Chapter 36

A Lord's Calling

We shall be winnow'd with so rough a wind
That even our corn shall seem as light as chaff,
And good from bad find no partition.

-Mowbray, Henry IV Part 2 by William Shakespeare

Like a soaring javelin, Lorelei stormed her way down through the sandstone hallways of her new abode, a scowl sculpted upon her face.

Castle Gystra was teeming with servants as usual, but the attendants, entertainers and kitchen-workers fled at the sight of the anger-filled princess. They crossed far behind her, past gilded window frames and ancient tapestries until they were safe to gossip about whatever they found interesting upon that day.

A noble like Lorelei had no such leisure. Instead, she focused on the beast she had to confront. Back in happier times her father once called her his little storm cloud, but meteorological phenomena come home to roost as often as woodpigeons found her way to the roofs, pots and tables of this new fortress.

She stomped up a winding staircase which led to a door, which was flung wide. Kiordan the Emperor was still in bed, his eyelids sagging with exhaustion, but it was clear to Lorelei that he had been awake for some time.

"Where were you last night, Father?"

"It really isn't much of your business, dear."

Lorelei descended into an armchair Lamont had prepared for Kiordan, but both otters knew that there would be no opposition from him, not this morning. "I think I should know – I woke up to bad tidings."

"How bad?"

"Kio's gone."

"Gone?"

"Vanished. Removed from the city. Was it your doing?"

Kiordan leapt to his footpaws. "No. Never – what do you think I would have to gain from it?"

"You always have a claw in every pie," said Lorelei, "and shove me off whenever I put mine into one! This has always been your way, has it not?"

"I was taken unawares." The emperor spoke quietly. "What did you expect me to do? What do you expect I can accomplish that you cannot?"

Father and daughter sat in silence as the two stared at each other for a few tense moments before the former shook his head. "Could he have run off somewhere?"

"I don't think that's likely."

"He was happy in Redwall, you know."

"And how do you think he could get back there? Besides, he's too scared to stray away from what he's told to do."

"So somebeast presumably commanded him to leave Gystra."

"Or he could have trusted the wrong beast and found himself abducted," spat Lorelei. "Again."

"I'm sure he's learned from last time," muttered Kiordan. "I'm sure. I must prepare myself for the morning fully. As for you, go to Lamont and Erlend Streambattle. I'm sure they'll have answers."

The princess shook her head. "They're unlikely to be good answers."

"They're likely to be the truth," said Kiordan coldly. "And it can wreak greater destruction than all the steel and pestilence and Thaumaturgy in the world combined."

"You're being metaphorical again."

"So I am. I shall see you in an hour or two, and I will not be late this time."

Lorelei found Erlend alone in the castle gardens, slouched over a bench and watching the insects buzz through the flowers. This was the only part of the castle that Lamont had not significantly refurbished – the sandstone pillars and the placid pools had remained unchanged for decades – although his wife had made the decision to import foreign flora. Red and pink begonias clashed with the yellow tulips growing to their side, but the princess doubted either Lord or Lady of Gystra cared about the particulars of floral design.

"I know what you're here for," said the tall otter. "Kiormund's gone to do his duty."

"Helskerland?"

"Yes. The sea is calm, and Bragi will be taking care of him, don't you worry."

"You still know I don't trust him," replied Lorelei. "Not as much as you do."

"You've never had to pick your friends." Erlend rubbed his head. "You never had Lamont Streambattle breathing down your neck."

"You have met my father though, have you? These two are not so dissimilar."

"He… yes, you have a point." Erlend put a paw on Lorelei's shoulder. "I never knew mine – I was born after his passing, fighting on behalf of yours."

"Father has repaid that loyalty, do you not think?"

"To only one of his sons at any given time," spat Erlend. "And I am not always fortunate. He's using us, you see. To keep Southswarders divided in their loyalties."

"He uses all beasts," Lorelei replied, taking in a deep breath. "It's what an emperor does. But not you – why keep Southswarders divided when he can keep Southsward divided?"

A slow nod from Erlend followed. "Perhaps, but Travrik is not sworn to follow the whims of anybeast forever. Not Lamont or I, nor Kiordan or you. But my sons – both of them – they could be different. Sigurd will be a warrior everybeast will look up to, a beast who can inspire the loyalty of many."

"What about Kiormund?"

"He will be the Lord of Helskerland who finally takes Eucheria and its wealth, and songs will be sung of his deeds… but it will be his character for which posterity will remember him."

"He is no warrior – I thought you despised him for that."

"That's because I never trained him to be one. A single spear is enough for two brothers – or you'll see what too many of them would result in. Perhaps you have done so already with Lamont and I. Such is the curse that lies within those who bear the wolven sigil – and perhaps that is also why you have no brothers or sisters to fight alongside or against."

"It's not that," said Lorelei. "But it doesn't matter – I thought you barely raised Kio."

"I trust your mother with his life – maybe even mine. Perhaps the world would be a better place if she were given the Imperial crown… but we did not come here to speak of 'if's. With little Kio in charge of the strait, Southsward will have no choice but to yield. Floret is too isolated from the rest of the world, and Gystra needs its grain from Otharn and Ilsadia. Once the League is crushed, Lamont has no recourse but to obtain concessions from his vassals… and perhaps Travrik will be a kingdom again."

Lorelei stood up. "And you are absolutely sure he will rule well?"

"Nothing is absolute. But I am confident that Bragi will teach him well… or failing that, your father will pull another beast out beneath the rug."

The princess chuckled bitterly. "Perhaps one day you will realise just how little control your words have over the world… but the fact that you let Kio go, no. The fact that you threw him into that particular nest of adders just baffles me!"

"I will never manage to convince you that he's fit to—"

"Just look at him!" shouted Lorelei as she grabbed his husband across the shoulder. "Get your head above your tail and think! If you could keep your ambitions locked up for just a few moments he'd be fine — he might even be happy!"

Erlend wrenched her paw away. "I cannot believe you're the one to say this. You have your own ambitions about the pup, do you not? I know he talked with the Graillards, and I know he did so on your behalf."

"I make no decisions against his will."

"Until you inevitably do." The Lord of Kaldos stood up, towering above Lorelei as she did the same. "I've known you far too long to trust your word… though I must admit the inverse stands true just as well. Then again, everybeast knows me to be untrustworthy, which indicates nobeast trusts me enough for me to fear betrayal. You may pride yourself on your honesty, but when the heavens turn and the tides shift you will find your tongue changing."

"The only way to keep your word is to not give it in the first place," muttered Lorelei.

"Your father is a wiser otter than either of us."

"Then perhaps it's him you should talk to instead of me." Turning around, Lorelei sighed and exited the gardens, retreating back into the labyrinthine corridors that made up the castle.

Dipping her head down into the shadows, the otter almost walked straight into a fox.

"I'm sorry, have you seen the Lord of Kaldos?" asked the newcomer. "He was not in the Great Hall when I was there."

Lorelei gave the vixen a longer look. She was cloaked in the robes that most of her kind had worn in Eucheria, but this one was dyed magenta purple from the remains of the snails that hid amongst the reefs off the coast. She was dressed just like Padrut the Vicarius.

"You're the Dux of Eucheria, I presume," said the otter, standing up to her full height, which was still much shorter than the fox. "Your counterpart told me you were here."

"Padrut also informed me about your intentions to visit Gystra," replied the vixen. "He isn't usually this helpful." She bowed briskly. "I am Glyceria Mendura, of the line of Eucherius, and the beast who the most noble and fortunate city of Eucheria has sent to have it represented at proceedings… and you must be the daughter of the so-called Emperor, correct?"

The otter nodded, ignoring the slight. "I am Lorelei Skyward, heir to the Kingdom of Garlesca and the Duchy of Eichfurt."

"And Lady of Kaldos according to some."

"Recognition of that title is not universal," mused Lorelei, "and is usually not brought up without reason. Name yours."

Glyceria's reply was not surprising in the slightest. "I have to ensure Eucheria's stability and safety – his son's appointment as Lord of Helskerland is worrisome."

His son? Lorelei decided to feign ignorance. "And how does it trouble you?"

"Only rarely has a Lord of Helskerland been an otter, and never has one been so closely related to the Lord of Kaldos. They have the force to threaten our city both on land and at sea."

"Do you think they have the resources to besiege Eucheria?" asked Lorelei. "The last time I checked they were in debt."

"Not significantly so," replied the Dux. "They have a significant military, and ships could be requisitioned for a siege. And they do have allies on the other side of the shore."

"Do you mean my father?"

Glyceria nodded. "Your marriage occurred for a reason. If we are beset by enemies, who are we to call for help? Nobeast else could reach us by sea. What I need is a guarantee from either your father or husband that Eucheria will not be attacked with help."

Lorelei's whiskers twitched. "With help?"

"The Helskers are poor, but they are rapacious. They will cross the river with or without backing, but they can be fought off."

"In that case you want recognition from our 'so-called' empire. Or assistance?" The otter shrugged. "Many beasts have tried to request help from me, but I am not a beast of many worlds, and I prefer my conversations to be direct."

Glyceria sighed. "I would like to talk to Erlend Streambattle of Kaldos about the city and the lordship. Perhaps peace can be arranged between the otterlord and us?"

"I would not do that if I were you."

"Hm?" grunted Glyceria, clearly surprised. Not that great of a diplomat.

"He has made his will known to have your city subjugated and your wealth gathered to fund his forces and to pay his debts," said Lorelei. "He said as much to me and our son."

"Your son?" asked the fox. "Apologies. I thought it was his pup by–"

"You are forgiven, Glyceria Mendura." The princess's eyes narrowed as she rubbed the side of her cheek. "As for my father, nobeast knows what's in his head, but if you do one thing for me I will gladly speak for your cause."

"Name it."

"I know your city quite well, and Padrut spoke of your honesty and dignity. You are to swear not to harm my son's person or to disrupt his rule over the islands, or… you won't have a city to rule over, let's just say that."

A speck of anger flared up in Glyceria's eyes before a blink quickly snuffed that out as the vixen leaned on a sandstone column. "Did my colleague swear the same oath when you two met?"

"Padrut Valla's authority does not apply to foreigners. Yours does."

"Very well…" fumed the Dux. "You otters just love to twist our paws, don't you?"

"We picked it up from the old Briscans, and so did you." Lorelei chuckled. "We can agree that it's more profitable than chopping them off."

"I, Glyceria, Dux of Eucheria, swear to not do harm to little Kiordan, son of Erlend and Lorelei, nor to the stability of his lordship, as long as his kin are willing to provide help to Eucheria should a confrontation arise with its enemies, and that he keeps the uneasy peace with us. If I break this oath then I am to be at the mercy of you and your kind, and endure the most barbaric of fates a beast may suffer."

"Isn't that a bit dramatic?"

"Shedding blood is all a crowned head does – it's why we're a republic who elevates and removes its rulers at the bequest of the ruled."

In name, at least. Eucheria stinks of copper, and even the blind know that when the stench meets their nose. "I am not here to be lectured."

"Then I shall remain silent as you continue."

"I, Lorelei Skyward of Garlesca, swear to assist my father in keeping Eucheria's foes at bay, if Glyceria Mendura keeps her oath. If this fails to occur then I pledge to provide funds for the hiring of mercenaries in protection of her city, and if I break my word then may I be punished with misfortune."

"That sounds simple enough."

"Yes it is. Now if it pleases you, stay out of trouble in Gystra. This part of the world is ruled by otters, and it is no place to be trifle with us."

The Great Hall of Gystra Castle was lit up by both candles dangling from the ceiling and sunlight streaming through windows of stained glass, but Lorelei knew that there were only shadows residing within. Dignitaries from all around the world sat in attendance. The princess's father took centre stage at last – apparently he got Lamont to recognise this gathering was his idea in the first place – while the Steward sat by his side.

The other attendees sat on velvet-lined couches. Erlend was on the other side of proceedings, his eyes trained on the two more important otters, as Sigurd winked at Lorelei by his side. Glyceria made sure there were seven beasts between her and the Lord of Kaldos. The beast beside her was a younger fox in a cloak of similar make, though this one was grey in colour, patterned with a lining of red spheres. Either an aide or a relative, thought Lorelei. The similar reddish fur they both bore suggested the latter, and so did his dull, inattentive eyes.

Seated in her own row was Rissos. The Laskarine envoy was surrounded by a crowd of Southswarders Lorelei was not too familiar with, including a pair of squirrels who clearly had no love for Lamont, but any chance for the rat to make connections was forestalled by the silence demanded of the guests. For now his ears were perked up as he straightened his white tunic, whiskers fluttering with anticipation.

"Delegates of all lands, welcome to Southsward," said Lord Lamont, winking at his brother. "Today is truly a happy and fortunate occasion, as all the world gathers to prevent the coming of calamitous war."

Rissos raised a paw. "I see no representatives of the Kingdom of Tarelis." The rat's eyes floated toward Kiordan and his temporary throne. "And none of the Ilsadian League either. Do you bear the intention to join into an alliance against them? For our lord finds doing so to the former much more palatable to us than the latter."

Lamont waved his paw at the banners decorating the walls of the chamber. "You need not worry, they are still expected to arrive. Our sister realm's king was delayed on his journey, while the League has not responded to our invitations. Clearly the winds around the Ring Sea have forestalled their arrival… if they choose to arrive, that is."

Rissos nodded and said nothing, as Lorelei fiddled with her claws. Silence appeared to be the best option as well, until her own welfare was under question.

"Our first order of the day is to defuse tensions between realms and nations – such is its importance. My dear brother has provided me with many complaints about the position of Travrik inside the Kingdom – such a sense of inferiority has to be dispelled for its stability. As a consequence I would like to consult the opinions of everybeast here for a solution."

"Perhaps it would be time for him to serve as a mediator between Travrik and the forces of the crown back in Floret?" asked Kiordan. It was very evident to Lorelei that he had spoken to the Steward about this issue before. Without Erlend probably, and without her definitely.

"Indeed . My brother can clearly see what is best for his part of the country. Kaldos is truly honoured by his presence, and I am very sure he only does what is good for the land. I have written to King Willem back in Floret, and if he allows for his appointment then he shall find himself less troubled."

"Do you think I'll serve as your stamp in Travrik?" asked Erlend, scowling. "Do you assume I'll simply bow down to Floret's every demand?"

"It would be good for the realm if you did," remarked the Steward, "but we both know you'll never accept that. I suppose that's why you're here, to help us come to a solution. We can discuss it after a break, surely?"

The rest of the meeting flew by without Lorelei remembering much. Most of it was spent performing introductions, and the otter's body went through the motions with her mind only being aware of passing moments. She recalled Rissos attempting to crack a joke, and Glyceria's son being named after some hero from some book, and her father asking her if she needed rest, but when everybeast said their goodbyes for the day it was Lamont Streambattle who tapped her on the shoulder.

"I've got something to speak to you about," said the Southswarder, watching Kiordan whisper into Erlend's ear as they went down a flight of stairs.

"What now?"

"It concerns my brother — I suppose you will drop him."

"Drop?"

"Like a sack of coins, yes." His whiskers twitched in the winter chill. "Clearly you two have little affection for each other, and he's been with somebeast else even before your engagement."

"You appear to be awfully concerned, Steward," said Lorelei. "You're well-informed enough to know the true alliance isn't between two otters, but to reaffirm the Empire's ties across the Helsker Strait."

"We both know he's hoping for Erlend to do something rash, and intends to take advantage. I intend to change his mind – we have more to offer than Kaldos does. Besides, you know what rebellion tastes like – we can crush the Ilsadians together, and let Erlend have his badly-needed rest. I'm sure his two sons will drop their father's vendetta."

Lorelei chuckled. "You know, you should have married me yourself twenty seasons ago. That would have made life much simpler for you."

"It would have raised the wrong message in Floret – nobeast wants an absent Steward. That would just lead to, erm, entanglements. Besides, Erlend did save you that one time, did he not? He is brave, if nothing else, and that must have been appealing."

"And after all these seasons I am still too short for you."

Lamont's rudder twitched. "That was a factor, perhaps. I was a young otter who was not driven by my head. Erlend is not young, but he didn't put the future first. Sending your son to Revesvakt is a decision he will come to regret, I think, but hopefully it will be one he can rectify soon."

"And you think leaving him would change things?" asked Lorelei. "It wouldn't, especially if his mind is poisoned by the sting of betrayal." She smirked. "Let the rest of his family come and look after him, and make sure he entertains himself suitably. If you treat him better you could perhaps make him see reason."

The Steward nodded slowly. "In the meantime, decisions would still have to be made, with or without his input. We shall see how he reacts." He bowed down courteously, turned around and left.

Slumping against the sand-coloured wall, Lorelei closed her eyes. Perhaps it was time Erlend discovered how the world would still move on without him. Perhaps it was time he was wise enough to learn what she already knew.

C/N: Well this is tiring.

I have been to conferences before, I suppose, but I never appreciated being forced to talk to new beasts. I preferred Padrut to this Glyceria fox - she doesn't sound too polite, and probably shouldn't be there at all. How she obtained her office is a mystery, but Eucheria is full of them.

As for the Streambattles... I have no idea how to live in a world where they exist. They suck away all the good from everything... most of them anyway. Sigurd and little Kio appear to be fine. Why Erlend didn't give the former Helskerland is puzzling though.

I might have more to say, but I'm too frustrated to do so. I should spend some time calming down first. I hope you had a good read.