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Kellehendros -> RE: Isle of Dracos (2/25/2014 22:30:51)
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The Lady's Protector
He felt, through the vague haze of sleep, the light touch of fingertips running along his body. Damascus stirred slightly, settling again after a moment. The bed was exquisitely comfortable, far finer than his own in the barracks, and the comforting weight of blankets made it warm and inviting. Sleep clung to him, as if unwilling to let him return to the waking world. The soldier was fine with that, as his dreams had been very pleasant. Still, the feeling returned; soft, probing digits moving lightly, caressing over the network of scars and nicks that crossed his chest, shoulders and arms. Damascus sighed, though it was a happy sound, and his eyes opened slowly.
She was sitting on the edge of the bed next to him, wrapped in a house robe as green as the new shoots of grain after the first rains of the planting season, her golden hair in a loose cascade down her back. Even in the febrile light of the single candle on the bedside table, her hair shone. She smiled at him, and Damascus felt a tingling shock, as if his heart jolted in his chest. Her voice was sweet, and was there a hint of sadness there, or was it only his longing imagination? "It is almost dawn."
"Almost..." The knight hammered his brain into order. He was usually such a light sleeper that any noise could wake him, and he was always alert and clear-headed when waking. It was never that way, not in this room. In this room, nothing was normal. He slept deeply, woke foggily, and never early. Damascus shook his head, sitting up slowly. "I should go, my lady."
Lady Aurena smiled at him, and the soldier felt the dizzying rush of that expression again. Surely this was what bards meant, with all their flowery talk of love, all those songs that women so adored. "Perhaps you should..." She trailed off, the smile becoming just a little bit wicked. "Perhaps I should command you to stay."
His heart flipped in his chest, and Damascus swallowed, his eyes darting around the dim room swiftly. It was sometimes hard for him to tell when she was serious, and when she was joking. Her mind was a mystery to him, and perhaps that was some of what drew him to her, but surely she must be joking about this. For him to be discovered here would be bad enough, but for her to flaunt the thing was unthinkable. Yet, the knight could not deny that a part of him secretly longed for it. To be done with the secrecy and deceits would be good, and there was some part of him that dreamed, foolishly, yes, but it dreamed, that it could happen, could be real. As if there was any way he could sit next to her in hall of Kal Haven as her equal. "If that is what milady commands, so be it."
"My lady, Damascus, commons say milady. My lady, say it again."
Damascus flushed. He may have been a knight of the court, and Lady Aurena's chosen Captain of the House Guard, but he was the son of a blacksmith, and when he was flustered his speech slipped back into the familiar modes he had grown up with. "If that is what my lady commands, so be it." He wondered sometimes if he loved her because of her beauty, or if it was for the things that she had done for him, the station and degree to which she had elevated him. It must have been some combination of the two. "I only... That is, if my lady will permit me to remind her, it would not do for me to be seen here."
She sighed, and again Damascus felt a fluttering of hope. Surely her disappointment meant something, surely she must feel something. He feared, though it was hard to admit to himself, that perhaps he was only a passing amusement to her. Yet, the time they had spent together must count for something... "You are right, as usual, Damascus. Go see to your men, and be ready for the Council this afternoon."
It was a dismissal, but the knight comforted himself that she wanted it no more than he did. He watched her rise, crossing the room and sitting at a dressing table, lifting a comb and beginning to work it through her hair. Damascus hesitated for a moment, and then rose, ducking out a discreet servant's entrance. Lady Aurena was right, there was much to do.
The Scholar
The news would make for ill-hearing. Laewin knew that, but also knew that Aurena was never one to punish the messenger for the message, and this was urgent as any message might be. He halted before the doors to master bedroom, blinking in surprise to see Damascus there, talking with the House Guard standing watch at the door. It was unusual to see the knight in this area of the castle so early. Normally, he would be inspecting the morning mustering of the guard, or hearing the night reports from the scouts and guards whose shifts were ending. Perhaps the soldier was simply checking in on his man.
Laewin ran a hand distractedly through his beard, more white now than the black it had been. The House Guard laughed at something the Captain said, shifting his weight slightly and leaning against the spear he rested on the floor. Armor clanked as the man moved, and his green cape flicked over the floor at his feet, hitched behind the sword belted at his waist. Finally, the guard noticed the scholar, and the expression on his face shifted to careful neutrality, prompting Damascus to turn and see Laewin as well. "Good morn to you, Laewin."
He nodded. "Yes, yes, Captain. Are you here to see Lady Aurena as well?"
The knight glanced at the guard, and then shook his head. "Just checking up on some things. I was passing through, and wanted to see how Gregor's watch had been." He frowned slightly. "Is there something wrong?"
"Yes," Laewin sighed, "very wrong. It may be best if you come, you'll know soon enough, and this bears upon you, as well as us all."
Something passed across Damascus' face, but Laewin was distracted by the portentous news he carried, and let the moment pass without remark. He stepped forward as the guard moved back, and rapped on the door sharply. There was a moment of silence, and then a call from within. The scholar pushed the door open, and was followed by Damascus into the room. "My Lady, please forgive my coming at such an early hour, but there is grave news from the east."
Aurena was lighting candles around the room, covered in a favored house robe of green. "The news is always grave, this early in the morning, Laewin." Her eyes slipped away from him and to Damascus, and she frowned slightly. "Good morn, Captain. Is this some news of further banditry, that you are here, instead of with your men?"
Laewin glanced at Damascus, noting, and not for the first time, that Aurena expected much of the man she had picked to lead her House Guard. For his part the Captain shook his head. "I know not, Lady Aurena. I happened by, and Laewin bid me come to hear his tidings."
The scholar looked back to Aurena, took a breath, and then made the plunge. "My Lady, I am sorry, but the King is dead. House Kalzar has fallen."
She looked stunned, and the taper slipped from her hand, falling to the carpet as she took a swift step back, as if the news itself was a physical blow. The taper guttered, but might yet have caused a fire, had not Damascus stooped and retrieved it quickly. Aurena took no notice of it, she was staring at Laewin. "The King is dead..." There was a long pause, in which the scholar could see her fighting back the shock to get the words out. "Long... Long live the Queen."
He shook his head, stepping forward and gently placing a hand on her arm. "My Lady, you misunderstand. I am sorry, but the Queen is dead. House Kalzar is no more. Dragonhold keep burns, and no one can find the King or his household."
Aurena stared at him for a long moment in silence, and not for the first time, Laewin wondered what thoughts swam behind those green eyes. He knew she was intelligent, smarter than many gave her credit for because of her sex, but she seemed to be recovering from the initial shock, and her expression was guarded now. Her voice, when she spoke, was even and measured. "Then it is a very good thing the Council was scheduled to meet today anyways." She turned, looking to Damascus. "Captain, turn the House Guard out, I want no panic in the street. Word will spread fast. Lordran was well loved, and people in grief do not always express it in a civilized fashion."
"As my Lady commands." Laewin watched Damascus as the Captain saluted, and then swept out of the room quickly.
After a momentary pause, Aurena turned towards the scholar. "I will require tallies of all the supplies we have on hand. Grain, horses, men, swords, arrows, gold. All of it."
He frowned very slightly. "All of it, my Lady, but why?"
She looked at him, her emerald gaze cool, steady, and composed now. "I trust not this news from the east. It may yet be that the Queen lives, or one of the King's children, but we must prepare for the worst. If House Kalzar has fallen, there is no King of the Isle, and that will mean a war such as we have not seen since the Wars of Reunification."
The Council of Dukes
It was early afternoon when the dukes, and Aurena's other advisers, gathered in the map chamber. The room itself was off Kal Haven's library and record room, which were Laewin's domain. It featured a series of shelves and cases holding maps of regions and villages across the Riverhold, as well as maps of the other holds. The dominant feature of the room, however, was the rectangular work table whose surface was inscribed with a large, detailed map of the Riverhold.
When he arrived, Aurena was sitting at the head of the table, resting her fingers lightly on the warm, lacquered surface. It had been treated so many times over the years that the map had stained deep into the wood itself. Damascus was certain that if the the top inch or so of the table was shaved off, one would still be able to see the map upon the remainder of the table. He moved and stood behind Aurena's right shoulder, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword, watching as the dukes entered.
Duke Hereith Therein, the Lady Aurena's father. A large and sturdy man, he clumped across the room, claiming the seat at Aurena's right. Damascus knew the pair were not on the best of terms. The duke wished his daughter to marry again, specifically to a knight of Therein's household. What the man thought to gain of such a match, Damascus was uncertain. Lady Aurena was regent until Therein's grandson matured, and that was the way of it. Perhaps he thought a second marriage would put his daughter back under his thumb.
Next to enter was Duke Petrick Morn, a nondescript man with a wispy brown mustache. He sat to Lady Aurena's left. Damascus found Morn to be a popinjay. He was desperate to endear himself to Aurena, and could be counted upon to appear at the fortnightly Council bearing gifts. The Captain had seen Morn's latest effort when he arrived in the map chamber. A pair of pearl earrings, currently dangling from Lady Aurena's ears. Damascus knew that Lady Aurena found Morn's attempts amusing, though what else she might think of them beyond that, he did not know. It was an open question who would be more outraged by his relationship with Lady Aurena, her lord father, or her erstwhile suitor. Neither eventuality would be pleasant, Damascus knew.
Last, of the dukes, was Duke Ermen Thorpe, a slender man with a shock of blonde hair that fell to his shoulders. He took the seat next to Morn, settling his hands on the table and folding them, his eyes slipping back and forth between Lady Aurena and Therein. As far as Damascus knew, Duchess Kamara remained in Gentleaf. That was for the best, since relations between the two women were frosty at the best of times.
The last to enter the room was Laewin, who closed the doors behind him, hurrying along to take the seat next to Therein, and unloading a pile of books and ledgers onto the table. To Damascus, the scholar looked worried, and that was hardly a surprise. Considering the news he had given them from the capital this morning, the Captain was worried himself. The books were a staple of Laewin's presence at the Council, and he would refer to them from time to time on some matter of law or accountancy. Though the Dukes might laugh at him, or grumble when he corrected them, he was the one keeping track of the goods and gold moving through the Riverhold. Damascus knew, if only vaguely, that Lady Aurena had two armies. One was made of men that he led, the other was made of scribes, counters, and merchants. If that apparently chaotic mass had a leader, it was Laewin.
Damascus remained where he was, standing behind Lady Aurena and slightly to one side. It was his customary position when she held court, and though he had been offered a seat at the table several times in the past, he preferred to stand. The position was comfortable to him, familiar, and allowed him to keep an eye on everyone else in the room at once.
"My lords, I thank you, as always, for the service that you render to the Riverhold, and by extension, to the kingdom." Lady Aurena began smoothly, and Damascus glanced at her swiftly. Since the momentarily shock this morning, she seemed to have recovered her bearing. "I know that we have much business to discuss, but other matters of great import have seen fit to thrust themselves into pride of place." The dukes glanced at one another, concerned, but none voiced a question or interrupted Lady Aurena, and after a moment she continued. "This morning, Laewin brought terrible tidings to me." She hesitated, and then seemed to gather herself for the plunge. "The Dragonkeep burns. Lordran Kalzar is dead, and all his family with him."
His eyes flicked away from Lady Aurena, dancing to each duke in turn, watching their reactions. They could not have been more stunned at Lady Aurena announced she was with child. Morn's mouth worked, as if the man was chewing on the thought, and Thorpe simply looked stunned, as if he had been struck on the head with a club. Therein recovered quickest, eyeing his daughter in consideration, and then speaking. "How do you know this thing?"
"A bird from the capital. Laewin has... business contacts there." Lady Aurena slipped a hand down to a satchel hanging off the back of her chair, drawing out a slender, tightly rolled piece of vellum. "And because an hour ago this arrived in the rookery." She held the tiny scroll up, and Damascus sighed inwardly. Since assuming his post he had learned to read, and he knew without needing to be told that she wanted him to read the contents of the scroll to the dukes. He could read, something most commoners couldn't, but that didn't mean he could do it well.
He stepped forward, taking the piece and gently unfurling it. The words were tiny and closely set, saving valuable space and weight to make the message as small as possible. The Captain read the message over twice, self-consciously forming several of the words silently as the others watched him. At length, he felt confident enough that he understood what was written, and read the scroll off to them before setting the vellum back onto the table, where it curled lightly back in on itself once unrestrained by hand.
Duke Thorpe shook his head. "How can they know? The king, yes, but his entire family, his heirs? Who wrote this message, and how can they know the truth so soon after the cursed act?"
"Does it matter?" Morn returned, running a hand through his hair and tossing his head. "Dead, alive, we must do something."
Lady Aurena remained still, her eyes shifting between the men as they spoke, shifting to her father as Therein shook his head as well. "Do, yes, but what?"
"Declare the hold free." Morn smiled as if he hadn't just suggested treason against the Dragon Throne. "The Kalzars are dead, or scattered if they live. Raise our banners, and declare the Riverhold an independent kingdom. Crown the Lady Aurena as Queen of Rivers. What need have we for the others?"
"That's... You cannot be serious, Morn." Thorpe made a placating gesture. "The other Holds would unite and smash us."
"Pah, are you afraid of a handful of delta-dwellers, Thorpe?" The Duke of Canor made a dismissive gesture. "The other Holds won't care, they'll be doing the same. Mark me, with no one on the throne, what they can gain will be first on their minds."
Laewin spoke up. "Surely it will not come to war? The Reunification Wars were ruinous. No one could wish to go back to such a time.
"That was years ago, bookworm." Morn laughed. "Men are men, as they have ever been. Men fight for power and glory. Do you seriously think this time will be any different from any time before?"
"My Lord of Canor makes a good point," interjected Therein, "whatever the other Holds might do, we cannot dismiss the possibility that the other Holds may have designs upon expanding their own power. It would be prudent, at the least, to call the banners and make preparations in case the worst may come."
Damascus shifted slightly, as the dukes looked at Lady Aurena. She bore their scrutiny with the ease of long practice, and when she spoke, her voice was light. "I appreciate your... enthusiasm, Duke Morn, and the honor that you would do me. However, it is in my mind that to act hastily would be ruinous at this juncture. I am but a woman, and I do not long for battle and glory. My concern is for the safety of the Riverhold, as it has ever been. To act rashly now would be to put all we hold dear at risk." She tapped the table lightly, drawing attention to the map there. "Yet, my lord father is not so wrong. If one would have peace, one must prepare for war." Glancing back and forth among the dukes, Lady Aurena at length settled her gaze on Laewin. "My lords, I would ask that you return swiftly to your homes. Take stock, and make your preparations. Call your banners, mend your walls, and hold yourselves in preparation for war. I will go to the Dragonkeep, and meet the other heads of the Five. If the gods will it, we may steer a course as best benefits all."
Morn rose from his seat. "You cannot mean to go! This may be nothing more than a trap to lure the remaining leaders to their deaths. We don't know who the author if this missive is."
Duke Thorpe frowned. "Are you so ready to start at shadows? The message must have been written by the castellan, or one of Kalzar's surviving advisers."
"Your concern touches me, my lords, both of you. Yet, this is my duty, and I intend to do it. Do not fear for me overmuch. I certainly will not be going there alone and unprotected." She looked over her shoulder and smiled. Damascus swallowed, heart leaping as usual when her smile was turned on him. "Damascus and body of the guard will accompany me. I will be as safe as if I was staying in any of your halls."
Therein frowned, but remained silent, and it was Laewin who spoke next. "My lords, if all is to be put ready, I will need to speak with each of you concerning your stores and potentials." He tapped a hand lightly on his stack of ledgers. "I have preliminary numbers here, but you will need to confirm things for me."
Lady Aurena rose, and the men stood automatically in response. "There is much to be done, my lords. These events are a summer storm, come in an ill hour." Her hand dropped to the table, fingers resting lightly on the lacquered surface. "We are the stewards of the Riverhold, and no matter what happens, we will defend that which is ours. My lords," she rapped the table with her knuckles sharply, "we are the Riverhold."
"This Endures." The dukes answered, the traditional response and signal that the meeting was at and end.
They turned and moved towards the door with Laewin as Lady Aurena sat again. "My lord father, a moment, if I may?"
Duke Therein halted, and the others did as well, looking between Therein and Lady Aurena for a second before continuing out of the room, leaving the Lady Regent alone in the room with her father and the Captain. Therein returned to the table, standing next to it and clasping his hands behind his back. "Aurena?"
The familiar address was presumptuous, in Damascus' opinion, but Lady Aurena seemed content to ignore what she might have taken as a slight. "How many barges are leaving for the Craghold in the next week?"
Therein blinked, clearly not expecting this. He took a moment and gathered himself before replying. "Nine, ten. I would need to consult my record-keeper."
"Stop them."
"Aurena?"
Lady Aurena smiled, as Duke Therein frowned at her. Damascus shifted slightly, frowning himself. "Stop them. The Craghold will not starve, not right away."
The Duke of Kasidan mulled this for a moment. "You mean to provoke them."
"Never. Shipments on the river are often raided by bandits. That is why prices go up. Given the level of banditry recently, I feel it only fair that we renegotiate our contracts with the Craghold. I am only looking out for the best interest of my people. I see no gain for them if they are killed by hungry bandits, and the cost of scourging the countryside of such a menace cannot be borne by us alone."
Therein smiled slightly, and there was a faint hint of approval in his voice. "As you wish, my lady. If I may be so bold, it may be best to halt all food shipments, not merely grain."
"Yes, I believe you are correct, father. It is good that you are here to advise me."
The duke shifted, crossing his arms over his chest. "And when the Craghold protests our increase in prices?"
"The one thing the Craghold is fit to grow is rocks. Let them eat their own crops for a change."
"Of course, my lady." Therein bowed, and then turned and left.
Lady Aurena rose, and glanced at her Captain before motioning for him to walk with her. "Come Captain, you have many preparations to make, before we march on Bremming."
The Captain moved after her, puzzling at what he had just witnessed pass between Lady Aurena and her father. It took him a moment to hear her words. "March to Bremming, my lady. To march on a place means to attack it. We will march to Bremming, and from there, to the Dragonkeep."
She smiled her dazzling smile at him, and Damascus hardly heard her next words. "Of course, Damascus, forgive me. I am just a woman, how am I to know what all your soldierly phrases mean?"
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