Post by Charlie Brown on Oct 10, 2011 18:50:21 GMT -5
The trek back to the Keep and capital city that surrounded had taken close to a month, from the border to the southern edge of the kingdom was rarely traveled so fast, but the vast experience of the 7th legion lent itself to a speedy travel. The main army had pitched camp outside the city , they'd been there less than seven hours and the sun had set, the camp a twinkling sky of campfire stars from the battlements of the keep, it seemed to stretch out as far as the watchmen could see. True to his word, Thrand had asked the general to keep Sabe by his side while they were in the city and they had found lodgings in the tavern that housed the 7th Legions officers. The other pathfinders had left the main force at the southern borders of the Mists and and begun trail breaking into the mountainous regions of Attavar that made travel during winter months impossible. If Cauldwyn's force didn't gain permission to assist their Attavari allies quickly, the Pathfinders would find themselves trapped in hostile territory isolated from the main force with no way of getting back across the mists.
Inside the keep a small cadre of the king's advisers set around a long rectangular table discussing the possibility of war, in the room were Duke Thedric Crowley of Tel'Rios, cousin to the king, his retinue of servants and advisers, The Princess, the heir apparent, and Grand Marshal Teven D'Rem.
Cauldwyn moved quickly down the vaulted halls of the Keep beating a quick path to the appointed room that they used for planning battles and larger scale warfare. Coming to the door Cauldwyn's scarred hands push open the large double oaken doors and moving briskly inside. he would bow briefly to the king and princess, then nod to Thedric whom he had met at his camp nearly a month earlier when he'd brought news of the Orakhan attack on Attavar.
"Gentlemen" he said in his gravel voice, eyes seemed to linger on the long scar that trailed down his face and over his eye. The Grand Marshal seemed to narrow his eyes; The shrewd man knew the potential risks of involving the 7th legion in this endeavor. Cauldwyn joined them at the table, placing his hands upon it and leaning over.
The king spoke next "Cauldwyn" he said with a tone that suggested affection; the king had always felt indebted to Cauldwyn whom had protected his only daughter during the rein of the mad queen whom hated her own daughter and attempted to kill her by having her lead the armies of Elendrael, it had been Cualdwyn whom had slogged through the mud, the shit and the blood in every bloody campaign. Cauldwyn had been at her side, then still, a low ranking officer, when she had returned and deposed the queen and took the throne for herself and freed the king from the dungeons, it was then that the princess had given the full account of what had happened and the role Cauldwyn had played. The king had shown favor for Cauldwyn's loyalty and promoted him to Captain of the Keep, responsible for the garrison of the town of Tel'Rios and the guards and watch of Tel'Rios keep. Years of service to the king had developed a sort of father-son relationship, the king had always regarded Cauldwyn has a man of humility, duty and honor, all of which he was rigidly staunch and unwavering. In years following he would extinguish himself as a capable officer and route several armies at the walls of the keep whom had sought to dismantle the kingdom. It was then he had been promoted to General and further distinguished himself and proved an insurmountable tactician and warrior, he was quickly recognized as a hero of the king earning not only the loyalty of his men, but of the people as well.
"Lord Crowley was about to explain the situation in Attavar, Lord Crowley.." The king continued and gestured for Thedric to resume what he had been saying.
"The Attavari were attacked early this spring, they could not reach our out post in time to send word, as we all know, once winter sets in a few weeks the mountain passes will be impassable and we'll be unable to assist, it is imperative we leave no later than tomorrow if we look to even stand a chance at getting through the Iron Pass on time. of course, I think.." Thedric nodded to Cauldwyn. "Is that man for the job, he knows the Attavar as well as any man living there and he's the only one of our generals whom has ever waged a pitched fight there. Common sense dictates we send the seventh legion as soon as possible. "
It was Cauldwyn who spoke next "I can have the men mobilized and ready to go by day break. Allow me to go, sire, and I will crush the Orakhan uprising that threatens Attavar."
the king seemed deep in thought, lines of concentration marking his forehead. His fingers tented as he looked at the map.
"You won't get there in time General" The Grand Marshal said, and the king nodded his agreement. "The passes will freeze even if you do get there in time and you'll be cut off from any reinforcements. One legion is not enough to hold off the entire Orakhan army until Spring, even with the generals expertise... I'm afraid it would be a gross waste of manpower, resources and gold."
The King sighed at the Marshal's remarks, he did not like the idea of allowing an ally to fall while his own people stood by and did nothing.
"General, I'm afraid The Grand Marshal is right, there is not enough time and we cannot afford to lose an entire legion on a doomed venture... I am.. I am sorry, I know.. I know Lady Nakamura had been visiting her fa-"
Cauldwyn's fist crashed on the wood table
"We are honour bound to go, it is our duty, we MUST try, my king, we must, it is not our way to turn our backs on our friends. You have always emphasized this to me. " Cauldwyn knew it was likely that if the legion didn't get there soon, Kaori would likely be dead. The Orakhan tribes had finally broken their civil war and a Warchief had emerged and bound the tribes together making them far too numerous for the small Attavari forces to handle on their own.
~~
Andraia had been a knight for nearly ten years now. As far as anyone knew she was just a normal human. Those that she served under knew better. She was a human from the northlands, noble by birth, blessed with heightened senses beyond that of the normal humans that came through the mist often enough. Thedric had seen something in her and taken her in, giving her all the status she needed to make it. She’d proven herself in battle, a vicious fighter and eventually become knighted though she stayed true to her lord master.
Behind her back men called her Crowley’s Bitch. She didn’t care, most of them she’d beat into the ground more than once on the practice field. Beyond her physical skills she was also a decent tactician, yet another reasons Crowley kept her around.
She stayed silent through the deliberations on what to too, perfectly happy to watch and blend in with the back ground. It was because she was doing so that Cauldwyn had missed her presence entirely as he stormed the room. It wasn’t until he slammed his fist down on the table that she stepped out from where she’d been standing just behind Crowley’s shoulder.
“You have personal reasons invested in this, General Cauldwyn.” For such a strong woman her voice was soft, low but clear none the less. People tended to stop and listen when she spoke. “The King is right, Duke Crowley had me send scouts into the mountain passes and word reached us just as we arrived at the castle. The snows have come early this year. Your troops could be trapped in the mountain passes or in Attavari with no hopes of reinforcements. As much as it pains all of us to turn our backs on such allies it is a fool venture.”
~~
Everyone was silent as Andraia took the floor, indeed, Cauldwyn hadn't noticed her. Cauldwyn cast a withering look, the weathered general was a man of fearful proportions and the scar over his eye gave him an almost sinister look. The older half elf had close cropped hair and a well kept beard, the people often said there were none who could best the man with a blade, of which he carried two, one a hand and a half bastard sword that he wielded easily in one hand a shield in the other, the other sword was an Attavarian sword, the long curved blade - Without a doubt, the Attavri were the finest swordsmiths they had ever encountered. The blade was perfectly balanced, light and razor sharp, it could cleave a man in half as easily as a knife through butter. The newly downside was that it took years of practice to master the arts required to wield the sword, but Cauldwyn had been a natural, he'd been holding a sword since he was a child and he had taken to the art of Attavari sword play unnaturally quick. He was counted a master amongst the exotic Attavari.
"And who are you to speak at this table?" Cauldwyn spat the words at her, "Who is this child?" he demanded before disregarding her entirely.
"Cauldwyn!" The king snapped in an infrequent show of familiarity "it is decided, Lord Crowley's adviser speaks the truth, Attavar is lost, the capital has already fallen.. Cauldwyn... my boy... I'm so very sorry, reports show there were no survivors."
Cauldwyn's jaw set and he looked livid, even if he hadn't the personal investment it was doubtful his reaction would have been much better.
"I am taking my men through the pass and I will preserve the honour of Elendrael since none at this table seem interested in such. I have already sent a detachment of Pathfinders across the mountains and I will NOT abandon them. They are MY men, MY soldiers and I'll do what is necessary to see them home safely and help whatever is left of Attavar." he almost uttered the words cowards at them, but thought better of it, catching the word in his throat and swallowing it down.
"General D'Saan" the king rose from his chair, palms flat on the table "You will NOT go to Attavar, these are not YOUR men, they are MINE. As is everything in Elendrael. I have spoken and you will not speak of such things again."
Cauldwyn shook his head.
"The house of Relendrael have lost their way. I will not bend knee to a coward." Cauldwyn turn to leave but theyell of anger from the king caught his steps.
"I AM willing to forgive your thoughtless words, General, but should you defy me, there WILL be consequences. Disobedience will mean your exile, banishment for anyone who follows you. If you leave this place with my Legion .." But his words were wasted for Cauldwyn was already walking away and none dared stop him, not even the guards, the guards he had trained, the guards he had turned from boys to men, one had taken a step forward, but a glance from the general stopped him and he stepped back. As the king had not actually ordered them to detain him, they let him pass. Cauldwyn's boots could be heard echoing down the hall.
***
A few minuets later Cauldwyn entered the marshaling yard of the keep and called for his horse, he threw the saddle over it's back and was leading it by the reins when a familiar face emerged from the doors leading back into the keep, the princess had emerged.
"Cauldwyn, she said gently "why are you doing this?"
Cauldwyn turned, reins still in his hand.
"How many years of service have I put in without question, with total loyalty, without ever asking anything in return."
"Too many to count." The princess replied.
"Who saw you through the wars who took an assassins blade for you?" Cauldwyn demanded of her.
"You." She said gently, her tone admitting nothing. "But my father is king and I stand by his decision."
Cauldwyn spat at her feet.
"Then you have both betrayed me."
She didn't respond, she just gave a desolate look and shook her head, her hands clasped infront of her she would watch him ride out the front gate, looking as proud as he always did.
"It will be the death of you, Cauldwyn" she whispered to the wind whipping gravel about her feet.
***
Night had fallen when the General returned to the camp, back to his command tent where he prepared to give out orders, but he was interrupted by a pair of figures entering through the flaps, it was Lord Crowley and the blond woman he had cast aside earlier.
"Crowley" he said gruffly, the Duke had said nothing during the exchange between the king and the general.
"General." He began "I want you to know you have my full support. We are obligated to answer the call of our allies no matter how dire the situation. I hope you go and find what you are looking for, my friend. If... When you return I will speak in your favor and you were right when you said.. When you said the house of Relendrael have fallen. The king will take no risks, it has been getting worse, he thinks only of filling his coffers."
Cauldwyn merely grunted at that, he was too angry to disagree, but in his heart he knew that was not the type of man King Relendrael was. But at that moment he would believe any ill word spoken of him.
"Lord Crowley, if I return, it will mean civil war, nothing short of."
"Oh, I realize that General. I also realize that as skilled as your men are they cannot stand the combined might of the kings and his Dukes. However..."
"spit it out. I don't have time for games."
"HOWEVER" the duke began again "When you return and should it mean civil war then I will add my forces to your own, then we can make a pitched battle and return honour to Elendrael."
Cauldwyn stopped what he was doing and giving the Duke his undivided attention for the first time since the pair had entered.
"And I suppose you would make yourself king?"
"No. We would make a change - We would start a republic, leaders voted by the people. I swear to you this, that I will not seize the throne" Thedric lied through his teeth but he was a well versed liar and as the general scanned his face for signs of insincerity he would find none.
"Very well." he said, it wasn't like he had a choice for Thedric was right, the Knights of the Wolf, for all their expertise could not wage a war against the might of five armies. "If civil war happens then we will create this.. Republic."
"One other thing, General, I have a present for you." He gestured to Andraia. "She has many, many skills you will find useful and she is to accompany you on your journey. I believe you play the tactical game Paja, she is quite adept, perhaps good enough to rival you."
Inside the keep a small cadre of the king's advisers set around a long rectangular table discussing the possibility of war, in the room were Duke Thedric Crowley of Tel'Rios, cousin to the king, his retinue of servants and advisers, The Princess, the heir apparent, and Grand Marshal Teven D'Rem.
Cauldwyn moved quickly down the vaulted halls of the Keep beating a quick path to the appointed room that they used for planning battles and larger scale warfare. Coming to the door Cauldwyn's scarred hands push open the large double oaken doors and moving briskly inside. he would bow briefly to the king and princess, then nod to Thedric whom he had met at his camp nearly a month earlier when he'd brought news of the Orakhan attack on Attavar.
"Gentlemen" he said in his gravel voice, eyes seemed to linger on the long scar that trailed down his face and over his eye. The Grand Marshal seemed to narrow his eyes; The shrewd man knew the potential risks of involving the 7th legion in this endeavor. Cauldwyn joined them at the table, placing his hands upon it and leaning over.
The king spoke next "Cauldwyn" he said with a tone that suggested affection; the king had always felt indebted to Cauldwyn whom had protected his only daughter during the rein of the mad queen whom hated her own daughter and attempted to kill her by having her lead the armies of Elendrael, it had been Cualdwyn whom had slogged through the mud, the shit and the blood in every bloody campaign. Cauldwyn had been at her side, then still, a low ranking officer, when she had returned and deposed the queen and took the throne for herself and freed the king from the dungeons, it was then that the princess had given the full account of what had happened and the role Cauldwyn had played. The king had shown favor for Cauldwyn's loyalty and promoted him to Captain of the Keep, responsible for the garrison of the town of Tel'Rios and the guards and watch of Tel'Rios keep. Years of service to the king had developed a sort of father-son relationship, the king had always regarded Cauldwyn has a man of humility, duty and honor, all of which he was rigidly staunch and unwavering. In years following he would extinguish himself as a capable officer and route several armies at the walls of the keep whom had sought to dismantle the kingdom. It was then he had been promoted to General and further distinguished himself and proved an insurmountable tactician and warrior, he was quickly recognized as a hero of the king earning not only the loyalty of his men, but of the people as well.
"Lord Crowley was about to explain the situation in Attavar, Lord Crowley.." The king continued and gestured for Thedric to resume what he had been saying.
"The Attavari were attacked early this spring, they could not reach our out post in time to send word, as we all know, once winter sets in a few weeks the mountain passes will be impassable and we'll be unable to assist, it is imperative we leave no later than tomorrow if we look to even stand a chance at getting through the Iron Pass on time. of course, I think.." Thedric nodded to Cauldwyn. "Is that man for the job, he knows the Attavar as well as any man living there and he's the only one of our generals whom has ever waged a pitched fight there. Common sense dictates we send the seventh legion as soon as possible. "
It was Cauldwyn who spoke next "I can have the men mobilized and ready to go by day break. Allow me to go, sire, and I will crush the Orakhan uprising that threatens Attavar."
the king seemed deep in thought, lines of concentration marking his forehead. His fingers tented as he looked at the map.
"You won't get there in time General" The Grand Marshal said, and the king nodded his agreement. "The passes will freeze even if you do get there in time and you'll be cut off from any reinforcements. One legion is not enough to hold off the entire Orakhan army until Spring, even with the generals expertise... I'm afraid it would be a gross waste of manpower, resources and gold."
The King sighed at the Marshal's remarks, he did not like the idea of allowing an ally to fall while his own people stood by and did nothing.
"General, I'm afraid The Grand Marshal is right, there is not enough time and we cannot afford to lose an entire legion on a doomed venture... I am.. I am sorry, I know.. I know Lady Nakamura had been visiting her fa-"
Cauldwyn's fist crashed on the wood table
"We are honour bound to go, it is our duty, we MUST try, my king, we must, it is not our way to turn our backs on our friends. You have always emphasized this to me. " Cauldwyn knew it was likely that if the legion didn't get there soon, Kaori would likely be dead. The Orakhan tribes had finally broken their civil war and a Warchief had emerged and bound the tribes together making them far too numerous for the small Attavari forces to handle on their own.
~~
Andraia had been a knight for nearly ten years now. As far as anyone knew she was just a normal human. Those that she served under knew better. She was a human from the northlands, noble by birth, blessed with heightened senses beyond that of the normal humans that came through the mist often enough. Thedric had seen something in her and taken her in, giving her all the status she needed to make it. She’d proven herself in battle, a vicious fighter and eventually become knighted though she stayed true to her lord master.
Behind her back men called her Crowley’s Bitch. She didn’t care, most of them she’d beat into the ground more than once on the practice field. Beyond her physical skills she was also a decent tactician, yet another reasons Crowley kept her around.
She stayed silent through the deliberations on what to too, perfectly happy to watch and blend in with the back ground. It was because she was doing so that Cauldwyn had missed her presence entirely as he stormed the room. It wasn’t until he slammed his fist down on the table that she stepped out from where she’d been standing just behind Crowley’s shoulder.
“You have personal reasons invested in this, General Cauldwyn.” For such a strong woman her voice was soft, low but clear none the less. People tended to stop and listen when she spoke. “The King is right, Duke Crowley had me send scouts into the mountain passes and word reached us just as we arrived at the castle. The snows have come early this year. Your troops could be trapped in the mountain passes or in Attavari with no hopes of reinforcements. As much as it pains all of us to turn our backs on such allies it is a fool venture.”
~~
Everyone was silent as Andraia took the floor, indeed, Cauldwyn hadn't noticed her. Cauldwyn cast a withering look, the weathered general was a man of fearful proportions and the scar over his eye gave him an almost sinister look. The older half elf had close cropped hair and a well kept beard, the people often said there were none who could best the man with a blade, of which he carried two, one a hand and a half bastard sword that he wielded easily in one hand a shield in the other, the other sword was an Attavarian sword, the long curved blade - Without a doubt, the Attavri were the finest swordsmiths they had ever encountered. The blade was perfectly balanced, light and razor sharp, it could cleave a man in half as easily as a knife through butter. The newly downside was that it took years of practice to master the arts required to wield the sword, but Cauldwyn had been a natural, he'd been holding a sword since he was a child and he had taken to the art of Attavari sword play unnaturally quick. He was counted a master amongst the exotic Attavari.
"And who are you to speak at this table?" Cauldwyn spat the words at her, "Who is this child?" he demanded before disregarding her entirely.
"Cauldwyn!" The king snapped in an infrequent show of familiarity "it is decided, Lord Crowley's adviser speaks the truth, Attavar is lost, the capital has already fallen.. Cauldwyn... my boy... I'm so very sorry, reports show there were no survivors."
Cauldwyn's jaw set and he looked livid, even if he hadn't the personal investment it was doubtful his reaction would have been much better.
"I am taking my men through the pass and I will preserve the honour of Elendrael since none at this table seem interested in such. I have already sent a detachment of Pathfinders across the mountains and I will NOT abandon them. They are MY men, MY soldiers and I'll do what is necessary to see them home safely and help whatever is left of Attavar." he almost uttered the words cowards at them, but thought better of it, catching the word in his throat and swallowing it down.
"General D'Saan" the king rose from his chair, palms flat on the table "You will NOT go to Attavar, these are not YOUR men, they are MINE. As is everything in Elendrael. I have spoken and you will not speak of such things again."
Cauldwyn shook his head.
"The house of Relendrael have lost their way. I will not bend knee to a coward." Cauldwyn turn to leave but theyell of anger from the king caught his steps.
"I AM willing to forgive your thoughtless words, General, but should you defy me, there WILL be consequences. Disobedience will mean your exile, banishment for anyone who follows you. If you leave this place with my Legion .." But his words were wasted for Cauldwyn was already walking away and none dared stop him, not even the guards, the guards he had trained, the guards he had turned from boys to men, one had taken a step forward, but a glance from the general stopped him and he stepped back. As the king had not actually ordered them to detain him, they let him pass. Cauldwyn's boots could be heard echoing down the hall.
***
A few minuets later Cauldwyn entered the marshaling yard of the keep and called for his horse, he threw the saddle over it's back and was leading it by the reins when a familiar face emerged from the doors leading back into the keep, the princess had emerged.
"Cauldwyn, she said gently "why are you doing this?"
Cauldwyn turned, reins still in his hand.
"How many years of service have I put in without question, with total loyalty, without ever asking anything in return."
"Too many to count." The princess replied.
"Who saw you through the wars who took an assassins blade for you?" Cauldwyn demanded of her.
"You." She said gently, her tone admitting nothing. "But my father is king and I stand by his decision."
Cauldwyn spat at her feet.
"Then you have both betrayed me."
She didn't respond, she just gave a desolate look and shook her head, her hands clasped infront of her she would watch him ride out the front gate, looking as proud as he always did.
"It will be the death of you, Cauldwyn" she whispered to the wind whipping gravel about her feet.
***
Night had fallen when the General returned to the camp, back to his command tent where he prepared to give out orders, but he was interrupted by a pair of figures entering through the flaps, it was Lord Crowley and the blond woman he had cast aside earlier.
"Crowley" he said gruffly, the Duke had said nothing during the exchange between the king and the general.
"General." He began "I want you to know you have my full support. We are obligated to answer the call of our allies no matter how dire the situation. I hope you go and find what you are looking for, my friend. If... When you return I will speak in your favor and you were right when you said.. When you said the house of Relendrael have fallen. The king will take no risks, it has been getting worse, he thinks only of filling his coffers."
Cauldwyn merely grunted at that, he was too angry to disagree, but in his heart he knew that was not the type of man King Relendrael was. But at that moment he would believe any ill word spoken of him.
"Lord Crowley, if I return, it will mean civil war, nothing short of."
"Oh, I realize that General. I also realize that as skilled as your men are they cannot stand the combined might of the kings and his Dukes. However..."
"spit it out. I don't have time for games."
"HOWEVER" the duke began again "When you return and should it mean civil war then I will add my forces to your own, then we can make a pitched battle and return honour to Elendrael."
Cauldwyn stopped what he was doing and giving the Duke his undivided attention for the first time since the pair had entered.
"And I suppose you would make yourself king?"
"No. We would make a change - We would start a republic, leaders voted by the people. I swear to you this, that I will not seize the throne" Thedric lied through his teeth but he was a well versed liar and as the general scanned his face for signs of insincerity he would find none.
"Very well." he said, it wasn't like he had a choice for Thedric was right, the Knights of the Wolf, for all their expertise could not wage a war against the might of five armies. "If civil war happens then we will create this.. Republic."
"One other thing, General, I have a present for you." He gestured to Andraia. "She has many, many skills you will find useful and she is to accompany you on your journey. I believe you play the tactical game Paja, she is quite adept, perhaps good enough to rival you."