20

Ætharr smiled warmly at Rosheen. She was cuddling all four of their children, utterly content as any new mother was. Ætharr wanted to ask if she needed him to hold the children, but he knew she'd refuse, saying that she was perfectly adept to the task. The Ealdor wondered who was more proud; the Falcarragh or the Calador?

Certainly he was proud of being Calador, and proud enough to put every effort into making everything look as good as possible for the feast. The theigns were all ordered to attend, content that the peace would last at least for the next three weeks. Inflamed with this feeling, Ætharr considered inviting his rivals in the Loptrio tribe, but all advised him not to, for it was they who had turned down all communication. There was no need to make rude guests feel welcome.

Instead, the allies were invited, as many as possible. Tiarnan, who was still in Calador helping his son-in-law and daughter, sent Cocoran to collect the important creatures in the Falcarragh tribe with their escorts. Cocoran returned with Rosheen's other brothers, who were overjoyed for their sister. The Falcarragh tribe came in great numbers: a whole third of them, it was said, was coming either as part of an entourage or as guests.

The Jeri tribe was coming in droves, for many of the veterans of the war of independence wanted to see former allies and friends. It was a reunion for those who had fought and survived in the war, and Ætharr was willing to arrange for as many to come as possible. Blackaxe, the king of the Jeri clan, was coming with his two generals Ervaring and Luther Pelopidas, both of them veterans of the war. Also coming were Snauw and Jager, two of Blackaxe' best captains, and many others. Blackaxe was a massively built marten with not only a vast physical strength, but also a very high intelligence. He was a powerful ally to have, and he ensured his loyalty by coming to the feast.

Embassies from the Vireo tribe were coming too. Ibos, the young king of the tribe after his father Nero had been killed, was arriving with a number of his captains and troops. Most of the old commanders of the Vireo troops were dead. Coldbane and Blackback in particular had died during the campaign, and they were missed by some due to the nostalgia time grants to all but the most vile and evil of people. Brownhide, who was now the general in the Vireo armies, and also Ibos' top military advisor, was attending as well. They showed their loyalty by coming to the feast arranged for Ætharr's heirs.

Even Kazahley of the Hunan came to the feast. Originally, Ætharr had befriended the veteran Captain Küchulår. He had led a diversion against the fortress of Brocovar, but had been killed in the fight. From then on, Kazahley, the younger brother of the fallen hero, led those of the Hunan that had sworn allegiance to the Allied cause. He now ruled three fifths of the former Hunan territory. He came with only two score of bodyguards, for the population of the Hunan were quite sparse after the massacre at the Battle of the Ridge.

Ædelmær, Lorcan, Ædron, and Nuala were the guests of honour, particularly Ædron, the new heir to the Calador throne. It filled people with a sense of relief, that all the hope did not just rely on Ætharr. He now had three sons to replace him, and they were now three of the most important people in the Calador tribe. Their health and safety were essential in these times.

Ætharr was feeling nostalgic as he saw old comrades. Blackaxe came in like a gush of fresh air, embracing the Ealdor like a bear. Luther Pelopidas and Ervaring were overjoyed to see him again. Luther Pelopidas, the Canis of Bellum and former leader of the Sacred Band, had lived to see it re-established and was already getting reinforcements into the Sacred Band. Ten had come with the Canis, and to Ætharr's delight they were all from the Battle of the Ridge.

Snauw and Jager looked the same as ever, both scarred and of little words. They stayed silent and bobbed their heads respectfully towards Rosheen and the children, muttering praises that did not fit well on their tongues. They were no-nonsense fighters, and being a gentlebeast was not on their agenda.

Blackaxe was much more jolly. He immediately began asking about how the economy was doing in Calador, and was quite keen on the idea of a new coin system that proved to be successful. Ibos was more quiet, but offered his greetings with a wary respect of Ætharr. He had, of course, clashed with both Ætharr and Blackaxe before, but he seemed to hope that it had been forgotten.

Blackaxe was content to forget it, but Ætharr had a bone to pick with him besides the past. The south-eastern lands had been liberated by Calador forces, without any Vireo support: despite the fact that much of the land they had been fighting for was Vireo lands as of yet uninhabited. For Ætharr, it was disgusting to see the young Vireo king wasting good land. However, he knew that this was not the time for this kind of confrontation. He smiled at Ibos politely, but did not become too attached to the ferret.

Judos gave Ibos a much wider berth. He was nervous of making himself evident due to the feud he had had with Blackback, the merciless black ferret who had been the greatest commander of the Vireo army. He had been witness to Nero's swearing an oath of alliance with Calador, and had been best friends with Coldbane, a grey fox of equal ferocity but with much more charisma. Judos had not slain Blackback, but he feared that Ibos would remember the bad blood. But Judos also hated Ibos for the fact that the ferret was arrogant and careless of offence at times.

Ætharr was happy to have Tiarnan and Blackaxe together with him. Both were very strong warriors, and both were intelligent creatures that had experience of ruling. If Ætharr could not rely on them he would fear them as his enemies.

"How are the Loptrio tribe treating you?" Blackaxe inquired of Tiarnan.

"No trouble so far. I haven't received any news from my captains that there could be any sign of an attack,' Tiarnan continued, 'But I'm not going to be lulled into a sense of false security."

Blackaxe and Ætharr agreed. They should never let their enemies outmatch them. If that happened, all the Allies had ever worked for would be doomed.

Meanwhile, Ætharr moved on through his guests, staring with joy at an old face, even if it was a bodyguard or even a servant. He would speak to all who he had known, no matter what their status.

A weasel suddenly stepped in front of him, "Remember me, Ealdor?" It was Jinn.

Jinn! Tears welled up in Ætharr's eyes. He had not seen his dear friend for more than a full season. He had not seen much of any of them. Horal had been away in his theignship, Jinn off to the east, and Ædall distant as ever. Ætharr had not realized how much he had truly missed their companionship until they were back in front of his eyes again.

He embraced the weasel, smiling broadly. Jinn was the same as ever: lithe, wiry, and sly. He had changed a bit though: Jinn seemed more cunning than ever, with his eyes turning a shade brighter and more cold. Ætharr could also see that the weasel was looking less youthful than before. He had bags under his eyes, hard to recognize because of his fur, but the weariness was showing itself in the weasel.

"You look tired, old friend." Ætharr greeted him cheerfully.

Jinn smiled, "Have you observed yourself?"

Ætharr was checked by that. He had been feeling tired as of late, but had always tried to dismiss it from his mind in favour of the more important things.

Just as he was thinking of this, Horal suddenly appeared. He was still plump, but his sword was strapped to his waist and his paw was there as usual. He looked more authoritative than before, but that might have been the gold torque he wore around his neck.

"All well, Horal?" Jinn asked cheerfully. He had missed his old friends, and Horal grinned broadly in greeting. He looked at Ætharr, "No disturbances on the borders tonight, Ætharr. The fire beacons are ready to be lit at first sign of serious trouble."

"Good. Now we can relax. Let us get this organized." Ætharr was in a cheerful mood.

Before the feast began, there was a ritual to complete. The heir was recognized, and the important guests had brought gifts for the children of Ætharr and Rosheen. Kazahley gave Nuala several jewels specially crafted from the tough sap from pine trees, and they were also crafted to contain quartz crystals within the bracelets, and three thick cloaks, each a different colour for the the three sons.

Ibos, who valued education more than war, presented a number of books concerning the history of the tribes and also the history of Mossflower. Ætharr wrinkled his nose, because Calador had scrolls that talked of the same things, but he was very impressed with the hardcovers and the pages set to turn. Only Vireo had mastered that technique.

Brownhide gave a carefully crafted set of dolls for Nuala to use as she got older, and a set of little wooden swords to practice with for the boys, each having their name carved in their sword.

Luther Pelopidas had brought a fine shield ringed with gold, set to the Calador style, because he had studied the design of the Calador shields for this purpose. It was meant for Ædron, the heir of Calador, but Ervaring provided two swords for Lorcan and Ædelmæar. The blades were made of fine steel with a hint of silver in the mix. They shone in the firelight and Ætharr was very impressed. To cap it off, Luther had a finely handled fur scarf for Nuala.

Blackaxe provided three tunics of quality that did not exist among Calador tailors. The tunics were dyed a deep vibrant blue with the Calador symbol of the golden sun blazoned on the front. A fourth tunic, specially crafted to fit a female, was also provided, a more sky blue in colour, with the Calador sun more darker.

Snauw and Jager offered bows for all the children to use as they got older. In Calador and Jeri, both males and females learned to use bows. This was not only due to hunting necessity, but also the fact that both male and female would be able to defend themselves and their homes.

The important guests, their gifts delivered, acknowledged Ædron and his brothers as the heirs to the Calador territory. The theigns too came forward with their gifts and they too swore fealty to the true Ealdor and his new heirs.

The solemn rituals done, the feast began. It was a spectacle to behold for Judos, who had always thought the Redwall feasts were impossible to match. The feast tonight was fantastic, far more appealing to Judos for the reason that meat was the main course for the meals. As an otter, he had always inclined towards the fish and shrimp in Redwall, but even that was pushing it at Redwall. Vegetables and bread had been far more important at the Abbey, while here, much more store was placed behind meat. Judos shunned the cooked bird at first, leaning more towards the vegetables and his own hotroot soup, but found he had a taste for a well-cooked bird. It tasted delicious, and he began sampling other bits of food they had to offer.

Ætharr ate heartily, his appetite sharpened by the fact that he had spent the whole day hurrying around organizing things personally. He hated to be idle while others worked. Now, he could safely enjoy his night.

That was when the arrow was shot right for his head, and many seasons afterwards, Judos, who had been sitting not far by, would still hear the sound of an arrow striking flesh and sinking deep.