"He's dead now. You can be what you want to be."
Rithvik smiled. "And I will. I'll be a mercenary. And your lover. Forever."
"Never and forever are to be avoided at all costs," Kerrien replied. "It's bad luck to say them!"
"Fine, take out the last word, then. I'll be a mercenary. And your lover. How does this sound?"
"It sounds great." Kerrien leaned from the saddle to briefly kiss him.
Rithvik's cheeks were on fire as they continued their journey north.
***
At some point they'd left the Ondan behind and headed towards forests and mountains that could be seen in the distance. Kerrien said it was north-west of Salamar, but Rithvik felt still lost. Not that he could read maps, but maybe seeing it on a piece of paper would help. Or not. He had no idea.
The endless meadows were good for feeding the horses, but not for them. They had to stop in small villages and buy food from peasants, often sleeping in barns or under the stars. There were no major towns between Salamar and Caer Nittak, which suited their passionate mood. Being mostly alone, they could stop and give vent to their feelings whenever they felt like it.
The plain became hilly and one fine afternoon after a bend in the unpaved road, Caer Nittak appeared. The small town had been built at the top of a hill and looked run-down.
"It is best-known for its tumultuous history," Kerrien said with a sour smile. "Also, there is an old ceremonial site nearby. It's a three-rowed rectangular arrangement of stones that stands about twelve feet high at the tallest. A stone in the center is carved with illustrations of people. People go there to pray and seek blessings."
"You said there is no temple inside the town," Rithvik said.
"Exactly. That's why we pray outside of the town walls. The only stone building is the castle of Caer Nittak."
As they got closer, Rithvik started to see more of the town. The walls were mostly a tall palisade with great wooden doors and a moat. Inside he could glimpse the sliding roofs of timber houses and the great stone castle.
Ten lean, round towers had been built on various tactical spots for an ideal defense and were connected by towering, thin walls made of dark gray stone. Dull windows were scattered thinly around the walls in seemingly perfect symmetry and there were merlons for the archers at the top of the battlements.
Fields of nothingness stretched out outside the walls of the town, allowing them to see people coming far before they posed a threat.
"This fortified town has stood the test of time and despite knowing some very rough times, its castle still stands and it looks like it will do so for many years to come," Rithvik said, impressed.
"Fire destroyed it a couple of times, so the houses inside the walls are all new," Kerrien replied. "But yes, the castle has good foundations and it will stand for many more years. There are wells inside the stone walls, and it can stand long sieges."
"But everything else gets destroyed, right?" Rithvik looked at Kerrien who nodded, thoughtful. "Do you know who we will find on the throne?"
"It's not really a kingdom." Kerrien sighed. "But Eviana told me the Albright are back in power. Until somebody else challenges them, that is."
"How many families live there?"
"Four main clans and some unaffiliated. Albright, Cadwaller, Redmark and Wolfsbane..."
"That's you." Rithvik grinned. "Braedick called you Kerrien Wolfsbane!"
Kerrien smiled despite himself. "Yes, that's me. But I doubt any of my relatives will ever want control of Caer Nittak. The Redmark have cousins in Caer Tiasul, so they're not really interested. The unaffiliated only wish to have a roof over their heads. So I guess we're headed to a few years of peace – if the Cadwaller got the beating they deserved, that is."
Rithvik pulled the reins of Sharixen to stop him. They were still quite far from the walled town, although the sentinels had probably already spotted them.
"What?" Kerrien stopped his horse and turned to look at him, puzzled.
"How are you feeling?" Rithvik asked. "I mean... you haven't come back in fifteen years... aren't you afraid of what you'll find?"
"A little." Kerrien looked away. "But I guess I had to come back at some point." He stared at Rithvik again. "Remember to keep your hands to yourself within those walls," he warned. "Same-sex love is forbidden among the tribes."
"I know." Rithvik smiled briefly. "I will not embarrass you, I promise. And I'll let you do the talking."
Kerrien smiled fondly at him. "Good boy. Let's go, then." He spurred his horse and Rithvik did the same, wondering what awaited them among the wooden walls of Caer Nittak.
***
"State your business!" The bearded guard at the gate glared at Kerrien who stared back, undaunted.
"What a homecoming, Tristan," he said. "True that when I left I didn't need to shave, but since I still shave, I shouldn't have changed that much, have I? I mean, I don't hide my face behind facial hair, you should be able to recognize me."
The big, muscled man gaped for a moment. "Kerrien? Gods, we thought you were dead!"
"Not dead, just gone." Kerrien smiled. "I went looking for trouble elsewhere. May I?"
The man waved him in with a big grin. "I'll see you at dinner!"
Kerrien spurred the horse and Rithvik followed.
"Who was that?" he asked as Kerrien led the horse towards a timber house leaning against the massive stone castle walls.
"My brother Tristan," Kerrien answered. "He looks just like my father used to," he added, thoughtful. "I'm glad he survived."
"So what are the seven names?"
Kerrien glanced at him. "You remember what I told you?"
"I remember everything you tell me." Rithvik grinned. "But you never said how many brothers or sisters and what their names were."
Kerrien stopped the horse in front of the stable attached to the timber house and dismounted.
"Ronan, Tristan, Gwenn, Shaina, Kerrien, Yann and Enya, in this order," he recited and Rithvik got off the saddle too. "Hey, that's Kolia Albright!"
He was looking beyond Rithvik and towards the castle entrance. Rithvik turned just in time to see a rider go through the castle gate. He couldn't assess the newcomer, but he noticed he had short hair and was clean-shaven, like Kerrien. Most of the men milling around the town had long hair and beards.
"How come we're the only clean-shaven men?" Rithvik asked, puzzled.
"Welcome to the barbarian lands." Kerrien smiled and winked. "Over here you're not a man if you don't sport a manly beard."
"Oh! So we won't shave while we're here?"
"We do what we please," Kerrien replied. "And we won't stay long. I don't think I want to watch you grow a beard."
"Why not?"
"It would hide your gorgeous face," Kerrien whispered as a little boy came out of the house.
"You need someone to take care of the horses?" he asked.
"If that's still the youngest boy's duty, yes, please," Kerrien answered, handing him his horse's reins. "You are?"
"I'm Kerrien."
"Funny, so am I."
"You're Uncle Kerrien?" The boy's eyes widened in wonder. "I thought you were dead!"
"And you're whose son?" Kerrien asked him, crouching so he wouldn't tower over his nephew.
"Yann's son," the boy answered proudly. "Father missed you very much!"
Kerrien caressed his head and rose. "I guess it's time I go home, then," he said. "Take care of my horse, but mostly of that one. His name is Sharixen and my friend, here, is very fond of him."
"And doesn't your horse have a name, Uncle Kerrien?"
"No, but if you find one that suits him, feel free to name him."
The boy happily led the horses inside the stable and Kerrien took a deep breath.
"You and Yann were close, I take it?" Rithvik asked.
"He was one year younger than me and yes, we were close – until I started exploring sex, that is. Ronan and Tristan were much older."
"And you let
them think you were dead for fifteen years," Rithvik chided. "Naughty Kerrien."
He could tell Kerrien badly wanted to kiss him and flashed an impish smile.
Kerrien looked away, shaking his head and muttering under his breath. He knocked on the door and a blonde woman came to open it. Considering that both Kerrien and his brother were dark-haired, Rithvik assumed she wasn't one of his sisters.
"Hello," Kerrien greeted. "I'm Kerrien Wolfsbane. Whose wife are you?"
"I'm Ronan's widow," the woman answered without smiling. "I've heard a lot about you."
"I am not dead, as you can see. Tristan recognized me at the gate and I'm sure everybody else will recognize me as well."
The woman nodded and let them in. The main room had a long table with benches on both sides that could probably seat twenty. In the corner there was a stone fireplace, but the smells of food cooking came from some other room. Two windows on each side of the door gave some light to the big room, but not too much. The windows were quite small, to keep out the sun in the summer and the cold in the winter.
"We shall add two plates," the woman said without saying her name. "Enya!" she called. "If you'll excuse me," she muttered and headed for what must be the kitchen.
Moments later a dark-haired woman slightly younger than Kerrien emerged from that same room and stopped for a moment to take them in.
"Kerrien!" she screamed, overjoyed, before rushing to hug him.
"Good to see you, Enya," Kerrien said, squeezing her.
At that moment the other Kerrien came in. "I set up their horses for the night, Aunt Enya!" he said cheerfully. "I'm going to tell Dad my namesake is not dead!" And he rushed out again.
"Well, we'll have to call him Little Ker to distinguish him from you," Enya said, still grinning. "Where have you been, Kerrien?"
"Around. Salamar, Raddanmor, Cinnae..."
"The only town I've heard of is Salamar, and only since the Albright have taken back Caer Nittak," Enya said with a chuckle.
"I've seen Kolia Albright come back too."
"Really?" She raised her eyebrows. "Alone, I hope."
"Yes, he was alone."
"Breon doesn't appreciate his partner... And who's your friend?"
"This is Rithvik, a fellow mercenary," Kerrien said. "But I won't say anything else until the whole family is here."
"Fair enough." Enya smiled. "But you will find new faces and some of the old ones are gone."
"Our parents, I assume. And Ronan, since I've met his widow."
"Ah, yes, Ginger never got over her loss." Enya shrugged. "Ronan fell in the battle between Cadwaller and Albright – the second one, when Breon led a revolt and destroyed the Cadwaller. That was five years ago."
"I see. And why are you still here? No husband?"
"Not really." Enya shrugged. "It's complicated."
"Is there room for us or should we ask at the castle?"
"It's still quite crowded in here as you will see..."
***
Rithvik was overwhelmed by the number of names and faces he got to meet in one evening. He could discern Kerrien's siblings because they were dark-haired, while most of the others were blond, but remembering who was who proved impossible.
He sat at their noisy and cheerful table, observing wide-eyed the family interactions. It had never been like this for him. Not even at his father's banquets. The king was always so formal, and court etiquette so strict even the members of his family had to stick to it...
Now he knew what it meant to grow up in a commoner's family though. Or at least he was getting an idea. The food was poor compared to what he was used to – before the long sleep, that is – but the atmosphere seemed richer. More talk, more bickering, more laughter, more of everything.
He didn't really say a word unless directly addressed and ended up with a slight headache. The main room of the Wolfsbane house proved more noisy than any of the inns he'd seen with Kerrien so far, probably because there were also many children screaming for attention.
Watching Kerrien interact with them was also fascinating. He'd seen the mercenary with friends, acquaintances and strangers, but this was different. Everybody was celebrating Kerrien's return and he was telling episodes of his mercenary life to the "Ooohs" and "Aaahs" of the audience.
Rithvik felt very proud of him. He thought Kerrien was a hero, and obviously now his family was also aware of what a good man he was. Even if he didn't sport a beard to show his manhood, he was proving to them he was a better warrior than any of them.
Once Kerrien explained that outside of the tribes' lands the beard was considered a barbarian custom, the teasing stopped. Everybody was aware of the necessity to blend in in foreign lands. His male relatives were curious about weapons and tactics, his female relatives wanted to know about other towns and cultures, the children only wanted to hear the adventures.
It took Kerrien a couple of hours to appease all the first curiosities. When Rithvik's headache was becoming worse, Kerrien managed to say he was tired and would like to retire with his friend, since they'd been traveling all day and their bodies were tired of saddles.
Enya said the best beds were the hay sacks in the stable, where at least no child would disturb their sleep, so Kerrien thanked them all and headed for the stable with Rithvik. The cool air of the night worked wonders on the prince's head and he stopped at the stable door to inhale it.
"Are you all right?" Kerrien asked, worried.
"Yes. Just a headache. It was too stuffy in there."
"I know, and very noisy too." Kerrien smiled, although Rithvik could only guess the smile since Kerrien's face was in the shadows. "I'll go in and prepare the bed. Come when you're ready."
Rithvik nodded. He listened to the talking and laughter that came out of the house's windows, then entered the stable. He patted Sharixen good night, then climbed the ladder to the upper floor where hay was kept.
Kerrien had spread their winter cloaks on the hay like bed sheets next to each other, flattening the worst bumps of the bales. It wasn't a feather mattress, but then, Rithvik hadn't seen a feather mattress since he'd left Ker Eziel.
Rithvik lay down with a sigh of relief.
"Feeling better?" Kerrien asked, pulling him closer.
"Yes." Rithvik put his cheek on Kerrien's chest. "You have a beautiful family and they love you."
"I had missed them, but I didn't realize it until I came back," the mercenary answered, thoughtful. "I have so much to catch up with now..."
"My beautiful barbarian..." Rithvik squeezed him and yawned. "Good night, Kerrien..."
He was so tired he barely heard Kerrien's answer.
***
The next morning Rithvik followed Kerrien and his brother Yann to the top of one of the towers of the castle. The view was breathtaking and reminded him of Ker Eziel – before the forest enclosed it in its embrace.
Towards the north the darker green of oaks, maples and elm trees, to the south the open hills and plains they'd come through with heather and lavender giving some color to the lighter green of grass. A small river ran between the forest and the walled city, giving water to the wells inside the castle.
The top of the tower was windy, but not cold, since summer was coming. Rithvik could imagine how biting the blizzard could be in winter, though. Caer Nittak was very much like Ker Eziel, both for position and weather.
He leaned against a merlon while Kerrien and Yann talked.
"So Ronan fell when the Albright came back," Kerrien said. "What happened to Gwenn and Shaina?"
"Gwenn got married in Caer Tiasul," Yann answered. "As for Shaina... When Kolia vanished from the Cadwallers' prisons, she tried to find someone else. Our father attempted to send her off to Caer Tiasul too, but she refused to go. I think she was attracted by Ryan Cadwaller who knew she was Kolia's betrothed, so..."
"He didn't keep her at arm's length." Kerrien nodded, thoughtful. "He probably thought she could help him get Kolia back."
"His disappe
arance was so mysterious, we all knew he couldn't be dead," Yann said. "There was some magic involved. Ryan actually went looking for him, but there were no real tracks to follow. And then one day a mercenary mentioned a barbarian and a wizard killing the monster in the Lake of the Horses..."
Kerrien smiled. "That was Kolia and Joris, indeed. They became famous all over Salamar for that deed!"
"There was a monster in a lake?" Rithvik asked, puzzled.
"Yes," Kerrien answered. "Some kind of water dragon. They killed it and took care of the witch living there. Joris is a magic user."
"So you met Kolia in Salamar?" Yann asked.
"I saw him when I went there, but I never walked to him to say hello. He was busy with his associate and I didn't think he wanted to be reminded of what he'd been through in Caer Nittak."
"Yes, we've met Joris too now." Yann glanced at Rithvik. "Breon didn't approve of Kolia's choice, so Kolia left again as soon as Breon was on his father's seat."
"But now he's back..." Kerrien stared into space. "Alone..."
"I thought you were talking about your sister?" Rithvik said shyly.
"Ah, yes, Shaina." Yann sighed. "At some point Ryan knew Kolia was in Salamar and he sent Shaina to him. Again Joris made him vanish from Ryan's room, so Ryan cut off Shaina's head and sent it to Kolia."
Rithvik gasped in shock while Kerrien frowned.
"Ryan never came back from confronting Kolia, so we assume our sister is avenged," Yann concluded gravely.
"We could ask Kolia now," Kerrien muttered, looking away.
"It was ten years ago, Kerrien. It's a little late to complain. And, like I said, Ryan never came back, so I'm assuming he's dead."
"What about the other Albright? Who survived?"
"Breon, Beria, Kolia, Axel and Maya."
"Beria is a tough warrior woman, I'm not surprised she made it. Maya... how did she manage?"
"The Cadwaller twins took her under their wings and protected her."
"And... Novak is dead?" Kerrien stared at his brother.
"Yes, Kerrien, Novak died under the Cadwaller, tortured and raped to death. Axel survived, but his mind is still quite confused and damaged. His brothers did their best to help him, including that magic user, but I don't think he'll ever be normal again."
Fairy Tales Revisited on Silvery Earth Page 25
