XLVI. The citizenry of Culgarost and later the peasantry, who had made wooden homes outside its walls, did not cherish the Clasthaur convoy as it crossed the streets, for the people of the capital had endured already many a blue day to be in a good mood. Besides the mysticism about Elbracht’s person had been largely reduced after ‘the purge of the city’ as it became known, so the convoy abandoned the Vultures’ Nest and travelled quietly to Ceor. The journey thither was lengthy and hot; the coming of the spring had greened the fields and woods reviving the fair colours of the Wiex vale, and lifted the grey ambience of the graythland. The further south they went the warmer it got; every time the convoy stopped, the guard and lords would change to more adequate cloaths, until they reached the town of Bocra, where the lord of the city offered the Clasthaur a meal, comfort and sleep in his burg. The day after, they left the town for Ceor in spring garments of green and red colour, the customary hues for noblemen in the good season.

The woods and fields of Harador changed of weather too, with heavy rain and humid afternoons, the mod in the road saw the hardest ways of the journey, on their way they spotted a throng of queer small folks faring north and east on the slopes and meadows in the distance. Until on the 18th day of the fourth month, the lords of Ceor arrived at their capital. The weeping shadows of the noon added to the sadness of Memlafar and Tulfric in missing their dear brother. Elbracht was grim, opposed to showing any emotion, ‘rather cold’ wrote Memlafar in his diary, but none could complain, for the lord of Harador had to appear strong and firm to the peoples of his kingdom, yet Elbracht could have used the warmth of his family to heal his sorrows.

At the principal palace, lady Aveline welcomed his children. And her mood matched the city’s gloom upon hearing of the fate of Carédock the Cripple. “The fates have given me four sons,” remarked the lady dowager on this arrival “and the gods have taken one of them from my fold”. Her dresses were green like the season, but her speech was grey like the rain. Elbracht could not look his mother in the eyes, and no sympathy came from her either. The family dined that afternoon and silence ruled their every tongue. The house of Elreck was dreary, in deed, reckons Tulfric of that day, and the stars of heavens did not bless their nightly skies.

On the days to come, each of the four members of the Clasthaur family would take up residence in separate towers of the principal palace. Tulfric took the western tower of the castle, about 4 stories high, and left his apartments only to visit the libraries and train with bow and arrow in the inner bailey. This he would do two hours before sunrise ere Elbracht’s rise from sleep, so as to avoid seeing him in the corridors and halls of the palace. He would leave his tower close before noon to eat or dine by his brother Memlafar. The fair brother never left his chambers not even to train in the bailey or walk in the gardens, he had made sanctuary in the southern tower of the keep—just as tall as his brother’s—and harp in hands, he would sing of the tragedy of Carédock the younger to the waters of the river, every day’s eve.

Of the Gods is he now a servant,

He who to blade’s so keen,

The Wolf whose spirit so fervent,

Was bound to the fold of sheep.

His song was often heeded by his neighbour to the west, the lady Aveline, who dwelt the Prince’s tower by the river. She would spend the days either in the temples of the high hill, praying for her taken son, or walk the gardens of the residence. Elbracht would seek her company in many occasions, but she would dismiss her son every time. Heart-stricken, the lady dowager kept her distances from her other sons too.

Lonelier still than any of them, was Elbracht. The Lord of Ceor resided in the tallest tower of the castle, about six stories high, overlooking the palace, the city and the landscapes about its walls. From his height, he would often contemplate the lit windows of his brothers’ towers to the east and of his mother to the south, hoping to glimpse at their guises, but he would only hear the song of Memlafar and wept every time upon harking it. In this seclusion Asadue was his only companion, and even at this age, he kept lecturing him about the histories of the Hazagodian lands, the sciences of his peoples and seldom too about the legends of the Realm of Men and the lineages of his family—which he took a keen interest in, since leaving the capital.

Weeks became months until the good season passed and so did the summer and trees in the woods waned golden, for the tides of the weather brought autumn back to the South. And the brothers would utter no word to each other. Their mother, though afflicted by this rift, was also consumed by disappointment and sadness. General Caradon—who had served the lord of Ceor as Bearer of the principality during their business in the capital—would often meet with the same in his council of governance, though their exchanges were always political, the general would oft inquire about the state of the family and the mood of his lord.

“Have you had a word with your lady mother, my liege?” Was constantly his question, and whenever Elbracht had enough strength of will to address the matter, he would always reply that his mother was busy tending the household. But a time came when his grief and longing were too great to hide. On that occasion, the General met with his lord in the garden, he wrote of their conversation, his lord saying,

-“The house of Elreck is not what it once was, there were times when court was colourful and bards sang in our meals, but many moons have now passed, and rarely do I glance at my brothers, they’ve become shadows in the halls of the castle.”

-“My liege,” said Caradon, “perhaps time is come, for you to mend this rift.”

-“my heart desires no less, my lord” said Elbracht, “but the castle is too large, and many rooms and chambers separate us from each other’s companies. We have grown to be strangers to one another. I guess my brothers would not tolerate a single hour with me if they must. Oftentimes I hear my brother’s tune, and his sentiment does not seem to lessen”

-“I would dare say, that’s not the case. Your family is hurt, of that there is no doubt” said the general, “Even the trees of your garden may keep distance from each other’s shades, but their roots always touch beneath the ground. The house of Clasthaur cannot afford to remain divided any longer. Already many lords fear this feud might be the eve of another civil war”

The lord of Ceor almost tired of this conversing; the general’s words were too afflicting still, but he could not help see the truth in them

-“What you say might be true, do not imply I wish to set my family against me; I have tried already many excuses to bring us together. Only my mother can bind our threads again and sow us into a single tapestry, but even she has evaded my efforts. From us four, she is the only one, who blesses me with her sight, and even so not less than a few words suffice her to leave my presence” Elbracht sighed, seeming to almost break his posture. He handed the general a parchment scroll and he read from it. Elbracht then said,

-“This is already one of four letters, I have received this month. This one comes from Lord Horoglas, he presses me to give him a response and he is only one of six marriage proposals I have been given to consider during our time in the capital. I have refused to answer any of them out of respect for my mother. I wish to have her blessing and counsel on this matter, but she would not lend me even an hour of her time.”

Elbracht paused, ashamed to admit “If only I had heeded Carédock and you too. Our mission in Culgarost only brought misfortune to our house. I have written Carédock sixteen times so far, but he is no different than Memlafar or Tulfric. It is always my uncle Carédock the elder who replies back to me, telling me time and time again, my brother is busy with his prayers and minding his vows, I do not trust even a single word of his.”

The general, though moved by these telling, was still a man of war, and his cold mind could contain him from saying,

-“I do not deny, your family’s woe, my liege. You are not master of their hearts, you cannot foresee their feelings nor tend their every wound, but you are lord of this House, and there are hard things you must do, which will not each time be of their liking. I can only suggest to you, to bring them together once more, to discuss these proposals, for they concern them too. Also your brothers are well pass the age to wed. And you must chose what’s best not for them, but for this kingdom”

The words of general Caradon cleared the prince’s mind and sundered the cloud of guilt about him. At once Elbracht sent for his brothers, inviting them to dine with him that very night, he told his heralds he expected no refusal from them. Regarding his mother he opted for a more straightforward way; he finished his business at court and went swiftly to her tower. By the door his ladies in waiting denied him pass, but he dismissed them all.

Some texts convey the details of their encounter, but many of them have been censored in their content. I have come about some of them, which the chroniclers of the Sagrary would not have been too kind to lend. In his chambers the lady Aveline minded for the sowing of a tapestry, with Carédock’s guise and name all about it. She wrote of that day, her tremor to see her son and lord as he entered her chamber. His eyes inspected the room with some distress and fairly shocked; he saw her embroideries and present endeavour, but then he saw both her prayers book and grimoires lying on her desk, the fumes of candles and red cierges and a circle of sand by her bed.

-“still caring for old practices, mother?” said Elbracht and his lady mother did not keep herself from saying,

-“you may denounce me of witchery if you like, for doing what I can to keep my son out of harm’s way. But spurn thence all charms I have blessed you with since birth… You could have brought your brother with you, if you wished to see me content.”

-“which of them, do say.” said Elbracht “for Tulfric has shunned me from his sight, he has become a shade to my eyes, and he has done so willingly, as for Memlafar, he never leaves his tower, and still to hear him sing every night calms me, for it reminds me, he is still there”

-“It is Carédock, I mean; my son, whom you have blinded and crippled. As for your brothers, do not blame them for the loss of their elder” said Aveline, “and do not blame me neither for shunning you nor for seeking wisdom in my ways, strange to you as they may be. If the gods will not hark my plea, then the dark spirits I have ransomed will”

-“I mind little of your private ways, mayhap you can use them still to bring Carédock back to your fold” implied Elbracht, perchance intending what he said, but his mother recalled of his saying only a mockery.

-“I cannot meddle with the consequences of that which your hand has brought about.” said Aveline “He could have come along with you, had you not sealed his fate, otherwise you could have stayed here in Keor, as from you this I begged”

-“That I could not afford, you may as well thank me for keeping the peace in the Realm, as for my brother; he acted of his own accord, mother” said Elbracht, “I cannot foresee every choice any of you make, I am not master of your fates.” The lady Aveline turned her eyes away; she could not bear to hear this from him.

-“With every day that passes you grow to fill your father’s name” said Aveline, hurting his son to the core.

-“do not say such a thing to me, mother” said Elbracht “My father would have given up us four, had he been in my position. I forsook my pride, my name, the standing of my whole kingdom even, to not see Carédock burn at the stake like all his fellow men did. Do not be so quick to impart judgement, for you were not there”

-“Ay!” said Aveline “I was not there; I would not have allowed this to befall him. I would have reduced that city to ashes, had you not sent me away, as your king and master bid you!” Aveline turned red of wrath by saying this.

-“You give me all the more reason to justify my deeds” Elbracht tried to console his mother, but she would not let him get a foot close to her, even less so embrace her. He went on to say “If chances turn and fortunes change, I will free Carédock from the Fold of Sheep (meaning the cloister) and bring him back to you. For now other matters need our heed.”

-“You have gained your peace, do not trouble me with your concerns, the matters of the Kingdom are now yours to tend, and yours alone to struggle with” said Aveline

-“Still times come, when those concerns cannot be severed from those of our household” said Elbracht, “dine with me today, in our old forsaken banquet hall, Minstrels and harpers will be there, and your cupbearer too, and those of Tulfric and Memlafar” Aveline’s eyes glinted but her mouth smirked.

-“You can bribe your brothers with wine, and mellow their ears with fairy tunes, but you cannot buy my favour with fancy meals” said she.

-“I did naught of that, I have commanded them to be there, as I do to you too” said he.

Elbracht left her chambers and the banquet hall was prepared. The Sun set and the city slept. The cooks ovened splendid pork, lamb and mutton, and on the table were served jellies, pies, fitters and stews. The hall was adorned with beautiful tapestries of the tales of Fauthur dragonslayer, and of lord Urme’s war with the elves, and landscapes of the haradland and the Oenic woods. Six bards sang their tales, the harpers’ tunes filled the sweet air, and the cupbearers wore the colours of the house. Hearth and candles were lit until of the whole castle only that hall seemed to live. Elbracht was first to come, and with him came the tutor Asadue and the general Caradon. It was the latter who recalled of this moment, the fairness of the hall. They all sat by the northern end of the table and conversed of the food and wine, not a finer meal had been served since Elreck’s grand feast.

Then in came Tulfric, his hairs were long and greasy, dark and shadowy like his brown garments, he examined the room, the table and servants before setting his eyes on his brother and his companions. He sat by the southern end of the table, so far away as possible from their tongues and small chat. Later came Memlafar, wearing blue and yellow, his hairs fair and golden seemed to melt with his clothes. He gazed upon the table, with famished eyes, as if he had starved all that time in his tower. Indeed, his page and servants often fetched him meals, only to come in later for his plates, untouched and whole. He sat by his brother Tulfric, and they shared cold looks of doubt and saw each other undiscerned. Lastly to enter the room was the lady Aveline, with black dresses and hairs veiled, and her maidens stood behind her bearing her wine and cup. She sat at the opposite extreme of the table by her younger sons, whom she greeted and blessed. The table was plentiful and long, a great deal of length kept the lord from his siblings and mother, and had it not been for the bards and harpers, silence would have filled the hall.

-“The gods are good” said general Caradon “all the beef is freshly haunted, and the good season has well watered these greens” little respond came from the southern end, save quiet assents and nodding. “I trust the pastures have been blessed thus with the rain and heat”

-“I doubt the city sees the rain with such merry eyes, general” said Aveline, “so far only the weather seems to match the mood of the house.”

-“let us then pray today, in hopes to sunder these dark clouds.” Elbracht then blessed the meal, and the family for their reunion, and prayed too for the health of both Carédocks; the younger and elder. Aveline and Memlafar kept their tongues from saying anything. But Tulfric was first to speak.

-“I find it rather amusing, brother” said he “that the name Carédock seems to have such a bad luck in the histories of our family” Elbracht, puzzled heeded Tulfric’s words, “I seem to recall the vivid feud between our late lord father and his brother, our uncle. No one knows for sure the true nature of their quarrel, but this much was clear; Elreck did not enjoy seeing his guise among his halls, and thus he sent him away to the cells of the cloister.” Aveline rolled her eyes, for if any one sitting at the table had a better grasp on matter, it was her. But naught would she reveal that day. The seat of Carédock, to Elbracht’s eyes, seemed to have been occupied by the ghost of his father, once more haunting him in both soul and sight.

-“I wonder, brother” went on Tulfric “is it the curse of your lordship that you too would find him so appalling to dismiss him from your court, or is it else the doom of all Carédocks that they will meet the same end, and take the cloth?”

-“our brother will always have a place at our table” said Elbracht “it was not my doing that his chair is now empty. But I tell you, as I have told our mother, that if there be a way to return him back to us, this I will do”

-“There is a lot you could have done” said Memlafar, “many a way you could have sealed his fate with us. He could have been a chaplain in our household, but even that you refused him”

-“I did not deny him anything” said Elbracht “It was the King’s will that he should remain in Culgarost to initiate his studies of the holy books and the ways of the Sagrary. Yet I swear I will go to the capital by the morrow, if I must, to bring our brother to our temples”

-“Ay, this you could do” said Tulfric “but if your King opposes, you’ll crawl back to Keor empty-handed, I take it” the hot soup almost bubbled amidst the brothers’ tension. But Aveline swiftly said,

-“Enough with this torment! I trust your brother will keep the peace with the king and bring Carédock back to the fold,” Elbracht nodded “But this he will do in time.” She turned her sight to Elbracht, and said “you have not brought us here to mind the return of your brother. Speak now the purpose of our gathering, so we may rest to night without brawl.”

The tutor Asadue brought up six scrolls from his pocket and handed him to his lord. Elbracht took them all in hand, and placed them at his pace one by one on the table.

“From the Niensor… from the Woodmot… from the Rumiel… two from the Durne and from the Sovarós” this last name prompted some distress on the general, but he kept his thoughts to himself. Elbracht went on saying “six prospects all from great houses of the Realm, none of them can be dismissed without response” the brothers shared looks, baffled by what they had heard.

-“I have been given these proposals to consider” said he “and behind each candidate a great alliance to our house may follow. I have given the matter much thought, and repeatedly, I have been told, that a lady of the house should be warming my bed, by now. To none of these I wish to consent without your blessings”

-“our blessings?” said Tulfric, “You are the lord of Keor, the elector of the Southern Kingdom, you need not our approval to do as you like, as you have made very clear many a time by now”

-“I would not have summoned you here, if I needn’t your take on the issue” said Elbracht. None of the brothers responded. Memlafar lost his appetite altogether and neither touched his food nor drank his wine upon hearing this. Rumours had spread, he had little interest in maidens and the thought that he must wed may have kept him from his stew

“Let us examine these proposals” said the lady Aveline. Her good spirits seemed to have embellished the meal and opened her stomach and Tulfric’s too to enjoy of the meal

-“I wise thing to say, my lady” said Caradon. “In terms of proximity I dare say, both candidates from the Durne, lady Carall and lady Gellen, could benefit us a great deal”.

-“Ay” said Asadue, “during our time in Culgarost we have learnt that the kingdom of Mallerin minded its own affairs, whilst we fought our little war in Harador, and winter did not rule supreme in their fields. Their harvests owed them many riches, and they now rank highly among the wealthiest houses”

-“I would not say ‘our little war’ kept them from harm’s way” said general sardonically “our civil war, also seeded division in the house Sentriary and the snow was too thick in the north, for the other kingdoms to labour their fields and raise their cattle. Mallerin played fairly by keeping quiet and caring for their business”

-“Alas, their new found riches may not hold for long” said Tulfric valiantly enough to partake in the matter, “the good season is returned and the richer soils of the graythland may prove just as capable as ere to hoard greater wealth still. Their ruling houses; the Sovarós, may grow to be better allies in days to come”

-“and still, we ought to not forget our quarrel with the house of the griffin.” said the general “The house Sovarós was at war with the southern kingdom not less than a year ago. Shall we be so quick to forgive their trespass against us? I would advise to view their proposals with caution, my lord”

-“and yet” said Elbracht “we should not forget, it was my father, whom so swiftly sought for their wrath and tempted them to war. Besides, lady Alyse Sovarós is a fair maid, so I am told, I would not mind to find her among my blankets.”

-“In spite of our troublesome misunderstandings of late,” said Asadue “I may also remark, my lord, the renowned beauty of the lady Frenn Woodmot. The Bards of the city already sing of her beauty; her fair hairs and comely guise shall undoubtedly be a treasure to this house, not to mention, her father’s armies and the vast assets of his lands. His lordship, is also the closest one to Culgarost, the city is heavily dependent on his favour in grain and cattle. Not to mention the Woodmot lords would pose for fine allies at the king’s court”

-“The Woodmot?” asked Memlafar “lord Gens Woodmot, served as chancellor in the court of truths, if I may remind you. For all we know he could have branded us criminals for the death of our father, had we not intervened in the trials. I do not trust in a man so quick to impart judgement”

-“What of the lady Jessa of Niensor,” said Asadue “the country of his father, lord Senthaig, though cold and barren, lies also at Culgarost’s doorstep. Not the best match but a strategic one if ever the fates take us back to the capital.”

-“Not those joyless Niensor and their funny speech,” said Memlafar “lord Senthaig the plain was first to ask for Carédock’s neck. How on earth shall we befriend those, who almost had my brother killed?” his indignation seemed to match his mood.

-“Well then, there is the lady Emyca of Rumiel” said Caradon, almost stuttering, “The Brand may seem too far off our borders, and their ways may seem barbaric to some. But the men of that kingdom make for fierce warriors and should the Sovarós ever again be at odds with the South, their alliance would pose a great threat to them from the north.”

-”All of these are fine candidates,” said Elbracht “but we need not distress in choosing just one of them. Three proposals will suffice” he gave a long glance at his brothers at the other end of the table, “You too, brothers are well pass the time to have fathered children. Our mother’s household must flourish; the blood of the south must spread and take roots, from these six, I wish you to also choose; these are all suitable brides and you know as well as I do that we have duties to fulfil”

Tulfric gave Elbracht a queer look, “so, this is what you brought us here for,” said he “you wish to mellow us with brides, so we can forsake our worries. We will not be so quick to forget our brother”

-“I do not wish from any of us to forget Carédock, but we are the heirs of Elreck, and as lords of Keor, we must not let the tree of our house decay, your branches must produce fruits. So I give you the chance now to decide for yourselves, who of these maids you will take as brides.” The brothers kept their silence, and refused to say anything thereupon. The bards and harpers too halted their song and tune, and the cupbearers sweated in the silence, sharing looks of uncertainty. The soup was about to boil up amidst the tension, remarked the general in his diary. Yet the stillness would not hold the whole evening.

-“Very well” said Elbracht to kill the calm, “If you shall not speak, you may chose then in silence.” The prince stood from his chair and approached the middle of the table, he took a platter of lamb from the very centre of the meal and knife in hand, he said “you, Tulf, have always had an appetite for the breast and you, Mem, for the loin or leg. I will cut this lamb in six parts, one cut for every one of those prospects. You may choose what cut you will each eat, but only I will know which maid you pick. At the end of your meal, you will leave this chamber betrothed to the bride you have chosen” The lady Aveline halted Elbracht to say,

-“These are all noble candidates, my lord son, but I seem to recall you too have a cousin, the lady Avia of Alcobos. My brother, lord Dundos, has kindly reminded me in many letters of his wishes to bind our houses in blood once more.” Elbract frowned upon hearing this, for he had made every effort to evade his uncle’s prospect.

Cutting of the Lamb [https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/928675464401281116/1090944730168311808/Cutting_of_the_Lamb.jpeg]

-“Lady Avia?” said Memlafar, most baffled “Our cousin, though a great alliance no doubt, is a maid of ten and three. Surely you do not wish us to marry her, mother?”

-“The house of Alcobos is as best as an ally can get.” said Aveline “My brother is the wealthiest man in the realm, besides the King. His riches will do well to our poor coffers.”

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-“Rich as he may be, I will not have any of us, bed a child” said Elbracht.

-“Avia is no child, Elbracht, she is the daughter of a high lord” said she, “and she has duties too. She must be among the cuts of your lamb. I beg you to consider this now for the good of your kingdom”

-“Then so be it” said Elbracht and he severed the lamb into seven pieces. He took the platter in his hands and turned to Tulfric, “you will have the first share” said he, and gave him to choose from among the cuts. The clever brother brought his wits into the matter. He saw the breast, the flank, the loin, and the rack, but said nothing. These were no mere portions; these were the cuts of the realm, seven brides of seven houses. He pondered a while and took the rib to his plate. Elbracht thus nodded and turned to his brother Memlafar, he too, kept quiet for long, but presumably not to give the matter much thought. Usually, he had a belly for lamb but this time the meal seemed to repulse him, he did not see in the cuts the Realm and its riches, but the maidens for which they stood. Elbracht pressed him to make up his mind, and at last he took the flank to his plate. “Good” said the lord and he sat back to his place.

-“Sir Tulfric” said Elbracht, “you are to bewed the lady Jessa Niensor, daughter to lord Senthaig of Hannosya. I hope your marriage to the north will be fruitful.” he rose his cup to him and drank from it. He then turned to Memlafar,

-“Sir Memlafar” said he “you are to bewed the lady Carall Durne, daughter to lord Horoglas of Villadel. Your marriage to Mallerin will bring us plenty and riches, no doubt” he equally lifted his cup and drank from it again. “Blessings to you, brothers, and to your betrothed ladies, you will bring honour to the house of Clasthaur and blood to spare for generations to come”

Memlafar rose from his seat saying “you give my hand to ‘the fat lady of Savony’? You do know little of my desires, brother!” angrily said he.

-“Sadly, I know rather too well of you desires, sir” said Elbracht “but they cannot retain you from your duties to this house. You will wed her and spread our blood, I expect from you no less”

Memlafar took a long glance at his brother, then he turned his eyes to Tulfric and his mother, and saying no words he left the chamber swiftly, and having eaten nothing from his plate.

The lady dowager stood too, and she boldly asked “and what of your share, son? What cut will you have from the lamb?”

-“As for me” said Elbracht, cutting the lamb once again, “I will have the head. Thus I am to bewed the lady Alyse Sovarós, daughter to lord Hadril of Fyore, in hopes to rekindle our ancient alliance to the great house of the griffin. The three centuries of amity between our houses were mistakenly ended by my lord father, it is my wish to mend his errors and bring about another age of prosperity between Harador and Thindur.” the lady Aveline could not be more upset. She then asked,

-“i cannot give you my word that your uncle will be much pleased to learn of this happening. If not your brothers’, and not yours, what cut was lady Avia’s prospect?”

Elbracht took the smallest portion of the lamb and served it in a plate. He stood from his chair and fetched the plate to his mother. She took it in her hands and then he said “the tail, for none of wishes to burden our little cousin with the struggles of the house. You may see her as a horse to bribe with. Uncle Dundos may do that too. But I will not have her innocent maidenhead on my bed.” He went back to his end of the table and said “please sit, mother, and eat. We will all need nourishment for the days to come, even Memlafar.”

He raised his hand to a servant by the wall and ordered her “fetch the flank to my brother in his tower, and see that he eats from it. I will not condone his health to decay any further, if not for his own sake, then for the sake of his betrothed.”

The General Caradon who had given his tongue much too eat yet little to speak, he could not hold himself any longer from saying, “My liege, I beg to reconsider your share of the lamb, mayhap the loin or leg will be best for you appetite, whatsoever brides they might be. But the wound of the past war is still fresh and bleeds, your banners in Harador will not find this marriage to lady Alyse much pleasing either.”

-“General,” said Elbracht, “the people of the South and the folks of the graythland had been at peace with each other since Fauthur’s days ere my father’s rebellion, even the songs tell of that mythic friendship. I will eat the head of the lamb, and lady Alyse will be my wife. I still remember as I fought against her in the joust, and if her strength serves as proof of her vigour, I dare say I will be more than pleased to have her on my side.”

-“Be not so quick to dismiss the General’s words, my lord son” said Aveline, “for though sincere as your intentions may be, we can be sure, lord Hadril does not give her daughter’s hand out of love to you” of that Aveline could be very certain, thought the general, glad to see the lady of the house side with him. “What do we know of lord Hadril interest in Harador as of late?” she went on to ask.

-“well,” said Tulfric, having eaten the rib of the lamb and seeming satisfied with it, “the King’s trade route for instance surely plays a pivotal role in his reasoning. The kingdom of Thindur is rich of soil, and they produce most of the food we bring to our table, especially in times of need, like winter or autumn, in the summer, none can rival their exploits, not even the grasslands of Mallerin. Nevertheless, to ship their goods and wares to the other kingdoms of Neldor, he will need a safe passage to the southern shores. From all the kingdoms of the Realm, we hold dominion over the two major havens to the sea. It seems safe to assume, lord Hadril wishes to secure the trade route to the South and his enterprise by marrying off his daughter to us.”

-“they do, indeed, call you ‘the clever’” said Asadue “and with much reason, too, but the king’s new trade route is not the only line of commerce in the Realm. From all the kingdoms, it is Thindur that controls the only road that leads straight to the White Tower and from there to the rest of the states in the Order. ”

-“That road takes an effort no simple merchant wishes to take,” said Elbracht, “the road to the White Tower is a tiring trek that stretches through a barren land. And though, within our natural borders, the lords of those lands do not acknowledge our king. The Dominion of Edwyn only serves the Order and the Ennard masters. No sane man wishes to trade with such kind”

-“As things stand,” went on Elbracht “it seems that the Southern Kingdoms finally has the upper hand on this matter; they have goods, we have the ports; they wish to trade, we can tax the trade. The gods truly are good! We could not have hoped for a better match. Now both our coffers and my bed shall be filled with fair prizes.”

-“Good for you, brother” said Tulfric raising his cup, Elbracht did the same and thanked him; “You have find yourself, the perfect prospect. Still I wonder, what of those cuts left, shall be kept for Carédock?” the brothers shared a tense look. And Elbracht sighed saying,

-“You need not reminding, that our brother has taken vows. He may not marry, he may not father, his fate is sealed to the gods, and that I cannot change, even if he were here dining with us”

-“I thought as much,” said Tulfric “Unlike Memlafar, I do know my duties, and honour has a high regard in my mind, but do not think, I forgive you, nor absolve you from having left our brother behind. The day still may come, when all shall be forgiven, and all shall be forgotten. But on that day, I wish to see Carédock sit his chair at our table.” He drank his wine, kissed his mother, and left the hall having no words left to utter.

By the next morning, the lord of Ceor prepared himself to attend his council of governance, having slept very little, following the incident with the lamb. After both of his brothers left the chamber, he had remained in the hall eating with his mother, and conversing of her concerns about all three marriage proposals. This might have prevented him from enjoying his meal in full. But his breakfast the next day, seemed to have granted him enough strength to go with the business of the day.

In the Council chamber, he was welcomed by general Caradon, whom he appointed as his Earl Marshal and steward, following the execution of Elder Corgann. At the table were gathered the infamous lord Godocan, former Earl Marshal during the late Elreck’s reign—he had mysteriously disappeared during Caradon’s Rebellion, only to appear back again in court three days after the death of the Ealdorman—he had been appointed Lord Keeper of the Seal. Sitting next to him, was the lord Helbrock of Lauvr, whom was a given a seat in the council, thanks to his aid and last-moment-change-of-banners in the battle of Cigord, he was officially the Lord Confessor, but in practice he only used the title to raise his own status. Another distinguished man at the table was sir Rend of Croindes, whose tongue only served for adulation and gave no meaningful advice, but had inherited a seat in the council from his father the late sir Urme of Croindes. Opposite to him sat the elderly sir Kenn Brund, who had served as Treasurer since the rule of Tomfrey. Also in the chamber was the long-frowned-upon Tutor Asadue, whom was made Chamberlain and Master of the Household by his dear pupil, the lord Elbracht.

The lord of Ceor sat at the end of the table, with his chamberlain at his right and his Earl-Marshal at the left.

-“I am pleased to inform the council,” said Elbracht, “that after much deliberation, and having sought the counsel of my mother and siblings, I have taken the decision to marry the Lady Alyse of Fyore.” some at the council shared queer looks and Caradon seemed upset.

-“A fine match, my lord, my merriest wishes to you and your betrothed” congratulated sir Rend, ever happy to partake in the council, though only by assenting or flattering. But the news of this marriage did not sit well with the lord Helbroch,

-“I will not have this,” said he “my lord Elbracht, I need no reminding you that your brother, sir Carédock, though absent now from court gave me his word that you would marry my firstborn daughter”

-“and I would gladly do so, cousin” said Elbracht, “if only you had a daughter to give me. Do you have one I know not of?”

-“well, not exactly,” said he “but my lady wife, has recently announced she is with child, I am certain this one will be a babe girl.” lord Helbroch proudly declared and Elbracht then said,

-”Well, my felicitations are in order, dear cousin” said he “but still, even if your unborn child were to be a girl, there are still nine months I would have to wait for her to bless our world with her sight, and fifteen more years for her to reach the age to wed me. I would gladly wait even longer still for her hand. Alas, time presses me to find myself a lady to wed now.”

-“but your brother Carédock gave me his word” said lord Helbroch, “should I have not believed him?”

-“My brother is a man of his word,” said Elbracht “but whatsoever promise he might have made to you, has been annulled from the moment he took his vows and pledged his oath to the Sagrary and the gods. I am very sorry to tell you this” of course he wasn’t, he was thankful; the fates had turned for him to not have to honour this promise. The lord Helbroch was not so pleased; he stood up from his chair and left the council. He never returned to that chamber, and the office of lord confessor, remained vacant for a month to come, until Elbracht gave the title to his brother Tulfric.

-“let there be no doubt” said Elbracht, “that my choice is final, I will marry the lady Alyse.”

-“Certainly a fine bride, though, my liege, I must protest” said the infamous lord Godocan, “the sentiment of the people of Ceor towards the Sovarós might thwart the lady Alyse from feeling welcome among us. Your late lord father made sure of that.”

-“My father mistook in bringing this kingdom to war against its most ancient allies” said Elbracht, “but the people of Ceor have not forgotten our amity to Thindur over one single generation. We have multiple buildings and statues honouring the Sovarós and their ancestors in our capital. I will see to it that they be kept well hark back to. As a matter of fact, I wish to order the reconstruction of the bronze statue of the old King Aurio in the Neldor Forum.”

-“my lord, that might be too arduous a task” said sir Kenn “Our coffers are still healing. The king’s new trade route is proving valuable to their recovery, but we are still, far behind being stable, economically speaking. The construction of such a monument will be impossible to bring about for another twenty years, by my estimate”

-“there surely are other materials with which we can build this statue” said Elbracht. “It need not be a huge colossus like the one in Fyore, but I need Aurio’s likeness standing there, for when lady Alyse comes to Keor. Imagine the reaction of the lord Hadril, when he comes to our city, and sees the statue of his ancestor torn apart on the city square”, general Caradon at this imagining tittered but he saw his lord unmuted and firm. But whatsoever general Caradon thought, lord Godocan certainly brought into words,

-“I would pay for the other statues to be demolished, just to see that griffin’s face twist upon gazing their ruins” said and smirked the keeper of the seal.

-“‘tis exactly why, I hereby task you with the supervision of the reconstruction of all Sovarós memorials” said Elbracht “I trust you will satisfy my wishes, my lord” lord Godocan stifled his complains, and the lord Elbracht went on to say, “I am happy to announce that both of my brothers will marry soon as well. I have promised sir Memlafar to the lady Carall Durne of Villadel, and sir Tulfric to the lady Jessa Niensor of Hannosya”

-“I trust sir Memlafar’s match will prove beneficial in days to come,” said sir Kenn, “still I find it hard to understand what your interest may be in the lands of the north, my lord”

-“I have discussed that very same case yester eve,” said Elbracht, “mostly, its proximity to the capital, will prove for a fine ally, in the royal court. But I would be lying if I said that was the only reason behind this choosing. The matter involves several aspects: the strategy of marrying our kin to the northernmost kingdom of the realm, Lord Senthaig’s influence in court, the King’s new trade route and a lamb.” all lords present besides Caradon and Asadue were baffled. But then the lord explained what had occurred last evening in the banquet hall, and that he had intentionally given one of his brothers the cut for the northern candidate,

-“We are the southernmost kingdom in the Realm,” said Elbracht “In contrast; Fenland lies at the other extreme of the realm’s borders. The King’s new trade route stretches from Brethilthaur, further north from Fenland, to our shores in the Great Sea. All goods and wares that enter the Realm for trade will do so from Fenland, and the same goods and wares, plus all other products that the commerce route collects will leave the Realm through our havens. In marrying my brother to the Niensor, I have established an alliance that will make us the powerhouse of the Realm’s new economy. Nothing enters the kingdoms unless lord Senthaig approves of it, and nothing leaves the kingdoms unless I do the same.”

-“a genius move, my lord” this time, sir Rend’s flattery was well met, for all the counsellor commended the prince thereafter,

-“I see the King begging for a favour in the future” said teasingly sir Kenn, “in due time, we might have triple the size of our coffers, once your brother has married the lady Jessa.”

-“Now that the matter is behind us, there are other things of a darker tone we must attend,” said Elbracht, with his voice turning sombre “Since before Corgann’s execution, there has been a particular kind of trade that I will no longer condone under my rule.”

Asadue unrolled a map of the southern half of the Realm of Men and other lands and states from the southern Continent over the table. The names were clearly marked; Harador, Mallerin and Ardor, and south from them the forest-kingdom of Mithaur and the ever larger republic of Hardlond, to the south of the Great Sea: the territory of Araxue, the kingdom of Xarnes, the realm of Marthys, the city-kingdom of Thardys and the kingdom of Thorxejes.

-“For over thirty years now,” said the lord chamberlain Asadue, “the kingdom of Xarnes and the realm of Marthys have enriched the market of the republic of Hardlond, filling their coffers and exalting their wealth. However, the main product of their trade has been the toil and efforts of labouring forces.”

-“Do you mean to say Hardlond is become a wright contractor?” asked ironically the lord Godocan, with a tone almost belittling the Hazagodian tutor.

-“the lord Chamberlain means Slavery” said Elbracht, with commanding voice, “the republic of Hardlond has become the biggest mart for slavers; they buy prisoners of war, impoverished women and their children from Marthys and Thardys and force them to build their palaces, roads and cities in the countries. When the labour is done they sell their surviving slaves to us. From among all the kingdoms in the Realm, Ardor buys the most slaves, but in recent times, Harador seems to have taken the lead.”

-“My liege,” said the lord Godocan, “the market of slaves has benefited multiple other states in the Order of Neldor, the Kingdom of Ardor used to be the biggest client in the Realm of Men but the immense demand for paved roads has increased to improve transactions over the king’s new trading route. We have been forced to find wrights wherever we could find them.”

-“the difference between a wright and a slave, lord Godocan” said Asadue, “is that a wright will not die for his contractor and is free to leave his job whenever he pleases. I do understand these things can get confusing for a man that comes and goes from court when the weather shifts”

Before things boiled up between the two men, Elbracht intervened, saying

“Be it the King’s road or the reconstruction of Aurio’s statue” said Elbracht “I will not tolerate the employment of slaves in my cities. This might have seemed right in the times of Elreck or of Tomfrey, but I am not my father, nor my grandsire, under my rule I will not have it. Five hundred years ago all of us were slaves; all men of the Realm were slaves to the Ennards. Do you mean to tell me this is not the same? How different are we from the Long Faces if we enslave our fellow men? We might as well give up the Throne of Adein and chain ourselves back to our old master.”

Lord Godocan kept his thoughts to himself, and was visibly embarrassed to have said anything.

“From now forth,” said Elbracht “at least in Harador, Slavery will no longer be permitted. Write down what I say general Caradon. If a man is seen in chains to another man, he will be set free and the slaver shall be whipped publicly three times for every man he owns, and three times he shall bless his former enslaved.” the general wrote down his every word.

-“will this apply to the lords and members of court and your household, my liege?” asked he, and his lord answered,

-“As for Court,” said he “let us pray, general, that no one in this castle is seen with a chain in hands or neck, or else the punishment will be the same”

The lord and his council, discussed several other matters regarding, for instance, the taxes on the goods and wares traded from north to south, and the preparations for lord Hadril’s visit and the lady Aveline’s welcome ceremony, as well as those for the lady Carall and the lady Jessa. It was discussed too whether, all the weddings would be held in different seasons of the year, but minding Harador’s coffers, it was convened that all three weddings should take place in the same season and that all three brides should come to Ceor.

The directive passed by the council, abolishing the trade and ownership of slaves in the Southern Kingdom, came as a surprise to the citizenry but less so to the peasantry in the countries, which had already considered themselves ‘fortunate slaves’ for living in more rural areas out from the grip of the cities’ forced labour for the less lucky and outcast. The people of the city took a week or two to accommodate to the new decree, yet the lords in court, managed to hide their slaves for a bit longer, changing their chains for belts; this went on for over a month, until in an unfortunate shift of fortunes, sir Tulfric discovered sir Kenn Brund’s bodyguard was actually a slave from Hardlond, and he reported this to his brother. The old sir Kenn was whipped nine times in the back, leg and breast, since other two servants of his had declared they had been his slaves—although some suggest, these last two were merely pages of the household, who deeply disliked the poor sir Ken. The old treasurer was fatally wounded and died on the second day of his recovery. But his case worked as an example to the other slavers in court to fully abandon the practice. Over ten dozen ‘servants’ left the palace after this, declaring they had been slaves to nobles, whose names they would not disclose.

The Sagrary did not seem to mind much for hiding the writings of the next encounter. The shadows of history cared to lay their darkness in this episode of the prince’s biography as well, for in the ‘hidden memoirs’ of the Edoran’s diaries, the lord Elbracht recalls an unpleasant conversation between himself, and his Earl Marshal. The general Caradon though uncommonly quiet in the council, seemed to have reserved to himself some of his thoughts, but he felt obliged to share them with his lord, once all his other ministers had left the chamber. He approached Elbracht with a shield in hands, it was scratched on the surface but was kept shiny and silver-hued. The General gave the shield to his lords in his hands and asked him to inspect it. This he did bewildered by the general’s request, the shield was finely wrought, strong and firm, it was a bit rusty in the edges, but still formidable.

-“This, my lord,” said the general, “this is Nurgiron. Do you recognize it?”

-“Of course I do, general,” said Elbracht “I worked the mines myself, when my fathered chained me to the station of Cigord during the early phase of the civil war. Nurgiron is even more resilient than conventional ores.”

-“you do well to remember that, my liege” said the general.

-“Do you think we can use this iron to rebuild Aurio’s statue?” asked Elbracht, but the general quickly said,

-“I am afraid, my lord, that the working of this ore will not suit your artistic undertakings. The working of this metal is a harsh task, bending it is a feat in and of itself. It is harder still to find willing men to employ in the mines, many lives have already been taken in the efforts of extracting the iron from beneath the Harath mountains, for no man finds joy in the darkness of those bottomless pits” the general gave his lord a weighty look, and the lord immediately understood.

-“Who knows of this?” asked he

-“only us two and the chief blacksmith of the Nurgeth mines—they called him the Hammer of Cigord, for he knew the arts and mastery of this ore better than any other man—he forged your sword Oakenjaw, and this shield, but he left the fortress as soon as your father’s war ended, with him also went the knowledge in forgery for this metal, but with the slaves we manage just well enogh.” said the general, “Apart from him, the soldiers who oversee the mines might not hold their tongues for long, if they learn of your latest directive.”

-“We must stop it” said Elbracht still confused, much distress did those words caused the general to hear, “we must abandon those mines, general. I have already given the order; no man shall be seen in chains, and the slaves in those mines when they hear of this will not just leave those caverns, but also reveal their location. Our enemies may start another war to acquire those mines, and surely the Sentriary will want a share of it, since they also own those mountains, or at least part of them.”

-“my liege” said Caradon “we cannot forsake this iron, it has proven to be of great use in the art of war, your father’s legions, and yours as well have shown us their worth hundreds of times now. The swords and spears made from it have proved superior to those of more common metals. We can hope for the peace in the realm to hold, but we must be prepared for war, this iron gives us an immense advantage against our foes. If not those slaves, which we have forced to learn the craft of our weapons, no free men will be willing to follow in their footsteps. My lord, I beg you… we must make an exception”

The word exception caused a great deal of pain the lord’s heart, so he wrote in his hidden memoirs, his life-long friendship to Asadue had showed him the hardships and torment of a life in slavery and wished to prevent anyone under his rule from living in such a state. But the Nurgeth mines and the working slaves there were a valuable asset to his kingdom. The ghost of his father seemed to have tormented him once more, for he heard the general Caradon utter the name of Elreck more times than he could count. The general too was conflicted for he did not wish his lords to look phonily contradicting in the eyes of his court.

-“I will give one year” said Elbracht with shameful eyes, “One year to find me suitable men to work the mines, in that time, no slave will leave the mountain, and you must see that no one else knows of what happens down there underground. Do I have your word, general?” the general bowed his head and assented.

The ghost of Elreck followed him either way thereafter, and the prince bethought of all the hard things his father must have agreed to unwillingly. It was challenging not to empathise with him, but in his heart he still resented Elreck, for his hatred towards him was a seed that grew with and inside him. His lady mother would often remind him of what a monster his father was, and the depravities wrought by his hand, but still the weight of his office and position now in his son’s hands, gave Elbracht a taste, of what it must have felt like to be his father’s place. In hopes of extinguishing this strange sympathy for his predecessor, Elbracht went to the fold of his mother, with whom he shared the afternoon. Their talks ever more frequent seemed to have pacified the tension between them, but seldom had the name of Carédock haunted him too, and their conversations would always end with the uttering of that name.

His relationship to Tulfric also seemed to improve, his approach to his clever brother was not of the heart, but he knew he could win him back over through the mind. Ever more often, Elbracht gave Tulfric tasks and duties that involved the king’s justice, and more than once he presided over trials in Ceor, and commissioned executions as well as pardons. As lord confessor, Tulfric was given a permanent seat in his brother’s council of governance and to draw him ever closer back to him, Elbracht invited Tulfric to his table one or two days in the week, until it became a habit that they would dine together, to discuss matters concerning the Realm. But just alike their mother, when business had them talking either of the King, the faith of the Sagrary, or the city of Culgarost, their chatter would turn into quarrel, and Tulfric would storm out from the hall. Although less stable than that of his mother, his relationship to him seemed to slowly heal. But when it came to the fair brother, little could Elbracht find to bribe his trust back. And still he knew that the only way to buy in his brother’s confidence back was through the heart.

Asadue was told by his pupil of the night, Elbracht, in an eve, went to Memlafar’s tower in hopes to rekindle their estranged bond. His page tried to deny him pass, telling the lord that his master did not wished to be disturbed, for it was the hour of his singing. Elbracht gave his best to kindly dismiss the page, and stood on quite on the threshold, behind the nearly closed door. There his ears cared to hear Memlafar’s tune. From the highest tower, Elbracht could not quite discern the full extent of his song, but this time he was close enough to make out the rest of the lyrics:

The woods of the South weep joyless,

Their loosed golden leaves fall,

The birds o’er the fields sing voiceless,

For a knight of splendour was thralled.

Of the Gods is he now a servant,

He who to blade’s so keen,

The Wolf whose spirit so fervent,

Was bound to the fold of sheep.

To the city of men he journeyed,

Where the Lady Condor he’d court,

In the games and tilts he’d tourneyed,

In jousting and duelling sports.

But the fates played cruel this gallant,

To his brother he pledged his sword,

Still when he doom faced valiant,

Was betrayed by his blood and lord.

The melody was calm and paced; his voice was subtle and whisper-like. Elbracht had never heard his brother sing, and was enchanted by the tune. Memlafar remembers in his diary (few are left of them), the moment the door cracked open, and there under the wood-roof stood Elbracht with watery eyes and stuttering mouth; the song hat cut deep in him and was notably moved by its verse. Memlafar was somewhat relieved to hear what his brother had to say,

-“I… I share in your sorrows, O brother” said he “for Carédock is my brother too. I will write to the king in the morrow, to see if we can bring our brother back to us.”

-“I am pleased to hear this,” Memlafar said “but I have given up hope, he’ll come back to us. Ceor is no longer his home; he is taken the cloth of the Sagrary, a hood has been cast over his face forever.”

-“He can wear the hood here” said Elbracht, “and take the chaplain’s rooms. He may not take the sword again, but Ceor is still his home.”

Memlafar put his harp on a table and gave a sorry sigh,

-“Why have you come to me?” Asked he, “I doubt it is to hear my tune. The bards already repeat it in the forum and markets too.”

-“That may be true.” Elbracht said, “But I hoped to hear it from the lyrist who wrote it… Mem, I do not wish us to make us strangers, we go back a long way, you and I. I know you will not forgive me, but you must see that I had no other choice.”

-“You have said it many times already” said the fair brother.

-“But I mean what I say” went on Elbracht, “In time you will see it. Anyhow, ‘tis not why I have come here today…”

-“I know,” said Memlafar “you want to sway me into marry the fat lady. I know there are things we must do, and I will do them. But don’t expect me to do so, with happy smile.”

-“Nay, I know you won’t” his brother said, “and still, that’s not why I’ve come.”

-“Then don’t bebother me” said the fair brother, “leave me to my song and harp.”

-“I would like us to go on a hunting,” said Elbracht “let us make our peace, doing the things you once enjoyed. It does you no good to lock yourself in this tower ‘til the world’s breaking. You barely eat, your mucles have grown feeble and you do little else than sing to the river.”

-“I am not in the mood to hunt or do sports. Your wounds and Tulfric’s may be quick to heal, but mine need more time to scar. So far only the rushing water of the river seems to understand and speak back to me.”

-“I am sure the trees in the woods and the field of the country will be glad to hark your voice, too. Bring your harp if you will, and sing to them of Carédock’s lament. The Southern Kingdom ought not to forget of our brother.”

Memlafar was tempted by the idea. Often he looked over the landscapes about the city and dreamt of wandering among their colours. But his grief kept him from blessing the sun with his guise.

-“leave me now, brother. I must ponder on this thought with the river.” said Memlafar and cared to pick up his harm again and went on with his verses."

Of the Gods is he now a servent,

He who to blade’s so keen,

The Wolf whose spirit so fervent,

Was bound to the fold of sheep.

Elbracht left his brother’s chambers but stood by the door a little while. He listened ever heedful of ear, to the song of Memlafar the fair, over and over again, until the sun left the heavens and the night grew darkest. Then he went to his chambers in the tallest tower and saw none other than Asadue, whom he told of his attempt to win over his brother back again. Asadue was sad to hear of his pupil’s failure, and to make up for his sorrows, they spoke of the Kings of the South; the only tale that always cheered up the prince. But even those sagas he so much adored seemed to throw the prince deeper down the pit of his sadness.

Song of Memlafar [https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/928675464401281116/1090951141208113213/The_Song_of_Memlafar.jpeg]