Following the tourney, the lords of the realm were proud to stream their colours in the winds of the city. They paraded through the streets in numerous occasions making a full spectacle of their banners and manner. Many paid tribute to the Susére in the Hallow City, while others enjoyed the games a the Royal Circus resumed as they were before the tournament , drank in taverns of the New City, held readings of their land sagas and tales of human lore in the Old City. They walked through the parks of the King’s Garden, and traded goods and wares from their kingdoms in the public squares and markets and ports.

Slowly the city was filled with green and yellow, and red and blue, and all the other colours of the Realm. The eternal city truly became a temple of nations, but this array of cultures angered the more conservatives factions of the commonality, the Officialists most of all. Soon, riots would be assembled in the common markets and threatened the safety of both the lords and the people. The Crown thus implemented measures to quell these insurrections, yet ended up estranging the King from the Officialists, who thence only saw the Sagrary as a pure institution. They were, however, not the only group to tempt civil unrest.

For every revolt the Officialists started, the Fanatics would organize a similar one only to confront their opposing faction in public. In the passing of the week, the demographics of these two contingents the character of the city’s layout—with the Officialists taking control of the streets and alleys of the Old City, and the Fanatics basing themselves in the in the northern slums of the New City.

It was by this point that the feud came to the attention of the City’s Prefector (a sort of lord major of the capital), who informed lord Osgual Guelmo of the nature of this conflict. Lord Osgual was not happy to learn that Elbracht was again at the centre of the city’s dispute. King Medrios reportedly had plans to humble lord Elbracht in public, so as to lift up the mysticism about his person, yet the Harad-lion’s support among the Alcobos kept the King from taking on this directive.

To prevent both factions from confronting each other in the streets, the Crown ordered the segregation of the city and the gates which connected the walled districts of the inner city were shut closed. This was not seen as an intelligent approach, since the city was beginning to finally thrive after two wars and the King’s decree only hindered the capital’s way to prosperity furthermore. The throne of Medrios was starting to look weak once more in the eyes of the great houses, but not to the eyes of Elbracht, who became far more concerned with a rather personal matter just after ordering the city’s segregation; his brother Carédock had gone missing, his page confessed he had been covering up for his master, that Carédock had gone into the city every time his brothers had asked for him. This time he ventured into the city to ‘court Lady Condor’, not to return before supper.

XL. Early in the morning on the 23rd day of the third month, after sixteen days of tiresome journey, from the mountainous valley of the Brand, down and up again through the land of Helixy and the Wiex Vale, to the city of Culgarost came the covoy of lord Gunder the Rock, with came his brother and heir, sir Boher of Stonfall. He had never been to the capital before, and gazing upon him was in and of itself hard to believe. The commonfolk of the capital deemed, he was twice the size of his brother, who was already taller than most men; his arms were thick as tree-trunks and his hairy back was almost as wide as the gates he passed through. The Brandmen called him the Mammoth. “Thanks the Gods, these men were delayed and have not partaken in the tilt” said more than one among the spectators. The segregated folks of Culgarost quivered in fear at the sight of his monstrous guise, he almost did not pass through the portal to the Great Hall of Eldershold, not even the tall Ennard diplomats at court were free of astonishment.

On the throne sat king Medrios, at last seen out from his quarters, though he wore a strange silk hood that covered his face; had it not been for his voice—that most people recognized— none would have guessed he was actually the king and not an imposter. It seems important to mention that his voice was throaty and rough improper to his age. In spite of his size, sir Boher and his brother knelt to the king as it was customary. The King was very pleased to meet the Mammoth, repeatedly complementing him for his height and strength, and his efforts in putting down a revolt in the vale of the Brand. Prince Elbracht would have certainly been content to make acquaintances with him, yet was far too concerned with his missing brother. The lord of Ceor inquired thereof by his brothers, then by sir Martid and even asked the estranged sir Estewan, but none of the whereabouts of sir Carédock the Younger.

Whereas lord Gunder the Rock and sir Boher were being welcomed and entertained at court, lord Elbracht, his brother sir Tulfric, sir Don Gurren and sir Martid incursioned into the city to find Carédock. They searched for him in the taverns and brothels near the New Port, at the forum and Circus, in the slums of the northern districts and even received clearance from the King’s herald, sir Henn Forne, to serch for him in the closed narrow alleys and streets of the Old City. In an unfortunate turn of events, sir Martid and sir Tulfric parted ways from sir Don and Elbracht, both searching in different areas of the old district. The latter two were identified by commoners, alerting a group of Officialist that soon assembled about lord Elbracht, ambushing the prince and his escort. During that encounter the Harad-lion shuddered when he saw tha among that throng a huge man was among them and he wore in his left arm a silver gauntlet that he knew rather too well.

The strange large man he saw was the mysterious sir Rolt, the monstrous man who almost took his life in the tourney. The houseless knight lifted his sword in the air and was ready to strike the prince, but sir Don stood in his way. He dueled him amidst the spikes and daggers of the mob, and bought just enough time for Elbracht to escape the party, sir Don Gurren met his end defending his master—who would have followed him to an early grave had it not been for sir Martid and Tulfric, who spotted his brother and kinsman afore the multitude that rushed behind him, Elbracht mounted his brother’s horse and galloped back back to Eldershold safely.

XLI. Back in the Royal Palace, Elbracht demanded a private audience with the king to tell him of what had happened, but this was not possible, since lord Osguald, now that all prince-electors were at the capital, called in a formal session of the Council of Princes. Thus Elbracht too was required to attend, yet the wroth lord of Ceor could not hide his temper for much long. Once the lords and princes met in the council chamber, King Medrios—still veiled with the his silken hood—and lord Osguald, the Chamberlain, entered the room, subsequently all seven princes were to—as ceremony required—bend the knee before the throne; all of them did, save for Elbracht, who remained rigid, his face laced with wrath.

-“Will you not kneel to the Throne of Men? asked the young King with a hoary tone and too sure of himself. To which lord Elbracht raged,“I will not bow to you.” There was a silence that followed and the lords all shared quaint looks. Thereupon lord Osguald said,

-“How will you excuse this insolence against the crown now, my lord?” asked he, and then quoting Elbracht’ words “or shall we presume that you intend to speak plainly and mean what you say?”

-“Of that you can always be sure, my lord” said Elbracht with a stern face, “but if there is anyone in this room, who should excuse himself is you, my king” he turned his eyes to Medrios and went on saying “you have neglected this city as you have neglected the kingdoms, and now by your doing, my brother is missing…”

Lord Osguald interrupted saying, “we are not summoned here to discuss the whereabouts of sir Carédock of Keor, there are far more pressing matters to attend than the ventures of your brother. Look for him in the brothels and taverns, you’ll surely find him there”

Sir Martid, who was also there, tried to comment on the severity of the matter, saying that in their search for him, sir Don Gurren had been assassinated and the safety of lord Elbracht himself was at risk during the incursion, yet lord Osguald grave look hushed the king’s cousin and his noble intent.

Elbracht then said, “Sadly, I know rather too well what for this meeting has been assembled. The whole Realm knows you, and all kings afore you, care only for your precious Order, still that is no reason to forsake the affairs of the kingdoms, sire”

The young king, in a husky outburst, stood from his chair saying “you speak as if you know how to mind your own affairs. Were you not confined in your keep for months, not caring to say a word, while the whole South warred against itself?”

Lord Osgual seemed very concerned upon hearing this, and as Elbracht noticed this, he went on to say,

-“Ay, my king” said he, “mayhap you may bring some clarity into the matter, for while I was retained in my quarters, my captor Elder Corgann, kept many a letter sealed with your sigil and Neldor’s”

-“This is neither the time nor the place, lord Elbracht” said the crossed lord Osguald, and these words caused a commontion among the council-members, but the king, himself, appeared to be even more confused than them. Before the lords’ demands for clarity turned into a clamour, lord Osguald ordered all the lords save Elbracht to leave the chamber.

Now it is pivitol to note that only two fairly credible accounts exist that described the character and mood of what transpired in the council chamber, once all the lords and other witnesses had left. King Medrios wrote of the incident with much confusion in his prose, leaving only Elbracht’s account to be examined. Reportedly lord Osguald led the conversation with a wary tone. To humble Elbracht’s spirit, he told him, he was aware of the state of Harador’s coffers, and that the Clasthaur had to submit to the crown’s will if not out of loyalty then out of need, but on this respect, the prince wrote that “neither gold nor glory were dearer to him than his own blood” (meaning his family, of course). On both accounts, the altercation ended with an agreement; the whole of Euras Golden Guard and the city watch would search for Carédock the Younger, in exchange, Elbracht promised his silence on the matters regarding Elder Corgann.

Upon leaving the chamber, lord Elbracht was approached, surprisingly, by lord Hadril of Fyore; the Sovarós lord had been a fervent supporter of the Order of Neldor, yet acknowledged the thruth in Elbracht’s speech. The prince may have expected other lords, such as lord Horoglas or the insufferable Mendal of Beltos, to approach him sharing interests, but he could not have foreseen that lord Hadril would offer him friendly terms; he saw, just as Elbracht did, that king Medrios was a divisive figure and only prioritised matters regarding Neldor. Hadril offered him to restore their families’ ancient league by giving Elbracht the hand of his only daughter, lady Alyse, in matrimony.

-“You already have met her in the games” Lord Hadril said, “Though I asure you she will not misbehave like that again, let her strength be proof of her vigour and fruitful womb.”

It was well past time for the prince to be wed—lord Elbracht by that time had already rejected 4 marriage proposals, two of them from powerful houses close to the capital. The prince, whom had a great deal of respect for the jousting lady, told lord Hadril he was honoured and that would consider the prospect, for the time being he put his every efforts in finding his brother.

Three full days went into the abovementioned endeavour with much of the city watch and most of the kingsguard aiding him in the incursions. Nevertheless, the fates played a horrible game on the Edoran during that time, for Carédock’s disappearing and the deployment of the royal guard from the royal castle was no coincidence. The Fanatics had adopted the much-sought-for brother of their idol as their leader and had foreseen the course of events as they happened.

Taking advantage of the situation, by noon, the Fanatics stormed the poorly manned castle of Eldershold, while most of the city police followed Elbracht in his incursions. Some died at the gates, while most of them fled to prevent further casualties, but enough of them, led by Carédock, managed to access the castle’s keep.

Carédock the younger, daring and fierce like he could have been in the joust, fought and defeated sir Fran Velour and sir Henn Forne in is way to the king’s chamber. The other lords of the great houses could have engaged their personal escorts in the task of defending the royal person, especially lord Hadril’s sworn protector, sir Hans Woodmot, yet all fled the castle to the royal harbour and into their vessels to avoid the castle’s assault, something the bards would remember as ‘the treason of the coward lords’.

In the his chamber were King Medrios and lord Osguald, Carédock seemed determined to kill both of them but in his way stood the king’s personal guard and kinsman, sir Martid the Golden Curl. Once friends now foes; Carédock was renownedly strong, but sir Martid was quicker, more astute and knew the combat skills of his cousin. At the end the latter cut the formers right leg and although the king yelled at him, “Finish him! Finish him!”, sir Martid saw no honour in killing a cripple. Instead lord Osguald ordered his arrest and sent him to the King’s Pound—an infamous jail across the city’s bay, whither the crown’s most distinguished enemies were prisoned and harshly interrogated.

The assault on the castle was noticed by the city watch and then by the kingsguard by the end of the day, Elbracht was informed last. Once he got to the castle, he had lost any right to demand questions and his honour seemed tainted. The ghost of Elreck seemed to haunt him once more, as many a court shunned him. The prince went straight to the King’S chamber, there sir Martid allowed him pass. Unaware of what occurred, Elbracht asked the obvious and lord Osguald famously replied, “Whilst you looked for him, your brother found us”. Thence the king and his counselor, infuriated, told the lord of Ceor of Carédock’s transgressions. Though deeply humiliated, Elbracht was surprised to hear this, yet feared for the fate of his brother.

Lord Elbracht was told that sir Martid had defeated sir Carédock in single combat and was sent to prision. They told the prince, his brother was being interrogated yet refused to say anything. Knowing his advantage over Elbracht now, the king wished to exort the prince, thinking of ways to humble him, but lord Osguald halted the king from doing anything too drastically, he wished to extract from Carédock his reasons for leading the assault. Knowing little of what else to do, the Harad-lion knelt to the King for the first time, begging for the King’s mercy. Despite of this humbling, the Chamberlain attempted to deny him this gesture, yet king Medrios was pleased to see the lord of Ceor, at last, subservient to him, so he granted him his wish.

XLII. On the night of that very same day, Elbracht was led to the King’s Pound by vessel. In Asadue’s memoirs after being told by his pupil of this visit, he described this terrible place as a fell fortalice of thick towers and pitch-blue hues. To Elbracht it seemed that the fortress was carved out from the rugged stony hill whereupon it stood and it gloomed too over the whole shore. Only starving ravens adorned its roofs and the waves of the bay clashed unto its walls from both west and east, wetting the stone only to appear darker still. Once there, the prince descended downwards ever deeper into the dungeons of the prision. All cells seemed empty save for ghostly sighs here and there in agony. The only prisioner Elbracht could distinguish in the gloom was his brother, now, of one leg less.

The King's Pound [https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/928675464401281116/1090930522034810970/The_Kings_Pound.jpeg]

The lord of Ceor recalled of this encounter the foul smell of Carédock’s flesh as he pushed himself against the bars. “I almost did it, brother, I almost did it… for you” he wrote of brother saying. He asked him to elaborate and truth though in his mind apparent, put into words was only hurtful. Carédock explained he had joined the Fanatics of the city, in the belief that Elbracht was preordained to be king, “All hail our King and Conqueror” thundered Carédock’s voice in the dark, quoting the words of Susére Vaxar V. But the prince was tied of hands on the fate of his brother, he knew that the king might grant him some mercy if he publicly remorse, and yet some severe punishment was to be expected.

Elbracht wrote of his feelings upon learning his brother’s judgement—or lack thereof—that a huge disappointment for his person altogether took roots in his heart, and he worried for him thereon only bethinking of their common mother. “How should I tell mother that his son almost killed the king?” wrote Elbracht of himself saying, yet his brother swiftly answered,

-“Who said I aimed to kill the king?” said he, and Elbracht was baffled “the king will die very soon either way; there is a strange sickness about him, whereof only few know. Did you not wonder why he was so seldom seen at court? I certainly did, and I swayed cousin Martid to tell me about it. Nay not the King… ‘twas his chamberlain my blade was after”

-“Are you saying, you planned on killing lord Osguald?” asked Elbracht,

-“Ay” said Carédock “he is the true power of the realm. Did you know he was also a trusted advisor of Elorio III the Unlucky? And once the king has passed he will still remain. The Banker of Nations holds the crown and he is the reason all of these terrible things have befallen our family as of late. Some say it was Oswald himself, who sickened the king; his tongue is a venomous worm in the ears of kings. But worry not, dear brother. It will all be over soon, my fellow men are already plotting on another attempt. But you should forget about me, I will be tried and burn at the stake as a traitor, but it’ll help if it means I can give you a chance to become King in the next election.”

-“Who told you I wanted the crown?” asked Elbracht, “we came to Culgarost only to find allies at court, and find a way to refill our coffers, not to murder the most powerful man in the realm.”

-“You may not want the crown,” said Carédock “but that is not what they think in the White Tower”

-“whatever you mean?” asked Elbracht

-“It is no secret that the Order dislikes you,” said Carédock “I am sure they see you as a threat, and will do anything to prevent you from ranking higher among the hierarchies of the Realm. they were behind father’s death, in that occasion it was you they wanted dead, and certainly they have not stopped trying.” Elbracht’s eyes startled and Carédock noticed it.

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-“I see you feel the truth in what I am saying” said he, “do tell me, would it not explain many things?”

-“An unkown man—or dare I say beast—tried to kill me in the jousting, when it was clearly over. I cleft his arm off and he just picked it up and left when he saw there were too many witnesses. And earlier today as I was looking for you, I saw the same man, his arm was somehow linked back to his body, and he tried to kill me a second time, amidst a mob of angry people. Nevertheless, how do you know what you are implying is true?” Elbracht asked Carédock,

-“People know, brother. People know” said he, beneath his brows there was a grim shadow and his tongue seemed to speak only dark things. “They know, that you are the man they want as king, and the Order is fearful that you may pose as their rival should you climb the steps of the Throne of Men”

Upon hearing this, it all seemed too obvious, but Elbracht was not much concerned with his conspiracies. In his mind he only cared to free his brother, or else keep him from torture. The prince wise as none, thought of a clever solution to save his brother from the stake, yet later on it would prove to cost him his brother’s confidence.

“I see now, brother” said he, “I see that what you say is true. But you know me; I will not let any man fight in name without my blessing. If you tell me now where your fellow men hide, I will join their brotherhood and lead them myself against lord Osguald.”

Elbracht convinced his brother to reveal to him, where he met with the Fanatics, telling him he would go to them to plan another assault. Carédock was too happy to hear his brother saying this; in his only eye there was a red light that flickered with malice, jocularly jovial to see his brother do his wicked bidding. Elbracht did not recognise his brother that night; to him it seemed that some dark spirit of yore had possessed him.

Lord Elbracht then lelft the King’s Pound and headed back to Eldershold, there he asked sir Henn Forne—injured but still standing—to speak with the king, sir Henn refused arguing that the king would meet with no one until the Council of Princes was resumed. Elbracht then inquired about lord Osguald and where he could find him. The herald did not seem pleased to tell that the Chamberlain was in the King’s Guarden paying a visit to the Guardian of the City, Umdénur.

Swiftly Elbracht went on his way thither, but his path was not free of quaint obstacles. Lady Carall and lady Gullen, robust and upon gazin him reddened, stood in his way. The sisters praised his might in the duel against sir Estewan—although he had lost his bravery and strength was hailed in the songs of bards and harpers. He recalls of them two as having a stench of lust for him and being dressed in a manner ‘beneath their standing’. Excusing himself, he left the pair and carried on to the King’s Garden. Among the parks whereof lord Horoglas—much ampler than when he arrived at the capital—halted his pace and praised the prince’s courage in standing against the king; “Alike your father, before you, you justly spoke what was in all of our minds” these words seemed strange to Elbracht as they were uttered, since he thought that his brother’s assault on the king would diminish his status.

The lord of Villadel went on to propose the prince an alliance between Harador and Mallerin—in history, the first of its kind. “Marry any of my daughters you like” said he. The prospect of this bond was not an unpleasant one; the new found wealth of the Durne was a valuable asset not to be disregarded so easily, especially in these times, when Harador was so poor. Perhaps it was Carédock’s defiance what prompted this offer; the Durne’s hatred for their former suzerains was well justified and, owing to the present look of it, the Clasthaur appeared to be at odds with the Sentriary. Still, Elbracht was determined not to fully forsake his damaged alliance to house Sentriary; the lord of Ceor told lord Horoglas he would consider the coalition and both men parted ways.

Elbracht came to the northern side of the parks, where the Tower of the Guardian stood; its limestone under the sun gave the impression of a huge torch, a large candle amidst a walled sea of trees. At its feet, Elbracht spotted the brilliant bald brow of lord Osguald, who was conversed with the tall and pale Ennard, Umdénur. Seing the chamberlain in the company of such a faithful servant of the Order only seemed to corroborate Carédock’s mad-like surmise. Elbracht approached them, and saw the Long Face frown at him. Osguald reluctantly gave him a portion of his time.

-“Lord Osguald, a word?” said he.

-“lord Elbracht, what brings you hither” said Osguald with a snob face, to which Elbracht replied,

-“not any longing for Neldor’s company, that much I can asure you”

-“still” said the Chamberlain, “one cannot afford the luxury of not having the Order about. You may choose not to see that, my lord. But the world will not change its tidings for you. One must learn to flow with the current.” Then Elbracht parried him saying,

-“Or row strong enough to go upriver.” said he, “I’ve been raised by officers and generals, so you might excuse me if I choose the latter… I do not wish to disturb your precious time, but I’ve been given to understand that none may see the king before the council resumes, why has it not done so already?”

-“whatsoever you may speak with his grace, as his chamberlain, you may also confide to me. As for the King, it should suffice to say that he is indisposed by matters that need tending”

-“rather too indisposed as of late, so I’m told” lord Osguald seemed undisturbed by what he had implie, but was surely worried to hear this from him.

-“I take it you have paid that visit to your brother” he went on to ask, “The King’s Pound is not a pretty place for a lord. You might anon make him company if you don’t mind your saying.”

-“that is not my intent” said Elbracht, “neither it is for him to stay therein any longer. ‘Tis why I have come to bargain…”

-“bargain you say?” said Osguald bemused, “your brother attacked the person of the king; there is no need to say that there is no higher treason, the doom of your brother has been written by his own hand.”

-“and yet he did not work alone” said the lion with a tame roar, “I am willing to disclose to you the place where these so-called Fanatics meet; my brother has trusted this to me and I doubt there is another soul in the kingdoms, he will reveal this to other than me. Yet I will tell you this only if you give me your word that you will sway the king into granting my brother a royal pardon.”

Lord Osguald had been haunting down Fanatics for over a month then, and every time he would arrest or sentence any of them to death, many more would pop up in the streets to join their cause. Elbracht’s willingness to tell him of their lair seemed odd to him.

-“When you came to this city,” said he “you had no allies. These Fanatics may be the only true supporters you have and they grow in number by the day. Are you willing to give them all up for a man who does not even follow your orders?” Elbracht looked at him dead in the eyes and he later wrote in a letter to his kinsman, lord Gismo of Sudos that it seemed that a light flickered red under Elbracht’s brows.

-“to you and your lot, family might be just another disposable asset; to me blood is gold” these words were imbedded to him, seeded by his mother and sense of honour since his younger days. By these times, they were truer a motto to him than his house’s words ‘beneath the leaves we grow’. Lord Osguald could not be more pleased; he snickered and agreed to this offer, though he could not contain himself from saying,

-“you have your father’s valour, my lord, but not his wits.”

XLIII. Two day passed and Elbracht was approached thrice by lords in the royal palace carrying marriage proposals for the prince, one from the already acquainted lord Gens Woodmot of Gwinx, briding his daughter, Franne. The second time, lord Senthaig the Plain came to him, offering his daughter’s hand, Jessa. The third prospect came from lord Gunder the Rock—who had given him his help in his efforts to find Carédock prior the assault on the castle, and put forward the hand of his first-born daughter, Emyca, to Elbracht as candidate, in hopes securing his blood-line through the Clastaur.

These three proposals bewildered the prince; it seemed that his brother’s assault on the castle prompted him a queer popularity among the lords, since many of them were so eager to wed Elbracht to their houses. Mayhap it was his looks what wakened so much fervour among the ladies of court, or else a silent mysticism about his person like the Fanatics in the streets. However, this much was clear; something was pressing the lords to so enthusiastically try to win over Elbracht’s favour.

Memlafar wrote in his diary that Tulfric the Clever—who had wasted no time in brothels and taverns like Carédock, to buy in the lords in Eldershold with rumours of Elbracht’s vigour—begot this much fame about the prince. And yet, Tulfric, himself, in his diaries suggested that the lords of the realm were as clever as him in seeing Elbracht as a leader fit for those times of incertitude. Regardless of the cause, the Harad-lion’s popularity in court appeared undiminished, if not exalted.

By far the most unsettling proposal came from his uncle, lord Dundos of Alcobos, who approached the prince in amicable mood to offer him the hand of his daughter Avia. Much of family, the promises of wealth and legacy was spoken between them. Nonetheless, the lord of Ceor could not contemplate the idea of marrying his cousin, who was fourteen years his junior, much to the dislike of lord Dundos. He left his nephew’s presence without saying a word.

On the third day, the bells of the Old Palace Royal toiled to mark the end of the city’s segregation. With the aid of lord Elbracht, the city watch found the Fanatics’ lair nigh the city’s arsenal—which explained how the acquired the supplies and weaponry needed to assault the castle in the first place. To further demean his popularity in the city, the sentences of their excutions remarked, “‘Tis by the undying loyalty of Elbracht of Clausthaur, Lord of Keor, that his Grace, the King, demands and prefers the so-called Fanatics, now declared traitors to the realm, to die today at the stake.” Their numbers reached the dozens. Many died believing they had done right and denied repentance of their deeds and beliefs, but more than one burnt cursing the name of Elbracht, “Damn you, lord of lies! Elbracht the Unworthy!”

Meanwhile in Eldershold, the Council of Princes was finally resumed. The king’s entrance confusticated the lords of the realm, for he wore a mask of bronze that covered most of his face, and he coughed repeatedly during the entire affair. Their shock did not end there, for alongside the other prince-electors, Elbracht of Clasthaur also bent the knee and bowed his head before Medrios.

The council proceeded as usual. The motion was read to rebuild the main roads of the land and bring about a permanent trade route from the far north forest of Brethilthaur—where the elves dwelt—to the southern coasts of the Realm. The king met some opoosition from lord Mendal of Nillöre and lord Dundos Alcobos, complaing that said route did not stretch the kingdoms of Colmeth and Ardor. Lord Dundos surely expected some support from his nephew, his most trusted ally and blood, yet no resistance came from the lord of Ceor—who barely spoke during the whole affair. Three more sessions followed the former, discussing the details of the commerce proposal. By the forth day, the King odered the officiating and implementation of the trade plan. “‘Tis in the interest of the realm that the affair of this trade route be hereby implemented and excuted” reads the Royal Declaration of that day, as chroniclers convey.

XLIV. On the 29th of the third month, more momentous even than the sittings of the council was the event of the fifth day, the sentencing of sir Carédock the Younger. The court met in the hall of audiences—just adjacent to the royal keep. There the lords quarrelled as to what to do with the Haradese traitor; lord Mendal yelled that Carédock should be exiled, while lord Senthaig the Plain altogether demanded he’d be excuted for his treason. The turmoil in the chamber came to an end once the lord of Ceor entered the hall; the eyes of the lords were firstly all set on Elbracht, who wrote of the matter that ‘even the gods fixed their sight on the happening and the weather took a grave tide with shady clouds weeping over the castle’. A man proclaimed by the door, the entrance of Elbracht’s brother; tied in chains were his hands and neck, he walked his away among the courtiers with a wooden crutch of poorer state than his own self. Lastly he sat on a chair by the front of the hall.

King Medrios never entered the room. In his stead, lord Osguald sat the king’s chair, ready to impart judgement on the matter, “whereas it is the god’s will that we should meet here today to decide on the fate of the traitor to the Realm, sir Carédock, son of Elreck of the house Clasthaur, it is his Grace’s will to absolve him of his crimes if he be willing to kneel down to the Throne of Men and seek comfort and repentance taking the cloth to forsake the sword.” With this he meant that Carédock should renounce his name and titles to join the Sagrary and atone for his offences against the crown in monkhood.

Elbracht was just as surprised to hear this as everyone else, for in his mind, he expected a full pardon for his brother, but perhaps this was too demanding even for him. Still, he later told Asadue—who wrote in his diary—, he could not fathom the idea that his brother, a man so proud and fierce, would chain himself to the service of the gods.

Carédock must have felt a terrific shame to be there that day, for he never lifted his eyes from the ground and one could hear that aught was broken inside him, yet what awful thoughts he must have minded, he would not show.

Paying with his pride, sir Carédock the Younger knelt to the chair whereupon the chamberlain sat, almost breaking his remaining leg in that ardous endeavour, and took the vows of the faith,

-“Under the eyes of the celestial fathers” said he, “the earthly mothers, and all gods of the pantheon, I, sir Carédock of Clasthaur, son of Elreck, renounce and disown all my titles and honours, and all allegiances prior this day made, to devout and pledge myself, my life and soul, to the ministry of the most Holy Sagrary of the Cross, to his Hallowness the Susére Vaxar V, to his Grace king Medrios II, of the High and Lesser Men, and to the gods and their will, by whose wisdom I do breathe and live, until they call me back to the Abyss or summon me to the their halls in the West.”

Carédock the Cripple, as he came to be known, raised from his chair no longer a knight or lord, but a Numére, a monk of the Sagrary. During the whole affair, his eyes never met those of any, whose were not Elbracht’s, and his look was sombre and grim, as if a light in him had extinguished.

Brother Carédock was seen out of the hall and then out of the castle; on his way thereout, he briefly met with sir Martid the Golden Curl, to whom he lifted his head and said, “The fates had out duel in store, cousin. I do not remorse ever befriending you, not less than I remorse ever fighting you” wrote Martid in his diary on the ecounter.

Escorted by three knights of the palace guard, Carédock walked his way in crutch through the city forum and the paved way to the Hallow City. He could not obviate the ashes of his dead fellows on the ground and dusted his feet with their remains. In the temples of the Hallow See, he was welcomed by an Enimére of crimson head and white cloak and bared himself before the gods and was cleansed with water of all his wrong-doings. In the same ceremony at the Sagrary, he was dressed with a black cloth and hooded his head with a dark capirote. His uncle and namesake embraced him, and Brother Carédock finally cloistered.

XLV. On the eve of the 30th of the third month, 1716, Elbracht met with his brothers, Memlafar and Tulfric. They discussed all that had occurred. The fair brother could not fully grasp what had befallen Carédock; he resented his brother and lord and blamed him for what had happened. The clever brother had instead a larger understanding on the matter, and still even he did not condone Elbracht’s methods. Estranged from his brothers, the Edoran sought comfort in his only remaining friend, Asadue. He sought for him in the castle, in the courtyards and the King’s Garden, but could not find him. It was sir Frann Velour from whom he learnt that the Hazagodian had gone into the city to explore.

In fear of losing yet another boon companion, Elbracht went looking for him. Pending behind his neck was a constant fear that in the gloom of night the mysterious sir Rolt would come out of the shadows again and chase him to death. In his good fortune such a thing did not happen; either by the gods blessings or his just pursuance of a dear one, lord Elbracht remained safe the whole knight. It may have been their closeness in mind and heart that helped him guess, he would find his old tutor in the libraries of the Old City, nigh the Round Temple (the oldest edifice in the capital). There he came about Asadue, who cared for old manuscripts and scrolls.

-“Have you not learnt enough of this world, mentor? asked Elbracht both distressed and released to have found him, “What may be in the stores of this small yet ancient archive that keeps you from us in the castle?”

-“One who is wise will not deny say that he has never learnt enough, never lived enough to ken all the tragedies of this world” Elbracht stood by his mentor’s side and inspected all the books he had hoarded, the calendars and charters, the sagas and chronicles, and amazed himself in their plenty.

-“I have been reading of the tales of Pacyus and Belyus” said Asadue, “the first King of Men and the first Susére of the Sagrary. They were kin as many scripts convey, some historians dare say, they were even brethren, if not in blood then in heart.”

-“I know the tales” said Elbracht, “Belyus was a man of faith, a humble servant of the gods, a shepherd and a friend.”

-“And Pacyus was a thief, a villain of the countries and a deceiver” said the tutor, “whilst Belyus was called the Sheep, Pacyus became known as the Wolf, for he was too fierce for any man to deal with. And yet despite their difference in character, the fates drove them closer together. When Belyus fought the Ennards out from these lands and was crowned the first Man-king, Pacyus was by his side. And when the gods chose him to take the cloth, he laid down his sword. Many a time fortunes would turn and the two men would be set against each other and no matter the quarrel or the nature of their struggle, they would always find each other dining at the same table, eating the same meals, drinking the same wine, and their love never perished beyond salvation… I see a great deal of resemblance between these two legends and you and your brother.” Elbracht was notably stricken by the tale and could not hid his sorrow,

-“I have betrayed my kin, mentor. Will Carédock ever forgive me? And will Tulf and Mem forgive me also for having allowed this to befall him, or shall they join me in heart and spirit as we erewhile did?” said he and the Hazagodian replied,

-“Your brothers are young; they will grow to learn that you acted out of love and compassion for Carédock. And who knows? Mayhap the cripple will grow another leg and prove more valuable in days to come.”

-“I do not trust, he will wear the cloth for long; he is no Pacyus” said the prince, “either he’ll rot in the silence of temples or else escape the cloister and follow his flaming spirit. Of that I would not blame him, for his sword was far too sharp for him lay down. I fear he will pick it up again and cut himself with its blade.”

-“you may defend him against lords and kings, but you cannot protect him from himself. You too are young, my pupil, and even harder choices lay ahead of you.” Of this Asadue was sure, “pray that you will have the wisdom to face those challenges. For now, mind only for your mother, the lady Aveline will be distraught to learn of what happened here today and no lesser than master Memlafar and master Tulfric will she shun you. Yet know this, their dismay too shall pass, and you will lean to shoulder each other in the tempest as did the kings and heroes of old.”

They spent a couple of hours in the solitude of that ancient library, among the echoes of elder ghosts whispering upon them the weight of history, until they sated their interest for legacies and myths. They rode thence back to Eldershold with the first lights of the following day, to reunite with their clan.

In the morning of the 30th day, the Clasthaur brothers were invited to eat at the king’s table, who wore the same mask as the days before. There the king toasted on ‘the good fortune of Carédock the Younger’, to which the brothers held their tongues from saying anything too drastic and regretful. The king, though remarkably ill and of throary voice, seemed in good spirits with house Clasthaur and blessed their common bond in blood. In the same kind-masked mood, Elbracht announced to Medrios that their business in the capital had come to an end and hoped to journey back to Ceor the next day. Memlafar and Tulfric complained, they could not leave Carédock at the mercy of the king and his court, yet Elbracht argued, their brother enjoyed enough mercy to not be harmed in their absence.

On the 31st of the third month, the Clasthaur convoy left Eldershold and parted for Ceor. Before leaving, Lord Elbracht was approached by lord Hadril, who told him, he had not change his mind regarding the proposal they previously discussed. The lord of Ceor thanked him for his good gesture and likewise reassured him he would give the matter his thoughts. As the convoy passed by the Hallow City, a sombre cloud seemed to have set on their sight, and as they carried on, they prayed to the gods to favour Carédock the Cripple.