Chapter 41: at the White Falls (Scythe)
"Long have we enjoyed the hospitality of the land of White Falls, in generations past and in the present." Scythe calls to Zlatan Hartford the acting lord of House Hartford now that his father was elderly and infirm, bedridden as the dance of days has flickered its pressure upon his body to its near end. Zlatan had a look about him that showed he had respect for his guests Reto and Scythe but was still annoyed at their continued presence in the halls of his family.
"I am glad I can be of service, but please how much longer will you be staying among us? After all you have never visited in my lifetime and my father mad no recollection of a visit during his days as lord." Zlatan was concerned, and had every right to be as the ageless warriors of Kaya had arrived nearly a month ago and while speaking about the troubles and the trifles they had need of sorting out with Lord Chile Bruin in the West at Dol. Once they saw the waterfalls and heard the calming sounds they echoed in the forests of the Hartford family, the two took rest and had stayed put ever since. Enjoying the sounds and the colors of the trees, and eating whatever the Hartford family put before them.
"Are you so eager to get rid of us?" Scythe asked. Reto was sleeping in the grass nearby. The two in all the time in White Falls never took a bed or slept in the castle, but enjoyed the serene calls of the waterfalls and the foliage of the forest floor. Reto loved this as it reminded him of the days when they traveled with Kaya herself and spent many nights away from any luxuries. Scythe having had a cycle of sleep alone in the ruined temple on the volcanic isle had in many ways forgotten about stilled beauty as all he usually saw during his days were the empty plains of Archana when he dared visit, and the rustling violent ocean waters.
"No my lord Scythe. It is just it has been such a strange arrival and we are wondering if preparations should be made for longer stays when perhaps the seasons change." Zlatan chose his words carefully.
A servant was not so intelligent when the duo arrived weeks back. He heckled Scythe and questioned the men as to who they were. Scythe and Reto were of course in the gardens of the Hartford House and strolling near the wading pools where the rushing waters settled. Even daring to dip their feet in the cool liquid and take rest from their travels. As they arrived in the beautiful escape that was situated far south of their nearest established neighbors like Imholt, Mitre, and Jule, the legends felt a peace come over them. Something the land here had long been known for, and something the lords of White Falls had always sought to retain by any means. The servant on duty that found them was confused by the appearance of two unknown and heavily armed men, one in dark cloaks with a sword at his back and the other in great shiny heavy armor from hair to toes with a massive polearm slung over his shoulder. "What are two doing here?" He called as he then threw a stone at a nearby bell to alert others. The bell summoned many to the area including the lording family to a balcony from their estate just next to the action at hand. Scythe bid him to resign himself and alert the lord of the city to come and greet them. The servant however, kept a surly attitude; something Scythe who was long traveled and tired from being awake for so long in fifty years was in no mood to hear. The Servant was dead in a blink. His body sliced into twelve pieces, and all before anyone in sight could understand event he first strike upon the servant had occurred. This was the introduction Scythe gave to Zlatan and the others of the estate.
Zlatan of course made things better and greeted them properly before learning who the men unknown to him were. This shocked him, and he quickly in terror and honor had everyone in the family and all well known throughout White Falls come and pay their respect to the legends themselves. He even roused his father and mother to come and meet the legendary hero and the king of Archana.
Though, that was many days ago, and while he enjoyed having men so strong in his lands, the lord wished to return to the simple and quiet ways prior to their arrival. Free of tension and fear of what mayhem could break forth today from perhaps an insult or a bad bit of food served. Scythe and Reto were well rested by this point and in no way eager toward wanton violence against a civilian or person of no challenge to them, but this was not something known to the lord.
"We should start out for Dol soon Scythe. We probably could have gotten their twice by now." Reto remarked as he yawned under the shaded colors of sunlight that pierced the beautiful canopy trees that hung over the peaceful setting. Despite being over 1000 years upon the land by this point, unless in slumber neither had experienced such calm in themselves in such a long time. These were almost forgotten emotions to them both, hence the reason they basked in the feeling for so long.
"Perhaps. But what about you Zlatan?" The swordsman spoke peering his gaze at the host. "The world, or at least, your world, the free plains sits in a scene of chaos and turmoil, worn and strewn in combat as houses all around flail and falter. Yet, here the clan of Hartford and their retainers sit, in their peace and joy. Is the peace and calm of these woods and water falls so strong a medicine that you cannot rouse or smell the sting of the lives of those outside your grounds? Are you and the men who call these lush landscape home oblivious to the realm of Wiera outside this buffered paradise? Even we, Scythe who dwells on an Isle days sailing from the southern land of Jali and Reto who lives behind the great wall of Archana in an isolated country have been roused to deal in these times of combat, yet here you sit, not even rallying to the families of the region around you, whom you have no doubt spent time hosting and being hosted by over the years. We know you understand of what I speak as the words reach from the traders and merchants even here. News of Conner Bolden holding Jule and the chaos the South Central Plains have endured. So why, why do you sit here without rallying what able bodied men that your house does have service of?" Scythe spoke long but truth fell from his lips as the swordsman sliced with a different blade in this moment. His words pierced deep into the acting lord of House Hartford. Zlatan was a man who had let the songs of birds and the chirps of unafraid animals grow a softness in his spirit. He thought of his wife and his five children, all very young, and how he would behave if the White Falls were attacked. Would any come to his aide?
He knew the answer in his heart as he thought of his own action over the past seasons of war. When Shenis called to challenge the Valtrex whom had taken stronghold after stronghold and initially opened the seasons of combat by jackals march out from their space at Valor. When the Bruin ran through under Conner Bolden and sacked Jule after making Runsa quietly bend the knee. When Conner bribed the Men of Mitre to stay their hands. When they marched further east to try and claim the coast. Even as Shenis returned from the North and attempted to break back the lines of the enemy first by way of beating the garrison at Runsa, then by defeating the Holts and removing the influence by root and stem. Then by once again reclaiming Runsa fully. Shenis Savoy, a lone heir of a fallen house had battled without banners or formal men at his side and won victories in the face of defeat. All while the Noble House Hartford, who have a longer history in the realm than the Savoy had sat idly by, only protected from ruin by their location being more remote than the other holds and by the effort of men such as Scythe in the islands, Reto holding back the fell riders in Archana, Aurora creating confusion in the Gulf lands. Flynn and Valtrex breaking strong army lines all around the realm. And even Parakles leading a prisoner revolt among the lands just south of Dol. These people and their retainers in their retinue had answered the call in their various ways, yet this man had not whetted his sword, or readied his bow, or even saddled his mare once in all this time of conflict.
"I sit here, because the soothing sounds of nature have dulled my ears to the throngs of war. I am undone my lords. I have sat here, though there are not many I can spare for warfare, I do have myself and others who would help in the turning of the tides in the conflicts about the lands. Yet we sit here and drink our water, and enjoy our fruits in a peace that we have not bled for. Nor have any in my father and his father's generation earned by the wage of the sword."
Zlatan paused as he let these words spoken by himself shed light of memories past over him. He had no recollection of the events happening in the recent days all over the world but the smell of drying blood and hot steel, or sparking metal clashing and rotten corpses. These sounds and smells began filling the eye of his mind. Zlatan was ashamed.
"My Lords Scythe and Reto, what am I to do to remove the shame of clean hands that my House bears?"
"Well we heard just yesterday from a merchant that came through that Shenis Savoy, who has set up his base in Runsa is blocking the supply routes for the remaining army of Conner Bolden stationed in Jule. Conner failed previously in his attempt to reach the east coast by a battle with the jackals of the north. He has only one option to resupply, and that is to break through and capture either Runsa or ImHolt, both under the dove."
"So I should rally my men and join them in the battle to come?" Zlatan said, or really he asked. There was a lack of confidence in the voice by the acting head of the Hartford clan. Almost as if the man did not believe himself worthy of salvation by the blood of others at this point. Scythe gave him a nod while Reto laid back on the cool grass enjoying the lavish calm of the land.
Zlatan understood what needed to be done. He went to the bedside of his father and in sight of his mother and younger sibling he bade his sword and told the family of his responsibility to fight for those who he saw as his neighbors. His father Matias was not long for the world so he offered no reply, though his mother teared up in fear, not sure if the head of the family would return.
"Brother what of your wife Amelia and your children? They are yet too young to rule in your absence." His younger brother probed.
"Then you shall sit as my viceroy while I am gone for war." Zlatan spoke to his brother. "Thierry you must do this for me, and tend to my family and your own while I am away. I cannot allow the annals of history to be recorded without our family name of Hartford being mentioned as taking part in this great conflict that is so moving even the very most isolated of peoples to take arms." Zlatan grabbed what armor he had for himself. His best assets being of the forest were his archery skills. So with his sword at his side and his quiver slotted on his horse's reins, the man called out to those who he saw fit to go with him into potential ruin. For war has no guarantee of return for any who prance into its jaws. And so the acting lord of the White Falls made no promises of glory, or of return. He made no attempt to take men that were unwilling to lay down their lives for the good of others. This was his appeal as he stood in the main square of the White Falls atop his brown steed in his beautiful armor clad with a stag pelt coat.
"House Hartford and all of us who live in this hallowed city have long enjoyed the fruits of peace and prosperity that come from being in this serene realm that is beautiful and so remote from the trouble of the outside world. In many ways we have forgotten what it means to stand and fight for what we believe in and hold the realm accountable for their evils. For the past series of years first the jackals of the north and now the bruins of the west have had hostilities to people and lesser houses all around Wiera. We here in the White Falls have been spared these troubles. Our homes are more lavish, our families still whole and happy. Our men die in their warm beds of afflictions concerning age and not starving in the cold or impaled upon a spike. House Hartford and you its subjects have forgone the price of these niceties for an age. An age I have enjoyed myself and you have as well. Yet others who we call neighbor suffer under the tumult of the realm. Please, I go to war to pay this wage for our joy, and to winnow back the chaos from the areas around us. The traders and merchants and pigeons speak of the Valtrex not being the enemy but merely growing their influence to provide more stability to the north, and the yet the Bruin House of Dol continue and continue in their efforts to not just throw down the world of nobility, but trample all of Wiera underfoot by use of extravagant military force. I ride now at day's end to aid the rightful ruler of Jule, Shenis Savoy in his fight to defeat the menace sent out by the Bruin, Conner Bolden. I shall fight to help reclaim his ancestral halls and pray the history books will be kind enough to remember the name Hartford with honor and not shame. I love you all my people. And because I love you, I will not demand people to join my party. Thierry and my family will stay and maintain order and peace in our forest. Our Waterfalls will stay white and not turn red. Though, I ask, if you dare pay for others to have what we so freely enjoy in peace, ride with me tonight."
At the conclusion of his speech the people offered no cheers or insults. There was a somber feeling in the square as the word spread about the city and the forest, letting all in time know what was said and tough conversations where had by the people. Sure there were some who had no desire whatsoever to take part in such conflicts, but others felt a stir of responsibility in their chest. A pride that would not be so easily quelled by a good dinner and a wonderful sleep.
The day passed on and Scythe and Reto emerged from the calm of the Hartford estate to see the lord Zlatan at the gate near the road leading down into the central plains proper, which would lead to the fields between Runsa, Imholt, and Jule. They made no comment as they joined Zlatan who sat with a look in his eyes of concern as the sun was now setting with no others rallying to join him in his efforts. "Wonderful day isn't it Lord Hartford." Scythe smiled giving this comment. It was the first time he had referred to the man with a lord title during his entire stay, so the comment took Zlatan off guard.
"I was hoping for a better turnout….or at least some turnout."
"Some will come. Maybe we'll see you again Hartford." Scythe jested as both he and Reto extended their hands to shake the man's hand.
"You are leaving?" Zlatan asked.
"We have business as well with Lord Chile Bruin. He has been waging war all around the realm, and has disturbed us, who he would have no reason to provoke, unless he is seeking to do something beyond mere conquest." Reto said.
"We plan of having a very spirited conversation with the man when we meet him." Scythe added.
"Then why did you stay here so long if he is such a threat?" Zlatan asked.
"The forest and the falls and your halls have the same effect you are currently speaking and moving against. Our old souls were so taken aback by the calm that it surprised us in ways that we were not prepared for. This vacation of the soul has been divine." The cherubim of Kaya spoke with a joy in his dark heart. The men shook hands and strolled down the path out of the forest and to their purpose, leaving Zlatan to wait as the sun lowered below the horizon.
He closed his eyes as he hobbled his horse, knowing he might catch a quick wink of sleep as he prayed in his soul that some would come to join him in this rally of their free will. Sleep took him easy for the stress and the fear that was growing in his heart had worn down his frame this day.
"Lord Zlatan, please wake up, we've got a war to join." A firm hand shook the lord gently and with the due respect to a noble. The man laying against a wall next to his horse flickered his vision as he opened his eyes until they adjusted to the lower light of evening. The man then remembered his purpose in where he slept and arose to his feet. He looked out and saw a company of fourteen souls in assembly in his sight. "We have not been a people of war for ages, but perhaps our skills will help turn this tide in combat." The words were spoken by Rio, a woodcutter and builder. Next to him were several of his many sons who were older in age and had wives and families of their own. In the company were none of the true house guards and knights as Zlatan asked them to personally not join his cause and stay with the family, and Thierry. The others were of mixed professions, a few hunters with their solid archery skills, and a stone hauler, and several more than had perhaps a spear or two but nothing special in their warring art. Zlatan was still nonetheless amazed at the turnout and honored by the people for their commitment to the war effort. These were people, of their own free will from a society of peace that were answering the call to help the neighbors and marched with their lord to whatever ruin lay ahead in the abyss.
"Thank you men. I am honored that you have answered the call." They bowed their heads slightly as the Head of Hartford mounted his steed now ready to advance. House Hartford of White Falls had now entered the fray.