As agreed, I let Sylvia take the lead once more. She stepped forward and bowed slightly at the waist to the gathered council. “Greetings, venerable Elders of Clan Thunderheart. I bring word from the Council of the Uprising as well as my honored father, Grand Marshal Greycton of Hollow Hill. Known to you as Ghrian Dorcha.”
That name caused a brief stir among the gathered greybeards. It stopped, though, when Elder Einion raised a hand without speaking.
“We welcome any word sent from He Who Horned the Sun,” The Elder said calmly.
I nearly choked on my fucking tongue at his words. In fact, I had to pound on my chest briefly to keep a hysterical laugh from escaping.
If my understanding of that term was correct, then was this greybeard implying that Grey had, ah…stolen a paramour from a goddamn star?
Was that what was going on between him and Elys?
My reaction didn’t go unnoticed by the gathered council. In fact, Chief Gruffyd briefly smirked at me before focusing back on Sylvia.
As I was reeling from that revelation, my supposed ‘wife’ continued speaking. “We bring word of a disaster that is, even now, sweeping across your lands.”
One of the Council members spoke up then. “If you’re talking about the monster horde, girl, then we already know,” He said impatiently. “You wasted your time coming here.”
Sylvia inclined her head briefly. “That is good, but the Uprising was not certain if you were aware of the extent of the horde, nor its origin.”
That seemed to get their attention. Elder Einion leader forward in his chair, suddenly much more interested looking. “We were not. Continue, daughter of Greycton.”
Surprisingly, Sylvia shook her head and stepped back. “I yield the floor to my husband, as he has a greater understanding of this.” I didn’t let how startled I was show on my face at the prompting, instead stepping forward and bowing as she had.
“Greetings. I am Nathaniel Hart,” I said respectfully. “I shall be blunt. At current estimates, the horde is estimated to be at nearly four hundred thousand strong.”
Blood drained from the faces of most in room, from the oldest greybeard to even Captain Cadoc. Jaws went slack at the news as they tried to grapple with it. Even Elder Einion looked taken aback by the news. The two men in front of us, Chief Gruffyd and his brother, looked particularly dismayed.
“How is this possible?” The brother whispered hoarsely. “Such a force shouldn’t be able to condense in such numbers.”
“Not by itself, it can’t,” I said, inclining my head. “This is the result of enemy action, on behalf of the Loyalist forces of Herztal. You see…”
I went on to explain to the Council not only the nature of Ward Breaks, but the specifically engineering Break Stones that they had created and set at traps.
“…it is believed that seven or more of these ‘Break Stones’, as we’re calling them, were set off along the path of the Army of the Uprising.” I continued, to an increasingly furious-looking audience. “At this point in time, the Army is retreating to the safety of Helstein, while keeping as much of the horde occupied as they can. Howevever, there are large numbers of the horde that have spread out all across this stretch of the continent. Once at Helstein, the Army hopes to deal with as much of the horde as they possibly can. However, that doesn’t mean large numbers of said horde won’t escape and run rampant through your lands. We were dispatched by my Master in order to inform you of these facts.”
The hall plunged into a seething silence at the conclusion of my explanation.
It was broken by Chief Gruffyd spitting off to the side in disgust, before turning to face his brother. “Well, Daffyd?” He said, almost mockingly. “Still think we should ally with these damned Loyalists?”
Daffyd veritably exploded at the man, rounding to face him. “Obviously not, you buffoon!” He barked, looking like he was seconds away from taking a swing. “And I was never arguing for allying with them! All I said was we should nego-”
He was cut off by Elder Einion abruptly standing from his chair and slamming an open palm down on the table in front of him. The sound it made was oddly louder than I expected it to be, ringing through the hall like a thunderclap. “Silence, the both of you!” He snarled. “You bring shame to this Clan with your constant bickering, and I shall tolerate it no more! Either keep a still tongue in this hall, or begone from my sight!” He shook his head in disappointment. “What would Caradog think, if he could see how his sons fight in front of guests?”
Both brothers quieted down at the rebuke, looking away from each other.
Elder Einion let out a frustrated breath, before turning back to face us. I straightened under his intense gaze. I swear that I saw a bolt of bright yellow lightning dance across his aged features before he spoke again. “Clan Calonawr thanks you for your warning, Sylvia and Nathaniel Hart,” He said heavily. “It is my assumption, then, that another purpose of your visit is to beseech us to join hands with the Uprising, and strike back at these Loyalists,” The way he snarled that word was particularly impressive. “Who have unleashed such a plague on our lands?”
Sylvia took over once again. She stepped forward and nodded at the Elder. “It is, Elder Einion.” She said respectfully. “I have been empowered to negotiate on behalf of my father, while he is locked in combat with the horde. Additionally, we respectfully ask that Clan Thunderheart beseech the Clans that live in these lands, and ask for their aid against these monstrosities.”
Surprisingly, Elder Einion snorted. “Little negotiations will be needed. I find it hard to believe that any son or daughter of Mynydor would refuse such a call. Certainly not us. What say ye, Clan Calonawr?!” He suddenly roared out into the hall, banging another open palm down on the table with a crash. “Shall we bring war upon these despoilers and their pet beasts?! Or shall you cower within these walls, and allow the rivers and soil of your forebears to be overrun?!”
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The entire hall exploded to their feet with resounding roars. Almost as one, they began to stomp their feet in a rhythm that was unknown to me. It felt like the entire building started to shake and shudder under their combined force.
Even the previously bickering brothers got in on it. Gruffyd raised his beefy arms above his head and actually howled. As in, like a wolf. Fade, whose ears had flattened against his head at the cacophony, gave the Thunderheart Chief an almost offended look. Meanwhile, Daffyd had joined in on the stomping and seemed perfectly content with the idea of declaring war on the people he had presumably been arguing for negotiating with.
Eventually, the rally of the Thunderhearts died down as Elder Einion raised his hands, with the gathered greybeards and warriors getting back in their seats. When they were all settled, the Elder directed his gaze back Sylvia and I. “We thank you for this warning, children of Ghrian Dorcha. You may inform your superiors that Clan Thunderheart shall not be found wanting when the call for war comes. We will rally the other clans of the Mynydd hills, and crush these beasts between the might of your Order and our fists.”
Behind me, Hook let out a nearly inaudible hum of satisfaction.
“If that is all, then I invite you to break bread with our clan,” Elder Einion continued, in a warmer tone. “Let us show you the hospitality of Thunder.”
I exchanged a glance with Sylvia and then cleared my throat. “Actually, that isn’t everything. I have a personal matter that I believe I should inform you of, as I’m unsure if you’re aware of it.”
“Oh?” The Elder said, raising one incredibly bushy eyebrow. “Continue, young warrior. We shall gladly hear you out.” A low murmur of interest and agreement ran through the gathered council.
“It has to do with a member of your clan that I consider a close friend,” I began, folding my hands behind my back. “Some months ago, I was captured and held hostage by a certain faction within the Dwarven Principality. There, I met a man that introduced himself as Bleddyn, of the Thunderheart Clan.”
All noise in the hall immediately died out. It became so quiet that you could hear a pin drop. Meanwhile, Elder Einion’s mouth parted in silent shock, while Daffyd reeled back as if he had been struck.
Gruffyd, however, rushed me. The enormous man grabbed me by my shoulders tightly and met my eyes. “You’ve seen my boy?” He uttered hoarsely, a wild hope in his eyes.
I blinked at the intense reaction of the hall but smiled anyway. “Ah, yes,” I told him. “We were, both of us, taken as slaves by the then heir of House Savoy. He had been assigned to work as the butcher for the town we were in, as the Heir, Magnus, didn’t trust him to function as a Barber. He, ah, actually taught me Fleshcrafting.”
“A slave?” Gruffyd muttered, despair growing in his eyes. “Then, he is…”
I laid a hand on one of Gruffyd’s own massive paws, an idea coming to me. It’s not like I hadn’t done this before, and it’s not like it would be a huge loss to give another away.
I had gotten so good at making Bond Breakers that I could just make a replacement in under an hour.
“I’d like to give you and Clan Thunderheart a gift, Chief Gruffyd,” I said to the man, knocking him out of his sorrow. He gave me a listless gaze of half-hearted attention. I reached behind me and dug out the current Bond Breaker that I had on me, laying at the bottom of a pouch on my waist. Taking Gruffyd’s hand off of my shoulder, I laid the inscribed bulky bident in his hand.
The Chief looked down at the item I had given him in pure bewilderment. “A fork? Why have you given me an eating tool, apprentice of Greycton? Do you mock me, so soon after informing me of my son’s fate?” There was a certain level of fury starting to grow in the man.
I didn’t let it bother me.
Unafraid, I just smiled at the man and shook my head. “Not at all. That is something I call a Bond Breaker. I developed it with help from my mentor, while under the yoke of the Savoy. With it, you can completely dissolve a slave bond and free their Status. Your son is unfettered, Chief Gruffyd.”
Murmurs of shock ran up and down the halls, as Gruffyd gaped down at the seemingly innocuous fork in his hand. He wrapped a hand around it carefully as the man actually began to weep where he stood, in complete defiance of his fearsome demeanor. As he clutched it to his chest, Elder Einion actually descended from his high chair and approached us. He laid a comforting hand on Gruffyd’s shoulder, causing the man to whirl about and grab the Elder in a hug. He began to laugh in joy, as he spun the Elder in place. “My son! Lives!” Gruffyd bellowed in glee.
“Put me down, you great oaf!” Einion barked, slamming a fist into Gruffyd’s broad chest. The celebrating Chieftain stumbled in place at the apparent strength of the blow, before sheepishly setting the Elder down. Said Elder straightened his robes and shook his head, before turning back to me.
“This is welcome news indeed, young man,” He said, with a small smile, before raising an eyebrow. “However, if my apprentice is indeed free, where is he? He has certainly not returned home, nor has he sent word.”
I took note of the fact that Bleddyn was Einion’s apprentice. Guess we had more than one thing in common, eh, old friend? Still, I answered the Elder. “Because he chose to stay behind, after our escape,” I said, causing both men to look at me in confusion. “He asked for the first of the Bond Breakers that I created and rallied the other freed slaves around him when I agreed. He told me that he intended to roam the Principality and free as many Human slaves as he possibly could, and incite a slave rebellion in the country. I’ve heard from a…semi-reliable source that’s exactly what he’s been doing. Bleddyn has apparently been raising hell all up and down Velancia.”
Approving and admiring mutters broke out all up and down the council table, while Gruffyd gaped at me in open mouth shock. I didn’t blame him. It’s not every day that you were told that your son had decided to become a revolutionary in another country.
Meanwhile, Elder Einion had gotten over his shock and started stroking his beard in satisfaction. “Well done, well done indeed my boy,” He muttered to himself, with a smirk on his aged features. He shook his head, before turning to face the rest of the hall. “Bleddyn has elected to follow in the path of Mynydd before him! As our long-ago ancestor did for us, he too seeks to free others from bondage! As Elder of this council, he has my full support! However!” He raised a hand to stop the council when it looked like they were going to start cheering again. “We have our own war to prepare for! For now, I declare this…unusually eventful meeting to be concluded. Go, spread the news and prepare for war, my warriors.”
As people began to stand from their chairs, chattering excitedly about everything that had happened, Elder Einion turned back to face our little group. “Come,” He said, gesturing to a door on the side of the hall. “I would like to hear the full story of what happened with young Bleddyn. Gruffyd? Daffyd? Are you coming?”
As Gruffyd nodded enthusiastically, Daffyd finally broke out of the shock that he’d been in since my announcement. “Ah…no, Elder,” He said awkwardly. “I am…happy to hear of my nephew’s survival, but I feel as if I should go inform Rhiannon of her cousin’s fate. Good day to you.” He said to everyone gathered, before hurrying out of the hall.
I tilted my head at the reaction consideringly.
Odd.
Surprisingly, Sylvia bowed out as well. “I was not present for these events, so I will depart for now,” She said to the Elder apologetically. “Instead, Grimgar and I will go and purchase some supplies for the next leg of our journey. We leave on the morrow, as I’m afraid we still have further business.”
Business, yeah.
I guess you could call a campaign of infiltration and sabotage business.
As the Elder nodded in acknowledgment, Sylvia turned to me and gave me a surprise hug and kiss on the cheek. I returned the embrace happily, though. “I will see you later,” She murmured in my ear, before departing with the disguised Hook in tow.
Elder Einion laid a strong hand on my shoulder and began to guide an excited Gruffyd and I to the door he had indicated. Fade followed along with us. “I have to say, I’m very interested in what you have to say, young Nathaniel.”
“You can just call me Nathan,” I said to him. “Really, I don’t mind.”
I really, really didn’t mind.