Chapter 4
Visits and Celebrations
"Misery brings people together, and prosperity sometimes makes them jealous"
- Aldous in his lessons on Thedas history.
Preparations for the king's visit and concealed information
There was a great stir at Cousland Castle with the arrival of King Marc Therin, Teyrn Loghen Mac Tir, and Arl Rendon How. Teyrna Eleanor oversaw the cleaning work, had the curtains washed, new tablecloths and napkins ordered, the floors scrubbed, the guest rooms tidy. Teyrn Bryce preferred to give up on his wife, so that she wouldn't put him to work as well. Mr. Wysokoża preferred to hide in his office, browsing through documents about the collections, as well as candidates for knights. As he looked through the harvest reports, he noticed a certain inaccuracy. Looking at the bills, he noticed that there was a shortage of grain supplies and that one of the villages had not paid tribute. Looking through reports and finding nothing of cried out - Peter!
- My lord, did you call? - asked the chamberlain bowing.
- Yes, please call the treasurer and the seneschal. - Bryce said firmly but respectfully to his servant.
- Of course my lord. - Peter replied closing his eyes and bowing again.
While he waited, Teyrn calmly poured the honey into three goblets and prepared papers that contained errors. When there was a knock, Bryce ordered the people he had called to come in and then dismissed the chamberlain. Then he motioned the Seneschal's right hand to the Treasurer to sit down. Teyrn watched them closely, hands clasped under his nose, and saw their curiosity, then straightened up and asked - Do you know why I called you here?
- No sir - both replied simultaneously.
- I summoned you because of inaccuracies with the tax collection of the village of Nothgam. - Bryce announced ironically placing the papers in front of them.
Arranz Trraenal and Colin Rallen looked at the papers, then at each other with embarrassed embarrassment. Seneschal took a breath and began to explain - My lord, we have hidden this fact from you because the Nothgham village has been completely destroyed.
- Forgive me, my lord, but we were afraid you might want to go against the raiders, especially now with the crisis going on. - the treasurer said guiltily.
Teyrn got up, began to walk around the room, trying not to send both officials to the scaffold, but he paused for a moment and decided that it was an excellent trump card that could be used to gather advice and at a convention of the nobles. At the same time, Arranz and Colin watched the nervous lord circling the room. Bryce sat down, drank some honey and said - I understand your concerns, but next time you are not to keep this information secret.
- I understand, I swear it won't happen again. - Trraenal announced, nodding his head.
- And I promise I will keep no secrets from you, my lord. - Rallen swore with regret in his eyes.
- Well, since all this, you can leave and return to your duties. - Teyrn said impassively, his expression serious.
As the two clerks left, Bryce leaned against the back of his chair and looked up at the ceiling then closed his eyes and began to think. As he lost his mind, the dream of Uther and Arthur came back to him. He opened his eyes, got up from his chair and walked calmly to the window, then stared out at the Sea of Awakened with a distant gaze, wondering if he would prepare the boy well for what he was destined to do.
The visit of the King
A few days later.
It was a quiet morning, each of the villagers and of the Cousland Castle going about their responsibilities. Roland climbed the tower and noticed a guard who was dozing off the nave. He walked up to him and nudged his halberd that the poor fellow had fallen to the ground. The Guardian rubbed his head, then looked up to see the knight commander staring down with a stern expression on his face. Roland stared at the horizon, narrowed his eyes harder he turned towards the exit, but he stopped in front of the door and commanded sternly - Announce that the king is coming.
The soldier quickly picked himself up from the ground with a cross - Order!
Everywhere there was movement, people gathered and waited impatiently to see King Maric the Liberator. When the royal retinue entered the village, all the inhabitants looked on with admiration. The royal procession consisted of 15 knights, 50 soldiers and a coach. Fifteen knights rode in the front of the sixty soldiers in the center, and twenty foot soldiers in addition to five armed incursions. The knights were the king's personal guardsmen, selected only from the Denerim arlate. The coat of arms wore heavy plate armor, helmets with a raised golden visor, and attached swords, axes or bulbs at the waist. Each of them was holding in their dominant hand a lance on the top of which was waving a banner, and in the other hand they wore shields with the king's coat of arms. The steeds were of the Ferlden coat of arms, wearing a headdress, with a symbol of Ferelden on each. They were commanded by King Maric himself, he wore golden dragonbone armor, his famous sword at his belt. He had long blond hair and hazel eyes, a strong stature, surrounded by the aura of a leader. The soldiers, on the other hand, consisted of Gwareness and Amaranth infantry. The Hikers of Gwaren had their fame and recognition throughout Ferelden, and they were led by the Hero of Ferelden Teyrn Loghan MacTir himself. The Gwaresians wore heavy chain mail armor of steel, helmets covering their faces with a metal crest on top of their heads. Armed with iron-wood transoms and metal reinforcements, long combat spears, and at the belt swords, axes and daggers. TeyrnLoghan rode ahead of his infantry, clad in silver plate armor, wore a dragonbone sword at his waist, and a silver shield with a painted wyvern that was his ancestral crest. His expression was stern but calm, his hair was long dark in color, with two strands down either side of his temples and cheeks, and his eyes were blue. The soldiers of Amaranth were very good, they wore studded leather armor, and they wore small wooden shields, bows on their backs with full arrows, and axes, swords, daggers, and maces at their belts. Amaranth troops were created mainly for skirmishes or rough combat. They were led by RendonHowe arl Amaranth himself, who was one of the heroes of the uprising against the Orlesians wearing his rich noble garb in the colors of Amaranth and a ceremonial sword. He had a proud demeanor and paid no attention to chatter, his hair was cut short and well-arranged in color black, his eyes were brown. In the middle of the horse warriors there was a richly decorated carriage in which prince Calian and daughter Teyrna Anora rode along with the both of them nannies. Prince Calian had the appearance of a father, only the younger one, he wore short blonde hair, beer-colored eyes and an ever-smiling face. The boy was clad in a gentleman's dress of golden cloth and leather boots. Anora was calm even though she was younger than Maric's son, she looked like a beauty from heaven, she had long blonde hair, the color of her eyes was the same as the slave's. She was wearing a yellow and gray dress and blue slippers. Calian watched through the blinds all the time, he was impressed with how warmly they were welcomed by the people from Highever.
The boy kept drilling all the time that the nanny must have been reassuring him by saying - My prince, this is not behavior worthy of your position.
- Nanny but I'm bored, we've been going like this since dawn - complained the young prince.
- Stop whining Caliana, we have come here to pay our respects and congratulations on the birth of Teyrn Cousland's youngest son. - Anora said, clearly annoyed by her friend's attitude.
- I know that, Anora, but we've been on the road for several days and it's getting really boring. - the boy said in a bored voice.
- Children, please stop arguing. - said calm Nanny Anora, whom the girl always called Nan then added - The prince, adjust the collar, and you have to present your dresses with dignity to the teyrons of the Couslands.
- Yes Nan - the children nodded with a sigh.
The procession reached the castle and then petals of flowers began to fall from the buildings, garlands and ribbons hung on the roads, hung on the roofs of the houses. King Maric rode proudly on his tombstone, waving at the crowd from time to time. The procession finally reached the citadel where the Teyrns and their children waited.
At the time the kings entered the village, the Cousland family was in the final stages of preparation. When everything was buttoned up to the last button, all the important men of the Teyrniru lined up behind the seniors of these lands. The guard called that the king was approaching and when Tern Loghan entered, everyone was still standing, only the king's entry made everyone knelt. When the three divisions lined up and the prince left the carriage, Maric dismounted, then he and his son walked over to the Couslands, they would stand in front of them, and showed with his fingers that they were to rise. The king looked at Bryc wryly and said - Hello Teyrnie Cousland.
- Hail king, Highland is yours. - said to Bryce that with the calmness in his voice and eyes.
Maric looked up at him and said - You fell - down then the stiff atmosphere subsided and the two men embraced each other, laughing at the same time, and everyone else smiled heartily at the scene.
After embracing the old friend, the king's gaze turned to Eleanor, who was standing behind her husband, holding their child. Maric walked over, then with a smile he said kissing Terna on both cheeks - Hello Elli, good to see you well.
- Hail king and see you in good shape. - Eleanor said heartily, correcting his grip.
- You see the Maker was kind to you, a beautiful boy was born to you. - said the king, looking at the youngest of the Couslands, smiling at the same time, meanwhile.
Bryce approached the two lords who came with the king and said - Hello Loghanie and you Rendon, it's good to see you in full strength. - then he exchanged a knightly hug with each of them.
- Hello Teyrna Cousland and good to see you. - Loghan said with his familiar stoic attitude and tone.
- Right hello old friend, I hope your little one is not giving you a hard time? - ArlHowe asked with a smile, and they both greeted Bryc friendly. Everyone greeted and laughed as befits old comrades-in-arms.
- Surely you are weary of the long journey, the service will lead you to your chambers. - said Teyrna nobly.
- Of course, but first he wants to talk to you, Bryc and Loghan alone. - said Maric in a serious tone.
- Of course my lord, please follow me. - announced Teyrn Cousland respectfully and added to his wife - Honey, are you taking care of the rest of the guests of the law?
- Of course my husband - Eleanor nodded, nodding her head and pointing to the guests as the king and his two Ternas headed towards Teyrn Cousland's office.
A council of the three mighty Houses of Ferelden
The three chiefs walked in silence until they came to a door behind which was Teyrn Bryc's office. Teyrn Cousland opened the door, admitted the king first, then entered before, and finally Teyrn Loghan entered the room. Everyone sat down at a table that had been placed in the office for the time of the guests' visit. There were two metal pitchers in the center of the table top, one containing mead and the other holding Ferelden wine. Teyrn poured the thyrn Mac Tir wine, and he and the king drank honey. First, Maric started reminiscing about the old days during the Orles occupation, how things seemed easier in retrospect. Both teyrns agreed with their king, knowing what he meant. Bryce stroked his chin, sniffing himself, but finally asked - Lord forgive your audacity, you rather wanted to remember the old days with your only two teyrns, right?
Maric and Loghan looked at each other and nodded in agreement. The king took a deep breath, folded his hands into the peak, then covered his mouth with it, taking a serious tone and gazing, and began - As you know, we have recently had problems with the Avars and Hasidim who refuse to recognize me as a king.
- Yes, I heard about that. - said Bryce curiously.
- That's why Loghan proposes to force them into submission - the king said seriously.
- Lord, if diplomacy does not work, force must be used. - Loghan determined.
- I'm not convinced Loghanie. - Cousland said calmly.
- Why? - Maric asked, wanting to know the opinion of Teyrn Highever.
- The first reason you need to prepare for a long and arduous campaign. - Bryce said stiffly.
- It is rather logical. - Loghan announced with a smile.
- The second reason is to mobilize more people so that our lines are not stretched. - Cousland announced and his expression became even more serious.
- I understand it requires extra cost - Maric thought thoughtfully.
- The last two reasons are that the savages helped us during the rebellion, and this conflict will exhaust us, which our enemies can do. - Bryce said definitely, without a shadow of a doubt.
- Maybe if we don't act carefully. - Mac Tir tried to convince with Cousland's slightly frustrated attitude.
- No Loghanie, Bryce is right, the kingdom is still in poor shape after the war with Orles. - Maric agreed with the Teyrn of Highland.
Teyrn Gwaren thought for a moment about the words of his comrades and decided that they were right, so he reluctantly agreed. Bryce smiled, but then sighed, knowing there was one more thing.
- Well, maybe you can tell what is the second thing. - Cousland asked carefully.
- I have a proposal for both of you and I want your families to come together through marriage. - said Maric calmly.
The two teyrns looked first at each other and then at the king, squinting for a precise explanation of this proposition. Therin, seeing this, sighed and laid out his plan to them, '' He wants you to join together, and in the future our grandchildren could do the same by bolstering the royal legitimacy with the blood of the two greatest families of Ferelden. As he explained his way of thinking about the country's benefits and stability, the king began to see understanding in Loghan. but he saw Bryce doubt the plan. TeyrnCousland explained his fear that he might be received badly by the powerful, especially the likes of Howe. Bannorns and arlatu may begin to work towards lowering the authority of the crown, which may lead to civil war and intervention by other countries over time. Marich thought for a moment and agreed that he was right again, but Loghan announced that the combined armies of the troika could keep the country safe from such a conflict. Fighting for arguments took a long time and it was decided, but wait with the decision. The king and the teyrns finished their drinks, and Bryce reported the plight of teyrniru and the trouble with the raiders who plagued the north coast of Ferelden all the time. The discussion on this topic lasted a long time, and finally it got dark, and the three of them went to supper.
Callian and Fergus
While the king and his troops held a secret council, Eleanor accommodated their guests in their rooms. Rendon Howe retired to his guest quarters, while the four children separated. Marion and Anora went to the room where Arthur slept, and Fergus and Calian went to the training ground where knights usually train. Both boys ran around the square until they spotted a rack of practice swords, they walked over and watched, each one carefully. The young prince could not resist, so he drew one of them and began to wave it around, pretending to be a great hero. Fergus, seeing Calian waving the weapon and falling several times, made him laugh unrestrainedly. The prince, hearing his companion laugh and pout - Maybe you can do better!?
- Forget it. - Fergus announced and added - Currently I'm practicing with a wooden sword, I won't be able to lift an iron one yet.
- Ha. I manage somehow so you see I'm stronger than you. - Calian was boasting.
- It is possible, but my mentor says that fighting is not about strength but cleverness and caution - the son of teyrna of the haughty prince tempered.
- Yes, yes, convince yourself of that - Maric's son mocked, Fergus was about to come up to him and hit him, but suddenly a voice was heard.
-Hey, you bastards, what are you doing here, get out of the square - the boys noticed an old man with a broomstick walking towards them.
Fergus quickly grabbed Calian by the arm and said - We believe. - starting to run away. Laughing at it, as if their quarrel had not taken place. The boys started running around the castle while they got wet.
Anora, Marion and Arthur
Meanwhile
Marion and Anora reached Lady Eleanor and Teyrn Bryc's room. They entered the room, the Couslands daughter turned her head towards her friend, raised her index finger to her mouth, indicating that they must remain silent. They both went to the cradle and saw little Arthurslittle asleep. Anora grew emotional, she had to try to suppress a squeal of delight at the sight a stretched baby. Arthur opened his eyes and directed them first at his sister, seeing her he began to gurgling merrily. However, when he heard another sound of delight and focused his eyes on the place where the sound was coming from. His eyes saw a girl with golden hair and blue eyes. The boy stretched out his right hand as if he were trying to reach Anora's face. The little girl smiled, then Marion grabbed her friend's right hand and held it out to her brother, who grasped his index finger and then began to laugh merrily.
The daughter of the Couslands, seeing this, looked at them with a slight jealousy what she expressed with the interwords - You can see that my dear little brother liked you very much, hmm.
- You think so? - Anora asked, sensing something in her friend's voice.
- Of course, you can see that you can charm even a baby. - said Marion derisively.
Seeing her peer, the jealous girl replied - Don't worry I will not take your beloved sweet little brother.
- I only know he is joking, and you would not cope with him anyway, my parents have difficulties with him. - the Cousland daughter announced, laughing at the same time.
- So are you so mean? - the girl asked, smiling all the time.
Éowyn, looking at the girls who were standing by the cradle, their attention focused on the little boy. She walked up to them and said - Ah, girls, now it's gonna be hard to make him fall asleep again.
- I'm sorry nanny. - Marion apologized.
- Well, you have to sing him a lullaby. - sighing, Éowyn announced, and took the baby in her arms.
Then made it comfortable in her arms and began humming, followed by singing:
Bee noree gaeer
Linnndaa laannya szann rennee
Suull miiriinaaa vaiwaa coir
Star miinndaa im solor
Koor aann Sadeht
Ta in no oloorr
Ta eechuiir i ta im
Keemmenn nii mitaaya
A ni lasta ma aattaar meenelll.
(We are the people of the sea.
The singing of the waves is our hymn.
The wind pushes our ships.
See beyond the fog Land.
We came to Thedas.
Here we will build a house.
Here death will take me.)
The girls were impressed and immediately asked if it was an elven language. Eowina said that this is the language of the Arwars from which she comes. Both Marion and Anora were impressed and wanted to learn the song, but they woke Arthur up again with enthusiasm. The nurse shook her head with a sigh and began to sing again. When the little one fell asleep again, she led the girls out and took them to the dining room, and they joined their parents.
The Couslands proposal
In the banquet hall, all the guests and the householders of the castle sat down at the table except Eowyn, who looked after little Arthur. Everyone feasted, talked, drank and joked, everyone in the supper looked happy. The king spoke to Teyrn Bryc about the baptism and appointment of new knights tomorrow. Teyrn looked at his wife with whom he exchanged discreet glances.
- Actually, I wanted to ask you, Teyrna Loghanie, to be Arthur's godfather. - Bryce respectfully offered.
- If I may ask why? - Mac Tir curious asked at this proposition.
- It would be a great honor for us if you would agree. - sweetened Teyrna, speaking in a cordial voice.
- Say it, Loghanie, don't let me ask you. - the king interjected, urging his friend to accept the offer.
- Okay then I will be honored. - he agreed nodding his head at the same time.
When everyone had eaten, there was a dance. However, when it was over, all those present at the supper said goodbye and then went to their chambers.
In the banquet hall, all the guests and the householders of the castle sat down at the table except Eowyn, who looked after little Arthur. Everyone feasted, talked, drank and joked, everyone in the supper looked happy. The king spoke to Teyrn Bryc about the baptism and appointment of new knights tomorrow. Teyrn looked at his wife with whom he exchanged discreet glances.
- Actually, I wanted to ask you, Teyrna Loghanie, to be Arthur's godfather. - Bryce respectfully offered.
- If I may ask why? - Mac Tir curious asked at this proposition.
- It would be a great honor for us if you would agree. - sweetened Teyrna, speaking in a cordial voice.
- Say it, Loghanie, don't let me ask you. - the king interjected, urging his friend to accept the offer.
- Okay then I will be honored. - he agreed nodding his head at the same time.
When everyone had eaten, there was a dance. However, when it was over, all those present at the supper said goodbye and then went to their chambers.
Christening
The next morning, the final preparations for the baptism and the fitting ceremony began. Eleanor was dressed in her festive gown which was blue and white with golden rose embroidery. Blue slippers with an oval sapphire on the tongue. Bryce, on the other hand, preferred a blue doublet with a silver laurel greyhound, and he wore black leather boots with a silver pin. Arthur was dressed in a white shirt with Cousland laurels and white shoes.
- Ready? - Bryce asked while waiting for his wife.
- Of course dear - Teyrna replied and took her little son in her arms and they left together.
They walked together along the corridor to the great hall, where the beginning of the celebration took place. They entered the cross, then the celebration of the praise began, all formed a retinue and moved towards the castle chapel where the ritual was to take place. In the retinue, Mother Malory followed her, the sisters and brothers. Arthur's parents and godparents are in the middle, and finally the rest of the guests with the king. Every meter soldiers stood making a route to the chapel. When they got there, they saw how the chapel was beautifully decorated. On the walls were hanging standards of the order, i.e. the golden sun on a red background, and on the ground was a carpet with identical colors. Everyone took their place. First, there was a service where the Song of Light was chanted, then the baptism began, the parents of the child stood in the front, followed by the godparents. First, they all swore to educate and help the Andrastian traditions. Then a prayer for Arthur's welfare and finally the traditional council of clergy. Then they all left and went to the baptism feast. Everyone was entertained until the afternoon. It was then that the ceremony began where the soldiers were to receive the greatest honor for their merits. All the candidates knelt down and swore allegiance to the king and then to their teyrn. The feast lasted all day until late at night, when all the guests had gone to rest