Chapter Four
Baradale

Having never ventured far from Taran Kaey, certainly never further than the nearest neighbouring towns on the sea front, to behold a place like Baradale was a shock to Rael. He knew that cities were built large and tall, but he had not anticipated anything like this. Any doubts he had about being able to find refuge within this city were instantly silenced; finding a quiet place to live here in this huge town would not be difficult.

For the past half hour they had been crossing farmlands. Navigating through the narrow tracks between the large fields. Acres of cabbages, potatoes, carrots, turnips and countless other produce, as well as many grassy enclosures containing cows, sheep, chickens and even some animals Rael found himself unable to name, surrounded Baradale in hundreds of neatly arranged allotments. Farmhouses dotted the patchwork land, surrounded by fields of green, brown and yellow, and every shade between. Rael had considered the farmland surrounding Taran Kaey to be large, but this was rather a different tale entirely.

As the sun dropped steadily through the evening sky, preparing to fall behind the mountains in the West, Rael looked on to the city up ahead and hoped they would be able to find lodging before the night. The sun was certainly not taking its time in falling. Rael felt a shiver down his spine, and gazed back out across the land. Evenings made him uneasy, there was something about the setting sun that always filled him with doubt, as though beyond twilight there would be any light again. He told himself harshly to put his childish fears behind himself.

On the contrary, Ralis seemed to have picked up now. He had been grumpy all afternoon, speaking little even to Mara. But perhaps the day's ride had cleared his head, for now he talked and laughed as though he were back in the common room of his favourite tavern. Maybe it was the sight of Baradale that had perked him up. Everyone's spirits were indeed rising now, and as those high grey walls drew ever closer, the harsh reality of the situation did not seem to be forefront in their minds.

But the situation was not lost on Rael. His father could still be in danger; he could be in chains in the hands of those damned sea folk, or worse… But he tried to tell himself that would not be the case. He had on occasion heard townsfolk talk about "ol' Resh al'Shael", what did they say? "A fine hand with a blade if ever there was one." He had never said so, but Rael suspected his father had been a soldier in his youth, before he had taken up his carpentry trade. He hoped that would be enough to help defend himself. His Da was alive and well somewhere, he knew it.

About half a mile from the city walls, they dismounted and began making their way towards the city on foot. It was strangely quiet outside the walls here; Rael would have expected more activity, late as it was. The dirt tracks gave way to long stretches of cobblestone as they drew closer to the southern gate. The gates were still open, for which they were very thankful, and they approached confidently.

A unit of guards was stationed at the gates, ten strong men, made large by the bulk of their steel armour. Rael noted the deep red of their tunics, a quality dye, no expense was spared on the military here, that was at once clear. One look at the shining silver helmets, with the golden wings etched onto the front plate, told him that. Ralis took the lead as they approached, and he made the customary head bow before starting to speak.

"A fine evening to you, Men of Baradale."

"A fine evening to you, Taraner." Replied the nearest guard. Ralis' accent must indeed be strong for him to recognise him as a Taraner. "What ill brings you to the gates of Baradale at this hour, and in such rough condition."

"My name is Ralis al'Resh, and this is my wife Mara el'Sara. These four are our companions." Ralis gestured at his dirty appearance, his torn clothes and at the condition of all the group. "Taran Kaey was attacked by a seafaring army from the south. The town has burned. Few have escaped." Ralis spoke with flat tones, too flat for Rael's comfort.

The guard nodded, "Yes, there have been rumours. I do not believe you are the first Taraners to come to Baradale." He paused and then added, "I am sorry for your loss."

Another guard called over to the first, "Vic! Be they Taraners?"

The guard called Vic turned to face the other, "Ay, sir. The rumours are true it seems. War be coming."

The other did not seem to bothered about talk of war, "Captain Destan has ruled that any Taraners arriving in Baradale must be brought to him directly."

Vic nodded. "Yes, that is right yes." He turned back to address Ralis, "My memory escapes me sometimes. Please come with me Master Ralis, Miss Mara. And you others also. You must meet with the Captain, and then we will find you lodgings for the night."

"What does the Captain want?" Asked Ralis strongly, not moving from where he stood.

"Can't say for sure, but most likely he wants news of what be happening on the coast. Come, come, you will be fine. The Captain takes good care of his guests, you shall be better off in the quarters he provides for you than in some of the inns about these parts."

Mara stepped forward and smiled, "Thank you, Guardsman Vic. Come Ralis, let us not wait out here any longer. You said yourself they would want news from us."

Ralis nodded, but Rael heard him mutter under his breath about not expecting to have to meet with any captains. He pulled at Pesh's reins and followed Vic through the city gates into the wide streets of Baradale.

As Rael guided Garsh under the high stone archway, he found himself gazing upwards almost instantly. All around him the buildings rose up high. No building was smaller than three stories high, all built of grey stone and red slate, with lead framed windows and doors of oak. The cobble street that began at the archway cut a path directly through all these buildings the city to its centre, underneath looming balconies and slanted roofs.

Up ahead in the distance, the wide road gave way to an inner ring of high walls, which surrounded the military stronghold at the centre of the city. A very tall and very large building, which dominated the town from atop its high hill. A tall tower thrust up at the sky from the body of the fortress, visible from anywhere in the Baradale, and for miles and miles around It took Rael a few minutes to realise, as he walked, that the entire town itself was one great fortress. As they climbed higher up the hill towards the fortress, he could down upon the layout of the town. Its high thick outer walls surrounded the city on all sides, and straight roads ran from its four gates to the centre. Straight broad roads for troops to run through the city quickly, he decided.

Other streets ran at right angles to the four great roads, crisscrossing all across the town. Markets, community hubs, and taverns in all directions. High rising buildings, larger towards the centre of the city, and all dwarfed by the crown that was the fortress.

Daran moved close to Rael and leaned in close so that they could talk over the noises of the city. "You reckon we're gonna be all right going in there? You reckon they'll let us out soon, yeah?"

Rael nodded, "I think so. They won't have any reason to keep us there. Let's just hope Ralis doesn't go and say something stupid." He glanced up to look at his brother walking up ahead; it didn't look as though he had heard. "Still, keep your eyes open at all times. These city folk don't think much of Taraners. Taran Kaey, Taran Kell, Taran Morval. Words a lot of these people would most likely spit."

"Yeah," nodded Daran, "best keep our guard up. I trust the soldiers but," he eyed some of the Baraders in the street, dressed in bright hues of green and blue, "these Baradale folk worry me. They keep peering at us like we're something worse than they are."

"Yeah, my point exactly. Keep away from them I say, if that's at all possible."

When Rael checked where they were now, he was surprised to see that they had already reached the fortress. Guards patrolled the walls on many levels, and sentries stood high in towers. There were arrow emplacements and catapults mounted high on the walls. Rael suspected the catapults could launch boulders clear of the city to the plains beyond. The fortress looked older than the rest of the town, as though it had been built first and then the rest had sprung up around it. It was made from a stone that was more brown than grey, and there was no sign of a single slate roof.

At the large gates, they were admitted by the guards and Vic led them into the first large court area. Up ahead there was yet another gate, which led right inside the first main building. They were led off to the side though, "We must take your mounts to the stables first," explained Vic, "Then we must make haste to Captain Destan. He will be most pleased to see you." Vic paused, "Well, he will be pleased for news of the attack in the south at least. You bring tidings of war, you must forgive him if he does not look too favourably on you. But it will be nothing personal." He led them on, and Daran shot a glance at Rael that echoed what he himself had been thinking. He did not like this place, and wanted to be clear of here at first light.

……

"It is as I feared then," muttered Captain Destan, glancing across some papers on his desk, not yet bothering to look up at the six Taraners standing in his office, "the South is besieged, the Kairin are moving." The captain glanced up at his 'guests' and frowned, Taraners only ever brought trouble to him. How many refugees would be sleeping on the streets of Baradale before the end of this week? He didn't want to think about it.

"Good evening, sir Captain," said the tallest of the four men, and oldest too if his guess was correct, "My name is Ralis al'Resh, and yes my and my companions have travelled from Taran Kaey, because of a raid or invasion. However, we wish to take the shortest time possible here, if it pleases you. I would appreciate it if you would get to the point, and ask what questions you must."

The captain was stone faced. His deeply lined face and hair that was more grey than black showed the captain's age. His reflective grey eyes had no doubt seen more blood and battles than Ralis could immagine, and as such Rael could barely believe his brother's attitude towards him.

The captain merely stared back at Ralis though, and it was difficult to tell from his expression whether he felt contempt or amusement for the young man standing before him. "Perhaps you will introduce your companions, Ralis al'Resh."

Ralis frowned, and then nodded respectfully, "This is my wife, Mara el'Sara,"

Mara smiled uncertainly, "Good evening, sir Captain."

"And my brother, Rael al'Resh." Rael nodded, but said nothing. "The pale haired lad is Daran, a lifelong family friend." He then gestured to the two they had met the previous evening, "This is Tabett al'Tabar and Elane el'Elaina, also from Taran Kaey, but only known to me since last night. We have travelled together for safety."

Tabett and Elane bowed their heads as they were introduced, but remained quiet. Tabett watched the captain intently through his strands of long raven black hair, Elane did not seem nervous like the rest of them though, she looked as frustrated as Ralis himself.

Rael glanced around the office and took in all he could see. The room appeared to have been style by many different people, for the differences in ornaments and the heavily contrasting fashions of carpet and curtains and wall hangings. The large oak desk took centre place in the room, littered with papers and quills and open books, which the captain presided over from his high backed mahogany chair, ornately carved and inlaid with ivory.

Indeed, the captain had surrounded himself with many rich and largely foreign items, from statuettes of exotic beasts to his large array of tropical plants that could only have come from the far east. On the walls hung tapestries bearing various insignia, and a multitude of flags draped down in front of the archways behind the desk that led out onto the balcony overlooking the south plains. One flag he recognised as the flag of the South Coast, which, amongst others, held the emblem of Taran Kaey, the rising golden sun, with three bright rays.

He also noted the flag of Baradale, the red tower on a white field. And another flag that he recognised as the Royal flag of Hyrule; a red eagle, wings outstretched, bearing three golden triangles upon its back.

He realised he was daydreaming, and started paying attention to his brother and the captain again. Ralis seemed to be coming to the end of a lengthy explanation "…and so we were forced to flee, and we have come this far to Baradale seeking refuge." Ralis drew a deep breath, and sighed, "That is all I know."

The captain seemed not to think so though. "This army you talk of, can you describe their armour to me?"

"My memory is vague, sir. They were no simple raiders, they were an imperial army much like the Baradale Guard to tell the truth. I am sure they wore black cloaks but,"

"Purple," cut in Tabett. "They wore cloaks of a regal purple. I happened to see some of the commanding officers too, their helmets bore white plumes." The captain looked at Tabett, and his eyes narrowed slightly.

"Continue," said Captain Destan, leaning forward and placing his chin on a steeple of his fingers.

Tabett thought for a second, and Rael listened with interest, "Their swords seemed to be very similar to the Hyrule fashion also. Long straight blades, broad and strong."

"Yes," said the captain, "certainly not simple pirates." He nodded slowly. Clearly he was not going to tell them what he was thinking, but he smiled and thanked them anyway. "You shall be given accommodation here in the fortress tonight, I cannot condone leaving here at this late hour now. Criminals lurk in every corner, even in a military city."

"We appreciate the gesture, sir," said Ralis, inclining his head again.

"Vic!" Called the captain, to which the soldier came hurrying in. He stood at attention, spear at his side and saluted. "Show our guests to their quarters."

"Ay, sir, right away sir. This way, please." He held the door open and stood at attention as they left. There was something comical about Vic that made Rael want to laugh, but he dared not.

……

Captain Destan watched the six Taraners leave, shaking his head slowly, and breathing deeply. It was as he feared, the Kairin were moving against Hyrule. He was too old for this now.

When he was sure he was well alone, he reached into his desk drawer and slowly brought out a piece of parchment. The paper was of the highest quality, almost pure white in colour, and firm to the quill. Its red seal was already broken, and the paper creased and blotted with inky fingerprints from his many readings of it over the past week. But once again he found himself reading the words he knew by heart now, in their elegant flowing script.

Captain Destan, Captain of Baradale,

This letter is strictly for your eyes only, its message only for your closest councils. Breach of this command is treason, and punishable by death.

It has come to my attention of late, and the attention of General Dragan, that civil unrest in Hyrule is at a height. A height not equalled since the early days of my father's rule and the Civil War. Alliances between the nations are breaking, my rule over Hyrule is wavering. My grip over the repopulating Goron, Zora and Gerudo people is weakening, as is my authority over even my own people. I ask you to be vigilant in these troubled times, for I fear that a danger approaches that shall threaten not just Hylia and its colonies, but all the free peoples.

My dreams have been troubled of late. A darkness plagues my mind, a threat from beyond, which I cannot lay name to. I sense shadows lurking in the south, disturbance from across the ocean that takes shape. I am advised to speak my mind as yet, but I feel I must. My greatest fear is that our ancient brethren, the Kairin, are stirring from their long days of peace with Hyrule.

As such, General Dragan has called for a council of the Hylian Guard. Representatives from every city must make haste to Hylia, for emergency councils. The General believes that if my dreams reflect reality, then immediate action must be taken to prepare the Kingdom for war.

For the sake of the realm, this information cannot leak to the general population. If the people believe their ruler lives in fear, and is losing their power to govern, it will do more harm to us than you can know. Keep this message secret, and guard it with your life.

The Marshal of Hyrule has felt the disturbance also. He is sending his ambassadors to the Generals of the free races, to impress his authority upon them all.

May the Gods protect us,

Queen Zelda Nohansen Hyrule,

Queen of Hyrule, Queen of Hylia, Empress of the East, Mistress of the West, Protector of the Six Seals, Sage of Time.

Captain Destan sighed and collapsed back in his chair. Those words became more frightening every time he read them. Still shaking, he took out his pipe from his desk drawer, thumbing it full of tabac. He struck it alight, and took a long drag of its sweet smoke. This was madness. He was too old for this…

……

Rael gazed up at the stone ceiling, wide-awake and not at all tired. He wanted to sleep but he could not make himself with so much was on his mind. He shivered under his blankets as a gale blew through the open window, catching the red drapes in a breeze. What would they do now? Surely Ralis did not intend to have them stay here in this city; for all the things Rael had heard about cities being grand, Baradale did not live up to his expectations.

It mattered not what his brother wanted to do anyway, Ralis and Mara could stay here as long as they like; he wasn't tied down to them any more than he to Daran. Although, Daran would most likely go with him if he chose to leave, he hated this city even more than Rael did.

As for Tabett and Elane, he could not say. Surely they did not like Baradale, but whether they would stay with the four of them now they were far from Taran Kaey, Rael could not predict. Secretly he hoped so, Elane truly was a beauty and he didn't want to have to say goodbye to her, even if she was with Tabett.

Rael fidgeted restlessly under his thin covers and turned such that he found himself looking in Ralis' direction, in the next bed a few paces over. His brother was fast asleep, his dark hair lay scruffily across his eyes now, and it drifted back and forth over his face as he breathed in and out slowly. Rael wished he and his brother had not become so distant in recent years. They had been inseparable as youngsters, but age and his brother's marriage had put walls between them that had to be left alone.

Rael was just about to turn over, and face the other way, when he heard a mutter from Ralis that stayed him for a second. "...only way…", He said, quietly, still fast asleep. Talking in his sleep, Rael realised. Then again, "…had to be done…no choice…" Rael wondered if his older brother was thinking about something that had happened recently. Maybe he could learn something about what he was thinking about. For a moment he felt guilty about it as though he was eavesdropping, but he justified it by reminding himself that he couldn't sleep, and he couldn't avoid hearing him anyway. "…yes, yes it is the only way…yes, Yvene, we shall call him Ralis…"

Rael's eyes widened, and if anybody else had been awake they would have told him that his jaw had dropped. Ralis was dreaming that he was talking to their mother…about, naming himself? Then did he must be dreaming he was their father.

Ralis' murmurs faded away into grunts, and soon he lay in silence again. Rael lay wondering for a moment, but soon drifted into a dreamless sleep.

……

"North? Into the forest you mean?" The sound of Mara's voice woke Rael, and he tried to roll over back into his blankets to put the sound of her voice out of his head. He was so tired.

"All the way to Hylia," came Ralis' reply, excited and forceful at the same time.

"But why would we want to go there?" Rael's efforts to shut out their voices were pointless. He opened his eyes, and shuffled back into a sitting position, with his back up against the cold stone wall.

He looked across at Mara and Ralis, standing in the centre of the room. Ralis was fully dressed already. His leather overcoat fastened snugly around his long black tunic that fell almost to his ankles. He had his boots on, tightly buckled and apparently cleaned of the dirt they had been carrying. That long black scabbard containing the long thing silver blade hung from his belt, gold-inlaid hilt catching the sunlight.

Mara was just wearing her shift, it was long and of dark blue fine wool, but the way it hung on her body still left little to Rael's imagination. His sister by marriage, he reminded himself, averting his eyes and muttering a curse under his breath, and gazing out of the window. He had the feeling that neither of the two had seen him wake up. All beds beside his own were empty, and light was streaming in through the windows. It was well past sun-up. Why was he always the last to wake?

"Just for the sake of adventure," Ralis continued, stroking his wife's arm, as though that would convince her, "besides, we don't want to stick around in this vile town, and we certainly can't go south. Remaining here could just end up with us getting involved in the war. They'll have conscripted me and the boys to the army before we can raise so much as a finger in protest, and they'll have you working in some filthy tavern somewhere."

Mara shuddered at the thought, "That is very true. For that last point alone you would convince me. Yes, I think you are right then. At least let us go through the forest and get away from the southlands."

Ralis nodded, "I will let Vic know." He turned sharply, and left through the open door.

Mara sighed, and shook her head. In doing so, she must have caught Rael out of the corner of her eye, because she gave a start and a yelp, and quickly snatched up her dress from her bed, holding it against herself. "Rael, I didn't know you were awake, I apologise."

Rael was on the verge of telling her he did not mind, but stayed his tongue when he considered how that could sound. "It's fine Mara. Do you want some privacy?"

She looked at him for a moment, considering, then shook her head, "No, it is fine. Just look to the window for a few moments though please."

Rael grinned and turned to face the window again. "What were you are Ralis talking about?"

From behind his head he could hear the sound of her pulling her brown woollen dress over her head. But she spoke as she did so, "The captain is sending a party of soldiers north to Hylia, and that soldier Vic is one of the chosen. Ralis managed to convince Vic that they should let us go with them. Suitable payment for bringing news of war to them so soon."

"And so you agreed to go?" Rael asked.

"Yes, yes, as you no doubt heard. Better to leave this place than to stay and get caught up in this whole messy affair. War is for others to worry about, we are but simple folk. You can look now."

Rael turned to face her, unsure about that last statement. War had already done them much harm, and he intended to do what he could to avenge his hometown when the time was right. He nodded though, "I suppose Daran and I will be coming too, best for us 'simple folk' to stick together I reckon. Tabett and Elane probably won't take much convincing either when Ralis puts to them like he did to you, if he has not done so already."

She straightened her plain woollen skirt, and smoothed back her dark hair. She walked across the room and sat down on the edge of the next bed. "How are you coping?" She said, taking on a motherly tone.

Ralis laughed, and rocked his head back, "About as well as everyone else," he said. "I'm off in the middle of nowhere, with no home to return to, and I don't know what has become of my father."

Mara nodded, "Well, I don't know what I can say about home, we are all feeling that. But I'm sure your Da is alive and well. He could be on the road to Baradale himself even as we speak."

"I hope so," said Rael weakly, trying to convince himself she could be right.

She stood up and ruffled his hair, "You're not like much like Ralis, I'll give you that." She smiled, then added, "Not that that's a bad thing of course," then even more quickly added, "or a good thing," and she laughed out when she said that. That confused him, but he paid no mind to it. "But you have the same heart."

"Thanks," he said, "I think." He did not much like being compared with his older brother, but didn't say anything.

"I better go find him," she said, wandering away, looking over her shoulder. "You'd be best to hurry up too. I want to be out of this fortress as soon as is possible." She smiled, and left through the door.

Rael watched her leave, and smiled. Mara was a lovely girl, or woman he told himself to say. She was nearer Ralis' age than himself, but he spoke to her as easily any girl he had known back home. For the most part anyway. He stood up, and began searching for his shirt.