Degon I
The screaming foxes outside the window kept bothering him as his knife glided through the soft white block of white pine he was carving. It surely wasn't the most exquisite of woods, but it was easy to handle, and the results where admittedly more beautiful than those you would get with more expensive but hardy woods. Degon knew he was no prodigy when it came to woodcarving, so he liked to keep it simple and easy.
He had been waiting in his room for a while now, ever since he was escorted to it by his guard under the orders of his father. At first, he was confused and disoriented, probably due to the slight over drinking he had indulged in during the feast. And who could have blamed him? Sure, the context of the feast might not have warranted excessive drinking like he was used to, but the moment he got a taste of that sweet, velvety, golden mead, with its hints of ginger that gave him a little kick in the back of his throat every gulp he took, he knew that all sense of restraint had been lost on him.
So, after regaining his senses and realising he was not in the feasting hall with everybody else, for a moment he thought of the worst. Had he, by any chance, insulted one of the unfortunate features that plagued the face of the already decrepit old sack of parsnips that was the lord of Hedgefort? Probably not, as such talk was common in every room that he and his wart filled brow entered, so the chances of he being reprimanded for it where minimal at best. Maybe he had disgraced one of the ladies? That would be bad certainly, but improbable, as he knew to behave in front of the other gender even when most of his senses where inhibited, and besides, if that had been the case, he would have already found the red marking of well-deserved slap to his face.
The truth, as it often was, was less interesting than the machinations that spawned out of his hungover mind. He learned after asking the guards, that his father, for no apparent reason, had called off the whole event and sent everybody back to their guestrooms. At first, he laughed and demanded to be let out to breath some fresh air to help with his headaches, but then he learnt that he was also prohibited from exiting his room until further notice. He had then thought of making a run for wherever his father was and demand an explanation, or that at least he could be let out of that damned keep. But then he remembered that he had promised his younger sister Lilith that he would carve her a cute little pony that she had wanted for a while now, and so, with no apparent better use for his time, he started carving to distract himself.
And entertained he was, although his work wasn't coming along as nicely as he would have wanted, it was good enough for a little girl of just eight. But in the back of his mind, he kept asking himself what could have possibly made his father take such drastic measure seemingly out of thin air? If he were older, it would be easier to explain, as senility often makes one unpredictable. But his father was barely in his mid-forties, so he had quite some time before his mind started to truly degrade. After all, Degon had heard that his grandfather had only started to lose his senses when he hit sixty, and who would? Keeping up with the demands of the realm, parading yourself through the kingdom to keep everything in check while attending the dullest of celebrations that you were invited.
He sure wouldn't last a year in service before wanting to sail to the eternal waters to the west before never being seen again, just like his uncle Godfrey had done, under the pretence of having found “dust that exploded at the contact of a spark” in a remote island at the end of the world. If he had that talent to make up such fantastical excuses and make them believable, he would avoid most compromises as if they were the plage.
The doors suddenly shook, somebody was knocking. He got up from his chair and left his woodwork in the table, after which he went and opened the door. Before him was Jacob, the squire to the headmaster of his guard Wilford Roux.
“Good evening my prince, your presence is required atop the central tower”
“Who requires it exactly?”
“That would be your father sir, he has been gathering most of the lords in the upper levels of the tower”
He went out and closed the door, but not before carefully putting his work inside his leather pouch.
“Bringing some entertainment?” Said Jacob, peering through the doorframe
“Sure am, when there is such a gathering of titles, one must prepare for the worst”
“I wouldn't be so sure if I were you, my lord. This appears to be quite the serious matter”
They began the ascend to the tower, the spiralling stairs seemed never ending.
“Why make the meeting so high up anyway?”
“I am not sure why my lord. The most bookish of the men mentioned that the old kings of the Collireg used this tower as their war room”
“That makes sense, it is quite isolated from the rest of the castle after all. A spy would need to either blend in with the attendees whom presumably are a limited bunch, or somehow scale the whole thing and listen from the outside while maintaining his footing”
“Taking into account the winds that blow through these parts almost all year long, that last part sounds almost impossible to pull off, you would get blown out like a leaf most likely”
“Hard indeed, but not impossible, the sneakiest of rats always find a way” Degon finalized as he peered out one of the thin windows, they had only been ascending for a little now, but they were already at a incredible height.
“Anyway, taking all that into account, maybe you weren't wrong in thinking that this meeting might be at the very least amusing after all”
And he seemed to be about to find out, as they had finally reached the cusp of the tower.
“This is as far as I can go, my prince, I wish you the best of lucks”
“Thank you, if I were to not see you for the rest of the night, I want you to ready up my sword and personal effects for tomorrow, I would like to spar a bit”
“As you please. I will make sure to tell some of the boys too, so they might give you a bit of a challenge”
“You sure know me well Jacob, goodbye for now”
The man nodded and started his descent. Before him awaited the dark brown doors that led to the room, flanked by two guards. He approached them and without asking, they opened the door.
The war room was surprisingly larger than it seemed from the outside. A long table rested in the middle, around which were seated some of the most influential men that had attended the funeral that day, most of whom he already knew, bar from a small figure who sat at one of the corners, its face half covered by a riding hood. At head of the table sat his father, with lord Gonniel sitting to his left. Large windows gave a view of the pitch-black night that enveloped the tower, enhancing the already eerie ambience of the room.
“Greetings son, we were expecting you” said the king in a serious tone “Take a seat so we may begin”
Degon went and sat in the only empty chair left to the right of his father. The room was somber and silent, as if they were back in the dirt crypt where lord Lumor had been buried earlier.
“Good evening my Lords, I would like to firstly apologize for the lack of information regarding the sudden end of the festivities, but I am sure you will understand once I explain the nature of the message that has been relayed to me” His father finally uttered.
“Earlier this afternoon a letter arrived from the far lands to the south, it was sent by the duke of the Sandy Shore, Maor Renan. In it he regretted his absence here today, but his reasons I found were more than justified, for it seems my lords, that enemy to the south has struck with cunning malice once again”
The room erupted with the bewildered chatter of noblemen. Jacob was right, this sure was more interesting than he had thought. But still, he still didn't understand the need for such secrecy and urgency. Pirate raids from the sea were a common occurrence in the southern coast lately, as the strife caused from the recent famine had left it quite defenceless. There surely had to be more to it, for none other than mighty Maor Renan himself to be pleading for help to the king.
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“Raids from the south are far too common nowadays, your grace, they probably are some enslaving ruffians wanting to make a fortune in the Jehevian slave market” said Lord Soitech Crann, adding to Degon’s suspicions.
“I had the same suspicions at first, but after analysing the evidence, even a seasoned sailor as you Lord Crann will come to the same conclusion that these raids where not motivated by the simple greed of lowborn rascals” His father addressed the lord.
“These attacks were perpetrated on lightly manned garrisons in the island chain that form the Fogel isles. They were attacked swiftly, leaving only one survivor per garrison, who after interrogation all concluded that their assailers where no mere pirates, but well equipped and trained individuals” said lord Gonniel while joining the discussion.
“Forgive me Gonniel, but I doubt that those testimonies hold any value. For a lowborn stationed at one of those isolated outposts, any slight threat would probably be exaggerated by their minds, as the sea tends to numb the senses and make way for sensationalized stories” Inquired Pollus Samach, the duke of Hedgefort.
“There is more evidence still, my lords. If the testimonies of the survivors are not convincing enough, then the fact that the symbol of the rising eagle was gruesomely carved into their chest leaves no doubt that their motivation was not profit, but to provoke and instil fear upon us” The king answered. That sealed it then, there was no way it was pirates. The rising eagle had been user for centuries as the imperial logo of the Astrilumian dynasty, one of the most powerful in the region of Garadhev. They had been the ones that invaded Ralithien two decades ago.
“But how could this be? Since you slew the last Astrilumian emperor your grace, their whole realm almost collapsed on itself. Last we heard, its heir was a mere youth whose power was divided between magisters who rule in his stead” Asked lord Jorren.
“These surprises me as much as all of you. But the fact is that the description of the armour of the attackers matches with the feared ghiskarry spearmen of the Astrilumians”
The room devolved into chaos once again. The once feared enemy that had ravaged our lands so many times had seemingly risen out of the ashes like a phoenix.
“Were does this leave us then father? Are we to await an invasion?”
“Fortunately, I do not believe our enemy is capable of invading yet. They do not possess a firm grasp over their northern territories where most of the more capable ports are located”
“Then we should strike them first and catch them while they are still gathering their strength”
“Your eagerness to defeat our foes is admirable, my prince, but we should think twice before making such decisions, as the kingdom is not in the best shape thanks to the famine” Sean Gael intervened. It was about time he appeared, when it came to money and logistics, he always manages to stick his brow onto all discussions.
“I recommend we first settle the matter of our food stocks my king. If we were to attack in our current state, revolts would certainly erupt all across our lands. But do not fret my lords, for I have a solution to this predicament” The marquis of Greenriver continued.
“What is it you propose Gael?” the Duque of Hedgefort inquired
“Well, Pollus, your province more than any other has suffered the most under the current famine, while Greenriver has ample food stocks left from fruitful harvests. I could provide you and all in need with shipments of grain at special costs under the market average, that way you could feed your populace and diminish the chances of strife”
“You always manage to find a way to fill your pockets with every opportunity, don't you? Fine, I will have to return to my lands and consult the treasury, but I think I will have no problems acquiring the necessary funds”
“How long do you think the shipments will take to start arriving?” The king asked.
“I trust that we should finish our current harvest by the start of summer my liege”
“That is still far too long, we need to find a way to take a more immediate action”
“Maybe we could, convince the Illuvian kingdoms in northern Garadhev to join us against our pagan foe?” Degon asked while looking at his father “Even if we have to delay a direct invasion, we can still strike first trough them, we cannot leave our enemy space to act”
“The prince is right, my king. If we were to send a delegation along a small force, I am confident that our brothers in faith will join us, maybe we could even convince the Mag Fidelis to call a holy crusade against the pagans, that way all the kingdoms who follow the Illuvian faith would help us” Gonniel suggested.
“That may be our best chance indeed. I will be the one to travel to Immen to speak to the holy one, in the meantime, we need someone who will assemble a small army and travel to Garadhev” The king addressed the whole table.
“I volunteer to go in the name of the kingdom, your grace” Gonniel declared “I will depart after I'm appointed as Duke in the coming days, I shall begin my service to the realm combating our foes”
“What makes you think you are the most suitable candidate, Gonniel?” A voice raised the question. This one was startled him, as it came from a woman, and a young one at that. She looked half the age of the other lords, and she sure was courageous to speak out like that. "You hardly have the reputation of either a skilled warrior or diplomat, so I truly wonder why we should put our trust in you during these dire times”
“Who exactly might you be, young lady?”
“I am Dana Gunnoch, daughter of Goldric and niece of lord Maor Renan. I came to deliver the message of Lord Renan and to serve as his representative” The young woman revealed her identity.
“I appreciate the trouble you went to deliver this message my lady, but it would be for the best if you would step back and leave the planning to more capable hands” Gonniel replied while frowning.
“I am afraid I cannot allow that, as Lord Renan tasked me with making sure that the men from Sandy Shore form part in whatever expedition that the king planned. So, whether you like it or not, you will have to address me as if I were the Duque himself”
“My king, you must do something! Are you going to let this brat sit side to side with men double her age and experience?”
“If Lord Renan charged this lady with representing him and his interest, then I think that we can trust her as well, that will be the end of it" The king uttered “So, young one, who do you recommend we send then?”
“My king, I am not entirely against the idea of lord Einn going in the expedition, my only request is that he is accompanied by a representative of both Sandy Shore and the crown, in order to assure that he does not act only in self-interest”
“She brings an interesting point, your grace. The delegation represents the crown after all, so it would be logical that someone of the royal family would also join them” Sean Gael added.
“Then lord Gonniel, alongside a member from both Sandy Shore and my family will travel to Garadhev after his appointment, I suggest that you tell your lord to choose his representative in the meantime, as well as gather his forces”
“I shall do so, my king” The woman responded.
“Excellent, as a closing thought, I want this information to spread as little as possible my lords, for we do not want to foster unnecessary fear of an invasion” The king declared.
“I trust all of you will act according to the future needs of the realm. Dark times approach us, but if we keep our integrity and faith, the attempts of the malign shall be crushed under the weight of our resolve”
That marked the end of the meeting. Some lords continued speaking on their seats while others exited the room. Degon went straight after his father, who was already making his way down the stairs.
“Don't you wait for me huh” Degon complained
“I am sorry Degon, but time is a luxury I cannot afford to waste now, I must ready myself to travel” The king responded while he continued walking.
“But what of me and Jos? You aren't just going to leave us here until you come back, right?”
“I am afraid you’ll have to stay, for a member of the royal family must be present at the appointment of Lord Gonniel”
“But there is two of us, I'm quite sure my sister will be eager to stay here a bit longer, she and young Sammuel seemed to get along at least. I on the other hand, can represent you in the expedition into Garadhev!”
“You are still too young Degon, I plan to send your brother, as he already participated in the last crusades into those lands”
“Too young? You were a year younger than me when you took the throne and fought off an invasion. Henry was even younger when he went to the crusade and was knighted, so tell me exactly father, how am I too young still?”
The king stopped in his tracks and turned to face him for the first time since they exited the room. Their eyes met causing Degon to freeze.
“The truth is Degon, that you have half the skills and maturity at twenty that you brother had at sixteen. You simply have not seen much of the real world to be entrusted with anything significant” His father coldly exclaimed, his words felt like daggers aimed straight to his pride.
“And how do you want me to prove my experience if I am never granted an opportunity in the first place?” Degon responded, trying to maintain his composure.
“You just don't get, don't you? That is not something that is granted to you, but that you seek out and build over time. If you didn't spend so much time drinking and locked away in your room playing with wood, you’d already be not a boy, but a man. At least you are decent with the sword, but that alone won't win you any battles or persuade your allies into helping you”
“But how I am even supposed to find them if I don't even know what I am looking for in the first place? Is a little bit of guidance too much to ask you old hag?” he raised his voice. He could feel the anger brewing up in his chest as he struggled to hold back tears of rage and impotence.
“Thats enough boy, you will stay here and that will be the end of this. You are a grown man in body at least, son, and I cannot hold your hand any longer. You must find your own footing by yourself now” The king finalized. He silently turned and continued his way down with his guard, leaving Degon alone with his thoughts in the cold stone steps.