Josephine III
Chatter and drunken laughter inundated the great hall of the keep. Trenchers filled with cuts of wild venison and honeyed dates littered the numerous tables, as well as jugs of sweet marsathan wine and fine northern mead. Men sang at the tone of flutes and fiddles while others shared tales of drunken bravery and prowess. Josephine could not bring herself to feast at the level of the other guests, as she had begun to drink just a couple of years ago. She had struggled to accustom her pallet to the taste of alcohol, only being able to enjoy some weak ales that paled in comparison to the fortified wines that were being served that night. Just the smell of one of the cups made her lightheaded, so she went out of her way to ask one of the servants for water. On the other hand, her brother couldn't stop gobbling up mug after mug of mead as if he were a sailor touching port for the first time in months. Although he drank enthusiastically, his resilience wasn't as great as his eagerness to drink, which made him tipsy and loose mouthed. Her father maintained his composture, after all, the king out of all people couldn't be seen singing drunkenly in front of almost half of the whole nobility of Ralithien.
They had been sat at the main table alongside the host. Gonniel and his wife, Lady Julia Thyfell, had been spending most their time speaking with her father, while also enjoying moderate amounts of wine and wild game. And finally, Sammuel was the only one who didn't seem to be enjoying himself. He sat at the left far corner of the table, sheepishly sipping at a cup of wine while glancing blankly into the paintings in the hall. The only time he had spoken to somebody was when Degon drunkenly approached him asking for his permission to spar with Sir Marcus Vermund, the tall knight who was his personal guard, proposal that Sammuel laughed off as a mere drunken delusion of the prince. But other than that, the young lord looked like a lost child in a crowd, isolated and sombrely watching over the rest of the guests.
She was getting bored to death by just sitting there and smiling from time to time, then she suddenly remembered seeing some beautiful gardens who caught her attention when they were entering the castle earlier. So, a plan to escape the boredom of the hall had hatched inside her mind, she would talk the brooding young lord into giving her a tour of the gardens, that way her father would reprimand her for escaping the feast on her own.
Her mind was made, so she stood from her chair and darted to the other corner of the table. She could feel the judging gaze of her father locking into her, ready to send her back to her chair, but he didn't have time to even utter a word.
“My lord, I’ve been feeling dizzy from the warm air of the hall, wouldn't you mind giving me a tour of the gardens with me so I may catch some fresh air?”
Sammuel looked as if he had escaped a trance and look at her in an almost bewildered manner.
“It... would be a pleasure my princes, if you will allow me my king, I shall accompany her to the gardens just outside the keep” They boy asked her father while regaining his composure.
“I shall allow it only if our host does so too” He uttered while looking to his side to Gonniel.
“Be sure to not bore her to death, brother. I apologize in advance, my princess, for he tends to ramble on to the point he would overwhelm the greatest of scribes to death” he said while chuckling.
“I... I assure you I will make the time most enjoyable my princess, we can discuss any matter you fancy most” Sammuel sheepishly answered while giving his brother an angered look.
“I am sure that won't be an issue my lord, for I too indulge in maundering from time to time” She responded while delivering a subtle smile. “Now we’ll be on our way”
“Sir Vermund, escort the youth on their way to the gardens, I heard most of the Green Guard of the Gaels were drinking on the outskirts, so I do not want any “incidents” ”Gonniel ordered to the head of the guard.
The tall knight nodded and proceeded to follow the two youngsters on their way out of the hall. The corridors leading to the garden were narrow and barely lit by a couple of torches with no windows to the outside, which puzzled Josephine, as the palace in Dachaig fielded windows in every place they could.
“So... how do you find yourself this evening my prin-“
“These hallways, they seem... ancient, what can you tell me about them Sammuel?” Josephine interrupted him. She knew that in that state that he was, it would be for the best to lead the conversation towards some of his interests.
“Are you sure you want to know my lady? You know, my brother was not lying with his warning”
“You don't have to worry about my sanity Sammuel, I know what I am getting myself into, and besides, I have sir Vermund here to silence you up if I ever get bored” She cheekily answered.
“Then let's hope for my wellbeing that I can entertain your highness”
The boy’s face had lit up, just as she wanted, for although he was her excuse to get out of that damned feasting hall, it was of no use to having him in that gloomy state.
“Well then, these hallways, they originally led to the old barracks, where the gardens are now located, that's the reason for their utilitarian appearance. The whole fortress was made almost 3 centuries ago, when the hole peninsula of Ralithien was a mere colony of the great empire of Alverian. Then after they left, it was taken by the Leorians from whom my family descends, they built the tall central tower and expanded the outer walls. And finally, when the reconquest of the peninsula happened a century ago, it was given by the first king of Ralithien to my family, as a show of good faith to the native nobles”
“Oh my, your brother wasn't lying when he said you were knowledgeable”
“It's not that big of a deal my lady, it's just that I have a good memory, that's all, my brother loves to blow things out of proportion”
“Just like mine then, the older ones tend to be the blunter after all”
“Heh, they sure do my lady”
“Anyway, I have noticed that this whole castle is very different to others I have visited, although I admit they are not many. It lacks...some of the opulence of others, no offence”
“And none taken my lady, we are very aware that Highpeak lacks commodities that even most petty lords find indispensable. And besides, we like to view ourselves as a humble bunch, as humble as nobles can get at least”
“I can certainly see that. In contrast, the other nobles look like they are trying to emulate the most pompous of berassi lords” Josephine said between a Chuckle. The northmen of the highfalls may have strange customs and poor manners, but they sure were the most hospitable, from what she had experienced at least.
They finally reached the end of the long hallways and crossed the gate that led to the gardens. The quick glance that she got in her carriage had left a lasting image in her mind, but it paled in comparison to seeing the beautiful flowers and lush bushes from up close. In front of them was a stone path, with dark brown wooden arches from which pale vines hanged. Neatly cut lush bushes flanked the path, which led to a fountain made of whitish stone. The sun was already setting in the horizon, its few but strong orange rays pierced in between the leaves of small trees under which men were gathered around. They were not nobles, but knights who were part of the bodyguards of the attendees.
“Just as the king said, full of soldiers”
Just as Sammuel said, the garden was packed with men clad in various types of armour engaging in casual exchanges with each other. They went to the left side which was less populated and had a better view of the sunset. It was beautiful, luckily the clouds from earlier had all but disappear, leaving a stunning view of the sunrays that dyed everything in gold and amber. She looked to her right to see Sammuel, his eyes locked into the horizon.
“You know your grace, up here most believe that the sunrise is the welcoming of a soul upon this world, and the sunset, its farewell”
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“I have read something similar in one of the works of Saint Ludwig, it went along the lines of “The body is a vessel which voyages trough the golden stream of life only to end up sinking into the eternal darkness, its crew drowned, its treasure lost, its journey forgotten, only for another one to sail again””
“That was... Beautiful your grace, I didn't know you were so verse in literature”
“I'm glad you like it, for me it always sounded pretentious, how a man can write about the nature of life as if he knew it for a fact. But yes, I like to read when I'm free, which tends to be most of my time”
“I see, I personally don't know much about books, though my mother used to read a lot. According to my father, when they had just married, she made him build a new library just to accommodate her collection”
“He sounds like a very loving man, it's a shame I could never met him in person”
“To us he always showed himself as a loving figure for sure, but for everybody else he acted properly and emotionally detached. When I was younger, I always went to explore the woods with some of my cousins, and they always shivered in fear when we went to ask father for permission, and I was always so confused as to why but now I understand they hadn't seen the same side of him as me”
Sammuel paused and for a second and seemed lost in thought. She had thought that she had already distracted him enough to forget a little about his father's passing, but it seemed that its wounds were still fresh in the young man’s heart.
“I just thank the mother for this beautiful farewell to my father” He said while looking at the setting sun.
“I'm sorry for derailing the conversation my princess, unlike my brother, death is still new for me”
“Don't worry Sammuel, it isn't a bother at all” She responded.
“In fact, I wanted to thank you for accompanying me to watch the sunset, for all the men that have tried to court me in feasts, few would have joined me in conversation as you have”
“It's a pleasure your grace, I-”
He was cut short by the approaching chatter of men. They were five, four of them wore a mix of plate and chainmail, covered by a green surcoat sporting a Golden crow with its wings spread, the heraldry of the Gaels. The fifth one who was leading was clad in full plate, his surcoat had a square pattern of green and white, with golden crows in the green and blue orchids in the white. She knew that symbol, for it was the heraldry of her mother’s family, the Foriels.
“Josephine! What a surprise” The man in front exclaimed. Now that he was closer, she saw his short black hair, the brown eyes, and his cocky smile. Yes, he could be none other than his uncle Duncan.
“Likewise, uncle, didn't expect seeing you so far off Achnalt”
“Well, now that I am all settled down in the guard, I go were my lords need me to go, and by the way, who are your companions?” He asked while glancing at Sammuel and Sir Vermund.
“I'm Sammuel Ein sir, it's an honour to meet a knight of your stature in person” Sammuel said while bowing slightly with his head.
His greeting had slightly startled her, but then she remembered that his uncle was considered a famous warrior, at least by modern standards. Stories of his exploits had travelled even to other realms, like the conquest of the kingdoms in northern Garadhev during the latest crusade into pagan territory. There he made a name for himself as a great warrior, alongside knighting his squire at the time, her eldest brother Henry, at the age of just 17. But now he was already in mid 30s and married, so he took a more honorary position in the guard of the Gaels of Greenriver.
“So, you must be the brother of lord Gonniel, a pleasure to meet you. My deepest of condolences for your father’s passing, he was an excellent warrior”
“If my memory doesn't fail, you served under him, right?” Asked Sammuel eagerly.
“Indeed, in the last crusade I was attached to his army during the siege of Lorian, we were tired of marching under the heat, and our supply wagons had been raided by skirmishers, so most thought that after 3 months we would have to retreat. But then Lord Lumor gave a rousing speech so inspiring that all sense of tiredness just vanished from our famished bodies. Then he sent most of the army behind some hills, to make the enemy think most of us had deserted, so after some provoking, the city garrison left the walls to finish our seemingly weakened force once and for all. But then, the rest of the army poured from the surrounding hills, scaring the souls out of the poor bastards, who we massacred among the chaos”
“Wow, father never told me about his war stories, I knew he had fought at some point, but I wasn't familiar with his way of leadership”
“Heh, he was not known for boasting about his feats, that's for sure. But I am certain that with him died one of the las true warriors of that age, as time passes there is less of us left”
“Well, now that you mention it, ser Vermund over there also serve with father during the crusade”
“Vermund? I am not familiar with that name in the slightest” Her uncle scoffed in confusion.
“Maybe if you talk to him, you’ll remember, father told me that he was very well known in his time. Sir Vermund! Come over here please” Yelled Sammuel in the direction of the knight who had been tasked with guarding them.
The tall frame of Marcus Vermund approached them from behind. He had been so silent that Josephine had forgotten that they had ever been followed in the first place.
“Sir Foriel, this is Sir Marcus Vermund, a member of our guard” Sammuel said in between the two knights.
“Hmm, I still struggle to remember anything relating to you, Sir Vermund, maybe if you took off that helmet, I would have an easier time with my memory”
“I remember you well, Duncan Foriel” A somber voice said from behind the helm, its words were clad in a mixture of a sobriety and melancholy, enough to send chills down Josephine spine.
“Ohh, my memory has started working again, you were that young squire to the headmaster of Lord Lumor’s guard! Taking that into account, maybe you could share more insight of our glorious victory that day to the youngsters here”
“I wouldn't call it glorious, more like shameless display of savagery”
“Come again?” Said Duncan in a startled manner.
“You heard me right the first time, Duncan. I am sure you also remember the pillaging and massacre that occurred within the city that day, and I am not only talking about the soldiers”
“Sammuel, it appears that your guard here is quite green to the matters of warfare, a little looting from part of the “less disciplined” parts of the army is always expected”
“I wouldn't call anointed knights as the “least disciplined”, and the word looting comes short to the slaughter of civilians you and your retinue committed that day”
“Since when do the just hold pagans in such high regard? They were lesser creatures in the eyes of the lord, oblivious to his word. I just put an end to their abominable existence” said Duncan, rising his tone.
“That to me are the words of a coward who revels in the slaughter of innocents”
“Thats enough Sir Vermund” Sammuel interrupted, trying to defuse the situation.
“If you feel so vindictive about the death of the faithless, then come here and avenge them. I will not stand idly by while my name is slandered with those filthy lies” Duncan said while putting on his helmet.
“What are you doing uncle, this is not the place for a barbarous display!” Josephine pleaded, trying to bring some sense into his uncle.
The rest of the men in the gardens had formed a circle around the knights as they faced each other. Sammuel took Josephine by the hand and moved behind the wall of men. They gazed between shoulders to try to make out what was happening inside the circle.
Both men were facing each other silently, then they drew their swords and adopted combat stances.
“You still have time to back out, boy, before I humble you”
“Don't humour me, for a child murderer cannot even humiliate a beggar”
Maddened, her uncle lashed out with fierce slashes into the firm guard of Sir Vermund. The latter responded with aimed strikes to the head, which dented the crown of orchids that adorned the helmet of Duncan. The crowd was ecstatic with the display of martial prowess, each man cheering for their preferred combatant. Then it went silent, as Duncan Foriel lay in the ground, his sword in the floor besides him.
“Yield coward, for I do not wish to soil my lord's residence with your dirty blood” the tall knight said while aiming his swords to the other’s throat.
“I...I Yield” Her uncle said panting.
But right as the victor sheathed his sword and turned around, the downed knight pulled out his dagger and lunged towards his unsuspecting opponent. But just before he could reach him, he was held down from behind.
“Stop this madness for once!” Said the man while holding Duncan down. It was Sir Roux, who had made his way from the hall towards the garden. He grabbed the dagger and threw it away, then he let go of the downed knight.
“You two fools are a disgrace, you are supposed to be skilled warriors of the lord, not brawling drunks” he said while glancing disappointingly to the two of them. Her uncle got up and regained his composture, his eyes locked into Sir Vermund.
“This hasn't ended today, boy” Duncan spat full of bitterness.
“Enough, now all of you, disperse, it's an order from the king!” Sir Roux yelled towards the now scattering crowd. The man turned towards her and Sammuel, who had been silently spectating this whole time.
“Are the two of you alright? I'm sorry you had to witness such horrid display your grace”
“Thank you, Sir, we are fine. Why did you come outside anyway?”
“Both lord Gonniel and the King have ordered all guests to return to their guestrooms, I came here to escort both of you back”
“My, might I inquire as to what caused such alarm?” Asked Sammuel
“The reason is unknown to me, but you still have to return inside”
The trio departed towards the hallway that led back inside. While they were walking, Josephine turned her head backwards to catch a glimpse of the sun, and right as it disappeared into the horizon, the gates towards the garden closed.