First Day of Winter | 40 Degrees Fahrenheit | Clear Skies
The castle courtyard rang with the noise of the bells and the hammering of drum beats signalling the time of day, the loud noise rang out across the barracks blocks and training halls. Squires jogged alongside the courtyard heading outside to do a lap of the course for physical training purposes, there never was a quiet moment In the Royal Guards and especially when you were a squire, he remembered his training days and the constant tiredness, aches and shouting of drill masters.
“The Lord Castelain is required in the Northen Hall, by order of the King” The man nervously said as he read from scroll among many in his satchel running messages around the castle.
“By the King's Command” the lord Castellion replied calmly unlike some who took joy in fear, he had no such need to be feared to be respected.
“We all at Kings request.” He spoke respectfully as the runner left quickly to deliver the rest of the commands, messages and summons to the various and varied residents. Making his way expertly through the long halls passing the Paladins at the gates to the inner layers of the fortress, their nod of head as he passed the only reaction, anyone who was not invited would have been met by steel. The vast gates swung open with a slow and deliberate pace, each one around a foot thick of iron hard timber.
The Knight passed through the gap that opened in the gateway passing a second set of guards who matched the gesture of the first. Marching through the courtyard that opened up to the Northern Hall, one of the smaller gathering spaces of the Castle. The doors opened to see the King, the head of the Guard and the King stood at the end, no one else was present and then he heard two others come behind him as he waited for the King's attention. He risked a glance to the side and saw his Squire Daphne and his trusted brother in arms Warsmith Hector, gruff and rough around the edges but a man more loyal you could not find. He acknowledged both with a short nod that was returned and the King turned to the 3 of them, taking each and studying those chosen by the Guards' most senior officer alongside the Lord of the Paladins, equals, except for the King.
“The Princess is going to be living at the new settlement, this settlement is small and newly established. The blight borders are around 10 miles from the territory.” Pausing and waving to a large map resting on a table, a wider map of the kingdoms and a closer scale map with the known blight territory, rumoured information and previous incidents recorded. “Your command is simple. Protect her, her duty is to save everyone in this kingdom. You will have the authority to act as needed, our resources are highly limited, especially as diplomatically this settlement is. Difficult. Act accordingly.” The King turned away to leave the rest to the guards commander and left without pause or delay.
“So now down to the details.” The guard commander pulled out a heavy bag of gold, scrolls sealed with wax, tubes of maps and 3 sigils on heavy leather cords each bearing the Princess Royal cypher and a bright red sword. Symbols that identified them as personally assigned members of her household and that they are to be treated as appropriate. There was also a matching set of 3 fine long bladed knives, chunky and like many Lumarian items, built to survive their harsh climates. “Your funds, there will be more, but this is your funds to travel and get established. We do not know what is available. You will have to hire and purchase as needed.”
“your letters of introduction, our finest maps of the area as best known. And lastly. Your marks of office.” He gestured and each took and placed them over their necks, marking them formerly now as part of the Royal Household.
“We live to serve” Came three voices at same time, one with a note of command, one thick as any lunarian ever would be and a 3rd softer but firm and confident.
“Honour blades. Each bears your name, take them and do not disgrace them. Each of you is now responsible for her life, honour and our future.” They reached for them, strapping them to their belts around their waists with the clink of steel and sound of leather. Their words repeated and oaths sworn by taking them.
“Right, now that's over, being chairs. Some ale and meat. We have much to discuss. And too little time to do it” The guard commander said, ending the formality of the ceremony. Right down to business as a great map pinned to a wall of wood was dragged over, a table to scrolls scraped on the floor and food and drink was brought from the side chamber.
…
Run. Run, dodge, strike… the wilderness ran by instantly, a blur, dodging, the shouts of men, the sound of horses and the hammering of his heart. Ducking below a rider…the padded mace missed, the counter blow sent him falling to the straw.
The flag. The flag was on the hill…
“Wake up, we need to depart, the stable master has got all the horses shoed and ready” Daphnne shook the old Knight awake who was seeming to sleep under a large oak tree, near the main stables. The sturdy cart sounded as it approached with the sound of heavy horses pulling it and thud of large iron shod shoes on the packed earth.
“Wake up Ya old arse” shouted Hector as he pulled the cart to a stop opposite where they were getting the last minute preparations done. “I know ya old but still” He laughed as he watched the squire try to wake him far more respectfully.
“Thankyou Daphne” He said with a softer tone pulling himself up as the cart rolled up, horses in tow that were ready and Farrier and Smith led 4 horses over that had fresh shoes. “All done my lord, about…” He began before payment was rendered and generously for a rush job. A bow and a quick exit as the two men could feed their families well this month, there was still too much work to be done.
“I'm coming, your arse is as old as mine about” He laughed as climbing onto his large dark brown mount, strapped with gear and weapons.
…
What counted for night was falling, well.. the rather tenuous distinction between night and day these past years. There was an Inn what looked like a mile away, the light shined from its windows and a fire burned in what looked to be the hearth as smoke rose.
“The horses are tired, we pulling over Adon, they are getting twitchy.” The gruff Knight handled the cart back from another twitch in the reigns.
“My mount is slowing sir” Daphne spoke up as she gave it a kick to try and keep it moving, the ride had a fair distance and man and beast were in need to rest.
“We got the coin. Hot meal sounds good to me” slowing up their place until they reached the Inn hearing a growing sound of people drinking, a rather off tune bard and a large gathering of merchants debating something going quiet as they passed.
“Watch the cart, il handle the Inn keep” Coswain dismounted and pushed the door open confidently, sword strapped to side, daggers and more making quite the impression on top of his height and build.
“Inn keep I need stabling for horses, my cart and bed and board for 3.”“My…lord, we will try best, we are packed out, you saw all the traders” the Innkeeper said as the noise began to return to normal, it was just travel and not arrests “tonight” as it were. You never could quite assume.
“Do your best, I understand” He said trying to placate the man, Coswain knew honey, and gold got more than fear.
“At least tell me you have good ale” He hoped. Palming a few coins onto the bar as he did.
“Service, for Service” He spoke with a hint.
The man looked down, then beckoned his wife over who took them and gave the Knight a smile. “Il get you a room, we have a spacious one left, and our son will get your horses ready for the?”
“Abit. abit after dawn,much as it is these days” He said with a little charm, but not too much but to upset the man. “Free ale tonight to make up sir, we have to get caravans ours before you, they paid and I promised” He said with confidence, returning that he was dealing with a reasonable man. “Get them some stew, it's less fresh but still hot, and 3 ales, keep ir flowing.” He said as Hector and Daphne entered.
“Oi, clear the King's guards a table, they need a seat. We a loyal Inn” he shouted over the noise and some men grumbled but got up freeing up a table near the hearth that was soon laden with stew, rough but filling and thick and tankards of local ale. The in keeper smiled, there probably would be no fights tonight, not inside anyway. The traders outside all bets were off.
“Ya paid did ya” Hector grunted as he bit off some salted meat and cut some cheese that looked a little less appetising but tasted good.
“Kings coin, kings Service. Never fails” Coswain said flatly, he could of demanded the Service but it smoothed the way and they had a hot meal, drinks as well as a roof over their head tonight that was dry.
“It beats the road, I Prefer a roof to the stars” tough people as she, they and most present where. No one turned down a hot meal, a fire and dry roof willingly.
…
“Dawn Haven?” Daphne squinted into the map tracing their route, they had reached one of the passes they would need to traverse, though what Coswain and Hector remembered, a wooden checkpoint for tolls and taxes was a small stout stone keep, walled and barred by a far more solid structure of a wall across the pass.
“We are on the right road. After the Blight came, the King increased security, we are here” He gestured to where they were, his squire had done well enough, just misjudged the distance they travelled. Everyone had to learn the skills through and judgement took practice and experience.
“Royal Guard, open up and give us passage” Hector shouted as they rounded towards the gated some minutes later.
“Open in the King's Name" His loud and thick tones echoed out and sounded clearly. “Probably half asleep” He grunted as they sat before someone looked down from the wall. “Open up, tell the captain to be down by the gate”. The shout was returned and they soon opened the gate, and a woman in armour was waiting, hair cropped short with a captain's chain of office and what looked like burns down her neck and exposed hand. “Castelian, how can we aid you. I am Captain Asaura” She said, grasping his forearm in a warrior's greeting.
“Honours be Captain Asaura. Lord Castellan Coswain. Water for our horses, a fire and some information about the road ahead. My Senior Squire Daphne and Master Warsmith Hector.” He gestured to the small group he travelled with.
“Not seen you since you where a Squire” Grunted Hector returning the greeting respectfully.
“And still a Grumpy bastard” She replied with oddly affection, he had been a hard master especially to blade maintenance but a good one during her years in the training halls.
“You're still an arrogant one” He spoke but there was no heat and more laughter than offence was drawn. “Still can kick your arse, Captain or no”
“Captain, Thanks in your honour for the hospitality of your keep” Daphne said as she pulled their horses over to the drinking place, water from a high and cold stream, very fresh and crisp.
“My men will handle it, warm up, grab a meal, you can see how things work here Daphne squire of Coswain.” She said kindly. Her appearance and job, even Lunarians cold, and unforgiving showed kinship and aided each other in the battle against their harsh home. That and she suspected anyone who was a squire to a Lord Castelian was likely to be prepared for more than mere line soldier. “Least one of you is civilised” The captain gave Daphne a smile, women in the guard had to stick together, you had to be better, faster , but those who did pass often achieved status and success.
“We can trade information. We have the latest updates on the blight, you know the road.” Daphne said more boldly and taking a risk, she felt like she had to show her metal and be more than a mere side character.
Watching, Coswain just gave a nod. She was learning that sometimes a favour came for a favour, be it coin, information or other services. One could not just take and not give, Lunaris had its quirks and strange aspects and this was just one of many.
…
The party travelled on heading to gloom Haven, a slow ride taking it easy on their horses, the pace was steady and winded its way down the road. Finally they reached the warning markers of potential dangers. Thick wooden posts each hammered with a deformed skull of a blight afflicted beast or human were marked with red slashes across in paint.
“That's it… Gloomhaven is, Daphnne?” Coswain asked his squire and tested her skills, she needed to become a master of navigation, she was good. But to survive and thrive in times currently, good was not good enough. They had to be the best, he had lost too many good men and women, who were “good enough”.
Consulting her map, trailing the route from the capital, to the Fort and other places they had passed on their ride.
“We here, at our current pace, we should be able to make it by time our horses tire” Checking the scale and getting nods of agreement from both the older soldiers confirming she was correct.
“Good, you a little optimistic but close enough” Hector's tone grumbled out as normal, he was a rather hard one to please, gruff and rough. He did like her in his own way.
“Past here, keep your sword ready, those markers. We are lawfully able to do whatever and anything we need to protect the kingdom.” His thick accent and tones took even native Lunarian to double check what he said in their mind.
“Close enough” Coswain spoke, past the markers as they turned down towards the sign indicating gloom Haven.
“Keep your eyes open, let's go, i'd rather not camp by the road here” He commanded as they picked up their pace more heading down the dark road, the sound of iron shoes ringing out as they headed to greet the princess and her prince.
“You worked with the Princess before? Any information we know ahead of time” Daphne asked as she rode one handed with a second on her sword by her hip. Glancing to the shadows by a large group of trees with deep shadows running into the blackness.
“No, maybe a decade ago or more, I spent my time under the Marshal and not the Paladin orders command of late” Coswain explained with an easy tone, he did not keep his hand on sword but did keep it close and ready.
“Less chat, more speed” He commanded.
“aye boss” She said slightly flippantly but got no rebuke as they picked up the pace, 3 armoured soldiers did not get bothered by a group of less reputable folks selling “protection amulets” against the blight. Much as her grip reached to draw her blade and turn to them, she was gestured to carry on, speed and safety was more important than a few charlatans today.
…
First they saw the large lake stretching out before they saw the town it was named for, a place looking like a jumble of fresh, current and planned construction mixed up all together. It only took a few questions to find where the hall was likely where the princess they were dispatched to protect would be.
“Onwards” came the call and they began their new quest.
…
Syraeia Leela “Sy-a” Inn Keeper
Dawn Haven _ “The eye of the Beholder.”
First Day of Winter | 40 Degrees Fahrenheit | Clear Skies
Syraeia Leela “Sy-a” recalled her long journey that brought her to this place, an painful and also strangely one she even survived wiping down the bar with a damp rag and some dab of a caustic potion that helped it cut through the grease, dirt and spilled ale that built up.
“Food be awhile, the stew is still cool” She called out to someone as they entered glancing back to a pot of stew over a fire that was licking the sides of the pot in the stone hearth. It would take some time to heat properly.
A grumble was the only reply she got, a Lunarian probbly, some of them were on the more rougher side but also loyal, hard working and also genuinely self reliant and hardy folks.
“That's better” Saying to self as she cleaned the counter to her satisfaction, it gleamed in dark wood veined with a reddish wood. She had no idea of its origins but probably not the cheapest that could be acquired. Given the man who she was told who funded this place, well that was a given that he probably did not cut corners when building the Inn.
Her journey here was part of a convoy, wagons were escorted by soldiers who cleaned them through guarded passes, keeping the ever present risk of banditry that had risen since the chaos and the blight had impacted the kingdom's resources to handle multiple problems at once. Her first impressions of the new settlement were to be surprised that the place was built so quickly, even early on the pace of change was rapid and work was proceeding with vigour.
A harried looking man directed her and the items she had been given to take over the Inn. He barely looked at her but that was nothing new or surprising, he handed her a heavy iron key for the door, her deed and contract as well as a pointed roughly where the Prince's Hall, the market where she could acquire anything that had been overlooked.
The first few weeks had been, well crazy, the pace of change was rapid, getting used to the Inn, its routine and having to learn her basic business ledger and maths. A surprising kind Sunni had taught her that, Blight born, she did not expect anyone to treat her more than something to be avoided.
Sunni had surprised her and took his time to teach her the skills to properly manage her new business. Accounting, how to order supplies and many other skills she lacked, he has been slowly teaching her. On a quiet spell she has been learning the foundation skills of business between serving pints, meals and signing in guests. She took slowly but with growing confidence as Sunni showed to be a skilled teacher, and able to break down seemingly advanced topics into smaller step by step lessons each building on the last.
The owner is socially foolish but hides a high degree of intelligence. To her surprise he even helps out at the Inn when he seems to feel the need, running the bar, failing to chat up women, and men.. or just helping her watch the front while she is busy in the getting new batch of stew on
So now as she looked over the bar at her Inn, her Inn…though someone else owned it, it was…Hers. Hers to manage. A rather extreme change in circumstances for someone who had scraped a living in backstreets, the people passing fed her needs she barely understood in a way that she knew she needed. It was like trying to start your life from an entirely new set of rules.
“Ale, coming up.” She kept her hood up to help blend a little today, everyone knew but it was less obvious as she handed over a tankard of dark ale as the coins were dropped onto a bowel on the counter.
“Food is still warming up” She said to the regular whom nodded and found a table near the fire, the bright light hurt her sensitive eye somewhat but she had grown to tolerate it, her senses where intense, overwhelming at times, feeling the need to enjoy the cool, the pitch black and the almost void. It was soothing.
That would not be for a while. It was quiet for now but trade would pick up, Gloom Haven lacked for some things and the Inn did not lack. Wines, ales, various meats and meats brought in by Sunni filled the stock rooms in the back, there was even spices and other things that were never part of her regular life before her transformation.
If trade kept up, she could buy herself one of those nice fur lined cloaks she saw at the market, her mother had one that her father had saved up for months to buy and always had been interested in it.
Well if the figures in her accounts added up, her maths was passable now, but the accounting side she was still mastering how to resolve without any left over on double entry accounts Sunni had called them.
She would look rather good in that cloak… pride, well people might respect her more if she dressed well. She was determined to make the best of the hell she had been put through.
1x Thank
