September 11th, 948

Starspawn Barracks/Mannigold Estate - South Viemen

Late Evening

On this night, the barracks of Sir Perry Mannigold resounded with the turmoil of over four hundred men and women. Out in the main courtyard, dozens of caravans were parked on the grass as their drivers traded weapons for provisions, and goods for passengers. Crowds had gathered just outside the gate to the Starspawn barracks, waiting desperately for their promised escort. However, as more arrived from South Viemen and the market district, unrest soon settled in. The thin veneer of composure was dashed from the masses as they barged through the gates to the compound. A wall of armed soldiers had kept them at bay, but were it not for Sir Perry’s return soon thereafter, a bloody fight would have most certainly occurred. Unfortunately, Sir Perry had brought with him the promised evacuees from North Viemen, whom Marquess Viemen had himself abandoned, and before long the Starspawn and its members were well in over their heads.

It had taken several long hours and multiple trips to the riverside of town to quell the throng of worried citizens; and were it not for the physical toll that such excitement has on one’s constitution, there would still likely be a persistent commotion on the grounds.

Thanks to the diligent work of Sir Perry, his guild, and his staff, as of nightfall the situation had died down quite considerably. Gertrude, Sir Perry’s châtelaine, who alongside Avenell was responsible for overseeing affairs of the estate, had been tasked with coordinating the evacuation of the staff as well as the serfs and peasant farmers. She stood amid a group of near thirty persons, using her pointer finger as if she was conducting an orchestra. She was in the process of assigning each individual to a particular caravan when a stable boy parted the crowd in a hurry to speak with her.

“Mistress, I have not been able to find them anywhere.”

“Neither of them? You’ve searched everywhere?”

The stable boy nodded.

“Where is Lord Mannigold?” she asked him.

“In the rear courtyard with the soldiers, Ma’am.”

Gertrude stepped down off the wooden crate she had been standing on and held onto the stable boy for balance.

“Sarah!” Gertrude called to one of the more senior maids. “Please take over while I speak with Lord Mannigold. Continue as I’ve instructed. We must ensure that the youngest are able to make it on the first trip. But not so many that there are none who can help prepare the campsite. Be sure that enough of the provisions are sent as well. George should be headed back with as much as he can spare of the preserves. See to it they are loaded immediately.”

“Yes, Mistress.”

Gertrude left Sarah behind and followed the stable boy through the compound toward the rear courtyard. She had scarcely seen so much activity on the grounds, and what’s more, so much fear among the workers. The sun had long since set and the chill of night helped little to ease the body and spirit. The sconces were lit about the castle and large bonfires had been set in the courtyards to help provide light, but the worry seemed impossible to assuage.

Gertrude had been through much in her fifty-two years— including Rhoden’s war. She was well versed in tempering her emotions to the duty at hand; but as she came around to the rear courtyard and saw Sir Perry standing among the over fifty-men gathered in arms, she feared for the first time what fate might befall them in the end. And worse still was the news that she would have to tell him.

“Gertrude!”

Sir Perry waved her toward him as she approached.

“Lord Mannigold,” Gertrude began with a bow, “We have been unable to locate either Master Ellis or Mary.”

“Neither of them!?” Perry’s tone carried more concern than it did anger. “You’ve searched the entire grounds?”

Gertrude nodded. “I have had Thomas search with the others both inside and outside the manor, twice over.”

“Where could they—?”

“Sir Perry!”

Ingrid called out to him as she ran over from the direction of the farmland.

“What news, Ingrid?”

She hesitated to answer as she caught her breath.

“One of the farmhands claims to have seen Ellis and Mary leave on horseback several hours ago when the sun was still high.”

“What!?” Perry’s voice was tense and fear was gripping him. “They rode into the mountains!?”

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“Sir Perry…” Albert started, “Is that not where the dr—”

“Say no more, Albert!” Perry shouted as he marched away from the group, “I must find them at once before those two get themselves killed.”

Sir Perry made it only a few steps before someone grabbed his arm. He turned in a fury but was met with the steel blue eyes of Ingrid, trained harshly on his own.

“Sir Perry…you cannot go.”

“Release my arm, Ingrid.”

“Sir Perry—”

“Let me go, Ingrid!”

“You cannot!”

Perry was rendered speechless at this sudden outburst from Ingrid. He was Lord of the manor and the leader of their guild, yet she scolded him just then as if he were an impudent child.

Perry ripped his arm from her grip and leaned in close as he spoke.

“He is my nephew. I will not leave him to such an unspeakable fate—”

“Nor would I ask it of you!” Ingrid shot back, “But the fact remains that you cannot leave. You are their leader,” Ingrid said, gesturing all around her, “What will they think if you leave?”

“The plans have been set. You and the others are capable of handling the evacuation. I will ride to retrieve them as fast as possible and I will return.”

“And if you do not!?”

“I will.”

“You cannot know for certain!” Ingrid pleaded, “I fear for their safety, you know I do. But you are more than just Ellis’s uncle. If you are gone, who will lead the Starspawn? Who will guide the townsfolk?”

“You and the others can—”

“You’re wrong, Albert added. “There is not one of us here who has more of the people’s trust than you. If you are not here…if they feel you’ve abandoned them…”

“And who would I be to abandon my nephew!” Perry roared as he grabbed Albert by the vest. “He is as a son to me! How could I—!?” Perry’s voice broke before he could finish. His grip on Albert loosened and he stepped back a pace.

Perry couldn’t fathom himself in this moment. He had never before felt such a burden — it was as if his heart was being torn in two. He simply could not abandon his duties; all the people of Viemen had families and sons and daughters of their own to protect. Even still, as Perry had come to find only recently, he had grown to love Ellis as if he were his own son; and even weighed against his potential failure as a leader, he still wanted nothing more than to ride as fast as he could into the mountains to see Ellis safely home, everything else be damned.

“I will go,” Ingrid said as she stepped closer to Perry, “You remain here where the people need you most. I will ride into the mountains to find them. I will not fail you.”

Perry shook his head. “I would not be able to rest knowing you were taking so great a risk.”

“If I may, Lord Mannigold.” Gertrude said as she stepped forward. “By my count, we have more than enough men to escort the final caravans to the river’s edge, while still leaving plenty to prepare the barracks.”

“Let me take a few men into the Dags to retrieve Ellis and Mary,” Ingrid added. “A small squadron will improve our odds, while still leaving you with enough men.”

Perry studied the faces of those before him — Gertrude, Albert and especially Ingrid. None would dare to say it, but they each knew, in their own way, the pain that Perry felt. Though he was overcome with gratitude at their loyalty, he more than anything blamed himself for having to rely so heavily on them. What kind of leader would need so many to comfort him? How could he ever hope to be as they envisioned him if he could not even solve this problem on his own? These questions and more swam around Perry’s head so madly he could scarcely think amidst their torment.

“I…”

Perry tightened his jaw as he thought. Yet despite himself, he could not keep from Ingrid’s gaze— her eyes bidding him to trust in her.

“Very well…” Perry said, finally. “You will take Albert and Lyusya with you into the mountain.”

“What!?” Albert blurted out. “Why should I go with—?”

Ingrid shoved Albert in the chest, shutting him up.

“Ride light and swift. Take only enough provisions for two days journey,” Perry continued, “If you have not returned by then, I will come for you myself.”

“Sir Perry…”

“It should be more than enough time for the masterful Dame Helvenin,” Perry said with a wry smile. He then placed a hand on Ingrid’s shoulder. “It is a task I would trust with no one else. Please, Ingrid. Return my family to me.”

“I swear to it, Sir Perry. On my life.”

***

September 12th, year 948

The Dags - Southeastern Viemen

Dawn

A gentle breeze wafted the canopy, sending dozens of leaves spiraling down to the forest floor. Autumn had only just begun to settle and the deciduous trees of the mountainside were a wash with gold, orange, red and brown. The spice of the fall foliage was heavy in the air; leaves crunched beneath the hooves of the deer and other forest dwellers as they trotted between the trees.

A dark brown squirrel scampered about a large bed of tree-roots, looking curiously up at the still figure who sat cross-legged on the ground. The squirrel’s tail twitched with curiosity as it hopped closer. The figure was covered near completely in fallen leaves, which were bunched up around him in a pile a foot high. His breath was steady and slow; across his lap was laid a sheathed blade, almost entirely obscured with foliage.

Freed from its branches, a single leaf drifted down from the canopy, spiraling slowly, kept aloft by the wayward breeze. It landed soundlessly on the man’s head. It is uncertain for what reason this particular moment was different from the countless others, but this time the man’s eyes opened suddenly at the sensation. The on-looking squirrel saw this small movement and let out a trill before scampering off into the underbrush.

Telhari looked around him, breathed in the air several times, then gripped his sword and stood up. Thousands of leaves fell away from him as he stretched tall. With a sigh of relief, he tilted his head back and gazed toward the sky. Faint rays of sunlight pierced through the canopy and warmed his skin.

Autumn is already here?

Telhari looked around at the bare underbrush.

Perhaps it is time to return, after all.