Zornhut: Chapter 14
Author's note: Zornhut, or Guard of Wrath, is one of the main guard positions in medieval sword techniques. Also, I've opted for the game's default name for the tactician, Mark.
Raven sorted the last of his gear and carefully laid his pack in his corner of the tent he shared with Wil, Rath and Dorcas before he eyed the rest of his belongings. He had packed only what he needed for what he hoped to be a short journey to the Western Isles; his remaining possessions would just have to remain with the company--Lucius would take care of them, or perhaps Wil--until he returned. And if he did not return--well, that was something he would rather not think about at the moment.
At least he got his pick of the company's arsenal of weaponry. Mark, in a rare gesture that went against his thrifty nature, had told both him and Harken earlier when they went to see the tactician for information on their travel, that both of them should take only new weapons. If their current sword or axe had even the slightest nick or gouge on its blade, it should be discarded in favour of a new one from storage. There would be no one to support them in their battle in the Western Isles, and they could not risk being reduced unarmed in combat should their weapon be rendered useless from damage.
"I can't spare much vulneraries for you, I'm afraid," the tactician had apologised, "we're low on supplies. I had Rath and Merlinus go to the nearest town to see if we could buy any, but either the storekeepers had none for sale, or charged a price we could not afford." He then gave them a copy of the map of the route they were to use and an introduction letter to the captain of the ship that would sail them to the Western Isles. Captain Fargus' ship was docked a good distance away at Badon, and Mark doubted the man could reach the port Raven and Harken were headed for in time.
"Pack only what you need, the journey calls for hard riding if you need to reach Lord Hector in time. You're both off guard duty. So get a good night's sleep--you leave first thing in the morning," the tactician had added.
Oh, and say your good-byes.
Mark had never uttered the words, but both Harken and Raven had read the unspoken message from the look he had given them both before they were dismissed.
Done with his packing, Raven walked out of the tent and stretched, at the same time wondering if he should say his farewells; he had spotted Harken earlier in conversation with that lady knight, Isadora. Personally, Raven disliked saying good-byes--it reminded him of the day his parents said their final farewells to him. He never had much taste for them after that.
He strolled aimlessly round the camp--it was in his nature to be a little tense before an important journey, and he found that usually a walk helped in soothing his nerves enough for him to go to sleep. His walk took him around the outskirts of the camp and soon he found himself leaning against a run-down wooden fence that must have penned some farmer's livestock a long time ago.
He was still debating whether to go to Priscilla's tent to make his farewells when the sound of footsteps alerted him to someone walking towards him from behind; he turned to find his sister approaching him, waving her hand in greeting. Apparently she had made the decision for him.
"Shouldn't you be in bed by now?" he asked.
"Funny, I was going to ask you the very same thing," she replied, a grin on her face as she walked closer. "You are the one who has to travel tomorrow, and not I."
He chuckled. "You are just being stubborn."
"No more stubborn than you," she replied, before playfully punching him in the ribs, an act that she immediately regretted. She did not realise that her brother was wearing mail underneath his long coat until it was too late. "Ow! Must you wear that armour wherever you go?"
"Sorry, force of habit. I only take it off before going to bed. Are you hurt?"
"No, I am fine," Priscilla said as she rubbed her knuckles before she waved off Raven's attempts to look at her hand. She reached into her pocket and withdrew a small object before showing it to her brother. "Remember this?"
Raven stared at the small ring placed on her outstretched palm. It was a silver ring adorned with small engravings, some of which had worn off. The ring looked terribly familiar, but Raven could not recall where he had seen it before.
"You don't remember, do you," Priscilla said, slightly disappointed.
Raven shook his head. "I'm sorry."
"This is the ring you gave to me the last summer we spent together, before I was sent to Caerleon." Seeing a flicker of recognition on her brother's face, Priscilla smiled. "Here," she said as she took the ring and placed it into Raven's hand, "I shall lend it to you for a while. I want you to promise that you will give it back to me when you return from the Western Isles. Promise?" She continued smiling at him, but Raven could tell she was trying very hard to keep her tears at bay.
He smiled. "Promise," he said.
"Good." She hugged him; he returned the gesture.
"It's late," he said, patting her head in affection, "you should go to bed."
"You too. You have to leave early tomorrow." she replied, her voice slightly muffled, her face still buried in his chest. She tightened her embrace for a moment before she let go and looked at him. "One more thing," she said, her tone serious, "promise me you will not do anything foolish."
Raven felt a little puzzled at that remark, but since he did not want to upset his sister any further, he simply nodded. "All right, I promise."
Satisfied, Priscilla tiptoed and kissed him on the cheek. "Goodnight, brother." With a wave, she ran back in the direction of the tent she shared with Rebecca and Nino.
Raven stared at the small ring for a long moment before he tucked it in his coat pocket. He decided that Priscilla was right and it was best for him to go to bed, and started to head for his tent. When he reached his tent he found that Lucius was waiting for him. "Lucius?" he said, "what are you doing here?"
"I just wanted to give these to you," Lucius said, handing a small pouch to Raven. "You might need them in the Western Isles."
Raven opened the pouch. "Vulneraries," he said, noting the two vials inside the pouch.
"Yes. Since none of the healers will be accompanying you--well, I just thought you should have them. I hope they will be of service."
He clasped his friend's hand. "Thank you, Lucius," he said, "I appreciate this."
"It's the least I could do, Lord Raven," Lucius said, smiling in return. "Get some rest. You will want to wake up refreshed for tomorrow's journey."
"Of course. Goodnight, Lucius. And thank you."
Lucius looked as if he was about to say more, but instead he just kept silent and nodded before he left. Raven watched the other man disappear into the night before entering his tent, and after his eyes had adjusted to the dim light, found that all his tent-mates were sleeping soundly, but for one. "Why are you still awake?"
Wil coughed. "I, I was going to fletch some arrows?"
"In the middle of the night with only that small lantern for light? You are one of the worst liars I have ever come across." Raven shrugged off his coat and placed it on his pack, along with the pouch Lucius gave to him. Next he took off his mail, then finally his aketon--the padded linen shirt he wore underneath the armour. His bedroll was already laid out; Wil must have done it for him. "Well?" he asked, eyeing the archer.
"Well, Rebecca and I were talking earlier on how we weren't picked to go to the Western Isles, but you were, and so I thought that since we can't go, we should do something. So I borrowed Rath's horse and rode to the next town and--"
Raven sighed. "Is there a point to this story of yours?" he interrupted.
Wil gave a nervous chuckle. "Well, yes. Here," he said, giving a vial to Raven before he turned and started to wriggle into his bedroll. "It's nothing much, but it's all we could, uh, do for you. All the shopkeeper had worth buying was this antidote, and now I think I'll just go to bed since I'm pretty sure you're looking at me with that scary frown on your face--"
"Wil!"
The archer froze. "Yes?"
Raven shook his head and despite himself, he smiled. "Thank you."
Wil grinned. "You're welcome."
-------Dawn arrived and as per his routine, Raven rose with it. Silently, he buckled on his swordbelt and headed for a clearing nearby for his early morning sword exercises. When he reached the clearing however, he found that someone else had use of it. He chose a spot where he could watch and yet remain unobserved, leaned against a tree and crossed his arms as he directed his full attention on Eliwood, who was going through his own swordplay routine.
At first Raven thought that Eliwood was unaware of his arrival, but apparently he was mistaken. Eliwood raised his rapier to his forehead in a quick salute and nodded in Raven's direction, acknowledging the man's presence before the lordling slid back into his routine.
A firm and quick lunge, then a guard stance before Eliwood sheathed his blade, ending his routine. The man took a few deep, calming breaths before he stepped out of the clearing and approached the mercenary.
Raven lowered his head slightly in greeting. "Good morning, Lord Eliwood."
"Morning, Raven. I didn't expect you to be up this early. Did you get enough rest?"
Raven nodded. "You have a good form, milord," he said, and he meant every word. Even though Eliwood's swordplay routine was somewhat marred in speed due to the man's injuries, it was obvious to Raven that Eliwood possessed good footwork and technique. He also wanted to change the subject, for he did not feel like talking about his impending departure.
"Thank you," Eliwood said, sounding somewhat pleased. A moment passed before he added in a more sombre tone, "I used to spar with my father each morning. He was the one who taught me how to use the rapier."
"Lord Elbert was a good man."
"Yes, he was." Another long moment before Eliwood asked, "Who taught you how to wield a sword, Raven?"
"My armsmaster." Raven did not see any harm in answering the question. Eliwood most likely asked it to distract himself from thinking about his father, anyway.
"I see." Eliwood sighed and ran his hand through his hair. "I think you probably well know that I wish I were the one to go to the Western Isles, instead of you."
"I understand."
Another pause. "Will you do me this one favour, Raven?"
"Of course, milord."
Eliwood looked at him, face-to-face. "Take good care of Hector," he said.
"... I will, milord."
The lordling smiled and patted his shoulder. "Thank you."
-------
"Who has the map and letter of introduction?" Mark asked. The tactician nodded in satisfaction when Raven patted his coat pocket. "Well, then." The tactician withdrew a pouch from the folds of his robe and handed it to Raven with a resigned look. "Here," he said, "some coin for the journey. Try not to spend it all."
"Understood," Raven said, tucking the money pouch into his saddlebag. "We're ready to leave."
"Good luck then. Godspeed."
Raven nodded and mounted his horse, or rather, Sain's. The man had loaned his horse, a courser mount with an easy-going temperament, to Raven for the journey. "I am stuck here with these broken ribs for a while, so you might as well put him to good use!" the knight said when he had offered Raven the use of his mount, which Raven had gladly accepted. Priscilla had offered him her horse but Raven was unsure if the gelding was used to hard riding, something Sain's horse was more than familiar with, so he had opted for the latter.
He was not too excited about the notion of riding hard for most of the journey, but speed was of importance. The pegasi were not too comfortable with the idea of having two male pillion riders for a great distance, while the company's two wyverns were nursing injuries of their own; a journey by horse was the only option left.
Both Eliwood and Lyndis were currently talking with Harken; the two lordlings had already spoken with Raven earlier, wishing him good luck with the journey. About half of the company were up to see both Harken and Raven off, while the rest were still bed-ridden on account of his or her injuries.
"Shall we?" he asked Harken, once the man had finished his conversation with the two lordlings.
"Let's." Harken nodded. Isadora had loaned him the use of her white horse; the animal snorted when he mounted, impatient to set off.
"Good luck, Raven! You too, Harken!" Wil yelled, grinning. Next to the archer were Lucius, Priscilla and Rebecca. Lucius nodded at him, while Priscilla and Rebecca waved, smiling, but Raven knew that both of them were not as cheerful as they seemed.
He raised one hand in a salute, and nodded once before he spurred his mount into a run, Harken following behind.
I will return, he said silently. I will.
-------
"You want to what?" Mark asked, gaping at the huge Ostian.
"I need to travel to the Western Isles as well," Oswin repeated, "I have an important message from Ostia for Lord Hector."
"Message? What message?" Mark grumbled. "When did it arrive?"
"The rider arrived before dawn. I met him while I was on guard duty."
"Why was I not informed?"
"You were in bed. And the message was of a personal nature, so I did not think I needed to notify you."
"Is this message of yours terribly important? Can't it wait?"
Oswin shook his head.
Mark sighed. "And just how will you get to the Western Isles?"
"Marcus has agreed to lend me his horse. If I ride now, I can still catch up to Harken and Raven, and continue there together. I--"
"Fine."
Oswin blinked. "Pardon?"
"Fine," Mark repeated in a resigned tone. "Go quickly, before I change my mind. Just don't tell Lord Eliwood and Lady Lyndis you're leaving, else they start packing and wanting to ride off with you."
"Thank you." With a curt nod, Oswin turned away and walked to where Marcus was waiting, with his horse saddled and ready to ride.
"Where's he going?" Wil asked when the archer arrived moments later, just in time to see Oswin riding off.
"After Harken and Raven. Apparently he has a message to deliver to Lord Hector."
Wil brightened. "Hey, maybe I should go too! I'm sure Rath will lend me his horse!"
"You," Mark growled, "are not going anywhere. I don't want any more men riding off to the Isles, I need all of you here."
"But you let Oswin go!"
"Only because he's got an errand to run."
"What, that message?" Wil made a face. "That's not much of a reason."
"No, not really."
"What?" Wil stared at the tactician. "Then why did you let him go?"
Mark shrugged. "I have a feeling he'll end up going anyway, with or without my leave. So I might as well be gracious about it and let him go, and then he'll think that he owes me a favour."
Wil chuckled. "There's also the fact that he's much bigger then you are."
Mark made a sheepish grin. "Precisely. Now help me distract Lord Eliwood and Lady Lyndis until evening so they won't notice that Oswin's missing. It would be too late to go after Harken and Raven by then."
"But what if they do notice?"
"Then you can help me sit on them so they won't leave as well."
