After taking a few days to recover, we began our journey back to Theonalar. Before we reached the bridge that would take us from Cheval to Falconi, we met a woman in armor, on a horse also wearing armor. She gave her name as Dame Gwyneth of Shield and stated that she was sent to protect the Earth Crown and make sure it arrives at its destination.
Gwyneth led us to boats that would take us across the river, avoiding an increased number of Chevalians at the bridge. We journeyed through Falconi and into Theonalar without incident.
As we came closer to Gathorim, we began our discussion about whether or not we should take the crown to the queen or to Prince Abnor. It was decided to go to Abnor, after restocking supplies in Gathorim. We traveled to Gutar and found that the Southern houses had created a barrier of bonfires and men, right at the area where it is considered to be the distinguishing line between the north and south. Gutar is the northern most southern house.
We were able to make it through the line and continue to Eisenhorn and the saddleback. When we arrived, we found that the battles had been worse than we expected. Eisenhorn was destroyed, burned to the ground. I don't know about the others, but I felt my insides knot up with concern for my family and even a small bit of regret that the quilt I had made for mine and Tal's bed was destroyed. Even that small bit of regret, though, could be pushed aside in the concern for my parents and our people.
We met with Abnor and advised him we had retrieved the Earth Crown. He refused to put it on, because he was worried that if the crown did not choose him, it would cause dissension in the army. I don't know if it was the stress of the war, but Abnor seemed changed. We were advised by Angus, after we left the tent, that we had to attend the funeral banquet planned for that night.
We spent time with our families, and I gave my father the horn from the chimera that I had taken for myself from the dragon head. All the northern houses were mixed in together, with the few southern houses that had come to Eisenhorn. Even the houses from Eisenhorn had been separated and the group of us were quickly split, planning to meet together again for the banquet.
During the banquet, unexpectedly, the man seated at Abnor's left tried to attack him. As if it were natural to have men attacking him while he ate, Abnor stopped the man and killed him instead. My father told me that since arriving, the attempts on Abnor's life had been increasing.
After the banquet, Abnor came to us and told us he felt the crown was not safe with us. He siad he wanted the crown taken to the queen and Kaz would take it. Dame Gwyneth followed Kaz, after I personally made it very clear to him that if the crown did not make it and for some reason he turned against us and Theonalar, I would hunt him down and kill him. With his usual smirk at my threats, Kaz left in the middle of the night.
The next morning, Abnor told us that he wanted the men to go back to the southern houses and bring them to the battle. As usual, being a woman, I can't do anything to help. Follow Tal, show support for the others. Oh, let me pull out my sewing needle while the men discuss the nature of war and how talented they are with the blade and how many orcs they are going to kill in the fight the next day. Nevermind I can fight with the best of them and as a Shield Maiden, some of those same men would not be alive were it not for the protection my training offers them.
Tal and the others were to question the princes of the remaining Southern houses as to their honor in letting their country be overrun by orcs and other humanoids that only sought to destroy our homes. If this did not incite the houses to join the rest of the country, they were to challenge the princes and take their houses if possible. Pots was to speak to the prince of the house of Boar; Tal had Lyonsheart; Angus had Baira.
We made our way to Gutar again, after we spoke to one of the remaining four houses that had changed their minds and decided to join us at the battlefront. Angus boldly called out his prince and after exchanging words, the prince of Baira agreed to join the others. Tal was not so successful.
The prince of Lyonsheart and Tal fought the next day. Many well placed blows were exchanged. With deft and skillful movements, Tal was able to defeat the prince and gain control of the house of Lyonsheart. The deceased prince's son then challenged Tal, but he was stopped by a man named Wilhelm. It was clearly announced that by the prince's own words, Tal was now the leader of Lyonsheart and everyone would follow him or die the death of a traitor.
Pots was able to convince the prince of Boar without bloodshed and tomorrow we leave. Tal has paid for the prince's burial and all three houses will be ready to leave in the morning.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment