"Are you sure of it?"

Ansa, Harar and I had been up all night. I was tired, but Ansa and Harar had been used to the lack of sleep in their service to Kænn, so they did not appear the same. Harar asked me the question, and I nodded, but he said nothing more for a moment. I set the fireplace alight sometime earlier, though I was not cold, but I knew Harar and Ansa would need the heat, and we sat around it as we talked.

"It will not be easy to convince Kænn," Ansa argued," you were drunk, and that is all he needs to believe you are wrong."

"But I'm not wrong!" I hissed at him," if Kænn ignores this, all of your home will be at risk!"

"We believe you," Harar replied, then opened his arms," but what can we do? Kænn will ask 'what if you misheard him' or even 'are you so certain it was Melior.' You need to be wholly correct. If Kænn accused Melior, it would stir conflict."

"Conflict is stirring regardless," I growled at him," I know what I saw. I know what I heard. The least we can do is tell him. Put it into his mind."

Ansa and Harar looked at eachother, then seemed to agree. We did not stop to eat, nor were we hungry, and rest now seemed so unimportant to even myself. We left Ansa's home and hurried to Kænn's great hall, where he had been writing on a desk in silence. He heard us come in and, when prompted, Ansa and Harar approached him with respectful bows, but I did not want to waste time.

"Lord Kænn," I said hurriedly," Öranc is in danger."

"It is always in danger," Kænn turned to look at us," what makes now so different?"

"Your faith in the peace is misguided, lord," I told him, rather bluntly," Melior, even now, is plotting to bring men from his homeland to siege Öranc."

Kænn stared at me for a moment with a soft expression, dropped his quill, then stood and put his arms behind his back nobly. He walked across the dais as if questions fought him in his mind, then pet his beard as if the questions were winning.

"You know this how?"

"I heard him say it himself."

"How?"

"I..." I hesitated for a moment. I didn't know whether to use half-truths, but if I knew anything of Kænn he was able to read half-truths very well, and so I decided to tell him the whole truth.

"Ansa, Harar and I had been drinking through the night at the tavern Melior resides in," I said, begrudging the fact I had to admit it," and we left for Ansa's residence when the service no longer provided for us. I stopped to relieve myself, and heard voices, and so tracked the voices down and found Melior talking to one of his guards. That was when I heard it."

"You were drunk," Kænn sighed irritably," how am I to trust this completely?" Harar made a noise, and I growled as Kænn looked to him for a split-second.

"All I ask is that you heed my words, lord," I said," whether you choose to believe me or not is up to you, but I believe the safety of your men, and those that reside in Öranc, are in immediate danger."

Kænn turned from me. He was quiet for a long moment, but I could tell he did weigh my words. Ansa nudged me with his elbow, then whispered about the way I was speaking, which to him seemed rather too blunt and disrespectful for someone who was in a state of power, and I pushed his face away from my ear.

"Lord?"

"I cannot wholly trust your word," Kænn said finally, then turned back to look at us," though I will contemplate what you have said. You are dismissed."

Harar and Ansa bowed, but I huffed and turned to walk away in angry defeat. Ansa and Harar followed me, and when we walked through the doors and out into the snow did Harar smack me in the back of my head.

"You do not speak that way to a man in his position," Harar chided me," will you not learn? Has this not been said to you before?"

"The urgency was too great, I cannot waste time choosing what words to use when our safety is compromised," I growled at him," your ways are too respectful for things to get done properly. I am surprised Vyndcanlund has lasted so long with your propriety."

"And from where you hail, there is order, no?" Ansa asked me furiously," are you not a prince?"

"I am."

"And if someone spoke to you such as you do to Kænn?" Ansa asked. I growled at him, but he was right. I had not shown Kænn the resprct he deserved, even when he has shown to me nothing but kindness and offered me nothing but help and advice. I told my companions I would apologize to Kænn later, but for now we needed to prepare, and I needed to talk to Falkend and Ciluyue, so when my companions departed I went back in to the great hall to find my guardians, who I found in the room they shared.

I told them what I saw and how I told Kænn, but they seemed disinterested. I found myself surprised, but I asked them what they would do to help, and Ciluyue responded.

"Nothing," she answered," we do not involve ourselves in the struggles of men unless it affects the balance of nature."

"You will do nothing?" I asked harshly, and Ciluyue shot me a look as if to say her decision was final. I found I had nothing to say, but Ciluyue spoke again to explain her reasonings.

"War comes and goes, it is a different kind of nature," Ciluyue said," do you know how many wars have happened since the creation of existence? Should we involve ourselves in every little affair? It changes nothing. War will continue. Civilizations will fall, and rise anew. It is the way of the world."

"But Kænn is your friend, is he not?" I asked her, and she huffed at me.

"That makes no difference," she said," your father is my friend as well, but I could not stop what has happened to him and his kind. The Eldengar do not grow attached for such reasons. We follow the instructions of Dúleardi, and nothing more."

I thought back to when the Eldengar first showed themselves in our hall on Dractalemh, and realized that my father was not so keen to have them as guests. Though he remained friendly with the Eldengar, my father seemed wary and on-guard the entire visit, and now I understood why.

"How selfish," I spat.

"Selfish?" Ciluyue approached me," our service is not selfish. In fact, it is quite the opposite. How many times have we warned those who live of what was to come, and our words unheeded? Your father, even, could not—"

"Ciluyue," Falkend broke his silence," enough. You must speak no more."

I had never seen Ciluyue angry before. It was a sort of fear I thought I'd never experience. If I had to compare it to something, I could picture my mother in her place; and when she calmed down, returned to her normal stoic demeanor, I believed her anger to be genuine rather than a facade. She huffed a moment, closed her eyes, and I noticed her brow had twitched a bit before she spoke again.

"Very well," she caved," I will advise Lord Kænn, but nothing more."

"Nothing more?" I challenged her, but she raised a hand and I forfeited.

"And you, young prince," Falkend growled," will do nothing as well. If I find you have joined this fight against our wishes, you will wish you were back on Dractalemh."

I scoffed at him, but when his eyes furrowed I nodded my agreement. He waved his hand and I left the room. I would still do what I could to protect the friends I had made, regardless of the punishment that would be administered, and so I went to find Ansa and Harar.

A week had passed and nothing had happened. I began to think what I heard was merely in my drunken mind, maybe even a hope for some sort of excitement other than the training I had grueled through in my time in Öranc. In the past few days the control of my water magic had gotten significantly better, enough for Falkend to express his contentment. I didn't know just yet how water magic would be useful, but Falkend told me the more I trained I would understand in what ways it could be used, and would not elaborate on what he meant. I supposed he wanted me to find out for myself rather than be coached in every aspect of my training, and I compared it well to Vysedda's training with my uncle, so it was easy enough for me to understand why he used the approach.

We had returned to Öranc one morning and Falkend dismissed me, telling me my chores were not necessary today. I was relieved to have the day off, but I had no idea what to do with it. I decided I would help Ansa with his work, since I did not really enjoy the company of anyone else aside from Harar, who was with Kænn devising some sort of plan for their expansion past the forest to Costa.

What I had expected a week before happened when I greeted Ansa. I met him on the rampart of the south gate, but before I could say anything he began to shout.

"Warriors!" he called," warriors at the south gate! Ready, each man! Bar the doors, arrows to the wall! No one in or out!"

It was as if he had signalled the entire world to begin fighting. Those Vyndcas whom I've drank with suddenly turned on their Sülræan guests, but the Sülræans were prepared, and so I watched below at the onslaught of treachery. Ansa and I did nothing at first; we were so surprised at the events that it seemed we would never move, but Ansa was the first to do so, and he grabbed me by my tunic.

"We need to get down there!" Ansa yelled, then turned his head to order one of the gate-watchers," you! you are in command here! Send volleys of arrows! Bring the oil and torches! Do NOT let them breach the gate!"

Ansa's hand had still been grasping my tunic, and when he ran by me I spun to come with him; not at my own volition, of course, but through the force of his grip. It only took that much for me to come back to my senses, and I drew the sword Kænn gave me and followed Ansa around the wall to the stairs leading downward. Some men challenged us at the base, but Ansa was quick, and as he sped down the stairs he unsheathed his sword quickly. The first man's sword-hand was removed from his body entirely, flying through the air still gripping the blade it held. Ansa left him to drown in his cries of pain, then blocked an incoming attack from the next man.

I came from behind and jumped over Ansa, my blade drawn back so I could pierce it forward rather than use a chopping motion, and the second man could not see me as I fell on top of him, my sword in his left eye. I spat on him, then looked up just as another warrior charged at me. I growled at him, then my hand combusted into flames, and the man hesitated.

"Come, face me!" I yelled at him.

I think it was the first I had fun in a long time. In that moment I gave in to my ferocity and my need for the hunt. My feral instincts emerged wildly and I left it unchecked, and that, I think, was what my opponent saw when he looked into my eyes; a feral animal. He turned to run, but that only caused me to chase him, and I was fast. He fell in an instant, and I stabbed him three times in the back.

"Tallam!" I heard from behind me, and I turned to face Ansa. He stared at me for a moment, then pointed st my face.

"Your eyes," he said, not finding anything else to say. I growled at him as I pulled my blade from the dead warrior's back.

"What about them?"

"They're... cat-like," he hesitated," is that a part of your magic?" I shook my head.

"Don't worry about that. We should get to the hall. Kænn may be in danger." Ansa looked over my shoulder, then sighed.

"We need to finish what has been started here. I must be sure the enemy does not open the gate from the inside. Come!"

He ran towards the gate and I followed. He barked some orders from behind the fighting Vyndcas, who were in the middle of a skirmish with the Sülræans. Some men had shields, most did not, and Ansa was able to decipher this quickly.

"Shields! Form a line! Spears, behind swords!" The Vyndcas seemed to understand, and they retreated cautiously with their backs to the gate. Those with shields connected them with others, and those with swords, including myself, stood behind them. The spearmen behind us raised their shafts high over the shields. The Sülræans, more prepared than we were, had formed their shields in the shape of an arrowhead, then charged at us rather quickly, their screams of encouragement ringing in my ears.

"Saman!" Ansa shouted in Vyndca, and he taught me enough to know what he was saying, so I braced for the impact," Hou!"

The shields dropped slightly, and when the point of the attacking force was near, our swords from the second line shot outward as if we were a spike trap. The first couple of men went down but the arrow continued forward, and Ansa shouted again, signalling the front row of our wall to jab their swords in an upward motion, piercing under the shields of our adversaries. I watched from behind the shields as swords pierced under ribcages, and the scream and terror of dying men as the pile of bodies built; and those that opposed us climbed over the bodies in an effort to break our formation, but only then did we break of our own accord, for they were weaker in numbers now and easier to slaughter. The smell of blood seeped into my nose, more powerful than I'd ever smelled it before.

We took two prisoners then; one was a nobleman and the other under his oath. Ansa ordered them to the nearest tower on the rampart where they could be interrogated and then safeguarded, in that order. I assumed that would be torturous at first, but they would live, and I opposed Ansa on the idea.

"Why not just kill them?" I growled at him, and he pat my shoulder.

"We need information," he said," you will come to understand warfare soon but you did well in the shield wall, however small a skirmish it was. Now, come, we must find the Lord Kænn."

We left the south gate under the care of a man named Lestre, then went off down the marketplace, where the shops were ransacked and torn to shreds. It was as if Lüs Colinus did not need an army at the gate to cause this much damage, but I assumed at this point the siege was a distraction, and I began to fear Kænn was in peril.

"That bastard," I shouted as we ran," couldn't have just listened to me, could he?"

"Now is not the time," Ansa shouted back," we must hurry."

We halted suddenly when the great hall came into sight. Men, women, and children lay dead in the snow, as well as a few soldiers from both sides. Ansa and I took note of everything before we came to a silent agreement. Someone was inside already, and it was best we waited for them to come to us.

It was a moment later before they did, and Melior led, what I counted to be, fifteen men out the door, with Kænn and Harar guided by rope from behind. When they stepped into the snow Melior turned suddenly, halting the warriors who followed him, and his men parted so he could speak to Kænn. I wanted to charge, but Ansa grabbed my shoulder, sensing I was ready to pounce.

"Not yet," he said quietly," a moment longer."

"I am sorry it has come to this, my old friend," Melior spoke," but you have left me with no choice. You have refused our help for too long now. Vyndcanlund was once prosperous under our rule, and can be so again, you only need to give us your king."

"He left," Kaenn said, unwavered by Melior's threat," days ago. He has returned to his estate to the north. How can I give you a man who is not here?"

"I have missed your insolence," Melior chuckled," we could have come to an agreement, I think, but I tell you now you will not live much longer. Those that hold power over me want your head, and I am honor-bound to give it to them. However you wish to die, I will grant you, out of respect for our past."

Kænn seemed to think for a moment, then took a deep breath in and looked upward at the clouds. Melior waited a moment, but then nodded as if he understood Kænn's silence. The warrior nearest to Kænn kicked behind his knee, forcing Kænn to the ground, but his gaze at the sky did not move. Harar barked at him, but was silenced by the back-hand of another warrior. Melior approached, then drew his sword.

Ansa let go of my shoulder and I began to charge. I waved my left hand and the snow in my line of sight turned into ice until it reached Melior, who slipped on the sheet and lost his grip on the sword. I pulled back my right arm as it engulfed in flames, then thrusted it forward with all my might, shouting with effort.

A ball of fire spat out of my fist, directed at Melior, who was being helped up by one of his warriors, and upon seeing the flame did he grab the man and force him in my line of sight. The warrior's clothes caught fire and he dropped into the snow, rolling around with a desperate cry.

Ansa came from behind me and darted towards Kænn, who continued to stare at the sky on his knees. A warrior tried to stop him, but Ansa deflected his blade and gutted him like a fish. I jumped onto the man who had caught fire and I roared at him. I pulled my right arm back, then brought it down onto his face with force. I did not realize until I pulled my bloody hand back that my nails had turned into claws, and the man's face was torn off in my palm.

I did not have time to think about what I had done as the next warrior ran at me. I rolled in the snow off of the faceless man, pulled out my sword, and parried the incoming downward slice, my left hand on the flat of the blade carrying the weight of his attack leftward into the snow. I hit his face with my sword's pommel and he stepped backward in pain, his free hand on his face, so I sliced at his stomach and his guts fell out into the snow.

Ansa had killed another warrior as I stood from the snow. I beckoned him back and we regrouped. We had but a moment to catch our breaths before two more warriors challenged us, jeering and calling us names. I didn't know what to do from now, and neither did Ansa, so we readied ourselves for the next fight.

"Stop!" I heard Melior cry. I looked past the men who faced us and saw him standing between Harar and Kænn, who had a man each with their swords to their necks. I looked at Ansa and he nodded, then dropped his sword into the snow. I did not let go of mine.

"Drop your sword, boy," one of the men who challenged us said," or your master will die. You don't want that, do you?"

I growled at him. I flipped my sword into a reverse grip, lifted my arm, then chucked the sword with all my might. The sword flew like an arrow past the men and drove into the skull of the man who threatened Kænn. I smiled as he dropped, then lifted my arms in defeat. Ansa growled at me.

If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

"Since when could you do that?"

"Something my uncle taught me," I replied," doesn't matter now, anyway."

"You should have joined me, young Tallam," Melior interrupted our conversation, and I narrowed my eyes at him," but instead you will die with all of Öranc."

"Easy enough to say when you have done nothing," I shouted at him," except bark orders and let your men do your work. Besides, you are surrounded."

"Surrounded?" Melior chuckled," I see two foolish men and nothing more."

"What are you doing?" Ansa whispered, quiet enough so only I could hear, but I ignored him.

"Why reveal our plans to a dead man?" I shouted at him, but this only proved to infuriate Melior.

"Indeed," he shouted back," you will be dead in a moment, and you will not know the fate of Öranc. That is what will happen!"

"Give us Lord Kænn and Harar," Ansa caught on to my bluff," and we will recall the men who surround you. You have many arrows pointed in your direction, Lord Melior, and we do not wish for more bloodshed."

"They are lying, that is all," Melior barked," kill them now and let us be on our way!"

It was then that Falkend appeared from the hall, uncloaked and roaring wildly, as he was a large white lion ready to kill. The man who held Harar turned, but it was too late. Falkend's large hand snuffed out the light in his face, then a gust of wind emitted from his palm and the warrior dropped to the snow, his face caved in by the pressure. The white lion picked up the sword the man held and cut Harar's binds, then gave him the sword. Harar, confused, pointed it at Melior, who looked frightened and just as confused.

Ciluyue came from the shadows, undisguised herself as her antlers seemed to shimmer in the light. She gently bent down to Kænn, untied him, then put a hand on his cheek as if to check for wounds, both external and in the mind, but Kænn sighed in relief, knowing today would not be the day he would die, then he rose slowly from the snow. Ciluyue watched him with her dark eyes.

"Drop your weapons," Ansa demanded, a hint of relief in his own voice," or the Lord Melior will die where he stands." The warriors obeyed. Ansa and I took the next few moments to collect their weapons as Kænn approached Melior, stood in silence for a moment, then finally spoke.

"Rest in fear," he said with a touch of malice," you may not live long enough to return to Lüs Colinus."

Night came and the siege at the south gate continued for a while longer, but soon they tired and began to build camps. There seemed to be a mutual cease-fire, but as I watched below from the rampart I noticed there were some who would approach from afar, call out challenges, and then retreat when unanswered. It went on like that for the night, I was told, but I could not stand there and watch forever, and I began to suspect Melior was brighter than what plan he had set in motion, though I had no ideas to reinforce my belief.

Ansa waited patiently, straight and stoic on the high wall as men rushed past him, following orders from those ranked higher than them. I told him I would run back to the great hall to see if any plans had been made, and Ansa dismissed me with a gentle nod. Before I could leave, however, he stopped me, then decided to ask me a question that seemed to burn inside of him for a long while.

"What are you?"

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you," I replied softly.

"Try me."

I paused for a moment, but I grew to respect and admire Ansa as both a friend and a mentor, and so chose not to hide my secrets any longer.

"I am a drake," I answered his question," for long you of the Lower Realm have believed us legend, but I tell you now, it is true." Ansa stared at me; not in disbelief, but in quiet acceptance.

"You must tell no one, Ansa," I said to him," those whom desire the truth would come looking, and we must stay hidden, for one reason or another."

"Do not worry, Tallam," Ansa replied, then put a hand on his heart," I will give you my word, your secret is now mine. Though, during our fight with Melior, you did show some... sights... to the Sülræans, and they will tell their stories." I scoffed at that.

"They will insist it is magic, and no more," I said," that is common enough, is it not?"

"No," Ansa shook his head," it is not. You and your companions are all that is known to use such powers, and I believe the world will know of its existence now." I gestured acceptance with my head, then turned away from Ansa to look down again at the camps.

"Will it change anything?"

"No," Ansa admitted with a smile," only more stories. The Lord Kænn, I'm sure, will deny your existence, as well as those of your masters. He will most likely say that Melior and his men were driven mad with revenge, and I think that will be enough."

"Revenge?" I asked, and Ansa, too, looked over the wall.

"A time ago, during the war," he began," the Lord Kænn was just an earl's son, oath-bound to Lord Melior in Lüs Colinus as they fought with Faldhungh. You see, Vyndcanlund had a peace with our neighbors to the south, if only to expand our territories westward. But one day a conspiracy began, starting with the betrayal of Lord Kænn's father. He, and others, believed Lüs Colinus had taken too much control over our land, which was true. But we proud Vyndcas would like to see ourselves as free to do what we please, and not under the rule of another's thumb. Kænn, as is his nature, cared not for the politics of it all, and would have much rathered grown old and tired with a family, away from his birthright and the ideals of kingdoms. But divine intervention came, and he was thrust into the conflict regardless. Do you remember how he stared at the sky, accepting his death? Well, that was something Kænn did quite often, even in service to another land's crown. I believe at that moment he did not care whether he lived or died. In fact, I think his expression afterwards was less of relief and more of frustration. But he is a fine leader, a great one even. And one day before, in that time long past, he was faced with a decision he did not want to make, but for his people and his land he had no choice. He elected in council to break free of the chains from our allies to the south, expressing in length a powerful speech that fired the hearts of every man who heard it. Lüs Colinus saw it as treason, which only fanned the fire further, and soon we found ourselves free, both in body and in mind. The expansion to Faldhungh seized, but the fight against Vyndcanlund began."

"Why not ask Faldhungh to join your cause?" I asked, and Ansa chuckled.

"I think a lot of us believe if one kingdom was able to take control from an agreement, another would just as easy be able to," Ansa answered, and it made sense, so I asked no further questions. I did, however, understand Kænn better, and that was all I needed to apologize for the way I had been acting more sincerely than I originally intended. He was selfless, compassionate, and honorable, where I had been acting in contrast; and if I was to one day rule a kingdom, I wanted to be someone like him.

Ansa punched my shoulder," Go. Find Lord Kænn, and bring me news. We will talk later."

I dismissed my thoughts and nodded to him, then bowed in respect for the first time, which took Ansa by surprise, but I did not wait around to have him poke fun at me. I took off down the stairs of the wall, hurried past the marketplace, which had many of those Vyndcas who lived inside Öranc attempting to repair the stalls and picking items of much variety from the snow, and made my way inside the great hall. When I found Kænn he had been talking with Falkend and Ciluyue, but did not sense my presence just yet.

A part of me felt embarrassed, but I braved through the feeling and approached the dais, where Falkend did notice me, then turned and gently grabbed my left shoulder.

"I thought I had told you not to involve yourself," he growled, and I rubbed the back of my head.

"I was at the south gate when it happened," I replied, honestly," you had given me the day, so I thought I would help Ansa." Falkend peered down at me with his sharp eyes, a rumble silently emitting from his throat. He turned wholly to face me, put his other large hand on my right shoulder, then spoke.

"You did well," he said, which surprised me," I cannot chide you for something you couldn't help, and the Lord Kænn is alive because of it."

I scratched at one of my pointed ears, my eyes looking to the floor panels below. Kænn noticed me then, and Ciluyue turned when she noticed his attention had been removed from her after an apparently lengthy talk, though she herself seemed to appreciate the break.

"Young Tallam," said Kænn," you have shown now more than once your talent for saving lives. Whatever I can do to show my gratitude, I will honor you."

"I... do not need any such treasures, lord," I chuckled nervously. Kænn did not reply, and after a short time he spoke again.

"Ansa had told me you did well in the shield wall," he said," it is commendable for one's first time."

"Lord, all I could smell was blood," I replied," I could see nothing else but death and I wanted nothing more than to see it end." Kænn could tell I was lying, and so pressed me with his knowledge.

"When you first arrived, the Lady Ciluyue had informed me of your heritage," Kænn said," I know all of what drakes are, and of what they are capable of. I know how they act, I know how they think. I know as well, of the elves, and of your mother and your grandfather. I know everything. In fact, I have had the pleasure of meeting both your parents once before. I have set foot in Dractalemh, and I have seen you and your sister when you were not taller than a shield."

I found I had nothing to say at first. I could only stare at him as the questions filled my mind, and as he turned to pace the dais I looked at Falkend, who did not return the favor, and then at Ciluyue who looked to me without feeling.

"Why..." I began, trying to understand without asking," why didn't you say anything?" I did not care who answered; all three of them were guilty of keeping secrets they did not need to keep, but Kænn was the one who responded.

"First," he spoke," I wanted to see what kind of being you were without your heritage. I needed to see how you would behave, and how you would learn. Second, and I beg your forgiveness, but the Lady Ciluyue had me promise to say nothing, her thoughts mutual with mine, though I seem to have broken that promise now."

That was a fair response that calmed my nerves a bit. I was still agitated, but I didn't feel the need to retaliate, which is something I would have done if the reply was unfavorable. I am still young, after all, and my mannerisms were something I was still learning.

"Why tell me now?" I asked.

"Simply because I feel it is necessary," he replied," I do not believe you will act any differently than you had before. And as a reward for saving my life, you deserve to know the truth."

The doors of the hall burst open then. Harar hurried in, his armor clanking with his stride, and he appeared out of breath.

"Lord Kænn," he shouted between air," the northern gate has been breached!" Kænn seemed to trip coming down the dais.

"Say again?"

"The northern gate, lord," Harar said excitedly," I don't know how. There may have been Sülræans in hiding in Öranc... Some of the guardsmen are holding the enemy back, but it won't be long before they are overwhelmed!"

"Harar, you will summon Ansa. Have him bring twenty men. You will stay at the south gate and replenish your strength. When you are ready, you will leave the archers on the ramparts and bring yourself and a handful of men. Our enemies to the south must not know they have breached. We will kill every last one of them!"

Harar bowed, then left. Kænn turned to me.

"Are you ready for another fight?"

"I am," I replied, trying to hide my excitement.

"Good. You work well enough with Ansa, so tell him I said you are under his charge. I will join momentarily."

I bowed as I had been taught. I took one look at Falkend, who nodded his consent, then hurried out the hall. I made my way to the north gate by wrapping around the great hall, and that was when I realized there was nothing between the north gate save fkr a few houses, and nothing to stop the enemy from overtaking the hall. I drew my sword and waited in the rear, watching as the Sülræans fought the Vyndcas in their effort to come inside. I watched as the men fell, but I was looking for something Harar had said. There must have been Sülræans in hiding; there was no other way the north gate would have been breached so easily, and I was patient in my absence from the battle.

It took but a few moments and I could see doors open from some of the houses. Ten men charged out bearing weapons and shields, and I knew there was no hope for those who lived inside, so I ignored checking for survivors and rushed in to stop the flanking maneuver. I bellowed a cry, hoping to distract a man or two, and I succeeded. Three men, in fact, turned to look at me, but they laughed when they noticed I was young.

"Do you know how to use that?" one asked, dim-witted in his false sense of superiority.

"Come and find out," I replied, then readied myself in a stance. He looked to his companions, shrugged his shoulders, then approached me. I narrowed my eyes and tuned my senses, which proved to be difficult considering the cries of battle behind my opponents, but I needed to do just so to be able to hear in any of my blind spots; something my uncle had tried to teach me as well, but I had never figured it out.

"No time like the present," I muttered to myself. The man lunged at me, but I stepped to the side and his blade sung past my ear. I readied myself as he hit his shield with his sword. He shouted a challenge, but I dared not move first, so he hacked at me in a sort of jest. I was able to dodge and block his strikes, and he started to encourage me. I thought he was trying to make me angry, and I would not allow it.

"You're doing well, lad," he laughed," your mother teach you how to fight?"

I lowered my sword," Well yes, actually. It seems your mother taught you as well." He did not want to jest any longer. He roared at me, then charged forward using his shield as a weapon. When he was close enough I dropped down into the snow, then slid my leg to trip him. He rolled over me and I acted quickly by shuffling on my hands and knees in the snow to plunge my sword in his neck. He gurgled, then grabbed the blade of my sword but did not have the strength to pull it out, and so died in his struggle.

I acted as if I was winded, which of course I wasn't, and the other two came barreling towards me in their quest for revenge. I picked myself up quickly, barely blocking a downward slice from one man while the other was able to slice my back open. I cried in pain and he kicked me into the snow. I used the momentum to roll towards the man I had killed and grabbed his shield, then grounded myself into the snow with the shield held high as the man who had cut me hit it repeatedly in feral anger. His ally tried to cut underneath, but I was able to fend myself off for a moment before I realized the two men had stopped attacking me. I felt the weight of a horse drop onto my shield; it took some effort to lower it to my left, and the man who had cut me fell into the snow, his blood seeping from a back wound. I looked to my right and the other man was dead as well, staring at me with his lifeless eyes and jaw agape.

I looked up at Ansa with a growl," I had that under control."

"Save your pride," Ansa offered his arm to me," you will not survive long if you keep that up."

"Thank you," I said, but winced in pain as he raised me. He looked at my back, then laughed.

"Nothing more than a scratch, but it will definitely scar," he said," can you continue?"

"I can," I nodded.

"Then come," he said," I sent my men forward. We must join them."

We ran with haste to the battle at the north gate, where those Sülræans who flanked the defending men had been outnumbered by Ansa's reinforcements. Some opted to surrender, but there would be no surrender, and so Ansa ordered the slaughter to begin. When that was done, Ansa yelled for the men to regroup, and I counted his fifteen men become fourty.

"Scoaldir!" Ansa shouted, and those with shields raised themselves in the front lines, myself and Ansa included. "Swar!" he shouted again, and those with swords readied themselves behind our line of shields. "Sfehar!" The spears raised over our heads.

The enemy built their own shield wall, but this time was different. They seemed to mirror us in every aspect, but they did not bring spears. Instead, they had archers in their rear line, and I thought we had to be quick if we did not want to die from loose arrows.

Ansa scanned the enemy line then nudged me, and I saw it too. The enemy shields were in better condition than ours, and I knew that left us at a disadvantage. We had been fighting all night while these men were well-rested and fairly new to the siege. Regardless, we would fight, and many, I knew, would die; perhaps even myself. I don't know if I was afraid in that moment, but if I was, it was overcome by my feral nature, and all I wanted now was to kill men.

"Saman!" Ansa called," Tibuilt! Hou! Hou!" We inched forward, howling as he did.

Hou. Hou. Hou.

We crept closer to death, and to the song of swords.

Hou! Hou! Hou!

We grew louder, anticipating the dance; the air changed. I watched a man in the second line puke but he continued forward, a war-face painted with the thought of slaughter.

Hou!! Hou!! Hou!!

The archers drew back their bows, and the first volley came. We in the front row raised our shields, guarding ourselves from the rain of arrows, and those men quick enough to realize ducked behind us. Five men died during that volley.

"Kasten a sfehar!" Ansa shouted," Tibuilt! Hou!"

The spearmen threw their weapons. Some bounced off the enemy shields, while some were able to pierce through the front line felling three men, though two others I noticed where able to pull the spears from their chainmail and reform the line. The spearmen behind us pulled out their swords to reinforce our lines, and we were close enough now to charge, so we did.

"For Öranc!" Ansa shouted," For Vyndcanlund!"

We yelled as we ran forward. It wasn't the brightest idea, as we had broken our line and given the enemy a larger advantage, but I think each man felt as though they had the power of the gods. I, myself, just felt hungry for battle, and I could not feel the pain in my back any longer. We crashed with the enemy line and seemed to break it, but they feigned the breach. A few of us passed but I was not so fortunate. I hacked at the enemy, trying to force them to open to save our men, but they would not give. I pulled back, scanning the scene to find some sort of error in their defense, but could not find one. I realized then what the enemy planned, and though I had no authority I called for the men to retreat. A few pulled back, but the rest continued. I called for the retreat again, and the line started to give. The men pulled back, finally, and the Sülræans started to back away through the gate. Our men cheered, jeered, and threw curses, but I knew better, and as soon as the enemy had passed through the entrance the gates were closed, then barred.

I took a moment to look around at both the dead and the living as Harar and his forces approached, but I could not find what I was looking for. I checked the anger in my throat.

Ansa had been captured.

"You must kill him, lord."

I spoke these words when the sun rose. Harar and I informed Kænn of what happened, and I sensed he felt just as upset as I was, but was able to keep his anger under control, where I, like my father, could not. He paced the dais quicker than usual, as if he was unsure of what to do next.

"No," Kænn growled," no, that will not happen."

"If you wont, then I will!" I shouted, but Harar put a hand on my chest. Kænn looked at me with ferocious eyes, as if I had finally said too much.

"Do you not think I have thought of revenge?" he hissed at me," you are still young, Tallam. Soon you will realize there are different approaches to war. I am sure Ansa has told you so. I understand your anger, but for now your insolence will not be tolerated."

"Insolence?!" I spat," I want justice!"

"If... we kill the Lord Melior," Kænn said patiently," they will kill Ansa. For that matter, if any of the Sülræan prisoners are harmed, we may not see our own men returned at all." I scoffed at that.

"So you are willing to free that piece of bird shit?"

"I am willing to save a friend," he retorted, and I had nothing to say to that. He continued," you are dismissed, young Tallam, but expect when this is over I will ask the Lord Falkend to administer your punishment for your disrespect. It has come far enough."

I pushed Harar out of my way and stormed out of the hall into the snow. I hated that he was willing to give Melior back to the Sülræans, but he was right; I would not see Ansa again if we killed Melior, I was just too stubborn to admit it. Falkend, in his cloak, was waiting for me at the bottom of the stairs, and I tried to hurry past him, but he grabbed my arm with a growl.

"Did I not warn you?" he said, and when I turned to him he let go.

"Of what?"

"Not to involve yourself!" he hissed at me," quit this act of pride and come to terms with your mistakes!"

"What mistakes?" I challenged him," the only mistake I know myself to have done was choosing to follow you to the Lower Realm! If you had not brought me here, none of this would have happened!"

"It would have happened, whether you knew about it or not," Falkend said simply. I said nothing. Falkend turned and silently walked up the steps and into the great hall. I was left feeling alone, angry, and confused, until Harar approached me.

"Kænn had decided to go ahead with his plans to trade Melior for Ansa," he said softly," we will see him soon, I am sure."

I said nothing to that.

"Do you feel guilty?" he asked me.

"No," I said.

"It is war," Harar put his hand on my shoulder," you do not need to hide your guilt. We all bear it, in one way or another."

"I should have kept my eye on him," I growled," I should have listened to my uncle when he trained me. I just... I don't know why I can't listen!"

"It is your pride," he said," most young men feel as you do. Sometimes all it takes is one mistake to learn the value of listening and learning."

Harar stood with me for a while in silence. He dismissed the guards who stood at the entrance to the hall, stating the two of us would take over, but to return within the hour. I appreciated the sentiment, especially when my emotions became too overbearing, and I began to cry, and Harar let me.

I did not attend the talks at the south gate, but I stood watch on the wall. Harar and two other men followed Kænn down the snow path, and were met somewhere between the lines by the enemy, who matched their numbers. I tried to tune my ears, but I was not as skilled as Vysedda at such distances, so I heard nothing. My eyes, however, could see clearly Kænn grab the wrist of a nobleman, and I thought that was peculiar. I thought back to what Ansa had told me of Kænn's past, and came to the conclusion that Kænn must have known the man in some regard, so I would ask Harar later about it.

I put that in the back of my mind for now as Kænn and Harar began their return journey. I could not wait, so I made my way down the wall and to the gate, which opened slowly to let them in. Kænn did not dignify me with a glance, which was fine to me, since I was just as angry at him, but I stopped Harar for a moment and pulled him to the side.

"So?"

"It is agreed," he said quietly, but began to walk, so I kept pace with him as he continued," Melior will be traded for Ansa, as well as the noblemen for the other warriors who were captured with him."

I breathed a sigh of relief, then looked at the bacm of Kænn's head as we followed.

"Is he still upset?"

"Quite," Harar said," are you going to talk to him?"

"I will," I said, then remembered what I wanted to ask Harar," do you know the man who clasped arms with Kænn?"

"He is Ærnia of Castotrig," Harar replied," I thought him dead, and Kænn did too, so it was quite a surprise. The man told us he sustained a large injury to the side of his head, but was fortunate enough to live."

"Should we care?" I asked in resentment, but Harar smiled.

"He is actually a good man," Harar grunted as he shifted his chainmail," we served under him when Lüs Colinus was in control of Vyndcanlund. I would say now that Kænn knows he is alive, he would probably send him letters."

That was unbelievable to me, but Harar reinforced his statement.

"I believe even Melior could be a kind man if these circumstances had not risen," Harar said," Kænn had been friends with him once, as well. I'd wager... if we had kept the peace, then we would see their faces in a much different light."

The day continued, the Sülræan nobles were gathered, and Melior was trotted out from the hall. Falkend and Ciluyue had kept a close eye on him during his stay, as they wished not to do much else to aid Öranc. We corralled the enemy in the courtyard, then paraded the group through the snow to the south gate. Harar told me to go up the rampart as I was not allowed to follow them outside due to my having no authority in Öranc, or for that matter Lüs Colinus, and I growled my reluctance before doing what he asked.

When I found a clear enough spot to watch on the wall my eyes tracked the party, mostly in resentment for the Sülræans, especially Melior. If I had my way, I would have killed him, then found a way to rescue Ansa on my own, but Kænn chose to continue the threat on his life and that of every person in Vyndcanlund by setting free a most dangerous adversary. In fact, I found I despised Kænn for it, though his reasons were sound and, I hate to admit, quite possibly the best solution to the ordeal. The anger stewed in my mind as they walked the snow path, the approaching enemy coming from afar with Ansa and his men in tow.

Each party stopped a field's length away, then released Melior and Ansa first, their binds cut and weapons returned. I stared in anticipation as they walked the same path, then seemed to pass one another, a small moment of words that could have been either hostile or friendly, but as Ansa continued to walk, Melior turned, drew his weapon, then chopped Ansa's head off in a treacherous instant...

...and I blacked out.