02.57: Departure

The sky roared as lightning snaked across the dark clouds. Underneath, armor clinked in Mondgrove castle’s courtyard.

I offered a wrinkled apple to the black destrier that had been carrying me everywhere throughout the county.

He snorted in disdain.

“I know it’s dried up, but the harvest season is right around the corner. You can have as many fresh ones as you can eat then.”

“Talking to your horse, my lord?”

I turned around to see Reshma standing behind me, her lips curved in a smile.

“Just giving him some motivation. He’s temperamental.”

“So, just like his master.”

Someone cleared his throat loudly.

We turned together to face him.

“The soldiers are ready, my lord,” Grimhart informed me, inclining his head, then left as quietly as he had arrived.

Eirica emerged out of the castle, her mourning dress now replaced with one dyed in the colors of Mondgrove; deep green and white. It wasn’t the only change. The meek widow had turned into a confident ruler in a matter of days.

“Such a shame,” Reshma said, ogling the woman approaching us.

“Behave.”

She stepped forward to share a few hushed words with Eirica, who smiled in response.

As she left for the carriage, Eirica stepped closer to me.

“Mondgrove can never repay the debt it owes you, my lord,” she said, bowing low. “Thank you very much for lending me your soldiers.”

“No need, my lady. I am just protecting my people. Take care of yourself, Cedric and your barony. And don’t hesitate to contact Falkenheim if you need any help.”

She nodded, smiling and stepped back.

Whatever was between us seemed to have finally died. A part of me, no, the remnants of Jack, mourned it.

Moore finished talking with Sir Wigmar, the young knight we were leaving in charge of forty of my soldiers. He nodded to me and both of us mounted our horses.

The scant raindrops turned into a constant barrage, as the castle’s gate groaned open.

The column moved out.

Cheering greeted us as the procession moved into the city. The commoners’ eyes glowed with joy and gratitude, even though they were being drenched in the rain.

I didn’t share their sentiment.

Althafen was the third largest city in the county after Falkenheim and Nordhaven, but looking around, it was clear that it hadn’t been taken care of. Every other building was in need of repair, and had been patched with whatever people could find. The late Baron and his lackeys had sucked the people dry. Left them with nothing to invest in the future.

Hopefully Eirica would rise up to take care of it.

We rode through the rain the entire day, surrounded by hills. I kept giving my carriage, and Reshma sitting inside it, completely dry, jealous glances.

The next day wasn’t too bad and we reached Harrowstead in the afternoon.

We told Eirica’s father about the situation in Mondgrove.

His usual cold demeanor softened the moment I told him about leaving forty men behind to protect her. He repeatedly offered to host us for the night, but I declined. One more night on the road was a cheap price to pay if it would save me a day away from Chadom.

Reshma didn’t complain either, knowing how eager I was to go back.

Thankfully the road to the capital was the artery of trade and well-maintained. The late afternoon of the next day, the mists parted for a massive hill covered in buildings. We had reached Falkenheim. The tired horses pushed themselves up the spiral road that wound around the city.

The castle’s gates were already open, Lady Erenna and Isanna there to greet us. Tired of all the riding, I made a beeline for my chambers for a bath, which had been already prepared.

We told them about our travels as we had dinner. They didn’t like me leaving forty soldiers behind, but I held steadfast. I couldn’t manage Chadom and a destabilized Nobart at the same time. Forty soldiers’ pay was a cheap price to avoid that.

Fatigue still clung to me, so I dragged myself to my bedroom the moment the sun winked out.

A dusky shadow followed me inside the chambers before I could close the door.

“I am tired,” I complained. “Not everyone of us was sitting comfortably in a carriage with springs. Some of us were riding in the rain these last two days.”

Stepping in front of me, she pursed her lips in a pout.

“And whose fault is that? Who wasn’t willing to wait for the weather to clear up?”

She stepped closer. “If you are that tired of riding,” her voice dropped, dark eyes looking up at me, “how about you just lie down and let someone else take the reins?”

“Hmm. Since you are asking so nicely.”

The next morning, warm rays of the morning sun woke us up.

Good. I didn’t know if I would survive the combination of bad weather and a rocking ship.

As I was dressing, supple arms wrapped around me from behind.

“I’ll miss you,” Reshma whispered.

I turned, pulling her close. “I’ll be back in a few weeks.”

Her eyes crinkled in mischief. “You’d best hurry up, or I might just decide to keep your bride-to-be all to myself.”

“I will.”

As I walked into the great hall for breakfast, the smell of roasted meat filled my lungs.

Lady Erenna looked at me, smiling.

“I had the kitchens make venison, your favorite.”

I smiled in turn, making sure to not show pity towards the poor woman. The best I could do was honor her son’s memory.

The venison and the rest of the food were indeed excellent.

Once finished, I turned to the bald man beside me.

“What is the status of the supplies, Elric?”

“All the acquired items were loaded into your ships a few days ago, sire. In addition, sixty more cartloads of topsoil have been collected and sent to Nordhaven.”

“Did you get me the other thing I asked for?”

“Which thing, sire? There were many.”

“The puppies.”

“Yes. The kennel master informed me he has eight pups for you.”

We went to the kennels, which smelled of straw, fur and animal musk.

A man with a thick mustache met us there.

“I chose these for you, milord,” he pointed to an open pen.

Eight little fluffballs were hobbling around inside, their little tails wagging.

“Those will make excellent livestock guardians,” he pointed to the four with a thick coat of fur, “and those,” he pointed to the four with thinner fur, “will make excellent trackers.”

One of the fluffy ones made an admirable attempt at a bark. Sadly, it was too high-pitched to be intimidating.

As it approached me, oddly, fear rose inside me.

Ignoring it, I picked the puppy up.

“It’s so fluff—”

Reshma’s expression stopped me in my tracks. Her eyes were wide in alarm.

I thought it was fear at first, until I looked at the others.

I put the animal down sheepishly.

“It’s well built.”

There were so cute I had forgotten to act lordly.

Clearing my throat, I turned to the kennel master. “Please prepare them for travel.”

An hour later, I was standing in front of my carriage, surrounded by my guards and a few mounted Royal soldiers.

“There is less than a month and a half left,” Lady Erenna said. “You could just stay here until your marriage.”

“I have important work there, mother.”

“Hmm. You could take me with you. I’ll come back on one of your ships in a few weeks.”

“Not this time. I am going to be too busy to have any free time.”

“I would just remain with this Aprilia you seem so fond of.”

“She is going to be busy as well. Just give me some time, and I will take you there myself, I promise.”

I turned to Isanna.

“Take care of mother, Isanna. And do prepare yourself for all the attention you’ll get in the capital.”

She smiled awkwardly.

After hugging them both, I turned to Godwin, Moore and Elric.

The knights stood straight in their armor, while the poor Steward was hunched, bags under his eyes, tired as he was from all the work I had piled upon him.

“I leave the county in your capable hands. Please take care of it in my absence.”

All three nodded.

The Royal troops marched out, with my carriage, surrounded by my guards in the rear.

The weather remained clear, so we made good time. By noon, we had reached Nordhaven.

The sea breeze carried the smell of salt and seaweed as I got out to stretch my legs. I decided to walk to the dock when Reshma called out in a serious tone.

“My lord, a word.”

Dejected, I climbed back up.

“We need to make a visit first.”

“Huh?”

“Don’t play ignorant. You know who,” she pointed to the castle atop the nearby hill with her chin.

“I don’t want to.”

“Doesn’t matter. Besides, it’ll only take an hour. Or two.”

“I really don’t want to.”

Her look could make flowers wilt.

I sighed. “Fine. Let’s get this over with.”

“Bring Sir Grimhart with us. The symbol of royal authority should cow her down.”

Surrounded by a few mounted Royal troops in addition to my guards, my carriage rolled up to the Nordhaven castle.

The gates were already open.

Dowager Nordhaven was already there, standing in the inner yard. Spine unbent despite her age, thin lips curved in a smile, even as her eyes remained cold.

Next to her stood her a boy of seven or eight, who stepped forward and dropped to one knee.

“We are honored to host you, my liege. Nordhaven stands with you,” he said without faltering.

“Thank you for receiving us, my lord Baron,” I replied.

“A pleasant surprise,” the crone added.

“I’m sorry for the sudden visit. I just wanted to clear some things before leaving.”

“You will not be staying?”

“No. I need to check up on the production of weapons I promised Her Majesty.”

Nodding, she led us inside the castle.

“I believe you still have lessons, my lord?” she looked at her grandson.

Bowing, he turned around and left with his governess.

She led us to a garden. We sat on the chairs, Sir Grimhart deciding to stand again.

Her eyes flickered to him, then back to me.

“What did you wish to discuss, my lord?”

“I wanted to apologize for forming the County’s standing army without consulting you first. I was in a hurry.”

Her eyes narrowed for a fraction of a second, but her face was almost instantly a mask.

“That was indeed a surprise. Three hundred men. Your father didn’t command even half that outside of wartime.”

“He didn’t face what I am facing.”

I remained quiet, forcing her to ask the question.

“And what is that?”

“Ironfeld won’t just accept their defeat at Blackrain and do nothing in response. I’m sure you already know that something is also afoot in Stormhaven. I’m taking precautions to safeguard our lands.”

Her eyes narrowed.

“How do you plan on paying the salaries of that many soldiers?”

I leaned forward.

“I have some plans. Plans that would benefit us all, especially Nordhaven.”

“Oh?”

“It is our only port city. Whatever we make will go through here.”

“Make? I thought you weren’t going to make those crossbows here.”

“Other valuable items. You will be one of the first people to know once I’m ready to divulge them and… the one to greatly profit.”

Her face remained impassive.

“You ask for trust, while offering none. Your sailors refuse to speak about this Chadom place, except that no one is allowed to visit it.”

“I offer concrete results, my lady, as you yourself saw when we first met. Chadom remains off-limits for everyone’s safety. Even at this corner of the Kingdom, surely the acts of Vozoran are well known? I will not risk a spy entering there.”

Her eyes smoldered, but she eventually nodded in acceptance.

Servants arrived with tea.

We talked about trivial matters for a while.

Then, I stood up.

“You’re leaving this soon?” she asked, getting up as well.

“I must. Work awaits.”

“It always does,” she said, smiling without warmth.

She wasn’t completely appeased, but I had bought myself some time. Future me would have to deal with her.

The carriage reached the town, its wheels clattering over cobbled stone, then finally stopped. Suddenly, Reshma was on me, her lips seeking mine. Enveloping her in my arms, I forgot about the world for a while.

We came out of the carriage to see three ships lined next to each other at the port. All were the same size, but while two were unadorned utilitarian vessels, the third was pristine, adorned with intricate carvings, its sails white and blue canvas.

The Royal ship.

As we approached the ships, we were forced to pinch our noses.

“What is that smell?” Reshma said in response to the stench that the breeze carried.

I pointed to the source heaped up on one of the ships. “Barn soil.”

“Oh, those poor sods. You really need that much dirt?”

I nodded, keeping my mouth shut. Cannons needed a lot of gunpowder.

As we approached the Royal ship, Reshma turned to face me, then bowed low.

“I will eagerly wait for your arrival in Aldersthron, my lord.”

“As will I, my lady,” I said, smiling. “Be sure to give my regards to Her Majesty.”

“I will. Just don’t arrive on that ship,” she pointed to the one carrying the soil.

“I won’t.”

I inclined my head to Sir Grimhart and Hagen, who nodded back.

Turning around, I walked up to the gangplank of my own ship, then turned to my guards.

“Bought everything you wanted, boys?”

“Yes, my lord,” Theo answered for them.

“Let’s go home, then.”

The ship groaned as it pulled out of the harbor.

I leaned against the railing and waved to Reshma’s shrinking figure atop the Royal ship.

Our ships’ sails fluttered as the wind rose, as if understanding my impatience to reach the valley beyond the Treacherous Bog.

The place where I had woken up, and built a life.

A life with Aprilia, Lothar, the Ducklings and many others.

Where I had planted the seeds of a better future.

Seeds that would shape the rest of the continent. Hopefully for the better.

I had spent almost seven weeks in Nobart, but it never felt like home.

That title belonged to Chadom.

And I was finally going back.