Erland was a city of stone castles and vineyards. All through Ian’s Vale there were soft rolling hills with vines laden with dark grapes, chilled by the fog from the many rivers that snaked through the Vale like the roots of a tree. However, once they arrived at Erland, the entire city was surrounded by grapes, with every building spread apart by vineyards. The streets curved and wound their way around the vineyards, not the other way around.

Caspyr’s man Grim accompanied Perenenda to the hall of Earl Larthkyrk, who was waiting by the steps to the front door.

“Welcome to Erland, Princess Perenenda,” Larthkyrk greeted. “We are the city of red and green. Red for the wine that flows through us like blood, and green for the vines of renewed hope that bind our people together.”

“I receive your welcome warmly,” she says. “You have more flowers in your words than we have back in my father’s gardens.”

Larthkyrk laughed. “I’m certain King Burulgi’s garden is a sight to behold against the morning sea. Yet through all your travels, a more beautiful country you have not seen. Our land is as magical as the fruit it bears, ready to burst with untold opportunity. Come inside.”

“You do love your grapes, sir.”

Everyone laughed this time as they entered the hall. “We love our wine. We love the grape, the soil, the sun, the tree that makes our casks.”

The hearth was lit, though the fire was small. She welcomed any warmth, as even though it was summer, she had never experienced such cold summers away from Neredun.

"I come in service to you, my Earl. Such service comes with five hundred men from the Promise, and three hundred men and women from your own fair neighbor of Neredun."

"I don't know how you mustered it, my lady," Larthkyrk said. "Our own forces are scattered through the Withings. Some have ventured into the Headlands to aid Earl Alegandr but have not returned. The entire northern coast has been infested with Baron Visant's men.”

“Land of renewed hope, eh?” Grim said, not quietly enough.

“We have lost control of Sundersport,” Larthkyrk continued. “And the SanKai have been trapped on the Scales. They were supposed to come to our aid, but I hear all the ships of the SanKai have been destroyed.

"Fourteen Peers trapped on the island," Sornam said. "Hundreds more willing monks, even if they are not Peers. But just fourteen Peers could change the course of this fight. We need to get to the Scales, my lady."

"Ah Master Sornam, I did not see you there,” Larthkyrk said. “It is good to see you again. I regret missing Edmon’s council. It would have been good to have seen all the Peers in court again. Well, of those who remain. Thank you for escorting my son Lars home.”

“My lord,” Sornam bowed. “Getting to the Scales should be our priority.”

“The path to the Scales is through the strait," Larthkyrk said, "and there is no way through the strait unless you deal with Baron Visant in Grastenport. Alas between the uneven ground of the Withings and the Eastern Ridge, there is no safe way to lay siege to Grastenport."

"My brother would have come through here, by the king's orders," Sornam said. "Perhaps with a handful of the king's men."

Larthkyrk nodded. "Yes, Master Norbu and his companions did come through here. The Vale and the Scales have shared neighboring ports for generations. The SanKai will find no greater friend in Kienne than the Vale-men. Still, as Master Norbu passed through, he took no aid from me though I offered it. I have not heard from him since."

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

"I will move north soon, Earl Larthkyrk," Perenenda said. "Will a bannerman accompany me so your men know we are of the same side?"

"I am as thin for men as the trees that give the Withings its name," the Earl said. “One of my captains has already taken up the charge into the Withings, to deal with the Baron. If you would carry my banner, and so long the Promisemen carry Caspyr's, the soldiers of the Vale will know friend from foe. And Master Sornam is right. Get to the Scales if you can. Unleash the wrath of the Peers onto the world.”

“Then we will take your leave as soon as my people have supped,” she said.

“Then let us make haste and sup you,” he said. “And replenish your water and rations before you go. One word of advice, princess. The path through the Withings is difficult by horse. There is the King’s Road that runs through, but it is a defenseless road and only safe when heavily armored. You may risk it since you have a cavalry, but you have many on foot. We’ve lost men from Visant’s archers hidden on top of the Withings.”

Perenenda did not stay in Larthkyrk’s hall for long. Her people filled their bellies with pork and potato stew, and even sampled the Vale’s latest wine. It was a bitter, tongue-gripping dark red that Perenenda was not used to. In her father’s court, the wines were light and sweet, often mixed with fresh berries.

“Let us move north as soon as we can,” she said to Grim and her captains. “The longer we delay our leave, the more the Earl’s hospitality beckons us to stay.”

“Are we taking the King’s Road?” Dao asked.

“I will gladly bear our banner when we traverse the road,” Xaykansam said. “We are not afraid of cowards in the trees.”

“Afraid? No,” Kamfongil said. “But foolish we do not need to be in the stead of being afraid. We’ve avoided losing men thus far.”

“There is no advantage for archers greater than higher covered ground,” Grim said. “They’d be picking us off easier than birds picking at blueberries. You can go through the Kings Road if you’d want. My men won’t be going through that. We’ll turn around.”

“Your men are yours to command, as was our agreement with Earl Caspyr,” Perenenda said. “Though there is no need for such threats. I will not be risking my people. We will be staying off the main road, though it may add time.”

They dispersed to ready the people. Sornam stayed behind with her.

“Some of the men begin to grumble," Sornam told her as the others were out of listening range. "They joined you when they saw the chance to fight for the glory of Neredun, not for the liberation of foreign sea ports. I will make sure our captains keep their units in line."

“We have not drawn swords since encountering the Pyderi,” she said. “They’re restless. Promise them they will have a chance to stretch their legs soon.”

Erland was positioned on one side of the river before the edge of the Withings began. They travelled up the Flatbury River and ventured into the rocky soil of the Withings. The riders moved slowly through the terrain and Perenenda began to understand why armies had no advantage in number against an enemy camped in higher ground hiding between the trees. The forest was comprised almost completely of white uniform aspen trees.

Perenenda's army stayed on the western side of the Flatbury as much as they could to avoid being lost. The trail splintered several times, and they had trouble finding shallow stretches of the river where their horses and wagons could cross.

Late that afternoon they came across a small abandoned camp with a smoldering fire. Kamfongil held up a fist, warning his company to halt. He motioned to the other captains to fan out. They surveyed the immediate area, keeping their weapons drawn.

Sornam stayed beside Perenenda. “I don’t think this is Visant’s men. They wouldn’t chance it to be so low near the river.”

“Unfurl Larthkyrk’s banner,” she whispered to Sornam.

He nodded. She had kept it on her horse but had not waved it. He affixed it to a staff and handed it to Perenenda, who propped it up beside her. It stayed quiet.

"Show yourself!" Kamfongil finally shouted.

Men wearing the wine red and gold colors of the Vale emerged from behind the white aspen trees. "You fly our lord's banner," one of them said to Perenenda. "There are so many of you."

"I am Perenenda, and these are my captains," she said. "We are here to help liberate the northern ports."

"You are a welcome sight then," the man said, unhooking the strap of his half helm. "I am Rollo, commander of the Vale. You are a welcome sight, though this is as far as we have been able to go. There are marksmen above us ahead.”

“Even when you have stayed off the King’s Road?” Kamfongil asked.

“They have eyes on all the trails, it seems,” Rollo said. “Our scouts report certain spots that are hotter than others. This forest is treacherous if you do not know.”

“It is already late in the afternoon,” Perenenda said. “This camp is safe, commander Rollo?”

“Aye, we have sentries posted with a good view of the higher ground,” Rollo replied. “We are safe here.”

“Then we will make camp here as well,” she said. “Captains, prepare to offer a plan of moving north. We didn’t come this far to be buried by these trees.”