by Kal Spriggs
Gerlin rode up then, “My Lady, the scouts have located a hidden vale to the north, it looks like a good spot to hide the horses.”
“Why not take them up?” Aerion asked, “Or put them here to the south?”
Eleanor spoke, “If we have been pursued, either by Hector's mercenaries or by Norics, they'll approach from the south. If they encircle the fortress, we won't be able to ride down quickly, but we might scale the walls under darkness and escape to the horses.”
Gerlin nodded, “And besides that, having seen the road up there, I would not want to take a horse up it.” The halfblood spat to the side.
“Bad?” Bulmor asked.
“The fortress has survived a thousand cycles of weather very well. Whether by magic or good design, I don't know,” Gerlin said. “But the two roads have not. The north road is little more than a hands-breadth wide where a stream has undercut it on the lower slope, which is as far up it as I dared to go. The southern road is somewhat better, but rock slides have buried sections of it.”
“Very well, Gerlin, we'll picket the horses at the vale,” Katarina said. She felt a flutter of unease as she stared at the stone fortress. Southwatch seemed suddenly, a far more grim place. I hope these spirits will not hold a grudge against me for the actions of my ancestor, she thought.
They rode along in silence, and Katarina looked over to see Aerion peer at the distant fortress in thought. “What's on your mind,” She finally asked.
“My Lady?” He asked, absently.
“What has you looking so thoughtful?”
He didn't quite meet her gaze, “A thought, about that level of loyalty. Men who gave their lives knowing that their sacrifice would go unnoticed. I wondered if some of them had survived or if some of their families had, anyway,” Aerion said. Katarina frowned as she saw him glance at Arren, as if he hesitated to ask a question.
“I have heard of some old families, descendents of the Royal Guard,” Katarina said. She looked over at Bulmor, “Like the Ducal Guard, they had a strong connection with the family they protected.”
“Some survive,” Bulmor said. “Some took up other duties, such as guarding other Noble Houses. Others... well, I've heard of the Order of King Gordon, whose members are mostly made up of Royal Guard bloodlines, as well as some handful of nobles who follow the same code.”
“Order of King Gordon?” Aerion asked.
“The first High King, right?” Katarina said, remembering back to the old stories her nurse had told her.
Bulmor nodded, “Yes, my Lady. The Order has a chapter house in Boirton and they work from there. They recover relics and such from the High Kingdom, fight bandits, and sometimes go on quests to right wrongs.” He snorted at the last.
“Sort of like knights from some children's tale?” Aerion asked.
“Yes, most of them are Restorationists and rest are far to obsessed with doing the right thing,” Arren said, his old voice somewhat smug. “Did I ever tell you about the time I met Sir Harald of the Order? A most interesting chap, very drawn to doing the honorable thing, which came to be quite an issue at the time.”
Katarina looked over at the old man, “You've met a knight of their Order?”
“Oh yes, I have indeed,” Arren said with a broad smile. “Sir Harald was a paragon among men, strong, brave, and honorable. Not a whole lot going on upstairs sometimes, truth to tell, but he was a brave knight and a loyal friend.”
Arren looked around and Katarina realized that much of the formation had drawn nearer to hear the story. She bit back a smile as she saw Arren stroke his beard in a satisfied manner. “Sir Harald had just rescued the widow of a merchant from some bandits. She was,” Arren coughed, “very grateful and also very wealthy. She explained that she was traveling from Braschen to Boirton to visit her sister who happened to be in some trouble. And unfortunately, her guards had run off and left her.”
“Well, there we were, Sir Harald and I, out in the middle of the countryside and on important business of our own. But Harald didn't show the slightest hesitation, he swore then and there that she would reach Boirton safe, along with her very heavy inheritance from her dearly departed husband,” Arren shook his head, “And to be honest, I was quite swayed by her beauty, grace, and... well lets just say her qualities convinced me quite quickly as well.”
“That sounds dreadfully vague,” Eleanor said. Katarina looked over at Aerion's mother and saw a glint of humor in her apparently serious eyes. “She must have had some particular qualities to have such an effect upon you.”
“Well, she was an impressive young lady,” Arren admitted. “I might have mentioned that we had another companion, at the time. A woman who did not trust the poor young widow at all, I'm afraid. As I remember, she bid us good day and rode ahead.” Arren's voice sounded almost apologetic, Katarina noticed with some confusion.
“Seems terribly... perceptive of her, doesn't it?” Eleanor said.
“Well, that is neither here nor there,” Arren said with a cough. “So Sir Harald and I escorted the young widow along the road for several days, when we were set upon by a band of ruffians. Their leader accosted us, and called the young widow a great many foul names and, I must say, we were all quite beside ourselves,” Arren shook his head.
“Sir Harald, stalwart man that he was, challenged the ruffian to a duel and I, as his friend, offered to be his second. Well the entire band seemed taken aback, but after some more foul language regarding the character of the young widow in question and us, for protecting her, the ruffian accepted Harald's challenge.”
“Whereupon Harald chopped him into stew meat?” Gerlin asked.
“No, the man was much too honest for that. He, gently, mind you, beat some manners into the man, with the flat of his blade,” Arren smiled, “It took him some time to do so, but when the ruffian finally regained consciousness, he showed far better qualities, including the ability to properly articulate his purpose.”
“Which would be?” Bulmor grunted. Alone of the group, Katarina saw, he did not seem to have any interest in Arren's stories.
“Well, it turns out that this ruffian was actually a wealthy noble and that his band consisted of his personal guards. They were in pursuit of a young woman who had swindled him out of a considerable sum due to her exceedingly great...” Arren shot a glance over at Katarina, “Uh, qualities.” He finished lamely. “So they had tracked her for many miles, until they ran into us.”
Katarina shook her head, “So then this widow wasn't a widow at all, but some sort of swindler?” The twist seemed rather obvious to her, but then again, she couldn't say that the idea of men falling over themselves to please a woman truly surprised her.
“Precisely! Worse yet, Harald had sworn to see her and her ill-gotten gains safely to Boirton!” Arren shook his head. “It would have been quite the predicament, except it seems that the young woman in question had taken the time, during the chaos of the duel, to slip away.”
“Of course she did,” Gerlin snorted, “I imagine quite a crowd would have gathered for that.” The halfblood stroked his smooth-shaven scalp and shook his head.
Arren shrugged “Yes, and but for fortunate chance-”
Eleanor burst into a sudden coughing fit. Katarina looked over in concern, but she waved her hand, “Sorry, dust.” She waved her hand in the air.
“... and our absent companion, who proved remarkably perceptive indeed, and had stopped the young lady just down the road,” Arren continued, after the sudden interruption. He sounded irritated at the interruption, though Katarina couldn't understand why.
“So if not for this excellent companion, you might never have caught up to her, and she would have escaped with the noble's treasure?” Eleanor asked sweetly. “How fortunate indeed.”
“Yes,” Arren nodded, “Quite fortunate. Well, she surrendered the treasure, and Harald convinced the nobleman to take it, and to learn in the future to be more cautious.” Arren said, “But he had sworn to escort the woman to Boirton
and he would not go back on his word. And out of curiosity, he asked the woman what had drawn her to such a life of larceny and deceit.” Katarina saw that they had almost reached the ravine below the fortress, which loomed over the road, like some ancient dragon ready to pounce. To the side, a faint trail led away from the main road, and started up the side of the mountain.
“Well, I must say, she then laid out a tale of sadness,” Arren said. “She indeed, did travel to Boirton for her sister, but she revealed that her sister had no illness, but had fallen into the clutches of an unscrupulous man, a rogue by the name of Attrimar, a criminal who had ties to many enterprises of shady nature. He held her sister ransom, in Boirton, and this had been her attempt to acquire funds to pay that ransom, you see.” Arren shook his head, “Well, quite by happenstance, I'm certain, my companions and I had business with this Attrimar.”
“Oh, dear,” Katarina said. She shook her head as she saw where this story was headed. She wasn't sure when this might have occurred but she was glad that Arren had matured some in the time since.
“Indeed,” Arren said, “No sooner had she revealed this information than Harald swore to help her set her sister free from bondage. And, after her long and detailed description of her sister's beauty, charity, and very likely gratitude, I felt that we should do what we could for the pair.” Katarina glanced up as they passed through the narrow ravine, she could see part of a road winding up near the top of the cliff, presumably to a gate.
Katarina saw Aerion shake his head, “I hate to ask, but did she even have a sister?” He sounded rather doubtful. At least he was mature enough to realize the trap.
Arren snorted, “Of course she did, now, where was I?” He muttered to himself a bit, “Oh, yes. Well, we escorted the lady to Boirton and we went to the place where she said that Attrimar had specified she meet him. No sooner had we arrived than a dozen murders and thugs set upon us.”
“Well, I would not have survived a minute, but for Harald's skill with a blade. He slew five of them before I even knew what had happened and routed the rest. We pursued them, down into the sewers of that city. After many twists and turns and several ambushes, we finally came upon the lair of Attrimar.”
“Well, he seemed quite surprised at our entry and he had gathered with him a number of his best fighters. I took that time to try to speak and to bring a peaceful solution to the fight. I told him how we had come to free Lydia– that is,the young lady's sister. She stood nearby, under guard, you see. Well, I negotiated a truce and I began to explain our purpose there.”
“I'd imagine that might have worked,” Eleanor said. “But somehow I doubt you got the chance.”
“Indeed.” Arren said, his voice sour at yet another interruption. “For at that moment, the woman we had begun to trust triggered a magical device of some type, which shrouded the entire room in darkness,” Arren confirmed. “And Attrimar's men, thinking we betrayed them, set upon us. In the dark, we fought and if not for Harald's great skill, I am certain we all would have died.”
“He held them all off in the dark as we made our retreat,” Arren said. “But it seems that Chiara, in the confusion, slipped away with her sister, and with certain small valuables that we had acquired,” Arren shook his head.
“So she got away and fooled you yet again,” Aerion said. “Did you ever encounter her again?”
“Yes, though that is a story for another time,” Arren said, and Katarina saw the old man seemed suddenly sad. “But the story was about Harald, his oaths, and his skill. Though he had weaknesses, many of them at times, he was a great friend, an honest man, and a skilled fighter. He could be a dreamer and impulsive, but he fought for the ideals that he had sworn his oath over.”
Gerlin led the column to a trail and dismounted to lead his horse. The others followed suit and as they walked through the forest, Katarina asked one last question. “What ever happened to him?”
“Oh, I suspect he's still out there, still fighting for the High Kings, still taking quests from beautiful women in need, although I shudder to think of the mischief he might dig himself into without my own experience to guide him,” Arren said.
***
Aerion Swordbreaker
Southwatch, Ryft Peaks, Duchy of Masov
Twenty-Sixth of Seraph, Cycle 999 Post Sundering
Aerion set the saddle to the side, and then looked around at his friends who had gathered nearby. “It seems hard to believe we're here,” Aerion said.
“Yeah, at least you get to go up there, Bulmor ordered me to stay and guard the horses,” Walker said with a grimace.
“Others have the same duty,” Josef said. “Honestly, I'll trade you, there's nothing up there I want to see.” He shivered a bit, “Gloomy old place gives me the creeps.”
Walker hesitated a bit and then Aerion saw him give a slight sigh, “No... it's part of being a soldier, following orders you don't like, right?”
Quinn nodded, “Well, that and long periods of boredom, with a few moments of sheer terror.” The former printer's apprentice looked eager enough to face what came, but Aerion could hear a bit of longing in his voice as well. Aerion wondered, again, if the other man still planned to try to learn wizardry.
Walker sighed again, “Well then. You lot hurry back soon. With only two of us down here, I'll miss you, especially you pair of giants.” He lightly punched both Aerion and Josef in the arm.
Josef looked down at Walker and he gave a grunt, “Don't forget, I still owe you for that party... as I remember it, you didn't have much suffering the next day.”
Walker gave him an innocent smile, “Josef, I don't know what you are talking about...” His high pitched voice sounded completely sincere, but his eyes glittered wickedly.
Josef looked over at Aerion. “You know, Gerlin said there's a harbor just up to the north, right on the Boir Sea. We could take him up there and dunk him.”
Aerion smiled. “Sounds like an idea.” He sighed though, “Maybe when we get back. We do have to get up to Southwatch and clear away some of the rubble on the road.”
Walker shook his head, “You two are just too suspicious for your own good and self centered to boot. What about my worries, setting here all but alone in the woods?”
“Don't worry too much. I overheard the wizard telling Lady Katarina he'd put a rune of concealment or something here, so no one should stumble on you,” Aerion said with a smile.
“Magic?” Quinn asked. The young man's head jerked up in sudden interest. “Did he say when?”
“No...” Aerion shook his head, “Though if he had, I would probably do you a favor in not telling you.” Clearly the other young mad had not given up his interest.
Quinn rolled his eyes, “Whatever. In any case, we should probably get moving.”
The three of them walked away and Aerion gave a last glance over his shoulder at Walker. He hoped the other man would get in no trouble in their absence.
On his way over to where the rest of the soldiers had gathered, he found that the giant Nakkiki had emerged from the trees and fallen in next to them. “Hey there, how are you?” Aerion asked. The big man gave him a broad grin and said something in his native tongue.
“You know, he almost seems to understand you,” Quinn said. “I mean, better than he understands me. Do you think you could help me out with trying to teach him our language?”
Aerion shrugged, “Let's finish our business here, first.”
The rest of Lady Katarina's followers had gathered at the head of the trail they'd followed into the small vale. Aerion chose to remain at the back rather than try to push his way forward.
Bulmor looked around the assembled soldiers. “Now that everyone is here, Lady Katarina has some last words to say before we go up there. I'd like to say something first.” He looked around, and the sturdy Armsman met everyone's gaze, “We don't know if we were followed, we don't know what dangers lie up there. The wizard and Lady Katarina will deal with what waits for us up there... you all are h
ere to deal with anything that attacks us from behind. Stay alert, stay ready. There are only fifty of us... but I don't know fifty men and women that I'd rather have at my side right now. You are all soldiers of the Duchy of Masov, and I see you as more than that, you are my companions.”
He stepped back and Aerion felt his chest inflate at Bulmor's words. Such words of praise by the veteran meant far more to him than any other reward. Aerion saw Lady Katarina step forward and for a second, she seemed more beautiful than ever. He swallowed and once again realized how hopelessly lost he had become.
“As Bulmor said, you let Cederic and I worry about what waits us up there,” Katarina said. “But more importantly, I want to thank you... all of you, for your service and your confidence. You are soldiers now, as Bulmor said, but you are more than that.”
Katarina looked around the group, and for just a moment, Aerion met her green eyed gaze. “You have all of you lost someone or something to Hector and his cronies. Some of you have lost almost everything. There are debts I cannot repay for your service, but I swear to you that I will do what I can to do so. Any man or woman that among you that falls will be honored and if it is within my power to support your families, I will do so. More than that, I honor you all, you are my personal defenders, my retainers. I thank you for that, and I promise that when Lord Hector finally is forced down from the Ducal Seat, he will look back and see you as the ones who toppled him.”
Aerion joined in the cheer at that.
“Now then, let's go climb this mountain.”
***