by A L Wright
They could only hope that enough would come to make it worth it.
“I understand, my Prince. Let me go after the girls.” Victor hoped his Prince wouldn’t order him to stay behind. The worry that his Princess would slumber with Friesa to turn her was starting to turn him inside out. He was going to lose her once and for all, and without even a chance to say his piece.
Dartein was quiet for several moments, and it almost drove Victor into a panic waiting for him to speak. His old friend looked up finally, studying Victor’s face.
“My friend, I know the prospect of Nikka out in the world on her own frightens you as much as it does me. Please go get her and bring her back safely,” Dartein said.
Victor heaved a sigh of relief. It was only midnight. He could ride for several hours before he needed to stop. If he rode hard enough, it would only take two nights to get there.
As much as he loathed returning to the palace, he had to get to her before it was too late.
“My thanks, my Prince. I will find her, I promise. I will not return without her.” He bowed low to his Prince, his friend, and turned and marched out of the keep to the stable.
Anyone in the courtyard got quickly out of the large man’s way. As he approached the stable one of the hunters led an already saddled horse out and handed Victor the reins.
“Here ya go. I figured at least one of ya would be ridin’ after her,” the man said.
Victor appraised the horse that had been handed to him. Tall, seventeen hands at least, deep chested and long legged. He was a runner.
Good.
Victor nodded at the man, and swung up into the saddle. The horse was restless beneath him, sensing his urgency and was ready to run. Without hesitation, Victor turned the horse towards the gate and let him fly.
He stopped the horse every now and again to let it rest, and to regain his bearings on Nikka's direction of travel. It had obviously been a few days since she, Friesa and Tynen had passed through, but so far they were heading directly towards Noble's Rest and the home of the Patriarch. Her familiar scent of strawberries and spruce led him onwards.
Trepidation at the thought of setting foot in the palace swelled up within him, but he pushed it aside. No more distractions or hesitations. Victor quickly remounted his horse and flew towards the last place on earth he ever wanted to visit again.
Chapter 17
Friesa couldn't help but gawk as she, Nikka, and Tynen were escorted through the lavish palace. Hallways were decorated with tapestries of every kind, and as they walked further into the palace, the older the tapestries were. Plush carpets that were impossibly long graced the floors; intricately woven fabrics and fibers that must have taken skilled craftsmen months to make.
Here and there as they walked the tapestries gave way to weapon racks holding swords, some ornamental, some very wicked and deadly looking. There were also other weapons randomly placed like maces, morning stars and enormous battleaxes.
The weaponsmith in her wanted to stop and examine all of them. There was an incredible collection of weapons made by many master craftsmen, and she wanted to study them all. Her thoughts were interrupted by their sudden stop in front of a thick wooden door. The Patriarch, who had led them all through the palace, spoke quickly under his breath at the door and placed his hand in the middle.
The very large door swung open silently, admitting them all.
“Please do sit, all of you,” The Patriarch said as he remained standing next to the very large desk that dominated the room.
In this room there was an impressive amount of books, scroll cases and parchments lining all the shelves and stacked in every corner. Quite a few were littering the random small tables around the room. But only one book was on the desk, and it was quite large.
The Patriarch's fingers lightly traced over the book on his desk, absentmindedly, as he waited for everyone to sit.
“Your arrival at this time is a good omen, granddaughter,” he began. “I was beginning to be frustrated with my rangers, as they were not bringing back helpful information on locating you or your father.”
“There’s no need to be formal with me, or with my friends. We came here to deliver a message and to discuss a few private matters with you,” Nikka said.
The Patriarch looked serious for several seconds, then smiled. “I have to admit that, since your father left here, there has been no laughter for me. So, my demeanor is most likely serious in character. I apologize. I am also sorry that I do not know your name.”
“You don't? I am surprised, yet I shouldn't be. My father had arrangements with the rangers around our lands not to speak of us or our home to anyone. I am guessing that included you, or was specifically targeted towards you. My name is Nikkola, but please called me Nikka.” Nikka was sitting forward in her chair, elbows on her knees, eager for the conversation that she was finally having with her grandfather.
“Nikkola. It is wonderful to finally know. And it does not surprise me about your father's arrangement with the rangers. They were most of them comrades for the centuries he lived here in the palace. But what is done, is done. Now tell me what this message you have brought for me is about.” He glanced over to Tynen.
Friesa saw how tense Tynen was, and didn't quite understand it. She would have to ask him about it later.
“My Lord,” he addressed the Patriarch as he withdrew the message from his belt. “I believe the general nature of the message is to ask for help in raising an army.” His hand shook slightly as he gave the message over.
The leader of the Nobles popped open the end of the message tube, shook out the letter and read it silently. After scanning it several times, he closed his eyes and breathed in deeply. Opening his eyes, he settled his gaze upon Friesa.
“My son is indeed asking for help to raise an army. He wants to find a way to turn more humans into Nobles. He stated that he may be able to find volunteers from his local village for this. Am I to assume that you are to be the first volunteer?”
Friesa's throat went dry, and her tongue refused to move.
“Grandfather, Friesa was not sent here by my father for that purpose. My father had intended to send only Tynen with this message, but we came along with him against my father's wishes. However, Friesa has volunteered herself to be turned. She is a very skilled smith and fighter, and would be a welcome addition to the Nobles who reside with my father and I.” Nikka reached over and squeezed her hand, to help reassure her that everything was going to be okay.
“My Lord, I have no family to go back to and I am willing to dedicate my services and my life to the Princess and the war ahead.” Friesa glanced quickly towards Tynen as she spoke, hoping that she sounded confident.
“Very well. I will agree to think upon this for the night. We will discuss it further tomorrow. You are all my guests for as long as you wish it, and there will be rooms prepared for you. For this night I would ask you not to wander without an escort, until it is known that you are my guests.” The Patriarch rose and opened the door. “Please see that my guests are given comfortable rooms and have food and drink brought to them.”
The guard standing outside the door snapped to attention and addressed the trio. “If you would follow me, please.”
Friesa followed Tynen out the door, but turned to wait for Nikka. As she turned, she saw The Patriarch take hold of Nikka's elbow lightly.
“My granddaughter, I cannot tell you how much your presence here pleases me. There are many things for us to discuss, beyond the matters of growing the armies. I hope that you will stay a brief time so that we can speak more.” The Patriarch spoke quietly but his voice still carried to Friesa's ears.
Smiling, she turned back around to follow the guard, happy that her friend was finally finding answers to her mysteries.
Chapter 18
In his library, all was quiet. It had not been so for several nights, and he relished the peace. Mortul had lived mostly in solitude for the span of years that his son had gone away fr
om the palace, and forcing himself to be more social was unsettling for him. He would not shy away from visiting with his granddaughter, though. They had so many things to discuss. He had so much to learn about her.
Nikkola was just like her father. Strong willed, tough, adventurous and a natural leader. Coupled with her mother's compassion and straightforward mannerisms, she could rival himself someday as patron to the Nobles. That was indeed something to think upon. This war could result in many of their people's demise, including his own.
He already knew that his role in the coming war would be at the front of the battle lines. All three of the warlocks would be there. They had seen the end of the first war together, and they would see the end of the enemy altogether this time.
If only he had had time to teach his son a bit of magic use. Hopefully he would see him again before battle brewed and he could teach him a few tricks at least.
A knock on the door resonated throughout the chamber, threatening to destroy the peace of mind he had just found. The door opened and in walked Hudreia, seemingly floating along the floor. The guard outside closed the door behind her.
“My dear Mortul. You look quite somber this evening,” she said.
“Good evening. I am merely reflective, thinking old thoughts. What brings you to my library tonight?” Mortul asked her.
“I wanted to give my thanks once again for allowing our plan to take root. In the time that we have, we will not be able to breed and raise many immortal steeds, but we will be able to assemble a herd of strong, intelligent and swift horses.” Hudreia spoke as she sat in one of the overstuffed chairs, running her fingers along the seams on the arms.
“I had the chance to inspect yours and Yosan's mounts this evening. If you can bring to us steeds even a quarter of their strength and cunning, then we will have a great advantage.”
“Your approval makes me happy. We spent years perfecting the techniques that we used for breeding these horses. It is sad that our time as breeders ended before we obtained more than our own mounts. But I did not come to your personal space to speak solely of horses. I came at the behest of your granddaughter, who I found as soon as she left you. She wishes to travel south with us.” Hudreia sat forward and waited for his response.
Surprised, he tried not to let his concern show. “Why does she wish to accompany you?”
“I spoke to her of the horses we will be breeding and she wishes to bond with her future mount. She will give her own blood and with that her own magic, to transfer to the animal. It is a wonderful thing, this bond. Horse and Noble acting as a unit, thinking and acting almost as one. Of course, the bond won't be quite as strong since we are working with colts, but it is still rather impressive.” Hudreia eyed Mortul, waiting for his answer.
“I see. It would give her more protection, if she does face battle. I must agree to it then. But I ask of you, please send her back to me soon, as I have not even had the time to speak of magic with her.” Mortul sighed. He disliked seeing Nikkola leave so soon. But of course, she would be back. She would not leave her friend here.
Friesa was already asleep alongside Tynen in the slumber chamber. He had made sure to lecture them on that specific. He could not bear to see another loss like the kind he and his son had suffered.
Hudreia stood. “She will be happy to hear of your approval, though I am sure she would have went anyway without it. She is stubborn like you.” His old friend paused before she reached the door. “It would do well for you to visit the village where we intend to work as well. Bind yourself to a mount. As you said, we need the advantage.” She smiled and then turned back to open the door, walking quickly through it.
Of course, she was right. He would love for all his Nobles to have access to Yosan's mounts. But he should at the very least encourage his generals and rangers to do so, and build up their possible advantage.
The guard outside his door reached in to grab the handle to close it.
“Wait. Have a message sent to Hudreia and Yosan. Tell them that I will accompany them to the south. And inform the council that I will pass along written orders to them before I leave.”
“My lord. I will do as you ask.” The guard bowed. “When will you leave?”
“Tonight, shortly after midnight.”
“Shall I gather guards for an escort, my lord?”
Mortul almost laughed. The thought of an escort for three warlocks was indeed amusing. “No, but I thank you for your concern. We wish to travel quickly and quietly.”
“I will inform the stable of your intentions, and have a horse made ready for travel.”
“My thanks. You may go now.”
The guard bowed low again and rushed to do as he was commanded, the open door forgotten behind him.
Chapter 19
Several families had arrived at the Keep this evening, just before the sun dipped behind the trees. Dartein wished his daughter were here so that he could use her energy in helping to guide these folks in setting up and settling down.
The families had brought a few carts each; the poorer of them led by oxen or by the power of their own backs and feet. The two more well-off families had strong draft horses pulling their wagons and carts. Goats and sheep milled everywhere. Dartein briefly wondered if they all even knew whose animals belonged to who.
They couldn’t all fit into the keep yard so about half of the families stayed just outside the gate until they were given directions. One man and his family had driven into the yard first, and he was climbing down from the wagon as Dartein walked out of the door of the Keep.
“Halloo there!” The man yelled toward Dartein. He was very tall for a human, and even though he looked a bit beefy around the middle, his stride was long and his grip was crushingly strong.
“I take it you are the leader of these here pilgrims?” Dartein asked as he further assessed the man.
“Name's Matten. And I guess you could call me that, since they been following me the whole ways out here.” Matten said as he stared off toward the families that were strung along behind his wagons.
“To be honest, I am glad that they have someone to look to for guidance. As you may know, my kind is mainly nocturnal, and we will need someone who can stand the light of day to be available for them as needed.”
Matten turned his stare back to Dartein. “There hasn’t been any official electing, but I can put a vote out there and see what they think. I don’t mind leading but I ain’t gunna force it on anyone.”
“Nor should you.” Dartein found himself mildly impressed with the human man. “Now before it gets too dark, I would like to show you where and how we parceled out the land.” Dartein gestured off toward the gate and the two of them began briskly walking towards it.
He had a bit of a shock waiting for him as he walked past the gate and saw that there were a few more than seven or eight families waiting outside. Plus several more herds of sheep and goats, massive carts with cages of chickens, and one very large herd of steer.
“Them cows is mine. I may need to take up more than one parcel to keep them satisfied. We breed ‘em pretty often and these families will be wanting milk cows soon, I reckon. Goats’ milk be good for cheese, but I never quite liked the milk itself.”
“Indeed. Well I am sure we have more than enough land to accommodate them.” Dartein began walking again, showing Matten the markers they had used to put up some temporary borders.
“Of course, this all depends on how many more you think will come later on,” he said as he led them along.
“This be all of us coming from Northill. The other villages be quite some way off and I’m not too sure they will want to make the trip with goblins in between.” Matten stated.
“Agreed. Then instead of a quarter of the land, take half and resize the parcels as you see fit for the families here. Once we have them all planned out, we can begin constructing palisade-style walls until we have enough labor between us all to rebuild them into stone.”
“The protecti
on measures are a boon relief. We’d hate to dig in just to get put out by goblins.”
As they walked Matten gestured to a family leader here and there, and had them inspect the parcel of land they were near to see if it would fit their needs.
“Looks like we got several farmers, a few herdsmen, and myself that will need some of the bigger parcels. A few of the parcels closer to the gates can be quartered up and taken up by the tailor, tanner, and the two carpenters.”
“Carpenters you say? Once houses are secured for you all, I could use their skills at rebuilding some of the buildings around the Keep.” Dartein was growing more and more confident in the decision to bring these families out here. If he could gain more of the humans’ confidence and trust, then maybe they would be more willing to fight when the time came.
“Gad dang it! Unhobble those steer before you move them! Whose kid are you? I’m gunna have words with yer father.” Matten rushed off towards his herd of cattle and a wide-eyed boy who was obviously terrified of the giant man rushing his way.
Turning back towards the Keep, Dartein directed Clyd and his rangers, who had been trailing behind him, to help get the folks setup for the night.
Watching his fellow Nobles helping the humans was an interesting omen, and he figured this must have been a bit how his father had felt all those years ago after the war. He did not think he could ever be the leader that his father was, but he would not make a bad one either.
Wishing once more that his daughter was here to watch over these people with him, he turned to the Keep and left the rangers to their task of organizing and unloading and setting up.
Victor had only been gone for two nights before tonight, so he most likely would not hear back from him for another two or three nights. As angry as he was at Nikka, he kept it tempered because he knew she was not harmed. He would feel it if she were.
