When Edwin returned to the courtyard, the horses were all saddled and supplied. Charles was rummaging through bags.
Probably conducting a third check to make sure he had everything that we would ever need, Edwin thought with a slight smile.
Edwin placed his hand on Charles’ shoulder, and the young man broke down in tears. The two friends embraced tightly. For Edwin, he did not realize how much he needed this as some of the anxiety fell away from his mind.
“I am sorry,” Edwin said solemnly.
Edwin wished to say more, but the words did not come. He could not imagine the pain that his friend was going through, and all he could do was be there for him in this moment.
“I am sorry to hear about your parents. I hope to Areandel for their speedy recovery,” Charles said with a wavering voice as he wiped his face.
Johanna stood next to her horse, Galeor, with a forced smile for Edwin.
“Thank you for bringing us along,” she said in a quiet voice as they embraced.
“We have done everything together since we were children running about the palace grounds and fields of Aeros. Since we came here together, it is only fitting we ride home together,” Edwin said as he threw his pack on his horse. “Besides, I can only imagine what darkness waits for us at Hailgrad. I am glad to have my two dearest friends with me.”
“Why do you always insist on wearing armor?” Charles asked Johanna, clearly trying to change the subject from the dark thoughts in his mind. “You know there is no need for this type of protection on our road.”
Johanna shrugged. She was dressed in her light, steel armor. It was covered by a short, red tunic that had the Hailgalad symbol of a white horse in the center of it.
“One should always be prepared when the time inevitably comes,” she responded.
The courtyard was painted with an orange hue by the sun that was still rising in the sky as they packed the final necessities onto their horses. As the party exited the academy gates, Edwin took a moment to breathe in the sweet aroma coming in from the fields. He knew this might be the last moment of calm they would have for many days, and he wished to drag it out as long as possible. This serenity, however, could not last.
At the gates, three prominent figures of the academy, Lars, Thinobrad, and Galnar, sat waiting for their pupils.
“Come on, you two,” Johanna yelled as she reared her horse. “The morning is getting old, and we must be off. If we hurry, we may arrive at the palace before the day is through.”
With this, the six companions began their ride to the capital city of Hailgrad.
***
The road from the academy to the capital was well-maintained. By most accounts, the ride was a long day's worth, allowing for a few breaks. It ran west, then north, along with the Frostfall River.
This great river started far away in the high, northern reaches of the world, known as the White Mountains. Their jagged peaks pierced the Northern sky as they stood tall and resolute beyond the border of Hailgalad. The river then bubbled and foamed until it flowed out into the great Eastern Sea. On its journey, the river ran past the fortress town of Frostwatch through the capital and academy. Near the capital, the river fed the two large lakes that guarded the Northwest and southwest of Hailgrad’s outer walls, known as the Noorden in the North and Zuiden in the South.
Along the cobblestone road, many small farms and communities tended to horses and other livestock. This land around the Frostfall was rich due to the minerals carried down from the northern mountains. The great crop yield produced here provided quality substance for the animals.
Edwin was always drawn to the quiet in the countryside of the kingdom. Time seemed to stand still, unmoved by the bustling capital that lay upriver less than a day's ride from them. To him, they seemed free of all care, at least the struggles that plagued his mind.
After some hours, Edwin could feel his horse, Aneorthor, begin to labor a great deal. Johanna had initially pushed the company out of the academy, but Edwin’s fear for his parents drove him past her. His horse could feel the prince’s anxiety radiate off of him, which coaxed the animal to its limit. At this rate, the others only hoped to stay close to his pace.
As he rounded another bend, his horse slowed to a trot. Edwin took a moment to breathe deeply to try to quiet his mind as the midday sun bathed him in warm light.
"Easy boy," the young man leaned over and patted his horse. "I am sorry for pushing you." Aneorthor snorted in response.
As Edwin stopped, Johanna's horse came stomping up to him. She shot him a look as the others lagged even further behind.
“If we all had horses of royal stock, we may be able to keep your speed. Besides, the professors are not young men, and it looks like it has been some time since they have ridden out from the academy walls,” Johanna shouted as she panted.
Edwin looked down at Aneorthor, who stood proud and strong in the morning light. He was distinct from Johanna’s steed, descending from a bloodline of Eardred, the first King of Hailgalad's horse, Masufeld.
These horses were meant for the royal family, generals, and the fortunate few others that the line was gifted. It was said that the people of Hailgalad had a special connection with their mounts that allowed the animals to grow to their fullest potential in intelligence, strength, and speed. It was these great horses that allowed Eardred to conquer and unite these lands under one banner. They had helped to keep Hailgalad's lands safe for many years since.
“How far would you say we have ridden,” Edwin inquired, ignoring the look.
“We are approaching the halfway mark, Ed,” Johanna panted. “There was a stone marker just back past the last bend.”
“I am sorry, we should have stopped sooner. My parents weigh heavily on my mind, and I wish so desperately to be there now.” Edwin said as his eyes were fixed on the road to Hailgrad. “We will stop for a while with midday approaching.”
Johanna looked at him thoughtfully. “I understand. I am sure you heard, but no word has come from my family.”
She paused, also looking down to the road, as she continued, “After hearing the news from Lars, I fear the worst.”
After they were all caught up, the group left the road to a grove of trees about a hundred feet away. Thinobrad began to make a fire, and Galnar prepared some meat to cook a small lunch for the company. Edwin found a large tree to lean back and think. Charles nibbled on some heinbrood, a hardy bread mainly used for long journeys on the road or in the wilderness.
He was never far from a snack. It wouldn’t be proper to go on starving if it could be avoided, he would always say. Edwin smiled and shook his head. In all this time, he still had his appetite. He offered some to Edwin, but the prince shook his head and put up a hand.
“Suit yourself, Ed. I could never get enough of this stuff. Especially the crunch Lotte from the academy bake house gets in it," said Charles gleefully.
“It’s your move, Charles,” Johanna said impatiently.
Charles shot a glance and continued to stare at the board. Johanna and Charles were across the way playing an involved game of chespel, a version of what is called chess in other kingdoms. Hailgalad had adopted the game and changed it to incorporate more cavalry pieces and a larger board for ‘more strategic opportunities.’
This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.
Johanna was a gifted tactician and excelled in the strategy classes at the academy. She hoped to one day be a great general leading the army into battle at the behest of Edwin as king. She was brilliant but often impatient with others who did not meet her match in competition.
Charles stroked his face, which made a contorted look as if he was being tortured. The young man was being slowly constricted into a suffocating trap. Edwin could see it. Although he did not have a passion for battlefield tactics, he did have an eye for them. Johanna had a smug grin as she was tightening the noose.
Edwin walked over and nudged Charles with his knee. “You know, they do say it is important to make sure your cavalry are out in the field first, wouldn’t you say, Charles?” Edwin said with a smile.
“Hmm,” murmured Charles.
He was evidently too involved in trying to wiggle out of the trap that he did not get the hint. After a few more grunts, he made his move.
Johanna rolled her eyes and smiled. She then delivered the final blow to finish the game. Charles let out a heavy sigh, and Johanna smiled as she crossed her arms.
“Better luck next time, Charles. Now, Galnar, if you would be so kind as to get me some of the delicious meal you have been cooking up. Winning is hungry work, after all.”
Edwin and the others chuckled. It was customary to take a victory lap after a decisive win, and Charles did the same when he bested her in their classes on lore and culture.
She then turned to Edwin, “You should be ashamed at that lacking attempt to help him. I see what you were trying to do, but it would only have saved him for another two turns. My victory was inevitable, no need for desperate moves.”
“Desperate moves are necessary if they are the only moves on the board,” replied Edwin with a shrug. “Come on, let us get some food.”
The group sat and ate mostly in silence. With the game of chespel over, the group's thoughts turned to the tragedy unfolding at the capital. Edwin started away, to the distance. Just outside the grove, there were small cottages with puffs of white smoke from their chimneys. The view from here seemed so quiet and peaceful.
Then, Charles broke through the quiet air, “I wonder if this terrible plague is just in the capital or if the sickness is in other towns of the kingdom. Are Mendale, Javailty, or the Iron Mountain suffering the same fate?”
“We are not sure,” broke in Lars.
He was an older man with long, brown hair and a beard that was streaked with grey. He looked at his pupil with his soft, blue eyes. Lars was the chief among the heads of the academy. He had a vast knowledge of lore and history and was thus summoned by the king and queen for council.
After a moment of thought, he continued, “News does not travel quickly, and we have all heard the latest that could be told from the capital. Our academy is the settlement most near to the great city, and many come and go from each place for news and supplies. Since it has not spread from the capital to the academy, I doubt it would have reached the other cities.”
“Do we know how it started? From the water, perhaps? The river may have gone ill?” Charles inquired, leaning in closer as he peppered Lars with questions.
“You do not know your geography if you consider that, Charles,” Lars said with a smile. “We drink from the Frostfall in the academy, the same as the capital, and the water takes less than a day to reach us from there. Surely, if the water was stained, we would have also fallen to the same fate. Nevertheless, there will be a great deal to sort out.”
Lars paused and gave a deep sigh as he continued, “It is incredible so many people have already been lost. Even if it were to be stopped today, the damage would leave permanent scars on our kingdom. I imagine King Edward and Queen Melanie have recalled Baldric and the royal army from the border dispute they were deployed for on the western part of the kingdom.”
“Those Vaelorans have been a real problem as of late, trying to snatch up their neighboring kingdom’s lands when they are not aware. They have always been bitter ever since Hailgalad won its independence from their grasp. It is truly amazing that they have not started a multi-kingdom war at this point." Galnar's voice grew hot.
He paused and shook his head, "No matter, this plague has changed things. Baldric will be needed in the heart of the kingdom to ensure peace and order are maintained in and around the city. I am sure the people will be delighted to see you return, Edwin.”
Galnar looked over to Edwin and smiled.
Edwin forced a half-smile, but he said nothing and continued to gaze deeply at the fire. His eyes narrowed hard as he thought. There was too much unknown for questions and fretting. All he wanted was to be home with his parents to help them get better from this sickness. His family and friends were all that weighed on his mind.
Let the others worry about these large concerns; I could not care less, he thought.
“It is the way of things,” Thinobrad closed the conversation. “Those who have tasted power shall look to hold onto it as tightly as possible. Those who see it from afar are forever drawn to its lure.”
***
After a short time had passed, the group had eaten and rested properly. More importantly, the horses had munched on the grassy fields and looked eager to carry their masters the rest of the way to Hailgrad.
A fire to see his home and his parents began to burn brightly in Edwin. It was an urge that seemed to invigorate him and drive him forward with unceasing passion. They mounted their horses and rode on at an easier pace so as not to exhaust their steeds.
As they clopped along, Galnar began to sing a common riding tune called Riders in the Fields of Grass.
Riders in the Fields of Grass,
Lend me here, your shining brass.
As we ride in the shining light,
With our armor glinting bright.
Come ride with me to glory,
Help me write our story.
Onward for the king,
His rule is fair as the angels sing.
Onward for the Queen,
Her rule shines with the greatest sheen.
For Hailgalad, we ride for thee,
May your reign forever be.
Riders in the Fields of Grass,
Come and form the joyful mass.
Sing with me while the morning lasts,
Trumpeters join in with merry blasts.
Come ride with me to glory,
Help me write our story.
The group sang the many rounds of the song as the trail continued under the bright sun. Their spirits were lifted, and they smiled as the song and the morning sunshine melted their fears. Here, the river began to widen, and trees crowded the countryside in splendid numbers. These were signs that the great city was close.
"Only a few turns left!" said Edwin excitedly.
After a bend in the road, the group saw a cluster of five soldiers in bright, silver-plated armor atop horses. They wore deep-red tunics that symbolized they were members of the royal army. There were some hastily built wooden barricades on the road, and two white canvas tents were pitched on the right side of the path. As the company approached, the soldiers turned to confront them.
“Halt,” one said. “By order of the king and queen, no one is allowed to enter the capital. From here to the gates, there are permitted areas where you can set your camp until it is safe to enter the city. When you come to the fields, stay away from the red tents against the city walls. These are places of healing where the recovering sick are housed. Now, let us see some papers for identification.”
“So there are some who have recovered from the illness?” Lars asked in a surprised and encouraged tone.
The guard stepped his horse forward and scowled.
Lars shook his head to refocus on the soldier's question. “My apologies, I am Lars, one of the chief teachers of the Arnorad Academy. With me are heirs of two royal court houses and Prince Edwin, son of the king and queen.”
The guards looked amazed at the group. They quickly jumped from their horses and scrambled to declutter the road. They then stood at either side of the company with their heads bowed and right fists over their hearts.
“My apologies, my lord. Right this way,” said the guard. “Although I must insist that only Prince Edwin be allowed to pass the gates by order of the king and queen.”
“Thank you for your concern,” said Edwin, “but all those that accompany me shall pass through the walls if they wish to risk this illness.”
“Of course,” the guard conceded and stood in silence.
With this, the group moved on past the guards and up the steep, wooded hill. Edwin knew this hill. It was the last hurdle before seeing the grand city of Hailgrad. Between them and the city would be beautiful farm fields filled with wheat and livestock. They were peppered with quaint homes that produced small puffs of smoke from their fireplaces. It was always a sharp contrast to the large, sprawling city of Hailgrad.
"Ah Hailgrad," Edwin found himself moved to words, "the grand buildings of white stone and beautiful birch roofs. The banners were bright and soaring on thick stone walls a hundred feet from the ground. Sterling silver guards at attention, and thousands of happy people milling about on their daily work. It is a city worth the presence of Areandel if ever there was one."