Review Responses:
Grey 43: Writer's block is a horrible thing indeed, and both of us had been bitten by it more than once. Valdemar being slimy? What a surprise? Let's hope that Niels has his own tricks up his sleeves. Sverker and Harald? Becker and Erlend Lite. In any normal circumstances, Bellamy's brothers would have been champions, but death can be a serious problem. Hey! It's Renart! What won't he do for a crown? And a vengeful Thordan? Is that really out of the question? We have to see soon...
Grey 44: Setting up the future is a crucial part of any ending, but I must have overdone it. Too much Kingdom Hearts for me, it seems. Thordan, or Emetselk, is certainly up to no good. Middle Thordan joins the game! I should have expanded on Becker and Lorcan, but they happen to be side characters. There's always the remaster for that. Garmund the bad guy! He's not that evil for now, but in the sequels... *shudders*
Seb 43: Bellamy's marriage has been set up in TBBU, so expanding on it is a must in ARR. The Kingship of Valnain is a serious matter, and who gets his paws on the throne is a BIG question that might just shift the balance of power to one side or another, so they squabble. Politics is basically squabbling taken to a whole new level. And of course Old Thordan would use a simple term to indicate a horrific act.
From the Ashes
FLORET, CROWNLANDS, KINGDOM OF SOUTHSWARD
Sigrun took a deep breath and started to walk up the stairs. She had orders to come from King Gideon, and she was sure that no guards would stop her.
Just why would the squirrelking have such a message for her to carry? Even if it happened to be a message of doom, he could just walk up and gloat about what was to happen. Sigrun suddenly thought that Thordan was quite clever for a king. At least he's ending wars, not starting them.
Pawsteps. Sigrun heard pawsteps. Gentle pawsteps. She stopped, and waited for the other beast to arrive.
That other beast happened to be Bellamy Swalestrom.
"Good morning, cousin. Why would you be here?" The cousins never liked each other, but they were careful to let it bleed into open hatred, unlike the late Sigurd and Godred. That would not end up well.
"I am here by my own accord." Bellamy was terse to her, as always. "Now is a trying time for me, at least."
"Relationship advice, I take it?" Sigrun smiled, puzzling the other ottermaid. "You and Alfyn?"
Bellamy snorted - a most unladylike gesture. "I think not. If even Thordan is supportive of your match, you know that there would be something very wrong with it. His vermin is not inclined to help either. That degenerate will surely do more harm than good like all his of kind. Don't know why Thordan likes him."
"To be fair, I do not know as well." Sigrun sighed. "But I have learned to trust in him. What else did he tell you?"
"More about fulfilling his duty and more of his ramblings. If he's so interested in his duty, he should just leave the vermin alone and find some maid that knows how to put up with him." Bellamy crossed her paws. "As far as I know, you are the only one who knows how to do that."
"Well I do hope things improve for you soon." Sigrun was expressionless as she delivered her hollow blessings. "I have heard that you have two champions lined up, despite that being against the rules."
"One champion would be enough," Bellamy responded, "but he would not be the only one fighting for me." With that, the younger lady departed, leaving Sigrun alone in the starway.
The tower in which Thordan and Egil were held contained two rooms, identical in size and structure, one for each prisoner. The cells were connected with a staircase, and Thordan lived in the one below. King Gideon originally wanted to place them in cells befitting common vermin, but security was a more important issue than punishment.
Guards blocked her way into the first room. "I have come to see Lord Thordan Swalestrom," Sigrun calmly requested, careful not to mention anything related to her brother's kingship. "Here are the papers necessary."
The head guard, an otter as usual, quickly skimmed through the notice, then reached for his keys. "Wait here, my lady. Your notice only mentioned Thordan, so I need the vermin to be out of the room when you two share your family moment."
'I understand." Sigrun resorted to waiting while a subordinate otterguard went to get the weasel, a process which did not take long. In a few seconds, two of the guards escorted Egil upstairs, the weasel's face missing his trademark smile. The seriousness of his, not to mention Thordan's, situation was getting to him.
"You may enter." With a gesture, Sigrun was shown the way in. "You may stay for ten minutes. If you desire to leave earlier, we will get you out of the room."
"Sister." Thordan looked gaunt and tired, but managed to keep his smile.
"Thordan!" Sigrun exclaimed. "What- what have they done to you?"
"Nothing at all." The ex-king sighed. "I wish they would do something though. Summer is coming, and it is boiling in here sometimes. And sometimes I wish they could feed me anything but gruel, or maybe allow me to change my clothes. You might have noticed that heat and uncleanliness are not the best of bedfellows."
"I think I smell it already." Sigrun admitted. It was not customary for a king to be treated so poorly, but Southsward was out for blood. "King Gideon sent me here. He has a message."
'Oh, what is it? Apparently it isn't important enough for him to come here himself." Thordan chuckled, his face revealing a lack of mirth. "Maybe he's afraid of the smell. I mean, who would not be?"
"He doesn't like you."
"You don't say." A tense silence followed, until Thordan spoke again. "What message does he bring? I daresay that it would not be a good one."
"He asks you to resign your claim to Dravania."
"It's better than forcing me to do so, anyway. What happens if I choose not to do so?"
"Or he will 'send you on a one-way embassy to Hellgates'. That's his exact wording."
"I see." Thordan sighed again - he was fond of doing that. "At least he was polite about the whole thing."
"So are you accepting his offer or not?" Sigrun decided to ask.
"I will think about it. The Strandsors seemed to have fled our cause - they paid me a visit yesterday. I will accept their choice. They have just as much to lose than we do."
"You're letting our allies slip away?"
"Our cause is lost." Thordan said, head hung low in defeat. "If Mother tries to do something drastic, which she probably will, I fear the next time we meet, I would be in a casket."
"Thordan…" Sigrun did not know what to say.
"Everything will turn out fine for you, at least." Thordan managed to smile. "I don't think the Southards would let you marry, but at least you'll be alive."
Sigrun nodded. "I'm sorry, Thordan. I'm sorry for everything. I never respected you, and I didn't think well of Egil, and I-"
"Stop blaming yourself, sister." Thordan smiled. "May your heart and mind guide you forth."
"And yours as well, brother."
Lord Becker studied the young male in front of him. His daughter mentioned the name 'Galen', and a quick scour of the archives revealed the young captain in the Otterguard. The fact that there was only one Galen helped - it was still hard for Becker to stop imagining the Parman King every time somebeast referred to his nephew. One name for one beast is quite enough.
"So you're Galen, right?" Captain Snowpath was a strong beast, Becker gave him that. Nobeast could say otherwise. And his mind will not be too shabby either - the war would be lost if not for him and Ralos, and that Dirk otter too.
"Yes, sir." He seemed to defer to authority as well - a necessary for the chief subordinate of a king. He would do well.
"I have heard good things about you, Captain." Becker sighed as he sat down in his armchair. "In his letters to me, Garrion sung praises about you back in the war."
Galen nodded "He is a good master, and I assume that he would be a good son as well."
"The best." Becker closed his eyes, allowing a few good memories to flow back into his mind. When he hugged little Garrion for the first time. When he took the pup for his first swim. When he came of age and they celebrated. His eyes opened. "Thank you for taking good care of him for so long."
"But I failed, milord." Galen's voice shook for a bit. "I couldn't do anything to save him in the end. What's the point of fighting if you can't save the ones closest to you?'
Becker paused. What indeed? Then he sighed in resignation. An Erlend Swlaestrom quote shall prove welcome. "To save the ones closest to others. We fight for those who we have lost, and those we can yet save, Captain Snowpath."
"I suppose this is true." The officer's voice nodded. "For those we can yet save. A friend once told me to take what we have and not to mourn for too long."
"Different wording, similar meaning." Becker nodded again. "Well then. You can leave now. I give you my blessing to fight for my daughter's paw. Fight for the one you love."
"Thank you for everything, sir." Galen was kind enough to close the door behind him.
Becker turned to his desk, and swiftly opened a drawer. A few letters were scrambled out with frantic paws, and all of them had the seal of Erlend on them. His brother's seal.
Some of them were addressed to his friends, some were addressed to family, and one of then was for him. Taking a deep breath, he opened the letter.
I do have to wonder what Erlend was fighting for.
It was late when Thordan received the letter from the paws of a guard, who were kind enough to light a candle for him at this late hour.
Affixed to the envelope was a note from Lord Becker, which Thordan did not even pay attention to. It only gave a little context to why his deceased father was still sending letters to him. Namely, Becker kept them a secret and delayed giving him that letter for too long until his conscience decided to act up.
Ripping the deal open, Thordan's eyes squinted at the many words.
Dear Thordan,
It pains me that this is the reason I decide to write to you, but you may have learned that your brother has left his world doing his duty. Just know that I am very proud of you two, you loved each other like brothers should, and I know that you two would never put each other's children in a conflict such as this one. I know our family had unique circumstances, so as to simply put it.
And I was always worried how you too would treat each other because of it, as old examples painted a gruesome picture of jealousy and betrayal. But your brother loved you to death, he would never let anything happen to you, and would happily die in your stead. You were a great brother to him, and I think you still are to your sister. You never looked down upon them as lesser, like other 'trueborns' have been known to do. On the contrary, you always looked up to them for guidance, and to be like them. And they always loved and doted on their baby brother.
Now, I know that you and I have spent far too little time together. And should've taken you around with me, teach you how to be a man. For this I take full responsibility. But know this, I am still proud of you. You are the kindest and most empathetic beast I know of, and while I didn't understand why you hugged me, now I do back on the ship. I should've appreciated every hug you ever gave me. I wish you and your sister were here, I'd hug you both. But then, I also wish your brother and your stepmother were here to hug as well. We can't have everything. But now, in what may be the last time I correspond with you. I'll be the most fatherly I've ever been, and should've been. I wish to give you some final pieces of advice.
Learn the arts of the sword or mace, or even the spear. I know they never truly interested you, but I want it only for your own good. We have many enemies, Thordan, and Becker is on the tame end of things, but you already knew that was the case. I want you prepared and ready, for when another attack inevitably happens. Trust me, wars never truly end. I only want this cause I want you to be safe and self reliant. I know, because of your gentle heart, you are actually better-suited for a weapon than most beasts. As you are not quick to anger, and more importantly, not out for the blood of others.
I also know that you never found maids appealing, and I heard those rumors of you and old Skuli's son. Still, I know they are false. Rumors are always spread, there is no doubt about that. But whenever someone blames you or hates you, look inside their souls, see what kind of beasts they are, then you'll know that you should not concern yourself with their opinion. Despite this, you still have a duty, which you have always accepted without any unpleasantness, and which I am happy for. With your brother dead, it is of great importance you continue our line, which requires you to be with a maid and sire pups. Which you of course know. I know this is something that disinterests you, but I'm sure with a concentrated effort, you can be a pleasing husband. And I'm very sure you'll be a great father, to grandchildren I fear I may never meet. You already have enough love in your heart.
As for the hard part, the wife. It's important to know, different sows have different needs. Some are more sensual and desire handsome boars, while others are like you and can never find interest. The most important thing you can do, is address their needs, and to be there for them. Be attentive, which should be easy for you. While I know that my innate passion for your mother was not as great as others, I still put in effort for her. And she's one of the most loyal beasts to me, absolutely enraptured. Let's just say, I actually had fun with her, too keep it simply. Please tell your mother I found her company pleasant. Sigrid was always my first love, but I had grown affection for your mother as well. She was always loyal, and could be the gentlest of beasts on occasion. I know she loves you fiercely, strict she might be. So who knows, maybe you'll end up liking your wife if you actually spend time with her. But nonetheless, work to be good loyal friends, pick a loyal maid, one who'll be a good mother. Be the father I should have been. I wish however your relations turn out, they turn out well.
Now. I know you are easy on vermin, and you are very kind and open to most beasts in general. Your grandfather was very similar to you, actually, and he was a great king, as well as friend and father. He is the envy of all beasts to live after him. But as you love vermin and woodlander equally, do not hesitate to doubt and distrust them as well. Vermin have a bad reputation for a reason, and so, you should also be wary of them. Still, I am no fool. I've been around woodlanders, and I know they're untrustworthy back stabbers as well. So, it's always safe to be cautious and to never trust any beast too much.
Watch your sister for me, always protect her and be there for her. She is older than you, and had always felt protective of you, you being a babe compared to her. But still, it's natural for males to be protective of females (and vice versa as well), and you are still her brother. I trust you to watch after her, and find a strong male who'll do the same. Be very selective with whom she marries, as I may not be there, and I still worry for her. But still, she is an individual (obviously). Take her heart into account. She may be stoic, but she still has emotions. I remember comforting her before. And most importantly. Remember any boar who will marry her is the most blessed boar in history. Make sure the lucky one knows that.
When you were born, you were very small, and had a saddening cough. Your mother and I thought you wouldn't make it, and we tried to accept it and prepare for it. But it always ate at our hearts the thought of our babe dying. And I guess I must say, I'm very proud you're alive, despite expectations, and we are rightfully overjoyed. Thank you for loving me, despite my shortcomings. And for making a big meeting with me, just to hug me and show your love to me. I'm not sure any beast deserves such treatment, and I thank you for it. Make sure your sister knows I'm proud of her as well.
If I ever made you feel like a secondary child, I am sorry. Yes, I always connected more with your brother and sister, but deep down, my love for you was all the same. But this is no excuse. I should've tried my best to take you with me wherever I went, to be close to me. I see that now. I hope this letter accounts for lost time. Do try your best to toughen up. You'll need it in battles to come. I know you're capable. I love you, my son. And when I pass, your brother and I shall watch over you and your sister from afar.
Love,
Erlend
Thordan took a deep breath. It was perhaps too late for this letter to be of use, but his father will surely be embarrassed by his defeat. Kaldos, ever his father's favourite abode, was lost, perhaps forever. And he had dragged Sigrun into this mess called Floret. He had almost forgotten the ever significant chance of him and Egil dying, but that seemed to heap on even more trouble. If only some remnant of his father was here with him!
Holding back tears, he blew out the candle and hoped for a dreamless sleep.
A/N: Early update!
Thank you, Abrahem for the contents of the letter. I didn't really need to edit it so much, so that's a bonus.
One might realise that Sigrun and Thordan's situation might seem incredibly similar to a Shakespeare play set in Vienna, but I digress. Better not play a game of 'spot the reference' with you guys.
Chapter 46 (Four-Sided Circle) will be up on 19/20 February.