And I'm back! Hope you enjoy!
Kale lived his life so that he wouldn't consider anything he saw particularly remarkable. And he hoped he never did, especially in the Lands-Between. Anything remarkable in this pace was often arguably also troublesome. His comrades always warned him that dealings with the demigods, in particular, might lead to uncertain consequences and so Kale remained as far away from Leyndell as he could and still find himself a good sale.
Kale had seen the realm at its height with the thick fields of abundance, and many of his kind had thought it a place of opportunity. No such thing. A place with everything also had no need for outside peddlers. Instead, he bided his time and waited as he watched the Erdtree grow into the monster it became. Indeed, it wasn't long before it drained the soil of its substance and devoured all the nutrients from the land. And as the Erdtree took more and more, want grew, so Kale realized his chance.
A snap in a nearby twig broke Kale from his trance, and he called out to the darkness.
"One step closer, and you can be assured to lose your head," Kale warned.
"Hold there. Is that any way to treat an old friend?"
"Blaidd? You old rascal! Give me a terrible fright," said Kale. "How dare you sneak up like that."
"I wasn't sneaking. You merely weren't paying attention," replied Blaidd. "And how are things? Find your footing?"
"A little slower than what I had hoped. I fear I might have come here far too soon. Best your mistress hurry up to end this age," said Kale.
"Things aren't that bad."
"Shows how long you've been hanging about Leyndell. Not so easy to see all things from the height of the Erdtree. You ought to come down here with your nose against the ground. It'll give you a different scent. Still, you don't look like you're up for casual chit-chatting."
"That different scent happens to be what I need. I was wondering if anyone you meet with was bragging or even just implying about a huge payday or anything of that nature," asked Blaidd.
"You know it's bad for business to rat out customers," said Kale.
"What about something you just don't normally see?"
"Now that you say it, an odd funeral crossed here recently. It's not the pompous fanfare you'd normally see for those Erdtree burials. You'd think if it was someone who was allowed one of those burials, it would be crawling with demigods."
"Let me guess, Radahn was leading it," said Blaidd.
"That he was. Probably blasphemy or some other sin to say, but you can't miss the sight of that big man lugging around on that tiny horse. It's almost comical, really," said Kale.
Blaidd couldn't argue with that thought as he had thought the same. He thanked Kale and left.
"Didn't even buy anything, the dumb lug," said Kale as he picked up his bow to start playing.
Godwyn waited patiently for Blaidd, knowing only that he wished to speak with an "informant." Godwyn didn't like the sound of it, but he also needed to find Malenia. Since the presence of a demigod might serve to intimidate the merchant, Godwyn stayed back with the horses.
"And? What did he say?" Godwyn asked.
"Kale confirmed that the funeral progression led by Radahn was a bit odd," said Blaidd as he mounted his horse. "I would bet anything he's involved back when I picked up his scent in Leyndell."
Godwyn frowned. He did not trust these merchants. In Marika's land, where everyone had enough, it felt like their services were an insult. True to his mistrust, the peddler didn't offer much more than what they already knew.
"It at least makes me more relieved. Sending her general to deal with this problem is a good sign that the Queen has taken the matter seriously," said Blaidd.
"Huh," said Godwyn.
"You don't trust Radahn?"
"Almost as far as I can throw him. And given his size, that's not far," said Godwyn.
"I understand. His relationship with Ranni is strained, to say the least, with his halting of the stars," said Blaidd.
"And how is Ranni doing?" Godwyn asked.
"You've just seen her."
"I mean, really doing."
"Well, she is terribly worried about Malenia. The two have gotten quite close over the last several months. I think it's been good for both of them. It certainly eased a lot of her anger to have someone to care about."
"What about... our children?" Godwyn asked.
"Honestly? I think she's having a hard time with it. Mind you, she's willing to step up to the role and make the best she could, but she's not enjoying it," said Blaidd.
It was hard to hear that, and Godwyn couldn't say anything else the entire trip. He faced a feeling of both anger and regret.
He didn't want to be a father either, but it was what it was. Now that he sensed them in Ranni, Godwyn could think of nothing more than what he might give them. Warmth like his mother had always shown him and the tenacity of his father.
Godwyn didn't say anything more about it the entire journey to Caelid. Instead, he redoubled his focus on finding Malenia. The poor little girl must have been terrified, and he didn't want to imagine how Miquella was coping with it. Even a short time away from his sister was distressing to him.
It was a short ride back to Caelid. Godwyn had sent word that morning that he was coming, and he waited for no reply as it wasn't a request.
He expected to travel the entire distance to the Redmane Castle. But, as he neared the border, Godwyn saw the general was there to greet him with a whole platoon of soldiers. He was riding his same horse, of course. The poor little thing was well past its prime, and couldn't sustain his weight without gravity magic. Godwyn suspected that Radahn might have struck a deal with Marika to keep the horse immortal.
"Brother, there's some terrible news," said Godwyn as he dismounted.
"Don't call me brother," growled Radahn.
"Fine. I don't have time to argue relations. Malenia is missing. Do you know anything about it?" Godwyn asked.
"There's no need to concern yourself with her," said Radahn.
"You know where she is?"
Radahn laughed, "In my castle."
Godwyn gave a sigh of relief.
"Mother will be relieved. Thank you. I want to arrange for her to come home right away," said Godwyn.
"She's not going home," said Radahn.
"You must be joking. Of course she is."
Radahn glared at him.
"You seriously can't think you can just take her!"
"You seriously can't think that you can just treat my sister like a whore."
"Is that what this is about? I did nothing to Ranni," said Godwyn.
"Her belly tells another story."
"Damn it, Radahn! I didn't force her. I didn't hurt her," said Godwyn.
"You think she wants a child when she's still one herself? You talk about consent as though that's a gold standard. That's only the minimum," said Radahn.
"I didn't intend that to happen," said Godwyn.
Radahn's eyes narrowed, "So, you just happened to be in your mother's bed, and fucking my sister. That was a complete accident."
"Fine! Hate me if you will, but let me take Malenia home. Please. She's ill. She needs her mother," said Godwyn.
"She's not going anywhere until I see satisfaction," said Radahn.
"I'll give you satisfaction," said Godwyn
His fist landed on Radahn's jaw. The two men tumbled to the ground, with Godwyn on top, pounding down on Radahn repeatedly. Radahn threw him off with his magic, flung Godwyn into the air, and skidded along the dirt. Godwyn flipped over back on his feet with his back scraped up and bleeding. Radahn's eye was already swelling up.
"I'm going to state that I have not received satisfaction," said Radahn as he spit out a mouth full of blood.
"Enough, both of you!" said Blaidd, dashing between the two. "Radahn. Dear Brother. I understand your anger, but this is unnecessary. We need to think about what's best for the child and Mistress Ranni."
"What's best for my sister is my boot in his face," said Godwyn. He shoved past Blaidd and tackled Radahn back to the ground. They went tumbling down the hill. Radahn picked him up and threw him back to the ground. When he went for his swords, Godwyn grabbed his arms and wrapped his arm around Radahn's neck to try and strangle him.
Blaidd threw his sword, and it stuck it right in the ground.
"I said enough to the both of you. Godwyn, you know where Malenia is. And Radahn... Honestly, I don't know what to say to you. You're a general who's acting more like a child," said Blaidd. "If you're both so certain you're correct, then march yourselves back to Leyndell, stand before Queen Marika, and plead your case."
Godwyn let Radahn go.
"This isn't over," said Godwyn. He shoved Radahn one more time.
"Of course not. The next thing you'll do is go cry to your mama. Well, I look forward to that," said Radahn.
"That fool," said Godwyn when they were out of earshot.
"Don't overthink it. He's just provoking you. Used to do it all the time with Rykard and Ranni," said Blaidd.
"Well, I'm not his sibling," said Godwyn.
"Mistress Ranni speaks well enough for herself, but I think she'd be most disappointed in your behavior."
"Who's side are you on?"
"Mistress Ranni asked me to find Malenia. And I needn't tell her about this little tiff if you promise that you won't do anything foolish between now and when I report back to her," said Blaidd.
Radahn returned to his men as he wiped the blood from his face. He had yet to expect that from Godwyn and even wondered if challenging his stepbrother was a mistake. He half expected - and even hoped - that Godwyn would return to his mother, forcing an audience for the grievances to be known. He had always done so in the past.
Sure, Radahn could have asked the Queen, but he felt Marika would naturally take her son's side. By kidnapping Malenia, Radahn assured himself of more leverage that he and his household might be satisfied.
When Radahn and his men returned to Redmane castle, he once asked about Malenia. The servants informed him that she was doing remarkably well. They pointed him to the courtyard.
"It's mine!" said Malenia as she dashed across the courtyard. Her cheeks were bright red and skin far from the sickly, dull golden tone.
Finlay chased after her with a big grin. The object of their game was an old fang that Finlay found doing some chores. It was often dismissed as junk, but Malenia, who had never been outside Leyndell, was fascinated by it. How it became a game of tag between the girls was anyone's guess.
Finlay bear-hugged the young demigod, which caused a giggle to erupt from both of them.
"You see? You see what I say?" laughed Medjai. "You see how she runs now! Movement counters the ill effects of the rot. Even her eyesight has improved."
"That's good," said Radahn, only half interested in what Medjai said. He tied Leonard to the post and pet his boney neck.
"She talks a lot about her mother," said Medjai. "When do you intend to send her back?"
"In time," said Radahn.
Medjai raised an eyebrow, "I may not care for Marika, but I am not ignorant of her power. I can help her in the short term but she needs her mother."
"I will return her when I no longer need her!" said Radahn. "Melania. Come on. It's time to eat."
"Come on Finlay," said Malenia, taking her friend's hand.
"Finlay eats with the rest of the men," said Radahn.
"But I want her to eat with us," said Malenia.
"No!" said Radahn.
Malenia gave a huff and handed Finlay the fang.
But the wolf comes from the east
And the dog from the west
They are full of jealousy,
Fury, rage, and madness (Fabricious, 40)
Please drop a comment and subscribe!