The hall of King Magnus was alive with light and laughter. At the far end of the hall were the seats of honour, where the king and the queen were sat amongst the high lords and ladies, chatting amongst themselves over dinner. The rest of the hall was filled out by the numerous retainers and servants, warriors and handmaidens, squires and scribes, gossiping and joking with one another in the warm hearth-light after many long journeys. The largest part of the most influential people of the Thane-land were in that hall, Erasmus among them, sharing drinks with fellow swordsman, all struggling to be heard over the din of conversation and the playing minstrels. Yet all the while, Erasmus gazed silently at the hall’s doors, lost in thought.

“Oi! You prissy bastard! What’s with the long face, huh?” a large warrior howled over a tankard of ale, his bearded face flushed red. “My story boring you, is it?”

Erasmus turned, waving his hand dismissively. “No, not all Kregan. The mixture I took for this scar was just making my head spin. But please go on, you had just gotten to the part where you pulled that arrow out of your arse-cheek?”

“We’re well past that bit! Good gods, you just haven’t been paying attention. Honestly, you bloody paladins just don’t appreciate the things we tested Thanes go through here on the Mark. I took a savage’s bloody arrow in the arse, the least I should expect is to have my bloody story told…”

“Good one Erasmus, you got him started,” said a tall bowman, gaunt and hollow eyed. “This story was taking long enough as it is.”

“Oh, piss on you Scale! I’m building tension before I get to the battle. Honestly, you wouldn’t understand unless you were there in that long night. It was bad enough that I couldn’t sit my arse down the whole day before the battle, but then those barbarians had to go on with their racket all night. How any of those barbarian bastards got a wink of sleep that night I have no idea. I couldn’t sleep myself, so I went for a stroll around camp. My nephew insisted I take a walking stick, but I couldn’t be bothered…”

“You’ve gone over this already, you drama queen,” said Scale.

“What? I have not!”

“You have, uncle,” a young man spoke up, broad shouldered and ruddy haired like Kregan.

“Oh? Well consider it done for emphasis, har har! So anyway, there I was…”

Erasmus shook his head in exasperation, smiling softly, despite the twinge of pain on his scarred cheek. He let his gaze roam around the hall, drawn towards the seat of honour, and the white cloaked Lady Erda who in conversation with other noblewomen. Her old bodyguard, short yet broad shouldered, was not far off. Erasmus could not help but wonder at the strange tattoos that lined the ranger’s face, and of the Lady Erda who led them, and of Pike who rode in with them…

Scale leaned in while Kregan was bickering with another man over the details of some unrelated story. “Ever see a ranger before, Erasmus?” the bowman said.

Erasmus shook his head. “Never.”

“They don’t stray very far from the westlands, at least they aren’t seen doing it. Strange lot they are.”

“They come from a strange land, don’t they?” Erasmus asked.

“I wouldn’t know. It’s suppose to be a cold place, being blasted by the sea-winds out of the west. Hard place, and dangerous. Little to do there but herd goats and fend off wolves. It’s little wonder they look so wild.”

Erasmus leaned in closer, keeping his voice low. “I’ve heard they practice sorcery and commune with demons.”

Scale nodded. “Wouldn’t surprise me. They look odd enough. Stories say that they can see in the dark, and are descended from giants. Who knows? That old grey-beard certainly looks like he could be half-giant himself, even if he’s not so tall.”

“I saw their whole company as they rode into the city,” Erasmus said. “The others were much the same. But what about the lady? She doesn’t look like one of them.”

Scale chuckled. “Got your eyes on that one, eh? Well she’s a Thane by birth, married to some ranger chief after the battle of the iron hill. She’s King Magnus’ niece, married off to seal the friendship between us and them. A bit of a waste if you ask me, she’s a pretty one…”

Erasmus watched the lady with newfound interest. He doubted that the rangers had any sizeable towns or palaces. What kind of life did she lead among her adopted people in the untameable westlands? That must have been a lot to ask for a young noblewoman, to live among such an alien people in such an unforgiving land. Yet still, she sat amongst the Thanes, laughing and chatting as though she had no worries in her life.

So unlike Myra…

And Pike…

Erasmus sighed. “What a simpler world I lived in yesterday morning…”

“It’ll be one interesting moot we have this year,” said Scale, misunderstanding. “We’ve never had rangers attend before. Father-Sky only knows what they’ll have to say. Hey, isn’t that your servant coming this way?”

Erasmus turned to see Rollo approaching, wearing the usual disapproving frown on his face. The paladin excused himself from the table and approached the small man.

“Good eve, my lord. I hope you haven’t drunk too much, that won’t mix well with the pain-number you took,” said Rollo.

“Only a lot. Anyway, don’t suppose you know where Myra went to?”

“Your lady-friend? No idea. Why?”

Erasmus cursed. “I asked her to see you if she wanted to join the feast. You didn’t scare her away did you?”

“Haven’t seen her at all. Honestly Erasmus, there’s enough vagabonds here looking for charity already without you inviting more.”

“I was only being polite. I didn’t think she’d come anyway.”

“Well we’re lucky this one hasn’t robbed us blind… not yet at least.”

“Oh don’t be such a scrooge Rollo.” Erasmus pressed a hand against his forehead, feeling a little dizzy.

“Well in any case I think you’ve had too much excitement today, my lord. You ought to call it in early and get some sleep.”

“Aye, I think you’re right, my good man. The fresh air on the way home ought to do me good anyway…”

“I mean it Erasmus. Just stay out of trouble for god’s sake. The last time you went out for some fresh air, you…”

“Saved a life?” Erasmus shrugged. “Good night Rollo. Don’t enjoy yourself too much.”

“I shan’t, my lord. You seem to make sure of that yourself. Remember, take it easy.”

With that, Erasmus made his way out of the hall and into the streets beyond the palace. The nighted city was more alive than usual. The many soldiers and camp-followers who had followed the nobles into the city were out having small celebrations of their own, while the city-folk were about to join them, serve them, or swindle them.

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It was nights like this that bred trouble. Too much drink going around and too many unfamiliar faces all in one place. Erasmus felt his weariness fall heavy upon him. Yet still he did not think sleep would come easily to him that night. There was too much to think about, and too few clear paths of action to take.

He was worried for Myra’s sake. That strange, lone pilgrim that fate had seemingly thrust into his care. Yet what could he do to help? His sword could not heal a wounded soul. And besides, she did not ask for help anyway. What good would it do to save those who do not want saving? And then there was the head-hunter…

Erasmus frowned in deep thought, heedless of where his long strides took him. People passed him buy in a blur. Trouble was brewing, Erasmus knew, though he was at a loss to guess what that trouble might be, or where it might come from. But the head-hunter would be at the centre of it all like the eye of a storm, Erasmus had no doubt.

The paladin was brought back to the present suddenly by the sounds of struggle. He looked up to see a brawl; four thane-soldiers against two foreigners, short and stocky and tattooed. They were the two young rangers in the Lady Erda’s party. Erasmus watched as the two odd looking men grappled with their foes, surprisingly fast and dealing mighty blows with their powerful looking arms, standing their ground despite the disadvantages in height and numbers. Erasmus sighed. This could get out hand, he knew.

I’ll never hear the end of this if Rollo finds out…

Erasmus stepped in, grabbing two thanes by the shoulders and hauling them back, nearly lifting them off the ground.

“What the hell is going on here!?” the paladin boomed. It was enough to stop the fight in an instant. “Brawling in the streets is strictly illegal! I should take your names and the names of your masters and see that the whole lot of your are flogged to ribbons! Get out here and cool your heads before I decide to do the flogging right here and now!”

The soldiers, abashed gave brief apologies and scurried away, more bruised and battered than they probably expected to be. Erasmus turned to the two rangers and glowered disapprovingly, towering over them.

“Well out with it then, what’s the sorry excuse? I don’t know the custom is where you are from, but I guess that brawling in the mud isn’t suitable for a Lady’s retinue. Isn’t that so?”

One of them spread his hands in an unassuming gesture, his broad, impish face split in a gap-toothed grin. “Deepest and sincerest apologies, your lordship. Twas only a disagreement between men-at-arms. Yonder party believed it proper to cheat an unassuming foreigner from his coin, and we protested, believing that to be bollocks.”

The other rolled his eyes. “My cousin here didn’t understand the rules of the game and punched a man in the teeth.”

“Come now Bran, I know the rules like the stars above. And that bastard threatened me first!”

“Daur tarna gror aman…” the one called Bran mumbled.

“Sotha!” the other cried indignantly.

“Language gentlemen, language. Whatever the case, speaking as the sworn sword of King Magnus, Duke of the Imperial Mark, this your last warning. I’ll not have the coming Moot despoiled by petty bickering.”

The two rangers bowed their heads. “We understand,” said Bran solemnly. “Darkness fall on us if we betray your trust again.”

“Good.” Erasmus nodded his head gravely. “Now with that out of the way, we can get back to the festivities. I am Erasmus Gracchus, at your service.”

“Conn,” said one.

“Bran,” said the other. “Of the House of the Tree. May your arrows ever fly true.”

“Most excellent,” Erasmus smiled broadly. “You rangers seem to be as curious as the stories made you out to be.”

“Whatever your stories say about us,” said Conn with a smirk. “They’re probably true.”

“How disturbing. Well, I’d offer you some food, but I don’t have any naughty children or virgin princesses for you to eat. In any case, I’d like to hear more about your people. I’m from down south, if you couldn’t tell. Never seen a ranger before. No one in my hometown even knew if you lot were even part of the empire or not.”

“Palladium might forget the old alliances,” said Bran. “But in the west, we say that forgetfulness is death.”

“We might have any oath of loyalty to your Lord of Hosts,” said Conn. “But if the King calls, then we rangers will answer.”

Erasmus shook his head. “The only paladin kings we’ve ever had are in ancient legends.”

“And thus we have never ridden south.”

“So then what brings you to the north?”

“The paladins might think our lands our too poor to even think about,” said Bran. “But the wild-men beyond the Mark think differently. If the defence of the thanes falls, then we fall.”

“Our forebears wouldn’t have let five hundred of our own die on the Iron Hill if that weren’t so,” said Conn.

“Trust me,” said Erasmus. “The merit of their sacrifice is not lost upon me. I would not be in this land if I did not think the need was great. But now we ought to keep an eye on the future. I regret that I haven’t had the opportunity to speak to your lady myself, but your coming here seems to be quite significant to the thanes. Might I ask what brings you here?”

Bran shook his head. “I’m afraid that is for Lady Erda to share when the time is right.”

“It wouldn’t do us much good to discuss business before the moot anyway,” said Conn. “Now is the time for merrymaking!”

Erasmus laughed. “Pace yourself man! We’ve still the new year to celebrate after the Moot.”

“And what’s more worthy of celebration than the good times ahead? Come sir Erasmus, let us buy you a drink.”

Erasmus winced. "It's hard to argue against that."

The trio went their way, wineskins in hand. They laughed and jostled each other, the rangers not showing any signs of slowing down anytime soon. Before long, the kinsmen were practically carrying Erasmus along on their shoulders.

"Come now Sir Erasmus!" Conn laughed. "You can't call the night over just yet."

Erasmus waved a finger dismissively, struggling to keep his eyes open. "Gentlemen," he slurred. “As a king’s retainer, I have reshhhponsibilities to uphold. It wouldn’t to shhhhtay up galavanting with two wild young rrrrrabble rousers.”

“You’re just saying that because you paladins can’t handle your drink,” said Bran, stumbling a little. “This grape-juice wouldn’t make a ranger-child blanch!”

“All the more reason to get you savages off the streets!” said Erasmus. “Come, letshhhhh get back to the barracks.”

“Looks like we ought to get you back anyway, old man!” Conn remarked.

“Who’shhhh an old man?! I happen to be twenty-seven! Or was that twenty-eight…?”

“Might be a good idea to check up on our patient while we’re at it,” said Bran. “Lady Erda has put enough effort into keeping him alive, wouldn’t do if he just up and died on her.”

Conn scoffed at that. “The man didn’t seem very grateful thus far. He practically acts like he wants to die. No point in spending the effort on someone like that.”

“Patient?” Erasmus said. “I don’t shhhhhhuppose you mean that vulgar looking fellow you rode into town with? The one all bandaged up? Is he a friend of yourshhhh?”

“Not at all,” said Conn. “We found him lying in a ditch beside the road, half dead. Lady Erda took it upon herself to spend half the day treating him. She’s a talented healer she is, for a thane-daughter, Light bless her.”

“The rest of us thought it was a bad idea,” said Bran. “But our lady wouldn’t allow him to just die like that, even if he is a stranger. I don’t like him one bit though. Do you know anything about him?”

“Damn right I do.” Erasmus raised a finger to his scar. “His name is Pike. For some time he has hunted outlaws and raiders for my lord and exchanged their heads for money. He’s no friend of ours, but I’m glad he’s not our enemy. I’ve seen him fight… How did he get he end up getting that hole in his side?

Bran shook his head. “He wouldn’t tell us. But he was stabbed by a blade, that was obvious enough. No other signs of a recent struggle though. Maybe an outlaw got the better of him.”

Erasmus said nothing to that. The head-hunter was frightening enough, but if there was an outlaw out there who was stronger even than him…

“And I thought life would be so much simpler up here…”

“Eh? What was said?” said Conn.

“Oh, nothing. Mind the puddles, I’ve got my good boots on…”

Soon the trio had made their way back to the barracks, the rangers looking at the squat, ugly building with no little disapproval. As they drew nearer to the rangers’ quarters, they saw another man shambling towards them from out of the darkness, stumbling with every step and leaning heavily against the wall.

“Rough night too friend?” Erasmus said.

A thin, hollow voice answered. “Erdaaaaa….”

Pike was lurching towards them. Erasmus and the rangers went deathly silent. The head-hunter’s chest was bare, his wounded side dripping with blood and pus. All around the wound, the skin was was bruised black, spreading outwards in thin tendrils to snake across his torso. His dazed eyes looked out into nothingness from deep black pits.

“Erd…” he gasped. Pike doubled over, retching up what looked like blood, only it was pitch black.

“Light preserve…” The rangers did strange hand signs, as though to ward off evil.

“Well don’t just stand there you two! Get him back to his room, hurry!” Erasmus ordered. Before he had even finished saying it, the paladin had gotten to his feet and was now already racing down the hallway where they had come, even though he could barely stand just moments before.

Bran and Conn turned in shock and confusion. “Erasmus! Where are you going!?”

“To get help you fools!” he shouted. He picked up his pace and barrelled out of the barracks, his entire body protesting. The paladin clenched his teeth and raced on. The rangers had said that Lady Erda was a skilled healer.

And it was time to put that to the test…