Chronicles of Espiria Season 1
Episode 21 - Father and Daughter
Written by Stormrider
Estrilda walked briskly across the cobbled stone of the training grounds. She was still in full armor, apart from her helmet in her hand, so her metal boots made a sharp clang erupt with each step. Her destination was a pretty veranda under the shade of an archway entwined with ivy and roses, where Thane seemed to wait patiently before a chessboard, the pieces set up in the starting position. To anyone else, this might have seemed odd, since there was no one else around for him to play against.
"Thane!" Estrilda yelled, her commanding tones coming through even when she was excited to see her mentor. Thane turned in his seat, his calculating expression shifting slightly, making it seem warmer, but still observant. The two embraced, then Estrilda sat in the empty seat.
"What sort of news do you bring?" Thane asked, his eyebrow raised.
"How did you know I had news?" Estrilda asked, already confused.
"You would hardly have come here in full armor had you had the time and frame of mind to change out." Thane looked up with a smile. "Even you are not that committed to a game of chess."
Thane laughed warmly at his jest, as did Estrilda a moment later as she readied herself for the game.
"So, what sort of news do you bring?" Thane asked again as he moved one of his pawns.
"Commander Hogan was overwhelmed at Bantus by a strange new Commander." Estrilda answered as she mirrored Thane's move.
"What made him so difficult?" Thane asked as he brought out his bishop.
"Apparently, he seemed to know what Hogan was going to do before Hogan did." Estrilda moved her knight forward.
Thane frowned. "Graveborn do not usually fight like Lightbearers. King Thoran sees to it that their old lives are purged as much as possible; it makes them easier to keep under his thumb." He moved his queen.
"Well, this one seemed to remember everything." she said with frustration as she slid her bishop across the board and castled.
"Interesting..." Thane said as he moved his queen again. Estrilda wasn't quite sure if Thane was referring to the Graveborn commander or the game. "I keep telling you to watch out for the four move checkmate. Sometimes the oldest and easiest tricks are the hardest to spot."
Estrilda examined the board for a moment; when she realized that she had stepped into his trap again, she could only stare at the board.
"You are a great general, Estrilda." Thane said as he began to reset the board. "Do not let small weaknesses become your downfall."
Estrilda raised an eyebrow. Thane coughed, slightly embarrassed. They both knew what he was talking about.
"Your uncle Baden and I...we were young and fearless. We made mistakes in a place where mistakes could be fatal. He learned that harder than I did, despite it being my mistake." Thane was quiet a moment as he forced back a tear. "Never let that be you, Estrilda. You are the last and greatest knight of House Rayne. I know that if anyone can lead Ranhorn to victory, it is you."
Estrilda smiled at this encouragement, but sadly as she thought of her favorite uncle.
"Now then, what were the casualties?" Thane asked as the sentiment faded from his face.
"We lost half the regiment before Hogan called the retreat. Most of those who survived are with doctors or are healing in the temple. Hogan is probably at the tavern about now, drinking himself silly with Izold and that dwarf friend of his; he likes having the church healers around, but he never liked being under their care."
"Remember where he came from, Estrilda." Thane advised. "He's not as privileged as you. He comes from nowhere, from a background that the army is loathe to reward. That is why it took so long for him to become your second-in command; if not for that business seven years ago, when he proved his leadership skills beyond a shadow of a doubt, he'd probably still be a sergeant now."
Estrilda was surprised; Hogan carried himself as a nobleman, so she always assumed that he had come from the Lanwards or some other martial house; to think that he was held back and mistreated because of his common blood was revolting.
"You'll never find a more nonjudgmental man in the army." Thane continued.
"In what way?" Estrilda asked, still processing Thane's previous statement.
"There's a lot of discrimination in the world, Estrilda. Hogan tries to keep the army above that, even showing respect to his enemies."
Estrilda wondered if Thane was trying to make some sort of point. "I respect my enemies if they show me respect."
"And that is why you will be the saving grace of the Rayne family." Thane answered as he leaned back in his seat. "What you do next is your choice, and your legacy."
Thane made a strange motion with his hand that Estrilda assumed might have been him lacing his fingers if he had a second hand.
"I understood this the day I picked up my helm." Estrilda said. "If the Rayne family is to end with me, I will ensure a legacy to outlast the ages."