Chapter 27
Addled
You may say what you please, but I may both say and do what I please. -Artaxerxes, Parallel Lives by Plutarch
The first thing Lorelei realised after the ship landed was how crisp the air had become.
The princess had spent a winter in Kaldos before, just after her second marriage. Erlend had largely shunned her bed throughout their marriage with a few exceptions, but formality (and the threat that Kiordan might visit them) demanded that they interact throughout their stay. Erlend was both generous and conceited in the way he had shown her around the city, but she was quick to realise it was Kaldos he loved, not her.
She was greeted by quite the crowd. Woodlanders mingled freely with vermin about the streets, but they gravitated towards the second notable Imperial vessel to enter the harbour. The scent of so many beasts together was something Lorelei did not remember from her last visit, and she resolved to be away from it as soon as possible.
Rissos, unused to crowds, trailed behind her like a shadow. The few times she looked back, Lorelei could see that he was observing the local customs and attires, and marvelling at the sound of the local tongue. A diplomat is supposed to be inquisitive, thought Lorelei, and left him to his own devices.
When the little party entered Kaldos Castle they were scarcely greeted at all, save by a tall hare who took great pains to bow to Lorelei. "Welcome to Kaldos, Lady Lorelei. I apologise for the chilly reception - Lord Erlend took most of his servants towards Floret, and it appears I am the highest ranking beast remaining here."
"Lord Bragi, I assume," said Lorelei, looking up and down the hare. "I thank you for your hospitality, meager as it is."
"All of you are coming to the gathering at Gystra, I assume?" asked the hare as what few staff the castle still possessed relieved the group of their belongings. "I've heard Lord Lamont and King Willem are sparing no cost - a reception fit for an emperor." His eyes connected with Rissos's for a moment. "Or two, even. Tell me, will His Radiance attend our the festivities?"
"He is unable to leave Kalopolis at the moment, being preoccupied with factional disputes," stated the rat, coldly looking at the walls of the castle. Everything that was of value had been stripped away, observed Lorelei, to fund the Glorr forts. But what would happen once there was nothing left to strip anymore?
"A shame. He would find it most amusing. Realising that the woodlanders of the north are still prone to struggles as petty as those back home."
"You need not worry," replied the rat, straightening his colourful emissary robes. "I am here to laugh in his stead, as are my lutrine companions."
Ryksa spoke up next. "We are here to find husbands for our daughters. I've heard good things about the otters across the strait."
"There are three Streambattle pups unmarried," said Bragi. "And another one of them who may as well be." The hare's gaze landed on Sigurd. "You need to work on that." The tall otter murmured something under his breath, and gasped when he found the hare next to him suddenly. "Your father would be quite disappointed should he not see grandpups from you."
"I know that, and he does as well," said the younger otter. "If you don't mind, could you show us to our rooms? Lord Erlend would be disappointed if you do not give us some rest soon."
Bragi stood still for a moment before he nodded. "Come here, your young lord Sigurd has rooms to offer you!"
As the highest ranking beast who travelled to Kaldos, Lorelei found herself in Erlend's room once more.
The chamber was colder than she remembered. Most of the tapestries that sheltered the room from draughts had been sold, and even the carpets had been removed. The otter suddenly gained an appreciation for her socks as she gazed around the black and grey stones that made up the walls and the dark brown oak planks that were the floor.
She went to lie on the bed as she recalled how embarrassing her previous experiences in it were. Erlend took care to seldom touch her, and they never truly got acquainted with each other in the room, or even in the entire castle.
Before she could recall more about the beast who was supposed to be her husband she opened her eyes, and found that there was no light coming from outside the window.
"It's dark already…" she mused as she rolled off the bed, cursing her negligence as her bare pawpads touched the cold floorboards. Putting on stockings and shoes did not take her long, and neither did walking out into the corridors.
The castle's staff weaved all around her, clearly not willing to obstruct an otter who had just woken. Without sunlight, all the passageways were lit by tiny candles, their flames guttering in the winter breeze. Without the paintings and statues, the castle looked dead, and Lorelei found herself thinking of Redwall Abbey. How could that place up North be more alive than here?
She found the room housing another visitor, and knocked.
"Yes?" asked the inhabitant. The voice was deep, like most males, but it felt squeaky - and thus was quite recognisable.
"Skuli, it's Lady Lorelei, and I wish to speak with you this instant."
Lorelei heard the sound of a ferret dropping off a bed, followed by a few frantic pawsteps and the twisting of a doorknob.
"I heard you were coming!" said Skuli when he opened the door, beckoning Lorelei within. "I just forgot about it. Oh, and you did not have to knock, you know - your husband owns this castle."
"I care for you too much to enter unannounced," replied the otter, sitting on the unkempt bed Skuli had been lying on just moments ago. "I'm here to ask about Kiormund."
"Your pup?"
"Your sons are friends with him, right?"
"Just my youngest kit."
"I thought you would be familiar with him."
"I never said I wasn't." Skuli chuckled. "I figured that Egil would want a friend his age, to guide him through those mysterious teenage seasons." The ferret's lips curled into a wry smile. "You know, it is rather strange to think of times gone by - it's been almost two-score seasons since I was as young as he was."
"Did you have friends back then?"
"Certainly - one wouldn't meet any kind of success without them. After all, you can't get far ahead in life without cosying up to the right sort of beasts."
"Are you sure?"
"Well, if you haven't noticed you must be one of the 'right sort of beasts'." The ferret crossed his arms. "Ah well - most of them aren't alive anymore - comes with age. One moment they're there, alive, and the next they're not. Time does have a way of eroding a beast's soul, until one day nothing remains."
"I'm sorry to hear that," said Lorelei. "I hope the few that remain are treating you well."
"Lord Erlend does, as does your father, and I think you're close enough to me that I can name my daughter after you." Skuli frowned. "The rest are troublesome at best."
"Troublesome?" asked the otter, hoping for and dreading the answer simultaneously.
"Regret, anguish, utter and complete hatred," said Skuli as his brows furrowed. "You are the daughter of emperors and lords - you should know those well."
Deciding that she had taken the hint, Lorelei nodded. "I wouldn't ask further questions if it's making you uncomfortable."
"Thank you. And keep the rat away from me, alright? I've had my fill of Laskarines running around trying to tell me to do things. Now, back to Egil." The ubiquitous smile returned to Skuli's muzzle. "He gets along quite well with Kiormund. Well, until your pup decided to stay at Redwall. According to my knowledge, time diminishes and weakens all bonds - love of friends, love of family, love of flesh, love of heart… but I've heard song after song where it only strengthens a brave hero's resolve."
"I have faith that Egil would grow into that were he given the right opportunities. All I've heard about the kit is good - he's a scholar in the making, he can defend himself… and I think he has inherited all of your charm and a bit more."
"Thank you… though I would have to disagree."
"Why?"
"Because being a legend, being sung of by minstrels, minnesänger, trouvères and troubadours centuries later - it takes resolve, and the ability to bear great suffering. I don't know if he can do so - but I do know I want none of that happening. Not while I still draw breath."
"He'll be safe," said Lorelei. "He knows how to get out of trouble. Kiormund doesn't."
"Hah! Us ferrets have a reputation of sneaking away from danger, while you otters? You just charge into its midst, with crimson eyes and swords in paw, until the enemy is dead or routed. Dead and routed? It matters not - I see why the Laskarines consider your kind weapons who walk and talk."
Lorelei nodded. "Part of why we hold this part of the world - but we need beasts who go to places not touched by nobility, and somebeast brave enough and clever enough to watch our backs, considering we cannot trust our own to do so."
The ferret merchant chuckled. "Just don't be too surprised if you lose your realm that way!"
"That's a joke, right?"
"Erm, yes. It was intended as one."
"Good."
Under normal circumstances visitors would be welcomed by a feast, or at least a well-stocked dinner table. However, servant absences had rendered that plan unlikely to be implemented, and now the guests were huddled around the fire, enjoying some bread, soup and fish, the latter two of which seemed to be prepared at the last minute.
Sigurd Streambattle took the main seat at the dais, flanked by Lorelei and Bragi on both sides. Skuli took an inconspicuous place at the end of a table, but that did not stop Rissos from locating him. Watching the ferret being pestered by questions from the rat from above diminished Lorelei's appetite, but she managed to finish her serving.
"I'm genuinely sorry," said Sigurd between bites of his fish. "We had to work twice as hard to-"
"It is not your fault, pup," replied the princess. "You were with us. It's your father's problem - he only sees what's in front of him, and not that far ahead."
"He doesn't need a pair of specta- that was a metaphor, right?"
"It was. Erlend is a more than passable soldier, I suppose, but he doesn't have a clue about navigating this sea of plans and plots."
"I understand that I have much to learn," replied Sigurd, glancing over at Bragi, who was busying himself with the Laskarine otters. "There will be beasts who will look up to me, as both Lord of Kaldos and my father's son, and everybeast needs to wrangle with expectations." He took a sip from his goblet. "But you know that, right? You are your father's only daughter, and heir to at least part of what he has."
"The Emperor didn't know how to be a son, so he tried at being a father with little success. His attention was on all the beasts he ruled over, of which I was only one amongst many. In the past I thought I was just another part of his schemes, but I was only partly correct. Every mountain, every river, every castle, every city, everybeast in the world is another part of his schemes."
"But you are an important part of it! Unlike the burghers of Wossham, the mountain lords of Valence or the assembly-beasts of Tarelis, you are his flesh and blood. He needs you to fulfil his goals and to do what cannot be done within his lifetime."
"And you assume being needed by him would make me feel better?"
"That's how I would approach things, personally," answered Sigurd. "I'm my mother's only son. My sisters need somebeast to watch over them, and what of Kiormund? It has been a great many seasons since you were there for him."
Lorelei's brows furrowed. "Don't worry, I'll have beasts watching over him in Helsker-"
The younger otter banged his paw on the table, earning him a few confused looks from the beasts below. He smiled awkwardly as he gestured for everybeast to focus on their food.
"I mean you should show him some degree of affection. As befits a mother."
"You want me to do more for him."
"An otterlord must look out for his kin, no matter which mother they belong to." Sigurd stabbed a piece of fish with his knife. "Besides, you and I were both his age once. Seventeen - everybeast of that number of seasons must face new desires and new needs. If you aren't there for him nobeast will be."
Lorelei frowned. "Not even you?"
"If only! We've only spent a few scattered seasons together, and truth be told I don't think he likes my company. Watching his father shower affection on his other son would see his esteem washed away, and over so many seasons?"
The older otter nodded. "We should work together on reversing that."
Sigurd nodded. "I'll play my part. You must do the same."
As night fell on Kaldos, Lorelei decided to meet with another beast.
The candles on the walls were starting to dim, and the princess found herself almost walking into a wall on several occasions. The fact that every surface looked the same did her no favours, but eventually she found one of the more lit rooms.
This time, however, she saw no reason to knock.
When the door opened she saw Lord Bragi seated at his table, ruminating over a piece of paper with a quill in his paw. His eyes showed the briefest glint of surprise before he turned away from the otter and returned his attention to the paper.
"I did not expect you to come here, not while I am to issue a report back home, telling everybeast you and Lord Sigurd and a Laskarine have arrived, alongside that ferret from Eucheria." Malice seeped through that last word.
"Would Lady Stenna care so much about so few beasts?"
"What makes you think I am writing to her? She's Lamont's beast through and through, and the more information we can keep from her, the better. No, this is for the leveret."
"You have children?"
"Just one. He's just twelve seasons of age, so he's curious about the wider world, as all young beasts tend to be."
Kiormund would like him, thought Lorelei. "What do you think of your new lord?"
"I expected the duty myself, I must say," answered Bragi. "But Lord Erlend must placate your father. He needs somebeast to hold the islands - somebeast loyal but utterly harmless - and I'm afraid I only fit one of the two categories."
"I am sure my husband is appreciative of your loyalty."
"He has placed his son under my care - a gesture of confidence, and a dignity that nobeast from my house should ignore or forget." Bragi signed his name and stood up, leaving the ink to dry. "With luck I can mold Kiormund into accomplishing great things."
"Such as?"
"Negotiating a better deal with your father, perhaps. Or finally forcing the Eucherians to submit to our rule - those vermin have been a thorn in our side for far too long, and what better way to commence the opening of a new dynasty?"
Lorelei shook her head. "I imagine you'll have as much success as happened in the last century. Erlend needs money, and the Eucherians appear to be swimming in the substance."
"If he could be convinced to-"
"If he decides to invest thousands of grossi into a siege against a city built by the Old Briscans, he would need an agreement with his brother and my father, and when they catch on to your plans… they won't be happy with a richer Travrik that cannot be conquered or manipulated. Your enemies would champion the city's cause, and a single misstep would see them dominate your islands once again."
The hare rolled his eyes. "Surely it's something worth trying? In the past your father has risked more and won more."
"Do you have his blood, hare?" retorted the princess, her whiskers bristling in the cool air of the room. "Do you have his gifts and talents, his connections, and his resources?" The otter snarled in the candlelight. "And do you have any plan to fall back on if this one fails?"
"We'll cross that bridge should it become necessary."
Lorelei decided she had had enough of this beast. "If you do so it will be on your own initiative. You will not use my son for this, or for anything. Do you understand?" Bragi nodded, but the otter shook her head and grabbed one of his long ears.
"You are to teach him how to operate as a true lord of the islands. You are to guide him away from wrong and into right. And finally you are to support him whenever he needs help. If you fail in your duty… I will know - we'll cross that bridge should it become necessary."
Bragi pried himself free from her grasp, rubbing his ear. "I shall do the right thing - you can trust me to do so."
"I did not hear you agree with me."
"Fine. I will help your pup. Now trouble me no longer."
Lorelei nodded and quietly exited the room. I should probably send Stenna a missive - Kiormund needs to know who's willing to do what he says.
But then, would he just disregard her instructions and trust everybeast he sees, not to regret it until it was too late for him?
The otter decided to sleep before she thought of an answer to her own questions.
The otter dug through the wardrobe, muttering to himself as yet another cloak was tossed down onto the floor, adding to a steadily growing pile.
"Have you found what you want yet?" asked the mole beside him. "Surely you've been rummaging through the clothes for long enough?"
"I cannot find anything I like!" said Oswin as he reached for a pair of trousers and tried to put it on, cursing as it failed to fit his legs.
"Nothing left here suits me! You know the Lord Lamont - he cycles through garments all too quickly, even the ones for commoners for some reason."
"Nobles always have their quirks," mused Oswin. To keep him decent, the moles he stayed with wrapped enough towels around him to smother a shrew. The summer air and his thick fur kept him warm, though a distant part of him recalled memories of molting into a winter coat, but his days as a weaselmaid had all become a distant memory.
He wondered how picky he should be when he heard a knock at the door.
"Ah, Avonne!" Daghild rushed forth to get the door, turning the handle with a speed Oswin did not think a mole could have. "You got some new suits!"
"Burr aye!" said the younger mole as she nodded, placing a suitcase onto the floor. Oswin had thought of giving her and her annoying accent a good kick to the rear as soon as nobeast could see them together, but the little creature would go running to Daghild, the one beast in the castle who could understand her easily, and their days of collaboration would be cut terribly short.
"Thank you very much," replied Daghild, patting the other beast's head. "Here, you can take a break for the evening."
Avonne nodded before scooting back down the stairs as Daghild turned back to Oswin. "Here you go, more clothes."
As the otter dug through the chest Daghild sat down on her couch. She had mentioned to the otter that it was her favourite and he should not approach it under any circumstances, but he wondered if this mole meant it literally or not.
"So, a beast from another land?"
Oswin nodded. "Yes, I come from elsewhere."
"Do they wear clothes too?"
"They?"
"Beasts where you come from. Or do they just stride around in the fur?"
"Of course they do!" shouted Oswin. "If we didn't, do you think I would be that particular about what I wear?"
"That makes sense, I suppose," mused Daghild. "So, what were you like back at home?"
Oswin's smile disappeared. "Pardon?"
"Surely you did something before you decided to travel and roam the land. Were you a baker, or a smith? But then, your body doesn't look like you did much manual labour… you're either a scholar like me, or a noblebeast. Like me, again."
Looking away from a wine-red robe for a few moments, Oswin considered his options. She doesn't need the whole truth, I suppose. And she does have the gift… "Well, I'm a Conjurer."
Daghild's eyes widened in curiosity. "A court magician of sorts?"
"Well, I didn't act at court, though I visited some when I was a pup." That last part was a lie. "But stage tricks were not my thing - no, with the right equipment I can bring the power of dreams into reality.
"You're joking."
Slipping his paws into the robe, Oswin chuckled. "I'm always joking. Well, not always, but a lot of the time. But I think you should be shown what I can do."
"Go on. I'm waiting for you."
"I never said I was going to right now!" Oswin gave a nervous chuckle. "I'm afraid I've lost my Amplifier."
"Amplifier?"
"A device that is 'the right equipment' I just spoke of."
"Huh, I think what you saw is all fictional," mused Daghild. "But I know for a fact that fiction is more than often not very much worth studying. Tell me, how does this 'Amplifier' work?"
"Have you ever wondered where the dead go after they, you know, die?"
"They're buried?"
"No, not like that!"
"I'm just toying with you."
"I know. Most of them travel to a world beyond, a plane beyond our reach. Some of them stay here, but it all works the same in that respect. Anyway, there are some objects which deceased beasts form heavy connections to, so a part of their soul must be stuck with it."
"And how do you use these objects?"
"You channel bits and pieces of yourself into them, and then you can form your own connection to it, and access the world beyond. Using the memories of deadbeasts as fuel for your will, your inspiration, thusly great things can then be done!"
"An interesting story," said the mole. "Perhaps you should write it down somewhere, for the benefit of posterity."
"You can tell the tale tomorrow," replied Oswin. "Because you're going to be witness to the Dreamscape's wiles - consider yourself invited to what I have to offer."
"In your dream?"
"Precisely."
"Huh, an idea worthy of experimentation. I've never heard of any two beasts being aware that they're having the same dream. And you're implying we can interact while we sleep?"
Oswin gave a curt nod. "You're going to have a lot of fun. But first… can you offer me a place to sleep? I don't have anywhere else to go, and I don't believe I know anybeast here."
"No problem! I think there are a few spare beds-"
"Beds? You don't need to trouble yourself. I only asked for a room - an otter needs his privacy."
"Then-"
"No worries, I can sleep standing up."
Daghild's eyes squinted and her frame edged forward. "Really?"
"Heh, perhaps we can do another experiment concerning that."
C/N: It appears that another year is over! Compared to my last series of chapters this one is much longer, but also... is a single chapter all I can get for myself this time around? Ah whatever, it's not like I have any more patience dealing with more fools. I'll take what I can get.
I'm tired, the author is tired, and we could both use a little break as I march into a timeskip and him into 2023. Goodbye and goodnight, everyone!
