My first story to have gotten beyond page one is based heavily on a 4e campaign I ran a couple of years ago. I'm hoping to be able to write up the entire campaign but to do so in a proper novel style. I'm hoping these early efforts come across well even though I haven't written seriously before. Let me know what I'm doing wrong - or what you liked - if you have a spare 30 seconds after reading. Hopefully you'll enjoy the story as much as I did running the game. Thanks Robert.
Chapter 1 - Guarded
Eleanor de Fresnes breathed out slowly and watched her breath mist in a growing evening chill. It was an hour past sunset and the day of the autumnal equinox was only a few hours away. She shifted slightly and adjusted the shield strap that was slung over her shoulder. She dug out several links from her mail hauberk that had dug their way into her skin and resettled her teardrop shield. She was not much above average height for an Ammand, enjoyed cream and honeycakes too much to be described as thin and had short, dark, curly hair. Her face was plain and she regarded her nose as a little on the large side. She was approaching her thirty fourth winter.
She paced slowly back and forth in front of the castle gateway and peered out across the bailey compound. In front of her was a long single storey building. A sliver of pale light escaped from the shutters of a window in the near section where the lord and lady dwelt. Further along in the Castellian's and Captain's quarters there was only darkness. Beyond it to the west was the Great Hall, where the lord was feasting with the soldiery, along with most of the townsfolk of note, celebrating the imminence of the equinox. She knew that somewhere in the gloom between the two buildings stood Freya, a Geating warrior, a member of a wilderness tribe that had sought refuge in the town some years ago. Freya was tall and athletic, wore her red hair in two long braids and had a fierce countenance and, reputedly, a temper to match.
To Eleanor's left the compound wall – a wooden palisade atop an earthen mound – loomed above her. She scanned quickly along its length as it ran west, past the stable stalls some ten yards away until the wall turned north and it was obscured by the roof of the Great Hall. The timber was in poor condition, some rotting, others had warped. There were gaps you could almost get your head through. Somewhere up there, Bordan was supposed to be watching and patrolling. That she hadn't seen him in a good while caused her to frown momentarily. He was a hunter. Good with a bow she'd been told. He'd seemed sullen when she'd ordered him onto the wall. There were just too many possible reasons for that for her to worry about it beyond her immediate need for him to do as he'd been asked and keep watch faithfully.
She moved on and cast her eyes further across the bailey to the north wall opposite. It, too, was vacant. The raised granary was a few yards away, separated from the lord's lodgings by some five yards. To the northeast, the bunkhouse, where the lord's conroy was billeted, was dark and empty. Beyond that the motte rose up steeply, silhouetted against the cloudy sky. Atop that mound stood a small tower perhaps twenty feet high, no more than half that wide. A ladder, inside the tower, provided access to the rooftop vantage point. She squinted. It didn't help. Then she made out the shape of a head above one of the tower's crenellations. She had bid Gaines, the half elf, watch the eastern approaches to the castle. He had bowed and she'd briefly thought he was mocking her, before he'd spoken in his lilting, melodious voice, "For you, milady, I would guard the whole of Deira should you but command it." She smiled at the memory before it occurred to her that she had been mocked after all.
She turned and looked behind her at where the gatehouse and gateway should have stood, until demolished in early summer. She could not fathom why no work had begun on rebuilding and replacing them – she knew the lord was intent on replacing the aging castle with solid stone defences and this was supposed to be the start. The castle was thirty years old and it showed. Thrown up in haste just after the Ammand conquest of Deira, on the site of an earlier fort, it had originally protected the Ammand nobility, soldiers and settlers from the defeated, but more numerous Dierans. Now, with the passage of time, it was a bulwark in the defence of the town itself against raids from goblinoid tribes. It wasn't much of a castle, old and dilapidated but tonight she had been charged with guarding it. She grasped the polished brass pendant cast in the shape of a shining sun that hung around her neck and offered up a silent prayer to Menauras, asking for his protection upon the castle and the town of Hannon below it.
She walked over to the entrance and nodded as Knut, the half giant looked up as she approached. He towered over her, at least two feet taller than her five and a half foot frame. He casually tossed a great warhammer from hand to hand as if it was no more than a child's toy. His enormous round shield stood propped against the ramparts behind her. He was bald headed, marked with blue tattoos across his face and head that seemed to her like waves upon the sea. He wore heavy leather armour over his upper body and shoulders but no cloak. Tall sea boots rose up almost to his knees before the baggy pleated trousers flared out making him look even larger than he actually was. He alone of the militia, had volunteered for duty that night. She wondered briefly why.
"Priestess." He turned and smiled. "The wind has backed slightly to the southwest and freshened."
She'd not noticed until he mentioned it, but the wind was now stronger. They turned until the wind blew full into their faces. Eleanor looked down the hill, onto the town. She could make out only a few of the buildings in the darkness, her temple and several of the larger merchant houses. Lights shone brightly on the Five Commons where a travelling fayre had pitched up earlier that day, and the wind carried odd strains of music and the occasional sound of laughter as the townsfolk celebrated the equinox and the start of the harvest. In the mid distance, at the foot of the Dorren hill, the mill and its tidal pool were briefly illuminated by the full moon before clouds shrouded it in shadow once more. She could make nothing out on the Firth, not even its outline but the wind carried that salty tang and smell that meant the sea was near.
"It'll rain tonight and I'll wager it'll be blowing a gale before morning." The Goliath added. He spoke the common tongue with the thick guttural accent of a Suthjear, a seafaring race from islands hundreds of leagues to the south. Eleanor frowned. "Nothing to be 'fraid of m'lady. Kind of weather to relish in a fast ship. Reef the sail, set a strong hand on the tiller and let her have her head and she'd race away."
There was a lament in his voice she thought. Why had he sought to reassure her? Had she seemed frightened? She realised he was still talking, mumbling something about a journey he'd once made but she'd heard something else. She quietened him suddenly, with a harsh "Sshhh!"
She peered out and strode briskly down the dirt track. Knut quickly over took her, each step an enormous stride compared with her own short paces. She heard voices, she was sure. The moon was revealed and the hillside was bathed in pale moonlight. Just ahead, maybe thirty yards down the slope, a man pulled a large handcart. A pair of legs was visible between the wheels, revealing another man behind the cart pushing it, whilst a third man grasped one the wheels tightly in his hands, turning it as they struggled uphill.
Eleanor stopped and a wave of relief surged through her as she recognised the man wheeling the cart as Karl, the miller's assistant. The others would be Erik and Otto, the labourers. Knut strode purposefully onward and grasped one of the cart handles and dragged it easily forwards. Eleanor stepped to one side and fell in beside Karl. Why had she felt such relief? Why was she so on edge?
"You're late."
Karl shrugged. He was a tall man, with a heavy frame but not fat. His clothes, including his large white apron were sprinkled heavily with flour and dust. A sheen of sweat stood out on his brow, and his normally tousled hair was swept back and damp. He was breathing heavily, as were the others. She looked briefly at the cart. It was about two thirds full with sacks of flour destined for the castle granary, the first of many such trips now it was harvest season, tribute from the miller and tax from the cottars and villeins. As the cart reached the castle Knut ceased pulling and resumed his vigil at the gateway.
Eleanor followed the cart for a moment watching as it was slowly dragged towards the granary. She looked westwards to the wall. She searched in vain for some sign of Bordan. Anger welled within her and she felt her face flush. Once the deliverymen had gone she resolved to confront him, and began rehearsing her reproach.
The hairs on the back of her neck stood up without warning. A wave of apprehension verging on panic swept over her. It was a sudden realisation of danger, the presence of something unspeakably evil and an implacable belief that something was dreadfully wrong. She turned abruptly, feeling naked and vulnerable with her back to the missing gatehouse. She strode out of the castle her hands moving automatically, one to her mace, the other to the symbol of her god before she noticed that Knut was now stood in the centre of the path, his warhammer raised, poised ready to strike.
"Anything?" Eleanor gasped, her breath ragged.
"I feel it. But I cannot see it."
She peered out but saw only bare hillside. It was early for a goblin raid. They normally waited for the hard work of harvesting to be completed before attempting to steal supplies for winter. There were whispers of civil war, too, but nobody had come out in open rebellion. A pirate raid would hit the town first.
"Go see to the castle. They will not easily get past me." Knut did not even glance back at her.
She turned and ran back into the castle. She twisted her head frantically, scanning left and right. Panic gripped her for a moment. She clutched instinctively at the symbol of Menauras and immediately regained control. The sense of imminent danger remained and was growing more acute with each passing moment. The miller's men were unloading and seemed undisturbed. Gaines was no longer visible in the tower. Seeking out Freya she turned and dashed the few yards along the edge of the building. A sudden movement to her left distracted her for a moment. Bordan, bow in hand, leapt down from the rampart onto the stable roof and then dropped down into the bailey running towards her.
She rounded the building and found herself face to face with Freya, battle ready, her round shield in hand and heavy axe raised, poised to strike. Her eyes were opened wide and her movements were sudden and jerky. Torches beside the doors to the Great Hall illuminated the area dimly, and no-one else was to be seen. A great shout rang out from the hall causing Freya to spin round, but it was immediately followed by laughter and a resounding cheer.
"You feel it too?"
"The spirits sense it. Evil is here!", the younger woman replied, her face grim and determined.
The priestess turned towards Bordan who was rapidly closing the distance between them. "What have you seen? What approaches?" she shouted.
"Nothing! There is nothing outside the wall to the west." Eleanor frowned and opened her mouth to speak. "I swear it!" Bordan reached the two women. Eleanor searched his face. He was perhaps thirty, with dark hair worn long like most of the Deirans. His face was worn, leathery even. He seemed afraid but she saw no sign of untruth.
"Why then did you leave you post? Who stands upon the wall to defend us now?"
A look of frustration, or was it contempt, flashed across his face. She turned away, leaving the question unanswered.
"What now?" She thought.
But then they all heard a loud, clear call away behind the lord's accommodation. Bordan drew forth an arrow and nocked it on his bow in what seemed like the blink of an eye. Eleanor turned and hugging the building moved back towards the gateway. A further shout though, came from the bailey to the east, and its clear distinct sound could only have come from Gaines. She twisted away from the building, gaining space to see him, obscured as he was by the handcart and granary. Finally he emerged from beyond the granary, running, torch in hand levelled in front of him pointing at the near end of the accommodation block. Karl was stood hard by the building, on the eastern side, about where, Eleanor realised, there was a window. Otto and Erik, were slowly backing away, moving edgily towards the gateway. Karl discarded a sack and after glancing at her broke into a run.
Eleanor's feeling of dread intensified. She shouted to Freya and Bordan, "Lady Ellouise! It's Lady Ellouise!"
The wife of the lord, the Vicomte d'Hannon, had retired to her lodgings earlier that evening. She was heavily pregnant with her first child, due any day according to rumour.
Freya responded rapidly. She banged the haft of her axe upon the door. "Lady! Wake up! Unlock the door!"
Bordan moved to a shuttered window and began to try and jemmy it open.
A scream pierced the night, conveying fear and horror.
Eleanor was angry, driven by a fury she had never experienced before and she charged towards the chamber door. Freya stood back and swung her axe, slamming it with all her strength onto the lock. The door shook and chips of wood flew off but the lock held. The Geating cursed and swung again. There was the splintering sound, but the door did not burst open. Eleanor twisted as she barrelled past Freya, turning as she leapt. She hit the door mid leap, slamming into it shoulder on, pulling on her shield strap so the shoulder slung shield contacted the door.
Wood splintered and snapped. The door flew open and the priestess crashed into the dimly lit chamber. Her momentum carried her forward but she could not stay on her feet and landed heavily on the floor a few feet in. Her shoulder ached and the breath knocked out of her. As she tried to stand she looked up. Lady Ellouise was sat up in a bed placed against the far wall. A look a sheer terror was locked upon her face, as her hands gripped the covers tight against her, a white shift covering her modesty. The shutters of the window beside the bed were no longer secure and were slightly ajar. A dying fire in the fireplace near the priestess dimly filled the room with some measure of light. Several feet in front of her was a snake, its head reared back, eyes level with Eleanor's. She blinked. The snake spat. Her eyes stung and she cried out. Her vision was instantly gone.
She heard Freya enter the room. An arrow fizzed past her and there was a thunk as it sunk into wood nearby. "Snakes!" she whispered hoarsely, before she managed to call out louder and clearer. "Snakes! Beware their poisonous spittle! I am blinded!"
Eleanor heard a table and chair being overturned as she fumbled for her flask. She dropped to the floor and rolled over, lying on her back. She willed her eyes open and emptied her flask across her face. Lady Ellouise screamed. Bordan shouted a warning. Furniture was over turned. An axe blow connected with the floor not far away followed by a Geating curse.
The priestess forced herself to stand and staggered towards the bed. Her vision was blurred and hazy, everything was indistinct but she was no longer completely sightless. She clambered onto the bed and reached out to the Lady. "Are you hurt?"
"A small bite, a graze but I feel so …", she paused for a moment, as if drifting off, "weak."
Eleanor place one hand upon the lady's arm and the other upon the symbol around her neck. She concentrated for a moment and called upon Menauras, the lifegiver and protector, and channelled his strength into the poisoned noblewoman. Almost instantly the priestess felt the woman grow stronger. She moved her hand to the woman's belly and pressed hard and was gladdened when the unborn child shifted.
Behind her she heard more blows, one resulting in a heartening squelch followed by a howl of triumph. Gaines head appeared at the window by the bed. He started singing, a chant recalling an ancient battle,
"They stood firm,
Stout-hearted, brave
Warriors in the war!"
Eleanor was heartened and emboldened. Her vision was still blurred but she could make out more and more. She took a firm hold of Lady Ellouise and rolled over dragging the noblewoman with her. She fell off the edge of the bed with a crunch. Lady Ellouise shrieked as she landed on top of her. Eleanor pushed the noblewoman off her, rolling her towards the wall and presenting her shield to any creature hidden under the bed. She wrapped her arms around the Lady and held her down.
There was more clatter behind her, the sound of blows. Gaines dragged himself into the room, continuing his chant. There was a brief pause and then she heard Knut arrive.
Bordan spoke quietly. "Snakes! Fast little buggers." Then, "Freya the bed. On three. Ready?"
Eleanor risked a quick look over her shoulder but couldn't twist enough to see.
"One, two, three!"
The bed was thrown over with a crash. A bow twanged. There was an enormous bang as something hit the floor with great force. Eleanor let go of Lady Ellouise and turned over. Knut's warhammer was embedded in the floor, a headless snake under it. Another was pinned by an arrow. Gaines though was leaning against the wall, a hand over his eyes, as green liquid seeped between his fingers. A small snake seemed to be attached to Freya's leg. Knutt grabbed it by its tail, ignoring his weapon and slammed its head twice into the floor before casting it into the fireplace.
Eleanor sat up. As she did so a small snake emerged, hidden from amongst the bed clothes and darted towards the priestess. Eleanor noticed it too late, her eyes still a little unfocused, and couldn't free her weapon in time. It reared to strike, leaping towards her face. Bordan's arrow took it in the throat, plucking it out of the air and carrying it across the floor, where it thrashed briefly before dying.
Eleanor stood up and freed her mace. She looked around guarding the still prone noblewoman. Knut kicked and stamped upon the bedding whilst Bordan stood nervously bow at the ready. Freya looked a little unsteady on her feet but she, too, stood ready. Gaines was sat back against the wall, blinking rapidly. All were breathing hard.
The priestess turned and knelt. "My lady, are you hurt?"
Lady Ellouise rose slightly. "I am unhurt." She tried to rise, but stumbled and sat down instead. She tried to hold back tears but could not. "I am so sorry." She mumbled.
Eleanor knelt down next to her. "No milady, I am sorry. I should have protected you better." She realised she was still angry, outraged at this attack on a sleeping woman, one about to bring another precious life into the world. "The child ..?" She was unable to finish the sentence, the implications to horrible to contemplate.
"Is fine, I believe. He moves within me still."
A wave of relief engulfed the priestess, and she briefly turned her attention to the others. "Gaines do not fear, your sight will return, if you have water it may help wash the poison from your eyes. Bordan, Knut, Freya – are you injured?"
They all shook their heads.
"A chair for the Lady, then. Bordan, Knut go to the gate – make sure the miller's men are no longer here and that we face no other threat. Freya stand by the door and let no man enter save the Vicomte himself. Gaines please inform our lord of this attack."
Knut passed her a chair and quickly followed Bordan out of the door. Freya moved unsteadily and stood in the doorway, her axe hanging limply in her hand. Gaines stood up rubbing his eyes and slowly picked his way through the wreckage towards the door.
"Gaines." Eleanor spoke, and he turned. She desperately sought the words, what should he say to her liege lord? How should anyone be told of so heinous an assault? He looked at her, then nodded and left.
Eleanor helped Lady Ellouise up and sat her in the chair. She briefly stoked the fire and then set a throw about the noblewoman's shoulders. Lady Ellouise stared into the fire at the charred corpse of a snake being slowly consumed by the flames. The priestess lit a lamp and looked at the chamber with broken chairs, an overturned table, the upside down bed and clothes, plates, and food strewn across the floor. She entertained the thought of tidying it for a moment but despaired.
She lamented her failure. What had she missed? What more could she have done?
The Vicomte d'Hannon strode swiftly into the room. He was a little shorter than most, with close cut dark hair and beardless in the Ammand style. His face was contorted, a mixture of fear and anger. He looked around the room and saw his wife sat slumped by the fire weeping. He glanced up at Eleanor. She bowed and opened her mouth.
"Out!", he barked.
Eleanor was shaken by the order. She hesitated, desperate to speak, to explain.
"OUT!", he bellowed.
Eleanor felt the room reverberate at his command. Lady Ellouise screamed. The priestess stumbled out, brushing the Vicomte as she fled out the doorway. As she tried to pull the splintered door closed behind her, the Vicomte was knelt down beside his wife, her hands grasped in his. The top hinge had fractured, and the door frame had been forced away from the wall from the impact of her charge.
Freya was leant against the wall. She smiled wanly when Eleanor looked up at her, and then abruptly vomited, coughing and retching. Eleanor reached out to her instinctively. Freya spat and cleared her throat and then spat again.
"You were bitten!"
"It is a scratch, a trifle. I am strong and the spirits protect me!" The Geating stiffened and looked upon Eleanor with a measure of defiance, shaking off her touch.
"You have poison flowing through you. I cannot draw it out, but I may be able to strengthen you, perhaps ease your pain." Eleanor studied Freya closely. The venom still affected her, that was clear, but it did not appear to be mortal – and Lady Ellouise had recovered quickly.
"I have never needed such aid before."
There was a howl and the sound of indistinct calls from within the Great Hall. Both women looked over briefly.
"Have you ever been poisoned by a beast before?"
"It was no natural beast – no creature would behave so, attacking wildly, unless cornered and threatened. Its venom is more potent than any snake I have seen before."
The priestess frowned at that news. "Then all the greater reason for accepting my offer of aid. Let my God's boon bolster your protective spirits and together allay this unnatural injury."
Freya looked to speak but suddenly turned and threw up once more. "I think, perhaps, the spirits agree with you. "
Eleanor grasped Menauras's symbol and placed her other palm upon the Geating's shoulder. Once again she called upon Menauras's blessing and felt his strength flow through her. Some colour returned almost at once to the warrior's cheeks and she stood a little taller.
The doors to the Great Hall were flung wide and out tumbled a handful of men, including Gaines. Eleanor recognised the Castellian, the Vicomte's right hand man, and Gerard de Tuam, the captain of the conroy amongst them. They made straight for Eleanor.
"Priestess, report!" The Castellian spoke forcefully, his reputation as a hard taskmaster was well deserved.
"Lord, the castle has been infiltrated, snakes flung into the lord's chamber and the Lady Ellouise attacked. We uncovered them too late, the mill deliverymen, and they have escaped. Bordan and Knut secure the gate. Thanks be to Menauras, we noticed in time, and the attack was foiled. Her Ladyship lives and her unborn child is unharmed."
"I will make an offering to Menauras personally tomorrow, priestess. Were there others involved, are we under attack?"
"I know not, lord. No other enemy could be seen from the walls, and the assassins fled upon discovery."
The Castellian nodded. He turned to the captain who was drinking deeply from a tankard. "Rouse your men from their revelry. Put a full watch upon the wall" He paused briefly, "The least drunk. Another five at the gate – the remainder have them clear their heads they may well be needed before morning."
The captain nodded, threw his tankard away and left with two men Eleanor vaguely recognised as sergeants-at-arms, shouting orders.
He turned to Freya and Gaines. "Stay here – protect the Vicomte.", and then to Eleanor. "With me."
"Lord," she said. "Freya believes the creatures used in the attack are unnatural – she has not encountered beasts as vicious nor creature with venom as powerful. This attack was long in the planning.
They walked swiftly to the gateway. Knut stood guard, but Bordan was absent. He turned at their approach, and bowed slightly. "Lord. Priestess."
"Warrior, what of our enemy?"
"Neither sight nor sound my lord. Bordan seeks trace of their passing a little way below."
The Castellian stepped forward and peered out into the night, but clouds now covered the moon and all he saw was darkness. The heavy sound of men moving within the castle distracted him.
"You say this was the miller's people? Karl, Erik and …" he hesitated.
"Otto I believe, lord," the priestess added. "I do not understand it, but I saw Karl, myself, at the very window of our lord's chamber mere moments before our Lady screamed. All three ran at once upon the sound of that alarm."
"I cannot see the sense in it, either. But we have been attacked, and I must assume the worst. If they can be tracked, I want them followed. If they acted alone I want them hunted down and destroyed. Once the relief arrives, Priestess you and the others on your watch will undertake this task – you are all that I can spare. You have seen them, and you are the only people in the castle not affected by drink." He paused a moment, "and I know you all fight well."
He turned and stared at the vacant gateway and the wall absent the two defensive towers and the lack of walkway above the gates. He muttered to himself almost inaudibly, "Damn the Duke!"
Eleanor was quiet and contemplated the order. She had been in Hannon for nearly two years now, having served Menauras in her homeland before that. She was the least of the priests at the temple in the town, a follower of the God of the sun, of life, worshipped mostly by those working the land - the lowest in the social order. She was not particularly powerful – dealing mostly in minor healing and blessings, and while dedicated to Menauras there was always a feeling that she was holding something back. The temple hierarchy was dominated by worshippers of Kramenus, the God of battle, popular with the Ammand military ruling class. Other Gods had priests at the temple, too, but even the priestess of the Goddess of Knowledge was held in higher regard. She had drawn the watch duty that evening on the instruction of the head of the temple, even despite the fact she had heavy responsibilities the next day with the advent of harvest celebrations.
Now she was faced with a heavier charge. She had helped defend the town against attack, but only by supporting the militia, aiding with prayer and healing. She steeled herself for the task – the prospect of battle, of taking life, in all likelihood having to kill a townsperson, someone she was even vaguely acquainted with. She prayed silently for guidance.
Bordan appeared suddenly out of the darkness, loping easily up the hill. He quickly reached the gateway and seeing the priestess spoke quickly, "They've moved off in a hurry straight down the roadway for a hundred yards or so, then their trail turns suddenly westward following no path or track. There remain three of them. They move swiftly and have a clear sense of purpose in their flight, neither pausing, nor straying from their course."
"Can you follow their trail, track them down?" The Castellian stepped in.
"Yes my lord, although I will need torches or some other source of light. If the moon is uncovered and they continue as they started – blundering quickly, it will be a simple job. If they head into the Dorren it will be somewhat harder but I believe my skill outweighs theirs by some margin." Eleanor detected an eagerness in the response, a thrill in the chase ahead.
"Very well. Priestess, I charge you to pursue these malefactors, you will not stray from this task until dawn breaks. At first light I will lead a company of horsemen and hunting dogs and come to your aid. Should you then still chase your quarry, you must choose whether to continue or to aid us in our pursuit. If they are part of some larger group, or some diversion or trick to weaken the town's defences we must place our faith in you to warn us." The Castellian's grim face was suddenly clearly visible as once more the clouds unveiled the moon. "You must warn us, whatever the cost!"
Several soldiers trotted to the gateway, soon joined by others. They stood ready but their gait was unsteady and Eleanor smelt ale on their breath. The Castellian gave a few brief commands and then indicated to Eleanor and the others to follow him, before leading them back into the castle. They quickly reached the main thoroughfare between the Great Hall and the Lord's accommodation.
"Priestess see to your warriors, I must speak with the Lord. Take what supplies and equipment you need from the stores." The Castellian knocked upon what remained of the door and entered into the lord's chamber.
"Bordan, Knut secure whatever you need from the store. Food and drink for a day. If there is Blessed water bring me some otherwise I will purify whatever you find."
Bordan shook his head, "No Priestess, they have gained the first mile, we should not gift them a second."
"Dogs, we should have dogs."
"Not tonight. Tomorrow the lord will come with dogs and many men. We must move quietly because we are few, so no dogs for us." Eleanor frowned, "Do not fear priestess I can follow them even at night."
Eleanor nodded and they left. She turned to Gaines and Freya. "Bordan has discovered the assassins trail. We leave directly. Freya have you the strength for a chase?"
"Aye Priestess, my blood is no longer tainted. I am in your debt. Although it is a price I intend for others to pay." She stood taller and prouder than she had earlier, her weapon and shield held ready, but Eleanor doubted she was yet completely clear of the poison.
"Gaines, you have some skill in the arcane arts, do you not?" He nodded and she continued, "I will need a signal, something that can be clearly seen over a distance in day or night, and draw reinforcements to our location."
"A simple conjuring trick might suffice, Priestess. Bright lights issuing forth from my hand into the sky, four or five, a hundred feet in the air." He motioned an under arm throwing action with his hand and looked briefly upwards.
"Can you add colour?"
"Aye lady, broadly."
"Then it will be green for success, white to indicate our location and blue should we uncover the enemy has deceived us with some trap or diversion."
"As you wish." He stopped. "Although, if our friends can see this, so to will our foes and it will draw them down upon us."
She stared at him, her face impassive.
"So be it." His response surprised her. He had a reputation as a fool, flighty and mischievous. He had earned his place upon the watch that night as a punishment. He had performed several bawdy tricks in a tavern house a few nights ago whilst drunk. She'd overheard some soldiers earlier recounting with much mirth, and obvious delight, the sudden unveiling of a serving maid's generous charms when her corset strings were magically snapped. It had, however, been one a prominent merchant that had levelled the charge before the Vicomte, unhappy at losing his trews. Gaines might yet have to pay a heavier price for his tomfoolery.
They waited a short while, until Bordan and Knut returned. There was a flurry of activity whilst flasks were replenished and food was stuffed into pouches and pockets. Knut expertly coiled a length of rope before slipping it over his head and shoulder. Bordan handed them each a wooden torch and kept a shuttered lantern for himself. He lit a long, slow burning, flaxen cord and tucked it into his belt. Then he pulled out two sunsticks, a simple magical device about a foot long, that when struck gave off bright light for several hours and handed one to Eleanor. "Do not set flame to the torches unless I tell you to do so. We move by whatever light the moon grants us. The lantern I will keep. The sunsticks are for battle, strike it only if we are engaged hand to hand. Light in the dark makes you a target."
The door to the Vicomte's chamber was dragged open and the Castellian strode out. "Ready?" he asked.
"Yes my lord," replied Eleanor, before she continued, "Gaines will send a signal of bright lights into the sky, many fathoms high. If we have been successful it will be green, if there is some greater enemy threat it will be blue. If we chase still, then it will be white. We will do so each hour after dawn until you reach us."
The Vicomte appeared in the doorway. Unusually he was not wearing armour, instead wearing a fine woollen tunic, with finely embroidered edgings. His face was flushed and contorted.
"You failed me," he growled, "you allowed an enemy entry into my castle and let them attack my wife!" His body shook and he began to shout, "You should all be dead, you bodies lying slain at her feet as you fell protecting her!" He paused for a moment, "Why are you not dead whilst those who wrong me still live?"
"My lord, forgive us, but I swear, by Menauras's light, there was nothing we could do …" Eleanor mumbled in reply, her face cast down. She was rattled, the Vicomte's words reflected her own sense of failure and guilt.
The Vicomte was not a tall man by Ammand standards, but he seemed to tower over Eleanor. His fists were clenched and his body shook with anger.
"Lord," began Gaines, "what you say is true, but each of us would have given our lives to protect you, your wife and the defenders of this castle. But that was not to be our fate." He spoke confidently and clearly, "Your wife yet lives and will soon bear you an heir."
It seemed to Eleanor that the Vicomte's face lightened at those words. His stance eased and he unclenched his fists.
Gaines continued, "We stand before you now, ready, awaiting only your word, to hunt down the enemy, to act as your hand. We will avenge you!"
Eleanor marvelled at his words, considered their import and felt her shame lessen and her purpose harden. Gaines' speech had similarly affected the lord, too.
"You speak well, now is the time for vengeance. I charge you to pursue justice in my name. Let no man hinder you, no door be held closed that my order can move. Any who stand against you, stand against me, and they shall answer to us both! Show no mercy, stay not your hands. Bring my enemies before me or bring me their corpses!"
Eleanor bowed, "It shall be so! I swear it!"
She turned to leave, as did her companions.
"Wait!" The Vicomte ordered before he fumbled a moment at his belt, ripping a purse from it. He threw it to Eleanor. "My wife lives and I am grateful."
Eleanor grabbed the pouch and bowed once more. The Vicomte turned back and entered the building. She shook the purse open and spilled the coins into her hand. Bordan and Gaines crowded round, both smiled broadly at the sight of a fistful of silver coins. She slid the coins back and slipped the purse into her tunic.
The Castellian marched with Eleanor. "I must go no and see to our remaining guests," he spoke with disdain, "and let them know that they will be staying the night with us." They reached the gateway. The Castellian issued an order to the guards there, "No one enters the castle, there will be no exceptions unless I or the Vicomte order it. Nobody leaves. Violate this order and I'll flog you till the bones show myself!" He turned his attention back to Eleanor and her companions, "May the Gods speed you and watch over you. Go now, find our enemies and destroy them!"