If only I knew…
-
When Arwen approached the castle gates the next day, clad in her royal military uniform she so lovingly hated, a sextuplet of sheepish guards awkwardly met her gaze. They had been observing a heated discussion, Arwen noted, between Gwyn, Cai, and two others she didn’t recognise. Bemused, she strode towards the foursome, casually noting Gwyn’s change in attire to the classic red and black army uniform. Her inspection grew worrisome when her gaze turned to Cai, however. He was also in his custom uniform, but the squared shoulders and tensed jaw set off warning bells in her mind. When she spied his right hand resting by his hilt, she grew even further concerned. “What exactly is going on, here? Speak to me!”
“Your Teyrn grace, my humblest of greetings, and apologies for the disruption,” an unfamiliar voice replied from the group. It belonged to lithe blonde with a straight jaw and cropped blonde hair. Sky-blue eyes pierced her own with a quiet intensity belying the man’s polite tone. “I did not expect such fine company when told to visit the King.”
The man offered a hand, eliciting a scowl from Cai. But Arwen didn’t take it. Instead, she stared at the man’s bat-like ears protruding at eye-level from the sides of his head. He was a vampire. “Who are you?”
“He claims he has audience with the King, who commanded him to meet us here.” Cai all but growled.
Gwyn, however, appeared more relaxed. “We have no reason to doubt him,” he explained to Arwen with a casual gesture, “but Cai here is acting as if he breathes fire.”
Cai turned to Gwyn, but kept his body angled towards the pair standing before them. The second man stood silently watching, but wasn’t a vampire and so Arwen dismissed him in her mind temporarily to listen in on the prickly knight. “If you did not notice, this man before us is a vampire. He could tear us all apart and make it in time for breakfast.”
Vampires were infamous for being quick to anger, but the one before them kept up a pleasant tone of voice. “Come now, my kind are only slightly stronger than humans without blood. I am of little threat to you, especially if you’re so intent on keeping your sword hand ready. Please, allow me to introduce myself. I am Eryk Johan, a new recruit in the Cyfoethian military. The King sent missive of me to seek audience with him today- that is the reason of my presence here, and I mean no offense.”
The vampire had a Helvetian name. Arwen’s suspicions were definitely raised. However, her father did mention calling upon two more to accompany her retinue yesterday, and the vampire appeared agreeable enough. He was well-groomed, polite, and did not look like the hulking, blood-thirsty brutes she was accustomed to hearing about in circulating rumours. She opened her mouth to say something, but Cai spoke up first. “Please,” he practically spat the word. “I won’t apologise for my cautiousness when a vampire stands mere feet away from the Princess.”
“Cai,” Gwyn said raised his hand placatingly. “I think he means no harm.”
“You’ve seen what they can do!” Cai retorted. “We both have. I’ve seen vampires topple trees after a small blood-feast. I even fought against one out in the field, and it was as if the thing substituted thirty men!”
“Those are the blood-crazed ones, as you’ve literally just stated.” Gwyn scoffed. “You’re painting them out to be worse than they are.”
“No matter, they’re all the same. I don’t care about this whole integration nonsense,” Cai shook his head. “I’ve watched friendly, smiling vampires suddenly turn violent and enraged within moments. As far as I’m concerned, they are devastating pieces of artillery, just waiting to fire and wreak devastation.”
Arwen didn’t state it, but she largely agreed with Cai. She had heard of the damage even a single vampire could do when well-fed on blood. And the reports of vampire attacks that streamed to her father’s ears never ceased to amaze Arwen in their consistent regularity and brutality. Regardless, she was a Princess who served under her father, who wanted human-vampire integration within his Kingdom… for whatever reason. “I believe we have a misunderstanding,” she stated diplomatically. “Regardless of our opinion on the vampire-kind, Eryk appears genuine enough. Father also informed us just yesterday that he was expecting two guests tomorrow, and here two are.”
“Teyrn,” Cai grabbed her arm. “If we could speak in private, please.”
Arwen glared at his arm on hers, but made ample distance from Gwyn, the vampire Eryk, and his silent unnamed companion until he let her go. After a moment, Cai opened his mouth to speak, but Arwen held up a finger to silence him. She turned to the row of six guards stood by the gates, all of which were dressed in red and black with a silvery helmet strapped with leather under clean-shaved chins. “Please move away for us.” She demanded.
The middle-right one spoke. “We are under orders not to abandon our posts unless instructed to by the King.”
“Am I not authority enough?”
“I’m sorry, your Teyrn.”
“Fine,” Arwen snapped, disliking when things didn’t go her way. “Stay here. But do not listen in on what we speak on, yes?”
The guards didn’t reply, so Arwen repeated her new demand in a harsher tone. “You will not listen to our conversation, yes?”
All six hesitated. “Yes,” the right one eventually said, followed quickly by his five fellows.
Arwen turned her back to them. “Good, now what is it you want to tell me, Cai?”
“Princess Arwen, please do not allow this vampire to accompany us. Let’s us two converse with King Blayney to receive some clarification first beforehand. Can we do that?”
“That is the first time you have properly acknowledged me,” Arwen cocked her head. “I noticed you refused to do that yesterday, at all.”
Cai sighed deeply. “Is this the time, now?”
Arwen felt a slight rise of disappointment when he didn’t take the bait. “The vampire will not attack us, if that is your concern.”
“It is.”
Arwen arched a brow. “And? What, that is it?”
“Look, I don’t like vampires. Understand? They are a risk to have around if you fancy living. When out in the field, it would be unthinkable to let a vampire near a general or anyone of importance, let alone the Princess!”
“Cai,” Arwen sighed and lowered her voice. “I don’t particularly like them, too. But this is not some battlefield or frontier wilderness. We are in the middle of Cyfoeth. I think he’ll be joining us and the only one who can say otherwise is the King.”
Cai’s face contorted into a half-snarl before he turned away stiffly. “What?” Arwen called after him. “I’m trying to be reasonable here, okay? I can’t do anything about his presence! Not when my father has called for him.”
“I have a duty to protect you,” Cai replied. “Yet you seem content in putting yourself in danger with an untrusted… vampire!”
"You’re being unfair!” Arwen protested. “I’m not to blame for this. You just hate me,” her tone turned sour, “is all…”
Cai sighed and ran a hand through his head. “Look… I’ve seen some of the things they can do. The people they can hurt. I simply fear for the life of the one I’ve sworn to protect.”
“I’m not exactly defenceless, or do you forget I am a lightning mage?” Arwen splayed her hands in protest. “I am admittedly not combat-ready yet, but I can produce enough power to disable a person for quite some time.”
“Disable humans, maybe, but vampires? I don’t think so… but fine. You win. You know best.”
If it wouldn’t have made a scene, Arwen would’ve made an angry retort, but with the stone-faced guards standing mere feet away, she simply huffed and followed him back to Gwyn and his duo of new faces. “You,” she stabbed a finger at the silent man. “Who are you?”
The man’s dull green eyes followed her outstretched arm from her finger up to her own eyes. He was dressed plainly in a grey tunic and brown leather trousers. He was unassuming, of average height, with medium-length black hair. “My name,” he spoke in a quiet voice, “is Owen Voyle. I’m an archer serving in the military.”
Arwen turned to Cai. “Do you know of him?”
The knight refused to look at her, but shook his head nonetheless. “I do know you,” Gwyn piped up, rubbing his chin whilst staring at Owen. The vampire, Eryk, watched in polite silence. “You’re a pretty good shot if I remember, good with a bow. We’ve never spoken though.”
“We haven’t,” Owen confirmed in a near-whisper. “I tend to stick to what I know.”
“Sorry to say you’re going to be stuck with us for some time,” Gwyn shrugged casually. “I think you’re about to be sworn in to protect the Princess.”
“What an honour,” Eryk immediately brightened upon hearing this. “I am happy to serve you, Princess Arwen.”
Arwen simply huffed in exchange. “Whatever.”
It wasn’t as if she particularly cared about the venerability of a vampire.
A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
“May we grant audience to King Blayney?” the vampire was completely unfazed by her unenthused reaction. “I wish not to keep him waiting.”
“We’ll go,” Cai spoke up. “But the vampire walks ahead of me and separate from the group.”
“Cai…” Gwyn immediately opened his mouth to protest, but the vampire raised a hand.
“No, it is quite alright. I understand the concern for safety. If something so minor is to alleviate your woes, then I am happy to shoulder the inconvenience.”
What an agreeable bloke, Arwen thought sarcastically. But she wasn’t fooled. A vampire was a vampire, no matter how much varnish Eryk wanted to slather upon himself.
-cut-
It was as Arwen had feared. Both Owen and the vampire were to join them on assignment for the foreseeable future. She inwardly sighed. If this were a high-ranking general or military officer, the order could be protested, but her father’s word as King was final.
It didn’t stop Cai from trying, though. “Your Teyrn,” he spoke whilst kneeling, his gaze pointed downwards. In fact, everyone but Arwen was prostrating before her father. It made her feel foolish standing around a group of kneeling men. “If I may?”
King Blayney could clearly see the protest bubbling upon the knight’s lips, and evidently was not happy about that, but he bid Cai speak anyways. The knight stood. “Your Teyrn sir, I must object to bringing a vampire along with us out in the field. There’s no predicting how he will react to field conditions and the sight of blood that may inevitably follow. I know vampire integration into Cyfoeth means a lot to you, but letting one near the Princess is crass and risky.”
The King’s response was measured. “Trust that I have already assessed the potential risks and weighed it up with the boons that my daughter will gain by having a vampire in her retinue. My orders stand, Eryk Johan stays.”
“Your Teyrn grace,” Cai readied another protest, though well-aware he was treading on thin ice. “May you at least permit us the knowledge of his past? To rest our concerns.”
King Blayney sighed. “If Eryk wishes to impart that onto you, then he can tell you of his past himself.”
Arwen knew her father was growing impatient, and Cai seemed to sense this too. She watched the knight consider briefly before returning to a kneel. “As you wish.”
“Good. And, Knight Cai?” The King’s voice turned icy. “If I wish to next hear your opinion on how my actions towards my daughter are ‘crass’, I will ask it of you next time.”
Silence followed the scathing remark. Even Arwen cringed a little from the telling-off, but she knew her father was more bark than bite. Regardless, the look of contrition on Cai’s face sent a pleasant thrill of satisfaction up her spine. “Now,” the King continued; all-business, but in a warmer tone this time, “I will give you your first orders under the Cyfoethian military. I have received word from Alaru of attacks from a sole unknown figure that has been plaguing the people of late. Based on their descriptions, the source of the attacks seem to be the work of a single individual, but details were vague and I nonetheless need verification that this is not the work of a Helvetian task force. As you well know, Alaru was a highly contested town in the east when hostilities were frequent, which would have allowed Helvetia into Tristwch Road if usurped from Cyfoeth Kingdom. Therefore, your task is to investigate these attacks and report to me your findings. Any questions?”
Nobody raised their voice or otherwise reacted, so King Blayney simply nodded and moved on. “If Helvetian forces are behind these attacks, you are to immediately follow Tristwch Road south-east towards Deilen where a small but sizable battalion of troops are stationed. Report to them the Helvetian attacks, and then make your way through Continent Garden towards Glannau. There, a boat will take you down Pwynt estuary and into the New King’s Ocean where you will land at Cyfoeth Port. Return to the Kingdom via Pedr’s Path once arrived.”
King Blayney paused, and Arwen took the opportunity to speak up. “King Blayney? What if these attacks aren’t the work of Helvetia?”
“Then remain in Alaru for a maximum of ten days, or until you identify the culprit. You will be working closely with Alaru’s authorities, so relay what you know to them before you leave and depart back to Cyfoeth by Tristwch Road.”
“Your Teyrn,” it was Gwyn who spoke this time. The Sentinel stood without gaining permission, though King Blayney didn’t seem to mind the show of disrespect. “Can I ask the reasoning behind heading to Glannau village after reporting to Deilen? Surely taking Tristwch Road back to Cyfoeth will faster relay such important information?”
“If the unlikely possibility that Helvetia are launching one-man attacks on Alaru come to pass, then taking Tristwch Road may open you up to ambushes. I cannot risk the proximity to Alaru taking Tristwch will bring you to on your return from Deilen. As unlikely as the probability of you coming into contact with Helvetia are, I will not needlessly risk my daughter. That being said, should you encounter Helvetian forces in your mission, you are to immediately escape at the first opportunity. Do not engage with them, at all costs. Understood?”
“Yes, your Teyrn grace.” Gwyn knelt back down on one knee.
King Blayney appeared satisfied. “Good. I expect you to spend today in preparation for this journey to schedule to embark tomorrow. Report to me before you do so. Knights, you may leave the chamber and wait outside while I discuss something with the Princess. Please take the time to go over your preparations.”
“Yes, your Teyrn grace!” a chorus of voices rang out.
King Blayney watched the three humans and vampire leave the audience chamber. When the entrance doors creaked shut, he faced his daughter with an odd expression. “How are you faring, dear?”
“I’m fine,” Arwen kept her hands clasped together. “…why?”
“There is something that I have been considering giving you for quite some time, but I think now is the perfect opportunity,” he reached back into the nape of his royal uniform and untied what Arwen presumed to be some sort of exotic necklace. He held it out to her. “My dear, please accept this gift from me before you go. It is an heirloom passed down the Blayney line, and I believe your time to wield it has arrived.”
Arwen gently took the necklace and examined it in her hand. It was a thin golden chain connected to some sort of transparent gemstone filled with an iridescent green fire. Hues of light and even-lighter tones danced across the frozen wisps accompanied with orange-yellow embers suspending within the confines of the orb-shaped gem, alighting her palm in a soft glow. She gently caressed the gemstone with her thumb and looked at her father in the eyes. “What is th-”
KING SION BLAYNEY sat inside a small, damp office with a floor which creaked at seemingly every step. Dusky motes of twilight flowed into the small paned window, illuminating a map of the continent of Loel, the Land of Eternal Light, placed upon a musky wooden desk. His wife, Amelia, stood beside him. His darling companion and mother to his beautiful daughter was a woman selfless in her smiles, but Amelia’s bright expressions had soured with the dimming daylight. In front of Sion’s form and bent over the dull desk sat a broad man with a salt-and-pepper beard and incredibly short hair. Hair so short that Sion had a hard time telling what exact colour it was, though he knew it was something dark-coloured. The tactics advisor, this man was, though Sion had forgotten his name…
“Ffin has fallen,” the advisor stated, placing his finger upon a crude drawing of houses located dead-centre between Cyfoeth and Helvetia. Though clearly pained to be the bearer of bad news, the man continued regardless. “The Helvetian army marches south-east towards Coed’s Forest where we anticipate an invasion of Alaru to take place.”
Sion’s expression did not change- he was too well disciplined for that, but his emotions ran wild within his chest. Anger, stress, loathing, surprise, awe, and a little touch of fear. When he spoke, however, his voice was even. “When will this occur?”
The response was immediate. “Within two days if Helvetia are to continuously march without encountering our forces. With these variables considered, however, roughly three to four days is expected.”
“Re-route our forces from Deilen to Alaru to defend.” Sion commanded the advisor.
The advisor’s eyebrows raised in surprise. “Your Teyrn, the command won’t reach Deilen in time, even by horse-riders. It will be far too late by the time it arrives.”
“The command will be sent along with another, also by horse, along the eastern ridge of Coed’s Forest to the battalion of operatives that scout the area. Inform them that an attack must be mounted on the Helvetian forces marching towards Alaru. They will set up a defensive perimeter along the northern border of the forest and will be ready to intercept and hold off the Helvetians for as long as possible. They can make it in time.”
“Your orders will be sent immediately,” the advisor promised. He gave Sion a pained look. “… you do realise you are effectively sending those men to their deaths, your Teyrn? Most of those soldiers aren’t even prepped for intense combat- a lot of them are mere scouts.”
Sion closed his eyes. He hated the feeling that caressed his heart at the thought of sending an entire battalion of men to die, but it needed to be done no matter how much it froze his breath and weighed upon his soul. The town of Alaru was too important a location to give up to the Helvetians, for allowing the enemy access to Tristwch Road, the lifeline of most of Cyfoeth’s trade and access to most of its vassal towns and villages, was inconceivable. Even if nearly five-hundred men had to die to defend it. The reinforcements stationed at Deilen, placed both to defend Alaru from northern attacks and to engage in mass-warfare if Glannau were invaded by forces from End’s Ocean, numbered in the thousands. Cutting them off from the main Kingdom would be a huge loss, possibly even a decisive one. He steeled his resolve and addressed the waiting advisor. “The loss of those men is necessary for the continued longevity of Cyfoeth. They may well know that their task is that of suicide, but nonetheless deliver the orders as if routine. Emphasise the need for haste and… remind them the consequences of disobedience.”
The advisor nodded stiffly before departing to carry out the King’s demands. “Yes, your Teyrn.”
Sion sighed deeply and rested his head against the table, arching his back uncomfortably. Amelia’s warm arms wrapped around his waist, and he felt her head rest between his shoulder blades. “You did what you had to,” she comforted the burdened King. “I would have done the same in your position.”
“I know some of those men personally, Amelia… I used to see them at the training grounds. I know their names, met some of their wives…”
“…” a crushing silence filled the void.
“There is one way to save them,” Amelia stiffened behind her husband, preparing to dredge up an old argument. “You could renounce your allegiance to the Keep and end this pointless war with Helvetia.”
Sion squeezed his eyes shut. “I cannot, Amelia. The Keep would view such an action as betrayal, and will seek retribution should they prevail against Helvetia. Perhaps our enemy has the resources to contest the Keep, but Cyfoeth does not.”
Amelia gently stroked Sion’s round belly. He had put on weight since the war with Helvetia started. “Then align yourself with Helvetia and present a unified defence if the Keep try to establish hostilities.”
The King shook his head, the back of his neck brushing against Amelia’s soft hair. “Helvetia may demand heavy concessions for such an alliance… and at worst, if the Keep were to attack, Helvetia could just step back and allow us to war against the vampires. It is in their interest to let us fall to them and then mop up the vampires, unifying Helvetia and Cyfoeth into one massive Kingdom. It would guarantee them victory against the Keep, what with their increased resources and the weakened state of the Keep post-war with us.”
“That wouldn’t happen.” Amelia assured.
“It could,” Sion gently turned around to face his wife. He stared into the same ocean-blue eyes he had fallen in love with so many years ago. The same eyes that framed the face of his little daughter, though Arwen’s were a more striking and harsher colour. They reminded him of his duty as the King of Cyfoeth. His desire… no, his need to protect those that he loved. “But I cannot risk my Kingdom, my people’s life, my life… you and Arwen’s. I’m so sorry, but I cannot.”
The image faded with Amelia’s concerned eyes gazing deeply into Sion’s.
"Ah!” Arwen recoiled as she was snapped back to her senses. She found herself sweating. Her heart was racing with anxiety and… guilt? The emotions her father had felt in the vision were felt by Arwen during the recollection as if she were there herself. She couldn’t process them. The burden of making such a decision… Arwen was not even sure if she could enact such an order herself. And her father’s devotion to her and her mother, it reverberated so violently around Arwen’s soul that she could scarcely think straight. She had never felt such strong emotions before… she was not used to it at all. There was no one she had ever felt so strongly about, not even her parents. Not even Bran.
She stared, wide-eyed, into King Blayney’s inquisitive gaze. “W-what was that?!”