"Is it to your liking my lord?" asked Elsbeth sitting nervously next to Eamon.

Thalor gleefully downed the last of meaty broth. The bowl landing on the table with a thud as he creaked back in his chair with a sigh of fullness.

“There’s nothing quite like a meal made by a loving wife, thank you.”

She nodded with appreciation before collecting the empty bowls and cutlery for the kitchen.

"She seems well adjusted," Thalor said leaning toward Eamon.

"She fits right in here my lord," he returned with pride. "Fate has found me the perfect woman."

Thalor nodded.

A moment later Elsbeth returned and asked, "Shall I guide you to your room my lord?"

Thalor stood up from the dining table and walked over to the rocking chair by the stone fireplace.

"No, I should like some time before I retire this evening," he said taking a seat. "Worry not, I remember the way."

"We shall see you in the morn then my lord," Eamon said eagerly making his way over to Elsbeth.

The two coyly made their way up the stairs across from Thalor barely able to keep their hands of each other. Thalor sat alone by the fire leaning with his right hand on his chin. 'Dark of hair. Braided. Braid ending into?' Thalor tried to recall his earlier thoughts. His mind desperately clawing for a familiar memory that remained just out of reach.

He reached for log and threw it onto the dwindling fire which puffed with flying embers. The silver moonlight shone brightly beneath the front door behind him. The different colours of light danced across the floor when suddenly the moonlight faded. Two prominent dark shadows appeared from beneath the door.

When Thalor raised from his chair the shadows quickly retreated. His middle finger traced the pommel of the dagger he had hidden on his right thigh.

"Perhaps I shall retire for the night," he muttered to himself.

Chilly sun light embraced the land as soldiers spent the next morning packing goods into bags and loading them onto the carriage while Thalor spoke with Eamon.

"Double the grain and meat this season," Thalor commanded.

"That will strain us somewhat with how poor this seasons been.. Are the other villages?"

Thalor nodded before Eamon finished.

"Yes my lord, it will be done!" Eamon answered steadfast.

Thalor then made his way down the road meeting Odet in his hut. With a hefty knock he rattled the weary door until Alaskir answered. The sunlight reflected brightly from her exposed and pale shoulder.

His eyes followed her hair down her braids that lay on her chest until he came upon the ends. The ends were tied with thin rope that interestingly split the tails like a snakes tongue.

"Leave," Thalor commanded shaking his head. "I need to speak with Odet."

Odet's son came running from behind, grabbing the her hand and dragging her past Thalor to play outside. After stepping inside and closing the door behind him he found Odet sitting at the table gesturing for him to join.

"Are you heading back to the castle now?" Odet asked.

"Within the hour," Thalor replied with a huff as he sank into his chair. "But first I need you to contact our spyrigend and have them send details of the enemies' positions."

"And then?"

"Recall them back to the castle. We must prepare for the worst."

"I'll use the pet bird she keeps, immediately." he stammered up from his chair

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

"After Odet I'm not done yet, and its called a crow my friend." Thalor said quickly waving his hand.

"Something else on your mind?" Odet asked slowly returning to his seat.

"The girl outside," he said pointing his finger aimlessly. "Does she come from Lyndferd?"

Puzzled Odet replied, "She passed through but from what I've been told she's from further east."

"Can you be certain of this?"

Somewhat confused Odet simply shook his head. Thalor thought heavily for a moment.

"Bring her with us," he demanded, his eyes lost in focus. "I need to question her about a few things."

Odet looked at Thalor with deep concern in his eyes.

"You think she might be.."

"It's a possibility I cannot leave to chance."

Odet rose to his feet alongside Thalor.

"I will invite her to come with us out of kindness, another stop on her journey, if you will."

"Good man," Thalor nodded.

The two men left the hut and as Thalor continued up the road Odet knelt down by his son and Alaskir.

"Gather your things my son," he said placing his hand on the boys shoulder. "We're going to the big castle for a while."

"Yay!" the boy screamed as he rushed inside full of excitement.

Odet then turned to a bored looking girl sitting on cold grass with rags for clothing.

"My son and I have been summoned to the castle but I've asked that you be allowed to travel with us."

She gave a polite soft smile as she rubbed her arm.

"You do not have to stay but it will be much safer to travel with guard than on your own." he said holding her shoulder reassuringly with a half smile. "The Lowlands are not as safe as the Easterlands."

Odet helped Alaskir to her feet, brushing the grass off from her.

"I'm sure I would be fine," she mumbled shyly.

"Trust me Alaskir, I speak from experience," he lifted his top revealing a small stab scar below his hairy chest.

Alaskir reached out to touch the scar, her fingers twitching back indecisively. The top dropped down, startling her before her cold hand could reach the scar.

"Alright," she spoke twiddling her hands together. "I'll trust you."

"Good, You'll ride with me on horseback, my son will go on the carriage."

She nodded and walked with him up the road. Her withered and furry boots left massive footprints in the dirt much to Odet's amusement. A crow cawed as it flew overhead.

"Are we ready to go?" Odet asked as he and Alaskir neared Thalor by the carriage.

"When you are," Thalor nodded. "Although, where is your son?"

"I'm here, I'm here!" the boy yelled out of breathe as he ran holding a bag in the air.

"Climb in then little man you'll ride with me," Thalor knelt down for the boy.

"Yippee," the boy exclaimed, leaping into the carriage like a cat.

"She'll ride with me just behind," Odet spoke as Thalor stood up.

As Thalor stepped up into the carriage he turned to Eamon who waited just outside, "Farewell Eamon, until next time."

The carriage door was closed as Alaskir was hoisted up behind Odet. With a loud crack in the air the carriage began to move, followed closely by Thalor's guards, Odet and Alaskir on horseback.

The group had left shortly after sunrise and arrived at the castle at roughly half sun down. Alaskir took note of the abnormally tall eastern tower that loomed over the rest of the castle. They passed through giant heavy wooden gates, that creaked under their own weight, and moved into a massive open area. Soldiers were walking around, some going about their duties while others waited to attend to their lord

A field to her left and a farm to her right, Alaskir was cautiously bewildered at the sight of it all. The thud of the gates closing echoed throughout the area as Odet prompted her to dismount.

"Follow me," he whispered, gently leading her by the arm.

Together they waited by the carriage as the horses were taken to the stable near the gates for water. Thalor eventually emerged from the carriage with an unwell look upon his face. As he stepped foot on solid ground he waved to fingers at two of the three guards, standing near, and flicked them towards Alaskir.

The soldiers nodded and promptly grabbed Alaskir an arm each and held her.

"What's going on?" she asked with a panicked voice.

"Take her to my office and stand watch outside." he ordered rubbing his forehead.

"Why are you taking me?" she struggled in their arms as they dragged her away.

"Odet what's happening!?" her voice became more faint as they neared the second gate. "Odet? Odet!? Odet Please!?"

Her cries echoed throughout the castle grounds until the inner gates shut behind her.

"Anything else my lord?" asked the guard that remained.

"Captain, have your men prepare our stores for double the usual intake." Thalor answered as he began to walk away.

Odet's son stood behind him, clinging to his leg tightly.

"Will she be okay father?"

"Of course my son," he lied. "The lord just wants to talk to her that's all. Now let's find where we're staying ay?"