Xxx. Chapter Three: Vanadis' Invitation and the Maid Mission with Athily. xxX
Her eyes frosting over and gaining a look of annoyance at answering instead of her lady who was silently tittering to herself like a young maiden not behaving like the warrior she was. "There are some, a lot. Including myself, who have expressed frustration with Lady Eleonora, who in all her time as a War Maiden has not once taken a prisoner of war. Until now."
"So, I'm your first prisoner of war. Do you want me to congratulate you or something. Prisoners of war are no better off than common slaves." Astolfo muttered much to himself more than anyone in the room.
"Indeed, because of you being the first as well as some of the men must've heard rumours and gossip. Well they got a little jealous." Eleonora took over from Lim.
"Rumours of what. I'm still at a bit of a loss here ladies." Astolfo said as he tried to abate the rising feeling that he was going to be annoyed by what he heard in the coming minutes.
"Lady Eleonora, fell for you at first sight." Lim said while looking anywhere but at Astolfo.
Standing there nodding, he was rather happy that he was never one to fluster so easily. Almost like that time he was fishing along the river in a little skiff he had made himself when he accidentally floated round a bend and came across four or five of Celeste townswomen bathing and completely naked. He remained as unmoved as a rock.
"She fell for me at first sight?" he was shocked, intrigued at how such a thing was possible. He honestly disliked Ellen. No actually he found her more annoying than anything. "how is that even possible?" he fired off another question.
"That's right! You can call it battlefield passion and affection that only comes about between close enemies. Some of those rumours aren't wrong, I really am mad for you."
"For me. the man who killed near hundred of your soldiers and commanded others who killed near a thousand of them." he then looked at Lim. "Limlisha, have you not tried to make her see how wanton this is." He asked only to see Lim with her eyes closed and zoning the conversation out.
"Not for your looks or personality, but for your skill with a sword and bow. So, the men getting jealous would rather I kill you than find a place for you at my side." She said with a smile as always.
"Probably give me less of a headache." Astolfo said at the same time as Lim chipped in.
"Killing him would probably be the easiest thing."
"Thank you, we finally agree on something." Astolfo said smugly.
"Now, now you two." Ellen chided. "Look Astolfo, the army ranks are full of hot heads. So I though having you show off in front of them would cool them off, ultimately despite the assassin it was an effective idea. Another thing while I'm being honest, beyond your skills with a sword. The reason I took you prisoner at the Dinant Plains was not for a ransom..."
"Could've fooled me." Astolfo said.
Pushing on and not bothering to rise to his bait. "Mostly, it was because I was happy that you were able to thwart my plans."
"You were happy I saw through your sneak attack on our rear-guard. Why?"
"Despite our overwhelming victory, that battle was still nasty business. As well with most of being a complete and total waste. Well except for the rear-guards valiant defence. From the start of our charge, with the amount of Brunish soldiers they should've been able to push us back by midday, I was expecting there to be brutal fighting."
"you sound disappointed at that fact. While many great generals would be enthused."
"I had many great plans I want to try out." Ellen stated defensively.
Astolfo didn't want to get into an argument over battlefield tactics and how war should be waged. He really did want to point out that had he at least another thousand men to command he would've been able to thwart her rear-assault and circle round before hitting her flank. Ultimately it was probably best that he let her bask in her childish glory,
"I have to ask why did you stay behind, while your men fled." Ellen was truly curious she had seen the main force fall back and scatter, but yet the paltry few holding the rear hadn't caved. And when they retreated, it was in a more ordered fashion than the main force.
"I couldn't leave, not until I knew the man who killed my little brother was dead. An eye for an eye. He was the last of my family, it was my duty to avenge him." Astolfo growled out. Not noticing the shocked look that over took Ellen face. "You know when word of the Prince falling reached us, it didn't faze me. but seeing my baby brother run through with a spear. My heart cried out for vengeance. Part of me blames you. But I know it's not your fault. This war was a farce, fighting over burst riverbanks. How noble does that make you feel, knowing you order your men to die and kill all because some mud and stone couldn't hold back the power of nature." Astolfo said. His knuckles white as his hands curled into fists.
Ellen had to admit when he put it like that, it was a pointless waste of life. "I'm sorry for your loss. But despite all of that. I had my army pursuing the Brunish army, so they wouldn't reform. That was when I saw you hacking away at my army like farmer reaping his crops." Ellen said as she stepped forward and took the risk of taking one of Astolfo's hands in her own. "Despite your allegiances and Brune's army being a Paper Dragon, I couldn't kill you and not for a lack of trying. You stayed fighting and time after time came at me attempting to strike me down. Your courage and bravery that day was amazing. I have a weakness for such things.
That was why I bought you here to LeitMeritz, in Zhcted." She then paused. She noted the fierce look in his eyes, like burning fire raging from a dragons mouth. "Astro, will you serve under me? I will treat you as an Earl, just as you were in Brune. And any valour you show in combat will be honoured like that of any pure born Zhcted warrior."
"No." as he said that he ripped his hand away. "I doubt you would be offered the same thing if you were captured by a Brunish man. The offer is kind, but my answer is no." Astolfo said as he looked her in the eye. He was at a loss; did she value his abilities so highly that she would offer him a noble title.
"If the offer is so kind why refuse?"
"Simple, I already have a home, people that care about me, and I them. Alsace. I'll tell you what I told the Prince once when he asked if I was loyal to the king or the country. Neither. I'm loyal to neither. My only loyalty is to Alsace. All I do is for the betterment of Alsace and her people. If that means I am ordered to fight a foreign army then I will fight. If it means that I have to fight a Vanadis and her Vralt then I shall. She may be a small and impoverished province, surrounded by forests, mountains and small farmlands. With only four villages and a township. But I inherited it from my father who inherited Alsace from his own. I will not relinquish it and its people so callously merely because you offer me a title of equal value."
Ellen seemed thrown off by his answer, about Alsace and why he wouldn't join her hand. She knew where it was, her research in the capital had bore fruit. With many lesser nobles being quite eager to help her when asked. It was just on the other side of the Voyes Mountains, separated by no more than one of them as well. "Why refuse should you no think of the future, the possibility your people are unable to obtain the one hundred thousand gold or something of comparable value." She started before frowning a little more as she took note of the stubborn man before her, he seemed so confident. "if the ransom is not paid, I will sell you to a merchant from Muozinel."
Astolfo had wondered for a while what would happen should the hundred thousand not be paid in full. He figured she would keep him here in Zhcted and break him down into a servant of the palace. He didn't much care for going to be sold as a slave to a Muozinelian merchant. He had seen first hand how they treated their slaves. But then if he were in his position, while he may not have sold her to Muozinel, he may of sent her to serve in the singular brothel that had cropped up in Celeste Town a few years back.
"I'm sure you understand your position, are you truly prepared to become a slave, so your people wont have to suffer paying the ransom or being governed by another lord?" Ellen while she said it was also trying to convince herself. Would she actually sell him to Muozinel. Truth be told when the time came and a envoy of Alsace arrived, she may be persuaded to negotiate a yearly tribute or instate various treaties such as non-aggression. She had seen the Alsace soldiers fighting rallying around the standard of house Vorn and Astolfo's own blue sun banner. They were quite fierce for common soldiers especially the large man with a hammer.
His answer was not what she was expecting. She had seen many proud men become grovelling messes at the mention and thought they were going to become a slave and lose everything. "The decision is yours. Eleonora Viltaria. I will accept whatever you decide with dignity."
Not once did his voice of gaze waver. He truly was an enigma for her, yesterday he wouldn't negotiate immediately demanding that she just execute him when he found out how much the ransom was. This man before her was completely unmovable, the only moment she thought she was making progress with the elder man was when he offered to allow her to call him Astro.
But why? Why was he so eager to die? Why did he refuse her offer? Why was it so hard to get him to yield? How was a small backwater province like Alsace able to gain such loyalty from a knight of his calibre? Why did she feel envious? "Why give up so easily, not once have you tried to negotiate. Why?"
"Because I have faith in my people, to do what needs to be done." He spoke clearly and boldly, never breaking eye contract. "I am also not a coward or a man who runs away from a fight. And if you cannot understand why from my words alone or find yourself scoffing at my actions. Then like many other lords and ladies, perhaps you to are not worthy of the title."
Lim soon escorted him from the room and waved a soldier down. "You there take Earl Vorn to his room."
"Limlisha am I not good enough to be escorted by yourself anymore." He chuckled as he went to move in the direction of his room.
"Hardly, I have matters with which I need to speak with lady Eleonora. This man will escort you." She ordered before returning back into the office.
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Titta having recovered just a little bit was fussing about the Vorn Manor, as she usually would. Everything would have to be just right for when Lord Astolfo returned. It was also the only way she was able to take her mind off of losing Tigre. Bertrand was pottering around Astolfo's office, making sure that Alsace continued to run smoothly in his absence. It had been nearly three weeks now since the battle on the Dinant Plains had ended.
'I should put some tea on, as well as get some refreshments ready. Lord Mashas should be arriving today with news about Lord Astolfo.' To say she was nervous. The old lords letter had been short simply stating that he would be delivering the ransom note personally along with some other letters that had been personally scribed by Astolfo himself.
Just as she was finishing preparing a platter of some small snacks of simple fare she looked on sadly as she noted they were all lord Astolfo's favourite snacks that he would ask for while he was in his study. It was then she heard Lord Mashas' voice echo from the dining area just off the main foyer. She also heard Bertrand and Gaspard's voices alongside his own.
Coming out of the kitchen, with platter in hand. Titta greeted the other lord. "Lord Mashas it's good to see you again."
The old man could see the young girl was suffering, she had known the two Vorn boys since they were six and eight years old. "Yes, although it were under kinder circumstances." He said as he watched her place the platter of food down on the dining table. "I have a letter for you, from Astolfo." He finished as he passed her the envelope that was unsealed.
Titta taking the letter noted that both Gaspard and Bertrand had their own. Which they were currently looking over.
'Titta.
I'm sorry, I couldn't keep my promise. I failed the both of you. I have many regrets in life, not being able to save Tigre and spare you the heartache are the greatest of them all. I truly am sorry. So many times, these past weeks, the memory replays over and over again. The spear hitting Tigre. I was about to sound the retreat, we were nearly home free. The spear it was meant for, it skewed away. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. So many times, I've thought of ending my life. But then I remember all the smiling faces and laughter of the people I govern, Tigre wouldn't want me to forsake them, each time I think I should end my wretched life. The memory of my brother keeps me living pushing forward with the mettle that all Vorn men possess. Titta, just thinking of returning home to eat your cooking again also keeps me striving forwards. You were right when you said it all those years ago. I am as stubborn as a mule.'
Titta felt her eyes well with tears as she read the first paragraph, she never stopped to think how Astolfo felt with seeing Tigre die before his eyes. She would make sure that he was spoilt for choice when he returned home, she would cook him all of his favourites. It heartened her to hear that he was carrying Tigre's memory with him. She didn't blame him. She had no doubt that her lord had killed the man who had taken so much from the both of them,
'Titta, I need you to get Athily's treasure. I'm sure you know what I mean by that. I don't know if Mashas has told you yet or if you have seen the ransom note. But the war maiden is demanding one hundred thousand gold pieces or something of comparable value. I don't know if Athily's treasure is worth hundred thousand, but it is a start. Along with my other armour that I have stored away. Also gather as many of the gifts that other lords sent me after my knighting and becoming the White Knight. Do this for me. Tell Bertrand and Gaspard as well.
Signed
Earl Astolfo Vorn, Lord of Alsace, the White Knight of Brune. ҉'
Seeing the stylised Sun sigil at the bottom of the page alongside his name and title, she knew this was a legitimate letter. It was something he did when they were all younger; he was the sun, Tigre was the moon and she was a star.
Re-reading the letter once more she took in a sharp intake of air when she read the amount that was being demanded. "Hundred Thousand?!" that was exorbitant Alsace couldn't pay that much. She very much doubted that even with Athily's treasure, his armour as well as all the favours he was gifted over the years that it would amount to be equal in worth to a hundred thousand gold.
Mashas winced as he heard the number, he himself was outraged at the amount demanded. Not even Dukes Thenardier and Ganelon were worth that much. Hell, she was asking for a king's ransom. "Yes, the War Maiden is demanding One Hundred Thousand gold pieces or something of comparable value."
Gaspard who wasn't a well learned man, he barely had the literacy skills to read the letter his lord had written him. He was thankful that the words were simple and easy to read. "I'm sure if the people of Alsace banded together would could possibly raise the..."
"No chance my friend." Mashas interrupted the rotund man-at-arms. "Even, even if Alsace saved all of their yearly revenue for a decade you wouldn't have near enough to pay off the debt. It's simply not viable for the people of Alsace to raise that money." Mashas said with a grim expression. Had the amount been significantly less nearer the twenty thousand mark he would've gladly asked around the various lords and ladies asking if they would donate money or goods to help pay the ransom. Heck he himself would've been able to foot a large amount of the ransom if it were twenty thousand gold and not one hundred thousand.
Bertrand allowing that sink in, gained a slightly disheartened expression. It had been a stressful few weeks since the loss at Dinant. They had to hold the funerals of the fallen. They laid Tigre to rest in the Vorn family tomb resting him next to his father and mother. But no funeral was held, a proper funeral would be held when their lord was returned safe and sound in a few short weeks. Although, now that was looking highly unlikely. "Titta, what else did the letter say?" he questioned softly.
"It just says he's well, he's being treated properly. He's left me some instructions pertaining how to pay the ransom." She said, before continuing when she noted they were waiting for her to say what Astolfo wanted done. "he wants to use his remaining suits of armour along with every favour he has ever received in the past." She then paused, not sure whether or not she should say, Mashas had a right to know, as did Bertrand and Gaspard. Astolfo trusted them enough to write them letters and have his ransom sent to one of them. "he also wants me to retrieve Athily's treasure."
Mashas looked confused while Gaspard looked surprised. "Don't be silly Titta! Athily's treasure doesn't exist, it was something both Tigre and the young master made up when they were younger." Bertrand chided as he gave her a stern look.
She just showed him the letter. "I know where it is. I'm not supposed to, but I know where it is. The only other people who know are Lord Astolfo and Lord Urs." Titta said as she took the letter back while Bertrand sat down and sagged.
"In that case. Astolfo and Tigre always made it sound so mythical. The way they spoke about it as children suggested it was a vast treasure." Bertrand muttered.
"Would someone tell me what's going on?" Mashas asked having enough of not knowing what everyone was talking about.
Surprisingly it was Gaspard that answered. "Not many people know, even within the poplace of Alsace. Astolfo must've been sixteen, Tigre twelve maybe just turning thirteen. They went hunting in the Voyes Mountains and ran into a young Earth Dragon." Gaspard said. He probably didn't have to say more, Mashas was a smart old man. "Needless to say, they killed, but we have no idea how. They never said. When they returned from hunting, they were bruised and battered. But wouldn't you believe they were grinning their faces off. Behind them between the two the were dragging the dragons corpse.
Lord Urs, never seen him so upset and worried with his boys behaviour. He ordered them to leave it in the forest on the outskirts of the town. In the dead of night; Bertrand, myself, Urs, the lads, Gilbert the blacksmith and Daniel the tanner along with the gate guards at the time Philippe and Pascal. We all went back to the dragons body and dragged the bastard to behind the Vorn Manor. Not long later the body disappeared and that was the end of it. No-one who knew questioned where it went. It was a year later that Tigre and Astolfo started making stories up about Athily's Treasure." Gaspard finished as he remembered the fond memory of better times, quieter times.
"What exactly is Athily's treasure, Titta." Mashas enquired before adding. "Who's Athily?"
Sighing, everyone had a right to know. Despite Lord Urs and Astolfo at the time she found out swearing her to not speak of it. "Athily is Astolfo's pet dragon. She's not big, she lives out behind the manor, in Astolfo's personal garden. He's had her since he was seventeen. But she's unlike any dragon I've ever heard of. She doesn't match the descriptions in the fairy tales or legends." Titta said, seeing Mashas' eye go wide with surprise.
"A pet dragon would solve the entire ransom problem." He muttered.
It was Bertrand's turn to talk. "Good luck with that. No one other than Astolfo and Tigre can get close to her. Well Titta can get decently close. But she's never touched her before." he finished when he remembered the last time, he tried to enter the garden to speak on important matters with Astolfo.
Taking her chance to explain what Athily's treasure was, Titta spoke up again. "As for what the treasure is, what it still is. Dragon bones, Fangs, Claws. Its eyes. Many of its scales. As well as the hide. Although the hide of the dragon is here in this house." She finished. seeing the intrigued expressions everyone had. "The hide is in the basement in the far-left corner. The eyes are kept in a jewellery box behind Lady Margot's tomb, the claws a secret compartment in Lord Astolfo's desk, the fangs and scales are kept under one of the floorboards in Tigre's room and the Dragons Skull along with some of its bones are buried near Athily's garden. There should be a square of four trees marked with..." she then got a piece of paper and drew the four symbols they would have to find. " ҉ ‡ ⍣ ⦖"
Once she had drawn them, she smiled as she pointed at each one. "the cyclic one is representing Astolfo, the cross lord Urs, the Star and two dots; lady Margot and the crescents are Tigre's. I don't know the meaning behind them, but Astolfo always loved writing in codes and symbols. He and Tigre had their own secret language." She finished before getting up she was going to retrieve the eyes, she needed to update Lady Margot on what was happening.
"Well that settles it then. Lets get everything." Gaspard said as he headed out back with the piece of paper with the symbols on, he might as well go and dig up the bones. Hopefully ole Athily wouldn't get antsy with him walking around and digging. Actually, he just hoped the old girl wasn't nesting right on top of the bones and skull.
Bertrand and Mashas shared a look before both went down towards the basement, they would grab the hide before retrieving the claws, fangs and scales. Bertrand would allow Titta to get the armour and favours that were stored in the attic of the house.
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