XLVIII. During the last days of autumn, the house Clasthaur achieved a great deal of progress in refilling the coffers of Harador; the king’s new trade route had brought in to the southern cities a large variety of goods that saw a rapid increase in the livelihood of merchants and salesmen, and peasants that had deserted the city in its darkest hours, flung back to markets. The city of Ceor saw the reconstruction of various buildings and monuments—including evidently the statue of Aurio and other renowned Sovarós. However profitable the rise in wealth of the Southern lords, the abolition of slavery also took a heavy toll in the markets and yet Harador was the only kingdom where it was no longer permitted. It was certainly a surprise to the merchants of Thindur, Mallerin, and other kingdoms that their forced labourers would be set free as soon as they entered the walls of Ceor, for it were not only goods and wears but also slaves that were brought in from the northern kingdoms. This prompted a discord in court (and quite a fiery one at that) the council and most high-profile courtiers sided with Elbracht and his policy, and yet a large track of noblemen and gentries opposed the directive, mainly arguing that such a drastic change in the system of commerce had to come from the King and not from a lord like Elbracht, great though he may be.

The city in all its classes had had half a year to accostume to the new measure, but some chroniclers suggest that the people, especially the wealthy traders and gentries, traveling south were often shock to learn that their slaves were no longer in the obligation to serve them. At first this policy affected little the northern farers but with time, Ceor’s growing riches attracted well-to-do salesman and after them even the richest people of the realm, coming from Ardor, moved to the Southern Kingdom; it was this particular class that suffered the most under Elbracht’s new directive, for every time they stopped at the gates of Haradese cities, they would have to state the purpose of their visit and a lengthy review of the persons in their convoy would trouble most them when the cities’ authorities stated that “you either go back your way north, or set free your thralls here and now”. The punishment of the enslavers did not apply to the new comers to avoid further fomenting discontent (or even hatred) towards the lord of Ceor, who slowly came to be known by the oppressed and vulnerable as the Liberator.

In spite of this notorious difficulty of adaptation, the kingdom of Harador had never been enjoyed this much protagonism in the affairs of the kingdoms. The king’s new trade route discretely enriched Ceor more than any other city, and the ports of Marham and Harpord saw a great increase in their respective populations. All manner of folks from across the Realm met in the Southern capital to exolt their businesses and transactions; its market abounded in grain and food from Mallerin and Thindur, the silks, wool and other textiles from Ardor and jewels and precious sea stones from Colmeth—there was even wood and leather from Fenland and the rarest kind of pink-gold from Brethilthaur.

In the city the quality of life also improved a great deal with a boosting new trading class and gentry. But by far the most thriving class was the nobility, never before had the noblemen and noblewomen of Harador been so prosperous. And from among the high-born none was more revered and flattered than lord Elbracht and his family.

The lord of Ceor expelled a golden aura of awe and majesty unrivalled by the King and there was a scent of myrrh and balm about him that only elevated his grace. From across the kingdoms and beyond, high diplomats and emissaries of great lords and princes payed homage to the Harad-throne; not even the good lord Tomfrey had bee as popular as his grandson. And what is more, the house of the oaken tree seemed to have bound together again its estranged boughs of blood; every single branch and twig of the Clasthaur was bathed with renown and esteem. Sir Tulfric the Clever, the lord Confessor, exhaled a fragrance of justice and rightiousness, only peered by the memory of great kings and sages, and sir Memlafar the fair breathed out an ethereal sense of might and charm that was reminiscent of the strength and comeliness of heroes of old. As for lady Aveline, the dowager princess removed her black veil and wore more colourful dresses at court. Her signature hues became gold and dark green which matched the standards of the family in every room she entered. Though her son was the official lord of the house, lady Aveline Alcobos became the personification of Clasthaur values. Her influence over the whole kingdom was immense and began to partake in the sittings of her son’s council of governance adopting the title of Maiden of the South—which was formally merely an honourary style, but her strength of will and sharp mouth made it into a fully functional office. The people of the capital treasured their lady, and gave her the moniker of the Root, for she was the progenitress of the strong oaken tree the house of Clasthaur had grown into. Moreover, in adoration for her mother, the Liberator ordered the building of multiple statues of the Maiden of the kingdom across his capital (an honour which was actually only given to deceased lords and heroes).

With the coming of the last months of the years, the City of Ceor saw a massive influx of peoples that wished to escape the cold clutches of winter in the north. Among those people many familiar faces came to the Haradese Capital; sir ludis Bare and sir Cardo Montus, arrived first and then followed sir Ford Casmud of Garacy and sir Holan Flare, they also came with their families and stayed in prominent mansions of Ceor. Lord Elbracht remembered them from the tourney in Culgarost and welcomed them all as befitted their station. Thereafter other famous lords and knights turned up at the city gates, sir Casmin Fothman and sir Brund Brunge among them—these two had some difficulties upon their arrival, since their slaves were set free as soon they entered the capital. Sir Brund, a proud vassal of the Sovarós, was brave enough to speak against the abolition of thraldom in the Liberator’s court but was quickly silenced by the authorities of the city. Later on, sir Kenn Gumbar and sir Hond Humberth also showed up in the big city; these two did not have slaves under their command, for their northern houses could not afford such servants, yet would have certainly been crossed if they had to give up their slaves. Sir Kenn and sir Hond were presumably in the city to prepare the forthcoming arrival of their liege-lord; lord Senthaig and his betrothed daughter. They enjoyed their stay in the warm streets and markets of Ceor, nevertheless.

XLIX. The first of the three most significant arrivals was that of the Durne. The convoy journeyed eleven days in total from their capital to Farmes, next to Saccos, all the way through the Oenic Forest to Cigoria and then to Ceor. The convoy came in three carriages, the first was yellow, the second was pink and the last was of red wood; the first carried sir Tom Buttdom, in the second travelled lady Carall and her sister lady Gellen, and in the last one—which was far heavier than the first two—went lord Horoglas the Ample. In the same order, the carriages arrived at the inner bailey of the Principal Palace. Sir Tom was radiant and gallant like a proper knight of the Savony, the lady Gellen appeared to be much more slender than her last appearance in the capital and without the extra weight her guise became far more ravishing and comely, but lady Carall did not follow on her sister’s foot-steps, for she was so robust and red that she earned the name of the Fat Lady among the commonfolk. When lord Horoglas came out of his carriage the car creaked and waggled behind him; the lord of Villadel was, by this time, so obese and round that his moniker was changed to that of the Ampler. The Durne had many slaves—an army of them even—but they had become aware of Elbracht’s new policy months before their journey, and to avoid loosing them upon coming to Ceor, they left their thralls behind in their capital.

The lord of Ceor welcomed lord Horoglas with open arms, though they did not embrace, for that feat would have been far too ardous to achieve. Sir Memlafar, however, did not share in his brother’s enthusiasm, he was grim and stern and upon setting his eyes on his betrothed it appeared as if he was about to puke. Lord Horoglas either ignored this or was else all too fat by the eyes to notice his contempt, since he suffocatingly hugged him and bless the fair brother. The lady Gellen noted in her diary on her impression of the handsome sir Memlafar of Ceor; ‘his face seemed perfectly hewn out of some clear marble, his arms were as strong as the tree of his house, and his mighty guise was crowned with a wild long blond mane that gave him more airs of a lion than his brother’. She was clearly very attracted to him but, this time, she conceiled her thoughts to herself, to not prompt any discord with her sister. Lady Carall was not as temperate as her; the Fat Lady threw herself to her betrothed and would have jumped in to peck him, had Memlafar not given her the courtesy to kiss her hand and she blushed scarlet anyway.

The Durne ate luncheon with the Clasthaur in the banquet hall that day. Lord Horoglas was at one end, and near him were sir Tom and his two daughters. Lord Elbracht sat at the other extreme, with his mother and brothers by one side and general Caradon and the tutor Asadue by the other. The Ampler’s appetite was monstrous, and lady Carall’s was almost as grotesque, and yet it was difficult to swallow that a befreed Hazagodian would share the same meals and sit at the same table as he.

-“Where did you say you come from… Master Asadue—if indeed one may call you thus—?” asked the round lord Horoglas

-“From Thardys, my lord” answered the Hazagodian, doing his best to be moderate and obviate Horoglas’ disdain for him.

-“A yes… The Emerald of the South” said lord Horoglas, “sorry thing what happened to your Library. But then again you had it coming to you. No offence meant but the proud sages of that city were far too boastful for my taste.” Horoglas words were a test to his temper, yet the tutor turned to his stoic philosophy and kept calm for the rest of the day.

Sir Tom was very astute and had in his mind the interests of his kingdom. He knew the conversation had taken a lamentous turn; he did not wish to foment the tension in the chamber by talking any more about slavery, and still he was very curious about the new found wealth of the South, so ever inquisitive he asked the lord of Ceor,

-“My lord Elbracht, you have taken a bold stand in abolishing slavery in Harador,” said he “most kingdoms would have collapsed had they followed your example, and yet the South seems to strive without it, indeed your kingdom has never been stronger. Forgive me for asking, but how do you manage without thraldom?”

-“There is nothing to forgive, sir” Elbracht was happy to say, “In our ignorance for keeping things just as they are we have forgotten the virtues of liberty. The slaves of the realm have been born to a specific task, and in that we have limited their capabilities. Master Asadue here has helped me see that some lords simply employ them in a given effort; their work is monotonous and without much merit, whereas, liberated, thralls can be free to choose what is in their best interest and persue better labours befitting their skills and abilities. The cause of our success is largely thanks to our former slaves trusting their new found freedoms to their elected carriers. I have found that choice is of the utmost importance in any society.”

-“I see,” said Horoglas “so it is due to the ear-mellowing of this Hazagodian that you have taken this directive. I will not criticize you—every leader should do as his heart tells him and as duty commands him—and still tradition has a huge part to play in our society, choice, as you say, is not one of those traditions. Do not expect any other prince of the land to follow on your foot-steps any time soon.” In that stern note lord Horoglas finished his food, thanked lord Elbracht for his stupendous share of the meal and left the hall to rest in his chambers.

Three days passed and the Durne enjoyed the privilege of being honoured guests in Ceor, an honour which was not often given to foreigners, but they were homologs to lord Elbracht so it is safe to assume that in noble gatherings feast and other ceremonies whatsoever, they were not obliged to pay homage to the Clasthaur and bow in their presence. In the banquet hall another chair, as tall as Elbracht’s, was built for the lord of Villadel so as to remark his status. There is no need to say that such a chair was not wide enough for Horoglas, who asked the carpenters to make yet another one fit for his size; that chair was twice as broad as a normal seat.

On one occasion Elbracht invited lord Horoglas to hunt with him, but there was no horse strong enough to withstand his weight. So sir Tom Buttdom accompanied Elbracht in his stead; Elbracht noted he was very polite and corteous and hunted with unparalleled grace, but when it came to supper and other meals, he was just as hungry as his master, though he kept himself svelte and unlike his liege-lord had a keenness to sports that kept his figure fair and strapping. Tulfric cared to write down that hunger seemed to have been a common trait among the Mallerese* (1), for the guests from that kingdom almost exhausted the food stores of the castle.

On the 7th of the eleventh month, (1716) To Ceor arrived the second of the three awaited families, the not-so-good-talked-about Sovarós. The convoy came in four carriages and behind went them a small horde of slaves, at the front of the caravan rid the renowned sir Hans Woodmot. The house of the Griffin was conscious of the prince’s new policy, but ever proud they dared the lord by coming to the Haradese city with a large number of their thralls. Their coming to Ceor was not as straight-forward as the Durne’s. At the gates the authorities demanded sir Hans to relinquish the slaves, but he refused to acknowledge lord Elbracht’s powers over his party. Lord Hadril descended from his car and demanded a word with lord Elbracht. In his stead, general Caradon personally went to the gates to resolve the matter. “In the city of Ceor only free men are allowed” remarked the general, to which the lord of Fyore ever daring replied “then only free men will pass and my thralls shall camp outside the city wall since none of them I shall befree under my rule”. The Sovarós convoy entered the city but the horde of slaves was denied entrance therein.

The convoy was not as welcomed in the city as were the Durne before them, for at sighting the red banners of the griffin some voices among the smallfolks shouted “shame!” curses and other colourful slanders. Offended by this, the Sovarós took little notice of the reconstructed marble statue of their ancestor, king Aurio,—which was thrice smaller than it had been before the Red Day—as they passed by it. In the forum, the crowds were more peaceful and when they got to the Principal Palace, some noblemen even cheered lord Hadril the Slimmer Griffin. The convoy stopped at the inner bailey and lord Elbracht himself received them with a similar gesture he had given to lord Horoglas before them.

Lord Hadril appeared thin but proud as ever, his robes were scarlet with a golden griffin on his chest and bore a golden circlet on his head.

With him came the lady Arlys of Asdalos, who was blond of hairs like her husband but taller, much more taller; lord Hadril usually tried to keep his wife away from royal gatherings and special ceremonies so as to not dwarf him in height, for this reason he intended to leave lady Arlys in Fyore, but his wife insisted that she had to be present for the wedding of her only daughter. From the last carriage, which was richly decorated with artworks of the family’s lore like an ark holding a precious treasure, came the legendarily comely lady Alyse. She was also taller than her father—about the same stature of Elbracht but far more beautiful—she was roughly the same age of Memlafar and was as pale as snow with hairs so thick and curly that peeped out of her wimple. Elbracht notably remarked, ““It would be a sin to say that your mastery in the games are no equal to your fair guise, for your face and eyes are as sharp of beauty as was your lance in the joust.” He then kissed her hand and was pleased with the Head of the Lamb.

The Sovarós dined together with the Durne and the Clasthaur in the banquet hall, the exchange therein was very calm and docile, though a tension was felt in the chamber that kept the stew boiling and their meals hot. All accounts of that day concur that by far the most unpleasant part of the supper was seeing the unsateble hunger of lord Horoglas, which long chair had grown almost too small for him. The days after, the three families would rarely be seen in the same room. Often times, lord Hadril and his wife were seen together during the services of the Sagrary in the High Hill, but mostly he cared to show himself alone—if it meant he could avoid being outstaged by lady Arlys or his daughter in every one of their appearences together—lord Hadril and lady Aveline seldom wandered in the gardens of the castle (he said to one of his pages that the lady Root reminded him of the stong character of his uncle lord Jaerech of Fitz), sir Tom and sir Tulfric usually practiced armed sports in the bailey so as to remember the Tourney in Culgarost, and once in a while would the fair lady Gellen be spottet dwelling by the tower of sir Memlafar waiting to set eyes on the youngest Clasthaur brother again.

Lord Elbracht from time to time would meet with lord Hadril either in the library or in the Major Auditorium to talk about the preparations for his wedding, to discuss the King’s New Trade route and commerce between their two kingdom and less often (perhaps once or twice) to argue about lord Elbracht’s policy on the abolishing of slavery in the South. On this matter the Slimmer Griffin had a lot to say but Elbracht would finish their quarrel by saying, “you do in your kingdom as you see fit, I will do in mine as my heart commands”; seing the titles and honours given to the tutor Asadue, abiding every room with elevated steem angried him all the more so.

The aforementioned would go on for days, until on the 13th of the eleventh month came to the city the convoy of the last of the three awaited families, the Niensor. The cars were just two and only a small party of a hundred warriors rode behind to protect them. By far the Niensor were the least grand of the three families, the first two had come with fancy carriages and numerous hosts, while the humble Northern lords arrived at Ceor with simplicity and modesty. This trait was much too common to lord Senthaig the Plain, whose way of travelling only seemed to honour his moniker. There were no slaves among their throng—which was fortunate since it save them many an awkward moment at the city gates—and the wooden carriages were half rotten and poorly worked. The smallfolk wandered in the markets and forum and paid no heed to the convoy, for it indeed it was so humble it perfectly posed as common; had it not been for their banners and ensigns they would not have made it inside the inner bailey of the castle. Owing to the seeming anonymity in their coming, Elbracht had to be informed that the Niensor had arrived at the very last. The lord of Hannosya was not happy to see that lord Elbracht was not there to receive him (and how could he? Since lord Senthaig’s plainliness spoke for itself). The Niensor had to stay in the inner bailey until all the Clasthaur were ready to welcome them; in the meantime he reunited with sir Kenn Gumbar and sir Hond Humberth, who made their waiting more bearable. Lord Senthaig was a large man, not round like lord Horoglas but stout and firm, his beard was long and black like coal and his eyes were hidden away beneath the shadows of his bristly brows.

He had no taste for fancy clothes so he simply wore a brown cloak, and went about unarmed, since his guise was manacing enough to have no need for a sword.

-“Lord Senthaig of Hannosya!” greeted Elbracht, ready to meet with his newly arrived and tiresomely boring guest “at long last you are come to the city of Ceor. Be welcome! We have been expecting you.”

-“Lord Elbrácht” said Senthaig with a deep voice and a funny accent “It seems not to me that ye’ve been awaiting oure coming, since hardly a soul was here to greet us. Pray, imagine me disappointment when after twelve days of tiring journeying we come to yere capital and not a soul noticeth oure arrival. What’s more we almost weren’t allowed inside the castle!—yer ought to have a word or two with those gatemen of yere—but by far the most offending welcoming gesture was not having one at all! Ich am Lord Senthaig of Hannosya, and expect to be treated no less.”

Having little else to say in his defence, and not wanting to insult him furthermore by commenting on his choice of travel, lord Elbracht justly admitted, “You are only too right, my lord. I sincerely apologize for our wrongdoings, and truthfully welcome you now to my home.” Lord Senthaig seemed pleased or else was tired of talking, since he only spoke when it was needed and did not converse with pleasure if he could avoid it. The two men halted for a moment before the second carriage, giving Elbracht’s brothers and mother enough time to greet the Northern Lord. Tulfric stood under the shadow of Senthaig and honour the lord with a few words, to which Senthaig only nodded and shook his arm.

Lady Jessa Ravenhair [https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/928675464401281116/1090964221371625472/Lady_Jessa_Ravenhair.jpeg]

At last Senthaig called for his daughter to descend from her car, and as the crooked wooden carriage’s door was opened a freezing breeze blew out thence and in the air blew pansies and leaves and behind it the fair lady Jessa followed. The Niensor’s shroud of humbleness was finally lifted and unveiled a lovely treasure. A dim light was set upon her. She was comely and superlatively beauteous; no fairer maiden had ever been to Ceor (not even the lady Aveline in her prime days). She was graceful and alluring and before her the immortal airs of a goddess went. Her raiment was dark as the sea, her starlit eyes glew like silver jewels beneath a moon-clear brow and her lips were red as blood. As it was customary of the northern women, she bore no wimple—for no headdress had the right to somber her holiness—so her long raven hairs, a wonderous shadow, streamed free in the winds and her flowery scent sailed them to every nose, her beauty was like some ivory memory of old, like a beam of moon set on elder trees, which only elder men kept half alife in memory.

Sir Tulfric like all men about him (even Memlafar) was stunned by her beauty; he would have rushed to her, if his brother had not been closer. So Elbracht stretched his hand to greet the fair,

-“lady Jessa, I suppose,” said he “though your name does you no honour, it’d be best for all if you’d be henceforth called Ravenhair. At any rate, be welcome, daughter of the North.”

-“I will gladly take on that name, be it the first of many blessings you give me.” said she in an impeccable accent soft as her perfume, “I would have come in greater haste, sir, If I knew you were this strapping and gallant, my lord Tulfric.” She bowed to him, and overcome by a great desilusion Elbracht was, for the first and only time ever, sorry to admit that he was not his brother.

-“I thank you, my lady.” Said he, “Alas, I am not the man who is to wed you, that would be my brother sir Tulfric. As for me, I am lord Elbracht of Ceor, at your service.” Elbracht brought the lady Jessa to the hands of his brother, and he later told Asadue, until that point there was little else he regretted more than giving her up to the clever brother, and not having taken his cut of the lamb.

The four families, now under the same roof, met for supper in the banquet hall. A larger table was built to accommodate them and two more chairs as tall as lord Horoglas’ and his were built by the carpenters for lord Hadril and lord Senthaig to seat upon. The lord of Hannosya spoke the whole evening and not a word he uttered was understood; he talked something about the King’s New Trade Route, his exchange with the elves of Brethilthaur and aught else about a mammoth in his northern city. Lady Jessa, quite opposite to her sire, spoke of fairer things and with a clearer accent; she conversed with the lords about the eternal cold of Fenland, the unmelting snows of the Gron Country and the occasional warm tidings and breezes from the south during summer. However trival her topics, all were amazed to hear her speak whenever he dared to open those crimson lips, for her voice was a melodious tune that no bard or lyrist in their talents could match.

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

The Niensor had a good deal of understanding with the Clasthaur; even if they did not show it, the lords of Hannosya had amassed a similar wealth as the Clasthaur, since their agreement regarding the King’s trade route had proven very nurturing. The Northern Lords were unlike most other houses when it came to money, for they did not build large palaces or buy expensive cloaths, instead they invested their fortune in the sea. The barren lands of Fennland were not for profitable business so instead they put their riches in the bulding of havens and ships, in hopes to rival the might of the Colmeth armada. Sir Tulfric thought highly of them for attempting to macth the naval prowess of the Nillöre but was not as optimistic that such enterprise would come into fruition—in laters days he’d be proven wrong.

L. A day or two passed and the courting of the ladies commenced. Lord Elbracht and his brothers began to spend time with their betrothed to get to know them a little better before their weddings. Sir Tulfric was delighted to share time with the beautiful lady Jessa Ravenhair, yet they did not enjoy much of the same interests; while Tulfric enjoyed the quietness of the libraries, Jessa loved to be among crowds and numerous throngs in the castle and forum of the city, where she stunned everyone with her comeliness. The clever brother would tell her jokes only the wise would understand, though she could only respond to them with silence. Sir Memlafar also cared to show his bride, he’d be willing to give the marriage a try—when in truth he spent most of his time hunting in the countryside or visiting the commoner Marren the Merry in the lonely cottage. What little time they were together sir Memlafar found lady Carall obscenely titillating and coarse, too perfumed and always ravenous; her appetite was untamed and often she would force the fair brother to eat along with her, even when he had long been sated. Sir Memlafar could not be be more displeased with his wife-to-be, but he enjoyed the company of her sister; lady Gellen shared sir Memlafar’s love for nature and they laughed at each other’s jerks. However, since lady Gellen was so attracted to him it is plausible to assume that she only pretended to like those things so she could allure him.

Lord Elbracht did the same with lady Alyse; she was a great listener although not so talented when she had no need to speak, she was pleasant to look at and yet not as encharming as the Ravenhair. However, she had one trait wherewith she shone with her own light, sports. Unlike most fairs, she was keen to the martial arts and while other women showed their abilities in weaving and singing, she excelled in the mastery of the sword and the cunning of archery, as she had proved in the tourney in Culgarost. Many times, late in the evening, Elbracht discovered her in the inner bailey of the castle brandishing a blade against the training dummies and perfectly scoring as efficiently as Tulfric in the targets with the bow in hands. One day Elbracht asked her to join him for duelling practice, and she stonished every single one of her opponets with her swift moves and smooth slashings. Her dexterity was elegant and fluid, paralleled almost by none except Elbracht. For this she became known as Bravegriff and the lord of Ceor grew to have a great admiration for her wild spirit, which in many ways reminded him of his brother, Carédock. And still he was not quite sure she was best suited for him.

On one occasion Elbracht later told to Asadue, they wandered in the gardens of the castle near the forum of Neldor, where the newly built statue of Aurio stood. To show his appreciation for her family, lord Elbracht accompanied his betrothed to pay homage to the sculpture. On their way there they could not avoid seeing the ruins of an old temple; its black walls and ashen columns gloomed vigilant over the square and atop its cindery roofs many crows had made their bed, and watched as the Haradlion and Bravegriff approached the Forum. Lady Alyse found the ruins dreadful and sad,

-“My lord Elbracht,” she asked “what were those torn walls part of?”

-“that, my lady,” he replied “was where our temple of Neldor once stood, they say a great fire—the likes of which only the burning of the Library have seen this world—consumed the temple in flames. My mentor Asadue and my mother say the day of the fire was the same of my birth and so far all people I ask seem to confirm it.”

-“why has no one asked to rebuild it?” asked she “and why haven’t I seen not even a single knight of the Order in this city?”

Lord Elbracht was not sorry to say, “As you have no doubt heard, we Haradese don’t see eye to eye with the Order. And since there is not a soul in this city that wishes to see that building again towering over Ceor and watching over the city like a vulture ready to prey, there has been no need to bother the wrights with its reconstruction.”

-“What a quaint thing to say” said the Bravegriff as if she did not know of Elbracht’s quarrel with the Order, “surely the people of Ceor benefit of the protection of Neldor. Have you no doctors and physicians? Have you no bankers and auditors?”

-“yes we do” answered plainly Elbracht,

-“then you may ask them if the masters of their guild have no love for the Order, since the White Tower always has agents among their number.”

-“Of that I am not much aware” said Elbracht and was afraid he would not like the answer to the question he’d next ask, “Do you support the order, my lady?”

-“Most do,” said she “why should I be any different, since we enjoy of their services? Should not we be thankful for them?”

-“I think, it is not a question of gratitude” said Elbracht “but rather a question of integrity and honour. Should we be grateful to a jailor that keeps us nurtured but imprisoned, that restrains our freedoms and rights? That is how many of us see the Order, as a jailkeeper and a warder.”

-“A warden, yes, but not of a prison.” said she “I see the Order as a warden of peace, a conciliator of otherwise unruly kingdoms that would wage war on each other.”

-“Do you really have so little faith in the Realm? Don’t you see us striving on our own?” said Elbracht crestfallen, “Wouldn’t you like to see free kingdoms striving to be better than what they are?”

-“O yes I do” said the Bravegriff, “But we mankind have a proclivity to misunderstand with other peoples and even among ourselves that often lead us to war. I don’t see why there shouldn’t be a mediator to help us discern what is right from wrong. For me the Order is such an arbiter. But you speak of free kingdoms, do you value liberty so much even when it has led us astray many times in the past? Is that why you have been moved to call for the abolition of thraldom in your kingdom?”

-“I have learn that freedom is freedom,” said he “and only free men can struggle for a better future, not slaves, for in slavery things are only kept the way they are, and with little room for choice, how can a man purse its full potential? Even you would not be so good with the sword, had you not chosen it over more comely endeavours…” the lady Alyse was noticeably uncomfortable with the argument.

-“I do not blame you for seing it the way you do. The history of your family has shown us how loyal you Sovarós are to Neldor,” said on Elbracht “but I do hope you grow to learn whereof I speak.”

-“The same I hope of you” said lady Alyse ever daring. Though Elbracht did not concur with her, he could not help but admire her conviction. She was obviously not as amenable and complaint as many other women of the age. And still, Elbracht could see her partiality towards the Order was not just a matter of determination.

-“Why do you defend the Order?” asked he “I doubt that it is just a matter of opinion. Pray, prove me wrong.”

-“You have a keen eye, my lord” she replied, “I do believe in the Order, but I did not come alone to that realisation. My grandfather, King Elorio III whom people now call the Unlucky, had an advisor in his court who was a knight of Neldor. He was always kind to me as I grew up and saw that I was keen to the armed sports while other maidens weaved and sang. So he trained me, he gave me lessons on how to properly wield a sword and defend myself should the need rise. But he also taught me about his Order and the principles of Neldor. I always felt queer about myself, for most did not like it that a woman would be inclined to combat and not to the fairer arts, and still he saw pontential in me and did not mind lending me his wisdom and guide. So you see, the Order helped me accept who I am and what I Iike, thus it’s hard for me not to be thankful and loyal to it.”

-“‘tis a moving story, I won’t deny that” said Elbracht who thenceforth thought highly of her. “In a way your spirit reminds me of the tales of Maryna the Brave, the legendary warrior maiden who helped defeat the Omynous in the wars of yore, but her name has almost been forgotten even by the wisest among us—I doubt you know of whom I speak” At the mention of that name, lady Alyse smiled,

-“You flatter me, sir” she said, “Of course I know who she was, I always looked up to her, and the man whereof I speak used to make mention of the same resamblace you now note.”

Soon, Elbracht and Alyse approached the statue of Aurio, standing tall, the sun gleamed on its pale limestone. At its foot there was fair woman contemplating the old memory of the king. Elbracht noticed she wore no wimple and her black hairs waved free in the winds, so it could only be the fair lady of Ravenhair.

-“Lady Jessa, what a surprise to see you here” said Elbracht greeting her.

-“O it shouldn’t be, my lord,” said she of red lips, “I often come here to lay my eyes on the image of the stories of old.”

-“Why, how extraordinary!” said Elbracht sharing in the same enthusiasm for the olden stories, “I too pay my respects twice in a while to the heroes of our lore.”

-“You should be proud, lady Alyse,” said Jessa turning to her “To have such a wonderous hero among your ancestors.”

-“Ah yes,” said she “but then again every house has more than one forebear to be proud of, Fauthur dragonslayer is famous among the Clasthaur and Senn the Brown is of much renown among the Sentriary.”

-“That is only too true, my lady,” answered lady Jessa “but then again, not many have kings in their blood as do you, Sovarós.”

-“O believe me, not all kings are to be proud of” said the lady Alyse certainly referring to the shameful Elorio III. “I admit that I am not so learnt in the lore of heroes, but honestly who is these days if not the sages and chroniclers?”

-“Well, I, for instance, am rather like the sages; always interested in the histories and lore of the Realm, like our lady Jessa here.” said Elbracht.

-“I wish I could share in your fascination. Alas I have not had the same eagerness to learn of the histories as I grew old, I doubt I will now. ” said the lady Alyse, and Elbracht was upset to hear this. And she went on to ask,

-“Have you in your wanderings hither not taken notice of those ruins, my lady Jessa?”

-“I have seen them,” said Jessa “but I can’t say that I know what they were.”

-“As I have told the lady Alyse just now” said Elbracht, “those are the ruins of the temple of Neldor, which fell long ago to ashes.”

-“Well, certainly you are not sorry to see them reduced to cinder.” said boldly she of Ravenhair.

-“You guess rightly, my lady” said Elbracht most pleased to hear it.

-“You don’t really mean it, do you?” parried the lady Alyse on her comment, “Whatever reason can you have to think so little of the Order?”

-“I don’t have many reasons to be else grateful for it.” said Jessa “For you see, while other kingdoms profit from its services, we in Fenland don’t enjoy of them. Neldor may have something to gain from giving its aid to kingdoms like Thindur and Ardor, where riches abound, but in the barren lands of the Gron Country the Order has little influence. The White Tower must have seen there was little the North could offer in exchange for its services, so there is hardly more than one knight of Neldor in Hannosya and somewhere smaller than a church where he dwells, whereas huge temples are built for them in cities where they can tax wealthy lords for its services. The Order is not much of a charity wouldn’t you agree, my lady?”

-“this does not sound right” said lady Alyse baffled,

-“No, indeed, it doesn’t” said Jessa, “but then again who says that the Order knows right from wrong better than we do?” Lady Alyse held her tongue behind her teeth, for it was as if she had overheard their conversation before.

Their chatter would have gone on for a longer while if a disturbance by the Forum had not claimed their heed. Another convoy had arrived to the city, one with a large party of foot soldiers at its back and mounted knights at its front. They passed by the statue of Aurio taking no notice either of the fair maidens or the lord of Ceor. The carriage was richly decorated with elaborated gold leaves and flowers on black tinder, and the men before and afore it held banners of crimson red and white. The foremost knight bore in his hands a processional staff with the Cross of Men X so the envoy could only come from the capital. Shortly Elbracht realised that the convoy also displayed other religious symbols and standards that hinted that it had been dispatched from the Hallow City, and was thus an emissary of the Sagrary.

Elbracht rushed to the inner bailey of the castle to receive the envoy, lady Jessa and lady Alyse gave their best to hasten after him. In his heart, Elbracht believed that the letter he had sent to the king days ago asking for his brother to join him in Ceor had come into fruition, and that it was Carédock himself who was inside the carriage. When he got to the Principal Palace both Memlafar and Tulfric were already there, surely with the same hopes to see Carédock had returned. Soon they all learnt they were in for a disappointment. Trumpets were blown and out from the carriage came an Enimére of white robes and red stole and a crimson capirote-hood that covered all of his face. In his hands he had a silver staff with the Cross of Men on its top and on his chest. The clergyman introduced himself as The Most Reverend Samwel Sandy, he was proudly wide and short, and his voice was croaky and withered giving hints that the man was old. Behind him came other four Numéres of black cloths, and Elbracht wondered whether one of those could be his brother Carédock but when he saw none of them was crippled, his heart grew despondent and sad.

-“I am come in good tidings, and wish to speak to the lord of Ceor and Prince of Harador.” said the Enimére.

-“Your Eminence, I am he.” said lord Elbracht to greet him, as he came from behind his carriage, (the ladies Alyse and Jessa were not far behind), “Pray, what tides bring you hither upon this early hour?”

-“I have been sent by his Hallowness the Susére on the advice of his Grace the King, to officiate the unions of the lords of Ceor in holy matrimony.” answered the clergyman and all parties present cheered to the wind.

“It honours us beyond words that a prince of the Sagrary should conduct our weddings. Though I can’t help but wonder what moves His Hallowness into agreeing to this.”

-“It is not unheard of that an Enimére would perform the rituals of matrimony” said The Most Reverend Samwel, “but if you wish to know, my lord, it isn’t common that four of the great families of the Realm—which not long ago were at odds with each other—should meet in the same city under the same roof to celebrate merry nuptials either. So to mark such a momentous occasion, His Hallowness the Susére decided to send me hither at this early hour. Be joyous, the Cross of the Sagrary*(2) shines upon ye all on the eve of these unions!”

The people present rejoiced to hear that the weddings had the crown’s blessings and it seemed to be the beginning of a more a peaceful and prosperous chapter in the history of the otherwise troublesome Southern Kingdom. Alas, the jubilant mood did not last long, for the airs of jubilation were quickly sundered by another man who descended from the carriage. The man was a gallant, tall as a tower among his peers, his mane and beard were black with glints of grey, his eyes were deep and stern and of dark green like the Harad woods. His colours were spruce and white and bore a sigil of a crown and a sword on his chest. Unfortunately his face did not awaken many happy memories in Elbracht, and his name was all too familiar among the Clasthaur brothers, for the knight was none other than sir Estewan the Toothache. A grim shadow was set upon the eyes of the lord of Ceor, whom was obliged to welcome his former opponent and one time friend with a stern face.

-“A what brings the Toothache to hither kingdom?” said Elbracht “have the winds of winter frozen his teeth, or else a desire of redemption?”

-“Greetings to you, my lord Elbracht” answered proudly the knight of Neldor, “I have come to the southernmost kingdom neither to enjoy the warm weather nor to amend our previous dispute. I come on behalf of my King and my Order to speak about matters than concern you. If you will not welcome me in your home, then I will look for another place where to stay until our business is done.”

-“You may stay in the castle if you wish,” answered Elbracht aloofly “But don’t expect me to save a chair for you in my table.”

Upon hearing this sir Estewan bowed his head down to his knee, and mockingly said,

-“Blessings to you, my lord, and thanks” he said “I will take note of your hospitality to the King.”

The mood in the inner bailey was no longer a cheerful one and a looming mist covered the blue sky and sombered the bleak faces of all. And still amidst the tension, lady Jessa Ravenhair and lady Alyse finally turned up in the courtyard and the blond Bravegriff smiled and was glad to see the knight of spruce and white. “Sir Estewan!” she shouted and rushed swiftly to embrace him—lord Hadril was there, and though he was pressumably also glad to see sir Estewan, he did not took it lightly to see his daughter behave in such a childish and unbecomingly manner. At last lady Alyse, unaware of the exchange that had just taken place, turned to the baffled lord Elbracht and said,

-“My lord Elbracht, I take it you have already met sir Estewan, whom they call the Toothache” she said “It most be the Gods’ doing that he should be here at this hour. For you see, my lord, he is the man I have told you about. He trained me in the art of the sword and I am ever grateful to him.”

-“I too am much pleased to see you again, my lady Alyse” said Estewan. But Elbracht did not share in their sentiment.

-“This is the man you have told me about?” asked Elbracht annoyed. Lady Alyse nodded and Elbracht said on “Did you know this is also the same man my father lost an eye to? And the same man I jousted against in the Tourney of the capital? Once I tried to give my friendship to this man, and he chewed on it and spat it out like grain.”

-“I do not wish to quarrel with you, my lord” said the Toothache with a serious look, “I merely come to do my king’s bidding. You need not saddle yourself with unhappy memories. As soon as our business is finished I shall depart to Culgarost.”

-“Then I will give you an audience as soon as I can, if it means I can get rid of you sooner than soon.”

All the envoys of the new convoy were accommodated in the castle, the barracks and other appartments in the palace; T.M.R. Samwel was given special lodges in the temples of the High Hill, and sir Estewan was sojourned in the loneliest tower of the castle near the river bank, though seldom he would meet with lord Hadril in the castle or with lady Alyse in the courtyard to train with shield and sword. On the following two days, lord Elbracht had either little time to spare for the knight of Neldor or postponed their meeting in hopes he would just fade away from his court. However, sir Estewan was pressing and consistent, so with little patience left, Elbracht gave him an audience on the third day.

They met in the council chamber little after noon, with sir Estewan came another knight whose name was sir Felyx of Vanlond—a tall blond Gandorian man of the Order, that was sir Estewan’s subordinate—and Elbracht was not alone either, by his side stood his chamberlain and mentor Asadue. Sir Estewan was notably not contented to see the Hazagodian once more, and the lord of Ceor probably deliberately asked his tutor to be there with him to further annoy his unwelcomed guest. Adding to his irritation, Asadue was first to speak, and greeted the two knight with immaculate manners.

-“Hail, sir Estewan of Cadia! Hail, sir Felyx of Vanlond!” said he with a respectable voice, “Well-meant are the tidings that brought you hither, and the Gods and stars shine from above upon the hour of our meeting! Sirs, prithee be seated.”

This was the first time sir Felyx had met the Hazagodian and it is likely he felt the same prejudice towards him as did his superior, but was nonetheless touched by his excellent comportment, which, he deemed, was unsual to his race.

-“Lord Elbracht,” said sternly sir Estewan, “it may be best for your tutor to leave the chamber for what we have to discuss.”

And Elbracht crossedly responded, “Master Asadue is lord Chamberlain in Ceor, he is the master of all chambers in this castle and will not leave this one, least of all. He has a voice in my council and a mind of his own. Whatsoever you need to discuss, he will be present too.”

-“If this is your wish then so be it.” Said sir Estewan, “Over the course of the year, words have reached the Capital that you have issued a new policy abolishing slavery in Harador. In the last months reports have reached the King’s ears, travellers from across the Realm that visited your cities have been forced to set free their thralls. And what’s more, upon arriving, we noticed a host of slaves camping on the outer-skirts of the city walls. I have shared a few words with lord Hadril, and it seems you have been forcing your new policy on subjects that do not belong to your jurisdiction.”

-“You are well aware, sir Estewan, that all that happens in this kingdom belongs to my jurisdiction.” said Elbracht, “All that I have done, is within my right as lord of Ceor. I must not excuse my self to you; it should suffice to say that I only act in accordance with the law of the Realm…”

-“And yet that is not completely true, my lord” replied daring sir Felyx. He took an old scroll from his pocket and unrolled it over the table, the young Gandorian knight then said,

-“This, my lord, is an Edict of the Crown signed and sealed by King Elorio II in the year 1490. It decrees that ‘no lord, either high or low, may dispose of another’s assets and holdings when he visits his tenancy. All lords, their belongings and possessions are hereby protected by the crown and may not be deprived from nor be held by any agent or authority whatsoever without the King’s consent’. This proves that whereas you may do in Ceor and the Haradese cities as you like, you cannot do with another lord’s possessions as you want.”

-“Men are not possessions!” raged the Harad-lion with a thunderous voice. “Not all men are mindless pawns of the Order like you; some of us strive only in freedom.”

-“Befitting words for someone they call the Liberator” said and smirked sir Estewan. “And yet you must learn that in this Realm, some men are. You may choose not see that, but the order of things will not adapt to your desires.”

-“All right, I have heeded your words, as we agreed” said Elbracht sounding final.

-“Our business is not over, my lord” said sir Felyx, “We still have matters to discuss.”

-“Well, state them and be done with it” answered Elbracht.

-“Still regarding thraldom,” said the Gandorian man, “you must understand that you must amend your policy so it may not affect other kingdoms that have not abolished slavery; such as Thindur and Colmeth. You will have to concede to allowing non-stationary subjects of other kingdoms to fare in Harador without having to relinquish their slaves. Of course, there will be methods the Order will help you implement so that both the law of the Realm and your new policy can be upheld, which leads me to our final business.”

-“For well over two decades now there has been no official bureau of the Order in this city. As far as accounts convey, the Temple of Neldor in Ceor was destroyed twenty seven years ago in a fire which the chroniclers say, people marked as the Red Day—oddly enough, it seems that was the day of your birth, my lord. At any rate for the Order to aid you keep this directive of yours without disturbing the peace in other kingdoms, the White Tower shall need a permament subsidiary herein. You will not even have to lend us a penny for it; the Order will fund itself into rebuilding the temple.”

-“What on this good earth makes you believe that I will concede to this?” ranted the wroth lord of Ceor, “I have no love for the Order—none in this kingdom has—and for me it is far better to leave those black walls standing to show the Order for what it really is; a shadow of its former self, a torn down edifice which we quaintly honour. If I allowed you to build another Temple of Neldor in Ceor, it would be so that I can set it ablaze, myself. Believe me; my heart craves for nothing else!”

-“I wouldn’t be so hasty, my lord” sir Estewan retorted in an ominous voice, “There is something your heart yearns for, and we know what it is—the king has made mention of it—and now we are ready to bargain with it.”

-“pray tell me now, if you wish not to waste my time!” said Elbracht with eyes red as fire.

-“How would you like to see your brother again?” sir Estewan’s words echoed on the walls and in the halls of Elbracht’s heart. “The King is willing to sway His Hallowness, the Susére, into dispatching Brother Carédock to serve as chaplain in your court.” Then the spirit of Elbracht fell dull and dead. He could never have expected to be given a chance to see Carédock again, least of all back in his homeland, and yet the price seemed too great. The Order of Neldor was an old enemy of his and if what Carédock had told him in the King’s Pound was any true, then the Order was responsible for his father’s death and the attempts on his own life.

Elbracht told the two knights, he would consider their proposals, when in fact he struggled with it. On the one hand he had the opportunity to see his brother again and he’d rest assured Carédock’d be kept safe in the city he once called home, on the other hand, the Temple of Neldor would have to be rebuilt, ushering in another era of control and subordination to the Order and there was no guarantee that his policy on slavery would be kept untouched. He dwelt on these thoughts for a long while and he did not share it with his brothers and mother lest they’d choose Carédock over any other condition, but Elbracht was not so straight-forward in the mind. He did not discuss the matter with his mentor Asadue either, for he surely felt there would be too much partiality against sir Estewan’s offer coming from him. So it is impossible to say what actually went on in his mind during in this pondering solitude.