by Thomas Adams
This was dire news indeed. It threatened all their plans. Kho was an incompetent bungling bureaucrat. His only concern was his own position and power. Lutvar realized, with dawning certainty, that it was time for Kho to go. There was only one Narasist remaining in the city that Lutvar could call on to help with this problem. He’d disregarded Titan’s command to send them all to Vesfalruk. Unbeknownst to Titan, he’d kept the most lethal and the most clandestine assassin back for his own purposes.
Now, all he needed was to identify the right successor to Kho and put in place a plan to have that man elevated once the assassination was completed. That would be the tricky part. He could ask Gullvayg for guidance when she next visited. She would likely have valuable insight into which general would best suit their needs.
As they walked into the courtyard Lutvar smiled and continued to appease Kho as his mind churned through plans and contingencies to remove the Legatus and raise another in his place. They paused at the top of the palace steps and presumably took in the magnificent view of Crestia and the river below. Lutvar sighed and thought to himself, Titan could never learn of this. It would mean Lutvar’s own life was forfeit if the emperor discovered his machinations against the army. Still deep in thought, he cordially said his goodbyes to Kho and departed for his own chambers.
Chapter 13
A Visit
Go ask the warriors,
Those that have shed their blood,
Fierce fighters and bravest of all,
Those that have answered their king’s call.
Who dares question their honor?
Who can doubt their valor?
None can withstand their blades,
Their armor is riven,
They hold battered shields,
Their spears are red with their enemies’ blood
Never did they back away from the fight,
Is it not just these men are revered?
Should we not honor these few survivors?
Heroes one and all, I say!
Eric the Colder
***
The Chancellor and the Prince of Radnja were visiting the fortress. They were due to arrive today. So, at first meal, Master Ivar announced that all training for the day was cancelled and all students were tasked to assist with the final preparations. There was still much to do and the fortress’s staff was overwhelmed. The final year students were sent to bolster the fortress’s guard contingents or sent to increase the patrols in the surrounding countryside with the army’s scouts.
The rest were organized into various sized details and put to work. Some went to the kitchens, some to clean and prepare guest rooms and some to ready the dining hall. Others were set upon the yard and exterior grounds to ‘pretty them up’ as Ivar called it.
Reave Hall had the largest feasting hall so it was the most suitable to host the dinner. Kyrr’s Red Band and another first year band were assigned to help with preparing the hall. As they entered Fridya told Brandt, “I am so excited to see my father. And, I promise to introduce you to him.”
“That is not necessary but if the opportunity arises I would be honored to meet him.”
She laughed, “A formal dinner will be hosted by Ivar and Jarl Gustave in Reave Hall for the prince and the chancellor. There will be a feast, music and dancing. I am actually heading into town to find a few gowns for the visit. I brought none with me.”
She said she was not happy about it but knew her father would expect it and Ivar had excused her from the menial cleaning chores. She smiled and turned and left with a guard fr Tanic. Kyrr watched her go but was soon called back to get to work.
They emptied the entire hall and cleaned it from top to bottom. Ivar’s steward, Kark, supervised the process. It was a filthy job as the hall was rarely used and very dusty. The crews cleaned and polished the trophies displayed in the hall. There were swords, polearms, axes, hammers, maces and armor displayed all around the hall. They also beat the banners and tapestries clean, dusted all the fixtures and furniture and then swept the floors.
One group hauled in fresh rushes and set up large trestle tables, benches and chairs. A great ancient Blackwood table was erected on the dais at the head of the hall for the royal party and the Fortress’s leaders. They lowered the chandeliers and cleaned them and replaced all the candles with new ones. They even scampered up rickety ladders to clean the windows twenty feet above the floor of the hall.
By the time they were done it was late afternoon but the hall looked very impressive. It gleamed and sparkled. Large fires were laid in the four hearths ready to be lit. The new rushes improved the smell of the place as well. The musty stale odor was gone. Kark pronounced the job completed and sent the students away to get ready for the welcoming muster.
The other high ranking Erling were released and sent to prepare for the reception. They left to get cleaned up and into their court finery. Only the Erling were invited and would attend.
The remaining students not on escort duty were required to dress in their best set of clothes. They were all issued a Reave Hall Guild surcoat and directed to wear it over their clothes. The entire group then formed up and marched to one of the armories in the High Fort. Each student was handed a green and gold round shield and gleaming spear to carry and present for the arrival and troop review.
The student contingent and a fully armored and armed companie of soldiers from the High Fort garrison were lined up in neat ranks that flanked the raised entrance platform by the Hall. It must have looked quite impressive Kyrr thought. All the Guild Masters, the garrison commander and his officers, and the Jarl of Ost Graense and his family awaited the arrival of the visiting dignitaries.
There were also several wives of the garrison officers present in their glittering finery. Everyone was dressed in their best. Kyrr knew Fridya was up there with Master Ivar on the raised platform by the great hall. He craned his neck and caught a glimpse of her in a dark emerald gown. She looked very different in a gown, very much like a young attractive Erling lady. The higher ranking Erling students were also up on the platform. They would all attend the feast.
As the sun slipped touched the hills to the west the guards on the gate towers shouted the embassy had entered the Low Fort. They would be arriving very soon in the High Fort. A bonfire and tens of torches throughout the courtyard were lit. Several minutes later the clatter of many approaching horses could be heard on the causeway that led to the High Fort’s gates. Then, the chancellor’s party swept through the High Fort’s gatehouse and into the bailey. The group consisted of fifty armed soldiers as an escort, several aides and courtiers, the prince, the chancellor and several servants. A peel of horns and deep rumble of drums announced their arrival. Master Grovan shouted the commands to bring the honor guard to attention and present arms. Chancellor Rumborg and a man Kyrr assumed was Prince Rudolph Hestvain of Radnja steered their horses away from the group and slowly passed in review of the assembled honor guard of students and soldiers. Both men saluted respectfully to the formation.
They continued on and stopped their horses once they reached the steps to the hall. As they dismounted stable boys ran to collect their magnificent stallions. Both men were older with grey hair and beards and dressed in fine but serviceable travel clothes. Each man wore lightweight pieces of leather and steel armor. There was enough armor to offer some protection without being excessively tiring on a long ride through peaceful lands. They also wore swords and daggers.
The two rulers walked up the steps to the platform by the Hall’s entrance. The men and ladies of the welcoming party greeted the two lords and bowed or curtsied. Introductions were made by Master Ivar and Jarl Gustave, all the right words of respect and greeting were said and the group quickly disappeared into the Hall. Master Grovan sorted out the students and sent them to turn in the spears and work on other tasks. Grovan announced that a special supper would be served in the student mess halls for those not attending the feast.
As Kyrr walked towards the arm
ory he glanced over at the sound of more horses pounding across the drawbridge and through the gatehouse. He slowed and watched as a second smaller mounted group rode through the gate and into the courtyard. There were about twenty Radnjan soldiers escorting an old man, and four women. The old man was covered in a ratty black cloak and hood. The man’s hood partially hid his features. What Kyrr could see was a distinctive noble visage creased with age but the old man still wore a kind and open expression. His eyes were intelligent and bespoke a great wisdom and awareness. His bearing exuded a quiet and ancient power. His beard was long and white. The old man held a gnarled staff in his hand. Kyrr could tell the old man was looking right at him. He seemed somehow familiar to Kyrr.
Kyrr’s gaze slid from the old man to the women beside him. They all wore light gauzy veils that covered their faces and some of their hair and kept out the dust and dirt of travel. They all appeared to be young noble ladies, Erlings. One of the young women was at the center, surrounded by the others. The other young ladies seemed to defer to her. She must be the one in charge Kyrr thought.
She was dressed slightly better than the others and wore a very fine pale blue riding habit. He could also see she had long black hair that was braided and bound with silver strands to keep it in place while travelling. She was wearing a light semi-transparent silver veil and even with her face partially covered, he saw she was beautiful. She looked young.
Such dark hair was fascinating to Kyrr. No one at Reave Hall had black hair; it was very unusual in Radnja and Vesfalruk. Most women had yellow, gold, red or, auburn hair. Her hair alone was quite a novelty and many of those in the courtyard stared at the young lady, Kyrr included. She was obviously someone important. Her clothing and jewelry were very fine and bespoke of a very wealthy high ranking Erling.
The old man leaned towards the young lady with the dark hair and said something. He inclined his head towards Kyrr as he spoke to the girl. She turned her head and glanced towards the group of students Kyrr was walking with. Kyrr saw her face from the front for the first time and her large eyes, elegantly arched brows and graceful cheekbones were visible above the veil. And, it was those eyes that froze him in his tracks without him even realizing it. Several of the boys walking behind or near him muttered and pushed past him but Kyrr didn’t move or acknowledge them. He was suddenly apprehensive, intrigued and excited. He knew those eyes. Where had he seen them before?
He was lost in thought and speculation as to who this girl was. He blinked, shook off the anxious feeling and looked at her face again, trying to place her eyes in his scattered murky memories. The girl’s gaze seemed to find his at that very moment and they widened with what could only be recognition and something more, was it happiness? How unusual Kyrr thought.
Her gaze locked onto his and Kyrr was suddenly jolted by the thought that he knew this girl but could not for the life of him recall the details of their association. The fog of his memory parted briefly and he had a flash of her sitting in a garden beside beautiful orange flowers. Of their own accord his feet moved him towards the riders. The dark haired girl nudged her horse forward a few paces as he approached. One of her guards made to stop Kyrr but she called out to the soldier, “Timon, it is fine, let him approach.”
Her voice was like a spring breeze, warm clear, and soft yet alluring and full of the mysteries of new life. He’d her speak afore, he knew it. His troubled memory was suddenly inconsequential. Here was the first positive recollection into a past he’d no inkling of for many years. The memory faded and his mind churned and searched for answers or clues to this new mystery. Just faded bits and pieces of his recollections floated at the edge of recall. The ever present darkness at the fringe of his consciousness receded from his awareness. It had never done that before.
As he neared he saw that her eyes were ringed with heavy black kohl that framed them and made them seem brighter and larger. The color was familiar, a luminous swirling blue-green. They were mysterious and sultry yet intelligent, kind and filled with empathy and compassion. They also held a glimmer of mischievous intent and hinted at the prospect of great fun and laughter. The expression that he read in her gaze and the directness they conveyed seemed very familiar to him as well.
The vivid churning sea-green depths became even more mesmerizing the closer he got. A hint of a laughter and happiness lit up her face. He knew he was staring and he shouldn’t be. It was very impolite. Once, someone had told him this. And, it seemed she also seemed to be merrily considering his impropriety. Was it her? Had she scolded him about this before? Maybe so.
The dark haired girl stopped her horse alongside Kyrr and he put his hand on the horse’s bridle to steady it. They were near the stairs leading up to the Hall and the old man with the staff was on the ground in an instant. Fast for one so old. He was still watching Kyrr closely. Kyrr took the raven haired girl's stirrup in one hand, released the bridle and held out his other hand to assist her in dismounting. She smiled down at him.
Before dismounting she reached one elegant gloved hand up and detached one side of her veil. One of the ladies next to her said something in a fierce whisper but the dark haired girl just raised her hand. The other lady held her tongue. She bit the finger of her gloved hand and worked the glove off. He stared unabashedly at her countenance. She was gorgeous, perfection, as if a goddess had descended from the heavens. Full ripe red lips, a pert slender nose and delicate chin with a cute cleft had lain beneath the veil and when seen with those high cheekbones, smoldering eyes and tantalizing arched brows, there was no doubt she was the most beautiful girl he’d ever seen. She smiled at him and he was bewitched.
The girl took his hand, warm flesh on warm flesh and a tingling spread through him. A slight, strange buzzing filled his mind and body. A flood of memories roiled through his mind. There was a shadowy land with a tall castle, a tall skinny dark haired girl and a young boy ran through meadows filled with purple and gold wild flowers. The hounds from the castle raced ahead of them, barking and nipping each other. A cool blue stream bordered by tall weeping willows and stately oaks lay at the bottom of the fields. He had glimpses of childish pranks and raids for corn cakes on a warm cheery kitchen, the girl, younger than she was now of course, and the boy climbed trees and fought off countless imagined enemies. The young boy was him! He remembered holding her hand, sitting near the roaring fireplace and reading stories and poems to her on chilly rainy days. And, colorful exciting dances in a large hall with the smiling dark haired girl held close.
He gasped with shock and bewilderment. The memories fled as fast as they arrived and the young woman before him seemed to feel them depart. Her lovely face saddened a bit and she dismounted with his aid. Once she was situated on the ground she turned to him and said, “Thank you Brandt. It has been so long. I am so very glad to see you again. You have no idea how I have missed you.”
He bent his upper body over her hand and kissed it. He rose back to full height and said “It is my pleasure. Welcome to Reave Hall my lady.” He could not avert his gaze. Her eyes captured his and held them.
***
His voice had changed so much she thought. It was deep and strong now, very masculine. He was much taller now, he towered over her and she was tall for a woman. He was lean but broad and strong. His body was all hard muscle from years of martial training. His face had filled out and he was more handsome than ever. His wild red gold locks were begging for her fingers to curl into it and try to tame them. He was everything she’d imagined over the years of their forced separation. Everything and then some she mused. Just the sight of him had her heart thudding in her chest like never before.
He was rough as well. His clothes were little better than rags. He was a bit dirty and smelled bad, like a young man fresh from a foundry. She wondered, where they not allowed to regularly bathe? His hands were rough and the skin cracked and broken. Small cuts, scrapes and bruises were everywhere on his visible skin, his arms, his face, and hands. He was beaten but not broken. She c
ould and would gladly accept that.
But, there was a shadow over him as well. Something was not right. She sensed it and could not explain it. She’d never encountered such a thing before in anyone. The darkness receded as she used her archania and examined his spirit. The more she tried to pin it in one place and get a good look the more it twisted and churned and slipped away. Aravin must know of this she thought. She resolved to discuss it with him in private at the first opportunity.
She glanced at her father above, impatiently waiting by the door to the hall. She sighed and said, “Brandt, I am so sorry. I do not have time now for anything more than a quick greeting. I will see you again very soon. We have much to discuss but it will have to wait a short while.”
The old man stepped between them and broke their connection. Her ladies came forward and escorted the dark haired girl up the stairs. She fastened her veil as she gracefully walked up the stairs. He stared after her, still in shock.
***
His mind was in turmoil. Who was this lovely enchanting creature and why did she call him Brandt? Was that his real name? Why did she have such an effect on him? They obviously knew each other. Was she family? This was the first major breakthrough in his memory in years.
The newly arrived group met Master Ivar at the top of the stairs. Introductions were again made and Master Ivar bowed to the young lady. The group then moved towards the entrance to the Hall. The girl stopped and glanced back at him and the smile conveyed by her eyes seemed to have grown even larger. She turned and whispered something to one of the older girls. The older girl went back to Master Ivar, said something to him and then quickly followed after her party.
After they had departed, Kyrr felt as if he’d misplaced something valuable. A growing sensation of loss grew in his chest. He shook his head and then noticed Fridya next to Master Ivar. How long had she been standing there? Had she seen the young lady and him staring at each other? Did she hear their entire conversation? The look on her face was puzzled and a bit hurt. There was something amiss in her expression Kyrr knew. But he could not name it right then. Fridya turned and stalked into the hall, a frown on her face. That frown boded ill for him he knew. He was out of his depth with Fridya and now there was another girl that seemed to have an interest in him and a much deeper history than he could have ever imagined. This new girl seemed to have plans as well, plans that would surely spell trouble for him. The feeling of apprehension returned.
