A Tale of Blades & Blood-Chapter 27: My lord, My King, My liege

[Oren's Point of View...]

The night was dark, for the moon was young, and the stars were asleep and rare. While the thick snow covered the skies, I dared to move outside to the balcony, where I held a lantern, accompanied my my guards. The personal courtyard of the king was smaller than most. King Ororer was, in fact, much of a lone man himself.

Gods... I thought, how did it all come to this?

The city below was unlike any other in the north. Even as the snow covered everything, the people were still lively and well. The houses here are not like the common houses in the west, where they have straw padding in their walls, nor are they like the ones in the east, who seal their walls completely. Each house's roof in the city are connected, providing shelter to every path there is- besides the squares and the gardens.

How ironic, I thought, that there are even gardens in the snow-filled lands. The sun rarely shined here, but even some plants can withstand the mighty cold nature. It was late, no doubt, and I don't think my guards do not question my sudden urge to take a stroll.

"Only two days remain, my lord." called out a voice in the distance.

I needed not to turn my head. The jarring, high-pitched, and often unpleasant voice was the most distinct in the crown's council. "Caean." I called, my eyes still wandering about in the starry landscape that was of the lit up city. "It is late for a Ravenman to be up... don't you think so?"

His steps echo in the courtyard silently, backed up by the whispering winds. "Yes..." he began with a long tone, "...but the courtyard is often... peaceful for some. If I may ask, what brings you to these grounds?" he asked, each syllable said as if he took its blood. They were long and dreadful. Even the guards began to feel uncomfortable.

"To look at the stars, to ponder my new duties, to plan my next move..." I answered, my elbows resting on the railing. "What do you think?"

"Yes... of course, my lord..." he began, moving closer, shoving guards and making them shuffle uneasily. "About your plan to gather the forces of the north to march on the rebels... where shall we strike them first?" he asked, his voice piercing the very air and breaking its harmony.

"We plan our movement tomorrow." I told him. "For the meanwhile, get some rest. I can assure you all will be quite well in the fays to come. Our forces are not like the south nor the east-"

"Of course, my lord..." he said, cutting me off. Ever so closely, the man moved closer to my side. "But do you think of it wise to gather forces on the east?"

"What?" I asked. "Do you not think of it wise to face our enemies on their side least defended? Can't a scholar like you formulate such plans using the small logic of a child?" I let out a small laugh, but that was quickly killed by the cold.

As if offended, he paused. Then, his mouth came closer to my ear. He whispered. "The chances of our victory in the east are low, my lord..." he began, "...Lord Loreys of Tiberrun holds the forces there- I have heard from many that saw his presence in The Choke-"

"So what?" I asked. "The only men they have left are twenty thousand at best. We have thirty thousand men and the west ready to support us any time now-"

"An impossible task, your grace- I have told you before..." he stated with a frustrated and bitter tone. "The west is no longer ruled by House Gryphith- do you have no knowledge of this, my lord? House Faerelion rules in Westhold... the phoenix soars over the Rocklands!" he exclaimed.

"The worshipers of the god of fire- so what?" I asked him, my tone taking on an annoyed expression. "You think faith alone will stop us? The east is their enemy just as it is ours-"

"A misconception, my lord..." he stated as if snarling at me. "The west will support those who support them... these men of the phoenix are barbarians- not the now dead honorable allies of the crown before-"

"Barbarians?" I asked in outrage. "Barbarians?" I echoed, now louder and stronger. "You would call our people barbarians, Caean? Do you think they've got nothing in their heads but blood? Do you think of them fools!?"

The source of this c𝓸ntent is freewebnøvel.coɱ.

"A misunderstanding, my king-"

"Then tell me what you mean to say!" I exclaimed. "You pierce your tongue against the reputation of our people. You can't even plan a battle- what use are you? In fact, what is a scholar doing advising a king about war, Caean!? What do you want to tell me so badly that you followed me out here-"

"Advice, my king..." he said aloud. "You would be a fool if you think attacking the east is a well enough decision- the armies of Ser Merien are enough and Old Gate and Ten Towns stands high... but the south is the weakest of all the sides of the enemy... take back the south and win their support. If the western lords have any reason to support you... it's your victory in the south-"

"Thirty-five thousand men, I remind you..." I told him. "Thirty-five thousand men are marching in the south and you want me to march my way down there? Are you this stupid or do you want me killed-"

"My lord, if it please you-"

"Oh, I think it won't, Caean..." I replied, "...use that tongue of yours wisely or mark my words a new scholar will replace you. You would think a scholar taught by Ravenman Ryene himself would be wiser than... this." I remarked in disgust.

"Northrest Keep is under-defended and its walls are weak!" he exclaimed, his fist landing on the railing with a loud thud. "Take it back from the hands of the rebels and you shall have the support of the west as well! While they are barbarians, if it is their support you want, you may as well make them see that you are worth the wait, my lord!"

For a moment, the only think I could hear was the wind. My men tightened their grip on their spears, each looking down on the man. "You would have me take the south..." I began, "...when I can march to the Spire and take the lands of the rebel lord? If I take the Spire, I could sail to the south any day and support The Raven's armies and Old Pyke's if necessary and have the west be by my side- isn't that a better plan than whatever you have-"

"You misunderstand, my liege!" he exclaimed once more. "The south is weaker than the east- weaker than you think! This is the only way you will have the support of the men of the faith of the god of fire! Men believe in power when they see power! This way, we win the war-"

"Enough." I said sternly. "The plans will be discussed tomorrow..." I told him. "Guards!" I called, "take Ravenman Caean to his quarters and keep him there until I call him." I commanded.

"What? No, my lord, you must consider the plan- be reasonable, my lord!" he exclaimed desperately as the guards took him by his arms as he struggled to set himself free. "My lord! My king! My liege! You must see my reason! Take the south, your grace! The south calls for you!" he called as he was dragged away. The doors to the keep closed as his voice faded away.

So desparate, I thought, you might think his plan actually had substance. I gave it a thought, and another moment of it. The south calls... I remembered him say, and the west will be with you when you take it back.

For another minute or two, I thought about it. If the south really was that weak, it might be possible to... No.

Soon, I was left along with only one guard by my side. Foolish scholar, I thought to myself, take the south he says... take the south, my lord... the south is weak. I laughed at the thought. The east stands no chance against the armies of the north, I told myself, the goat rides with his army... and the owls will cower in their nest.

In the lands of snow, two souls kindle in the dark cold... [Noran's Point of View]

The snow, the cold, and the ice was far too much for me, but Orelia stood strong. Ever since the wedding and our escape, we traveled north past the Tunnels and past the barren forests of Hound's Wood.

Our stallion was tired from the journey. Its legs had grew numb as it now rested underneath a cave where we now stayed with a fire lit, and my sword at the ready. For five nights, I've stayed awake and let Orelia sleep whenever she saw fit, but she offered plenty of times to take the reins. Now, she won't take no for an answer.

"I know your tired." she said with a soft voice as she tendered to the horse.

"What?" I asked, a confused, crooked smile on my face. "No no no... there's no need for sleep-"

"Shut up and close your eyes for a moment, will you?" she asked jokingly as she petted the horse's hair. "You haven't winked in days and your eyes are half-closed since two days ago. Just... get some sleep."

"Who will guard my princess, then?" I asked with a smile, leaning against my blade as I looked at her brown hair. "A husband must always guard his bride and protect her from the bandits and rapers and beasts in the forests and plains-"

"A tired husband at that." she remarked with a chuckle. "You're talking to the horse, you know?"

Then, it hit me. Orelia has blonde hair, I realized, not brown. I scratched my eyes and looked another time, and my hallucinations stopped, my thought-to-be beautiful maiden returned to the horse that was laying down. "Oh... damn." were the only words to come out of my mouth. "Don't get me wrong, my lady..." I told you, "...you are no horse-"

"I know, Noran." she replied.

"I just don't want anything happening to you..." I told her, "...ever since the wedding, I..." I couldn't get it out. The words died in my throat. I wanted to ensure you didn't have the same fate.

"I feel the same thing you do." she said, the mood changed in an instant. "I could never forgive Lord Folius for what he did... my father... my brother... Orevian..." she said as if calling his name. The young boy was precious to her... just as Norien was precious to me.

"You're going home soon enough." I told her. "Snow Town is only a day ahead, and after that... Ororer's Keep is only another day's journey-"

"You've done plenty of work just the same..." she told me, "...perhaps we can spare another day's worth of rest for you?" she asked, laying her head on the horse's own with a smile on her face.

The fire may be warm, I wanted to say, but your smile is like the sun to me. "How lucky am I to have a sweet wife like you?" I asked, sitting down and laying my head on the horse, who licked my on my cheek. Disgusting, I thought.

Orelia laughs gently. "He likes you, I suppose." she remarked, her smile radiating a warmth of love in the air.

"I don't think he'd like me that much..." I told her, "...I've been riding this horse and making him walk for days without end now. I don't think he sees much favor in me-"

"Nonsense..." she interrupted, "...even if it has only been days, that horse has grown fond of you just as he has to me. For days, you two have bonded like brothers... imagine if you hadn't found horse in the stable." she remarked, chuckling and imagining the idea.

"We can't have rest- I can assure you that." I told her. "You never know what follows us... or who, rather. Those fools must be looking for us all around the kingdom by now. If they manage to find us..." I didn't have to finish it. She knew what I was talking about- what would happen if we ever got caught.

"I can't imagine that one." she said seriously. Her head slowly rises, and the horse falls asleep . "My poor, silly husband..." she remarked as she laid her hands on my cheek, "...you're this tired because of me... I wish I wasn't this useless-"

"No..." I told her, "...don't say that. You've been a great help." I assured her. I raise my left hand, and I rest it on hers. "Remember when we almost got lost wandering the forest of Hound's Wood?"

Her serious face turned into a laughing one. "If it weren't for me, we'd be lost and well on our way to The Choke by where you were heading..." she laughed, "...you were going east as east can be while you thought you were heading north." she remarked with a smile as she tapped my nose using her finger.

"I'm a southerner married to a northerner... what do you expect?" I asked with a smile.

"Nothing less than this." she replied warmly with a kiss on my lips. Honey, I thought, your kiss tastes like honey.

"We really must be going." I told her. "We cannot wait around like this. Tales of beasts in the north keep me up at night every single time-"

"Aww..." she began, "...is my husband afraid of little pups drinking from their mother's teats? Is that what you're scared of?" she asked as if she were my mother. You're doing it again, I wanted to say, once at the feast with your father and now here... you are NOT my mother!

"Really, we must go." I told her as I began to sit. "We cannot risk being killed here. I would not want to die that way. Surely, you'd agree with that, yes?"

Everything went silent, and she gave me a raised brow and a faint smile. "I agree that you need rest. Awake for days and not even taking time to wink an eye-"

"We will sleep at an inn when we get there." I told her. "For now, we need to get going before-"

Crack.

For a moment... my blood stopped, and my face went pale. I faced the inside of the cave while Orelia faced the entrance. By the look on her face, I could tell my worst fear was right. I turned to see nothing less of a grey hound, large, reaching just below my shoulders, and his teeth bare and sharp.

By the looks of it, it had killed an animal larger than itself. Its body was filled with scars and wounds, but it didn't falter. Its eyes were red, and its tongue was out, hungry for more blood. Not today, I though to myself, you will not eat me or my wife!

With a quick move, I let out my blade and stood to face the beast as Orelia hid behind the horse, who now stood up in fear as we faced the roaring beast of the north.