The Lady of Ravens Peak

By Rhiannon Shepherd

Prologue

In the frozen North far away from the kingdoms of men a long bloody battle has ended between the northern lords and rebels from beyond the border of the wall. Emeric, the second son of his family from back home has been absent for many years from Ravens Peak the black castle on the outskirts of the northern kingdoms. It has been many years since he chose to leave with his older brother as the lord of the castle.

Godric the elder son rightfully inherited the castle after his father and held his position over the castle for the last seven years. It has been very long since he last heard from Emeric his younger brother who just recently in the last month was sent to fight in a war against a group of rebelling men in the frozen North. He spent months on a battlefield fighting against this uprising until finally today on a chilling winters day long into the late afternoon the battle was finally over.

Covered in sweat, blood and snow he cleaned the blood and grime off of his sword while surrounded by the dead from both sides, an entire field in the vast snowy forest was filled with corpses. Emeric reflected on his life away from his home, he was not homesick nor did he care whether his older brother missed him. Obligations didn't concern Emeric as he had chosen to freely leave Ravens Peak to pursue his own interests elsewhere. This had suited him for a long time until for the previous last months he had been called to fight in a war in the North against an uprising of rebels threatening the peace.

Emeric was not against being commissioned to fight in this battle he knew this was expected of him as well as other men called to the army from other places on the Continent. Men from far and wide, from the north and south had come to fight against the threat which threatened to tear apart the peace that had the kept the people safe for many years.

Emeric cleaned his sword after he had struck down the last soldier and the battle was won. Emeric rose from his place and joined the other soldiers who promptly prepared to leave the battlefield. Emeric walked amongst the dead as the crows gathered in a flock of black wings to feast upon the dead.

Emeric walked alone and his conscience was clear until he received audience from a messenger astride a fast horse whom stopped in front of him.

"Emeric from Ravens Peak, the Commander waits to speak with you in the main tent at camp it concerns your brother and the castle"

Emeric stood still and pondered those words, he nodded at the messenger "I shall speak with him"

The messenger nodded back before turning his horse and riding away. Emeric was left alone to wander what possibly could have happened back home. Did his brother wish to summon him back for some reason?

Emeric didn't know and kept silent as he walked back to camp to find the main tent set up in the middle of camp which lay in a field of snow. Emeric wandered past men who removed their armour and tended their weapons. Others were wounded and required assistance from healers. None looked at him as he was in the midst of camp. The tents flapped away in the wind and a cold chill brushed through Emeric but he remained calm and vigilant.

Emeric finally made it the big tent and went inside to greet the Commander, the older man stood at a table of maps set up like a chess board garbed in armour and expensive clothes he acknowledged Emeric and bid him entry.

Emeric stood before him and waited to see what message from home awaited him.

"Emeric it gladdens me to see you well after the fight has finished" the Commander said before sitting "I choose to speak the news to you with humility"

"Speak freely then, what concerns Ravens Peak?" Emeric responded waiting.

"It has come to our attention that the lord of Ravens Peak your older brother has died of sickness" the Commander spoke with a grave face. The news made Emeric silent and stunned for several moments. Then the Commander continued.

"A posting has been signed and approved by the castellan of the Northern Kingdoms that you as the sole male heir will inherit and accept the title as the new Lord of Ravens Peak. You are welcome to return home on the morrow and grieve for your brother"

Emeric was stunned and bowed to Commander "Thank you for telling me this news, it both saddens me and gives me joy that I can go home after so long"

The Commander nodded "I wish you well Emeric, you have been an asset to us these past months in the fight it is time for you to find peace"

Emeric stood and regarded the older man with respect and acknowledgement for his efforts.

"Thank you sir, I will be happy to leave promptly to the Castle I shall not delay"

"Very good Emeric, you are dismissed" the Commander gave Emeric the signed document from the liege lord of the North for proof of his ascension and welcome back home. Emeric accepted this and nodded his head in response. He turned to leave and walked out back into the cold elements of winter.

Emeric prepared thoroughly packing his belongings for his journey south to Ravens Peak. His life had changed in the span of a day and he was unsure if he should be grateful for his promotion.

No matter, after years of self exile he would return home to the lone black castle in the North to welcome his new life as Lord of Ravens Peak.