In the meeting room, the royals poured over maps of Sofjorland Strait, working toward deducing where the Nevan ship would take Vylder. Viggin suggested, “Surely the ship would have returned to Paqurineva, the Nevan capital. It’s populous, it’s the centre of their power, and they would want to report to their leaders.”

Thayn rebutted that notion. “No, I don’t think so. We haven’t had a Nevan attempt at incursion for decades. I think they would have dashed for the nearest port that the wind would allow for.”

Harolf then said, “We have to assume they could have landed anywhere on the Nevan coast, from directly south, along the coast towards the east. But what about this coastline running north, to the west of Sofjorland?”

The king spoke up as he pointed to the map contours. “No Harolf, that coastline is mostly cliffs, and there are no port towns to speak of along there. They took captives. I suspect that was part of their plan. They’ll want to go where there’s a market for them.”

“Hm, right. That makes sense. So that leaves Disipica, and Raugus as the two most likely places.”

Thayn interjected, “Going by the rough estimate of their departure time before first light, I would wager Raugus.”

The king smiled at that, but Harolf looked confused. “How do you figure that?”

Viggin responded, “I get where he’s coming from. See, the winds in the strait are around the centre of a large, shifting spiral. This makes it reasonably predictable in that region. The wind blows in a northwesterly direction in the evening, and southeasterly in the morning.”

King Ulden straightened up, and with his hands on the back of his hips, tilted his shoulders back. He winced as some audible clicks emanated from his lower spine. “Argh, I need to avoid bending like that, phew,” he said, with a wry laugh.

“Getting old, father.” Viggin chuckled as he teased the old man.

“Seasoned, cheeky brat, seasoned. So, do we all agree? Raugus will be the start of our search?”

Viggin and Thayn nodded their agreement, whereas Harolf voiced an objection. “While I get that they are our countrymen, why go to all this trouble to track them down?” Thayn began objecting to Harolf’s reasoning, but Harolf ploughed on. “They’re gone. We should just accept that fact, and go crush the Nevan’s ships, burn their cities, and take home their riches and women in recompense for the affront.” Harolf shrugged as a conclusion to his argument.

It was the king who addressed Harolf’s objection. “While I don’t disagree with your thinking, Harolf, the fact is, it is family.”

“Father, don’t give me that. They’re not my family. I don’t know them.”

“That’s because Venna is twelve years older than you. She was from before I married your queen and mother. Leaving that aside, son, you see this?” Ulden pointed to his empty eye socket. “The man you would abandon is the reason I got away this lightly. Otherwise, I would have been killed long before I put you in your mother.”

King Ulden looked at the faces of his sons and stated in a tone that would brook no dispute, “I owe him. We owe him. So, we will bring him home one way or another…and…just for you, Harolf, we’ll consider exacting retribution.” The king smiled, winking at Harolf, who flashed an eager grin in return.

The king finished by saying, “Our pretence will be a Holvelan diplomatic mission to assess viable trade routes. Starting in Raugus, depending on what can be learned, the delegation will move on from there. We hold court first thing on the morrow, to establish who shall participate in this expedition.”

And with that, they shelved that discussion for the morning and moved on to other matters.

ᚲᚺᚱᛟᚾᛁᚲᛚᛖᛊᚱᛁᚾᚾ×ᛟᚱ×ᛟᚱᚾ

Except for King Ulden, the rulers of the Halder nations and their wives had gathered in the main audience chamber. King Ulden’s wife was too infirm to travel, and so remained in Ustadland. This time, gathered in the main audience chamber, there was a large crowd. Nobles, high-ranking members of the military, courtiers, and other court functionaries of note were all summoned to hear an announcement. Among them were the people they would send to Raugus as part of the trade delegation.

In addition, close to the dais, were Jarl Sigtrin, Venna, and her two sons. The king began addressing the assembly by stating, “We have summoned you here this morning to declare that we intend to set up a Halderman trading centre and embassy in the Nevan Port city of Raugas.”

The assembled crowd began chattering, some excited, others confused. The king continued, “I have a signed letter of authority from Ambassador Gallad Crassus. Now, we will send a merchant, along with a detachment of capable warriors, to protect our interests.”

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The murmuring crowd grew louder, until Grand Duke Viggin‘s voice cut across the din, “Silence!“

The king flashed an admonishing look at Viggin, that said ‘I can handle myself!’ He then finished with, “The man we require needs to be fluent in Nevan, and also needs to be knowledgeable regarding matters of trade and counting. Is there any such man among us?”

A voice spoke up from the back, “I speak Nevan.” and a balding, thick-set man in his thirties stepped forward. His receding hair was auburn, and he had hazel-green eyes under bushy eyebrows.

He was clean-shaved and moved with quick, furtive movements that made his jowls jiggle. He seemed to have a perpetually jovial expression on his round face.

“And you are?”

“Ah, yes Majesty. I am Hans Barkhoff, a humble merchant at your service,” he said as he bowed with a flourish.

“Good, Good.” The king said.

“I and my men shall guard him, Your Majesty.”

A man of about six feet in height, with pale blue eyes, light red-blonde, curly hair and freckles covering his face, dressed in a doublet and tights, with pointed-toed ankle boots, stepped forward.

“I am Sir Uhter Stannan, a knight of Walroberle.”

“And how many men?” asked Viggin.

“Seven, your grace, all knights such as myself. I am their Captain.”

“Excellent. The fighting prowess of Ohlsbachi knights is something with which we are well familiar,” the King said with a wry grin as he gently, but meaningfully touched a hand to his empty eye socket.

Holvela and Utstadland have a large population of the Ohlsbachi people. They fought a war against the Haldermen and lost around one hundred and seventy years ago. They have since mostly integrated into the two countries. However, separatists occasionally rose in rebellion. It was during one of those rebellions that the king lost his eye.

King Ulden then turned his attention to Sigtrin, and said formally for all those assembled to hear, “Jarl Sigtrin, our good fellow. Your king owes you a debt. But We would impose upon you once more. Will you sail ahead to your Bosberg and arrange further supplies for the journey of this mission?”

Just announcing him thus was a great honour afforded to Sigtrin. He immediately took a knee and through barely contained emotion, he responded, “You honour me, Your Majesty. It will be done.”

“Well, that settles it. The rest of you may take your leave. However, we would ask assembled military leaders to remain in the courtyard. We will have further matters to discuss with you, so we shall summon you again shortly.”

Venna gently touched Jarl Sigtrin on the shoulder and said, “Thank you my lord, for everything.” and she made to bow, but Sigtrin stopped her. “I should probably bow to you, highness.”

Venna winced, and said, “Please don’t. I am not... anyway. May I ask a small favour of you, my lord?”

“Anything. If it is in my power, it shall be done.”

“Can you send my regards to Brenda Sogard and a promise for Erik to wed her daughter? We have danced around it, but I need to make that official once and for all.” Although the request was earnest, Venna had an ulterior motive.

Jarl Sigtrin beamed as he realised it was actually her doing him the favour, by allowing him an excuse to see Brenda. He bowed and said, “It would be my pleasure, noble lady Venna.” He clasped her shoulders briefly, said his farewells to her two boys, and disappeared amongst the crowd.

There was some unhappy grumbling from among the crowd, but no one dared blatantly voice their protest. Once the chamber had cleared of all the additional people, the royals relaxed.

Venna cleared her throat and spoke, saying, “Your Majesty, if I may?”

“You may.”

“The prisoner. I think we should bring him too. I believe we can convince him, one way or the other, that it is in his interests to give us information to assist us while we are in Nevan lands.”

“Of course. And if he doesn’t cooperate, you can always peel him and toss him overboard. Very well, it shall be so.”

“Thank you, Majesty.”

King Ulden then addressed them all, “Now that we have that part sorted, we will send Shufi. He is formidable, resourceful, has many contacts and also speaks three other languages common in the Empire, so he will be invaluable.”

To everyone’s surprise, Thayn said, “I too will go.”

“Like hell you will!” King Ulden angrily shot back. “You have an entire country to run. You can’t just run off on adventures whenever the mood takes you. I taught you better than that.”

“What? Hold on, hear me out on this, Father…” Thayn paused momentarily.

“Well? I’m waiting. Justify this nonsense!”

“You see, as it stands, Father, the truth of the matter is, Ilsa practically runs Skord. No one questions her, and she is a much more capable administrator than I. I didn’t just marry her because she looks good, you know.” At that, he shot the Duchess a sly smile.

The hazel-eyed, buxom blonde gave him a withering look and then rolled her eyes as she smiled and gently shook her head.

He went on, “Besides, this will make this venture more official. And it justifies us bringing a larger contingent of armed men. We cannot have a prince of the realm getting around without a sufficient escort, now can we? I will bring thirty mounted huscarls from my personal guard.”

The king made as if to object, but thought about it and conceded his point. “Actually, that is rather sound. Hm…agreed.”

“I too, will go,” said Gerald.

“Absolutely not! I forbid it!” said the king forcefully, and then added sarcastically, “By the Gods, why don’t we all just pack up and go, eh?“

Gereld gestured towards Orn, “Sire, the lad needs instruction. Please trust me when I say this, Your Majesty. You want him to be taught. I am old. My journey draws ever towards its last leg, but his journey is just beginning.”

The king had a grim look on his face, tinged with some sadness as he realised Gereld’s implication. After a few moments of thought, he relented. “Fine, fine.” King Ulden put on an air of resignation, but he appraised Orn as he thought about the future and how the boy could benefit the kingdom.

Harolf spoke up and proudly announced, “You may borrow Ansar Fenner, the Arctic wolf. Champion and pride of Bruderman.”

To which Viggin responded incredulously, “Just one man?”

“He is all that is needed. You will understand when you see.” Then, wearing a smug smile, Harolf leaned in conspiratorially and said to Viggin, “He is berserk.”

“What do you mean ‘borrow’?”

“Well, I want him back. Besides, what are you contributing, Viggin?”

“A shield maiden, and her warrior sons, a translator, eight mounted heavy cavalry in the form of Ohlsbachi knights, and I am providing ships and supplies for the trip.”

“How can you claim credit for the first things?” Harolf asked incredulously.

“They’re all my subjects. They’re Holvelan.” Viggin retorted smugly.

“But they all volunteered, so it doesn’t count!”