Though the mountain was red, the stone steps beneath its skin were grey. They stood out in stark contrast to the cliff in which they were set, but even with his head titled all the way back Matthew could not see the top of the stair.

I would be honoured to accommodate you and your retainers. Our lands may be small, but I am proud to say they are prosperous. I’m sure we could find space for an entire army if the need arose! –R, King

Camil’s plan had sounded rational at the time. Divided, they could cover more ground, for this region was rich with small but powerful doms. He wished he had suggested she take the mountain.

I thank you for your hospitality, King Rupert, you are very kind. I’m afraid we shall be unable to enjoy it for more than a few days. I’m afraid our need for haste is so great we must commence our business by bird rather than in person. I hope you understand. To put it plainly: King Otto assassinated Eornost. Talah fears war is soon to follow. If we fail to stand united against King Otto one day he will rule us all. We seek an alliance, and your aid. Can we call on you? -M

Matthew shook himself and stretched his neck. Looking at the cliff wasn’t making it any shorter. He began to climb, followed by half of his retainers, the others would stay with their horses.

It saddens me to hear about your impending war. However, I have no grievances with King Otto as he has not made any actions against me or my fellows. I admit your words are quite troubling. I have not seen any signs of aggression from King Otto. What makes you believe he wishes to declare war? For that matter, what assurance can you give that Eornost’s assassination is anything more than a rumour? You appear to be the aggressors here, hoping to provoke King Otto into moving against you. I shall not condemn you for your actions, however. After all, can we truly hate the successful when we ourselves have not worked hard enough to emulate them? –R, King

He lifted his left foot to his right knee and pushed against the narrow step. Camil had said the other doms were more dangerous. She was a veteran, he was not. It made sense for him to go to Hawkdom. His second step nearly cost him his balance, not yet a man’s height from the ground. She had said she had personal connections with the field doms. He gritted his teeth and took a score of treacherous steps. And he had let her get away with it.

Your Majesty, you knew Eornost. He was an honest man and in good health. Do you think he faked his death and now directs his daughter from the shadows? Or do you mean to suggest Talah killed him herself? What other explanation can you give than assassination? King Otto sent a demand for surrender the next day. Surely that implicates him above all others? –M

The extreme heights, reached far too quickly, were not the only obstacle Matthew’s party faced. A flock of gulls had been roosting on the stairs. Matthew’s arrival had disturbed them and now they circled his party, calling loudly and dropping guano like rain. A particularily bold gull dived at Matthew’s face, eyes wide, beak extended. Matthew swatted at the gull, saving his eyes, but setting himself off balance. For a moment Matthew swayed on the step, keenly aware of the long fall below. He righted, heart pounding. Below he could hear his retainers engaged in the same struggle. They too alternated between fending off the birds and keeping their footing. The bandits were dangerous, she had said.

I am sorry to hear of Eornost’s death. He was a good man. I was proud to call him my friend. Such a shame. But Matthew, you are young. You do not understand the ways of the world. I couldn’t join your war even if I wanted to. If you read the histories you would see how limited a monarch truly is. –R, King

Splitting up had been the right thing to do. Allies were few and far between. Their attempts so far had only been met with resistance.

You mistake me, Your Majesty. For a time I served as a historian’s apprentice. I have not only read the histories, I wrote them. Most wars have either started because one monarch insulted another’s spouse, or as hasty means to reduce overhead. Monarchs have absolute power and use it to fulfill their pettiest of whims. They are by no means limited. –M

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Through gaps in the mist he could see the vastness of the countryside stretched out before him. There was the trail to Rupertdom he had ridden three days prior. If he squinted he could make out Rupert’s estate and nearby fields. They were conspicuously empty.

Dear Matthew,

Unfortunately, I shall not be able to put up you and your retainers. Mother has stopped by for a surprise visit, and our spare rooms have become filled with her luggage. I have enclosed a map which will take you on the fastest route around my lands. Safe travels, and may you succeed in your endeavors. –R, King

The gulls’ cries grew louder as he climbed and their attacks became bolder. Matthew’s legs were starting to grow tired. He looked up. There, through the thinning mists of morning, he could make out a branch. A tree! As the mist faded further Matthew was sure of it. Just a few hours climb above them was a plateau. Hope bloomed within him. Matthew yelled through the raucous screeching to his nearest aide, “I think I can see the top! Take heart and pass it on! We’ll be eating lunch with the queen!”

The sun dipped past the horizon, lingering for a moment on the verge of disappearing as it was wont to do. Matthew clambered over the last step, using his arms as much as his legs. He had not seen the top before noon. He had not seen the top before tea. He had been sure of it at dinner, and four false summits later, his party stood before the manor of Queen Hawk. Matthew and his retainers lurched to the door, leaning on one another for support. They stared at it for a long time before coming to the conclusion that someone was going to have to lift their arm. Matthew held a number in mind and the retainers guessed at it. The loser let out a low sob. With heroic effort, he swung his arm limply at the door. It bounced off, producing a single dull ‘Thud!’ He lifted his arm a second time, but that proved to be too much. The retainer collapsed against the door and slid down it.

Queen Hawk herself answered the door, causing the retainer to fall through the open portal. She stared at the man lying on her feet with a mixture of dismay and amusement.

“You didn’t use the stairs did you? Nobody uses the stairs. They haven’t in generations.”

Matthew lifted his head weakly, “Then,” he gasped, “what do you use?”

Hawk gestured behind herself, “The lift. It is powered by a fall halfway down the mountain. You can ride it all the way up,” she stooped and lifted the retainer back to his feet, allowing him to lean against her, “Please, come inside. You look exhausted.”

Once they were all seated around a table with cups in hand and bowls before them, Queen Hawk asked, “Who are you?”

Matthew had to eat three dumplings and a mouthful of soup before he found the strength to answer, “I am Matthew, ally to Queen Talah. These with me are some of her elite soldiers.”

“You are welcome in my halls Matthew. As are your retainers. You say you are an ally of Queen Talah, but I’m afraid I don’t know who that is.”

“Her father was King Eornost.”

Queen Hawk bowed her head, “Ah yes, I know the dom now. Eornost had quite the reputation. His dom, Talah’s now, is quite the distance from here. What brings you so far afield?”

“Queen Talah seeks an alliance to defeat a common foe,” Matthew bit into a fourth dumpling. He vaguely remembered that it might be rude to eat while talking to a queen, but he was too tired to care.

Queen Hawk’s eyes widened, “I was not aware I had any enemies.”

Matthew swallowed, nodding, “The imperialists of Ganter. Talah will fight them, but she cannot alone. If you wish to remain free, if you wish for any to remain free, this is your chance. Join us.”

Queen Hawk smoothed the front of her dress, “While it is true that Talah cannot hope to defeat Ganter alone, I wonder why she wishes too. Ganter is expanding, but they are not doing so militaristically. They give food, treasures, and infrastructure. All they ask in return is that the ruler give up a title. They don’t even need to step down for Ganter needs many lords. If the offers are as generous as the rumours say I might join them myself.”

Matthew slumped in his chair. Food, treasures, and infrastructure. So many were willing to trade their freedom for security. So many that Matthew wondered if he had got it wrong. Maybe freedom wasn’t worth it. His eyelids drifted down. You couldn’t eat freedom. It didn’t keep you healthy through the winter. He forced them open. And wealth. Wealth enough to buy whatever you wanted. His eyelids drifted back down. As long as what you wanted was… was… what? The thought drifted away.

“My dear Matthew, you look as if you are about to fall asleep in your soup. Even if I will not accept your offer, I hope to be an ample host. We have beds enough for you and yours to share, and tents for those who do not wish to. I insist you stay for a couple days at least to recuperate.”

Matthew shook himself. What had he wanted? Something… something to do with freedom. He had nearly grasped the thought. It was… It was… He yawned. The thought slipped away again.

Queen Hawk smirked, “I’ll send for your horses and remaining retainers. The lift is only a few minutes away from the steps. I’ll make sure they’re taken care of, don’t you worry.”

Matthew would have thanked her, or perhaps protested that he must leave at once, but he was already asleep.