Grooble's Gulch was a tiny dwarven town right on the halfway mark between Ascalon and Kryta. Devona looked out over the lookout and down in the direction that they would soon head. She walked down again by where Rurik had been. Armin Saberlin and Old Mack stood there instead. Siuil looked up and said, "Rurik was finally convinced that it was his turn to sleep. We're all going to need it tomorrow."
She nodded, "I know. Reconnaissance has told me that there is a good ten miles from here to the Frost Gate. And another five to Beacon's Perch."
Devona cast a glance to the tent where Rurik slept. "How long has he been asleep?"
Siuil shrugged his shoulders. "Since we convinced him to a few hours ago. Why?"
"Because Cynn tells me Rosa was up by the look out," answered Devona, brushing a loose strand of hair from her eyes. "Have you seen this 'Rosa' that seems to have stolen Rurik's heart?"
"No," answered Siuil. "I can't say that I have. I've heard rumors that she's a tiny woman, nearly mistaken for a girl. She used to be in the care of Kasha Blackblood… but Kasha decided to stay behind in Ascalon, loyal to the King. Claude, however, tells me that although Kasha decided her place was in Ascalon that if Rosa ever decides to go back she'd be waiting. But, at the same time, perhaps the green of Kryta is better for her... however, no one could have predicted this little development."
The little development he spoke of was the confirmed rumor that Rurik had decided to take Rosa as his bride. While he would still mourn Althea, Rosa was also completely his choice and not arranged like Althea. He had loved Althea, yes, sworn revenge for her death. But Rosa had an innocence that Rurik had grown fond of from the start. Detractors felt that Rurik thought that a more demure bride would be a better way of working his way back into power in Ascalon. Siuil felt that there was a far more innocent reason behind it.
Rurik mourned Althea because he had loved her passionately. Theirs had been a bright flame. On the same token, Rurik possibly loved Rosa for the bond that they had formed from a mutual pain. No one truly knew what had made Rosa stop speaking or robbed her of her memory, but the pain of it always showed.
No, Rurik was marrying no demure bride. The detractors likely had no idea of Rosa's true strength. She was like fine steel, for she might look like tarnished iron but when she drew blood her true colors would be revealed. It was this subtlety that made her the ideal bride. And if Rurik had plans of using her for a reason to return to Ascalon then he would have an equal to contend with…
Siuil poked Devona and pointed as they saw Rurik walking towards him. "Your highness, I thought you were sleeping," said Devona.
"I am going to do so now," said Rurik. "But I felt like spending some time with Rosa…"
"I see," Devona arched an eyebrow.
Rurik sighed and half-heartedly glared at his friend, "It's not like that… Siuil can I talk to you?"
"Oh yes it is," countered Devona, giving Rurik a teasing push in the arm. "And you don't have to be ashamed. She's your betrothed. Everyone knows that. She wears your ring… and now you've chosen to take her as your lover and chose not to wait like you did with…"
This time the glare was not half hearted from Rurik. "Look, all I'm saying that this next mission does not bear the possibility of one of us dying… or a few of us… it will kill some good people," said Devona. "Choosing not to wait to take her as your bride is still honorable. I don't see why you don't marry her now and take her into your tent as your wife right now."
"Who says I haven't?" with that Rurik pushed aside the tent flap and motioned for Siuil to follow him in.
Siuil shifted his weight as the flap fell back down again. "Are you saying that you and she…" he couldn't finish.
"Aye, yes," said Rurik as he pulled his boots off and lay back in his cot. "I have married Rosa and she indeed wears my ring. Tonight we consummate our marriage. And… ah… Siuil… when I did so I saw a light in her eyes. Life that had not been there before returned."
Siuil looked at the prince, "And yours as well."
"It shows, eh?" Rurik chuckled. "I am a man, Siuil. I will freely admit that I look forward to having a woman in my bed every night. But enough of that. If I do not survive this mission as Devona pointed out, any of us could die; I want you to take Rosa to your guild island. I hear Cantha is beautiful and I want her to be safe. Arya has assured me that she will be safe there and have her own house, if she chooses."
"I swear I will," said Siuil. "Is there anything else?"
"Yes," Rurik sighed and looked at Siuil for a long time, so long that Siuil began to feel a bit uncomfortable. "What of you?"
"Me?"
Rurik smiled slightly, "You have given me the advice to seize the day and take that which I love, and do as my heart calls… has no woman called to yours since your wife?"
Siuil sat down in a chair, "Excuse me?"
"Siuil, I'll be frank. If we are all that survives of Ascalon, I do not want our bloodline to end in Kryta. I want our people to live on," Rurik peeled off the layers of armor to the clothing beneath starting with his helm.
He used his right hand to ruffle his own dark hair and ran a hand through this beard to smooth it. "Seriously, though, has no one caught your eye?" asked Rurik, using the time to comb his hair and trim his beard as he did so.
"Um, no, actually," said Siuil, suddenly unsure.
"Well, I won't rush you, but if you catch my meaning, I would prefer that you find one and be happy," said Rurik. "You have had two beautiful daughters, and one still lives. The other would likely agree with me in that you deserve to be happy."
Siuil smiled, "Selena would agree with you, actually."
"She was a wise young woman then," said Rurik. "Your daughter has told me much about her. It's too bad. She and Rosa would have a lot in common."
With a laugh, Siuil had to agree. But he also knew that Rurik had a point that he was trying to get across. "All right, out with it," Siuil suddenly said. "Someone approached you about arranging his daughter to marry me. Who was it?"
"No one asked to have their daughters arranged," said Rurik, looking at him meaningfully. "But one with the ability to speak for herself has asked me to broach the subject with you."
"Indeed?" asked Siuil.
"Are you really that clueless, Siuil?" Rurik raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Very well, you must be… or you are choosing to be. I will tell you that which is beneath your nose. It is Devona who has asked me to speak on her behalf on whether you would be open to the idea of…"
"Who!" Siuil's shocked outburst probably attracted attention, and so he lowered his voice. "Devona? The same Devona from Rin? But was posted to Ashford?"
Rurik chuckled, "The very same, Siuil. Aye, yes, Devona has had her eye on you for a very long time. Since before the Searing. But you never did quite get that she… ah… was fond of you."
Siuil thought about it, and realized that whether he had meant to or not he had purposely ignored any and all of the signs that she had liked him. He put his head in his hands. "Why didn't she just tell me?"
"She wasn't sure if you felt the same," answered Rurik with a sigh. "Now that you know, what are your feelings on the matter?"
"I don't know," said Siuil. "She's young enough to be my daughter… I always thought her older. Maybe it was because she allowed to fight so young… Gods, she's only twenty eight."
"Age means little in some bloodlines. Devona has a maturity that far belies her age, Siuil," said Rurik. "Otherwise I would have never allowed her anywhere near live fighting until she was sixteen. But she was a special case."
Siuil shook his head, "Selena would have been twenty five this year. My eldest daughter was only three years younger than Devona…"
"So, I am to tell her that you were not interested?"
A very long pause later and Rurik suddenly said, "You don't know which way to jump with this, do you?"
"Rurik, I'm forty four years old. There is an age gap of sixteen years…"
"So? There is a duke that was fifty and married a pretty girl of only nineteen…" pointed out Rurik. "This happens all the time. And if the match is mutual, why not? Look at me; I know Rosa cannot be any older than her early to mid twenties… I'm thirty-seven this year. How large a gap is that? Ten? Twelve at least… and that's if she's in her mid twenties. If I have misjudged and when she can speak again she tells me that she was only maybe twenty, what then? That's the same gap as you and Devona."
Siuil sighed, "You're no help."
"Oh, yes I am," Rurik looked over at him. "Look, at least think about it."
"I will do that," said Siuil, running a hand through his hair.
"Siuil…" Rurik lifted a brow. "I'd hate to ask this, but could you please discuss this with Terryann? I am expecting my new wife to share my tent with me tonight…"
Siuil lifted his head with a bit of a salacious smile suddenly, "Oh, I get it… I know when I'm not wanted. Okay then," he turned serious, "I will continue this in the morning."
"I fully expect you to," said Rurik, then in a teasing tone. "Now, do you mind?"
Siuil left and Rurik sighed as he sat down in the camp chair that the dwarves had given him as a gift. Rosa would be there shortly and he would consummate his new marriage. A part of him was rather nervous, while another part was extremely impatient. It was this part that he had to fight with as he waited. Finally, the tent flap was moved aside and Orion bowed as he stepped in. "Lord Rurik, I present the Lady Rosa to you," he said.
He held his breath and then she stepped in. A Mesmer had lent her a white gown. For a moment, he felt his tears running down his face. The gown, very expensive by the look, was white and silver. For a moment, although she was shorter and smaller than Althea, it was as if his other love was standing there. Cynn guided her to him, and Rurik took her small hand in his. "Thank you, could you bring Lina in here, please?"
Orion bowed and a few short moments later, both Captain Greywind and the Monk Lina entered the tent. "Thank you, friends," said Rurik. "Lina is here to solemnize this marriage, while you, Captain Greywind and Cynn of Surmia, are here as witnesses."
"We're honored, my Lord," said Captain Greywind.
"Indeed," said a subdued Cynn. "I can't say how surprised I am to be here."
"You, Cynn, are here because Kasha told me that if anything happened to Rosa, she'd hold me responsible. Given that, I would like an Arcane representative in lieu of having Kasha here herself. Do you mind, Cynn?" asked Rurik.
"No," she said. "I'm truly honored."
"Good, then," said Lina. "We should then get this underway. My Lord, please stand with Rosa on your left hand side. Captain Greywind, please stand just behind him, but out of the way should he need his sword. Cynn, please stand beside the bride."
They took their places. "Captain, could you please hold the groom's sword as a measure of good faith?"
Greywind took Rurik's sword from him, then stepped back. "I take this as I protect my Lord's back. As I will protect his bride's."
Lina nodded, "Cynn, as the spokeswoman for the bride, please hand me the rings."
Cynn handed the rings over from a small silken pouch. Lina took the pouch and held it up. "I hold these rings up to the Gods so that they may look down upon you and bless this union and these symbols of your marriage. Lyssa, the patron of beauty and love, bless your new beginning with the blessing that no matter how other people see you, you always see the best of each other."
She motioned to Rurik, "Please face your bride and look into her eyes. These are now the eyes you will love, and live your days for. Rosa, as you look into your new husband's eyes, these are the eyes of the strength you will depend on, will support. These are the eyes you will love and live your days for."
"Now," said Lina, seriously. "Rurik, repeat after me, 'I, Rurik, take you, Rosa, as my wife'."
"I, Rurik, take you, Rosa, as my wife," he repeated, a bit of awe in his voice.
"Good, now, Rosa, please repeat after me…"
"I, Rosa, take you, Rurik, as my husband," said Rosa, not even needing prompting.
Cynn and Greywind exchanged a glance. It had been the first time the shy woman had ever taken the initiative. Even Rurik raised his brows, but he smiled and then Lina cleared her throat. "Yes, well, very good," she said. "To continue."
"The Gods gaze down on us, and although they sometimes are distant, they always take joy in the affairs of men and women upon Tyria," Lina continued. "So they are especially interested in the matrimony of us. These rings show the endless circle of your love, and also of your union, of your circle of friends and of your family which today has now become one. The fire of Balthazar forged the first rings, and so the fires that forged these now forge your new life together. It is now your responsibility to defend each other. Rurik, place the ring you give to Rosa on her left ring finger."
Rurik placed the ring on Rosa's finger and slid it on. Lina handed the other ring and motioned to Rosa to do the same for him. She slid the ring onto his left ring finger with ease. With a nod, Lina said, "Now that the rings have been exchanged, it is with the blessings of Dwayna that you begin your journey. It is through her that we heal, we begin. It will also be through her blessings that you also begin and may your step be made light. Until the day Grenth calls you into the Mists and you are rejoined in the Afterlife, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Rurik… you may kiss your bride."
For a long moment, Rurik only stared into Rosa's eyes. Then he stepped forward, and used one hand to touch her face. It seemed slow, then he took her lip fully in his, pulling her up to meet him as she put her arms around his neck. Cynn wiped tears from her eyes and Greywind smiled. Finally they moved back, and Lina said, "In the name of all the Gods, of Balthazar, Dwayna, Lyssa and Grenth, I now present the new Lord Rurik and Lady Rosa of New Ascalon."
Cynn and Greywind clapped, and then Greywind walked outside, holding his hands up, "All greet Lord Rurik and Lady Rosa of New Ascalon!"
Cheers went up. "May their reign be long and wise!" shouted Cynn as she walked out.
Lina stayed within the tent as the tent flap fell, "Tonight you spend your first night of, Gods willing, many more. Also, now that you have chosen Rosa as your wife, Rurik, she now shares in your responsibility to lead us. So the people of New Ascalon have chosen. May the blessings of the Gods be upon you."
She walked from the tent, leaving Rurik and his new bride alone. They stood there for a few moments before Rurik bent to kiss his wife on the lips, holding her close. He pulled back, "Are you sure about this?"
She looked up, and said, "I have never been more sure."
With that he bent to kiss her again, his hands going to the ties of her dress and undoing them while her hands pulled off his vest, then his shirt as he took a moment to allow her to push it over his head. He pulled her close again.
"I'll never let you go," he breathed.
Devona walked over to Siuil some time later. When she sat down beside him he could tell that she had decided to let him make his own mind up without crowding him. He looked across the endless peaks and valleys that were filled with snow and the tall evergreens that he found a balm to his eyes after the scorched earth of what remained of Ascalon. In some places hardy grasses could even been seen. He was comfortable in the silence. "What did the Prince want?" she asked.
"To tell me to tell anyone that he and Rosa decided not to wait until Kryta," Siuil looked over to the back of the tent. "Have you seen Rosa?"
"Yes," she raised a brow. "Not clearly, but enough to see that she's tiny. Orion and Cynn took her in to Rurik. So… now that he's taken her in formally as more than his ward…"
Siuil sighed then, "Look, Devona…"
"You don't have to say anything," she laughed. "Unless you've made a decision now. I was actually only thinking about Rurik and Rosa. Gods, it even has a ring to it. I'm glad he's finally happy again. It's been a year since Althea was confirmed as dead… over two since she disappeared. He's moved on. I can see why she took his heart."
He smiled, "What is she like?"
"Tiny," answered Devona, using one hand to show where the small woman would come up on herself, and that hand only came up to Devona's chin. "She's about that tall on me, if that, from what I could see. Long dark hair, brushed and loose on her shoulders. I'm guessing Cynn or Orion must have put a sort of circlet on her head. She's not a part of the vanguard at all, or the fighting contingent. She's a civilian as far as I can see. Cynn says she has a scar on her face that's probably from the rock fall in the catacombs."
"So, she will be part of the caravan that Rurik will see through the Frost Gate tomorrow," Siuil smiled. "And he's doing it personally."
"Can you blame him?" Devona looked up into the night sky. "He feels he lost Althea when she left his sight and the safety of Ascalon City. He won't let it happen with Rosa."
He sighed again, "Well, it's his job to be decisive. Me… I can't do that. So… before you change the subject on me again, it is time we spoke of what we want."
She compressed her lips into a thin line, "I wasn't sure if he'd tell you or not. I thought I was just voicing something in confidence. But he said that if we wanted Ascalon to survive as a unique culture, we would have to remember ties that were left unexplored. Our family would have to become close knit."
"Meaning, in political speak," said Siuil. "He wants a population boom of Ascalons within Kryta. If we can help it, marry Ascalons for the first couple of generations. Make a new Ascalon in a new land. So he's matching up Ascalons with other Ascalons before we even get to Kryta. And this Rosa happened to be, perhaps, a bit too convenient for him to follow his own edict."
Devona looked over at Siuil in surprise, "You honestly think he'd do that?"
"I know he would, Devona," Siuil's tone was slightly dark. "He said so straight to my face," he sighed then. "But perhaps he is right. The line of Ascalon should not die out. And Rosa has brought a smile back to his eyes. I think he's chosen her for pure reasons, but we must be prepared for those will not think that and have a ready answer for those detractors. As well, we must aid him in any edict that comes of it."
"Become Ascalon's matchmakers?"
"If need be."
"We're in trouble if that's the case, Siuil," Devona snorted in derision. "I'm a poor matchmaker."
"I'm not any better."
She looked up at him, hopeful even while maintaining a certain amount of mischievousness in her gaze and significantly more in her tone, "Then…" she allowed her fingers to walk up his arm and to his shoulder. "Perhaps we should start by taking our own advice?"
He stared at her. The first reaction was shock at her boldness, then a bit of trepidation. Of what? He wasn't sure. Terryann wouldn't have any problems with the match. It was as if he was afraid of being caught with her, not being able to explain why… of losing something else at the same time. He sighed then, seemingly deflating and not sure what he was supposed to do. "Its Melina, isn't it," asked Devona quietly. "Her memory still haunts you. Do you feel that you'd cheat on her if you were to let yourself be with me?"
"No…" retorted Siuil. "Yes."
"You think she'd want you to be alone?" asked Devona. "Look, I can keep my distance for now. But I can't wait around for forever."
With that Devona walked away, leaving Siuil alone on a bluff that suddenly felt very lonely and very chilly.
The next day, the heroes took the high ground to guide through the caravans through the Frost Gate. Siuil waved at Cynn who would also go with Rurik and the refugees as they took the road. Siuil led the way as they explored the way to where they could the explosions and feel the dull thuds as the Stone Summit siege weaponry hammered away at the Deldrimor dwarves' defenses. Soon he could hear them shouting as they noticed the human caravan. He looked over at Terryann, who then took over the scouting with her large cat. Her attacks would take the dwarves more by surprise than Siuil's would.
He waited until he heard the surprised shouts of the dwarves as she peppered them arrows. Once he heard the movement of heavily armored dwarves through snow, he signaled to Devona and Stefan and all three rushed in.
Soon the group stood on a cleared path in the dwarven fortress above the Frost Gate Pass. The dwarves lay dead. Devona quickly dispatched the Stone Summit Engineer that had been besieging both Grooble's Gulch and the caravan.
Siuil saw Rurik wave that they had been successful.
They then followed the conveniently shoveled out path to the next knot of dwarves. As they crouched to watch, both Terrence's and Terryann's cats began to act out of sorts. Terryann and Terrence looked at each other and then Terryann asked, "What is with you?"
Illaesa made her way to a back way, and then walked back. Cambe sat down right where Illaesa had walked back from. Terrence walked over to scold Cambe for being so willful, but nocked an arrow and let fly. The group ran to join him as Ettins began to pour out a previously unseen ice cave. Siuil cut them down with his new sword, letting Devona use her hammer. Both Terryann and Terrence kept the Ettins unorganized with suppression fire. Finally, Terryann yelled, "Back! Orion is…!"
The spell went off as both fire and rock rained down from the sky. Siuil barely managed to move out of the way, but had to be impressed with how much that threw the Ettins into disarray. They tried without much success as either Terrence's or Terryann's arrows into their knees and legs hindered their movement. Soon they were dead or dying. Siuil and Stefan finished those that were not yet dead. Illaesa and Cambe both walked towards the cave, and then looked back to see if anyone were following. "I take it that's our path?" asked Siuil to Terryann.
"It would appear so," answered Terryann.
Terrence sighed, "Cambe, as usual, you're correct."
They walked into the Ice Cave and towards the rumbling of the siege weapons.
Cynn, Aidan and Rurik led the caravans through the pass. There had been a few close calls, but Cynn and Aidan had suppressed most of the dwarves with either arrows or fire. Each time the Vanguard on the high pass had then made to a siege weapon and taken it out. An eerie silence would descend after each time and they would cautiously move to the next point where siege weapon fire practically caused the ground to tremble. Rurik looked back to a caravan where Rosa walked in plain sight, the silver and steel circlet on her head denoting that she was his wife… and his Lady.
While he had lost the rank of Prince, the Vanguard and the people of Ascalon that had followed him had voted him their leader, and their Lord. It felt strange not to be called a Prince anymore, and strangely liberating. But now the worries that he imagined his father Adelburn had in Ascalon had descended on him, and being Lord Rurik of New Ascalon had lost its shine. But he was no quitter and knew that everyone was counting on him to lead him or her to salvation. Taking Rosa as his wife had been his first step. Now, when he called for them to marry and keep the line of Ascalon for as long as possible they would see that he had also taken his own law into himself.
It still concerned him that she chose to walk instead of ride like the other civilians. She had this inner core of strength that he found he admired and he leaned on it.
Even though he worried for her safety and wished she would ride, he exulted and used that strength to carry him, to inspire him. If anything happened to him in the future, New Ascalon would depend on her strength of will and her leadership to survive as next in line.
Seeing his glance, one of many, Cynn looked back to Rosa. "You want me to get her to ride in the caravan?" she asked.
Ordinarily Cynn would have just seen the look of concern and taken matters into her own hands, but Rurik seemed somewhat different the longer Rosa stayed out with them. Rurik shook his head, "No, Cynn, let her walk. The Lady must inspire others to greatness and lead with as much bravery as I. It… inspires… me as well. To see such strength in such as her makes me believe that I can do this. If she believes, then so must we all. No matter the odds, she has survived. No matter the odds, so shall we."
Cynn glanced at Aidan who only shook his head and smiled. "She does well," pointed out Aidan. "Not what I expected from the typical Ashford girl. If not for the Searing, I find it very possible that she could have entered the Ascalon Academy…"
Blinking in thought, Cynn looked back at her, something niggling in the back of her mind. Something Devona had said. Not able to connect it with the diminutive woman, she thought nothing of it.
Devona looked out over the ledge as Siuil pulled the level and the siege weapon fired. A door in the distance exploded. The dwarf they had just rescued said, "Good, now go get the plans."
While three of them stayed, those being Terryann, Stefan and Orion, with the dwarf, the others ran back down and out of the ravine, avoiding the siege weapon strikes to first kill the Engineers and clear another segment of the pass below for Rurik and the caravan. Then, while Terrence, the two cats and Mhenlo held off a wave of dwarves, Siuil, Devona and Alesia ran up and into the small fort to take on the small force of Stone Summit within. A short clash later, Alesia ran back to Terryann and the other dwarf and handed him the plans. "Good!" he exclaimed as he began to run down the hill and into the lower pass. "Thank you! I'll take these to the King."
They regrouped on the bridge above the lower pass. Rurik ran forward as Siuil watched and the caravan began to move forward. Siuil turned around just as the caravan came into sight and followed the others. Devona turned to him, "There's a gear in that village that will open the gate."
Siuil stopped, then turned to and entered the deserted village. The gear wasn't hard to find as it had been dropped in the snow near the center. He picked it up and ran back to them. Handing it over to Orion, he said, "You don't need your staff to fight, my friend. Use this gear. Go right, work your way left. We'll cover you."
The small gate opened and they ran to the three gear mechanisms that opened the Frost Gate. Fighting could be heard below and they saw Rurik an alarming distance from the others in the caravan, but considering Aidan and Cynn were keeping the dwarves suppressed, Orion didn't think about it. He had a mission. He ran to the first, the most right, gear and inserted the lever to activate it. Siuil and the others were true to their word, but he took the time to back them up with a Firestorm before running to the next one through the path they were carving for him. Again, he used the level to activate the mechanism.
Then he looked over to the third, and final, gear. Siuil frowned and said, "The cats will back you up. When you get the chance, run, then drop everything and get out of there."
"No problem," said Orion a bit nervously.
He held off until he saw a break and then he ran to the next one, the two cats pouncing on dwarves and knocking them off their feet before they could reach Orion. But what they could hold off was beginning to get alarmingly close to him. He got to the last gear and activated it. Making sure it was doing its job; he jumped over the edge of the ledge, landing in the soft snow beneath just as a dwarven hammer slammed into where he had been. The two cats followed him, much more nimbly than he had. He ran over to the caravan, and then began to cast Meteor Shower.
It went off and blew away a regiment of dwarves in between the caravan and Siuil's group. They ran down the convenient ramp the falling rocks left. With that, Orion's strength and energy left him and he felt Aidan pulling him to the caravan and lifting him into the cart. With that, everything went dark.
But the fight wasn't over.
Siuil ran down the caravan. "Where's Rurik?" he shouted as the caravan began to make its way past the Frost Gate.
Cynn pointed, and then turned to guide the caravan through.
Siuil turned just in time to see the avalanche of snow and rock fall on Rurik. Someone screamed from the caravan, "Rurik! NO!"
Siuil could see movement, and then Rurik's head and abdomen unburied itself. Blood ran down his face. "Get them out of here," he mouthed. "There's nothing you can do for me…"
Taking a step forward and lifting his sword, Siuil was about to disobey, but Rurik then shouted, "GO! There's nothing that can be done to save me! Don't let another die on this mountain. Just go, Siuil…"
Uncertainly, Siuil turned around, but then, he decided to turn around just long enough to see a dwarf behead Rurik with an axe. For a moment Siuil could not move for the shock he felt run through him. Finally, he turned around and ran after the caravan. Lady Rosa would now be in charge. She would need his support.
That was the only thing that kept one foot before the other as he walked behind the caravan into Beacon's Perch.
The meeting was a grim one once they had settled into Beacon's Perch. Greywind and Saberlin attempted to keep order in the ranks, but it was inevitable that a few of the Vanguard deserted. Unfortunately, they took some of the supplies with them. Saberlin sighed, as he looked over at Aidan, Terryann and Terrence, "I'd hate to ask this."
"What is it?"
"A few of the soldiers deserted and took some of our supplies with them. Devona, Cynn and Mhenlo are outside of town. Can you meet with them and see what you can do to get those supplies back?" Saberlin sighed again, as he turned to them again. "Lord Rurik's death caused a rift in the ranks. Some are questioning the wisdom of even leaving, some the wisdom of moving on. It's not the leaving that bothers me. If people want to settle here with the Deldrimor, they can do so… it's the loss of our supplies. Bring those back to us."
"Aye sir," said Terrence as he followed Aidan out. "So… what now?"
"Meaning what?" asked Aidan.
"What about Lady Rosa? You think she'll be able to hold us together?" asked Terrence. "I've heard people cast doubt over her abilities."
"Are you one of them," asked Aidan quietly.
"No, not really," said Terrence. "I mean, I trusted the Prince enough to follow him out of Ascalon when I learned what was happening. I trust in his choice of Lady. If he believed that she would make a suitable wife and fellow leader, then I follow her as I followed him."
Aidan looked over at Terryann, "As he said. I feel that I can trust her as well. Why? What are your feelings on the matter?"
"The same as you, evidently," said Aidan. "Devona wanted me to ask to be sure. I saw Lady Rosa during our passage through Frost Gate. She walked beside the caravan, not in it, leading us with him. She helped in the defense in her own way, ran healing balms to the fighting men. She gained the respect of everyone that day."
The two La Runes blinked in surprise as they followed Aidan out of town. "When Rosa married Rurik, many said that they were a match. His death…" Aidan stopped. "That day that Rurik died, it was her you heard screaming his name."
They followed in silence until they met up with the others. "We have many miles to trek to get to the deserters," said Devona. "But Saberlin has assured us, as Cynn has, that Lady Rosa will not lead the rest of New Ascalon out of the mountains until she knows of our success and until we return. Siuil is leading refugees to the next point to Kryta. Come on, we have lots of land to cover and very little time…"
Lady Rosa stood up by the beacon on the very summit of the mountain that Beacon's Perch was famed for, looking out over the path south, and west. A dwarf stood by her side. Rosa now was dressed in a mid way noble dress, although she felt that if she wore too much dress it would hinder her movements. So she wore what she had found of Rurik's clothing, tucking and pulling it in by using belts. Captain Greywind had brought her a spare cloak of Rurik's. She still wore her wedding band, as well as the circlet. Lina, as well as a Necromancer called Eve, was now a permanent fixture at her side.
"My lady, Terrence and Terryann La Rune, and Aidan, have gone with Devona, Cynn and Mhenlo to retrieve the stolen supplies," he stopped as she looked over at him. "Is there anything else I can do?"
"No, Captain," she said. "There is not. What of this other hero, Siuil La Rune?"
"He is leading a group of refugees with Orion, Stefan, and a few of the others in the Vanguard," answered Greywind. "There is another small matter that needs your attention."
"Yes?" she asked.
"Old Mack's devourer requires a lot of meat to feed," said Greywind carefully as he saw the woman frown. "Should I order him to put his… pet… down?"
"No, have someone leave camp and kill juniper barks," she said. "I remember someone saying that the devourer… Joe?… was partial to the meat of the juniper bark. We need all the willing hands… or paws… pincers… anything, really… to aid us. We will not kill perfectly good pets who defend us simply for eating too much."
"Yes, my Lady," said Greywind. "Your wisdom is, again, a valuable aid to us. May your reign be long."
"It would be better had I no need to lead," she remarked as he left.
Greywind flinched, knowing what she meant. Rurik's death had been hard on her even as it had prompted her to lead in his stead. Many people thought she married him for his power. Even he had thought that but had changed his mind upon seeing her after Rurik's death had been confirmed by Siuil and Cynn. Rosa had crumbled into herself and Cynn had feared that it would cause her silence to resume. But Rosa had surprised them all when she drew on an inner core of strength to bring them this far even after the loss of Rurik's leadership. And now, with her leadership they would reach Kryta and finally settle.
Lina turned to Rosa, "What will we do once we reach Kryta?"
"We will still settle, as Rurik wanted us to do," answered Rosa as she began to walk back down to the house that the dwarven mayor had invited her to stay in instead of the tent. "Then, once we are settled I will relinquish my role as your Lady and pass the Lordship to Captain Greywind. I have no wish to lead. I will wander instead. I want to know who I am, why I feel so different from everyone else. I might travel back to Old Ascalon and see if I can find some trace of who I am. Someone who knows me must have survived. I will find them. I will find Kasha Blackblood and ask her to take me to where she found me."
She walked down into the house and after hiding in her room, she slid down to sit on the floor, "Rurik… why did you have to leave me?"