Chapter 23: Black Powder
Movan sat in the hall at the table with his Lords and the Mountain Clans leaders to negotiate the creation of a new form of governing the Kingdom of the Roses.
"All we want is what was agreed to." Birk said confidently. "Nothing more."
"And what is that?" Clais asked curiously.
Movan hit his hand on the table for silence. "What we agreed to is a council that has governing power instead of one man." Movan said lifting his head revealing dark bags under his eyes. "Also to change the name of the kingdom."
"Yes we want to rule the Kingdom ourselves where everyone gets a say, no more Kings deciding our fate." Sheamus said slamming his fist on the table.
"But the king still makes decisions and we vote on whether or not to do them." Mira added chipley.
"That is not how a Kingdom is run." Clais said raising his voice. "A kingdom follows a King who makes all the decisions it is our jobs to follow his commands."
"Aye and the people are the ones who bear the brunt of those decisions when the King's lords come for our young men to fight in a war that may or may not have a good reason to be fighting it." Birk said glaring hard ad Clais. "And the King or his Lords can't just cut down trees to build a castle without the council's permission or tax us as much as that lord wants."
"I have to agree with them on that Clais." Said Regas nodding in agreement to what Birk had said.
"This will set a specific tax rate for everyone so that there is fairity in the taxation of the people, taxes will also be changed depending on peace and war time." Mira said.
"I still do not see how this benefits the Kingdom." Clais said exasperated.
"The meetings will be held every month and all of the Clan leaders, the King, and all his lords get a say in what we vote on for that everyone gets an equal vote ." Sheamus said sternly
"Very well, but we will need a Council hall built." Clais said rolling his eyes. "But the first thing we will have to vote on is the Kingdom name here and now I vote for the Kingdom to remain it's current name."
"I vote we rename this Kingdom the Highland Kingdom." Birk said raising his hand in favor of his vote.
"Alright all those in favor of Kingdom of the Roses." Clais said raising his hand.
None of the other Lords raised their hands ,and Clais put his hand down and waited.
"All those in favor of the Highland Kingdom." Birks said raising his hand.
Almost everyone at the table raised their hand.
Movan sighed and hit a book on the table. "The vote passes the Kingdom of the Roses will now be the Highland Kingdoms, now if there is no more business I must get some rest." Movan said sleepily. "Pass the word throughout the Kingdom of the Change of our my sigil will remain the Red Rose and Grow the Rose Shatter the Rock will remain our motto."
"That we can all agree on." Birk said with a smile get some rest.
Marius watched concerned as Movan left the room when the council left Marius went to go find Borak who was probably waiting in the stables for him to hunt in the forest. Marius walked quickly and overheard the new Council arguing over where to put the council hall, and who would be financing its construction.
Marius entered the courtyard and entered the stables there Borak was sharpening his hunting knife bored from waiting.
"Took you long enough Marius." Borak said as Marius approached, "The horses are ready."
"Then let's get going." Marius said eagerly.
Marius mounted his horse Borak sheathed his hunting knife and mounted and together they rode out the south gate and into the forest. This time both of them had swords within easy reach attached to their saddles orders from Movan after the Assassination attempt. They rode quietly both of them not saying a word each one listening for any sound of an animal they dismounted and sat under a tree and ate dried meat they had brought with them. Then they heard a scream from somewhere in the forest. The hair on both of their necks stood on end as another scream echoed in the forest.
Marius ran to his horse and mounted and rode into the forest following the scream.
"Marius wait for me!" Shouted Borak as he scrambled to get to his horse.
Marius sped on toward the scream, as Marius rode he heard the shout of several men.
"Come on hold her down so I can.." The man was cut short then the man's voice began cursing. "Oh now you're going to get it wench."
Marius and his black hunting horse burst through the brush Marius's sword drawn Marius's horse bucked and threw Marius before it ran away into the forest. Marius stood using his sword as a prop to help him to his feet. In front of him Marius saw a woman in tattered clothes with the top of her dress torn off exposing strange leather cloths. the woman had long flowing black hair her body was slenderer than any woman Marius had ever seen . Her assailants stood shocked by Marius's arrival. In total there were six each one with a dumbfounded look on their face.
"Get him I'll deal with the girl." Said the man who had been shouting before.
The other five looked at their leader then charged Marius knives, and clubs in hand. Marius moved into the fighting stance he was taught by Firentis. The five men charged at once raising their weapons over their heads, with Marius's free hand he held his sword and blocked the first man then kicked the second away he let his sword slide down and cut into the first attacker as he came down the man grunted in pain and fell to the ground. The second and third came in at the same time Marius blocked both of them and slid backward as they pressed harder. Marius let his sword slip and cut his blade across their arms. the fourth and fifth dropped their weapons and ran into the forest while the first second and third were on the ground holding their wounds. Their leader grabbed the woman and held his knife to her throat. The woman came down with her head and bit the man's hand then knocked the knife away and headbutted the man and kicked him in the groin for good measure as the man held his nose. Marius removed tunic and handed it to the woman who was standing stunned by what had just transpired.
"Thank you." Said the woman as she put it on.
"You are welcome my lady." Marius said. "It is not safe for you to be out alone."
"I was traveling to see my father he lives not to far from here." The woman said.
"Allow us to escort you my lady my friend Borak and I will escort you home." Marius said chivalrously."
"That is very kind of you but there is no need I can handle myself." Said the woman.
"Really?" Marius said looking at the men who had assailed her.
"Very well, but I warn you my father does not like strange men." the woman said with a slight smile.
"Marius are you alright my prince?" Borak said as he came through the brush leading Marius's horse by the Reigns. and behind the horse the two who had tried to escape.
"Yes Borak I am fine." Marius said I see you brought my horse and the two who escaped my wrath.
"You're the Prince?" Asked the woman curtsying.
"No need for that, let's get you home." Marius said eagerly. "Borak toss me my scabbard and guard these men while I escort her home."
Borak nodded, dismounted and threw the scabbard to Marius's sword to Marius.
Marius undid his belt and attached his scabbard, cleaned his sword and sheathed it. Then he extended his hand to the woman.
"Shall we be off." Marius said politely
The woman took Marius's hand and began to walk with him through the forest.
"So is he your lover?" The woman asked.
"No he is an old friend." Marius said with a smile.
"His eyes tell a different story." The woman said.
"Really I hadn't noticed before." Marius said nervously.
"And so do yours young prince." Said the woman with a sly smile.
"Well we uh.. is it really that obvious?" Marius asked curiously after a long awkward pause. " I mean he and I have."
The woman laughed. "You don't have to tell me the details I know how it all works." Said the woman.
"What is your name my lady?" Asked Marius as they ducked under a low hanging branch.
"I'm Pyra." Said Pyra turning her head slightly to Marius.
"You live out here?" Marius asked as he struggled to climb over a fallen tree.
"Yep my father has a workshop out here which also serves as our house." Pyra said happily. We've been all around the world and you wouldn't believe the things I've seen."
"Really, we get trade ships from the other continents that import many things to our continent." Marius said.
"I come from one of the Europan Countries across the Great Sea." Pyra said. "My father's work took us to many places my favorite was the Kingdom of the Britons they knew how to party. Although we had to leave since the Bellum Imperii was encroaching on their land."
"Who?." Marius said with a frown.
"You haven't heard of them?" Pyra asked. "They are an empire that originated in Italia one of the southern countries."
"I see." Marius said "If they ever come here they will have a good fight on their hands." Marius said confidently."
"They wouldn't come this far they are too busy with other nations to worry about this continent." Pyra said with a smile. "There is also a continent of people who can bend the elements my father has done a lot of work for one of the factions."
"Bend?" Marius said confused.
"They use the Elements Fire, Water, Earth, and Air as tools sometimes for fighting." Pyra explained. "I'm confusing you aren't I?"
"A little men using elements to fight instead of steel weapons or bows and arrows." Marius said as they came into a clearing with a large two story house in it.
"Sorry I forget to explain things, then I start to Ramble on." Pyra said with a smile.
"So why are you called Pyra?" Marius asked.
"I was born on the continent with the Benders on it I can't bend any elements neither can my father. It was fitting since I was born In a place called the Fire Nation while my mother and father were working for the firelord there." Pyra said.
"Makes sense fire lord since he rules over a nation of people who wield fire." Marius said. "So this is your house?"
"Yes come with me to the workshop father won't mind." Pyra said taking Marius's hand.
As they came to the front of the large house the front door opened and a chubby man stepped stepped out holding a wood and metal tube with a match he was holding to a string that lit.
"Hold it right there sir." Said the man aiming the wood and metal device at Marius. "This will rip right through your chain mail."
Marius put his hand on his sword hilt.
"Father put that down he saved me from bandits who tried to have their way with me." Pyra said stepping in front of Marius. "Plus he's the Prince of this land."
"I thank you for saving my daughter, please come in." Said the chubby man as he put out the string on the device and lowered it.
Marius looked at Pyra who nodded and led him into the house. The Chubby man looked at Marius suspiciously as Marius entered his home.
Pyra went upstairs and left her father, and Marius alone. The man put the device against the wall and went over to a work table. the room had several drawings of strange machines that Marius had never seen before.
"Sir if I may ask what is that device you were aiming at me?" Marius asked turning from a design for a winged machine.
"I call it the Arquebus." Said the man without turning around I use a black powder substance that sparks when ignited with fire, inside the tube there is a projectile that launches out and into the target, although it's not very accurate. But when it hits armor it goes right through."
"That's amazing." Marius said astounded.
"Yes it's my latest creation it is very hard to make since I don't have the resources needed to produce many of them." the man said.
"You two getting along?" Asked Pyra as she entered the workshop.
when Pyra came down she was wearing pants made out of leather and a long coat which was also leather.
"Yes Pyra, I was just telling him about my Arquebus." The man said turning to Pyra.
"You should show it to my father the king he would probably like to see such a device." Marius said. "I really should be going Borak is waiting."
"Tell the king I will come in a week." Said the man turning to Marius.
"Tell your lover I said hello." Said Pyra nodding to Marius.
Marius turned and walked out of the quickly from the strange house and the strange people inside. He walked back to where Borcha was waiting for him with the horses they both mounted and rode back to Veluca Marius telling Borak all he had seen in the strange house. At the evening meal that evening he told Movan about what the chubby man had said. Movan seemed interested and that night as Marius slept his dreams were filled with the things he had seen in that strange house."