"Never think that war, no matter how necessary, nor how justified, is not a crime."
― Ernest Hemingway
Unaware of Ragnar behind him, Jarek Daube watched the raiding party cross the river. The lookout shifted and winced at the throbbing pain in his arm. He poked at the bandage, whispering a prayer to Astera that he did not have wound fever. Unable to take part in the raid, he would stay behind as sentry until the others returned. He hoped they could steal some medicines. He glanced back to see Karn Weigel and his horse disappear into the woods on the other side – the deputy leader acted as rearguard for the raiders.
It would be candlemarks before another of those left behind relieved him, so Jarek leaned back against the tree trunk and stretched, wincing once more at the pain in his arm. He saw a rabbit browsing along the ground beneath him and leaned over to follow its movement. If his arm didn't hurt so much, he could use a bow to….
Ragnar's arrow took Jarek in the left eye. Jarek was dead before his body finished crashing down to the forest floor. Drawing his sword, Ragnar rushed forward and plunged it into Jarek's heart. "If you need to kill someone, make sure they are dead. Take no chances they might get back up." Sergeant Hoyer and Herald Alberich both warned Ragnar during his training.
Wiping his sword on Jarek's coat, Ragnar sheathed it. ::Sentry's dead.:: He mindsent to Pierce, who was with Major Smith. Now, no warning could go back to those left in the bandit camp.
::We're just about to spring the trap.:: Pierce replied. Moments later, Ragnar heard shouts, screams and sounds of fighting from the other side of the river. Mikizi cantered up and Ragnar did a flying mount. They galloped into position where the trail emerged from the river, ready to take down any bandits attempting to flee.
Ragnar heard a galloping horse crashing through the trees on the far side. He nocked an arrow and aimed at the trail opening. A riderless horse burst out of the woods and plunged into the river, dragging a body held to the saddle by a boot through the stirrup. The body caught on a large rock in the shallows, pulling the foot free and leaving the corpse face down in the water.
Ragnar held his position while the horse continued across the river and came up to Mikizi, panting hard. Mikizi steadied the gelding as Ragnar continued to bar the way for any fleeing bandits.
::Done here.:: Pierce sent. ::We have six dead bandits and six prisoners. One took off on horseback, but I put an arrow in his back as he ran.::
Ragnar confirmed the death of the mounted bandit and headed back to join the others. The total matched the number he counted crossing the ford on the way out.
Three candlemarks later, Ragnar and Pierce helped Lieutenant Donal Rains destroy the bandit camp. All four bandits at the camp died in the fight.
###
"Why are you doing this?" Pierce asked as they sat cross-legged facing the mass grave. Major Smith spared only two of the bandits and hanged the rest of the prisoners for their crimes. He put the two in the shock wall where they would either fight or die. If they deserted, they would hang immediately.
It was the night before Sovran and the air of the Winesong Hills was cold with the promise of coming winter. Autumn stars shone brightly between the trees. Tomorrow night, the two Heralds would feast with Major Smith and his men. Tonight, Ragnar prepared to make peace with the dead.
Ragnar shook his head, saying nothing. He pulled the wine, bread and salt from his pack and spread it on the grave. He relaxed, closing his eyes and slipping into meditation. Pierce sighed and imitated his fellow Herald.
Ayawin rose higher. Not yet full, she reached the zenith a candlemark before midnight. Ragnar felt a stirring. He opened his eyes. To his othersight, spirits hovered above the grave. Pierce gave a little gasp as they touched the offerings.
"Go with the Lady." Ragnar said. Out of the corner of his eye, he noted Pierce staring at him, a look of awe on his face.
The spirits soared upward and vanished in the moonlight. Ragnar exhaled strongly and came out of his trance. He smiled at Pierce, who still stared at him open-mouthed. "You saw them." He said.
Pierce nodded cautiously. "The spirits were one thing, but what was that thing that possessed you? It looked like an eagle taking form around you. And your voice sounded as though you were at the bottom of a well."
"The Eagle still comes to me. Even here in Valdemar."
Pierce shook his head. "No wonder the others say you're more Shaman than Herald."
Behind them, Mikizi and Ohiro blew loud snorts.
Pierce, Ragnar and Major Smith's troops cleared out three more bandit nests before winter settled in. Ragnar returned to Haven and teaching Field Survival.
###
"Watch out!" Ragnar twisted in the saddle and thrust his sword into the Hardornen knight's neck before the enemy could swing at Balázs Kruków's exposed back. The young Karsite noble slashed through the bicep of the enemy in front of him and glanced at Ragnar.
"Behind you!" Balázs shouted.
Mikizi lashed out with her hooves and broke the leg of a Hardornen horse on Ragnar's other side. Ragnar swung backwards, catching the rider in the left eye as he went down. The man cried out, bringing his hand to his face; he rolled on the ground beneath the hooves of the milling horses and Companions. Even as he died, the Hardornen trooper slashed upwards, cutting through Mikizi's girth and making a shallow cut in her chest. Mikizi ignored the pain and drove a silver hoof into his face.
Ragnar turned again to slash at yet another Hardornen on his left. As his sword bit into the enemy's shoulder, Ragnar could feel himself sliding with the saddle. He kicked his boots out of the stirrups and hit the ground in a roll. He tried to protect his head, but a hoof clipped his helmet, stunning him briefly. He shook his head to clear it and, remembering what Corporal Reigel taught him at Watford, tried to get up. The brief hesitation was too long; a lance stabbed him deep in the side. Ragnar cried out and collapsed again.
Mikizi neighed her fury. She rammed the lancer's horse and knocked the man to the ground. She finished the lancer with a rearing plunge on his chest before positioning herself protectively over Ragnar.
Balázs saw Ragnar go down. He stayed near Mikizi, helping her fight off any who came near the fallen Herald. "Healer! We need a healer" he shouted even as he killed a Hardornen in front of him. He glanced around. The Hardornens were still pushing them back, forcing the Valdemaran army back towards the Iftel border. His father and his men, together with those of Viscount Austin, were holding the flank, trying to prevent encirclement. "Healer! We need a healer" Balázs repeated.
'It's no use,' he thought 'a healer would have to be mad.' Another Hardornen closed and Balázs took blow on his shield and returned it with a blow of his own. They separated as the battle carried his opponent away.
Balázs fought desperately, both to hold the line and to protect Ragnar. A distant movement in the East caught his eye and his heart sank. Another body of troops was approaching from Hardorn. They weren't in the black uniforms of the Hardornens and it looked like the horses were carrying double, but fresh enemies could not be good. "Rise with the Sun, Kruk Góra!" Balázs cried.
The family motto and battle cry caught the attention of his father, who repeated it along with the rest of his regiment. Miklos Kruków smiled proudly at his son, who waved at the troops approaching from Hardorn. Baron Kruków frowned before turning back to the battle, encouraging his regiment to rally.
Balázs raised his shield to fend off another attacker, then struck the man on the leg. The enemy screamed and toppled to the ground. Balázs glanced down where the man fell. His jaw dropped in shock. There was a healer – a female healer – beside Ragnar, trying to help the Herald to his feet.
Balázs looked around to see another rider aiming for the healer. "Protect the healer!" he shouted. He spurred his horse, slamming it into the side of the attacker. On Mikizi's other side, a Hardornen raised his sword to strike at the healer. Incredibly, she grabbed Ragnar's sword and stabbed upward; the sword pierced his chainmail below his sternum and upward into his heart. The attacker tumbled dead from his horse and the healer turned back to Ragnar.
Mikizi bent her forelegs so the healer could heave Ragnar onto the Companion's bare back. The healer climbed up behind Ragnar before Mikizi rose and headed back behind the lines.
A wild cheer caught Balázs' attention. He looked towards the source and cheered himself. The troops from the east were falling on the Hardornens! Balázs did not understand, but somehow they were reinforcements instead of enemies.
"Rise with the Sun, Kruk Góra!" Baron Miklos shouted and the regiment rallied. Bouyed by the turning of the battle, they fell on the enemy with redoubled effort. In another half-mark, the Hardornens were broken and fleeing back to their country.
###
Weary and ready to drop, Balázs made his way to the Valdemaran healers' tent. He and his father had seen to their own men, both the injured in their own healing tents and the hale who were fed and in their bedrolls. Before he rested, Balázs wanted to see his friend. Balázs reflected how odd it was for him, a Karsite noble, to be friends with a 'Demon Rider' from Valdemar. Due to their acquaintance from Leiden three years ago, Queen Selenay assigned Ragnar as liaison with Baron Kruków. In the moons since, the two became friends.
Balázs smiled wanly at the line of Companions outside of the healers' tent, sheltered by an awning but all focused on the main tent. Most of them bore cuts and injuries of their own. His time in Valdemar and friendship with Ragnar taught Balázs how Companions were intelligent 'people' in their own right, albeit it in the shape of a horse, thought he still could not tell them apart. "Mikizi?" he said and one of the mares turned her head towards him; she pawed the air gently.
Going over to her, he stroked her head and neck. "Are you alright?" he asked. She nodded as Balázs bent to check the cut on her chest, which was neatly stitched closed. He kissed her nose, the way he'd seen Ragnar do so many times.
"How is Ragnar doing?" Balázs asked. "Can I see him?"
Mikizi pricked her ears forward and nodded again while pawing the air once more. She tossed her head in the direction of the tent.
"Thank you" Balázs said as he turned and went into the main tent. The duty healer at the entry gave him directions to Ragnar's cot.
Ragnar grinned as Balázs came close. "I owe you my life once again" he said.
"More that healer than me, but shouldn't you be asleep?" Balázs said. He took a seat on a camp stool beside the cot.
"I woke up a half-candlemark ago" Ragnar answered. "Mikizi told me you were here."
"Ah, yes. I keep forgetting how your Companions talk in your heads" Balázs said.
"So what's going on? I assume we won, because I'm here in a tent instead of dead on the field, but Mikizi won't tell me anything" Ragnar said.
::You need to sleep and let others do the worrying:: Mikizi said.
::I'll sleep better if I know what is going on:: Ragnar retorted. He smiled at Balázs. "She doesn't want me to think about anything other than rest."
After moons working together, Balázs was now used to the 'absent' expression Ragnar got when he mindspoke Mikizi. He smiled back "Seeing how she fights, I am reluctant to anger her." They both chuckled as the sound of her indignant snort came through the tent door.
"I'll keep it short" Balázs said. "Things were going badly until Prince Darenthallis showed up…" Balázs gave Ragnar a quick summary of the day.
Just as he finished, a healer tapped Balázs on the shoulder. "Excuse me, Lord Balázs, but Herald Ragnar needs to rest." Balázs looked up and his jaw dropped. It was the healer who rescued Ragnar from the field. She was gorgeous.
Ragnar grinned at Balázs' expression while the young lord regained his composure. "I just wanted to let my friend know what happened after you rescued him" Balázs managed. He rose. "I will go now."
The healer smiled "Thank you, Lord Balázs. Heralds are inclined to fret themselves into knots if they aren't kept informed. I'm sure Herald Ragnar will rest easier for it."
Turning to go, Balázs said "My thanks, healer. May Vkandis protect you."
The Healer chuckled. "May the Sunlord protect and guide you." She responded in terrible Karsite.
Balázs blushed, realizing he had spoken in his native tongue. "My thanks again" He said, then added with a rush. "May I ask your name, healer?"
She smiled again. "I am Mary Doane. I'm a temporary healer, helping out during the fighting."
Balázs blushed furiously. "I am Balázs Kruków. Thank you for caring for my friend." He was still blushing as he left the tent, waving to her as he went.
###
Balázs came to see Ragnar daily in the Healer's tent and, after the healers discharged Ragnar to cautious rehabilitation at Ragnar's own tent. Ragnar noted with amusement how Balázs tended to arrive when Mary Doane was checking Ragnar's condition. Ragnar's amusement grew as Balázs spent more and more time talking to Mary instead of Ragnar.
###
"I don't care if she's a peasant's daughter." Balázs Kruków gritted his teeth, trying not to shout at his father. "I am in love with Mary Doane and I will marry her."
Miklos Kruków glared back at his son. "You are the true heir of Kruk Góra and will marry befitting your birth!"
"Kruk Góra is lost!" Balázs retorted. "We are in Valdemar now. We are five hundred miles from Kruk Góra and can never return home."
Less than half the people in the room spoke Karsite, but everyone froze as the refugee Karsite Baron and his son argued. They all knew what the argument was about, but pretended they did not.
"Kruk Góra is ours. It has been for a thousand years. It is ours forever!" Baron Kruków said stiffly.
"Rhithik has held it for three years now. We are called traitors and cannot even set foot in our homeland." Balázs now pleaded with his father.
"Duke Geerhard supports us. We have friends in Sunhame." Baron Kruków had regular correspondence with his brother-in-law the Duke through smuggled letters.
"Uncle Geerhard is mainly interested in bringing Cousin Kahl home" Balázs said.
"He also wants justice for your mother" Miklos retorted.
Balázs closed his eyes briefly at the memory of his mother. Though his parents' marriage was political, his father and mother were deeply in love. Normally, Miklos was starkly analytical, but his devotion to her memory blinded him to the reality of their situation. Balázs tried another tack. "Why will you not allow me to find the same love you and mother shared?"
Miklos' expression tightened, his lips thinned. "Learn to find love where your duty lies. It is your duty to marry a woman of noble or at least gentle rank."
The argument continued for another candlemark before Viscount Austin's aide appeared to summon them both to a conference.
###
Balázs poured out his frustration to Ragnar the next evening at the latter's tent.
"You said he insists you marry a noblewoman or gentlewoman?" Ragnar said cautiously. "Those were his exact words?"
"Yes. Rank is everything to him" Balázs said. "My bride could be dirt poor and dowerless, but she has to have rank." He hung his head hopelessly, not catching the mischief in Ragnar's voice. Thor, Ragnar's yearmate and tentmate, sat on his own cot and rolled his eyes.
Balázs lingered another half-candlemark. He tried to speak of other things, but his words kept turning back to his father's obstinacy. Ragnar consoled his friend and counselled patience.
After Balázs left, Thor looked accusingly at his yearmate. "What sneaky tricks are you up to?"
Ragnar struck a pose of innocence. "I? A simple clansman pirate from Lake Evendim?"
Thor snorted. "When there's a Shaman around, things that should stand still move and things that should move stand still. What are you up to?"
Ragnar only smiled. He mindspoke Mikizi ::Isn't the Queen holding a ceremony honoring those who acted bravely before she heads back to Haven?::
::Yes, she is:: Mikizi replied. ::And, before you ask, the Seneschal is organizing it, so you want to talk to Kyril.::
###
Balázs cheered and applauded as his cousin knelt before the Queen to be dubbed a knight, then swore fealty to Count Wyeth Poldara as the latter made Khal Alikan Baron of Wellmead. Since Count Wyeth served on the Lord Marshall's staff, his son Grayson commanded the Poldara regiments in the actual battle. A strong Hardornen charge caught Grayson at the point and injured him terribly. Kahl Alikan assumed command of the regiments and rallied them to beat back the attack. At Khal's side, Grayson sat in a carry-chair and applauded.
After Kahl bowed and withdrew, Queen Selenay raised her voice and spoke to all assembled. "The Heralds of Valdemar are invaluable and those who valorously save their lives deserve to be honored. Queen's Own, we believe there are two such present."
Queen's Own Herald Talia stepped forward. Projecting her voice, Talia cried "Balázs Kruków, Heir of Kruk Góra and Mary Doane, freelady of Valdmar and Healer, stand forth!"
Balázs stood stunned for a moment as his father's men cheered around him. His father gave him a gentle shove towards the Queen. Balázs walked forward in a daze and took his place. Mary Doane, looking equally stunned, stood beside him.
Talia read out a description of how they saved Ragnar. She emphasized how Mary, unarmed, went into the thick of the battle to rescue Ragnar and, using Ragnar's own sword, killed an enemy attacking them both. Talia went on to say how Balázs defended them until she could withdraw.
"These are deeds of great valor" Selenay said "are their witnesses to these actions?"
Ragnar stepped forward, dressed in formal whites. "I can swear to the truth of these deeds, for I am the man they saved!"
Sergeant Felix Losick, Balázs' own trooper, also came forward to testify.
"These deeds being witnessed as true, we deem them worthy of honor" Selenay proclaimed. "Balázs Kruków, Heir of Kruk Góra and Mary Doane, freelady of Valdmar and Healer, kneel."
Both of them knelt before Selenay. She touched her sword to Balázs' head and shoulders. "Balázs Kruków, Heir of Kruk Góra, we dub you Knight Commander of the Order of the Windrider." She turned to Mary and touched her the same way. "Mary Doane, freelady of Valdmar and Healer, we dub you Dame Commander of the Order of the Windrider."
Talia came up to the Queen holding a cushion with two silver chain collars on it. Each had a Windrider pendant attached. Selenay placed one chain on each of them. As everyone applauded, Balázs started to rise. Talia gestured for them to stay kneeling.
"As Mary Doane is a vassal of Viscount Halmar, he wishes to add his own recognition" Selenay said.
Austin Halmar stepped forward, a broad grin on his face. He stood before Mary, taking her hands between his. "Dame Mary Doane. I create you Baronetess Mary Doane, swearing to defend your rights as my vassal." Austin recited an oath binding him as overlord. Talia stood behind the Viscount, prompting Mary through her return oath as a noble vassal.
Ceremony done, Selenay bid them rise and return to the assembled crowd.
The two turned and walked away while Talia called forth the next to be honored. Balázs looked to Mary walking beside him. Impulsively, he reached out his hand. Blushing, she took it.
They walked up to Baron Miklos. Balázs held his breath, wondering what his father would say. After a moment, Miklos smiled broadly. "Welcome, daughter" he said.