by B A Fleming
The following morning, the Salararius, dressed as mercenaries commenced their scan of the town.
*****
The carts and horses slowly made their way along the valley towards Kogu castle. Dralan sat on the back of a horse, sullen in his melancholy. He felt the sadness of the people around him, who gathered to carry relatives, as surgeons rushed to treat the more senior soldiers and richer merchants’ sons. Although not as obvious as in Morea, the class differences occurred in the Empire of Narthal
Dralan again looked around. Apart from his injured party, the townspeople and soldiers that remained in and around the castle seemed optimistic, if even joyous. He looked at a guard who had feared him before he left, laughing with others and smiling to him as he passed into the courtyard. Several squires helped him dismount as they slowly carried him through the castle to his room.
An hour later Dralan laid in the temple bed, his step mother treating his wounds with herb preparations. She smiled at him.
Their conversations had always been minimal and without substance. She focused on his wounds, cleaning and rebandaging, then leaving him without any further conversation. He slept, deeper than he had for a long time.
The Narthal soldiers had taken the Hardular Pass. They marched through, raping and pillaging the remaining citizens of The Pass townships. By the middle of the day the Narthal soldiers sat amongst the empty buildings, looking out across the northern Morean landscape.
Ocolan rested his Warang before he sent trackers ahead to explore the path and dispose of any threats. Zenath soared above them in the early light, landing on the edge of the campsite, where Ocolan had stationed his men. Wudi and Eji stood next to their new commander.
“You have done well, my soldiers,” offered Zenath. They all bowed to him. “Shigeru has also captured the Angry Teeth pass.”
The soldiers erupted in cheers.
“It is a triumphant day, my lord,” said Wudi.
“Yes, it is indeed. There is still much work to be done.”
From their vantage point they could almost see to Agrippa. Zenath spoke about plans for the attack on Waterfall and beyond with his remaining three commanders. Shigeru would setup a base at Mountay, were they would join forces. There were still plenty of Morean soldiers to defeat, so the campaign would need to be undertaken in a slow and deliberate pace.
After less than an hour, Zenath lifted off into sky. He circled around a nearby peak, surveying the blood stained Hardular Pass. He drifted into the valley briefly, looking out towards Bhagshau firstly, then across to Vasa, and the Morean troops commencing their march along the valley wall.
The Blue Dragon bellowed as he fired a spray of fire towards the cliff walls above the garrison. The escarpment collapsed down upon the silent buildings. He repeated the process in several spots on both of the roads leading up from the valley, finally destroying the new bridge over the Great Turmoil. The garrison had been desolated and all access in or out of the valley through the Hardular Pass had now been destroyed.
The Narthal troops poured through the Angry Teeth pass and into Morean territory. In their first day in Morea they had commenced construction of large battlements, stripping the small northern forests of most of their tallest trees. Shigeru discussed his plans with his commanders as his quarters were prepared in the Morean garrison, an hour back up the road in the heart of the pass. From the parapet of the keep he could see at least the next few days of territory that they would need to conquer.
Narthal soldiers were sent out on reconnaissance missions, calling out to the Morean peasants that had fled to not fear their invaders and remain calm and in their homes. Only those that attacked the Narthal would be slain.
The lands below the pass were filled with rolling hills with grass and trees. To the west of these lush farmland, thick forests covered a sampling of territory along the foot of the mountains, and down to the northern shores of Waterfall Lake.
The Mountains of Sart extended along an ever-thinning ridge to become the Angry Teeth until they ran into the sea.
Even right where the mountainous stone monoliths met the ocean, the pinnacles became more and more sharply pointed and inhospitable, high altitude mountains of everlasting ice and completely bare of vegetation with little wildlife worth mentioning.
*****
Thais looked across the Great Lake from the walls of Vasa Castle. She enjoyed the view from high up and Casperi had previously joked with her how mesmerized she would be when they travelled through Hardular Pass. Even as a child, she had loved to sit upon the walls of Catheridge Castle, looking across the valley to the Great Lake, and the lands beyond. She looked up at the Pass where they would travel through shortly. The Morean soldiers were just on halfway.
“Casperi,” Thais queried, concern in her voice. “Why is there a dragon over there?”
It had rained heavily overnight but with the clear skies of dawn a dragon was clear to see, although it was a long distance away. Casperi’s eyes looked hollow and drawn, he had hardly slept through the night.
He had now been watching the people move through the streets below them, in addition to checking on the progress of those in the courtyard preparing their mounts. He followed his sisters’ gaze.
“It’s not Eren?” it was more a question than a statement.
“No. He says he feels it to.”
“You are talking with Eren now?”
“Yes,” she closed her eye, concentrating on her inner conversation.
The dragon let out a roar as it fired a ball of energy at the walls above the Hardular Pass garrison. The stone crashed down, destroying the settlement. He repeated the process with walls of the valley nearby as they exploded, collapsing sections onto the path between the traders’ village and the Hardular Pass garrison, before finishing off with the bridge.
Casperi and Thais stood in silence as guards and Canute ran out to join them, this thick, unwieldy blonde hair partially matted by a storm a few hours before. They took it all in for a few moments.
“Looks like our guests will be joining us for a while longer,” indicated Casperi to Canute, pointing to the Morean contingent that they could see making their way along the wall.
Canute looked back at the Moreans then back up to the Hardular Pass. He heaved in despair. The large warrior looked concerned.
“We’ll need another route as well,” affirmed Casperi as they nodded to each other. Below, the squires had almost prepared their mounts ready for travel.
“You two come with me. The rest of you men back to your duties,” he commanded as he left down the stairs.
Casperi and Thais looked at each other as they turned to follow Canute.
“Eren says that it is Zenath, the Blue Dragon. We should go,” suggested Thais.
“Why are you always chasing dragons?” half joked Casperi.
“Because they’re the ones with all the gold!” glinted Thais back to him.
“I can’t take you anywhere, can I now sis?”
They both looked as they looked back out across The Great Lake one more time before heading down the steps with deep sighs.
“Eren says that this is not a good sign.”
“Well, I guess we had better meet with the King.”
The young, blonde man entered the barely lit chambers. As per usual, two whiskeys had been poured and sat in the center of the table. Gameard leaned back in his chair, hands together, thumbs circling each other in his lap. Birger sat down, pulling one of the glasses over to him.
“A bit early for drinking?”
“Any time is a good time for whiskey, young royal,” came the reply as Gameard rocked forward to take the remaining glass.
“My father wishes to thank your men for the information they provided last night. We strongly believe it was Tethys that took my sister.”
“Although some had been reticent, most of my informants have been a bit more willing to talk as they watched the Moreans marching out of Vasa yesterday.”
�
�How so?” enquired Birger between small gulps.
“I now know of five merchants that have been trading with Thargus and Lentulus, although I can assume that there are many more.”
“Beyond the MTC walls?”
“Some would say in conflict the MTC, and avoiding the taxes,” mused Gameard. “Although I’m sure that your father would agree that those are the least of our immediate concerns.”
“Well, we do now have some four thousand trapped Moreans.”
“Who will have to work for a living.”
“Yes. It seems that my father has a lot of work ahead of him.”
Gameard nodded, and then finished his whiskey.
Casperi and Thais had arrived in the private quarters of the King. Birger checked all of the tunnels and hand-picked the guards stationed outside. The squires had organized refreshments and were asked to leave.
“Good morning young royals,” said King Daikin as they entered. Birger checked outside the door before closing it. He remained at the entry, assessing the room for any movements.
“We seem trapped in our kingdom once again,” the King surmised.
“The battle for Hardular Pass did not last for long, but the dragon has made sure of our fate there. Now the Morean garrisons march upon the Pass.
I give support to our Morean friends as they have done for us, but we must consider the needs of our own kingdom in light of the loss of my daughter.”
“Norman will ensure that our Catheridge troops remain ready when word is given, my King,” Casperi bowed.
“Yes. This is as it should be, but that then leads to my next concern.”
“What is that, my King?”
“It seems that we now revert to our original plan. Along with seeking to return our Lapse safely to us, I also think it valuable to know the state of the court of Corone. We must assume that their northern lands will be thrown into battle, so I believe that we should take up the offer of our friend from Har-Koln.”
“We have been thinking the same,” agreed Thais, “It seems the only means,” half nodding to Casperi as she spoke.
“They will most likely take Lapse to Corone. Trajunus is surely in a struggle at present. Besides, I think it valuable we do not make our judgement of him until we have full understanding of the situation that led to my daughter being taken,” Daikin considered them.
“Casperi, are you ready to leave immediately to lead a small contingent through Masterstone?”
“Of course, my King.”
“Our Morean guests will no doubt realize the fruitlessness of their journey up to the Pass and be back on our doorstep within the next day. I think it wise that we make the party small to explore Morea via Masterstone, so that they can be gone before the Moreans return.”
Casperi looked at Thais and back to the King. Birger nodded from the other side of the room. He looked slightly concerned.
“I will talk with the Queen. I believe they are the reason for your apprehension,” observed Daikin.
“Yes, sire,” he answered.
“Good Casperi. I want you to take Canute with you as well. He may dislike you, but at least now he respects you, and now you both have a mutual cause. Hacon and Birger are still needed here in the valley,” Daikin looked at him for confirmation. “As well, we have already organized for our dwarven friend to transport some of this Black Rim to Har-Koln so that they can work it for us. I will prepare some gold for you to take a payment to them. It is hoped that they would have some weapons for us by time you arrive.”
Casperi and Thais nodded.
“Of course. Aryz Coun and Nathe are ready. Birger and Canute have selected the guards that will travel with you.”
“I wish to go with them as well, father,” asked Birger. The King looked at him, considering the request and then to Casperi.
“We each take our lives in our own hands. Who am I to question my fate in this?” he muttered. “If we die today or tomorrow, it is our choosing because of our own actions. I put myself where I need to be, as do you, my son, even if that is my place of death. It is a desperate journey, but you, my youngest, I feel are now up to the task.”
“My liege,” asked Casperi as King Daikin nodded and turned towards his desk. The man stopped and looked at him. “I can be entrusted with his safety, although the smaller the party, the better.”
“Maybe four guards, if that is acceptable?”
“Thank you, my liege.”
“Keep an eye on both Thargus and Trajunus. In light of the information we have received this past night, neither can be trusted.”
“I have no intention to trust either until Lapse has been returned safely to us.”
*****
Botan stood in the office of the Waterfall garrison commander as the tracker arrived. He had noticed the movement up near the pass and ventured to the garrison to enquire. His concerns were confirmed. Narthal scouts had already made their way to the bottom of the hill, less than an hour from the outskirts of Waterfall.
Botan had been a Legati in his own right whilst stationed in Western Morea before returning to the capital. He could see the faint herd of black uniforms and knew that it would be a slaughter when they reached the valley floor. The garrison commander had another perception, and didn’t believe that the Narthal could come from Hardular, even though messages had been constantly received during the past week of a battle that raged at Bhagshau.
As a Salararius, Botan was no longer a member of the Morean army, and made the selfish choice to leave and join his family and a group of farmers escaping the invasion, taking a back road through farms to the south, as to avoid the Morean troops heading north.
Two hours later, a small group of Morean soldiers rolled in to the garrison. The Salararius Tethys and Cheinjus walked through the door, their guards, standing at attention outside next to an enclosed wagon. They had looked up at the Narthal army, that they had managed to stay ahead of. Similar to Botan, the two Salararius made their way south.
*****
Richmond walked along the corridors of the Corone palace. He felt at ease in this environment, which seemed far better suited than the cold, frosty grey walls of the castle he had been raised in. Word had been received of the Narthal invasion of Bhagshau and the execution of Tostig and Cedric. He had grieved over them, although knowing that their capture was bound to happen. He saw their sacrifice as needed if he was to escape.
Now Thargus walked along side of him. The rough soldier and the young dandy, an unlikely pairing.
The two had formed a bond over the summer far more than just friendship and Thargus connections now protected the ex-prince following their party successful plan in Catheridge.
Richmond had easily convinced his younger brother to seek revenge, and Thargus had supplied the oft used potions he had transported personally from Corone the spring before to spike the wine.
Now with Lady Isabella and Malena in on the plan, the two men had gathered even more accomplices in their attempt to take over both kingdoms. The Narthal in Bhagshau had proven only a small setback, but the distraction of the invaders had provided greater opportunities to remove those that were unable to help them.
Aggelos had welcomed the plan hatched long before by Thargus. When Richmond had chimed in, they knew that the idea had valance. Aggelos had been working with his alliances since the Salararius left for the valley. The naivety of the Hardular prince was not reflected in all of their people, but was enough for Thargus to find willing allies in his plans.
Chapter 20
Soze sat on a large bolder beside the road that led off to Grimol’s house.
Casperi called a halt to his riders next to him as Thais smiled.
“I was wondering when we’d cross paths with you,” frowned Casperi. He was glad to see the large man although he didn’t want to show it. Soze jumped off the stone and strolled towards them, his horse grazing ten paces away. Thais and Casperi seemed to lean slightly forward to hear him.
“Gameard thought
it better that I await on your path, than ride out of Vasa with you.”
“Of course, he did. I must admit, I’m surprised to not see him sitting here waiting with you.”
“The life of a Mordare complicates things for him,” assured Soze.
“Then one extra it is!” added Thais. With the addition of Soze, this brought their group to eleven.
Only the four guards did not know their plans, and were under the assumption that they were accompanying Prince Canute to the court of Tharkomad. Casperi looked across to his sister and back to Soze.
“Come on then,” he rolled his eyes as he slightly kicked his horse to recommence. Soze turned and easily mounted the steed that complained momentarily about being dragged away from the pasture. Soze dug his heels in and soon joined them next to Nathe as they sought to push all the way to Caitawalaan before the end of the day.
*****
“What did I do to wrong you?” quizzed Trajunus.
He stalked the cell, looking at the guards and then back to Thargus. Thargus considered him as the Despotate glanced at the guards a second time.
“Please leave us to speak in private,” Thargus finally announced.
The soldiers filed out of the door as the two warriors observed them leave.
“Well, firstly, you killed my uncles’ favorite guard,” offered Thargus. “Remember, on our way to Hardular?”
Trajunus sneered. “What of the Brotherhood of the Sword?”
Thargus stared back at him. “I promised allegiance to your father, and my sadness sits with you in his death. Our loyalty now lies in state until our mission is completed.”
“Your loyalty accedes to me as Despotate!”
“Your mission was different to mine. I promised to protect the Prince at all costs until the court of Corone would embrace the kingdom of Hardular, but that is behind us now. My uncle does not wish to kill you, but sees no other options available to him.”
