Kaewyn was utterly exhausted. He wanted desperately to find somewhere where absolutely no one could find him and just sleep. For a whole day if he could get away with it. He longed to slip away and find himself at the Lusty Woodsman, to order a bowl of Harold’s onion broth and sip leisurely at his Vinum Province wine. After perhaps, he would sneak his way back into Xu Castle incognito and then into his chamber to read until sleep took him. For a moment he could almost imagine being back home, but the sound of marching soldiers brought his consciousness back to the real world.
He was resting upon one of the archer platforms on the fort’s innermost defences. From his elevated position, he could see hundreds of torches below that illuminated the busy soldiers who shepherded barbarian prisoners and hauled the bodies of the fallen into large heaps. He saw several piles of corpses and noted that each pile was reserved for either their own men or their defeated enemy. It was a sombre sight, one that told any who looked upon it that the cost of war was great. Marcus had reported to him that out of the two and a half thousand soldiers they fielded against the barbarians, they had lost over half. Vinum’s soldiers had gotten the worst of it, suffering the majority of the casualties, but the battle had taken its toll on Kaewyn’s soldiers too. Only the thought of what would have happened had they not stopped the invasion brought him any solace.
When the Ralerai and Greystone cavalry turned the battle in their favour, droves of Odabek’s warriors surrendered almost immediately. Those that did not, fled in every direction they could, seeking safety wherever they could find it. The barbarian army scattered without their prince to lead them. They hadn’t the courage to fight on once the tide had turned against them. Even now, hours after the battle had concluded, Arlan and General Alaric were still out there in the darkness, hunting small bands of barbarian warriors who had managed to flee the battle. Every half an hour or so, more surrendered warriors were brought back to the fort in large groups. There were so many of them now that Kaewyn was concerned that soon they would have more prisoners than soldiers to watch them. Marcus had foreseen the problem in advance and had already ordered some of their defences to be disassembled and the wood repurposed to construct holding pens, but even that was proving to be an inadequate measure.
“Kaewyn,” Yohren said as he walked up behind him. “They’re here.”
Kaewyn took a breath and turned to face his retainer. Despite the darkness obscuring his face, he could tell that Yohren had a sour look. Ever since they had received word of the barbarian invasion, Yohren had grown to be irritable. Now that the time had come to speak with their leader, face to face, he had grown even worse.
Kaewyn nodded his head and followed Yohren off of the archer platform and to a cluster of campfires and bright torches that lit up most of the upper area of the fort. Waiting for him there were Marcus, General Falke and Sir Darius, as well as a small number of Greystone soldiers standing guard. As he approached, he saw two soldiers approach from the opposite side, a man in chains between them. Kaewyn recognised the man in chains. Prince Odabek.
The prince was forced to his knees and held there despite his attempts to struggle by the two soldiers who shouted angrily at him to calm down. While the Prince may not speak their tongue, the tone the soldiers used was universally understandable and he soon stopped resisting, though the look of defiance never left his bruised face.
“Sir Darius has graciously offered to translate the prince’s words for us, my lord. You may ask him whatever questions you wish. Then you must decide what we are to do with him.” Marcus explained with a polite nod of the head. “I suggest we execute him in front of his surrendered warriors to send a message that anything other than complete obedience will not be tolerated.”
Kaewyn rolled his eyes. “Let us not be so hasty Marcus. For all we know, that could cause them to riot and rebel rather than cowing them.” He said before turning to the old knight. “Sir Darius, ask him for what reason he and his army have invaded us.”
Sir Darius nodded his head and relayed the words in the barbarian tongue. Kaewyn tried to follow along to ascertain the meaning of each word he used, but the language was so different and so alien to him that he was lost almost immediately. Prince Odabek however, listened intently to every word, his eyes still burning with a fiery passion. When Sir Darius stopped speaking, Odabek snarled. As he spoke, his eyes fixed firmly upon Kaewyn, Sir Darius translated the prince’s words.
“Your land and people soft. My people are hard. We want soft land for our own.” Prince Odabek said through Sir Darius. “King Father sends sons in all directions from Great River Kingdom each year. Sons return with stories about far away soft land. King father then goes himself to soft land and makes Great River Kingdom land. When my king father learn I am not returning home, he will come. Ralerai will pay, land will pay, you will pay.”
“More of them will come?” Yohren said in bewilderment.
“Indeed. And it seems like the invasion we just dealt with would pale in comparison.” General Falke added. “Vinum has suffered enough of late. I hope if this comes to pass, it isn’t for some time.”
Kaewyn scratched his chin in thought. “What would happen if I let you go back to your king father? Back south?”
“My lord…” Marcus interjected.
“Hush Marcus. Listen.”
Again, through Sir Darius, Prince Odabek spoke. “When I tell king father about soft land, he will come. One way or another, he will come.”
“Then what should I do with you?” He asked. “If he comes, I could trade you for peace.”
“I not matter anymore. I am defeated son. The only way to restore myself to king father is to kill you and take soft land.”
“So you want to kill me then? Even if I were to spare your life?”
As Sir Darius finished translating his words, Prince Odabek thrashed about, but the soldiers were prepared and kept him under control. When it was clear he wasn’t going to get away from his captors, he spat on the ground and cursed.
“I trust that answers your question, Lord Edderfield?” Sir Darius said.
“It does, but I want to ask him about this Great River Kingdom. How many soldiers can it raise?”
As Sir Darius translated Kaewyn’s question, Odabek grinned widely and laughed. Sir Darius repeated the question, but the captive prince only laughed louder. It seemed he was intent on not answering.
“Heard enough?” Yohren said. “I agree with Marcus. If he escapes, the first thing he will do is come for you Kaewyn. We should execute him.”
“By Ohnix!” Kaewyn sighed. “Do we not have enough problems already? With the Empire divided and Lord Valehran controlling the Emperor, we can ill afford to spend all of our time and manpower in the South defending against this Great River Kingdom.”
“I agree.” Marcus said. “I suspect this threat to the south is going to be a problem that will plague the empire for generations. The empire must be restored and united before it can be dealt with properly.”
Kaewyn crossed his arms and rubbed his forehead in thought. “Have him imprisoned for now, separated from the others and under constant guard. I do not wish to learn later that he has escaped like a certain knight did the last time I had someone put under guard.”
Sir Darius lowered his head and did his best to look ashamed, but Kaewyn spotted the faintest of smiles hidden beneath his expression. The soldiers hauled the prince to his feet and dragged him off toward the prisoner pens that had already been constructed, leaving those present free to discuss their meeting with the barbarian prince.
“Sir Darius, I would like to hear your opinion on the matter.”
“Me, my lord?” Sir Darius said. “Hold him prisoner or execute him, I see reasons for both but none are truly compelling to me. I believe you should seek out the opinion of those who have suffered under this man’s thumb. I would ask the Ralerai what they believe should be done with him.”
“Ask barbarians what they think should happen to other barbarians?” Yohren interjected. “Are you sure you even want to invite that barbarian into the fort? What if this is all a trick to get close to you? What if he is still working with Odabek?”
Kaewyn shook his head and placed a hand on his retainer’s shoulder. “Yohren, without the Ralerai and their Chieftain’s help, the battle would have gone quite differently. If this was some plot, it is a terrible one. The Ralerai helped us destroy Odabek’s army.”
Yohren grumbled and looked away. “The barbarians still have an army, Kaewyn, and It is camped outside the fort.”
“I know you have issues with them,” Kaewyn said. “At least meet this Chieftain of theirs with me before casting your judgement.”
Yohren sighed and crossed his arms. “…Fine, but I don’t trust them.”
“And I would not expect you to.” He told Yohren before turning back to Sir Darius. “While I would prefer nothing more than to get some sleep as the hour is late and we are all exhausted, I also believe we should meet with this Ralerai Chieftain to put our minds at ease.” He said, nodding toward Yohren most of all. “Can he be brought to us now?”
The old knight nodded his head excitedly. “He is quite eager to meet you, my lord. I will bring him to you at once.”
Sir Darius scurried off with a spring in his step as if he was possessed by the youthful vigour of an excited youth. This meeting was clearly important to him and it was obvious to all present that he was particularly invested in its outcome. Kaewyn expected that if it did not go the way he wanted, the old knight would be greatly disappointed. Everything, Kaewyn realised, depended upon the Chieftain himself. While he was indebted to the Ralerai for their timely assistance during the battle, he was also the Lord of Greystone Province. He reminded himself that he must always place the needs of his own people first.
Marcus took advantage of the momentary absence of Sir Darius and the Ralerai Chieftain and proposed that they meet him inside the command tent. This way, his advisor explained, they could project strength and authority rather than a meeting of two leaders on equal ground. Kaewyn considered it at first, but the more he pondered the suggestion, the less he liked it. He wanted the meeting to be a positive one. He did not want to intimidate or otherwise coerce the Chieftain into cooperating against his will only for him to turn on them later. No, he wanted to build genuine trust between them if it were at all possible. He also pointed out to Marcus that meeting the Chieftain within their fort, surrounded by Greystone soldiers was intimidating enough. Unwilling to push the point, Marcus let it go and fell back in line by his side and soon, Sir Darius returned with the Chieftain close behind.
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The first thing Kaewyn noticed is that Chieftain was tall, so tall in fact that he suspected that he would tower over Arlan or General Alaric. He was also broad-shouldered and his arms were thick and muscly. His skin, like all of the others of his people, was several shades darker than the pale-skinned citizens of the Revaryn Empire. The Chieftain’s face was obscured by a helmet that covered his facial features completely, save for his piercing green eyes which Kaewyn spotted through the eye slits of his helmet. When Sir Darius bowed his head, the Chieftain imitated him poorly with an attempt of his own. He then removed his helmet, revealing a handsome man with long brown hair that sat loosely just below his shoulders. His beard, in stark comparison to his long hair, was short and well-trimmed. Kaewyn guessed that he was about thirty, perhaps a little older.
“Lord Edderfield,” Sir Darius announced. “I present to you, my dearest friend and Chieftain of the Ralerai, Bulgatrix Renlai Rellafi.”
Kaewyn heard Marcus mutter something about the Chieftain’s name being an earful before his attention was pulled back to the man in question. The chieftain looked at them all with a wide grin as he made a friendly gesture, placing his hands on his hips afterwards. The tall man held a wide posture to match his smile, but he looked uncomfortable standing at such a distance, almost as if he wanted to close in and embrace them. He then said something in his own language and then turned to Sir Darius, who caught on and translated for him.
“He says that he is honoured to meet with you both and pays his respects to the lord of Greystone and Vinum provinces.” Sir Darius said before the Chieftain tugged on his sleeve and said something more. “And he also wishes to add that he prefers to be simply called Renlai for short.”
“Tell him that it is good to meet him as well.” Kaewyn replied.
“And if you do not mind Sir Darius, explain to him that my lord Rhys Callidus holds the title of Lord of Vinum Province, not Lord Edderfield.” General Falke said not unkindly. “…and that I am here on his behalf while he recovers from his wounds.”
Sir Darius nodded and relayed their words to Renlai, who smiled even more and bowed his head several times, possibly to show that he understood what the General had said. He then continued at a pace that allowed the old knight to translate for him as he went on.
Renlai first expressed what Sir Darius had told Kaewyn before, that the Ralerai were peaceful and wanted nothing to do with the invasion. Yohren scoffed and shook his head, but otherwise remained silent. Renlai told them that he hoped their aid in taking down Odabek’s army would win them some forgiveness for the damage they had caused whilst under the prince’s tyrannical rule. Before Kaewyn could answer, the Ralerai Chieftain offered the services of his soldiers to help rebuild whatever had been destroyed during the invasion. General Falke then involved himself in the conversation and insisted the Ralerai return any valuables they had seized from the Vinum citizenry which was quickly agreed to by the Chieftain.
With an understanding reached, the topic of what would come next inevitably came up when Kaewyn asked Renlai when he and his people planned to return South. The Ralerai Chieftain became tense. He held his hands behind his back and bit his lip, looking to Sir Darius for what Kaewyn suspected was guidance before he began speaking.
“Renlai wants you all to know that when Prince Odabek arrived in the Ralerai lands to the south, he did not just take the warriors, but all of the Ralerai. Every man, woman and child were forced to march with them here and the journey has been hard for his people. He fears that many of his people will not survive the journey if they are to return south now.”
“Tell Renlai that I understand his plight.” Kaewyn said. “Marcus, perhaps we can spare some supplies to ease their journey?”
Before Marcus could respond, Sir Darius raised a hand in caution. “Renlai also fears that if his people return to their lands, they will be the first to suffer at the hands of the Great River Kingdom when Odabek’s father begins to wonder why he has not returned.”
“That is also a concern of mine, my lord.” Marcus added. “Though it might be beneficial to have a… ahem, buffer, between us and this hostile entity beyond the Empire’s border. Especially while we deal with Lord Valehran in the Heartlands.”
Sir Darius frowned. “I will do you a favour and not translate what you have just said. Renlai’s people have been used as tools long enough. Both he and I will not stand for them becoming tools for another’s ambition ever again.”
“This Great River Kingdom bears consideration,” Kaewyn said thoughtfully.
“Indeed, my lord.” General Falke added. “I will have to discuss what measures we are to take to guard our southern border with Lord Rhys when he recovers.”
“The best solution is to conquer…” Marcus caught himself and smirked. “…restore the Empire. Then we can reinforce our southern border with less concern.”
“And what of the time between now and when that is accomplished? Lord Rhys will not be pleased.” General Falke said annoyedly.
Kaewyn breathed in deeply. He was somewhat thankful that Rhys was not able to present during this meeting, for he knew that he would be immediately hostile to Renlai and his people regardless of the situation. Oddly enough that was something he and Yohren seemed to have in common. Despite their other differences, the two hated the barbarians and did nothing to hide their feelings.
“If Renlai does not wish for his people to return south,” Kaewyn said. “Then he must have some sort of plan for the future in mind?”
This time it was Sir Darius who looked uncomfortable and anxious. He shared a look with the Ralerai Chieftain who nodded his head and then turned his attention back to the rest of them.
“Indeed, he does, my lord.” The old knight said before pausing.
The Ralerai Chieftain suddenly dropped to his knees and bowed his head so low that his forehead touched the ground. All present at the meeting looked on curiously at the man in front of them, and to the old knight who translated for him.
“He humbly asks…” Sir Darius began. “…that the Ralerai be allowed to stay. Permanently.”
Nearly everyone present let out an audible gasp, Kaewyn included. The sight of the Ralerai Chieftain on his knees practically begging was not something he had expected to see. To prostrate oneself on the ground like this was seen as the ultimate act of submission or deference in the empire’s culture. Kaewyn wondered if the gesture meant something similar to the Ralerai.
“Stay!?” Yohren nearly shouted. “You can’t let them stay Kaewyn. They are murderers and thieves! You saw the bodies on the road as we came north. My own village was destroyed and my people only escaped because of Sir Darius!”
“Because of the Ralerai.” Sir Darius interjected. “Not I.”
Yohren looked as though he wanted to protest, but he hesitated instead, allowing Sir Darius to continue.
“When I was leading your villagers away from the approaching invasion, it was the Ralerai who caught up to us Yohren.” The old knight explained calmly. “They’re the ones who let us go.”
“Only because you’re one of them,” Yohren said accusingly, his voice thick with venom.
The old knight chuckled. “Ironic.”
“Is something amusing you Sir Darius?” Kaewyn questioned.
Sir Darius shook his head. “No, my lord, but… I cannot be the only one who sees it.”
The old knight sighed and looked around at all the people present at the meeting. When no one gave him what he wanted, he pointed directly at Yohren.
“Your retainer. Look at him.” The old knight said with an air of authority. “The very one who argues most against the Ralerai… is one himself!”
Yohren eyed Sir Darius with a barely concealed rage. With a scrunched-up face, he balled his hands into fists and swore angrily.
“That’s not true!” He shouted back. “I’m nothing like them. They took my mother away from me when I was just a boy. They are savages!”
The Ralerai Chieftain looked up from his position and rose to his feet. Yohren’s heated exchange with Sir Darius caught his attention, and although he didn’t understand what was being said, his expression told Kaewyn he knew what it was about.
For a moment, no one said anything. Everyone turned to face Yohren, their eyes examined him like birds of prey circling a mouse. They analysed his every feature while he stood isolated and alone. His large nose, slim build, short black hair, and olive skin. Suddenly it was obvious. Yohren must be related to the Ralerai, at least partly Kaewyn thought. Yohren’s appearance was far more similar to Renlai’s than the fair skinned people of the Empire. Before anyone could speak, Renlai walked up to Yohren.
“Yohren.” He said with a friendly smile.
Yohren looked uncomfortable. His anger was still present, but Kaewyn saw that he wasn’t sure how to act when the one he was denouncing acted so friendly and peacefully toward him.
“Yohren.” Renlai repeated.
This time, the Ralerai Chieftain moved to place a hand on his shoulder, but Yohren pushed his hand aside and shouted aggressively for Renlai to get away from him.
“Even your name. Yohren. It means young spirit in their tongue.” Sir Darius explained. “I… I believe I even knew your mother. I was already with the Ralerai for a few years before she returned to the tribe. She wasn’t taken, Yohren. She was freed. She was Ralerai.”
Yohren covered his face with both hands and shook his head. “But my father told me that they took her away during a raid. He told me…”
“I’m… sorry, Yohren.” The old knight said. “She passed some years back. Peacefully, in her sleep.”
“Don’t!” Yohren said, finally revealing his tear-stained face as he lowered his hands. “Just… leave me be.”
The old knight nodded his head slowly. Yohren cast a quick glance at Kaewyn before he turned around and made his way toward the tents and out of sight. For a brief moment, Kaewyn thought about going after him. He wanted to be there for his friend, but perhaps being alone would allow him to better process what he had just learned. He made a mental note to follow up with him tomorrow, and if Yohren needed him before then, he knew where to find him.
“Sir Darius…” Kaewyn interjected. “Is there anything else you would like to tell us? You seem to have a habit of leaving out crucial details until the very last moment.”
The old knight shook his head and scratched the back of his head. “No, my lord. Apologies.”
Marcus cleared his throat. “Now that we have all that… emotional stuff out of the way, we can get back to proper business. The Ralerai are asking to stay rather than return south. Does this mean he is willing to swear fealty to Lord Edderfield and become a vassal of Greystone Province? Or is he begging us to part with good, fertile land to grant to him and his people? Either way, his people would become subjects of the Revaryn Empire.”
“The concept of fealty and subjects are not something Renlai will understand without discussion.” Sir Darius explained. “But he has told me that he and his people are willing to work the land and build a home for the Ralerai. And if Odabek’s father and the Great River Kingdom come north, they will fight with us to defend their new home.”
Marcus smiled sinisterly. Kaewyn didn’t like that sneaky-looking smirk one bit, but he was curious about what was on his advisor’s mind.
“And what about others who may threaten our land in the future?” Marcus said. “Will they fight for us against Lord Valehran to the north?”
Sir Darius and Renlai exchanged a few words in the Chieftain’s native tongue, and then nodded. “They will.”
“My lord.” Marcus said, turning to face him. “I suggest we allocate land for the Ralerai to settle at once.”
“Lord Edderfield, I must protest.” General Falke said loudly. “As Lord Rhys’s representative at this meeting, I believe you do not have the authority to act without consulting with Lord Callidus. We cannot have an army of savages settling in our lands without giving it proper thought.”
“I agree General Falke, but I see no reason why the Ralerai cannot remain here for the time being, until a decision has been made.”
“Begging pardon my lord, but no such decision can be made without my lord’s presence,” General Falke added. “Surely you agree?”
Kaewyn sighed. “No decision has been made. That is why I believe the Ralerai can remain here, perhaps they can shelter within the fort for the time being.”
General Falke grimaced and shook his head. “I do not find that… acceptable. These are Vinum lands and therefore only Lord Rhys has the final say on who can and cannot occupy it at any time. You do not have the authority.”
“You forget who you speak to, General.” Kaewyn warned. His patience was wearing thin. He was tired and grumpy and all he wanted to do was crawl into bed and rest. “All we are doing is allowing the Ralerai to camp here, just as the Greystone army is.”
“My lord, I must protest.” General Falke stammered. “As Lord Rhys’s representative, I must—”
“If Rhys has a problem with it, he can tell me himself.” Kaewyn said with an air of finality, knowing full well that Rhys was unable to open his eyes, let alone give orders.
General Falke grumbled under his breath, but otherwise remained silent. Sir Darius relayed their discussion to Renlai, who upon hearing that it had been decided that his people were allowed to stay, smiled a great big happy smile.
“Sir Darius, make certain Renlai understands that this is a temporary until a proper decision has been made. I do not want him and the Ralerai to be given false hope only for us to take it away from them later. The very last thing we need now is to provoke yet another army of skilled horsemen.”
The old knight nodded. “I will, my lord.”
Kaewyn smiled and nodded. “He certainly seems happy at least.”
“Oh, he is my lord. Wait a moment,” Sir Darius said as Renlai said something in his ear. “He says he has a gift for you. He is going to fetch it for you now.”
“I do not mean to be ungrateful, but can it not wait until the morning?” Kaewyn yawned.
Before Sir Darius could translate his words to Renlai, the Ralerai Chieftain bowed his head and darted off through the camp, startling several soldiers. After he had disappeared, Kaewyn decided to dismiss the meeting and sent everyone away to retire for the night. Rather than wait for the gift Renlai had left to get for him, he told Sir Darius to explain to the Chieftain that he was tired from the battle and endless meetings and had gone to sleep in his tent. Sir Darius agreed and thanked him for hearing out the Ralerai’s plight, praising his wisdom and kindness. Kaewyn knew that the old knight was simply buttering him up, but he didn’t argue. He bade the knight farewell and wandered off toward newly erected tents, hopeful he would finally be able to get some sleep, though he could not help but be a little curious as to what Renlai’s supposed gift could be.