed in Noris, aside from being useful for you and your people to study they are wreaking havoc. Buildings are exploding; things are bursting into fire or freezing. While I don't think we will be able to do much for Noris, it is likely we will find traps in each city we take. I want you to figure out everything you can about these objects and spells, while you’re at it see if you can learn anything more about Iumenta crystals. From what I have been told some of the cities defenses were crystal based, those crystals mostly shattered but..."
She picked up the thread of his thoughts. "We might be able to figure out how they were constructed, right? Am I allowed to go ashore?" she asked.
He was a little surprised, Sasha didn't really ask for permission to do anything. "Of course, you are a class six after all; but that being said bring all of your guard and only go to places that have been cleared," he said.
She smiled, "Deal." She turned and left, leaving Legon the task of confirming the meeting with all of the other Great Houses.
Chapter Four
Road Maps
"Tales of the past outline great battles and strategies; we hear of death defying acts of heroes and heroines of the conflict, but of the packman in supply routes we hear nothing. I suspect that is because he is busy working."
-The Exiled Captain (Author Unknown)
Keither fought back a yawn. It's only mid-afternoon he thought. Reading his mind Sara added, "And you have only slept a few hours every night for the last two weeks." She patted his shoulder.
They were sitting at a table strewn with papers in one of the harbor warehouses of Noris. Arkin's funeral, while sad, had made for a nice break for Keither to rest. Now he was back to work. Noris posed problems that while not unforeseen, still proved to be irksome. It was his job to manage supplies and take care of getting the general population of Noris' daily needs, such as food, clean water, shelter, etc. While Noris was a hub and had warehouses and keeps full of supplies, most of those where either burning to the ground, booby trapped and therefore about to be burning to the ground, or had yet to be cleared by security, who would likely set off booby traps and cause said buildings to burn to the ground.
Sara squeezed his shoulders. "Hey, just talk it through with me, you can figure this out," she said encouragingly.
She was right; he needed to just talk everything out. "OK, so here is the situation; our military is fine for the most part; we brought in plenty of supplies for them. The issue is the townspeople of Noris, our people have to finish taking a lot of the town’s strong holds. In most cases those strong holds have been set on fire as enemy units lose control of them. That's not to say that some warehouses were left unguarded when we took the town, the issue is that some of those houses have tainted goods, grain with poison in it and so on. This means that Venefica have to check the contents of each warehouse before supplies can be distributed."
"OK. What of the supplies that we brought with us?" Sara asked.
"Yes those, well most ships with food were for military use, after all if we can't keep our people fed they won’t be able to fight. Also, those supplies are packed for the purpose of easy travel as we push up the Kayloose, so I can't use any of them. We have a small fleet of relief ships that are waiting to dock, once they off load things here will get better; BUT we don't know when that will happen or what order ships will dock and unload." Keither closed his eyes, "It's a nightmare. We did everything we could to minimize civilian casualties and injuries. We knew there was a chance that the empire would destroy food and medical stocks but hoped that it wouldn't, I mean, after all Noris and its inhabitants are still citizens of the Cona Empire, why would you kill your own?"
* * * * *
Legon took his place with Sydin around a large table with representatives of each of the Great Houses and Enrich from the Cona Republic. As Legon was the only Head of House in attendance, he started the meeting presiding over it.
He stood and addressed the room. "Thank you all for coming, there is a lot that we need to cover today, so I am going to get right to it. So far our campaign into the Cona Empire has met with relative success. That said, we will have set backs sooner or later. Why don't we all give updates on our various duties," his mind flicked out to the ship and a large map of Noris hovered over the table. Legon sat back down as Sydin rose.
"Noris has, for the most part, fallen; there are still pockets of resistance but that is to be expected. Human and Elf forces will be spending the next few weeks and maybe even months removing these threats. While the town and its limits seem to be under our control, the towns to the east and north are not. Our troops have not moved on these areas with any degree of seriousness yet. As for Ascended, we have had sporadic attacks on all sides of the town; thus far neither side has taken any casualties in those fights. We think that the Iumenta are looking more to contain them than anything else. Enrich would you mind updating us on your progress?" Sydin asked sitting.
"There will be high losses of civilians," Hydra, a bronze haired Elf from House Floren said. Her green eyes were thoughtful for a moment, "I will send teams to help rebuild the harbor so you can bring in more ships and also task three destroyers to securing more of the Kayloose." Legon had a great deal of respect for Hydra, she was the admiral of House Floren's fleet and therefore the Head in Command of all Naval activities in the war.
"Thank you," Enrich said.
Legon had a thought. "Hydra?" he asked.
"Yes Un Prosa," Hydra said.
"I know that it would be impractical to use the small boats that landing parties came in on, but would it be possible to lash them together and create, oh I don't know, maybe a floating bridge that could extend out into the harbor?"
Hydra's eyebrows rose. "What a novel idea Un Prosa. With the movement of the water I don't think just tying the boats together would be stable, nor could they take the weight; but if we maybe took one boat and put it upside down on another and sealed them so water could not leak in we would have a set of floats to make the base of our bridge, or I should say pier." She thought more, "It's not ideal but it should help until we get the rest of the harbor up and running. I will have people start right away." Her eyes unfocussed for a moment and then she was back with them. "Our report is a positive one to say the least; while the human fleet looked impressive it posed little threat to our own. As we suspected, most of the Impa fleet have moved in along coastal cities to keep their waters clear. We have a team of strategists that have been trying to figure out why the Impa let Noris's water fall with so little Iumenta back up. The reason we suspect is that they knew that Noris was going to fall, or at least at sea it would. We believe that their goal is not to try and beat our navy, they know they can't; however, they can stop landing parties. We think they will focus on trying to keep coast lines clear enough to move supplies and repel landing parties."
Legon Restoration Page 4