Kho
Landed Knight
Posts: 140
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Post by Kho on Jul 4, 2017 19:19:18 GMT
The Avatar of the Gods
1133 of the Esharan-Aulus I Calendar / 940 YP
***
Year: 1079 / 886
She had shivered when they brought her before Him. Her father had laboured hard to secure their meeting, had laboured hard to ensure that her fate and His would be forever entwined. That the blood of his descendants would intermix with that of the Gods. The Qarqaz was opposed to the entire thing - 'this is most irregular, Theudis!' he had muttered darkly, 'most irregular.' But the Qarqaz did not have as much power as many thought. Certainly, he was an authority, certainly, he was loved and respected, certainly, he had unveiled to them the identity of the Avatar, certainly, he had brought much that was good into the faith; but one like Recimir Hairuwulf did not relinquish all he had built up merely because a Qarqaz bid it. Hairuwulf was an Esharan and proud, but the faith did not forbid seeking the best for one's children and kin. It was no sin to make it so there was no woman for the Avatar other than his daughter. And what was there to object to? Did she not have piercing sight and knowledge? Did she not possess a penetrating intelligence and understanding? Was she not pious and true? Was she not amongst the fairest of the women of the land? Did his blood, and he was the erector of the foundations of this sacred state - uniter of the Grey Elves -, not run in her veins? There was no doubt in his or anyone's mind that she was worthy of the Avatar. Worthy of carrying within her womb the children of the Gods.
'You would manipulate the Avatar in such a way, Theudis?' the Qarqaz had asked accusingly, 'your conscience has departed with you to such base nadirs that you would deign to manipulate your Lord and Master?' The Recimir had looked with irritation at the man.
'What would you know? Are you the master and unifier of these people or am I? You are a respected and holy man, Qarqaz, but do not think to delve into these delicate and most monumental matters of state. I am ensuring the future of our nation. I am ensuring that the Avatar will have beside Him one who is worthy, one who will be a pillar of support, one on whom even He - who is the pivot of our universe - can in His most private and vulnerable moments lean and rely upon. What baseness is there in such? What sin do I commit by so doing? Get thee gone, man, and let me not hear any more such talk from you.' The white-haired Grey Elf had then turned away from the Qarqaz, leaving the Sage trembling with affrontation.
And so she had been brought before Him, and He was nothing more than a human boy - not a few months past His fifth year. She was more than sixty years His senior. And she shivered. No, there was no vast antiquity hiding in His eyes, as she had thought there might be. There was no well of experience and endless knowing. He was not an eternal being in the shell of a child. He was vulnerable and He was innocent, and He had no idea as to what He was destined for. That, more than anything, made her shiver. They had been given an Avatar, it was true. But it was for them to take Him and forge Him into the saviour they so desperately needed. That all Esharans, that all Ergorians, needed.
His hair was a reddish brown and crowned His head with lazy curls, and His eyes were a brown that spoke of warmth - though at that exact moment they were yet confused and still afraid. Though He had always dwelt in the frozen Ausvinthus climes, His skin was darker than that of any elf - no doubt due to the fact that His fathers and grandfathers before had lived in the heat of south-eastern Ergoria. He was yet small of build, His hands tender in her own and His flesh soft - but it was clear to anyone that He would grow into a beautiful man, for He was a captivating child. Indeed, she had seen children before and knew well the instinctive love and protectiveness that filled one's being at the sight of a child. But she had never felt quite so protective before. Perhaps it was the knowledge that He was the Avatar. Perhaps it was the knowledge that He was entrusted to Her, that - to all extents and purposes - He was hers.
'Aulus,' she said softly. He looked up at her. 'Let's go.' He had been perfectly happy sat where He was, waiting on the Qarqaz to come back.
'W-where is Babaji [honorific; 'Grandfather'] Haldwin?' He asked uncertainly, placing a little toy figurine - a soldier, it seemed - down.
'He will come to see you from time to time, but now you will be with me. You understand? It's what Babaji wants.'
'He said to stay here until he comes back.' His brown eyes flashed with suspicion, but she only smiled sweetly.
'You don't want to walk in the garden with me? We might even see some of the soldiers again.' His eyes immediately brightened on this, and He made to move. But He quickly caught himself and looked hesitantly at the toy soldier in His hands.
'What if Babaji comes back and doesn't find me?' He asked.
'Babaji will always find you. He found you before, he will find you again.' A level of reassurance entered the boy's eyes and He nodded. Jumping quickly to His feet, He took her extended hand and chattered excitedly about the soldiers they saw last time.
'Mama Invera, when I'm big, I'm going to be a soldier just like them!' He declared. She laughed and instinctively tightened her grip on His hand, one of her wings wrapping slightly around Him and bringing Him close; and she could not help but glance at the toy soldier in His other hand. Her eyes seemed to lose their warmth very suddenly.
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Kho
Landed Knight
Posts: 140
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Post by Kho on Jul 7, 2017 6:26:19 GMT
The Avatar of the Gods
1133 of the Esharan-Aulus I Calendar / 940 YP
***
Year: 1089 / 896
My Dear & Most Honourable &c. Lady Invera Theudis,
I can bear no longer to simulate a friendship for you which is less than what I feel; ever since I have known that I know you I have had a thing in my heart to say to you, and the longer I have been on campaign the more I determined to say it to you some day. For a long time I thought it was my duty to leave this thing unsaid; so I did my duty, and it made me cross and irritable and bad-tempered to everyone, and, I fear, unkind even to you. Oh!- how I hope that I am not estranging you even when I tell you that I love you wholly, that as long as I have known you, you have been to me something akin to a divinity, that your influence alone can awaken what is best in me, that if I had not been so many years your junior and your student and akin to your own child I should long ago have asked you to marry me.
But at one time I thought you were likely to marry an Árheimar family friend of your respected and most exalted father, a man of a finer and rarer spirit than I am; a man who would give you the life-atmosphere you need; and I loved you well enough to know how far more excellent this was than anything I could give you. However, I have since thought that if you love and wish after a life with him my speaking cannot draw you away from him; and that if your heart turns to me more than to other men - as my heart turns to you and to no other woman - then my keeping silent will not make you love him.
But how uncouthly, nay, barbarically, I have shown my love for you. Ah, you think me a better and an abler man than I am; my one good deed has been to recognise and reverence a great-hearted, crystal-souled, unequally-sagacious woman until she has become my true inspiration; indeed, if ever I were to have success as a poet, this letter is the best poem I shall ever right in all my life. My Lady, I love you; I do not know how to say anything else. If you care for me in this way, if your heart inclines towards mine as does mine, you will deign to tell me, will you not?
If this is, however, all a terrible mistake, if you can be no more to me than the friend, and mother, and teacher you have always been, I beseech you be never less than that; only, burn this letter, for then you will not want it; and consign it to the halls of forgetfulness; and maybe just say softly to yourself sometimes, 'I have a friend in the army; I like him, but he loves me', and come to me on your own terms, for I cannot do without you. At any rate, once in eternity I feel blessed and made glorious, having written myself down your lover.1
My Lady, I remain now and forever Your most humble and ignorant student and child,
Aulus
***
Year: 1089 / 896
She could not help the sudden warmth and swift rush of emotion that sped through her chest as she read it again and again. Her heart thundered in her breast and the sound of His voice seemed to read the words to her even as her eyes raced over them and paused at points. A letter to her, written with His own hand, unveiling such deep feeling. It was almost scandalous, were it not for the fact that this was how it was always meant to be. It had been unbearably painful to part from him when he set out on campaign some three months earlier. For ten years they had gone unseparated - not so much as a day had gone by except that she accompanied him. And she taught him and travelled the country with him, and she was as a mother to him and his closest advisor and guardian and, over time, friend. He was always an intelligent child, and he quickly grasped all she spoke to him about. And his memory was keen, disarmingly so. It was only natural that, after so long together, he should feel her absence so deeply when he went. What she had not entirely anticipated was that she would feel it too. It embarrassed her somewhat - to think that he should have such an effect on her, and he was barely a few months past his fifteenth year.
Sighing, she put the letter down on her desk and sat there thoughtfully for a time. She would have to write back. The thought scared her somewhat and excited her. But she found that she could not heave her heart into her mouth. It was a short letter.
***
Year: 1089 / 896
Your Sacred Majesty,
Be daily prove you shall me find
To be to you both loving and kind.2
From Árheimar, by Your Sacred Majesty's humble, obedient, loving &c. servant and slave,
Invera Theudis
1 Inspired by Gordon Bottomley's letter to Emily Burton, 17 October 1899
2 Direct quote from Anne Boleyn to King Henry VIII of England |
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Kho
Landed Knight
Posts: 140
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Post by Kho on Jul 7, 2017 16:32:54 GMT
The Avatar of the Gods
1133 of the Esharan-Aulus I Calendar / 940 YP
***
Year: 1089 / 896
They had been tracking down the rogue giants for over a week, and the men were beginning to lose hope of catching them. The Giants had proven extremely hostile and were prone to raiding Union outposts and the villages of the indigenous Grey Elves and dwarves. The Giants were loosely allied to humans in the area, and there seemed to be some loose connection between them and the former Sacrye-Baemir alliance further to the west. It was likely that they had invaded from the north when the Sacrye and Baemir first came, but had not been numerous enough or close enough to those kingdoms to establish any official connection. And now the indigenous Esharan inhabitants of the region beseeched the Recimir to save them from the seasonal Giant and human raids.
It had become something of a logistical nightmare. The disparate raiding tribes did not seem to have any form of central command or organisational structure worth mentioning, and their raids tended to be erratic and completely uncoordinated, making it almost impossible to foresee where they would strike next or protect against any consistent strategy they had. Moreover, their raiding parties tended to be small and swift, making it near enough impossible for the larger Union armies to react in time against all of them. More frustrating was the fact that these Giants and humans remained largely nomadic, and so there was no permanent settlement of theirs that could simply be threatened or subjugated. The Recimir was in his tent hunched over a small wooden desk with Lord Chief Advisor Hairuwulf and Legatus Brenhilda, looking at various maps by candlelight, when the letter arrived.
'Sacred Majesty, a letter for you from Árheimar,' the courier announced at the small wooden doorway of the tent. Aulus looked up and gestured for the courier to bring it closer. He took it and noted the unfamiliar seal before breaking it quickly and opening the letter. It was exceptionally short. But it was enough.
'Something urgent, Majesty?' Brenhilda asked. Aulus looked at her distractedly, his heart thundering and mind elsewhere.
'Uh, ye- well, uh, not...not for our current purposes.' He very quickly put the letter back in its envelope and tucked it safely into his breeches pocket. Thanking the courier, he turned back to the map and marked with red ink the position of another village that had been raided. 'You say they took four women and three children from this one?' Aulus asked. Brenhilda nodded.
'By the time we got there they were long gone. They also raided the town's supplies and took pretty much all of this year's harvest - small enough as it was.' Aulus sighed and opened his small log.
'I will register them also and ensure they are supplied from the interior,' he said before noting down the village's coordinates along with the others, 'though this is simply ludicrous Legatus. Every single one of these villages needs some sort of permanent protection if we are to get any closer to counteracting the raids.'
'But Majesty, we cannot simply garrison every town in the region. We don't have the numbers or the resources for that,' Aulus clicked his tongue in annoyance and shook his head.
'No, Legatus, that is not what I mean. I am certain that villagers will be completely capable of protecting themselves against these small raiding parties if we provided them with sufficient training and weaponry. So long as the raiders can grab whatever they need from villages and towns, we will not be able to effectively drive them out. They must be made to realise that they have very little to gain and very much to lose from attacking any village.'
'Majesty, with all due respect, doing this will take time. And these raiders live by the sword, even if village militias are set up, a large enough raiding force will easily be able to overrun them.'
'And that is exactly what we want. Larger raiding parties mean we can bring our forces to bear against them. It will be far more difficult for them to simply loot and disappear. I want us to train up town militias and I want our forces to be split up into groups of two-hundred and fifty. I want them kept in supply, and I want the region crawling with them. That is all.' Brenhilda was about to protest, but Aulus turned away and signalled for her to depart. He was tired and needed to rest. Once she was gone he turned to Hairuwulf. 'Do you think it will work?'
The cold-eyed Grey Elf did not immediately respond. When he did, it was concise. 'It certainly can work. It all depends on how well we can keep up communications and supply routes with all these separate contingents. It will doubtlessly strain our logistical infrastructure and open us up to the potential raid not of villages and towns, but of our many supply lines. However, I have trust in Your Sacred Majesty's logistical capabilities, and when you decide upon a matter; we hear and we obey.' And with that, the former-Recimir bowed respectfully before taking his leave. Aulus watched him leave, closing the small wooden door of the tent behind him. Now with some privacy, he reached for the envelope and opened the letter once more. His eyes clung to the words as if looking long enough will make them burst and all the unspoken words and meanings would come forth. All that rushed forth, however, was a turbulent storm of emotion - a mixture of unbridled joy and unadulterated pain at being so far from her. He had felt the pain from the first few days away; nay, from the first few hours. It was a peculiar and deeply disturbing feeling to know that she was not nearby, that he could not simply look up and find her close at hand or further off. It was not a feeling he could have ever realised existed were it not for her absence.
Sitting at the small desk, he got out paper and pen.
***Year: 1089 / 896
My Dearly Beloved & Most Honourable &c.,
Having received your letter I find myself all warm and unsettled and having the greatest and most intense desire to be by your side this very instant. Yet these cares and business of state are placed upon our shoulders and demand our every attention and concern. And so I am forced yet to send to you, along with this letter, only the shadow of myself, which is the true affection of a substance that loves you above all the world. The present campaign continues with difficulty, though it is my hope that it will be effectually dispatched presently, and by the will of Eshar-Qiqarius I will be with you before you are aware. At present this affair is looking to take another six months or seven at the most, but longer than eight months I shall not bear to be away from you. Therefore about that time assuredly look for our return. We are yet attempting to root out the rogues and blackguards preying on the innocent villagers, and have great hope that in the coming months we will be able to arm the townspeople that they may better defend their lives and homes. I leave then to your judgement whether it not be six months well spent to protect the people and secure their prosperity and sanguinity.
For the rest, I give you full assurance that though I am separated in body far from you by great distance, yet I leave the better part of me, which is my spirit, to attend you, which I know in bearing the continual company and hourly saluting of you will do the part of a friend. And so think, I beseech of you, that my desire to see you cannot keep me long from you. And so I am forced from you, kissing your hands more than a thousand times.
He who, being absent from you, is not with himself,
Aulus |
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Kho
Landed Knight
Posts: 140
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Post by Kho on Jul 8, 2017 8:52:05 GMT
The Avatar of the Gods
1133 of the Esharan-Aulus I Calendar / 940 YP
***
Year: 1090 / 897
Aulus' eyes narrowed as he watched the raiding party move swiftly across the frozen plain. His mare, Hirkala, whinnied and snorted beneath him, and some three-hundred other horses did likewise further down the hill behind him, out of sight of the raiders.The raiding party was made up of some two-hundred rogues, giants and humans. Placing the elongated silver helmet on his head and hefting his heavy lance, he dug his knees into Hirkala's sides and the mare leapt forward. Behind him, three hundred demi-lancers did likewise.
 Many in his court were of the view that the age of the demi-lancer was over, that Eshara's famed elven knights were a thing of the past. The power of gunpowder, they argued, had brought chivalry and armour on the battlefield to a definitive end. Aulus was of a different view. The group of lancers behind him had been somewhat shocked when he had heavy armour brought for them, and lances unlike anything that had been seen on a battlefield in over one hundred years. The raiders had guns, it was true. But if there was ever going to be an opportunity to test and improve an elite force of long-lived Grey Elven demi-lancers, this was it.
Snow and earth rose up all around them as the horses thundered down the hill and across the open plain. Now in plain sight of the unsuspecting raiders, the enemy force looked to be in utter chaos. They had not expected to be found, let alone to be charged at by what was by any measure a medieval group of riders. But it did not stop the charging force from being a terrifying sight to behold, and the raiders knew death was upon them. 'Guns! Guns! Get a hold of your guns!' Their party leader, a black-haired giant, was roaring. The raiders fumbled with their weaponry as they tried to form the semblance of ranks, and just before Aulus' riders hit they let off a rather concentrated volley. Horses fell and riders let off gasps of shock as their armour gave way before the powerful blast. Beneath Aulus, Hirkala's front legs gave way and the Recimir found himself falling forward over the head of his steed. A giant's head reared up before him, and even in his helpless tumult he gripped his lance and let out an enraged growl as he drove it forward into the thing's exposed neck. Its eyes hardly registered the shocking blow as it fell backwards and Aulus landed roughly on top of it. Getting to his feet, he reached for his pistol and released its content into a man bringing his musket to bear on him. Throwing the now-useless weapon aside he drew his sword and leapt into the fray as the rest of his riders collided with the raiders.
'Look out for the captured villagers!' Aulus commanded, 'protect them!' Even as he spoke a shot blew off his shoulder guard and bits of metal struck the side of his helmet and embedded themselves in the chainmail protecting his neck. He growled angrily before striking the head of the nearest enemy and raising his shield for greater protection. He would need to speak with his dwarven armourers about the quality of this armour they had crafted for him, it was hardly protecting against the musket shots, and many of the horses had been killed due to the shots piercing their armour. He had specifically ordered them to test the armour against musket shots and ensure they had a greater resistance to them. Clearly, his command had not been carried out.
With his men clearing up the escaping remnants of the raiders, he turned to securing the freedom of the imprisoned villagers and the return of the stolen supplies and money. 'Thank the Gods! Thank the Gods!' he could hear one of the young women shouting as his men struck the locks keeping them caged in the slave wagon. Though the raiders - particularly the giants - were known to sacrifice those they captured to Gatyx, those they did not sacrifice were sold into slavery. When capturing villagers, they generally preferred young women and strong young men. The elderly they usually left - though they were known to slaughter indiscriminately if led by a particularly callous leader. Children they only ever took to sacrifice.
With the raiders dead and the villagers safe, they began their trek back to the village. A rider approached him and got off his horse. 'Majesty, here is my horse. It is not seemly for me to ride while my Recimir walks.' Aulus smiled at the man.
'Keep your horse, for you kept her in the midst of battle. I could not keep my own, and so now I walk.' The armoured Grey Elf looked down and made no response. When Aulus began to walk, however, the elf followed after him on foot, holding his horse's reins and leading her on. 'What's your name, soldier?' Aulus asked.
'Corinn, Your Sacred Majesty. Corinn Aqard.' The elf responded. Aulus nodded.
'Stay by me, Corinn. Perhaps I will learn from you how to keep my horse.' At this, the elf laughed.
'Maybe you wouldn't have to if you take up a musket and leave the horses, Majesty. There is a beauty to armoured riders, but they were the conquerors of a bygone age. This is the age of the gun, there is no place for armoured riders.' Aulus sighed heavily at the elf's words.
'No, the time has not yet come for armoured riders to give up their arms. We just need improved armour. I have every faith that the Haiho dwarves can do this for me, and that Eshara will be able to field an elite regiment of riders renown across the land.' Corinn looked at his Recimir thoughtfully before nodding. If anyone could craft armour resistant to gunshot, it would be the Haiho dwarves. And if anyone could forge these men into an armoured regiment of renown, it would be the Recimir.
'If that is Your Sacred Majesty's will, your will be done.' Corinn said. Aulus nodded with a small smile, and they remained in comfortable silence for the rest of the journey. |
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Kho
Landed Knight
Posts: 140
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Post by Kho on Aug 9, 2017 21:56:37 GMT
The Avatar of the Gods
1134 of the Esharan-Aulus I Calendar / 941 YP
***
Year: 1090 / 897
The gates of Árheimar towered high above the Recimir as his tremendous sable steed trotted slowly through them. He rode ahead of his men, armoured and sat upright, his stallion pausing between trots and holding its position before taking the next trot. The crowds had gathered and were deathly silent as the lord of Árheimar made his victorious entrance after many months away from the capital. Behind him, his armoured regiment - whose exploits and victories against what had proven to be something of a brigand state in the making had made the rounds throughout the capital and many of Eshara's major urban centres. The synchronised cacophony of hooves falling upon the paved road only enhanced the Recimir's display of triumph, power, and glory.
Aulus allowed himself to turn his helmed head slowly and gaze upon the awe-struck faces of the gathered masses. Invera had told him in her latest messages of how her father had been hard at work spreading news of his victories and exploits to the people, of how the brigands who had terrorised the north-western regions were on the run and more lands and people were by the day being brought into the fold of Eshara's protection. 'Admiration for you only grows, love and respect. Every Qarqaz sings your praises and declares your manifold virtues.' It gladdened the young Recimir to know that his people held such respect for him, but he could not help but doubt very much that this was the universal and uniform sentiment held by the great majority of people. He did not deny that he loved his Invera very much, but he would not allow himself to be fooled by her honied words - all which, he had no doubt, held only the very kindest of intentions. He had read the histories of those monarchs who came before him, he knew well that only destruction befell those who were deceived by the words of their councillors and courtiers - rare were those who knew the true sentiment of the masses. Rarer still were those who, if they did know, would be truthful with their monarch for fear that their honesty would incur the monarch's wrath. But Aulus had secured for himself those whose very task was to tell him the truth.
The Agroba family had been one of Old Eshara's most esteemed and well-connected families, its members had for centuries made it to high and respected positions within the Guardians - Old Eshara's secretive policing and intelligence organisation. They had escaped from Crimsamara when Old Eshara breathed its last, but their long family tradition in the secret services of the Old Esharan state did not disappear when they came to Árheimar. They had dwelled in the shadows - as they always did - spreading their tendrils within Árheimar and beyond. They had made contact with the Recimir not long before he set out on his north-western campaign, offering to once more enter into the service of the rightful lord of Eshara. Suspicious at first, Aulus had seen fit to look into the history of the Agrobas for himself. The libraries of Árheimar offered very little on them - only that they had been central to the formation of the Guardians many centuries ago and that their service to the Esharan throne had been largely within the Guardians. With the books coming up with very little, the young Recimir had turned to the Lord High Qarqaz, Haldwin the Sage. If there was anyone who would know something about the Agrobas, it would be him.
He had at first been suspicious of Aulus' questioning. 'My boy, how do you know of these...people? Why do you ask me about them?' The Recimir had not wanted to let anyone know of their attempted communications with him - something told him it was for the best that it was kept utterly secret.
'Babaji, I came across them in a book. It said that they were instrumental in the creation of the Guardians in Old Eshara - but there is precious little else. I thought maybe you could tell me more about them. What happened to them? Why is there so little recorded about them?' Haldwin had leaned back in his chair and gestured for the young Recimir to take a seat.
'The Agroba clan is - for it exists to our very day - amongst the most dangerous organisations I have had the displeasure of crossing. In the days of Old Eshara, they were masters of assassination and espionage - the Basileus set them loose on his enemies and the enemies of the nation, and they did all they could to ensure that...undesirable elements were removed before they became overly problematic. They were very secretive and often acted through the Guardians. But they were an organisation and force unto themselves, independent in all ways but name.' Aulus' eyes were wide, within them was a mixture of admiration and fear.
'And...what happened to them?' He asked.
'They were tasked, when Crimsamara was falling, with watching over the escaping Basilinna and her child, and Hairuwulf Theudis who accompanied them. They remained hidden and watched from a distance - not even the Lord Chief Advisor would know that many of his daring escapes from the very jaws of death were made possible only due to the invisible machinations of the Agrobas. They followed the Basilinna and her child into Árheimar itself, and they have been here ever since.' Aulus looked around the darkly-lit room, as though an Agroba would leap from the very walls any moment. 'Oh, I would not put it past them if one of them was listening in on our conversation right now.' Haldwin smiled ever so slightly, a knowing look in his eyes. Aulus frowned and, his heart jumping at it, realisation dawned in his eyes.
'You mea-' Haldwin raised a finger to his lips and Aulus smiled slightly. 'Thank you, Babaji.' He had let the Agrobas know that they were now in Eshara's service once more and that he would expect a complete report on the sentiment of the people on his return from campaigning in the north-western regions.
And now he had returned. |
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Kho
Landed Knight
Posts: 140
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Post by Kho on Aug 10, 2017 2:34:20 GMT
The Avatar of the Gods
1134 of the Esharan-Aulus I Calendar / 941 YP
***
Year: 1091 / 898
They sat one beside the other at the round table, and on the other side sat the Lord High Qarqaz. Aulus glanced at Invera, a small smile hovering about his lips. Her eyes met his and she smiled also, her cheeks reddening and a tinge of embarrassment forcing her to break his gaze and look down at the wooden table. It was so odd to share a glance of affection while the rest of world gazed at them. The wide hall of the Pantheon - usually filled with supplicators and those in earnest prayer - was today filled with the various members of Árheimar's upper echelons, government officials, and those civilians from across Árheimar and the realm who attached enough importance to the marriage of the Recimir to make the journey. From the rather high number of dwarves and goblins in the huge hall, Aulus could only guess that rather a lot of people had travelled from outside Árheimar to be here today. All around the hall, there were statues of differing shapes and sizes representing the tens and hundreds of gods in the Esharan pantheon of gods. The largest was one at the very back, behind the altar, with its towering head reaching the high ceiling of the great Pantheon. It was none other than Eshar-Qiqarius. Aulus allowed himself to gaze upon the tremendous edifice which represented the god, his mind straying from his marriage for a few moments. Until Haldwin began speaking that is.
'By the mercy of he who created all that is, who raised the firmaments and flattened the earth, who planted the mountains and burst forth the seas, and who placed within every beating chest its soul and gave all sentient beings their chosen path: evil or good. By the benevolence of him and all the gods, who gave the heart its love and decreed that every soul seek out its mate in this world and all worlds, and who has placed within all souls compassion for their mates and given them the dual joy and burden of care. It is thus that, before the gaze of the gods and with their blessing, that I bind the lives and souls of these two children of Eshar-Qiqarius; Aulus son of Tacitus of the household Eshar, and Invera daughter of Hairuwulf of the household Theudis. He to walk the tree with her and she to walk the tree with him in life, in death, and in all that may come after.' And with that, the royal couple rose from the table and turned to the gathered crowds. Aulus took his wife's hand and raised it to the heavens, and the Pantheon's hall rang out with the cheers and ululations and proclamations of all gathered. The royal couple slowly marched towards the entrance of the Pantheon and descended its steps and ascended into the waiting carriage. The people would feast and celebrate long into the night, but the newlyweds would be left to their own devices. Thus were the traditions.
'And so it is done,' Aulus said with a wide smile, his eyes displaying his joy and excitement now that they were safely in the privacy of the carriage. Invera's smile was just as wide, her joy and excitement matching that of her husband and love.
'And here we are,' she whispered, her hands entwining with his in the cosy semi-darkness of the carriage.
'Aye, and here we are,' came his muffled response as he brought her hands to his lips and rained his love upon them. One of her wings freed itself and, despite the small carriage, managed to wrap itself around him and bring him closer to her. She laughed and he chuckled, and were it not for the carriage coming to a sudden halt they love-struck couple may well have altogether foregone waiting until they were in their bedchambers. Invera quickly pushed Aulus away and fixed her dress, slapping Aulus lightly on his knee when she noticed his self-satisfied smirk.
'What mischief are you plotting in that head of yours?' she asked semi-accusingly, barely keeping an impish smile from spreading across her own face.
'Me? Mischief? Never!' he declared, his eyes taking on an innocence that almost deceived her. The carriage door opened and he had slipped out before she could say or do anything more. 'My lady,' came his voice and extended hand, and she took it as he helped her down from the carriage. A slight chill went through her as she stepped out onto solid ground, and she could not help but look to her right. There, clad almost completely in shadows, was what appeared to be a little boy. She could not quite make out his features, but he was watching her and Aulus with a rather disconcerting purposefulness. It was not until a few seconds had passed when she realised that there were two of them, not one.
'A-Aulus...' she said hesitantly. The Recimir looked where she was looking in time to watch the two figures disappear into the darkness.
'Yes, dearest?' he asked.
'Did you see those?' she looked at him uncertainly, 'they seemed to be...watching us.' Aulus frowned and looked back where the two had been.
'You think? They looked to be nothing more than children to me - maybe they did not get the chance to see us at the Pantheon and thought to see the Recimir and Recimira at their palace instead...' he smiled disarmingly and she could not help but chuckle slightly.
'Oh, you think?' she said with an impish smile, putting the two children out of her mind as he led her through the palace gates. They took their time walking through the gardens until they reached a small isolated building Aulus had ordered built especially for him and his newlywed. Away from the main palace, surrounded by the garden in every direction, it was the perfect place for privacy between husband and wife. 'My! When did you have this done? I have never seen it here before.' Invera managed as he led her up three steps and through a small door. The place was small and cosy, there was a refreshing austerity - or perhaps simplicity - about it. None of the pomp or grandeur of the palace itself.
'When you are the Recimir, you can arrange for such things to be done as discretely as you desire. You like it?' he looked to her, his eyes once more betraying his excitement.
'It is beautiful,' she said, 'almost as beautiful as you!' he let out a hearty laugh and led her to the bedchamber.
'This cannot be - almost as beautiful as me? I shall have to have it torn down before it seduces my wife from my arms.' And he closed the door of the bedchamber behind them.
Outside, on the steps, two children sat keeping quiet watch. |
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Kho
Landed Knight
Posts: 140
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Post by Kho on Aug 10, 2017 3:59:37 GMT
The Avatar of the Gods
1134 of the Esharan-Aulus I Calendar / 941 YP
***
Year: 1095 / 902
Haldwin glanced at Aulus' grim face before quickly looking away. He had never before seen the Recimir so visibly distraught. There was uncertainty in his eyes, a hint of anger and an element of anguish. He held a letter in his hand and his eyes, from time to time, read over one line or another.
'Were you...aware of these circumstances?' Aulus asked.
'I...I am sorry to say that I was. I spoke out against them, but none heeded me.' Haldwin responded. Aulus looked back at the letter. It had been sent to his wife, Invera, by her father sometime before their marriage four years ago. He congratulated her on her success in her mission of 'wooing' the Recimir and ensuring that house Theudis and the crown would be forever united. Mission. Was that all he ever was to her?
'So this was all planned. It was all an act.' Aulus stated, his voice heavy and dull.
'Your Sacred Majesty, I cannot look into your wife's heart, but her eyes have always spoken of her love and admira-'
'All an act, from the very beginning.' Aulus repeated with a certain bitterness. Haldwin pursed his lips and maintained his silence. 'To think that I was so naive. To think that I had read so widely and knew well of the intrigues that befell those before me. And here I am, well-read and well-schooled and well-fooled.'
'Majesty, I know Invera well - as do you-'
'But do you, Babaji? Do any of us? Do I even know you? Are there plots and schemes and ulterior intentions hidden in your heart too? Who else has gone to these enormous lengths to fool me so as to achieve some worldly gain or glory?' Aulus had gotten up and was pacing now, his voice slowly rising as his sense of betrayal increased.
'Aulus! Do not presume to peer into the hearts of men, that is but the prerogative of the gods, not of-'
'And am I not a god, Lord High Qarqaz?' Aulus shouted angrily. Haldwin lowered his head, realising the extent of the Recimir's anger and anguish. 'I am betrayed, it is written here in ink, and you tell me not to presume this or that - there is nothing to be presumed! It is all here.' Haldwin raised his head and looked at Aulus, who eyes were tearing up.
'Majesty, forgive me if my tongue does stray, but I remind you of that old truth: Between what is said and not meant, and what is meant and not said, much fondness and affection is lost.' Aulus seemed to sober up slightly on hearing these words, a vestige of calm returning to his eyes.
'That is indeed so. But the heart, once pierced; trust, once shattered, cannot be repaired even if the innocence of the accused be proven. These rigours which shake our very being cannot be undone, this anguish and this betrayal has been carved into our sinews. And, which is worse, the letter speaks of their guilt in this conspiracy against me, and you yourself have confirmed it.' Aulus huffed and dropped into his seat once more.
'Indeed, Majesty, but all that they have done has been in breach of no law - the good Lord Chief Advisor only used his position to place his daughter in your company and assign her as your tutor. There is nothing to say that the feelings between you and her are anything but mutual.' Aulus considered Haldwin's words for a few moments before nodding, though his eyes remained dark at this perceived betrayal.
'You speak wisely, Babaji, but the heart knows wisdom only very little.' Haldwin sighed sadly. It seemed that, no matter what he said, a very sudden and irreparable gulf had suddenly erupted between the Recimir and his - until very recently dearly beloved - wife.
'How did this letter come to be in your possession, Majesty?' Haldwin asked. Aulus looked at it for a few seconds.
'I found it tucked under a candelabrum on my desk,' Aulus mumbled. Haldwin raised an eyebrow at this.
'How did it come to be there?' He asked suspiciously. Aulus looked, suspicion suddenly lighting up in his eyes too.
'You...you think somebody wanted me to find this?' Aulus asked. Haldwin pursed his lips and shrugged.
'It is entirely possible, Majesty. While it does not lessen from your anguish at learning this truth, I would not be surprised if there is some malice intended against you - or even the realm at large - in this act. Discord between the Recimir and his wife cannot result in any good for the people.' Aulus nodded slowly.
'You...think I should keep this quiet?' Haldwin looked at Aulus, stroking his beard slowly.
'That is your decision, Majesty. But I remind you once again: Between what is said and not meant, and what is meant and not said, much fondness and affection is lost.' Aulus sank back into his seat and loosed a deep breath. And he looked in every way glum.
***'You are an absolute fool, Mizjala,' Arkal said, whacking his sister roughly on the head, 'father will kill you when he finds out.' The young woman rubbed her head before lashing out against her brother.
'Shut up Arkal, it's none of your business and it's none of dad's, you get me?' She pushed past him and made for the door, but her brother caught her arm and stopped her.
'Our job is to watch over the Recimir and the Recimira, to protect them from their enemies. It is not to sow discord between them, you stupid girl.' He growled. She scoffed and kicked him violently, forcing him to release her.
'My loyalty isn't to anyone other than the Recimir, brother. Not to you, not to dad, and not to the fucking Recimira. He had a right to know what his wife really was.' Arkal had stumbled back and seated himself on a stool to rub his hurting leg.
'That's beside the point! You've just gone and destroyed the royal marriage because of some stupid crush you have on-'
'Don't you say it! Don't you dare. I don't, ok!' Arkal rolled his eyes, 'and you better not tell dad, got it?' Arkal nodded in defeat.
'Fine, fine. Won't tell anyone a word.' He said as he got up and shook the leg she had kicked, 'anyway, what's all this stuff about Hairuwulf you've been talking about recently.'
'Yeah, I think the old bloke's planning something.' Mizjala said conspiratorially.
'Yeah, he's always planning something, what's new?' Arkal shrugged.
'I've not got anything solid, if that's what you're asking. But I will soon. Just you watch.' Arkal sighed and nodded.
'Yeah yeah, that's what, the thousandth time you've said that in however many years you've been trying to get him.' He put up his hood and made for the door, and his sister did likewise.
'Yes brother, but this time I think I'm really onto something.' She said with a grin.
'We'll see, we'll see.' He glanced back at her to make sure that she did not come across as a woman before stepping out. It was important that the secret of the Brothers Agroba remained just that.
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Kho
Landed Knight
Posts: 140
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Post by Kho on Aug 20, 2017 8:51:07 GMT
Lord of Dust and Ice
1135 of the Esharan-Aulus I Calendar / 942 YP
***
Year: 1135 / 942
The great throne room was utterly silent, those in it waiting. The Throne of Words stood empty, the doors of the throne room closed shut. Councillor Thorlund looked from the seated Recimera to Lord Hairuwulf Theudis. As though sensing Thorlund's eyes on him. Theudis looked up from the floor and met the dwarf's eyes with his own silver ones. They never ceased to chill him.
'His Sacred Majesty...' the dwarf's voice came rather more hesitant than usual.
'When His Sacred Majesty so pleases, His Sacred Majesty will come.' Hairuwulf said simply. Beside him, Haldwin the Sage scoffed. The silver-eyed former-Recimir gave the man a cold glare. 'You have something to say, Qarqaz?' Hairuwulf asked coldly.
'No, nothing at all,' he paused and looked at Hairuwulf, 'though I am rather confused as to why you are still here. Did His Sacred Majesty not bid Your Lordship hurry to New Tarsusin and take charge of the 2nd Army alongside Brenhilda?' Hairuwulf was silent and was about to respond when the Recimera spoke up.
'That was the case, Lord High Qarqaz, but We bid His Lordship remain for this meeting before setting off. We pray it has caused Your Eminence no displeasure.' The dark-eyed Recimera looked at Haldwin.
'No act of Your Sacred Majesty's could ever cause me displeasure,' Haldwin said, bowing deeply before looking once more into her sad eyes. Those eyes had been sad now for...nearly forty years. Aulus had decided not to speak of the matter to his wife. He ignored the fateful revelation in the interest of securing their marriage against those who clearly wished to tear it apart. But it was clear to all that things simply were not the same anymore. Something had been irreversibly broken. It was not their love for each other - certainly not! Anyone with eyes could clearly see that the Recimera's love for her husband was as great today as it had been so many decades ago, if not greater. And there was no hatred or malice in the Recimir's eyes for her - though he avoided looking in her direction when they were together, his eyes were only full of innocent boyish love when he did - and pain.
No, it was not their love that lay shattered. It was, above all things, his trust and faith in her. And for a man who put so much weight on trust, a relationship simply could not function without it. It did not matter how much love he had in his heart for her, how much esteem, it could not work if he doubted all she had spoken and all she would speak. In reality, he had quickly come to realise that he did not truly mind all that much that father and daughter had conspired to woo the heart of the Recimir. It was fair that they should seek to cement their positions by his side - and both were competent and well-meaning advisors, their interest in securing all that was good for the people and nation clear. What he did mind, however, and what continued to hurt him more deeply than anything was that she had never told him. And even to this day, she had not thought to tell him. He had thought at times that perhaps she did not think it so serious a matter as to be worth mentioning. Too trivial. Perhaps she did not even think that there was something really quite wrong about it on an ethical and moral level.
Haldwin sighed and looked away from the Recimera's sad eyes. Gods only knew how many times over the years Aulus and he had sat and spoken about this matter. The Recimir, it seemed, had always taken quiet comfort in the fact that someone else knew of his pain and patience. But even as the Recimir and Recimera bore their own pain, Hairuwulf also had been troubled. Haldwin looked for a few moments at the stoic elf, and he could not help but pity the elf somewhat. It was not so much that the Recimir no longer trusted him - it was difficult to distrust a man who had done and sacrificed so much, after all. He was still assigned to many important tasks and his position at the centre of the nation's affairs was never more secure. But his official title belied the truth of the distance that had grown between father- and son-in-law. Hairuwulf was no longer perceived as a friend or mentor by the Recimir, no longer permitted into the circle of his closest confidants. And there was also the matter of the consistently bad luck the man seemed to suffer from. It was never anything of importance to the nation, thank the gods, but the elf seemed always to lose things of personal importance. His home of forty-five years had burned to the ground not two months ago, along with everything in it. Before that his farm out in the country had been robbed and its field salted by someone who clearly had a vendetta against him. Before that yet another of his mares had been killed. And so on over some four decades.
At first they thought someone was targeting him, and so the Recimir had ordered the matter investigated. But there was nothing. They then thought that whoever was doing it would lose interest eventually - and so the guard around the elf was doubled. Months turned to years and the strange happenings continued. People began to whisper - had he been cursed? Was there some magic involved. A goblin magicker was brought to look into the matter but found no signs of magic. And yet the people would not shush. Perhaps its was the gods themselves - perhaps he had done something to anger them and this was punishment. The whisperings found fertile earth and grew, and though it never fazed the undauntable Hairuwulf, and though everyone treated him just the same when dealing with him, the masses were a rather different affair. It was tragic how quickly they forgot one's victories and sacrifices when superstition claimed their hearts. The Qaraqeez could preach all they wanted about the power of knowledge and reason, and the need for hard evidence, but nothing appealed to the heart of the more simple-minded person of faith than superstition. It was this ungratefulness, more than anything, that had shaken Hairuwulf, Haldwin had no doubt. And despite it all, he continued serving his Recimir and his people, as he had always done and would always do. He would have to tell Mizjala that again when next he saw her, as he had told her every time he had seen her over the past four decades. She continued to insist that Hairuwulf was scheming something - she only had to prove it. And until then, she would make his life as miserable as she could. Well-meaning though she was, she had made the life of the man she most loved completely miserable too.
The doors of the throne room suddenly flew open, and that very man walked through, flanked by two armoured guards. Everyone stood respectfully as the Recimir ascended the step and took his rightful place upon the Throne of Words. He was not wearing the armour of the King's Guard, which he always wore on campaign, but his attire left no doubts as to his decision regarding the Sacrye-Firetooth War.
'We are pledged to war against all aggressors,' came his surprisingly calm voice. Haldwin had expected something rather more thunderous. 'And we have promised our Sacrye friends to consider carefully their plea for assistance. It is true that accepting this would mean a state of war will exist between us and the Ikegami, who are our honoured friends, but you have all heard what Lord Saldon has had to say on the matter - all engagements with the Ikegami will be settled according to the custom of which he spoke. This is a war to defend the Sacrye, and so we shall not seek to strike out into Firetooth or Ikegami lands. I shall lead the 1st Esharan Army personally, along with Legatus Aqard. I leave Her Sacred Majesty to run all the affairs of state while I am absent.' The Recimir then turned his eyes on Hairuwulf. 'Lord Theudis, had we not commanded you to travel to New Tarsusin and take over command of the 2nd Army in preparation for the expected Seftian attack on the Berrandan successor states?' Hairuwulf bowed deeply when Aulus spoke to him, but before he could respond Invera spoke up.
'Your Sacred Majesty, we commanded His Lordship to stay until this meeting was finished. We thought it best he was aware of Your Sacred Majesty's decision before he set off.' The Recimera looked at Aulus from where she sat on her own, lower throne. Aulus did not look at her, but continued eyeing Hairuwulf silently.
'I should have set off right away, Your Sacred Majesty. Accept my sincerest apologies.' Hairuwulf at last said.
'Not at all, Lord Theudis. The Recimera commanded you to remain, and you did as she bid you. There is nothing to apologise for.' The words flowed easily from Aulus' tongue, and all the tension that had gathered in the room seemed to evaporate at once. Hairuwulf looked up, his usually hard eyes softening.
'Thank you, Majesty.' On her throne, the Recimera looked down guiltily. Haldwin well-knew that she was blaming herself for giving orders that contradicted those of her husband, even if Aulus had not said anything. But it was not like Aulus ever provided her with the opportunity to advise or consult him on matters, and so she was forced to do things without speaking with him. These days, they did not even share a bedchamber. It was no wonder that, after over forty years of marriage, they had not had a single child. And here was the Recimir setting off for a war in which he could potentially die, leaving no heir behind. Haldwin could not but help feel it rather unwise - certainly not the way for an Esharan monarch to act. Once the short meeting was dismissed, Aulus retired with Haldwin to one of their regular meeting rooms.
'You leave on the morrow, then.' Haldwin said as he poured a drink for them both - a mixture of pomegranate juice and a few herbs. One of his own experimental creations to which Aulus had taken a liking.
'Yes, with the dawn.' Aulus said as he took a sip, 'and from there we will make swiftly for Gusko's Rest. It is frustrating that the Firetooth decided on war. If only they had come to the table - we could have worked out a way to resolve the dispute over the damned place.' Aulus muttered.
'It is not a "damned" placed, Aulus. Gusko's Rest is not only important to the Orcs - it is a holy site to us too.' Aulus nodded quickly at this.
'Of course, Haldwin. I did not mean it. Nevertheless, I should refrain from speaking badly when referring to such places, no matter how frustrated I am.' He took another sip, 'though I would have preferred to visit it under more peaceful circumstances, it will be good to finally go there.' Aulus said with a wry smile.
'Whether in war or whether in peace, Gusko's Rest is worth the visiting.' Haldwin responded, 'though it is that young Saul who is truly lucky. To the Holy City of Messara itself - unless I am mistaken, he will be the very first Esharan to go there willingly. Though I doubt they provide there for Esharan pilgrims, his success in in his mission will have immense benefits for the faith. Do you know how many manuscripts and artefacts of Old Eshara th...' his voice trailed off and he sighed before taking another sip, 'but anyway. Aulus...' he looked at the Recimir for a few moments, unsure of how to word it.
'What is it? You're suddenly so serious.' Aulus said with a frown, placing his cup down and turning more fully to face Haldwin.
'Aulus, you're going to war and leaving no heir behind. You might never come back. Do you know what would happen if you die out there? Have you paused to consider it?' The Recimir frowned and looked away.
'I will not stay here. I have determined to go personally, and so I shall.'
'I am not asking you to stay. I am asking you, just for tonight, just in case the worst comes about...go to your wife.' He produced a small vial from his pocket, 'drink this, and let her drink it too, and with the will of the gods she will almost certainly concieve.' Aulus' face slowly reddened as Haldwin spoke.
'H-Haldwin, no. P-put that away. We haven't...gods, its been-'
'Nearly forty years, now, Aulus.'
'Gods, that long?' Aulus muttered, sinking into his seat.
'She loves you Aulus.' Haldwin said carefully.
'I know.'
'Very much.'
'Yes, I know.'
'And you her.'
'Gods Haldwin, I know! Fine, give me the damned thing. Better than sitting here all night listening to you snore.' And with that, he grabbed the vial from the old man and swiftly left the room. Haldwin chuckled and took a small sip from his cup.
*** The Haiho mountains stood like monoliths to Aulus' right as the 1st Esharan Army made its crossing across the Sacrye-Esharan border. It would be a long march to Gusko's Rest, and the wintry Sacrye climes were more vicious even than those of the Holy Union. But they were used to the cold and were well-prepared for it. And these were not lands they were planning on taking, these were lands they sought to defend - and defending such places was always easier than trying to take them. If the gods were kind, they would reach Gusko's Rest without hassle and without an early winter hitting them. Once at Gusko's Rest, it would be a matter of protecting it till winter set in. That, more than anything, would force all parties to the negotiating table.
'If the gods are kind.' Aulus muttered. Behind him, the Frozen Giant gifted to him by the Sacrye released a powerful trumpeting sound, causing a few men to look back at it in awe, and more than a few horses to rear up or paw at the ground.
'That's gotta a be a sight in the midst of battle,' Corinn said as he came up beside Aulus.
'It's a sight wherever it is!' Aulus declared. Corinn nodded in agreement.
'That it is.' He looked around at the tremendous mass of soldiers as it crept across the landscape to the aid of the Sacrye. 'Can't say they're as excited as I am at this, but the spirits of the men are generally high. Especially since you're with us, Majesty.' Aulus chuckled at this.
'They'll have someone to point the finger at and blame when winter sets in, at the least.' He joked.
'Nah, don't think anyone will have any fingers to point by the time winter sets in. Best to keep those covered, or else winter will take 'em - and serves 'em right for pointing at their Recimir!' Though it was a joke, Aulus could not help the rather bitter feeling that swept through him as they continued their march. Many of these men would not be coming home - they would die because he had failed them. 'Oh no, it's that look again.' Corinn suddenly said, looking at Aulus.
'Huh? What look?' Aulus asked.
'That - if you pardon me, Majesty - of petty self-pity and self-blame. We are marching out in defence of the Sacrye - they are as Ergorian as any man here, their lands as much our home as it is theirs. When any Ergorians are subjected to a war of aggression, it is a war against us, when any seek liberty fr-'
'Alright alright. Go give your damn speeches to some over-enthusiastic youngsters dammit. Gods know they'll benefit more from it than me.' And with that, Aulus spurred his steed on and left Corinn behind him.
'Might just do that actually...' he heard the man say before he was out earshot. Though Corinn's words were simply echoing the doctrines which gave its soldiers their famed esprit de corps, the beliefs and maxims on which conscripts and volunteers were fed during their training and heard by Aulus thousands of times before, something in them lightened his mood somewhat. It was easy, trapped as he was in the confines of his mind, to lose perspective. He and they marched not for a foreign nation and people, they marched in defence of themselves. True, it was against fellow Ergorians that they marched in defence, but when your sword-hand struck against you, enduringly you raise the shield. And perhaps, by the time winter set in, the Firetooth would have shed the blood they now marched to shed and would be ready to come to the table to talk.
'If the gods are kind.' |
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Kho
Landed Knight
Posts: 140
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Post by Kho on Aug 20, 2017 19:11:22 GMT
The Avatar of the Gods
1135 of the Esharan-Aulus I Calendar / 942 YP
***
Year: 1082 / 889
'Find your feet! Keep your balance.' Hairuwulf growled at the boy. Barely eight years old at the time, he rolled on the floor and got to his knees.
'B-but you're so much bigger and st-'
'Stop whining.' The silver-eyed elf's steely voice cut through the boy's words short without mercy even as he prodded him roughly with his wooden staff. Aulus huffed in frustration and heavily rose to his feet. What was this now, the tenth - twentieth?- Who knew? - time that he had been knocked down in this sparring session alone? Hairuwulf was just so much bigger and stronger than him, and he had fought in hundreds - thousands! - of battles. Little Aulus stood no chance against him.
He had taken up teaching Aulus some months back when he discovered that his previous instructor - Han Zanj Migalo - had been overly lenient with him.
'Hit him like you would any other student!' Hairuwulf had demanded when he happened to walk by them in the midst of their class and saw what passed for a sparring session in on of Han Migalo's lessons.
'But Lord Theudis,' Zanj had protested, 'His Sacred Majesty is not just any other student.' At this Hairuwulf's face darkened considerably and a truly frightful look grew across his face.
'It is men like you that got his forefathers killed,' he said cuttingly, his lips barely moving at all. 'By Eshar-Qiqarius, I shan't have you teach our Recimir how to get himself killed. Consider yourself from this moment dismissed. Permanently.' So saying, he seized the sparring sword from the instructors hand and turned on the boy. 'Ready yourself- guard up!' And he had taken to striking at Aulus who just about managed to parry and dodge the rather hard blows. 'Good, you know which part to stick in your opponent. You do well against a few playful strikes - lets see how well you do against more serious blows.' And before Aulus could express his confusion - had those blows not been hard? - Hairuwulf had thrust with such strength and speed as to cause the boy to drop his sword and crumple to the ground in pain. The wind had been knocked completely out of him and all he could do was gasp weakly as he tried to regain his breath.
Hairuwulf sighed and squatted down next to the fallen Recimir. 'No one is too special when death comes searching for you on the battlefield. Remember that.' Aulus only looked up at him with tearful eyes.
'That really hurt,' he managed between sobs and gasps.
'You think anyone will pity you if you cry? You think anyone will stop because it hurts?' Hairuwulf looked at the boy for a few seconds. Aulus' face hung halfway between a fearful frown and a raging scowl. At last, however, Hairuwulf extended a helping hand to him, 'but this is not the battlefield.'
Aulus looked at the outstretched hand before his scowl deepened and he slapped it away. Wordlessly, he jumped to his feet and swiftly made his escape. Hairuwuld watched him go with a small smile and eyebrows raised. before getting up and stalking after him.
'You can run, Your Majesty, but you cannot run for long. And you can hide, but I will find you. The only escape from me ... is through me.' But words, no matter their wisdom, were as nought to an angry eight-year-old.
He found him hiding in the library, huddled beside Invera's legs. 'Of course you'd be here - no safer place than by a woman's skirts, eh? Get up boy.' Aulus only scowled, and Invera frowned.
'Father, this is too much, don't you think?' she said, her eyes darting quickly from Aulus to Hairuwulf, brows creased with concern.
'Not at all,' Hairuwulf declared, sweeping the sword with a flourish, 'discipline is best taught early, along with much everything.'
'Yes,' Invera said, pursing her lips, 'but you're not teaching here, you're terrorising.'
'The arts of teaching are many and diverse - and terror is one of the finest weapons in any teacher's good armoury.'
'Father!' Invera said rather more loudly and sharply than she intended, 'you speak of our Recimir.' Hairuwulf clicked his tongue in irritation at her words - as though bringing up the title of a child meant anything.
'I speak of raising a child into a man and bringing forth into the world its saviour - I will not have him grow into a crying babe on my watch.' Yet again Invera pursed her lips and brought one of her wings around him comfortingly.
'Leave him be for today, he has had enough.' Her voice came terse and uncompromising. With a frustrated shrug, Hairuwulf turned away and made to leave. Yet just as he was out of the door a heavy object collided with the back of his head. Placing his hand on the nape of his neck, he turned to find that a rather small tome lay at an odd angle on the floor. Aulus stood glaring at him defiantly.
'Aulus!' Invera said sternly, but the boy paid her no heed.
'It does not befit a real man to strike at his enemy's back - least of all does it befit a Recimir. When you strike an honourable foe, make sure you are looking into his eyes.' And with that, Hairuwulf tossed the boy his sparring sword and gestured for him to come. The Recimir picked it up from the ground and, deaf to Invera's pleas that they halt their silliness, he had charged. |
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Kho
Landed Knight
Posts: 140
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Post by Kho on Aug 21, 2017 22:09:33 GMT
Mistress of the Heavens
1135 of the Esharan-Aulus I Calendar / 942 YP
***
Year: 1135 / 942
'Majesty,' Councillor Thorlund's muffled voice came through the wooden door, 'may I enter?' Invera looked up and bid him enter.
'Yes, Councillor, please come in.' The door swung open and the dwarf walked in, closing it behind him. 'Is everything alright, Councillor? You look terribly pale.' She pushed the record of annual expenditure aside and turned more fully towards the dwarf.
'Sacred Majesty, it...it's the Ikegami.' He managed. She cocked her head and raised a questioning eyebrow.
'And? What of them?'
'They...they have invaded Haiho.' The Recimera's eyes widened in surprise.
'Datnee has fallen?' She rose slowly to her feet and unfurled her wings as she was wont to do when an urgent matter was at hand.
'N-no Your Majesty. They have marched through the province but did not approach the city. Our scouts have informed us that they are in fact heading west. It appears that their true target is the Sacrye Empire.' Invera sighed and sat back into her seat.
'Well, of course it is, Councillor. We have no quarrel with the Ikegami and there is no reason for them to invade us or take our cities. You had me worried, coming in here all pale and stuttering.'
'But Majesty, we are in a terribly vulnerable position. If the Ikegami so wished they could march right into Árheimar - and no one would be able to stop them!' The Recimera considered the dwarf for a few moments.
'What you say is true, Councillor, and I agree that we are in a rather vulnerable position. But His Sacred Majesty trusts the word of the Ikegami, and trusts in their honour. He has assured them that the Holy Union will not seek to strike out into Ikegami or Firetooth territory, we have no doubt that they will do the same for us.' She said it not out of any faith in the Ikegami, about with faith in the Recimir. He would not trust them if they were not to be trusted.
'But this intrusion into our territories - is it not a breach of trust already?' Thorlund insisted. Invera took a deep breath and looked away.
'I mean, we certainly would not have done anything of the sort - but we are in this only to defend. They are the attacking power, and so these aggressive tactics can only be expected. They seek after victory after all, and the aggressor must be aggressive.' Thorlund frowned deeply.
'And do we not seek after victory also, Majesty? We are not the aggressors, but I've never heard of wars being won by staying purely on the defensive.' The Recimera shrugged.
'His Sacred Majesty trusts in Sacrye's winter. It will force all fighting to halt, and perhaps then the belligerents will agree to talk.' Thorlund looked at the Recimera quietly, a certain tension gathering in the room. Then came the heavy question.
'And what if it does not?' The Councillor asked. Invera pursed her lips and tapped the desk. 'What if it does not, Majesty?' The dwarf repeated.
'I...I don't know.' She said at last. The dwarf nodded slowly.
'The Haiho dwarfs will be furious. They will demand action from Árheimar - this Union is built on the foundations of mutual protection. If we cannot have that, what is this Union for?'
'Please, Councillor, do you truly think the Recimir will simply sit back as an army marches through the Union?' Thorlund's brows furrowed.
'But His Sacred Majesty marched off weeks ago.'
'Yes, he did. But when news reaches him of this, he will be back before you know it. He will throw the Ikegami back, mark my words. They cannot defend any who cannot defend themselves.' The Councillor smiled slightly and bowed.
'You have put my mind at ease, Majesty. Though, of course, I never for a moment doubted His Sacred Majesty's wisdom and judgement.' The Recimera looked at him coolly, utterly unimpressed.
'But my dear Councillor, there must always be some space for doubt - I would worry greatly if there wasn't.' The dwarf's small smile broke out into a chuckle.
'Should never try to outwit an elf, least of all one with sylph blood, least of all a female!' And with a laugh, he bowed and made his exit. Invera smiled slightly and turned back to the records. She stared at them blankly before pushing them away once more and getting up. Standing by the window, she watched as the sun slowly set in the west, and she wondered what her husband was thinking. They had enemies to their east, to their south, monsters were said to dwell in the north, and the Sacrye were hardly managing to hold off the dual attack. The Union was in an extremely vulnerable position, and no matter how self-assured she tried to come across her Councillors could see that. She could only trust in Aulus - she could only trust that he would pull them through this.
He had surprised her before his departure. For nearly four decades they had not slept in the same room, let alone made love. He had been so passionate in the early days, so eager. And then one day he had simply...stopped. It was so sudden, so unexpected, and it had left her confused and hurt. And he would not talk to her of it or give any reasons. She had grown used to the strange state of affairs after some time - though she never ceased to hurt, and her confusion never went away. Had she done something wrong? Did he no longer love her? But it was clear that he was seeing no one else - her eyes had assured her. But he had also grown rather distant from her father all of a sudden, and that made her feel that perhaps it was not about them, but something more. Perhaps the only thing that had changed was that he saw Haldwin more often, met with him for longer. And so she had eventually - for the sake of her own sanity - concluded that it was all due to something more than her. Maybe the gods themselves had spoken with Aulus and told him things that forced him to act differently. She did not know, but it gave her a semblance of peace and allowed her to carry out her duties.
And then, all so suddenly, he had come to her - and by the gods!- he had not lost any of his energy or passion. And now, once again, her heart was confused and fear gripped it. Would things be different when he returned? Would she have her beloved Aulus back? And then that nagging worry - would he be back at all? Perhaps he knew he was going to his death - perhaps he knew and so wanted to leave behind an heir. She placed her fingers on her forehead and moved away from the window. Overthinking all this was of no use. She had to focus. The Union was vulnerable, that was obvious. She would have to take some precautions - a limited mobilisation for the protection of the nation was necessary. She would have to propose it to the Council when they met on the morrow. |
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Kho
Landed Knight
Posts: 140
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Post by Kho on Aug 23, 2017 17:20:28 GMT
Forge-Masters
1135 of the Esharan-Aulus I Calendar / 942 YP
***
Year: 1135 / 942
Datnee was in every way a truly dwarven city, carved into the heart of Mount Datnee in the Haiho Mountains. There were no - as so often pervaded the imaginations of those unfamiliar with dwarves - hidden lava pits and lakes of flowing magma providing heat for the city's famed forges. The dwarves had created ideal conditions for the storage and maintenance of heat - for deep within Mount Datnee, where the city's forges stood, heat tended to build up quickly and found escape only where the dwarven architects had carefully built chutes; all which could be closed off at will. The Haiho dwarves knew their craft well - some went so far as to say they were second to none. Even the Gurhimic dwarves, who were once as one people with those of Haiho, could not claim to be privy to the carefully hidden secrets of Haiho metallurgy. Secrets which had only grown under the patronage of the Recimir from House Eshar.
The Esharan had a fascination with metal - or rather, a fascination with ages when people rode into battle covered in the stuff. Many thought he was a man meant for ages past - the ages of Esharan knights and the arts of the sword -, cursed with having been born centuries too late. But he had not let that fact prevent him from forging into being a regiment of knights akin to those of old, though the technical term for them was "demi-lancers". Datnee's deepest forges had been tasked with casting into being their steel helms and breastplates, of forging their swords and lance heads. The Recimir had paid them handsomely and invested considerable amounts into expanding Datnee's forges The dwarves, extremely pleased with the attention, had channeled their efforts into furthering their metallurgical knowledge. After some time, if truth be told, the Recimir's weaponry - and Datnee had by this time taken on the duty of casting all manner of cannons for the Esharan military - became more of a side note compared with the advances they were making. Those were all that truly mattered. Was it bad that they were asking more and more of the Recimir to do less and less of what he asked of them? Certainly - but they were at the brink of tremendous things! Surely dedicating a good percentage of the resources allocated to them to research rather than production was not all that bad.
And now the Recimir had marched off to war, exposing Datnee and all its secrets to the greatest danger it had faced in over a century. No fortifications did the province have and, though high on Mount Datnee and thus naturally fortified, the city itself could not hold long against a modern army. The Haiho dwarves had heard the Recimera's excuses. The Recimir had not expected the Ikegami to strike out through Esharan territory, she said. He had never anticipated that the Ikegami would ever be foes - had not thought it necessary to fortify the province against an ostensible friend. And now that "friend" had marched through Datnee at the very first sign that the province lay unguarded. The sentiment amongst Datnee's elite was singular: the Recimir had been a fool to forego fortifying this key border province, this industrial heartland of the nation. Having failed that, he was utterly naive to then march all his forces into the Sacrye Empire and leave Datnee defenceless. And in a final blunder - utterly ridiculous, comical if it was not an outrage - he had marched the troops back to face the Ikegami, put aside the clear advantage that Eshara had on the field, and chosen to fight the Ikegami where they were strongest: in single combat. And he had lost! By all things holy, it was not for this that the Haiho dwarves had joined Ausvinthus in Union.
Irrados Rassen sat on the throne of his forefathers, his long beard akin to fire, his wild hair tamed by a steel crown adorned with a single jewel of startling blue - it stood out remarkably against his flaming hair. He sat upon the throne that had, in bygone days, been the seat of one King of Haiho after another. Today, it hosted the so-called Vice-Recimir of Datnee - a hereditary position monopolised by those of the Haiho royal family. For the Recimir of House Eshar had seen it fitting to raise the standing of Datnee to more than a mere province, but to a Vice-Recimerate. Who, exactly, sat on the Vice-Recimerate's throne was the Esharan's decision - he had all of House Rassen to choose from. Irrados had held it now for nigh on thirty years. Sat on the throne, the heavyset Vice-Recimir looked out over his great hall - which matched even that of the Esharan's in Árheimar! The great names of Datnee were gathered before the Vice-Recimir, their faces hanging between morose and forbidding.
'Our Recimir, blessed be his name and that of his illustrious forefathers, is felled.' Came Irrados' weighty declaration. The gathered dwarves murmured darkly, 'defeated in single combat by the Ikegami Daimyo. He lives yet, but it had been better to die than to live stained by this humiliation. Our men had the field, those southern elves had transgressed against our lands and threatened our people as never before - and our blessed leader, in his wisdom, chose to honour dishonoured pledges. We are made the laughing stocks of Ergoria! Our armies even now withdraw into Sacrye territory and leave us utterly exposed to the Ikegami!' The dark murmurs had died down into a deathly silence as Irrados shouted furiously, but the scowls and glowering looks from many of those gathered left no doubts as to the feelings of Datnee's decision-makers. 'The Ikegami marched into our land in breach of the agreement - what is there to say that they will not again breach it and strike out against Datnee itself? We are defenceless - our families and homes lie vulnerable to attack.'
'What of the 2nd Army?' Shouted a dwarf instantly recognisable as Vara Redhelm.
'In the utmost east, protecting our Tarsusin border against the perfidious Sefti. Impossible for it to move from there at all.' Came Irrados' response. Silence overcame the gathering once more.
'Has there come anything from Her Sacred Majesty?' One of the Great-Wealths asked. Irrados smirked.
'Why yes, Borin. A letter from your father arrived this morning with news that Her Sacred Majesty wishes to mobilise all of Datnee to prevent the Ikegami from marching through our lands unopposed again.'
'A-all of Datnee? But production will come to a-'
'All of Datnee.' Irrados repeated coldly. The Vice-Recimir swept his gaze across the hall. 'Naturally, it is an impossible order. Mobilising the Vice-Recimirate will paralyse our production. His Sacred Majesty has now been partially cut-off due to his withdrawal before the Ikegami, but supplies can yet be sent to him from the north. It is a longer route and there is no doubt in my mind that the Ikegami - if they are as smart as I think they are - will make it their priority to cut-off all possibility of Esharan supplies making it into the Sacrye Empire. If cut-off completely, our Recimir may well never return from this foolish adventure.'
'If...if Datnee mobilises, we can strike at the Ikegami, can we not? His Sacred Majesty may have qualms renouncing a dishonoured agreement, but I certainly don't!' No one knew which dwarf spoke, but it was immediately met with an uproar. The idea of going against the Recimir's commands was anathema to many - and yet to others, the Recimir had lost much credibility after this fiasco. Irrados' voice rose above all others and called them to order.
'I'll not have ye dishonour the hall of my fathers with yer squabblin'!' Came the bad-tempered monarch's voice. His carefully maintained dialect tended to slip when angered - and he was angered quite easily, if truth be told. 'And though the Recimir has failed us greatly, we cannot allow one failure to spur us towards treason and treachery. That is not our way.' Murmurs of disgruntlement and agreement filled the hall. 'I will write back to the Recimera and tell her that Datnee cannot mobilise - it is our nation's industrial heartland. I will propose to her a limited mobilisation across a number of provinces to ensure the burden is borne by the nation as a whole, rather than a single locality.' Irrados looked around to see if anyone was in disagreement. Though there were some whose faces spoke clearly as to their preferences, they said nothing. And so the Vice-Recimir stood and dismissed all those gathered. They had work to do, after all. |
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Kho
Landed Knight
Posts: 140
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Post by Kho on Aug 28, 2017 17:53:02 GMT
Silver-Eyed
1135 of the Esharan-Aulus I Calendar / 942 YP
***
Year: 1135 / 942
'I have not seen you here before, soldier,' Hairuwulf said as he turned to the Grey Elf guarding his tent, 'what's your name?'
'Uh, Lakarus my Lord.' The new guard fumbled - he had not expected that the great Hairuwulf Theudis himself would deign to speak to a lowly guard such as he. The silver eyes of the greatest of the Grey Elves inspected the man carefully before a smile spread across his face.
'And where are you from, Lakarus?' Hairuwulf asked.
'From the small village of Aungal in New Aveiro, my Lord. From a long line of hard working farmers and proudly loyal soldiers.' Hairuwulf nodded with a smile.
'I am certain you will do your forefathers proud, soldier. Greatness shines in the eyes of the great - and perhaps I can see a spark within your eyes. Keep it and care for it, and it will keep you.' And with that he turned and went on his way. He had noticed more and more recently the new and unfamiliar faces that now surrounded him. The entire Esharan 2nd Army's cooks and various other camp followers had been replaced. 'Time to move on - gettin' too old to follow an army about, especially during a war.' He had been told personally by one such cook. Hairuwulf was not one to put barriers between him and his men - he was a commoner, and he was not one to forget. Even as Recimir, he had been merely the first amongst equals. He had never, for instance, bothered with food-tasters or considered taking precautions against more underhands strikes - but now, for the first time, he had accepted a food-taster. His daughter was becoming paranoid, it seemed, and had insisted in her most recent letter that he accept four food-tasters - one goblin, a human, a dwarf, and an elf. 'To be completely safe,' she had said. After all, Aeron Sefti was well-known for his vicious and treacherous ways and it was best to be careful when faced with such a foe.
Hairuwulf, truth be told, did not truly care about Aeron's tactics. He would face them - as he had faced all things - and defeat them one way or another. But his daughter was not merely his daughter, she was now the Recimera, and her words and suggestions were also orders and commands. And so he now had this strange team of food-tasters consuming near enough half his food everyday. The goblin was also rather adept in his people's magics and would cast one spell or another on the food before tasting it - it was a manner of neutralising hostile elements such as poisons, he claimed. Goblins had been known in the past for their less than honourable methods - it was not below any one of them to poison a rival or kill off foes, and so goblin magickers had developed certain ways of detecting such things. Invera had for a long time wanted to establish an official school of magic in Tarsusin - so as to create an official class of magickers for Eshara to make use of. As things stood, the goblins protected and maintained their magical knowledge using traditional apprenticeships. It was not strange to find a goblin master magicker with three - sometimes more - disciples. But Invera saw that an official school would be far more effective and efficient - knowledge held by one master but not another would make it many pupils, and the state would be certain of the qualifications of any magicker who had graduated from it. Hairuwulf had, when called to express an opinion on the matter, respectfully agreed. In the end, there was no harm from establishing such a school - and it could certainly be of benefit. The Recimir, however, had not made a decision on the matter - and Invera had been advocating it now for some two decades.
Hairuwulf stood atop a small hillock and surveyed the the general vicinity of the encamped army. They had only recently begun to make movements - being extra-careful of traps and ambushes - into the northern-most provinces of the Sefti Empire. The weather was still bitterly cold and it rained incessantly. Hairuwulf had sent out his scouts and skirmishers, and the news that returned from them was generally good. One Galnul Adelind Gelimer had proven himself a promising commander of men during a terribly planned and executed Sefti ambush-attempt on the 2nd Royal Union Rifles. The Recimera had sent a letter of praise for the Galnul, and the morale of the men had been lifted greatly - especially after the bitter news of the Recimer's defeat in single combat had made the rounds. Perhaps inflicting a defeat upon these people who held ardently to the religion of the South as it was practised in the South filled all true Esharans with a greater fervour and raised morale even higher. It was not like fighting the Ikegami who, though they abided by the Southern religion, practised still some of their ancient ways. However, this was a mere skirmish - only a pitched battle that saw the Phoenix Banner rise victorious over that of the False Eshara would decide how things matured during this war. Perhaps inflicting defeats on the Sefti here would force them to abandon their quest to subjugate the Berrandan successor-states. And there were those who stuck still to the Esharan faith in these northern-most regions of the Sefti Empire - seeing them freed would only greaten Eshara's prestige and the standing of the Esharan faith. It would all rest on how well he did.
As his eyes of silver surveyed the land, his thoughts turned to the secret pain that had been haunting him for over two months now. His home had burned to the ground - this all knew. But none knew who had been inside. His jaw tightened and his fist clenched, and he closed his eyes and allowed the winds of bitter winter to strike at him. He was a broken-hearted man, filled with anguish and anger. And he would unleash it all upon the False Emperor and his False Empire.
*** Mizjala sat fuming in the wooden chair, hands on her knees and eyes downcast. Every now and again she sent a blistering side-long glance towards Arkal. Her father stood before her, eyes cold and mouth pursed sternly. After decades of watching the former-Recimir and making his life into a living hell, Arkal had decided that it was finally time to break his silence about his sister's strange vendetta against Hairuwulf. The burning of the elf's house had been the final stroke.
'You burned his home,' her father stated coldly. Mizjala nodded wordlessly. 'You knew that his mistress was inside.' Again, Mizjala nodded. 'And you knew she was with child.' She looked bitterly at Arkal, who could only look away.
'It was all done to pro-'
'In what manner does tormenting the Lord Chief Advisor protect His Sacred Majesty, pray tell.' It was not truly a question. 'Your jealousy drove you to acts of madness, and your mad acts have threatened the foundation-stone of the nation. I would, of course, punish you severely for these antics, but your keeping a close eye on the former-Recimir - even if for the wrong reasons - is ultimately good. You will halt immediately your schemes and plots to hurt him, but will continue to watch him as you have over the years. Is that understood?' Mizjala nodded slowly, her flashing an angry glare towards Arkal. Her father looked at Arkal. 'Of course, I knew from the very beginning that this was happening.' The Brothers Agroba turned with shock towards their father. 'I find it heavily disappointing, Arkal, that you saw fit to tell me only now.'
'B-but if you knew all along, why didn't yo-' but Lugma Agroba was done. He turned away and left the darkly-lit room. Arkal sighed and walked towards his sister, extending a hand to her. 'Come, we have work to do.' She looked at him coldly and slapped the hand away.
'You shut-up and don't talk to me.' And with that she got up and left the room. Arkal followed after her with another sigh. |
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Kho
Landed Knight
Posts: 140
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Post by Kho on Sept 2, 2017 4:39:51 GMT
Winterborn
1135 of the Esharan-Aulus I Calendar / 942 YP
***
Year: 1135 / 942
Winter, which had until recently sniffed at the gates and prowled around the great city of Árheimar, searching for the moment to strike, now growled at the windows and clawed incessantly at the doors. Its howls gave none respite, and its shaggy coat of perfect white left no roof untouched; its shadow lay across the very heavens and blotted out the golden eye of the sun. Only the cold blue eye of winter remained, glaring in through the windows, searching for the slightest opening that it may bring its frozen furies into the homes and hearts of all Esharans. Haiho and Ausvinthus had long been known for their terrible winters - in centuries past no winter prowled by except that death lay in its wake. It had been long since the people of the Holy Union had been caught unawares by winter, however. They had sown and reaped during the long months of summer and spring, and the harvest would once more carry them all through cruel winter's months. Though winter growled with fury, and though it howled and pummelled at the doors, the prey it had fed upon in ages past were no longer weak and were no longer helpless.
The great councillors of state of the Holy Union of Haiho-Ausvinthus and True Eshara stood, on that fateful day during those bleak first weeks of winter, outside the Recimera's door in tense silence. Thorlund paced and Haldwin agitated over the hem of his robe's sleeves, and more than twenty or thirty others stood likewise pacing or whispering quietly. Winter lashed violently at the windows, and one councillor or another looked irritably outside. It was a horrific winter, the worst they had seen in decades. And to think that His Sacred Majesty was still out there...in that. Winter was the time for armies to return home, it was known. For there were none, no matter how mighty or great or blessed, who could withstand the furies of winter's relentless armies.
Winter's howls were at long last pierced by a single, high-pitched cry. Haldwin stood to his full height, eyes wide with both fear and hope. The cry became cries and the door of the Recimera's chambers slowly swung open. The midwife and her goblin assistant stepped out. The Sage looked expectantly at them, along with some three dozen tense and agitated councillors. They had not been expecting the Recimera to give birth for a few weeks - this early birth had created more than a small amount of anxiety at the Esharan court.
'Her Sacred Majesty is well,' the midwife said. Quorna was perhaps the most well-known and competent midwife in Eshara - she had, in fact, been the midwife who helped birth the Recimera herself. 'And the royal children also.' Haldwin sighed with relief and looked at the ground. Then he looked up in shock.
'Children?!' The Qarqaz approached took a step towards the room but Quorna stopped him.
'Yes. Her Sacred Majesty has given birth to twins. A boy and a girl.' Quorna passed the towel she had been wiping her hands with to her goblin assistant before continuing, 'the girl seems to be doing well. Other than the usual issues these early births can produce. Her wings are also functional, surprisingly enough.' She paused and looked at Haldwin, 'the boy's wings not so. We had to sever them.'
'S-sever them?' Thorlund tried to get past the goblin, but she proved stronger than she looked, 'what've you done to him?!' The dwarf growled.
'Calm down,' Quorna said sternly, 'the wings were not functional and were causing complications. Svixa gave him a small herbal concoction and cast a small spell that made them wither and fall off. He is now stable, though we will have to keep an eye on him in the week to come.'
'Made them wither...' the dwarf mumbled suspiciously.
'Can we see Her Sacred Majesty?' Haldwin finally asked. Quorna shook her head in the negative.
'No, she needs to rest, and it is important that a mother and her newborns have time to bond during these few hours. No one is allowed to disturb them. You can visit tomorrow.' A few of the councillors objected to this, but the terrible look that very suddenly manifested itself on Quorna's face silenced even Thorlund, and their objections were quickly stifled as they turned and made their quick escapes from the rather terrifying midwife. The elf turned to Haldwin and, with a small smile and a bow, turned back into the room. The silent goblin woman closed the door behind them.
Invera lay on her bed, wings wrapped around her torso and a light blanket covering her lower body. Her eyes were slightly drooped and her hair likewise limp. Quorna sat in a chair beside the bed, and the little goblin woman sat on a stool. They were all quiet, and if one listened carefully enough - ignoring the snarls and growls of winter - one could hear as the newborn babes quietly suckled beneath their mother's wings.
'Aquilo and Aquilia,' Invera murmured.
Eagles born as war and winter raged, thus were the newly risen phoenixes of House Eshar. |
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Kho
Landed Knight
Posts: 140
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Post by Kho on Sept 4, 2017 6:32:53 GMT
Eshar's Own
1135 of the Esharan-Aulus I Calendar / 942 YP
***
Year: 1135 / 942
Elon had, ever since Aulus had been told about it during his youth, occupied a certain part of his heart. There was something about Elon.
It was years later, long after he had read about Elonese history and satiated some of his curiosity about that distant land, that he came across Collyn Raveryn's A Treatise on Aedak in Elon. He had at first only opened the considerable tome for a quick skim over its introductory paragraphs. But he had found his curiosity piqued by the rather different Aedak of the Elonese.
" And, as is true in all conflicts, the best way to combat them is to begin by understanding..."
Were it not so clear that Raveryn was clearly Aedak, he would have thought these the words of an Esharan. But then again, was that not to be expected? The Esharan faith had always sought the truths which lay hidden in all faiths. And the Elonese, it seemed, had been of a creed not dissimilar to the Esharan faith - though less crystallised.
" Nothing in creation is totally perfect and only by reaching enlightenment can anyone even truly understand perfection..."
Aulus had smiled slightly. To think that a worshipper of Aed would pause for a moment, put aside the walls of certainty that their religion built around them, and aspire towards understanding that they may reach enlightenment. The Elonese never ceased to impress him - they clung to the spirit of their ancient ways. These were distilled, universal truths, and it was good that they had not allowed Aedak to sweep them all away.
" Loul or “The Direction” as translated from the older Elonese dialect. The concept of the Loul is that of an inner conscious, or set of personal principles, which directs a man’s moral choices throughout life. According to the Trellians, the Loul is a means by which Aed may directly communicate with the individual and so guide him to find his destined duty and the means by which to master it. Through meditation, dismissal of martial desires and wealth, deep thought and a disciplined life, a person may strengthen and develop their Loul, growing in wisdom, morality and holiness. While no one is ever infallible, a man with a strong Loul is closer to Aed and it is men such as these who become prophets, martyrs, holy men and other potent servants of Aed." The idea of the Loul had captured his imagination almost immediately. But he found no more on this concept in Raveryn's work. Other works linked it inseparably with the concept of Justice - Justice was to be pursued at all costs, seeing it done was to be the very purpose of one's existence; even if it meant jeopardising one's personal interests. Even if it meant jeopardising one's nation. Aulus had raised an eyebrow at this latter point - surely it was a cruel injustice to jeopardise the tranquillity of those who already had Justice so as to attempt to bring Justice to others; thus risking the Justice that already was for one that could (and may even be unlikely to) be. Despite that minor gripe, he rather liked this 'Loul' and the morals it encouraged.
'Yes, the Elonese do have a rather interesting philosophy,' Haldwin had noted when Aulus brought up the subject of his latest study, 'though I hear it drives them to some rather dubious acts in the name of achieving their understanding of Enlightenment.'
'Oh no no, not all of them. That's just the Trellians - and even then, it is a very small minority amongst them. Driven by zeal to acts of self-flagellation and extreme fasting and what have you. The majority are rather less fanatical, from my understandng at least.' Aulus sipped on his pomegranate juice, 'and admittedly, this Loul philosophy of theirs has me very much smitten.'
'Well,' Haldwin said, 'it is only natural. As a philosophy, it is not so different from the imperative of Enlightenment - to act with Justice in all affairs is to act with Enlightenment. To protect the weak is to act with Enlightenment - and that is also Justice. What the Elonese say is commanded by this inner Loul, it is all commanded by a mind built on the firm foundations of knowledge and understanding; an Enlightened mind.' Aulus nodded slightly as he digested Haldwin's words.
'So, what you mean to say is that this inner consciousness directing one's personal choices, this Loul, is in fact one and the same with the behests of the mind once enlightened? Or, at the very least, the behests of a mind that aspires towards it.' Haldwin shrugged.
'It may well be so. It may be that the Elonese subscribed to a form of the Esharan faith before. The possibilities are endless but ultimately irrelevant. It is unknowable, and useless even if known. What matters is your interaction with what is known to us. If it puts your heart at peace that the Loul and Enlightenment are different forms of the same concept, then let it put your heart at peace and make both into one. It is our way.' Aulus smiled and shook his head slightly.
'What is this!' he chuckled, 'the great Haldwin declares something to be unknowable!- and useless even if known! Why, did I not know you better, I'd think you some heretic.' Haldwin scoffed and emptied his cup.
'Knowledge may be sacred, divine, but it is no sin to know and admit the limits of what can be known - that in itself is knowledge. Not to say that, if one is so inclined, they should not attempt to seek out a piece of knowledge that is thought unknowable - how else would we know it to be unknowable?' Aulus broke out into laughter as the Qarqaz attempted to weave his thoughts into words. 'All knowledge, even outwardly useless knowledge, is useful on some level - if only that it sheds yet another ray of light where darkness once reigned.'
It had been that, more than anything else, that inspired him to lay the foundations for what would later become Eshar's Own. The Holy Union was not a stranger to holy orders - the Holy Knight Order of Thurismod, still headed by its Audvakr Brenhilda Sikyas as it was even before the establishment of the Union, remained an important component of the Esharan military. Its members were strewn throughout the Esharan 2nd Army - the Knight Order was not a cohesive force that fought as one, but rather individuals who subscribed to the same ideals and martial code, who sought to manifest those ideals before their fellow soldiers whether in battle or not. What Aulus wanted to found was something rather different, however.
Eshar's own was not to be a military order, but one dedicated to the betterment of people; dedicated to removing of the injustices that plagued the masses on a more direct level. The injustice of disease, of poverty, of hunger, of ignorance, of servitude and slavery. In war, to care for those who had lost everything; in peace, to care for those who still lost.
It had been small at first - a band of young zealots who wished to do more with all the knowledge they had acquired. And the good they did within Eshara was felt, and the decades saw the order grow. Now no Esharan saw the white robes of Eshar's Own without immediately recognising them. Wherever disaster struck, the white-robed sons of Eshar-Qiqarius soon arrived to relieve those in need. Where children went uneducated, Eshar's Own pushed for provincial governors to establish schools - in later years, when the order had grown, schools were established and staffed by members of the order itself. Orphanages were built for parentless children, villagers were trained in the medicinal sciences that they may aid their fellows when illness struck. The Recimir had made injustice - in all its forms - his foe; Eshar's Own was but one of the axes with which he cut its decaying tree.
Three decades on from his adoption of injustice as a foe, Aulus had faced Ikegami Sayoko in single combat and lost. His men did not understand why, when they were in all ways the superior force, he had chosen single-combat. Some were angry, others felt uneasy giving the Ikegami their rear. But Aulus did not feel it necessary to explain himself to his men - he had led them all long enough, and they knew him even if they did not always understand his ways. They knew that he kept his word, that he despised injustice, that he honoured above all things truth. Did all agree with him? Certainly not!- he would have worried greatly if they did. But all knew him competent, and all trusted that he would see them through to his vision of a better Ergoria. He would not build it on treachery. He would build it on Justice. That they knew.
And so, as winter set in and the snows began to fall more bitterly, neither Aulus nor his men waned or stumbled - their destination was Gusko's Rest, and they would get there and defend it unto death. |
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Kho
Landed Knight
Posts: 140
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Post by Kho on Sept 4, 2017 9:54:30 GMT
Steel Heart Mother
1135 of the Esharan-Aulus I Calendar / 942 YP
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Year: 1135 / 942
Charys raised his hand slowly and, licking his lips nervously, knocked thrice on the door. He hated this job. It was not easy being the bearer always of torment and heartbreak. Less so when the grief-stricken tended towards a hatred for the messenger - some tending towards a hatred so great that it erupted into violence! No, it was not good to be the herald of a soldier's death to his family - but it was necessary. The Recimir demanded that every dead soldier be accounted for and his family be personally informed of his passing. The wooden door swung open and a tall, thin woman stood before Charys. Her hair, streaked with silver, was messy and there were bags under her eyes. And yet, despite the gauntness of her face, there was a certain pride and dignity in her eyes - aye, and there was something in them that frightened Charys slightly. It was as though she could read him without him saying a word, and the coldness in them seemed colder far than winter's frozen touch
'Herald,' she said with a low voice, 'how does our nation fare in the wars?' Charys looked down and was silent for a few moments. His tongue had suddenly failed him. Her eyes were so cold, fearless even. She did not moan at sight of him and she did not stifle a sob; she did not pound his chest or shut the door with a scream of fear as though he were death incarnate. She stood there eyeing him, waiting on his message.
'Mrs Dahuil, you have my greatest commiserations. Your sons, Haluil and Varug, have found death facing the enemy.' He looked up and dared to glance into her eyes briefly. She was scowling.
'Idiot. That's not what I asked.' She snapped at him. He opened his mouth to make his confusion known, but she went on, 'I asked you if Eshara is victorious.' Charys swallowed and nodded.
'Y-your sons were on the Sefti front, Mrs Dahuil. We have so far met with victory. Your sons were in the 2nd Royal Unio-'
'That is good, herald,' Mrs Dahuil interrupted, 'have a pleasant day.' And with that, she closed the door in the face of the surprised man.
'M-Mrs Dah...' but she was gone.
Haluil and Varug Dahuil had dwelled their entire lives in the North West Frontier. Their father, Edridge Dahuil, had been amongst those who fought alongside the Recimir to rid the province of the brigands who plagued it many decades back. Born in New Crimsamara, he had been immediately captivated by the rural communities and untamed landscape of the new territory and resolved that, once the fighting was done, he would make his home here. And he had, with his wondrous Mrs. There were not many humans in these lands - as was generally the case so far north -, and so the locals had welcomed them with wonder - these were humans, just like the Recimir. Their wonder had certainly meant that integrating with the community was made easier, but it was not without its difficulties. More than anything, it was the respect that Mrs Dahuil immediately commanded which got them through. Edridge was a good soldier, a good father, a good husband, a good man; he would fight the world for home and people, but he did not have the heart to fight his own. Mrs Dahuil, though she loved her nation just as much as her husband, was under no illusions. She knew well the fickle nature of all people and their short memories. The locals would see her and her family as humans long after they had forgotten that Edridge had been a soldier in the liberating armies, long after they had forgotten that the Recimir was human at all. And the animosity that difference ultimately bred would seep into their hearts even as that initial friendship seeped out. They would have to earn their place here.
In many ways, this was the long war - the war for the Ergorian spirit. It was one thing to liberate a people from their woes, it was another altogether to instil within them a love for the nation, for the Recimir, and for the freedom and grandeur of Ergoria. Perhaps as humans exiled from their homes further south it was easier for them to take up those ideals, for one generation after another to carry them within them. But elves and dwarves and goblins, who had always lived on the Esharan peripheries and who were indigenous to these lands, identified not with a greater 'Ergoria' - it was far more difficult a process. But being here, in their midst, by the mere fact of existing and being in sight, by interacting with them and expanding their hosrizons, they would slowly but surely score victory after victory in the war for the Ergorian spirit. That this little town had contributed well over fifty young men to the 2nd Royal Union Rifles - her sons amongst them - was evidence enough that changes had come about. She was an old woman now, her husband long gone and now her sons also. But their sons would continue the legacy of their fathers, and their sons after them.
People lived and died, and every Esharan patriot knew that it was better far to die on the fields of honour than to live to an old age with dishonour. And the warriors went off to die with honour, and Mrs Dahuil remained upright, unbreaking. For the sons of others had fallen also, and in such times it was to the mothers, the wives - what family the dead left behind - that all looked. They looked so that, if those broke, they broke also, and if they held, they held also. And Mrs Dahuil was of that rare type that held where others broke, and so helped all hold.
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