Mayner

I am part of the team of 'experts' chosen to speak with the large group of barbarian Tribesmen coming down from the tundra. The tribesmen have been known to explore the kingdom or even pass through in large numbers but never in a group this big. Never in a group big enough to be considered a war party by the mages and the Houses but since they have been known to have the ability to become Awakened just before the war, smaller and smaller groups of them constitute a 'war' party.

Colonel Estargrade is the one leading us as we ride to intercept the large group of Tribesmen as diplomatically as possible. Everyone of the 200 strong mounted persons is a veteran of the War with the Tundra and we know we are currently outmatched for a fight if one were to break out.

We also hope the tribesman realise that and take our stopping them with such low numbers as a sign of good faith not to antagonize them or be taken as a challenge. There are only 12 magicians in our party and 10 of them are only Magisters while 2 are Master Magicians. I'm told that used to be more than enough fire power to take on twice our number but since the war we realised that these savages fight even when they should be dead.

We are all in uniform and presentable on large mostif horses bred for carrying men and women in heavy armour. The Tribal 'war' party has passed through the neutral lands and into Orientia peacefully so far and without challenge. Mother's spies even report them camping outside of towns when they rest and them paying for everything they want.

Why the Crown or the Houses or the Mages want to mess with these people again I'm not sure, but as a member of the Houses and a soldier of the Kingdom it is my duty to follow orders regardless of how stupid I may think they are. As the second son of my father who is a General I know how to follow blindly not knowing the what the end goal is; but there is always an end goal that much I've learnt in my 45 years of life. There is always someone's agenda being fulfilled.

We travel quickly so that we can get to Old-town in Crestia quickly and have enough time to refresh ourselves and groom our horses at the fort outside the city. We have to maintain our imagine of professionalism and efficiency at all times, especially against an unconquered enemy, I mean neighbour, an unconquered neighbour.

The diplomatic head of the mission is Lady Alvalon herself accompanied by only two of her personal guards and a single servant. The Crown representative being a Royal named Aphrodite, a woman I know only by reputation to be ruthless and have a unreasonable hatree for the northerners.

Their presence here means there is more to this seemingly simple show of might than we as the insignificant soldiers obeying orders are aware off. Which may explain why father arranged for me to be part of the procession even though I'm sure mother has her own spies here somewhere.

Fort Peace is a big fort that is more a castle stronghold than a fort by any standard measure. It was built when the Oriental people were at the height of their power in anticipation of a long protracted war that would have likely resulted in Orientia become a State of Sandoria anyways.

"The scouts report there are a lot more children and possessions than is usual with this group of barbarians." Santa says in a low voice as we prepare to meet the northers.

"There are always children and even some old people in these groups of theirs." A young man I'm unfamiliar with responds cutting through the grumbling Santa caused.

"How would you know?" Someone else asks.

"My wife is from Gath right before the Misty Forest, and she sees them and their processions at times when they go through the mists into Erebus."

"Your wife is probably tired of your limp dick and has been fantasizing about following them into the mist." Laughter rings out at the man's expense but it's necessary laughter.

"Fuck you!" He says and then he himself laughs.

We are all nervous about standing before these peoples armed and ready for battle again but a little laughter to relieve the tension goes a long way. We are all veterans here and we know the drill, the Sargent only needs to poke his head into our barracks to check on us. None of that yelling and pushing from behind needed for us to do what needs yo be done today.

"Everyone make sure they've taken a piss, nothing as uncomfortable as needing to piss while the big wigs are talking," Rowland says strapping his armour on.

He is acknowledged with grunts as we help each other get ready.

It isn't long before we ride out to what is basically the border between Crstia and Orientia and we wait having arranged our formations in the best defensive arrangement. There are also observers far back on fast horses in case emergency backup is needed.

The soldiers garrisoned in Fort Peace have been put on the ready in case we need to fight. But there are only 200 of them manning the place in times of peace, if this turns into a fight I don't think 200 man backup will be enough against 300 barbarians.

But even as I think that I see their procession crest the rise walking leisurely through our province as though it were an everyday thing. Even I'm incensed by how casual they seem to be taking this because it is obvious they've seen us arranged here against them. A few of the soldiers grumble, placing hands on hilts.

Princesses Aphrodite armed and armour with two of the Royal guard at her back rides forward, followed quickly by Lady Alvalon with the Master Mage and two guards. At least I assume they are guards by the matching armour but from here I'm not too sure.

They stop within arrow range of the tribesmen and shout something out. Looking at the group of barbarians from here they seem more like refugees than warriors in their mismatched clothing, none standard weapons and as Santa said luggage and children.

We don't actually hear what is said but a shriel whistle rings out and is answered from somewhere behind us. Everyone gets tense and ready for action, we all know its impossible to truly ambush these fuckers from experience.

Two big guys rise up from the ground like earth golems not more than 60 feet from the left flank, another two rise from the right and two more a distance behind those. I'm sure our mages spotted those guys and were just too polite to point them out, I'm sure.

They mostly ignore the 200 pairs of eyes trained on them with malice and readiness to do damage, I think I should have peed again though. I can feel the need to urinate coming again.

A gazebo is set up quickly and seven of the tribesmen talk to our leaders. It isn't a very long talk nor does the wind carry any of their words but within 20 minutes the gazebo is going down and it's passed down that we are to host the barbarian hord at the fort for the day, great.

We reach the fort having been travelling slowly to give the forerunners time to reach the fort first. A number of beasts have already been slaughtered in preparation for a feast and two barrack buildings have been cleared out as per Lady Avalon's instructions.

The displaced soldier move their things to the older, dusty unused barrack buildings with grumbles but grumbling is a soldiers lot. We play escort mostly, riding besides a long line of barbarians over 200 strong, but being this close to them I can see that almost 60 of their number at least consists of women and children and elderly.

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There are also a large number of orcs and dwarves in their procession and its hard for me not to stare. I've never seen an orcs before and the protruding tusks in a mostly human looking face are a very disturbing sight to see. I'm not the only one who is fascinated either I notice as a number of us keep looking with fascination at these exotic creatures.

They move in six groups and so we are also divided into six groups and the one I'm with even has black people in it. I had thought the black pigmented people were only found within the Induku Province and as far as I remember the Tribesmen didn't let Induku or any other Sandersorians into their south bound procession.

Isn't that what mother's spies said to father, Magnus and I when it was decided I'd find a place in this mission? We let them settle into the barrack buildings after one of the dwarves inspects them for something. Six rooms are prepared in the castle proper for whatever constitutes a lord or chief or important people amongst this mixed batch of peoples and we generally let them be. Or at least we try to.

The barbarians come out to socialise, can you believe it? They actually come out and sit with us first in ones and twos, then in larger numbers. The orcs and dwarves come aswel, somehow bringing a cag of ale I didn't see them transporting on their way here.

Colonel Estargrade gives the go ahead for us to drink and all hell breaks lose. A good soldier will always find something to complain about, always have a story to tell and is always hungry or thirsty for ale.

Though we have dwarven allies in the Stone Dwarves of Misty Mount they hardly trade with us. Trading more readily with their closer neighbours the Dawn Elves and the Moari people, their weapon's craft also adding to why the kingdom has never conquered the Maori.

This means dwarven ales are very expensive, and I'm probably one of only a few here that has ever had any. I take a seat with my unit and a bunch of dwarves and barbarians and orcs and the stories just start flowing as the ale does.

Soldiers everywhere have some things in common and even with our most recent hated enemy we find common ground on certain things. Though to be honest a lot of the barbarian humour flies right over my head, especially jokes from the females. Its disconcerting somehow to be eyed by a woman as though she will be the aggressor in pursuing you for sex but I notice a few looks.

We move into the great hall as dusk approaches and to better enjoy the feast in beast meat prepared for whatever occasion this is turning into. I'm surprised to be joined by a drunk Alex of House Cross at my table as he puts an arm around me.

He is drunk and smiling crookedly at me for some reason. "It's Mayner right?" He asks looking at me.

"It is, Alex of Cross isn't it? You've never deigned to speak to me before." I say giving him a look. Mother taught me to be more diplomatic than that when dealing with one of the Upper Houses but I just seem to be saying whatever comes first to mind for some reason.

He snorts and takes a swing from his cup. "Your family is only recently joined the Houses, we like to let you appointed nobles get lonely and cold in your own little corner before inviting you to dance."

I just shake my head at that and take a swing of my own drink. "Am I now being invited to dance?" I finally ask getting his attention again from the dwarf whose story he was listening to.

"No, but I want to fuck your sister." He says with a sparkle in his eye.

"Come again now?" I say completely blindsided and he laughs a genuine belly laugh that causes a twinkle in his eyes.

"Oh you new nobility are such prudes! We all fuck each other you know, we are peers after all and fucking slaves and commoners simply doesn't count as a conquest. Though I just had a little trust with a barbarian woman and let me tell you-"

"Please, don't tell me! And I'd appreciate it if you no longer fantasized about my sister in that way otherwise we'll have a problem." I say sternly and he only giggles into his hand.

"Wow, 'otherwise we'll have a problem' alright then Barathian I won't mention your sister. I remember your family once had a red headed beauty of a slave though, completely stunning and since I was never a guest at your house I never got to sample her cakes." He says with a little grin.

"You're a provocative little shit aren't you?" I say and he laughs again that genuine laugh of his.

"Oh Barathian I think I may just get along with you. Rumour is your family tried to breed her but nothing came of it and she died fighting the Tribes."

I shrug at his statement. "And so?"

"Well, I just find it very curious to see her in the private dining hall with the Princess and the lady of House Alvalon is all." He says casually but I can see him watching for a reaction and he isn't disappointed.

My heart is racing and my ears are ringing, "you're lying." I say automatically and I hear myself as if I were talking in a bubble.

"Why would I lie about something so random?" His voice comes from far away as my hearing is crowded by my beating heart.

"Who else is in there?" I ask already standing, he stands with me and holds me up as I wabble a bit.

"I knew she was an unforgettable lay just by looking at her, and the power she is said to have displayed during the fight..."

I don't hear what else he is saying as I stumble towards the smaller side dining hall, I can't believe I'm already this drunk or have I been poisoned? I look at the man next to be suspiciously before reaching into a pouch with fumbling hands. He giggles and helps me open it, I place the pellet under my tongue and hold onto the wall letting it dissolve.

My head starts clearing up and sounds are coming to me almost normally again. "I'm offended you think I poisoned you but I'm impressed by your foresight. Those pellets don't come cheap and its a shame you wasted one, but better to use one and not have needed it than need it and think yourself only drunk right?"

"Who else is in there?" I ask again ignoring his ramblings.

"You should be in there actually. Most of your peers of the Houses are in there, so is the Princess and Lady Alvalon and a few other people I don't yet know."

"You talk too much." I say again moving to the doors, this time with a clearer head.

"Only when I'm drunk or nervoud or excited, I can't even decide which I am right now. I think I'm excited though, I'm definitely excited. Oh I should warn you, your slave is no longer a slave judging by how everyone treats her. So don't go traipsing in there expecting to use the slave gease to command her." He says taping my back.

That's not something I even considered, not with Mira. But for a member of a noble House to take that into consideration speaks volumes of his character, especially with the excess the scorn of Houses get away with.

"Thank you." I say before bushing the narrow double doors open and going through.

*

It's as though a sharp spike of ice cuts into my heart as I notice a familiar set of red hair amongst the crowd of barbarians. I try to follow it with my eyes distracted by an increasingly racing heart but these people are too tall and the owner of the head keeps disappearing behind broad shoulders.

Someone says something to me and I brush past them. My mouth is getting dry as I move to where I saw the head last. Someone moves out of the way and I see her talking and smiling happily, happier than I have ever seen her before. She is radiant, as though a light were placed within her only a few could see.

Suddenly someone is standing infront of me blocking my view. I look up at the giant of a man before me looking at me casually from 2 feet away. His arms are crossed across his chest and his forearms look to be made of steel. He just stands there looking at me, the temperature seemingly getting warmer or is that just me?

"Maybe we should come back another time," Alex says from behind me. I didn't even realise he was still following, nor that handsome charismatic Alex Cross could sound so meek.

"Its okey Om, this one is harmless." The sweet voice of a Celestial creature says, and there she is behind the big guy.

As beautiful as I have ever seen her. "Mira." Is all I manage to say.

She looks at me up and down, my heart is in my throat, then she smiles and I feel like I've just been judged and found worthy.

"Mayner!" She says and opens her arms for a hug. And All I know is that she feels good in my arms.