Davrag Joris's fangs bared in a savage grin as he beheld Tilverin;
the great city at the edge of the realm of Kolma.
"We made it..." Silter's voice was breathless and ragged from the run from the wastelands, her eyes shining as she beheld the great city on the fertile lands, a grin spreading over her face.
Davrag's amber eyes shone as he nodded, "Aye. Ren, how far off are we from Vandashira and Shadow's Keep?"
The lanky stoat raised a paw and held it over his eyes, narrowing them thoughtfully as he gazed over the city to the mountains beyond. "Not far. Days at the most."
Davrag nodded, running an ebon paw across his chin, "I see. How are the soldiers doing, Yarel?"
The large rat replied almost automatically, "Loyal but tired, sir. They need rest."
Davrag growled, "Just what we don't need now. Fine, let me think..."
Davrag's chief officers remained respectfully silent as they watched their leader's brow furrow in thought and he nodded, "I have an idea. Ren, you and Silter take a contingent of troops who I'll place under Silter's command. Yarel, you and the Academy troops will go with me to the city for a small time. Exles, you're coming with me. Silter and Ren will travel east to Shadows Keep and inform Vandashira of my coming. Exles will stay close by me, understand?"
The wild eyed rat gave a nod, paw on his broadsword and the other officers exchanged nods. All understood the implications behind Davrag's command; Silter was Davrag's beast, loyal after he had taken control and trusting fully in his leadership. With the troops entrusted to her, Ren would be kept out of mischief. Exles on the other paw, was much too unpredictable to trust with his own command and keeping him close at paw kept him out of trouble. Yarel's troops would be received with suspicion and mistrust from Vandashira's other beasts so keeping him close at reach was a similarly bright move.
"Davrag?" Silter drew the stoat leader aside for a moment, her eyes locking on his own as she ventured a question, "Why stop by Tilverin now?"
Davrag frowned, "If any others on our tails stop by Tilverin, I want to be ready. The stop off will be brief, Silter, don't worry. I'll find the rest of you at Shadows Keep with Exles's help."
Silter didn't look convinced, "Who'd be hunting you anyways?"
Davrag restrained a growl. Thus far, he had left out the 'bounty' details from the beasts under his command and he couldn't shake the feeling of unease that stuck by him. No matter how he tried to tell himself Jald Nightson was dead, he knew Eroket Nightblade would be hot on the trail of the hunt and the young ermine's resourcefulness disturbed Davrag.
All the black stoat said was, "Silter, I have my concerns, let me deal with them, ok?"
Silter nodded her assent and the two walked back to join the others.
It took a full twenty minutes to pass along instructions to the rest of the troops and insure they'd follow Silter back to Shadows Keep. Yarel agreed to follow Davrag with remarkable swiftness.
In less then two hours, the smaller group was headed for Tilverin, Exles understandably nervous by the close proximity of the group of Academy soldiers.
Davrag's eyes gleamed. All he had was his hunch and his instinct but when you lived your life on the streets, you rarely needed more then that to even guess something. If Eroket Nightblade didn't show up, Davrag would use the time to plan what he'd do when he reached Vandashira's domain. If Eroket Nightblade did show up, Davrag would separate the young ermine's head from his shoulders.
The thought was not an unpleasant one.
Skola Snowshadow was an excellent host, Eroket and the group soon learned.
Expecting a rough, makeshift barracks, Eroket was pleasantly surprised to see an actual fort, obviously built before Skola's arrival. The fort was large, accommodating and rather cheery and each of the soldiers seemed skilled and well trained by the wolf lord.
Deran seemed to know the place well, probably because he had been there before, Eroket knew. Skola had dinner them served in a tavern built in the fort's interior and each of the group seemed to be enjoying themselves. Cadion had become rather popular among Skola's soldiers. Skola had even offered the young mouse a position among his soldiers, which had worried Eroket. If Cadion decided to accept, all Eroket could do was wish him good luck. Fortunately, Cadion had declined the honor.
Skola himself seemed to take a liking to Cadion himself, the wolf was sitting between his soldiers, allowing himself no fripperies or special privileges that would separate him from his soldiers. Eroekt had to admire him for it.
"Tell him," The ermine replied at length, locking eyes with the tall wolf, "You sent us on this hunt, this practical...suicide, and you obviously have the means to deal with your enemy right here! Why us?"
Skola sighed and spoke softly, so Eroket could hear him, but not to disturb the other beasts in the tavern. "Eroket, I apologize for the dangers you have endured on this hunt, I truly do. Vandashira has ever been an enemy of mine since I became lord of my provinces.
"I lost a brother and my father's sanity to Vandashira's dark machinations, yet vengeance is eluded by the one game we all hate to play: Politics. I am not the only lord in the north, and I am opposed by others in a state of constant balance. A move against Kolma would be seen as unfounded aggression, even I cannot move without definite evidence. I would risk my citizens and I cannot allow that to happen."
Eroket's eyes narrowed and he hissed angrily, "So you sent us to do your dirty work?"
Skola sighed, "I wouldn't have sent you if I didn't have faith in your abilities to the fullest. Deran personally recommended you. Eroket; understand my positions in this hunt. I am an employer, but I am also a lord of a large territory. I cannot risk their safety to aid you, but I cannot in good conscience leave you to your fate. I aid you however I can."
Eroket was about to make another retort when Jald placed a hand on Eroket's shoulder and nodded, "Lord Skola is right, Eroket. His paws are too tied to do anything else. Skola, I understand your position. I've worked for dozens like you, but many without your honor."
Skola nodded, a smile hovering on his face, "If I may, Jald Nightson, why are you without your trademark sword?"
Jald frowned, "When I fought Tarl Argith of the Academy, he held by sword and my one option was to slam it between a steel door. The end result was my sword was broken. I prefer that rather then Argith wielding it..."
Skola nodded and unbuckled his own sword, holding it to the light and Eroket sucked in his breath; Skola's sword was nearly identical to Jald's old blade. The tall wolf replied, "You are acquainted with the Redfletch tribe?"
Jald nodded, "I knew one; a blacksmith named Serion, a runaway from the tribe. He was their finest smith."
"That he was. Serion produced five swords, a masterpiece, each and every one. One was a gift to me when the Redfletches and I signed our armistice. One was a gift to his chieftain and two others to old friends of his, runaways from a military academy...the last was supposedly lost. What happened to Serion."
"Dead," Jald replied flatly, his emerald eyes emotionless, "He was killed by the adder Akariss, for the amusement of an old-and dead- enemy."
"Then in Serion's memory, I present this blade to you, Jald Nightson. I hope you shall use it well."
Jald was speechless for a moment, one of the few times in his life before he managed to stammer out his thanks, "You're giving me a Redfletch blade as a gift?"
"No. I am buying something for my blade: your success in Vandashira's demise. I also request I be allowed to wear the longsword you wear?"
Jald nodded quickly and withdrew his longsword, handing it hilt first to Skola and receiving the wolf's broadsword with an almost reverent care as he replied, "I will use it well."
"Of that, I have no doubt." Skola smiled.
The hall had fallen silent for a moment, before starting up with cheers, even Morik and Boneflower seemed enthusiastic, despite the fact both of them had been rather sullen on the trip.
"My lord?" Eroket somehow felt the wolf was deserving of the title.
"Yes, Eroket?"
"What are the Redfletches?"
Skola sighed, "A group of wolves, large powerful tribe. Cannibalistic and violent, warlike. It took years of battling before we signed our treaty with them and even now it's an uneasy truce. They're master smiths and important trade partners, though. They have large conflicts with many though. They're difficult creatures and no mistake."
Eroket nodded before Boneflower rose, "Jald, c'n I talk t'you alone?"
Jald nodded, noting glares from both Eroket and Morik, "Certainly, Boneflower." With a nod to Eroket and Skola he left, following Boneflower outside.
As Boneflower passed Morik, the stoat opened his mouth to say something but Boneflower gave him such a glare he shut up immediately and exited.
Skola leaned back in his seat, "I suggest you travel through Tilverin, the largest city nearby. Deran can show you the way."
Eroket nodded, "We'll leave tomorrow then. Thank you...for your hospitality, Lord Snowshadow."
Skola smiled and nodded, "It is my pleasure...I know you will succeed, Eroket. I have the utmost faith in you."
Privately, Eroket wondered if he could share Skola's faith for himself.
"We made it..." Silter's voice was breathless and ragged from the run from the wastelands, her eyes shining as she beheld the great city on the fertile lands, a grin spreading over her face.
Davrag's amber eyes shone as he nodded, "Aye. Ren, how far off are we from Vandashira and Shadow's Keep?"
The lanky stoat raised a paw and held it over his eyes, narrowing them thoughtfully as he gazed over the city to the mountains beyond. "Not far. Days at the most."
Davrag nodded, running an ebon paw across his chin, "I see. How are the soldiers doing, Yarel?"
The large rat replied almost automatically, "Loyal but tired, sir. They need rest."
Davrag growled, "Just what we don't need now. Fine, let me think..."
Davrag's chief officers remained respectfully silent as they watched their leader's brow furrow in thought and he nodded, "I have an idea. Ren, you and Silter take a contingent of troops who I'll place under Silter's command. Yarel, you and the Academy troops will go with me to the city for a small time. Exles, you're coming with me. Silter and Ren will travel east to Shadows Keep and inform Vandashira of my coming. Exles will stay close by me, understand?"
The wild eyed rat gave a nod, paw on his broadsword and the other officers exchanged nods. All understood the implications behind Davrag's command; Silter was Davrag's beast, loyal after he had taken control and trusting fully in his leadership. With the troops entrusted to her, Ren would be kept out of mischief. Exles on the other paw, was much too unpredictable to trust with his own command and keeping him close at paw kept him out of trouble. Yarel's troops would be received with suspicion and mistrust from Vandashira's other beasts so keeping him close at reach was a similarly bright move.
"Davrag?" Silter drew the stoat leader aside for a moment, her eyes locking on his own as she ventured a question, "Why stop by Tilverin now?"
Davrag frowned, "If any others on our tails stop by Tilverin, I want to be ready. The stop off will be brief, Silter, don't worry. I'll find the rest of you at Shadows Keep with Exles's help."
Silter didn't look convinced, "Who'd be hunting you anyways?"
Davrag restrained a growl. Thus far, he had left out the 'bounty' details from the beasts under his command and he couldn't shake the feeling of unease that stuck by him. No matter how he tried to tell himself Jald Nightson was dead, he knew Eroket Nightblade would be hot on the trail of the hunt and the young ermine's resourcefulness disturbed Davrag.
All the black stoat said was, "Silter, I have my concerns, let me deal with them, ok?"
Silter nodded her assent and the two walked back to join the others.
It took a full twenty minutes to pass along instructions to the rest of the troops and insure they'd follow Silter back to Shadows Keep. Yarel agreed to follow Davrag with remarkable swiftness.
In less then two hours, the smaller group was headed for Tilverin, Exles understandably nervous by the close proximity of the group of Academy soldiers.
Davrag's eyes gleamed. All he had was his hunch and his instinct but when you lived your life on the streets, you rarely needed more then that to even guess something. If Eroket Nightblade didn't show up, Davrag would use the time to plan what he'd do when he reached Vandashira's domain. If Eroket Nightblade did show up, Davrag would separate the young ermine's head from his shoulders.
The thought was not an unpleasant one.
Skola Snowshadow was an excellent host, Eroket and the group soon learned.
Expecting a rough, makeshift barracks, Eroket was pleasantly surprised to see an actual fort, obviously built before Skola's arrival. The fort was large, accommodating and rather cheery and each of the soldiers seemed skilled and well trained by the wolf lord.
Deran seemed to know the place well, probably because he had been there before, Eroket knew. Skola had dinner them served in a tavern built in the fort's interior and each of the group seemed to be enjoying themselves. Cadion had become rather popular among Skola's soldiers. Skola had even offered the young mouse a position among his soldiers, which had worried Eroket. If Cadion decided to accept, all Eroket could do was wish him good luck. Fortunately, Cadion had declined the honor.
Skola himself seemed to take a liking to Cadion himself, the wolf was sitting between his soldiers, allowing himself no fripperies or special privileges that would separate him from his soldiers. Eroekt had to admire him for it.
"Tell him," The ermine replied at length, locking eyes with the tall wolf, "You sent us on this hunt, this practical...suicide, and you obviously have the means to deal with your enemy right here! Why us?"
Skola sighed and spoke softly, so Eroket could hear him, but not to disturb the other beasts in the tavern. "Eroket, I apologize for the dangers you have endured on this hunt, I truly do. Vandashira has ever been an enemy of mine since I became lord of my provinces.
"I lost a brother and my father's sanity to Vandashira's dark machinations, yet vengeance is eluded by the one game we all hate to play: Politics. I am not the only lord in the north, and I am opposed by others in a state of constant balance. A move against Kolma would be seen as unfounded aggression, even I cannot move without definite evidence. I would risk my citizens and I cannot allow that to happen."
Eroket's eyes narrowed and he hissed angrily, "So you sent us to do your dirty work?"
Skola sighed, "I wouldn't have sent you if I didn't have faith in your abilities to the fullest. Deran personally recommended you. Eroket; understand my positions in this hunt. I am an employer, but I am also a lord of a large territory. I cannot risk their safety to aid you, but I cannot in good conscience leave you to your fate. I aid you however I can."
Eroket was about to make another retort when Jald placed a hand on Eroket's shoulder and nodded, "Lord Skola is right, Eroket. His paws are too tied to do anything else. Skola, I understand your position. I've worked for dozens like you, but many without your honor."
Skola nodded, a smile hovering on his face, "If I may, Jald Nightson, why are you without your trademark sword?"
Jald frowned, "When I fought Tarl Argith of the Academy, he held by sword and my one option was to slam it between a steel door. The end result was my sword was broken. I prefer that rather then Argith wielding it..."
Skola nodded and unbuckled his own sword, holding it to the light and Eroket sucked in his breath; Skola's sword was nearly identical to Jald's old blade. The tall wolf replied, "You are acquainted with the Redfletch tribe?"
Jald nodded, "I knew one; a blacksmith named Serion, a runaway from the tribe. He was their finest smith."
"That he was. Serion produced five swords, a masterpiece, each and every one. One was a gift to me when the Redfletches and I signed our armistice. One was a gift to his chieftain and two others to old friends of his, runaways from a military academy...the last was supposedly lost. What happened to Serion."
"Dead," Jald replied flatly, his emerald eyes emotionless, "He was killed by the adder Akariss, for the amusement of an old-and dead- enemy."
"Then in Serion's memory, I present this blade to you, Jald Nightson. I hope you shall use it well."
Jald was speechless for a moment, one of the few times in his life before he managed to stammer out his thanks, "You're giving me a Redfletch blade as a gift?"
"No. I am buying something for my blade: your success in Vandashira's demise. I also request I be allowed to wear the longsword you wear?"
Jald nodded quickly and withdrew his longsword, handing it hilt first to Skola and receiving the wolf's broadsword with an almost reverent care as he replied, "I will use it well."
"Of that, I have no doubt." Skola smiled.
The hall had fallen silent for a moment, before starting up with cheers, even Morik and Boneflower seemed enthusiastic, despite the fact both of them had been rather sullen on the trip.
"My lord?" Eroket somehow felt the wolf was deserving of the title.
"Yes, Eroket?"
"What are the Redfletches?"
Skola sighed, "A group of wolves, large powerful tribe. Cannibalistic and violent, warlike. It took years of battling before we signed our treaty with them and even now it's an uneasy truce. They're master smiths and important trade partners, though. They have large conflicts with many though. They're difficult creatures and no mistake."
Eroket nodded before Boneflower rose, "Jald, c'n I talk t'you alone?"
Jald nodded, noting glares from both Eroket and Morik, "Certainly, Boneflower." With a nod to Eroket and Skola he left, following Boneflower outside.
As Boneflower passed Morik, the stoat opened his mouth to say something but Boneflower gave him such a glare he shut up immediately and exited.
Skola leaned back in his seat, "I suggest you travel through Tilverin, the largest city nearby. Deran can show you the way."
Eroket nodded, "We'll leave tomorrow then. Thank you...for your hospitality, Lord Snowshadow."
Skola smiled and nodded, "It is my pleasure...I know you will succeed, Eroket. I have the utmost faith in you."
Privately, Eroket wondered if he could share Skola's faith for himself.