It seemed as if the entire kingdom had put all its hope and faith into one person, and I thank the Gods every day that this person was not me. Between the piercing cold and sound of wind howling through the castle, it was mystery as to why sleep eluded me. Fed up with all the tossing and turning I threw off the wolf fur bed sheets and lit a candle on the bedside stand. Walking over and opening the window I saw a flicker of red pushing its way into the horizon reflecting off the Shattered Sea, the sun would be rising soon. I put on a pair of pants I had folded on a chair next to my bed, moved my lit candle over to my desk and carefully laid it down next to a thick leather bound book. Grabbing an old quill and a half full ink well I turned to an empty page.

28th of Morningstar, 897 After the Rebellion

I got up before the sunrise this morning after another poor night's sleep. Not much excitement ahead of me for the day besides a meeting with Tomas before breakfast and a patrol of the walls with Jory in the early afternoon. It would be nice to leave the castle more often, not that I can complain Elissa hardly ever gets a chance to go beyond the battlements. Might volunteer to go to one of the towns to get supplies, I could maybe buy Elissa a cat or a

A knock at my chamber door suddenly rang through my ears causing me swing around, accidently dragging my quill across the page. I strode across the room to listen at the door to hear who could be knocking at such as early hour.

"Open up Vannes, I have to show you something!" A familiar female voice burst forth from the wooden door. "I'm coming in!" I jumped back as the heavy door flew open, barely missing my body, the wave of cold air creating goose bumps on my skin. In the dim light a figure strode in with bright blue eyes glimmering in the dark and the dim light shining off her long black silky hair. "Put on a shirt and come with me." Elissa suggested in an aggressive manner.

"Can't it wait for morning milady? It's awful early for you to be up." I politely suggested. Elissa changed her footing, crossed her arms and gave me a look of derision. "Yeah I know, didn't think that was going to work anyway." I quickly shoved on a shirt and followed Elissa's quick pace as we darted about the castle corridors. She kept ignoring my questions to where we were going but I continued to follow her as we reached a staircase that led to one of the castle battlements. The air was dry but cold as a breeze blew in from ocean, the light of the rising sun starting to illuminate the features of Flatrock castle. We suddenly stopped walking the battlements directly in view of the Shattered Sea and the run slowly rising over it.

"Look at those ships out on the sea. Three of them in formation, they are not long range vessels which means they are from the coast somewhere, why are they out there at such an early hour?" Elissa spurted as she quickly pointed and then brought he arms close to her body to attempt to keep warm.

"Crabbers." I informed Elissa.

"What? Why at this hour?" Elissa questioned me as her slender frame shivered in the early morning cold. "You sure they aren't spying on us Vannes?"

"Early in the morning as the sun rises is the best time to catch crab Joseph once told me. I would take that old man's word as fact." I put my hand on Elissa shoulder and tried to guide her out of the cold and back into the castle.

"Okay, but I am going to keep an eye on it and if we all get killed in our sleep then I doubt the validity of this crabber claim." Elissa said starting back toward the exit.

"Don't doubt the crabbers; some of them have sharp knives." Elissa fainted a laugh at my poor joke and lightly punched me in the shoulder. "Now you should go back to bed, might get a little rest before daylight."

"The kitchen staff should be getting started soon, want to see about getting an early breakfast?" Elissa turned and asked me, offering her hand.

"Afraid I cannot milady. I have to meet with Tomas fairly soon to go over what the week will bring. I will see you later in the afternoon after my patrol with Jory. I will actual join you for supper for once." I kindly rejected her offer, kissing her hand and resting it back by her side.

"Supper! Don't forget Vannes!" I bowed and proceeded to walk away heading up toward to the study where I was to meet Tomas. "You should change your clothes first!" Elissa yelled to remind me; I quickly changed direction and waved to Elissa in appreciation. Getting back to my own chambers I gathered my equipment to change into for the day. A mail under shirt and pants went under my brown leather cuirass with hardened leather boots, vambraces and gloves completing the standard dress of a solider of Flatrock. I grabbed my sword belt with my family's bastard sword and headed to meet Tomas.

….

The sun had fully risen by the time I got to the study atop the highest tower of Flatrock. Entering the dusty room I saw Tomas leaning over a table looking at a very old map of the kingdom. Tomas had been a solider for over thirty years and the years of combat and stress were apparent on his cracked and worn face. His short hair was greying along with his beard and moustache; a large scar had cut down his face from his right eye to below his check. Despite his age and what he had been through he was still an intimating man being very tall and having a broad build. Tomas did not notice my entrance and was still analyzing the map and scanning over pieces of parchment with great interest.

"Any news?" My question announcing my presence to him. Tomas glanced at me before grabbing a letter from the table, his eyes glued to it as paced about the room. Tomas passed me the letter from his hand and went back to leaning over the table.

"The former Ayr Councillor, Lady Madred, tried to send a letter regarding our position here to the False King." Tomas said in a monotone voice. "I was referred to by name and an estimation of our force strength was also reported in the letter. This could be worrisome." I quickly scanned over portions of the letter to validate what I had just heard.

"If this letter was intercepted by us could Lady Madred find out and try to send more?" I said laying the letter back on the large table.

"I do not know how often this communication has been going on or the nature of Lady Madred's intentions. This could have been a one-time thing and a response might have never been expected. Or the Lady Madred could be and the False King might be frequent communicators and if a response is not received then more letter could be sent out and we do not have the resources or ability to intercept them all." Tomas gathered together all the pieces of paper strewn about the table and put them in a messy pile. "Not much we can do about it now, we will just have to wait and see. How are your duties?" Tomas' mood suddenly became more chipper as he changed the subject.

"I am the body guard of a person that barely ever ventures beyond the walls of the castle. My duties don't change much from day to day." I responded to Tomas, trying not to sound too uninspired with my role.

"Do you doubt the importance of such a task? Should I find someone with more experience to do it?" Tomas reacted the exact way I did not want him too.

"I realize the importance of what I do Tomas and after seven years I am still honored that you trusted me with being Lady Elissa's bodyguard" I responded putting my hand on the table and looking Tomas in the eye.

"You have your father's passion you know? Of course I know you realize the importance of what we are doing her and I know you take it seriously." Tomas spoke not breaking his stare. "Even if you didn't I couldn't replace you at this point, Lady Elissa has grown quite fond of you, even more so then when you were children." His tone switched to a kinder register as he broke from the stare down walked away from the table toward one of the towers windows. "Just try not to let your guard down and make sure you know how serious what you are doing is. Even if it's sometimes becomes monotonous."

"I will always do my duty and I will always reserve the right to complain from time to time." I jested trying to keep the conversation in a less serious area.

"How is Lady Elissa?" Tomas asked.

"Good, I have been teaching her a bit on how to use a sword at her request." I answered gesturing to my sword in its scabbard.

"How is she? Any family talent rearing its head?"

"Not bad, but I worry sometimes as she is getting lessons as part of a slowly growing paranoia." I said smiling, trying not to worry an already stressed out man.

"Wouldn't you be paranoid if you were the last surviving member of the Steinschneider dynasty?" Tomas snidely retorted.

"If it meant I could one day run of all Yerhiel then I could probably learn to live with some paranoia. Maybe hire some assassins to deal with all the shady looking characters or just poison nobles for fun." I overemphasized my words as I spouted what if's to Tomas.

"You're lucky that I have gotten used to you being a smart ass. Now go on, get something to eat before your patrol with Captain Wilken. Tomas smirked as he waved him out of the room. I put my right hand on my sword and my left hand on my chest saluting as I left the tower's study.

….

After having a breakfast of bread and day old bacon I headed toward the barracks to meet Jory for my scheduled patrol of Flatrock's battlements. After arriving in the barracks I was told that Jory had started the patrol already and knowing his standard route I made my to the northern outer wall which overlooked the steepest slope of the mountain and the sea. Walking up an old jagged stair case I finally caught up with Jory and found him stopped, leaning on a chest high wall looking down the wall at the ground and water far below.

"This wall is completely useless you know?" Jory stated turning around to face me, playing with a small piece of broken wall in his hands.

"As far as walls go it seems to be doing its job." I responded with a stupid grin on my face.

"Fuck off and shut up and I can tell you why it's useless." Jory barked waving the piece of stone in my face. "The earth on this side of the castle is far to step for ladders or siege towers or any troops at all really. Hence, this wall ain't necessary and was a waste of stone for whoever carved out this old dusty eyesore of a castle." Jory ranted waving the stone around, his long brown hair flailing about his head and stuffy face.

"I suppose you are right, castle is pretty old though and Tomas once told me it was based off of another castle that used to be the in the Eastern part of the Kingdom to stave off invaders from Azure." Jory gave me a glare after I shot down his ideas about the intricacies of Flatrock castle.

"You don't tell me I'm wrong at every turn and I don't show this stone up your ass okay?" Jory said in a dead serious tone. "Now that you have finally joined I can has some company for the rest of this awful patrol." Jory motioned me to follow before throwing the stone over the battlements. We continued our walk of the battlements and the walls of the castle checking the conditions that we knew had not changed since our last patrol. Soldiers continued to salute Jory as we walked along the castle walls, I was not used to him being Captain of the Guard but Jory sure came into his role and new powers fairly quickly.

"Are you okay with all the men you used to train with saluting you all the time?" I was curious as to what answer Jory would give.

"About time I got to command some of those lazy bastards. Now I can make our soldiers into a real fighting force. Not that Tomas would ever have us leave the castle and go and try to end this damn war." Jory grumbled clinching his teeth.

"I think Tomas wants to just and wait for the best time to act." I tried to justify Tomas whilst not trying to take a side.

"Best time to act?" Jory stopped walking and spun around to look me in the eye. "Tomas would have us sit here in our castle while the country tears itself apart and countless people die! We could end this war if we wanted to, we have the fucking heir to the throne and we just let her sit here on that tight little ass. I say we march out, make our presence known and with her we can gather an army and shove a sword down the False King's gullet!" Jory fiercely stated loud enough for soldiers and workers around us to hear.

"Perhaps you are right, but Tomas has gotten us all this far and we should trust in his judgement." I said trying to make the battle thirsty captain simmer down. "And no matter whose decision it is I think that Lady Elissa should have a say in the matter, don't you think?" I questioned Jory laying my sword hand on his shoulder.

"Yeah, you are right about that one kid. For someone who is so good at fighting you are pretty bright." Jory brushed my hand off and continued walking on our patrol route. "Speaking of the Lady…you spend a lot of time with her, bed her yet?" Jory bluntly posed the question.

"No!" I stuttered an answer. "I grew up with her that just wouldn't be right and …eh…besides that would compromise my duty. " I said justifying my answer.

"I think you could get comprised if you just keep sleeping with tavern whores, and besides with a body and pair like the Lady has I would be okay with compromising me duty!" Jory laughed at his own crude comments. I nervously laughed at Jory wishing we could have gone back to talking about Tomas' leadership. "I like making you squirm boy, I always have."

"I'm not a little boy anymore Captain Wilken" I snarled, mocking his title.

"No you ain't, now you're a boy in a twenty-five year old body. Now shut up and let's get this fucking patrol over with so I can go yell at some of the men." Jory shoved his hand into my hair and pushed my head back before picking up the pace for the last leg of our patrol.

….

After an afternoon of sparring with some of the soldiers in the training yard and a little bit of gear repair at the blacksmith my stomach was telling me it was almost time for a another meal. Finishing up the sharping of my sword on the grindstone I thanked the blacksmith and made the short trek to supper in Elissa's personal dining room. Walking into the lavishly decorated little dining room I was hit but the amazing aroma of what the kitchen staff had cooked Elissa for supper. The staff had just finished bringing out the food and placing it out on a round dark colored table which had only been set for two. A large chicken was in the center of the display with fresh bread and various vegetables surrounding it, a large pitcher of wine completed the spread. Elissa had already started eating with the sailor like table manners she was famous for, it was hard not to be amazed with how fast she was eating as crumbs flew and fell down into her grey dress.

"You were a little late so I started without you." Elissa took a break from chewing and pointed at the chair across from her gesturing me to sit down. "The bread is very good today and the wine is from Charne." Elissa said grinning with gluttonous pleasure. I hung up my sword belt on a hook next to the door way and took my seat at the table.

"How was your day milady?" I asked while pouring a goblet of wine for myself and topping off Elissa's.

"Alright I guess, I took a few walks of the castle grounds and read a bit. Nothing overly interesting as someone wouldn't' schedule a sword lesson until the end of the week." Elissa said to me giving me a look of derision. "I did talk to Camille Mullen, the Apothecary, and she did offer to show me how to make a poultice next time I dropped by. Seemed like a rather dull thing to learn, but could be an important skill to learn. You know? In case you get attacked by an assassin and I have to try and heal your wounds. "Elissa teased clanking her goblet with mine trying to get me to drink.

"That isn't very likely to happen milady." I took a drink to appease her.

"I know, no assassin can infiltrate Flatrock." Elissa said before quickly drinking a full goblet of wine like an old drunkard.

"I actually meant me getting wounded." I humbly phrased causing Elissa to spit up a bit of wine she was trying to shallow.

"I knew there was a reason I still kept you around." Elissa smirked.

"You mean besides protecting you from all the assassins and dangerous vagabonds?" I quickly countered.

"Of course." Elissa properly bantered. A low pitched bell ringing suddenly stopped our conversation and took control of my concentration. "Is that the bell for the Far Gate?" Elissa said putting her utensils down and standing up.

"I do believe so milady." I quickly made my way out of the room and headed for a vantage point where I could see the commotion. As I reached one of the high inner walls I could see half a dozen horse riders making their way up the mountain pass of Ayr and heading toward the castles main gate. As they got close I felt something wrap around my right arm.

"Who are they? No one ever comes here unannounced." Elissa softly spoke as she wiggled closer to me.

"Well, they aren't Crabbers…"

 

2: Chapter 2: The Messanger's Message

Chapter 2

The Messengers Message

“Don’t open the bloody gates!” I heard Jory bark at his men as I raced down toward the castle’s main gate. At the speed they were traveling the riders should be arriving at the gate any moment now. “There better be some archers above that fucking gate!” Jory angrily ordered impatiently gesturing bowman to get into position.

“Do you know who they are?” I asked Jory finally getting to the courtyard in front of the main gate.

“No idea, but if six people think they can breach my gates they are very wrong.”  Jory snarled before walking toward the stone stair case that led to the top of the gates battlements. “Who the fuck are ya and why you here?” Jory yelled down at the riders now outside the castle gates. I took up a position on the wall with several other soldiers as the six riders stopped just outside the main gate, they remained on their horses and kept their riding formation composed of three rows of two side by side riders.

“We have come representing Ayr and request an entrance into Flatrock castle.” One of the riders spoke up keeping an unbroken stare on Jory. 

“This castle is the personal hold of Tomas Lior and the Lior family. Just ‘cause your city is also on this mountain doesn’t g authority hear!” Jory yelled while more archers made their way onto the walls. The men were not wearing Ayr colors or uniforms nor did they show the broken sword symbol of Salazar, ruling family of Ayr. 

“We carry a message for Tomas Lior from Ser Fredrick the Unbreakable of Ayr. It is of great importance.” The leader of the riders calmly spoke taking a letter out of his pocket and waving it in the air.

“Six men to deliver a letter? You lot that incompetent? Do each of ya have a copy in case you got lost on the way?” Jory chuckled.

“Let us in now!” The leader of the riders demanded as he began to lose his temperament from Jory’s berating. Jory slowly began to draw his sword from its scabbard.

“Hand the letter to one of the soldiers through the portcullis and then be on your way.” A calm voice instructed. I turned my head to see Tomas had joined Jory above the gate. The riders obeyed Tomas’s decree as the leader passed the letter through the main gates portcullis. “Thank you, you may now tell your master that you have completely the task marvellously.” The leader of the scoffed and turned his horse around and began galloping away from Flatrock.

“Just keep on heading down the mountain toward the city you see in the distance and you will be with your miserable wives in no time!” Jory said getting in one last blow as the riders galloped out of ear shot.

“You don’t have to provoke everyone that comes to gates you know? Don’t make me regret making you Captain of my guard.” Tomas warned Jory tapping him on the shoulder before leaving the battlements. I left my position on the wall as the riders disappeared from sight and went to join Tomas in the courtyard, curious as to the contents of the letter.  Tomas’ grey eyes scanned the piece of parchment thoroughly, taking their time to analysis every word, punctuation mark and character.

“What does it say? What does this ‘Ser Fredrick the Unbreakable’ want?”  I questioned Tomas as he brought the letter down away from his face. Tomas motioned me to follow as we walked away from the gates across the courtyard.

“He wants Flatrock.” Tomas bluntly put as we walked away from the soldiers still patrolling the courtyard. “Or at least our fealty.”  Tomas crumbled the letter in his hand and shoved in his pocket. 

“What? They have no authority here. Ayr is a completely different holding from Flatrock and its lands.” I pointless blurted out information that Tomas already knew.

“Ser Fredrick says that we are taking tax and resources from the surrounding villages, which is true, but he claims that this money should be going to Ayr and its people. He demands we give up our holding and became part of the Ayr. We would pay tribute to the Salazar’s and Ser Fredrick would get Flatrock, he says we could still all live here but under his rule.” Tomas said in a monotone voice.

“Do you know of this man? Could this be an empty threat?”  I inquired as Tomas stopped walking and sat on a bench in front of the castle’s chapel.

“I know him. He grew up an orphan in Betun, just a ways down the coast. During the War of the Sixth Azure Invasion he earned great honors and distinction in driving the Azure warriors out of Yerhiel. But it was during the Zahyar raids of 868 AR that he was Knighted and got a reputation for being a very skilled and ruthless warrior. I even fought beside him when the Capital was sacked and most of the Royal Family was slain by that army of sellswords paid for by the False King. He is not a man to make empty threats, and even in his advancing age he is still one of the best warriors in the Kingdom.” Tomas let out a soft sigh taking a pause. “This could be a problem.”

“If he fought with you during the Sack of the Capital does he know of Elissa?” Worried I asked, fearing the answer.

“No Vannes. While he led a counter attack to take back the city gates I took my men and secured the place. When I found a then two year old Elissa still alive I took the men loyal to me, your father included, and fled the Capital before the battle was ended. He thinks I’m just a coward that fled the scene of a losing battle.” Tomas explained giving me a bit of relief.

“If not to get to Elissa why would he be doing this?” I turned my voice into a whisper as a group of soldiers walked by.

“Probably just to get back at me. I don’t know why he would try this all of a sudden though, as he has had plenty of opportunities in the sixteen years since that battle.” Tomas whispered back. “If we don’t comply with his demands he might try something.”

“Like what? Lay siege to the castle? One once told me it would take five thousand me to take this castle from five hundred.”  I stated wanting to see what it was that Tomas feared from this Unbreakable knight.

“Don’t know if it’s anything that drastic, besides those weren’t even Ayr men so he might not even have the backing of the Salazar’s at all. He might have a few dozen levies, sellswords and a knight or two in his guard. But he doesn’t have the means to take the castle without support of the Salazar’s and other noble families of Ayr. If he does try anything it will be much more subtle.” Tomas assured me.

“So he may not be a threat?” I cautiously inquired.

“I said nothing of that sort; he is not a man of talk but a man of action. He is differently a threat and he will do something to follow up this gesture.” Tomas said taking the crumbled letter out of his pocket and waving it in front of my face. “Not a thing to worry about right now though, I have work to do so if you want to know more I suggest you ask  Joseph Kessler. He should be giving a lesson to Lady Elissa right now.” Tomas spoke before standing up and walking away toward the main tower. “Two threats in one day, quite the eventful time you think Vannes?” Tomas turned around and jested before resuming his walk to the tower study. With all that had just happened I had momentarily forgotten about the letter from Lady Madred to the False King. Today was turning out to be a bit more eventful than expected.