From Fear to Fortitude
VERNOLL, KINGDOM OF SOUTHSWARD
By the time they pursuit ended, Denebas' unit had captured no less than fifteen soldiers.
He knew not how many his beasts had slain, of course, being crossbowbeasts. Skirmishers like them were usually deployed at the beginning of battles like this, then used to search for a fleeing enemy, or to slow down a pursuing force. They never knew if their bolts struck true, but loosing towards amassed beasts usually meant that that was indeed the case.
After making sure his captives were secure, Denebas rushed back to congratulate his brother - only to find that he was in no mood for congratulations. Guiding his spear through another squirrel, he turned to look at his brother. Deneb quickly drew his rapier (still kept from the incident back at Raevsvakt) and hastily joined his brother.
But there was no course for alarm. Nearby on the battlefield, a certain axe and its wielder was blazing into enemy lines. Tearing his axe out of one foe, King Garmund blocked a blow from a hare, and slid his paw forward, so that the hare's sword was trapped under the king's arm. Another strike from the axe saw the hare's head fly away from his body, long ears and all.
Denebas always had problems with punctuality, but this was never a normal situation. Rapiers were never good against armoured opponents, like the mangled mess on the ground. Lord Bedric fought hard and well against the Trielians, but superior tactics and strategies always triumph over raw bravery and impulsiveness. Deneb pitied him.
His Jaysian sabre lay beside him, a lonely thing tent away from its wielder. Jaysians compensates their poor iron quality with high calibre forging skills, and they were highly prized in the islands. Here, however, it was but some object that failed to cut apart the lightest of plate armour within one strike. Add to its troubles a lack of stabbing ability, it can even be called worse than a rapier. Against the average soldier though, it was effective - and brutally so.
Around the fallen otterlord allay a ring of bodies clad in red - all guards that tried and failed to retrieve his corpse. Their loyalty to their lord and master was admirable (for Denebas and perhaps his brother too), but they had better causes for loyalty - namely, Triel.
The battle was swiftly over. When Bedric and the now absconded General Ralos charged into the Trielian line, they found that their defenses have been stronger than they first expected. The Southards began to waver, first in a trickle, then in a flood of flesh and fur. Only Bedric's suicidal charge was able to stop King Garmund from giving the order to pursue. Before long, the brothers could finally get a rest after two hours of continuous fighting.
"You fought well, brother." Altayras praised. "It appears that you have captured a few soldiers."
"Think nothing of it, brother. You killed one of the traitorous Lord Becker's sons! That I don't think I could do." Deneb gushed.
"Well, as Duke of Burelas, I had to serve my king in all ways possible."
"And as your younger brother, I get to serve you!"
Altayras twitched. "Speaking of which, I have failed to thank you properly for saving me in Raevsvakt."
Denebas shrugged his shoulders. "Don't worry. You'll get a lot of chances to repay the favour later. I may be far away from you, but I fight so that you don't have to."
Altayras shook his head. "I am just afraid we cannot save each other when the time comes for one of us to … you know, perish."
"Perish? You really are afraid of the d-word, are you? I thought I was the cowardly one, but if you are well and truly scared of a word, you would need to harden yourself, and fast!" Deneb jokes, earning a weird look from his brother.
"Stop it." Despite his mostly serious tone, Altayras' voice hid an ounce of humour within.
"So what are you going to do now?" Altayras asked his brother. "King Garmund ordered us to rest for a few days before we march to reunite with Somerled and his own host."
"Oh? I'm going to write back to sister."
"Can I help in any way? I intend to pay a visit to your camp of prisoners later." Seeing Denebas' surprises glare, he quickly added, "I'm not going to torture them or anything! I'm just going to ask a few questions."
"Well, somebeast has to keep you from exploding with rage, so allow me to tag along." Deneb replied. "I will do my best to help you!"
Altayras quickly flourished a grin. "Thanks!"
EASTERN PARMAN SEA
Meanwhile, on the other side of the Southern Realms, another set of brothers (with the exact same temperaments) are not getting along not as well as the squirrels.
Lord Lorcan knew that being stuck in some sea smack-dab in the middle of nowhere was not good for one's mood, but Alfyn was clearly fuming after almost a month at sea.
'Fuming' was actually an understatement. Like any good Trielian lord, his brother thrived in battle - Raevsvakt served as a testament to his usual method of problem solving. When you have to be restrained from violence from vermin, you know something is odd.
Alfyn did not savour violence, unlike some other beasts Lorcan knew. But the euphoric sensation of charging into battle is one that Lorcan would never enjoy. During the last meeting of him and Lord Thordan (which was at Avelyn's wedding), he asked Lorcan to keep an eye on his brother, like any elder brother would do.
But Lorcan was merely older than Alfyn for about a mere ten minutes, and Alfyn simply was not content to be under his guiding paw for long. He was, as Lord Erlend would say, a loose catapult, perfectly content to do things is own way, and wilfully ignorant of what others expect of him.
When tensions flared once more amongst the two brothers, Lorcan did nothing as his brother moved from the flagship to one of the cogs. The Boundless may have got its name for its great speed, but a smaller ship moved faster as per the laws of physics (which Lorcan knew well). It shall seem that Alfyn was that interested in seeking excitement from the destruction of his enemies.
An arrow embedded itself within the door of Lorcan's cabin, bearing with it a message hastily scribbled on a piece of paper. Clearly surprised, Lorcan untied the string holding it together, and happened across Alfyn's signature pawwriting, if one could even call it that.
Dear Brother,
Lord Erlend Swalestrom is on my ship. He requests to be let on your ship, as he has a really important message to tell you.
P.S. All right, I will come too.
Regards,
Lord Alfyn Stalwart, Heir to the Trielian Otterguard
This may be bad, thought Lorcan. If Erlend's here, what he has to tell us is mostly unfortunate news.
It was about a quarter of an hour before Erlend was able to board onto the Boundless. This was the first time Lorcan saw him in full armour and with his spear, confirming Lorcan's suspicion.
"It is not usual for you to carry your spear into a brief conversation, Lord Erlend." Lorcan stated your observation.
Erlend pointed at his weapon. "I need Heavensward here for a reason."
When Thordan of Parma gifted this spear to his new son-in-law, it came with this name. Erlend thought of named weapons as an unnecessary concept at first, though he has grown to like it The spear was taller than its wielder, as spears tended to be, but the spear was made of meteoric iron, and the hooks on the tip (obviously for trapping other weapons and removing armour) proved it was forged by a true master.
"Lord Swalestrom - also known as my brother - has a fleet that has just been sighted. He is careening towards us at a steady pace. Battle will be joined within days."
Alfyn's eyes revealed his long-lost enthusiasm while Lorcan's face remained impassive. He knew that he had come for reinforcing Erlend's sons. One of them was his brother-in-law, while he was involved in raising the other. They needed all the help they can get, and that meant battle.
Yet Lorcan never expected to find battle before finding Thordan or Sigurd. He would have to rush in and rush out. He did read a lot about ships, and at least he could tell 'starboard' from 'larboard', or 'port' as the younger generations called it.
While there were many factors to fighting on land, naval warfare always manages to get more complicated than its terrestrial counterpart. Even the slightest wind could decide everything. I wish Alfyn was in command. He actually fought before, so surely he would know what to do.
It was no more than two hours before the Southard ships emerged into view. We may be prepared for battle, but our beasts are exhausted. This could go either way.
He knew that the Southards are preparing their own well-rested yet surprised beasts, and by the time his Trielians got to them they will be ready, and armed to the teeth. He would have to play safe.
"Tell all paws on every deck to slowly retreat, but not to let the Southards get out of view." A herald passed this information to the rowers down below.
Trielians usually used vermin-pulled slave galleys for marine travel, but within the last five seasons Lorcan has received advice from King Winchell of Jayso (who was also a Trielian vassal as Duke of Obring) to recruit sailors from woodlanders, just to be on the safe side and prevent incessant mutiny. King Garmund has also received reports on the relative efficiency of hired, professional woodlander rowers as compared to slaves. Where the king got this information from, Lorcan knew not, though all evidence points to the Parmans and their surprising ability to tolerate even the most unsightly of vermin. Alfyn had informed his brother that King Thordan oof Parma was in active contact with a sable-furred fox - adding more cause of suspicion towards Triel's neighbour across the already narrow Obring Strait.
The Southards may not be prepared for a battle - Erlend's only purpose was to lure them to sea of their choosing - but Becker is a wily and resourceful beast like his brother. After all, snakes are more suited to aquatic environments than foxes.
As if on cue, the Southards were quick to call for a parley session. Erlend's Parman vessel quickly hurried on his way, stating that King Garmund was waiting for him, as was his Thavnairese troops, who were without a leader for now.
King Garmund must have engaged the Southards by now, Lorcan thought. What happens on the border, I will know later.
"Tell Lord Becker that we will not attempt parley. Peaceful negotiation is not an option when dealing with traitors."
Now, this is our fight. My fight.
DUSKAI, DUCHY OF OBRING, KINGDOM OF TRIEL
Two fiefs, two realms.
Winchell Baleblood ruled over a Kingdom and a Duchy, but both were subservient to other kingdoms. No chance of independence from both of them.
His father with the same name had at least tried to wrest the Jayso Isles from Parman control, but Thordan of Parma soon put an end to these plans by an alliance with Triel, intimidating him back into line, and ensuring that his father would waste the gold used to fund his navy - the navy that he will now use.
Winchell had been Duke of Obring from ten seasons prior due to his mother's death. The Six Duchies of Triel are shared equally between mice, squirrels and otters, and the two of the same species were always rivals, with only no more than four exceptions within Triel's four hundred seasons of history.
Limse and Gridain were the mice duchies. Unlike the other two, they are not hostile towards each other - mostly due to the fact that Gridain was in the paws of King Garmund's eldest son, granted to him by his mother's untimely death three seasons previously. Duke Randyll would not dare revive old rivalries - especially if it means gaining royal emnity.
Burelas and Deilart - those two were very different stories. Deilart was Trielian long before Winchell was born, but Borellian acquisition led to two centuries of on and off warfare, causing the dukes to embrace a never-ending struggle. Duke Somerled may have allowed peace with his western neighbour by his daughter's betrothal, but anything could happen.
Thavnair and Obring did not border each other - they opposed each other due to the last two duchesses marrying a set of Parman rivals. Winchell may have only been crowned a year before, but the succession was still unclear - his sister's son should clearly be overshadowed by his grandson, but Eliska won the right to marry Thordan's elder grandson via tournament, causing Winchell much distress.
Konrad (or Corrado, depending on the translation) Truetide (not to be confused with his father) is just a boy of five, but he is Thordan's great-grandson and eventual heir, and Winchell cannot simply let him receive his forefathers' land - the land they have fought to prevent from falling into Parman paws.
The other option was Garrion Swalestrom, or his younger brother. The loss of one nephew complicated things slightly, yes, but one of the others would have to do. They would have no problem opening up a second front against the Trielians, and the Jaysian navy could change the war in their direction.
Finishing his will, Winchell quickly stamped his seal on the letter. Both Jayso and Obring were in good paws (if not safe paws), and Garrion would be his successor in both territories. Being the last of the male-line Balebloods was quite a complication, but naming him a surrogate son would convince the Jaysian nobles to accept Garrion.
A shout emerged from the door to his solar, and another soon followed. Winchell's ears perked up, and his heartbeat was heard more clearly than ever before in his life.
Then the door was opened, revealing a black-furred vulpine figure, holding a crossbow with both his paws. A whizzing sound was emitted by the weapon, and King Winchell of Jayso felt only a small prick when the quarrel entered his abdomen.
He tried to scream, but found out that he had not the strength to do so. Instead, he simply keeled over as his eyesight darkened, like a proper deadbeast would do.
The last thing he ever heard was the fox saying something he couldn't quite discern, and the sound of paper burning.
A/N: So we have got an army destroyed, a naval battle coming up, and a king slain by familiar paws. Things have gone from bad to worse for Southsward, but two new (or old, depending whether if you read TBBU) pairs of paws will offer help from where it is least expected. They will get to shine in the next chapter! And there will be much rejoicing!
In the meantime, you will get Isangrim back in some later chapter. (It is not etched.)
Chapter 10 (Blood for Blood) will be up on 19/20 June.