Queen Elsanne’s allied forces’ & sworn to her territories’ leaders
Also local minor nobles, families & characters mentioned.
Scaldingport
Grand Duke, Ruud De Weer
Sir Gust De Weer
Sir Jan Reuten, Sir Vim Cramer (Desert Crows cavalry)
Axel ‘Mudriver’ (Gust’s squire.)
Solt (A former slave and a Cofol of the desert. Jan’s squire.)
Captain Giel Kugel (Commander of the Old Spears)
Her Grace, Lady Janneke (Former Queen of Regia)
Niclas Fliers (Late Sergeant Fliers son)
Hubert Boss (Chamberlain of Blackcrow’s Pillar)
Sir Mart Nootveld (1st Disciple of the Knightly Order of Tyeus. A knight priest.)
Daan Bolte (Disciple of Tyeus. Late Sir Mael Bolte’s nephew.)
Captain Voges (Officer of the destroyed 2nd Foot’s 4th Division.)
Robert Van Durren (with the ‘Eplas Foot’ at Boar’s Horn River.)
Sir Leonel Koel (with Robert.)
Captain Flip Velde (with Robert.)
Toefort
Baron Mikel De Weer (Former High Treasurer of Kaltha)
Mandel De Weer
Duchess Arabelle De Weer of Raoz (Diseased. Duke Gideon’s wife. Killed in Rida.)
Forestfort
Sir Rik De Weer (one of the De Weer scions ruled over the vital castle town.)
Sir Adrian Hakker (with the Young Crows)
Damian Varenhorst (At Forestfort. Late Sir Varenhorst’s son)
Rusted
Viscount, Ard De Moss (Lord Commander of the Duchy’s army. In the field.)
Gel De Moss (with the Desert Crows. Commanding the Gray Cloaks- both mounted infantry and Old Spears)
Hunter’s Cot
(Also included Hunter’s Path, Valk’s Lands and the High King’s hunting grounds)
Sir Stefan De Braal (Ruud’s Shield)
Jurian De Braal (Stefan’s youngest son.)
Anne-Marie De Braal (Stefan’s oldest daughter.)
Remus De Braal (Anne-Marie’s son.)
Sir Beren Kuik (veteran Knight)
Janus Boult (veteran man-at-arms)
Stef Valk (His family stayed at Hunter’s Path settlement with special permission from late High King Theun. Veteran Ranger. Executed for treason by Lord Ruud.)
Sir Rinus Valk (With Lord Anker Est Ravn beyond the Red Bridge)
Loes Valk (Rinus daughter, former maiden of honor to Queen Elsanne. Prince Radin’s 3rd spouse. With the Khan near Issir’s Eagle)
Demeter Valk (Hunter. Executed for unknown reasons by Lord Ruud)
Michel Valk (Hunter’s Path. A carpenter. Stef’s cousin.)
Dorothy Valk (Michel’s young daughter)
Fort Tail
Hendrik de Jagger (with Jagger’s rangers at Rusted)
Lode de Jagger (with the Desert Crows)
Fort Tongue
Mitch De Jaeger (with Jaeger’s Rangers at Rusted. The Jaggers were a cadet branch of the Jaegers.)
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Castalor
Duke Basten Van Oord
Duchess Leonie De Weer
Sir Walter Van Oord (Lord Commander of the duchy’s forces)
Lady Marleen (with the retreating Horselords)
Vice Admiral Faber
Lieutenant Luke Faber (Duke Van Oord’s adjutant. At Scaldingport.)
Desmond Boss (with his ‘Winch Crossbows’ mercenary company at Boar’s Horn River)
Mikel Boss (Killed during Dhin-Awal’s attack in late winter of 195 NC)
Wilhelm Struder (with ‘Struder mercenary Company’ at Even Fork)
Captain Mads Struder (with ‘Mads’ Company attached to the Desert Crows)
Cristiana Struder (Robert’s fiancé)
Deadmen’s Watch
Lord Erland Van Oord (former Kaltha’s Lord of Justice)
Albert Schalk (ex-Governor, killed by Lord Putra’s forces)
Dell Schalk (Commander of allied Marine landing force)
Colle
Baron Sigurd Bach (at Scaldingport, former Master of Silence. A priest of Oras)
Katers (A priest of Oras)
Floris Bach (Former Governor of Colle. Diseased. Married to Lissane Reuten, Sir Jan Reuten’s oldest sister.)
Mayor Ron Bach (Late Floris’ heir was Ruud’s bastard with Lissane Reuten)
Sir Teun Bach (A knight of the Royal Guard. Ruud’s bastard)
Lady Mona Bach (Floris’ younger daughter)
Lady Petra Bach (Sigurd’s cousin. Stans Reuten’s wife)
Sir Stans Reuten (Sir Jan’s father. The veteran knight was with the surviving Colle guards & rebels)
Lady Lissane Reuten (Floris’ widow. Jan’s older sister. In Scaldingport.)
Femke Reuten (Died of the ‘White Fever’ around 194)
Sonja Reuten (both were Sir Stans youngest twin daughters with Lady Petra Bach, Sigurd’s cousin. In Castalor.)
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Sir Gust De Weer
Raven of Dawn
Lord ‘Veer’
A Vulture’s Funeral | Send the bird, Sir Stefan.
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“The Gallant Dogs are out of commission. Their officer core injured, or killed,” Luke Faber reported to a tired Elsanne. She nodded and the young Castalor lieutenant bowed his head and sat down.
“Stans Reuten reached the bridge with the men of Colle,” Sigurd said standing up. The large conference table was packed and the fumes from the burning oil added to the uncomfortable atmosphere inside the citadel’s hall. “Joined forces with Van Oord and Robert,” the Baron continued. “So they can replace the mercenaries. Your grace, this is the opportunity.”
“The Gallant Dogs anchored the rear,” Gust grunted. “Desmond Boss’ has only a quarter of his force in a fighting shape. Struder’s company should take up the Dogs place, so they can’t be used also.”
“Be that as it may, Desmond is committed to an attack towards Colle, already recruiting fresh troops and Castalor’s army moved to Boar’s Horn,” Sigurd insisted. “We can take back my city Gust.”
Desmond just lost his son. He looks for vengeance, not a win.
“Will your father change his mind?” Elsanne asked the scowling Gust. Ruud had ridiculed any proposal for an advance, before Lord Anker had made his move against the Khan. You’ll win at Colle perhaps, Lord Crow had told them. But then lose even if you make it to Issir’s Eagle and kick the Khan out. Anker will do the same to you after replenishing his forces for months. You want to win in a year? Then you should let Anker and the Khan kill each other afore making your move. “The Horselord army is facing the Red Bridge, or Merenda’s Legion at King’s Forest. They even stopped assaulting Jaw Castle.”
“Because of the winter,” Gust said with a grimace. “Ruud won’t change his mind.”
“He won’t,” Sir De Braal agreed gruffly and got up. One of Hubert Boss’ servants had approached him with a missive. “Who let her in? When was this?” He hissed at the nervous servant.
“Late last night. It was the Duke sire,” the servant whispered in a croaky voice.
“Ah, damn it. Your grace, I shall take my leave.” De Braal asked and Elsanne dismissed him.
“Mayor Ron is with Stans Reuten,” Sigurd said after the old Shield had departed from a side door. “He reports the Horselords have a very small force inside the town and Dhin-Awal’s army didn’t head there.”
“Did they retreat towards the capital?” Elsanne queried.
“This we don’t know your grace,” Sigurd replied.
They didn’t up and disappeared for crying out loud!
“What about Garai and Khafra? Or Masud Rum? The rest of the Prince’s men?” Prisoners had given them the names of the surviving Horselords. Gust cast a glance at Elsanne. The Queen wanted them to head towards Issir Eagle. But the Scaldingport forces had stopped and some of them even returned to the city with the injured and ailing Duke. The rest of their allies wanted assurances Scaldingport would support a new offensive towards the captured town.
There were also some rumors of infighting.
“Sir Walter destroyed Lord Putra,” Luke Faber reminded them. “He’ll beat Dhin-Awal as well my lords.”
“Lord Putra was cornered and heroically attempted to break out with a very slight chance of success, mostly to save families and horses,” Gust grunted. “Sir Walter won’t fight a more favorable battle again. Not in his life,” he added hoarsely.
“Robert will help,” Elsanne offered with a smile at the frowned Castalor lieutenant.
“Delivering Colle isn’t high on Robert’s agenda,” Gust argued and Elsanne gave him a warning stare that he was being annoying. “His mind is on Badum.”
“We have promised Robert his titles back,” the Queen said frostily.
A promise won’t be enough to get Robert on his father’s seat.
“Scaldingport must commit to a summer campaign, your grace,” Sigurd grimaced. “Order the old Duke to comply. His men should follow the Queen’s command.”
Good luck with that!
“I have a good rapport with Ruud lately,” Elsanne said.
No you don’t, this a different matter.
“My Queen,” Gust started, but she stopped him with a gesture.
“Let us discuss the matter again later.”
“Your grace, time is of the essence here,” Sigurd protested. “I understand the Duke was injured, but the army can still function without him. The Queen is in command. We lost two months. Soon the ground will dry up and the rains that worked in our favor will have all but stopped.”
“We are aware Baron,” Elsanne hissed warningly. “I shall speak with Sir Gust alone.”
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Elsanne breathed out, a hand touching the laced hem of her décolleté just under the swell of her breasts, the other covering her mouth. The queen’s jade eyes were looking at Gust in a questioning manner.
“Sir Nootveld says my dresses are too scandalous,” Elsanne said out of the blue. “I told him that had this queen been an ugly goat, then nobody would care, or spare us a second glance. What is Sir Gust’s opinion on this matter?”
Ugh?
“I need to travel to Boar’s Horn,” Gust grunted with a grimace and Elsanne raised her hand, then landed a slap on his chest in warning. “Damn it,” he cursed. “Listen, they are never going to agree…”
“Just stop. We shan't be deprived of this small compliment,” Elsanne ordered. “And they don’t need you there, but I do. Me. Can you guess why?”
“Elsanne,” Gust protested, then paused as the much shorter than him queen had stepped forward almost to a touching distance. “Walter would want the command and Robert might not listen to a less experienced leader.”
“Walter is experienced. Reuten is a veteran knight as well,” Elsanne noted. “I need you to convince Ruud, or his men to follow my lead.”
“They’ll follow your lead, but don’t expect a large duchy like Scaldingport to behave like a village, or your palace property. There is a reason nobody got much out of Ruud, or any other Duke with his power. Midlanor is the same and Asturia. You need to listen and make deals,” Gust argued. “Or the Old Crow’s men won’t be helpful at all. For decades upon decades, the only word they listened to was Ruud’s.”
“They’ll follow you,” Elsanne murmured reaching to cup his jaw with a soft hand. “But you, we can’t spare. I don’t want to.”
Gust took her small hand in his and kissed it. “I can’t be two things at the same time.”
“Radin is dead and I am free. Ruud took sides,” Elsanne said and Gust shook his head. There was much she didn’t know about the Prince’s fate and Ruud always followed his own plans. “I can do what I want,” the queen added.
Jasi opened the door and walked inside at that moment. Gust smacked his lips and eyed the painted eunuch austerely.
“Something weird happened,” Jasi told them, rolling his eyes at Gust’s acerbic expression. “You better check it out sir gorilla.”
“Jasi!” Elsanne snapped and turned to the scowled knight. “He has a dirty tongue Gust, but means well.”
Gust licked his lips slowly, all in the effort not to separate the eunuch with another part of his anatomy.
“Apologies, my eyes can’t discern shapes in the dark. Take it as a compliment for you stand as big as the jungle’s kings. Gallant Sir Gust, you need to find out what’s going on.”
“Why don’t you?” Gust grunted and Jasi shrugged his shoulders.
“I don’t like the looks on their faces,” the eunuch replied. “Some people call it self-preservation.”
Gust grimaced in frustration and then marched towards the door Jasi had used. He opened it and walked inside the citadel’s dark throne room. Gust paused for his eyes to get used to the soft candle light and then spotted Hubert Boss sitting on the Old Crow’s throne. The ancient chamberlain was staring at the noisy crows coalescing on the vacant scribe’s table, fighting for space with beaks and caws. An empty look on his wrinkled face.
CAW!
Gust trudged past the Duke’s bronze and wooden throne, opened another door leading to a corridor and then to the staircase for the citadel’s second floor. The guard wasn’t there, but stood at the base of the stairs and hearing Gust’s heavy strides approach, he stepped aside for the knight to go upstairs.
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Niclas Fliers, late sergeant Fliers son, stood outside the Duke’s quarters in full armour. Elsanne’s own quarters were at the far edge of the floor –the east side- and you could reach them via a different staircase. They were his mother’s afore that.
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The knight heard a woman’s muffled cry coming from inside the large lit up bedroom and with another glance at the younger of sorts Fliers, Niclas was his age, Gust dropped his hand on the pommel of his sword.
“Who is inside?” He grunted hoarsely.
“Lord Shield,” Niclas replied tensely.
“Who else?”
“Flo Madan’s man… Hans Kaiser… ehem, he has a daughter Riet,” Niclas started taking his time to get the words out, but going nowhere.
“What are you mumbling about?” Gust grunted and waved his arm for the man to stay away, afore he marched inside the bedroom.
Riet was sitting to his right, on a chair next to the door and four meters further inside, Gust could see in the candlelight the Duke’s large bed. Sir Stefan De Braal stood in the way, a dark expression marring his aged face, to pair with his hollow eyes. Not that the old Shield was ever known for his pleasant countenance.
Ruud’s deathly pale face, wrinkled and stitched, but also familiar, had one eye closed and the other open, the latter staring at the distance empty of life. A half-crooked smile on his face. The bed was slept in and the covers thrown away, a white sheet on the floor. Gust let out a guttural rasping sound then and stood back in sober silence.
The sound of Riet’s muffled sniffles unnerving the speechless knight, more than his father’s lifeless body.
Ah. You went and done it.
Gust heard a bird’s claws scratch the stone tiles as it walked and then enter the room, so he glanced back and spotted Bob the crow stand a meter away. The crow perceived the surreal bedroom scene with black beady eyes for a moment and then his coal-black head turned towards the crying Riet, before snapping to the silent Gust and the scowled De Braal.
The Shield was the first to speak.
“Hubert found him.”
Gust grimaced, but said nothing.
“Wasn’t sure whether he was dead, so Hubert waited a bit,” De Braal continued raspingly.
“How long?”
“Three hours.”
Damnation!
“Who knows?” Gust grunted.
“I sent for Rik,” De Braal informed him. “He’s with the Dottore.”
“We need to speak with the queen,” Gust rustled and rubbed at his forehead with a gloved hand.
“I sent for Nootveld. We need a proper priest,” the old Shield continued. “We’ll inform the queen after you take over.”
Gust grimaced and then set his jaw. “I’ll do it myself,” he finally said and went to turn around, but heard the old Shield’s boots thudding on the floor as he approached and had to twist on his heels back the other way in alarm.
“Blackcrow’s seat must be filled,” Stefan said menacingly. “Afore the news spread.”
“Not before I speak with the queen,” Gust retorted with an angry rustle. “Stand away.”
“I’ll serve the new duke,” the old Shield replied raspingly, not moving from his position.
A fair amount of warning in his words as well.
“Curse ye Stefan. What do you want?” Gust grunted tiredly.
“The Duchy must remain stable,” the old Shield explained and pointed at the crying Riet. The girl stopped sniffling seeing the man’s gesture. “The girl slipped inside and yer father couldn’t help himself. The Dottore had warned him curse her!”
Gust licked his lips and stared at the gawking Riet. A pleasant looking girl. Way too young to be in the Duke’s quarters.
“I’m with child!” Riet gasped in panic seeing the two men looking at her. “I told the Duke—”
“Eh, shut yer trap!” De Braal grunted and walked past Gust to grab the screaming girl by the hair. He dragged her on the floor tiles and reached for a large dagger. Gust rushed the old Shield and put a hand on the weapon.
De Braal stared at Gust’s sober face surprised. “What are you doing lad?”
“What in Oras hells are you doing?” Gust blasted him and shoved the old Shield away, with the deathly scared Riet letting out a shriek, as she scrambled to run towards the bed.
“You don’t want another bastard in yer hands,” De Braal grunted.
“You won’t harm the girl old man!” Gust growled irate. Angry with his father for dying and leaving his mess behind, but also with himself for thinking Ruud would have been around for another season.
Time is up.
Now what?
“I won’t take orders from you,” the dead Duke’s Shield rustled, but sheathed the dagger. “You want to do that, then ye need to get on that seat lad.”
“I’ll speak with the queen first,” Gust repeated stubbornly, through his teeth and then stared at the hiding behind the bed’s corner Riet. “Come with me girl.”
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Gust pushed Riet out of the Duke’s bedroom with a glare at Niclas Fliers and guided the sniffling girl towards the stairs. He paused there as Rik climbed the steps two at a time, followed by Axel and Dottore Dalai Tue. The mercenary medic was staying in the citadel to take care of the injured young Reinut.
An emotional Rik went to hug Gust, but he stopped him with a grunt and gestured towards the Duke’s bedroom. “The old head is getting nervous. Stefan.”
“Damn it Gust. Let me take a moment to process it,” Rik hissed in protest and rubbed his bandaged shoulder. “Is Ruud really dead?”
“Aye,” Gust grunted and stared at Axel’s face that dropped at the news. “The Gods loved him. Died in his sleep of sorts with a big smile on his face.”
“Of sorts?” A saddened Rik queried and Gust shook the sniffling Riet. He still had the girl grabbed by the arm. “The Grand Hostel’s manager daughter?” Rik guessed.
Gust had no idea who the girl was. Then he remembered. “Um. Kaiser.”
“Yeah,” Rik said and gulped down sensing there was more to it.
“She’s pregnant.”
“Right,” Rik droned with a grimace of discomfort and then let out a deep breath. “I’ll go inside,” he told Gust at the end of it.
“Eh,” Gust grunted and glared at Axel. “What’s the matter with you?”
“The Duke is dead?” Axel asked hoarsely and Gust hissed, then pushed Riet towards him.
“Find her a place. Put a man you trust to guard her,” Gust told his squire gruffly and watched the Dottore with Rik rush inside his father’s bedroom.
“You’ll stay with the Duke?” Axel asked hoarsely and Gust stared at him unsure.
“What for? You think he’d have cared? The callous son of a bitch is dead,” he grunted and marched down the stairs to find the queen.
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Elsanne was talking with Jasi inside the throne room. Hubert Boss hadn’t moved and Gust glanced that way briefly, to check whether the chamberlain was still breathing, before walking near the nervous queen.
“I heard the awful news,” Elsanne whispered and seized Gust’s shoulders to reach him. Her lips touched his briefly. “Our sincere condolences Sir Gust,” the queen said formally and the numb Gust noticed more people inside the semi-dark hall. Wings flapped next, as crows flew over their heads towards the round aperture. “Your father had been our strongest ally,” Elsanne added. “I’m sorry, but he’s with Uher now.”
Not if Ruud has anything to say about it and I seriously doubt, Uher even entertained the thought.
“We need to get the duchy’s affairs in order,” a hoarse Gust started.
“I’ll help arrange a proper funeral for Lord Ruud,” Elsanne assured him, before he could get everything out.
“Then solve the matter of our boy,” Gust grunted continuing his line of thought. “Should have done it already. Reinut won’t be a bastard.”
Elsanne stood back strangely pleased. “He won’t be. He isn’t. Reinut is the kingdom’s true heir.”
Gust grimaced trying to get a word out, but the queen stopped him. “You are distressed. I know what you mean and we accept,” she said with a coy half-smile.
Ugh?
“The timing isn’t perfect, but we can make it work. A touch of happiness in our hour of sorrow,” Elsanne continued with a glance at the frowned Jasi. The eunuch blinked and then made a weird face, split between confusion and anxiousness. “After you ascend the duchy’s throne of course,” the queen added evenly.
“You won’t return to Issir’s Eagle?” Gust asked with a rasping croak. “Is Scaldingport the queen’s personal domain now?”
Because this would take a lot of convincing to pull through.
“The army will attack Colle and return us to the capital,” Elsanne replied raising a well-trimmed white eyebrow.
“Then Scaldingport can’t have Gust as its Duke,” Gust said with difficulty, as he didn’t enjoy going against her wishes.
“My husband…” Elsanne paused slightly confused. “You did propose to us yes?”
Eh, I suppose, Gust thought with a grimace. “Aye.”
“The queen’s husband shall be with his queen,” Elsanne continued regally. “And their legitimate son.”
“Praised be Uher and the other gods,” Jasi declared in a constipated manner.
“Rik needs to take over here,” Gust insisted.
“We won’t do this to you,” Elsanne insisted. “I’ll make an announcement.”
“No, you won’t,” Gust stopped her. “The moment I move to Issir’s Eagle to play the Queen’s spouse, the lords will ask me to step down immediately. Scaldingport can stand behind the queen, but it should be allowed to govern itself.”
“We don’t like Sir Rik as much as our Sir Gust,” Elsanne teased him and Gust grimaced, teeth grinding audibly in his tensed mouth. “Laws can change.”
“Not this law. This deal can’t be broken, else the ‘Others’ will turn against you,” Gust grunted with difficulty and the many crows present inside the hall started cawing, thus raising a pandemonium of epic proportions. “Nominate Rik.”
“What of Forestfort?” Elsanne asked and Gust scrunched his mouth.
“Let Rik deal with this.”
“I want an ally guarding the Mudriver Bridge. Ruud has no other son.”
Well, don’t bet yer dowry on this.
“You can’t meddle in the duchy’s affairs,” Gust grunted. “He’ll give it to Janneke. We can make it work,” Elsanne saw him pause abruptly and asked pointedly.
“Unless?”
“Ruud has left instructions, or had other wishes.”
Hubert Boss would know, he thought and looked at the ancient chamberlain who had stood up from his father’s throne with a pained grimace. Hubert returned his stare soberly.
You son of a bitch, Gust cursed his freshly departed father. What did you do?
Bob the crow landed near the tensed couple and Jasi, the startled eunuch recoiling when the black bird croaked angrily.
“Speak, stale turd!”
“Goodness me, this bird speaks as well,” Jasi commented holding his chest.
“Bugs!” Bob, the Crow, roared to alert the raven, tipping its head back, and its gaping beak showing a red tongue inside.
“Ah,” Elsanne gasped and a miffed Hubert approached walking with difficulty and looking as if he’d just aged a couple of years more, which at his age were a couple of years too many.
“Ruud wrote down his… bastards,” Hubert said with difficulty.
“Why in all that’s holy would he come clean now?” Gust growled not believing his ears.
“He thought of writing a will these past couple of years and wanted to make a proper account,” Hubert replied.
“Did he? Finish a will that is.”
“Ruud left it for later believing it was too soon.”
Of course.
“He was closer to ninety than eighty, damn it and most don’t make it that far,” Gust felt a numbness spreading in his jaw and stopped to work his mouth, giving the chamberlain the chance to continue.
“Auspiciously, not all made the cut,” Hubert explained in a lame attempt to soften the blow. “As he didn’t like them all the same. Their mothers that is…. Ehem. But he did name Lissane Reuten’s boys. Not the girl Mona. Ron Bach and Sir Teun Bach. Vera ‘Tail’ a local girl, she’s with the Jagger and a Martine ‘Drek’, who lives in Sovya with one of the Redmond Karls.”
Gust blinked and felt a burning sensation in his stomach. He knew the rumors about Lissane’s boys, but the rest was news to him.
“Ah, at least one kid with Ellen of Forestfort also,” Hubert added cleaning his throat. “Haven’t located that one yet.”
Oras hells.
“Did he legitimize them?” A shocked Elsanne asked frostily.
“He doesn’t have to,” Gust grunted. “The blood matters. Isn’t Ellen that prostitute archmagister Kelholt wanted to behead, for seducing his pupil?” He asked the chamberlain hoarsely.
“The old girl is probably quite the looker still,” Hubert replied pursing his mouth at the memory.
“Kaiser’s daughter Riet is pregnant,” Gust grunted and Hubert hanged his head.
“I feared that,” he admitted with a rustle. “Alas, Riet’s kid won’t make the list also, but we don’t have to worry about that. It is handled.”
Great.
“Riet is still breathing.” Gust snapped and Hubert grimaced, afore giving a nod with his head. “She won’t be harmed,” Gust told him.
“That’s for the new duke to decide,” Hubert retorted bravely.
Gust took a large step and stood in front of the frail chamberlain. Hubert returned his stare without blinking. “I told De Braal the same thing. Nobody touches a hair on that girl’s head!”
“Uhm,” Hubert murmured and turned to behold Rik and the old Shield, who had just entered the hall. “Talk with your brother my lord.”
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“Janneke is going to bring the twins,” an anxious Rik explained. “I got them to clean up the bedroom a little.”
“The queen wants to announce a new duke during the funeral and a royal spouse,” Gust cut him off and a troubled Rik stood back with a frown.
“Can it not wait, your grace?” He asked Elsanne.
“It cannot. The army is moving to Colle,” she told him. “We might be in Issir’s Eagle before the next winter.”
“Who is leading the army?” Rik asked a little perturbed.
“Sir Walter Van Oord,” the queen replied. “With the help of Robert.”
“I sent Hakker and the cavalry to Forestfort. I don’t know where Ard De Moss is, but most of your raiders and the Dogs are at Rusted, your grace,” Rik noted, not elated with the news.
“Indeed they are, Sir Rik,” Elsanne replied with the hint of a taunt.
“I see. When did the plan change, your grace?” His brother asked and Gust breathed out, annoyed by their back and forth.
“You need to take over for Ruud,” Gust grunted and Rik’s sole eye flickered tensely. “Solve the rest of the minor titles problems and deal with Ruud’s bastards that may ask for compensation, or more.”
“Wait,” Rik stopped him with a frustrated grimace. “You can’t be serious… you’ll give up on the duchy?”
“It’s not what I said. Is it?” Gust rustled angry. “I’m stepping aside for you.”
“Stepping up, is your meaning,” Rik retorted with a sly smirk. “Can I think about it? I was about to plan for a summer hunt to recuperate, and this caught me unawares,” he added and grimaced seeing De Braal’s acerbic expression. Even commented on the Shield’s annoyance. “Good grief Stefan.”
“You can’t.” Gust spat annoyed. “Cut the crap.”
“I was trying to lighten up the mood.” Rik retorted puffing his cheeks out. “This is a gloomy place and our father just died.”
“Not the time for silliness Sir Rik,” Elsanne scolded him in a motherly tone and his brother pursed his mouth, attempted to keep the caustic reply in, but failed.
“Our queen is about to throw a wedding during my father’s funeral,” Rik said raspingly. “I’m hearing of bastards and claimants, titles changing hands, while a portion of our army is marching to battle. With all the respect, I’m not the one who’s fooling around, your grace.”
“See now?” A peeved Elsanne told the grimacing Gust with a side-glance. “This is why we like Sir Gust more.”
Gust made to answer, Rik raised his brow pryingly and young Damian Varenhorst followed by his sister, burst into the slowly filled with people hall. They were both dragged by Alistair and Patience. Damian was about fourteen and the son of Rik’s friend, Sir Varenhorst of Forestfort. The latter had been killed during the battle for the Lorian Plains.
“I want to see my grandfather!” Alistair demanded looking at them on the verge of tears. “Is it true?” He asked trying to keep his voice from breaking.
“The news reached the city,” Janneke informed them and Sir Stefan De Braal cursed under his breath. “You might need soldiers,” she added taking Patience’s hand and looked at both her brothers, before noticing the queen standing behind Gust. “Your highness,” Janneke greeted Elsanne with a slight bow of her head.
“Our condolences for your loss, queen Janneke,” Elsanne replied in a warm manner. “Unfortunately, the Duke is not with us anymore young Alistair,” she told the sulking boy.
“Who killed him? Where they the same cretins that killed father?” Alistair started angrily, but his mother intervened sounding just as irritated.
“Watch your tongue young man,” Janneke snapped austerely and raising her voice she added. “I won’t say it again.”
“Can we see grandpa?” Patience asked shyly hidden behind her mother’s dress.
“I’ll take them,” Rik volunteered and Gust cast him a miffed glare.
“We haven’t finished,” he told him.
“Not much to talk about. I’ll do what I have to.”
Gust pursed his mouth resolutely.
“You need to recall your Old Crows,” Janneke told De Braal and the Shield grimaced not liking her counsel. “They should be here.”
“We are still looking for Horselords,” he told her stiffly. “That’s a lot of land to cover.”
“The Horselords are long gone from our lands,” Gust cut in. “Bring your men back.”
“The men have their orders Sir Gust,” the old knight grouched. “From the Duke.”
“What orders?” Elsanne asked curious. “Ruud was against us continuing the campaign until Anker played his hand.”
“Internal matters, my queen,” the silent up to then Hubert Boss intervened.
Turncoat scum, Sir Beren Kuik had told Gust months back. But we be looking to clear the woods from them as well.
Gods damn it Ruud! You just couldn’t let it go you unforgiving cretin!
“The Duke is dead. Fuck his cursed orders!” Gust grunted through his teeth, feeling his head hurt. “Send the blasted bird, Sir Stefan!”
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> Lord Jorah Dhin-Awal moved his force towards Colle, but avoided the port and opted to erect two camps east of the plains at the 3Roads, near the forest shadowed by Boar Mountain. He had Kontar, the Horse-Archer general, with him and the Jang-Lu leader Amir-Zeket. They commanded a force of about eight hundred infantry and three hundred horse. Garai of Yin Xi-Yan, a hardened Cataphract, who had been part of Prince Radin’s flanking force, caught up with Dhin-Awal’s men during the retreat and brought less than thirty heavy cavalry with him. While the rest of the survivors -about two hundred Cataphracts and heavy horse led by Masud-Rum, Senet and Ramses- wouldn’t be available for months, Garai’s presence gave Lord Jorah valuable insight on their opponents’ armies and the disposition of their forces.
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> Having already informed the Khan of their retreat and immediately receiving instructions to stand fast in order to block the Issirs advance, Jorah had all but decided to abandon Colle and shorten his supply lines even more. The decision to ignore the Khan’s order had been influenced from witnessing the condition of late Lord Putra’s army survivors -led by Maluph Erul-Sol and the slaver Cardus. The embittered Maluph (he’d Marleen Van Oord with him, her son and a Cataphract named Api-Nofre) accused the late Prince Radin of being responsible for Horus Mirpur’s demise, even after he conceded that Putra and Xener couldn’t be saved. According to Maluph, the famed Cataphract Horus had managed to establish an escape route through the Issir forces at a heavy cost, before he was left bereft of Radin’s much-needed assistance.
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> While Maluph departed soon after to seek Cephas Mirpur, the arriving Garai absolved the Prince from blame, probably quickly surmising that this would be more palatable to the Khan and healthier for him personally, and proceeded to paint a different picture of the battles, as well as the Prince’s role and plans. Lord Jorah who was in his fifties and not prone to rash decisions, stalled to rest his soldiers, -the rains had made traveling dangerous for their animals- and then looked to replenish his army as best as he could. With that in mind he dispatched most of his supply train to Colle to empty the port from provisions.
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> The victorious Sir Walter Van Oord marched Castalor’s, now free to move forces, all the way to Even Fork first, about a week after destroying Lord Putra’s army. With the news that Deadmen’s Watch was once again in the duchy’s hands after Schalk’s successful landings, the city rejoiced for the end of the hostilities that had started the second month of 194 NC, well over a year back.
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> Sir Walter met with Robert Van Durren, the Badum noble’s ‘Eplas Foot’ had taken control of the road and the bridge at Boar’s Horn River, and the mournful Desmond Boss, whose mercenary company had suffered from Amir-Zeket’s repeated assaults the previous week. The three of them decided to rest the men for ten days and see to the many wounded. The other mercenary company present, the famed Gallant Dogs outfit, had been hit as hard as Boss’ soldiers and it was decided they should either remain at Even Fork, or move to Castalor to recuperate.
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> The Duke of Castalor Basten Van Oord arrived the second week to inquire about his daughter’s fate and stood deeply disturbed upon learning what had transpired. News arrived from Rusted, while he was present that Duke Ruud De Weer, who had been seriously injured during Prince Radin’s attempt to flank the whole Issir army, was stable and could make a recovery. The Duke’s sons and the bulk of his army was ordered to remain at Rusted, or return to Scaldingport after the Queen. The latter had turned back to tend to young Reinut’s injury. The young prince’s wound was a matter of concern given his young age.
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> With more reports arriving, along volunteers and men hired in Castalor to replenish Boss’ company, Sir Walter and his father discussed the possibility of an offensive leap towards Colle to deprive the Khan of a port and further strain his control of Jelin’s west shores. A letter was send to the Queen detailing their ideas and while they waited for a reply, Sir Stans Reuten, a veteran knight and father to Sir Jan Reuten, arrived with about seven hundred men from Colle and the town’s Mayor Ron Bach. They were mostly part of the guard and civilians that had taken arms to defend the town, but had been forced to retreat in the nearby woods, where they had at least survived enslavement for months under atrocious conditions.
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> The small Barony’s men were in a pitiful state, but their appearance shamed the victors of the two larger neighboring Duchies and Sir Walter pressured his father to ‘write to the queen again.’ Basten did and Queen Elsanne favored the idea of an advance ‘while the rains kept the mobile Horselords at bay’, as she wrote in her reply. The ailing Duke Ruud fiercely opposed the idea of further fighting, perhaps emboldened by the good rapport he now had with the Queen after his heroics against Prince Radin, but mainly because the Duke was convinced the Horselords were not fully beaten. ‘A dead prince and a dead Lord are fine on paper, Lord Ruud believes, but at the end of the day we’re fighting the Khan and his army. Both of these elements are still unharmed and in the field, your grace,’ Hubert Boss informed the young Queen after delivering the Duke’s words.
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> It is clear from the records that Ruud wanted Lord Anker, who could clearly witness the Khan’s army moving units to their rear to counter the series of defeats they had suffered, to act during the summer months. Attack out of the Red Bridge yet again, and clash with the Horselords in a bloody scrap that would leave them both either weakened, or destroyed. Then the Queen’s rebel forces could move towards the Capital and brush aside whomever had been left to oppose them.
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> No consensus was reached.
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> The rains continued during the Spring of 195 NC, but slowly the weather started improving as the summer months approached. Sir Walter now under heavy pressure to do something before the Horselords had once again dry ground under their hooves, met with Robert to gauge whether an attack towards Colle was feasible. Robert was certain the ‘Eplas Foot’ could reach the town and take control of the 3Roads, but he wasn’t too keen on the Castalor’s army, the scurvy-inflicted men from Colle, or Desmond’s crossbow kids.
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> The two men had a very heated discussion, given that Sir Walter considered Robert’s force ‘a supporting force that spend most of the war marching, while the rest of us fought for our livelihoods’, to which Robert took insult as he believed –rather accurately- that ‘no one has fought the Khan for as long as these men have. Both here and beyond the Shallow Sea on Eplas. You say I arrived late to assist you Van Oord, but I have been fighting since 189 sir. Over six bloody years. Where were you when my father was cut down outside Rida? Why, you stood idle in your walled city, whilst my titles were taken from me, I reckon.’
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> Sir Stans Reuten intervened before swords were drawn and reminded both irked noblemen that the Queen’s orders were clear. ‘You could take offense and even air your frustrations good sirs, but remember to act while the opportunity is there and the enemy is trapped in the mire.’
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> While the personally motivated for action veteran knight’s words had some merit and his intervention prevented the two bigger allied camps from fighting amongst themselves, but to march across Boar’s Horn River instead, the Old Vulture’s sudden death that came days after this incident would have probably sparked the restless and boastful rebel army into action anyway.
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> So Sir Stans Reuten can’t be blamed for what happened.
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