Pennons Aloft

ORIENCE, DUCHY OF DEILART, KINGDOM OF TRIEL

The host of King Garmund was on its way, coupled with his vassals and lords.

Orience was a bastion city located on the gulf which shares its name. With its sandy beaches and bustling centre, it could be a prime example of a capital city of a great Realm. However, Floret and Arnet towered above her in both glamour and prestige, so the city situated between two nations could not be more than a trading hub.

All was plain and simple, until the Southard kings found out that it could easily be used as a base of operations for wars against the Trielians. During the Second Reach War, the Trielians seized the citadel after half a summer of siege, and Triel decided not to tear it down, believing that such a mighty bastion could not be wasted. So they simply took it into their own paws in the Peace of Uznair signed after the war. The Peace may be broken, but Orience was still a Trielian possession, and the mouse king hoped to keep it that way.

Amongst King Garmund's war council, Lord Alfyn Stalwart could spot numerous figures that he knew. King Garmund took the war as a chance to put his valour to the test, and prepared accordingly, having commissioned a suit of plain armour (not suited for a king, but very practical), and with a large war-axe to match. His sons have not reached adulthood yet, so they were not in attendance, having stayed with their Parman stepmother Queen Bertrada in Arnet.

Just beside the mouse king was Duke Somerled of Deilart, their current host. Somerled was an untested battle commander, having been too young to fight at Balv, though some would say that inexperience could be balanced with loyalty. Lord Alfyn was not one of those beasts, and knew that Somerled could barely lead a small band of vermin, let alone an entire army of organised (and civilised) woodlanders.

At the other side of the king stood Duke Altayras of Burelas. Burelas was the last of the Six Duchies to submit to Triel, and Borellers have kept their old customs, being warriors of unparalleled bravery - and not a lot of wisdom to supplement it. It took over two whole centuries of constant border skirmishes, raids on farms and deposits, and the occasional full-blown invasion to negotiate a Trielian victory - one with very favourable terms for the Borellers.

Altayras' father, the late Duke Kestutas, was a lone scholar in a family of soldiers, and it did not take long for his heir to revert to his ancestral ways, but with the ability to think with clarity in his case. He and Alfyn did not share much words when they met in Meraholmer - Alfyn thought his brother much more agreeable. However, Altayras is indeed a scion of Burelas, and the blood of warriors flows within him. He would serve Triel well.

Lord Lorcan stood at the squirrel's side. Alfyn knew his twin well, having been raised with him for twenty long seasons. He was of little use in war, being a poet and scholar, but he would do his duty well, with his brother by his side, of course.

His brother may have been downright jubilant at his daughter's birth, but Alfyn expressed emotions that were more muted. According to Trielian and Southard law, any male in the family is higher in the line of succession before any relative in the female line. Before Lorcan sired a son, Alfyn was still his heir - a situation not unwelcome to King Garmund, but very undesirable for the brothers. Alfyn may have been the Arnet Skipper in all but name, but he desired not to supplant his brother. While his brother lacks the ability for decisive action, Alfyn lacked the patience needed for it.

"My Lords, Southsward has declared an unjust war against us." King Garmund's voice boomed across the hall. As Lord Becker Swalestrom told us, King Gideon has declared that Southsward will be free of Triel, thus breaking the Peace of Uznair in which his predecessors have agreed to. By this act, we now refuse to recognise him as King of Southsward - an oathbreaker and his line cannot be allowed on any throne." The lords muttered amongst themselves, amazed by this novel development, and hoping to gain from it, as was customary among highborns.

King Garmund continued, "He and his son are both usurpers from now on. By tracing genealogies and barring the traitors from the Southard throne, we have decided that there would be a King of Southsward of our own choosing." He then nodded at Duke Somerled, who stepped forth and knelt before the mouseking.

The king asked loudly,"Do you, Somerled of Deilart, wish to keep the Peace of Uznair, and prolong cooperation between the two realms of Southsward and Triel?"

"I do."

King Garmund asked his second question with a volume even louder than he asked the first. "Do you, Somerled of Deilart, Somerled of Deilart, wish to be completely and utterly loyal to Triel, and swear your allegiance to her?"

"I do."

"Do you, Somerled of Deilart, accept the Kingdom of Southsward, which was pried from the paws of traitors and oathbreakers?" King Garmund shouted.

"I do!" Lord Somerled responded for the third time.

"Very well. Rise, Somerled, King of Southsward and Duke of Deilart."

Somerled obeyed his lord and stood up. The squirrel bore a vibrant red pelt, unlike his Boreller neighbours. He was also more ceremonially dressed compared to the much more simple attires of the grey-furred brothers - Altayras wore light armour so as to move and strike swiftly, while Denebas wore nothing but his tunic and his signature red hat, with a Sparra feather on top. On the other paw, Somerled wore his silk garb, clearly dressed to awe the commons. Alfyn wondered if he could even lift a claw to defend his title held but in pretense.

Somerled? King? King Garmund is that desperate for a weak king, so he simply makes one. A perfectly normal thing to do for a king.

King Garmund's voice shook the hall once more. "Now, we will discuss our plans for the coming war."

"King Somerled, you will make for Floret for the first opportunity, together with the forces already under your control. Duke Altayras, you will be directly under my command, as you are still young, and have much to learn from more experienced beasts." The two squirrel nobles nodded their heads in agreement, Somerled with significantly less hesitation.

"Lords Lorcan and Alfyn." Alfyn's ears perked up while his brother's face was as stoic as stone - just like the previous two decades. "You two are to take the fleet to Raevsvakt. Lord Alfyn, you have been to Meraholmer before, have you?"

"You are correct, Your Highness." Though Garmund sent the Burelas brothers to gain experience for future battles, Alfyn went along to save his friend from harm, somehow succeeding in befriending a vermin in the process. Having only met for three hours, Egil the weasel was flightly and smiled constantly, even in the most adverse of circumstances. Lorcan would like him - not before studying all about talking to vermin, of course. Here in Triel, vermin are kept as slaves, while Southsward banned them outright. At least Parma knows how to make mountains of gold with their extra manpower and incentives. Damn those Parmans and their veritable maelstroms of avarice.

"Then you know you way there. I have received rumours from King Erlend of Garlesca that Lord Valdemar Crestworth will try to launch a full-scale invasion against the islands, as compared to his father's lacklustre operation. He has already instructed Lord Thordan on what to do, and you two will assist him."

Alfyn nodded. "We will not let you down, Your Majesty. Me and my brother both." Lorcan nodded as well, a split second slower than his brother. Lorcan read all too much about ships. Let him handle the planning, and I will deal with the fighting. He remembered a certain weasel's joke about he carving his way out of problems and instinctively smiled, tucking it back in before anyone else but his brother noticed it. Lorcan knows all about battles. He would surely know what to do.

"Very well. May your hearts and minds guide you forth, my young lords."

Alfyn knelt before his king, one paw over his heart. Seeing his brother's actions, the awkward Lorcan quickly followed. "May your heart and mind guide you, Your Majesty." Then they left the council chamber, hurrying to fulfill their easy task.

VERNOLL, KINGDOM OF SOUTHSWARD

Denebas Burelas had not recovered fully from his first killing at Raevsvakt.

His brother always had no qualms about killing. As a typical Trielian, and a Boreller in addition, he was most definitely used to stabbing his way out of (and into) problems.

Denebas was less capable of violent action. He may have killed at an earlier age compared to his brother and gained his respect along the way, but something in him felt empty, like a hole bore into his heart. It has to be filled, but I don't want to be Altayras! Never will I relish in war!

Moving from Orience further into Southsward was easier than when the squirrel first expected. The Trielian host encountered no army, Otterguard or Sword (as the Southards called their Order of Defense). Bedric Swalestrom was supposed to hold the Range, but he and General Ralos have not appeared yet - not necessarily a good thing.

After his saved his brother from the paws of Lord Canute Crestworth, he struggled significantly against fainting, and finally succumbed to the urge to collapse. Thordan Swalestrom, being trained as a healer by his grandfather (and, in a cruel fit of irony, the brother of the beast Denebas had killed), quickly helped him to his feet, and his words quickly healed more than his herbs and bandages. Behind every warrior is a healer indeed.

During his recovery the younger Lord Stalwart and his weasel friend visited a few times, mostly for introductions, though the weasel did not say much, and Alfyn Stalwart may have tried to stay for hours longer than he was welcome. Only both the already garrulous Thordans could expel him from his resting chambers.

This all changed when his grandfather was found dead, never waking from his final slumber. Thordan was distraught, and only Alfyn and Egil could approach him. Denebas tried, at least, but Thordan quickly sent him away after a few minutes. At least he acted more civilly towards his former patient than to the black fox who butted in every hour or so, rambling on and on about the inevitability of destiny, and that all beasts are doomed to misfortune, and the like. Denebas would rather be burnt alive than have to speak with him ever again.

The weasel was said to accompany Alfyn Stalwart back to Raevsvakt, and the two of them were to face the night of Lord Crestworth single-pawed. King Erlend, the poor otterpup's father, advised his son to strike first and sail towards Otharn, though whether his advice would be taken is another story.

Altayras only spoke to him only when he returned back to Burelas, and not much as usual. His brother was ever an aloof beast, only speaking when it was his turn. He was a much better leader of other beasts, and Denebas and Vega felt compelled to follow him almost always in their childhood.

Speaking of his sister, Denebas missed her. She was one of the only beasts that was able to calm him down when he started having nightmares (Altayras failed with the singing, and Thordan Swalestrom had numerous issues with his concentration). Denebas loved his quiet, bookish sister, and objected to all plans to marrying her off to any random lord.

There was that one time she was betrothed to some Parman Elector's son back when their father was still alive, but the match was called off after Denebas and Vega pleaded for days (Altayras threatening to disinherit himself was the deciding factor). Their father never got over it, and asked Altayras to see that she marry a powerful lord after his passing, and his elder brother never told him his response.

Denebas was snapped out from his lengthy thoughts by his brother's brash footsteps. Altayras Burelas was clearly anxious to find him.

"Can you not hide in the middle of the woods talking to yourself while we are on campaign?"

"No." Denebas answered simply. "What is the matter now?"

"Our scouts have discovered the location of Lord Bedric's forces, and both sides are ready to give battle! Get to your crossbow unit immediately, for their pennons are raised aloft!"

Seeing that Denebas was still shocked at this recent development, the elder grey squirrel tried another approach. "As Duke of Burelas, I command you to fight for you king, homeland and your sister - our sister."

Altayras got formal? I'll give him formal!

"As your humble sworn knight, I will fight for Your Grace on one condition." Seeing his brother's ears perk up, he quickly added, "If I perish in battle, take care of Vega, and do not marry her off to a squirrel she likes not." His voice grew more desperate as he slowly broke into tears. "This I beg of Your Grace!"

Clearly taken aback by the younger squirrel's devotion towards his sister (and perhaps slightly ashamed of his own neglect), Altayras gave his agreement.

"You are already ruled by your heart. Brother, May your mind guide you forth. Raise your own pennons, and may you guide your beasts to victory over your foes!"

Denebas quickly returned the blessing, then scurried off to take command of the Boreller crossbowbeasts. This could be the last time I will speak to Alt, but we will both leave this world with no regrets. I am sure of that!

A/N: A&D finally do something! Both sets of Trielian brothers are composed of a brash one and a gentle one, but the order of birth between them is switched. You will get more on Lorcan and Alfyn soon enough.

Erlend is absent in this Triel chapter because he is in Garlesca, attending his own coronation as king. He will be back soon!

This is my first time writing two locations - previous chapters tend to stick to one place. I will tend to spread out more and more in the upcoming chapters.

Chapter 7 (A Fine Death) will be out on 29/30 May!

P.S. Here are the ages of a few characters. Thordan is 16-17, Egil is 17-18, Sigurd and Sigrun are 19-20, Lorcan and Alfyn are 22, Garrion is 23, Godred is 21, Bellamy is 20, Bedric is 19, Altayras is 20 and Denebas is 18.

P.P.S. Chapter summaries and family trees are now up on the Redwall Abbey Community Forum!