Bear Territory, House Baikov, Randall Remington Memorial

  After their meal and a bit of rest, the group got up and continued with their journey. The noonday sun had passed, and a cool gentle breeze was coming from the north. As they continued, Elizabeth decided to make conversation with Damian.

  “So, Damian, I thought that Arcanos have familiars, why don’t you have one? I know the Arcanos who stayed at my mother’s inn had a fat raven for a familiar that he named Lenny.”

  A look of pain crossed Damian’s face, indicating Elizabeth had hit a sore subject for him. “In House Diotrephes, gaining a familiar is a rite of passage, an indication that you have been accepted as a full member of the family. I never proved myself to be a competent Arcanos, so that privilege was denied to me.”

  “I’m sorry if I’ve caused you any distress by bringing this subject up.” Elizabeth felt bad for the turmoil she had caused Damian.

  “No, it’s alright, you were simply curious. I hope to one day prove myself worthy of gaining a familiar. I would like a unique one like my mother’s lynx, Lysander.”

  “Coming down to Wall Visalia may be good for you then, where, through camaraderie, you could find a true family. It was my dysfunctional family that led me to join the Order of the Empyrean Blade in the first place.” Sir Frederick said.

  “Perhaps, but I am a pitiful Arcanos, and I’ll probably be turned away once the evaluation is done. However, they could decide that I might still have use as a fighter, and they’ll shove a spear in my hand and place me on the wall, where I will die even faster. Though who knows, it could be that death will get my mother to show some affection for me.”

  This conversation had put everyone in a very dour and awkward mood. Elizabeth had a hard time grasping how cruel a mother could be to her child. From everything Damian told her, Archduchess Cassandra Diotrephes must have been one of the most unpleasant women in the world.

  The group continued for a while before they came across a peculiar sight. A human woman wearing a long fur cloak and sweating profusely was arguing with a gaudily dressed female Halmen over a map. The human had long curly red hair and dark emerald, green eyes, along with pale skin and numerous freckles.

  On her back was a bow and arrow, with a long knife hanging by her side. Over her heart was a bow and arrow, a Heart Badge that Elizabeth was not familiar with but could very well be one of the emblems for Natra, the goddess of nature and the hunt.

  The Halmen had tan skin and long brown hair with rainbow ribbons and bells tied into it. The Halmen's clothing was quite colorful, being an odd combination of red, gold, purple, and orange. On her left side appeared to be a tambourine, with a rapier on her right side.

  The Halmen had the Harp of Baleris over her heart. Low-born entertainers in the Kingdom of Lions got to dress however they wanted if they were not connected to any noble house and remained mobile, though they still could not wear the sigil of any house. The pack mule was off to the side of them, bored with what was going on. The group walked on up to see what the problem was.

  “Pardon me ladies, but do you require any assistance?” Sir Frederick asked them.

  “Bugger off you meddlesome gray-haired girly boy, this doesn’t concern you.” The redhead was quite hostile. Getting closer Elizabeth could see the white stag on a brown background that belonged to House Sullivan. A minor noble house that oversaw the Stag Duchy, a land that was comprised of the Ever Autumn Forest between the lands of the Peacock and the Moth. It was their sacred task to safeguard the Kingdom of Lions from the hostile and malevolent fae that dwelt within the forest. The Sullivan were a sullen and private house that did not take kindly to outsiders meddling in their affairs.

  “Oh, don’t mind Bridgette, she’s just upset that she’s Wood Walker with no sense of direction or an understanding of what clothes are appropriate to wear in a desert.” The Halmen tried to ease the tension of the situation.

  “If a fur cloak is such a bother, why don’t you change into something more appropriate for the clime?” Sir Frederick asked her, oblivious to the fact that he was wearing plate armor while traveling in the desert, though he did not seem to mind. Bridgette gave him a dirty look.

  “Oh, I bet you would like to see me strip down, so you could get a nice look at me and my undergarments. Aren't you a real pervert? But I will not be doing you any favors, I have no other clothes to wear and not enough coin to waste on buying a new wardrobe like some prim and proper princess. Besides, this is all I have left of my home. I suspect I can get new clothes when we get to the wall but until then I am just going to have to deal with the heat.” Bridgette proved herself to be a bit of a spitfire while Sir Fredericks's face went bright red.

  “Well, if your destination is Wall Visalia, you are on the right path, this road goes to the Eastern Gate, it’s pretty much a straight shot.” Damian was a bit confused at how anyone could get lost on a straight road.

  “That’s what I was trying to tell my companion here, but she kept insisting that my shortcut through the desert got us lost.” Bridgette stood vindicated.

  “I wouldn’t say wandering around in the desert for three days desperately looking for the road a shortcut.”

  “We found it, didn’t we?” Bridgette roughly folded up their map.

  “If you are worried about getting lost again, you can join us.” Sir Frederick offered his aid, forgetting that these lands were heavily patrolled.

  Bridgette was indignant. “I can handle myself just fine, thank you very much, I don’t need some armor-clad pansy guiding me anywhere.”

  Bridgette's companion was far more diplomatic. “While we do not need a guide, some extra company would be appreciated. I am Carmen, and my companion here is Bridgette of House Sullivan. I am a wandering Song Caller and she is an elite Wood Walker, or so she claims.” Bridgette gave Carmen a dirty look after that comment.

  “I am Sir Frederick, Oathsworn of the Order of the Empyrean Blade. My companions are Lady Madeline of House de Garnier, a Divine Caller of the goddess Lenera, Lord Damian of House Diotrephes, a young Arcanos, Ragnar Doth, a fierce warrior from the north, and Miss Elizabeth, an apprentice Inn Manager who through a bit of bad luck and magic gone awry has found herself far from home.”

  “Out of curiosity, how did that happen?” Carmen, like anyone, was curious to know how something like that could occur.

  “Well, it was the night of my coming of age. After the party, I went outside to take the trash to the rubbish pile. This mysterious man named Methuselah tried to kidnap me, there was a flash of light and before I realized it, I found myself right in the middle of Damian and Madeline’s camp. Damian believes that I am an Arc-Blood.”

  “That is some pretty potent low magic to transfer you from Royal lands down to Bear lands,” Bridgette said, seemingly impressed.

  “How did you know that I’m from the Royal lands?”

  “Your clothes, for one, are a dead giveaway. Your name, Elizabeth, is the type of name you would find among those who dwell within the royal lands. Also, from the way you hold yourself and the specific manner of your dress, I would have to say that you are from the lands of House Remington.”

  “Bridgette, you can pick that up from the way I dress and hold myself?”

  “Yes, those who live in Remington lands are very conservative in dress, disdaining makeup and jewelry, along with anything but the most functional of clothing, while at the same time holding themselves with confidence and self-assurance. It’s a common feature amongst the nobility and the common citizenry.”

  Elizabeth was awe-struck that this stranger could know so much just by looking at her. Sensing her confusion, Damian stepped in.

  “Since the House of Sullivan is a minor independent noble family that serves as the protectors of Ever Autumn Forest, located between Moth and Peacock lands. The Sullivans make it their job to know everything about everyone without letting other people know about them. It’s rare to see a Sullivan out of Ever Autumn Forest.”

  A look of disappointment came across Bridgette’s face. “I’ve been banished, stripped of my duties, and sent to fight on Wall Visalia to redeem myself.”

  “Why were you banished?” Madeline asked.

  “None of your concern, thank you very much.”

  “There was no reason to tell us you were banished if you’re not going to tell us why?” Madeline mumbled to herself. Bridgette, proving to have good hearing, caught every word said, but chose to ignore it.

  “And what about you Miss Carmen, why are you heading down to the wall?” Sir Frederick asked her.

  “The Baikov are always looking for entertainers to raise the morale of their troops. It is a steady well-paying job for a profession where both work and food are often hard to come by. I figure if I make a name for myself entertaining the troops, I can move on to larger venues.”

  The now larger group continued for a while, making small talk with each other. The long walk did not bother Elizabeth, who was used to being on her feet all day, but she could tell that Damian and Madeline were not used to walking at such a brisk pace over such a distance. Most likely they had been traveling at a nice leisurely pace before joining up with Sir Frederick and Ragnar. Bridgette and Carmen were also unfazed by their now rapid pace. Bridgette spent a lot of time on her feet, and despite being around Halmens like Carmen her entire life, she was always amazed at their inner stamina.

  Craig and Kayla had always insisted that it was because Halmens did not wear shoes, and they were able to stay on their feet more than humans. The Halmen alleged that shoes were unnatural and caused unnecessary strain on one’s feet, disconnecting them from the world around them. As a result, Elizabeth had spent a lot of her young life running around without footwear.

  The only reason she was wearing boots was because her mother insisted that she look her best for her graduation party. Even then, Carmen noticed that she walked less like a human and more like a Halmen, light on her feet, conserving her energy and making sure that she did not tire as quickly, as well as not making any sound.

  “You spent a lot of your childhood around Halmens, didn’t you?” Carmen asked.

  This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

  Elizabeth nodded. “Craig and Kayla, our inn chefs, were like a second pair of parents to me. During times when the tavern was busy, my brother and I used to stay at their place in the Halmen district. Heck, when I was little, I used to spend entire summers at their home. I was not much help around the house and my mother needed to focus her attention on the business during those busy travel months. When they were not around, their eldest daughter looked after me. I was even the flower girl at her wedding. Though at that point I had shot up like a weed, so I towered over everyone there.”

  Carmen giggled at this, “I would expect so.”

  The group continued their way, unfortunately, Elizabeth’s group got the unwanted attention of a group of men bearing the heraldry of House De Lorme, the head of the Peacock duchies. “Hey, you there, why are you walking around with a barbarian by your side? Shouldn’t the beast be in chains?” The young men sneered. Ragnar chafed at their insults. Sir Frederick noticed this and decided to respond on behalf of his companion.

  “You dishonor your house with your rudeness, did your mother not teach you better? Or are you perhaps bastards conceived by your fathers philandering in the local brothels?” Sir Frederick responded.

  Incensed at this insult, the three men draw their rapiers. In a flash, Frederick drew his sword which, made of Empyrean Gold, Bridgette drew her bow, Ragnar grabbed both of his axes, and Damian clumsily made hand gestures while reciting magic words, though Elizabeth could tell he was stumbling his way through. Madeline put herself between the two parties, while some onlookers near them who were also heading south stopped to watch how the confrontation turned out.

  “Now, now, there is no need for us to fight. I get it, we're all tired and sore from a long journey. You wouldn’t want to dishonor your family by getting into a fight before we even get to the wall?”

  Ragnar was still fuming, but Madeline just stared at him and mouthed the words, “Not now”. Understanding what Madeline was trying to accomplish, Ragnar decided to help with the diffusing of hostilities.

  “If you wish to prove yourselves, you may challenge me at the wall. But now is not the time nor place and we must be on our way.” The intensity of Ragnar’s glare got them to back down.

  The young nobles sheathed their rapiers. The oldest turned to Sir Frederick. “You need to make sure that your pet remembers his place, or we’ll have to remind him of it.” The braggarts then strutted off smugly.

  Now that they were on their way off, the others in the group stood down as well. Madeline walked on over, smiled, and placed a hand on Ragnar’s shoulder. “I know your pride was hurt, but the middle of the Baikov desert is not a suitable place for a duel of honor.”

  “I know, but I will remember their insults when we get to their wall. I will break them and send them home to their families gelded and submissive.” Ragnar replied, annoyed but willing to wait to satisfy his wounded pride.

  “You may very well get your chance, my friend.” Sir Frederick joined in. “You have impressed me, not by your reply to their rude comment, but by having the clarity to know when to step back from a fight. My grandfather used to tell me that some battles in this world just are not worth fighting. A true man backs down from a pointless brawl. While someone foolishly rushes into every fight they come across. In a way, you won that fight without ever having to fight it.”

  Ragnar just rolled his eyes. “That is not the way of my people, I will meet them again, and my pride and honor will be satisfied. Those men who look like young maidens shall face the fury of my ancestors.”

  “That is well and good, but you aren’t doing it today. I must get you to Wall Visalia, and I don’t want you getting injured on my watch.” Sir Frederick said.

  After a few more hours of travel, they decided to leave the road and make camp for the night, settling down to set themselves up. Bridgette went out to get some games for them to cook. Elizabeth and Madeline got out their collective supplies to get ready to cook the food while Damian pulled out his spell book and studied it by magical light.

  Sir Frederick got down on his knees with his sword in front of him and began praying. Ragnar decided to stand watch around their campsite, even though his companions tried to tell him that it was not necessary in this section of the Baikov lands to stand watch.

  Old habits died hard for the warrior from the Land of Ice and Fog. Carmen took out her tambourine and gave them a beautiful love song about the steadfast but low-ranking knight who fell in love with the Countess he was sworn to protect. The couple died in each other’s arms rather than be separated by the social conventions of the Kingdom of Lions. Bridgette came back with five desert hares. The group cooked dinner, ate their meal, silently said their respective prayers, and went to sleep.

  The Wastelands

  Zarathustra and Ludwig were sitting on top of the highest tower of the moving castle, overlooking the desolation of the Wastelands. To Ludwig, Zarathustra appeared to be enraptured in thought.

  “Long ago Ludwig, 1000 years before my birth, this peninsula used to be fertile land. Pristine beaches on the coasts and miles and miles of swampland in its interior, funny how time seems able to change everything.”

  “What happened to this land so long ago, to turn it into this desolate wasteland?”

  “Zekron the God Killer, the greatest Arcanos who ever lived, dwelled in this peninsula. The magic released during his confrontation with the Guardian Methuselah and his allies ruined the land, turning it into what you see now. The duel between Zekron’s apprentices, Eon and Natasha, only made it worse, destroying any chance of recovery. Those who are graced with great power often abuse it and take it for granted, never realizing the damage they do to the land around them.”

  “This coming from the undead Arcanos?” Ludwig sounded amused.

  “I may be many things Ludwig, but I have always been restrained and controlled. My biggest worry is keeping this horde in line. If they devastate the countryside and terrorize the populace too much, the infrastructure of the land will be destroyed, and the Kingdom will descend into anarchy.”

  “So, what’s the plan then?” Ludwig was curious.

  “Secure my power using my magic to get any dissenters in line. Make the humans and the Halmens of the land subservient, at least for the near future. Most will most likely end up as either slaves or livestock, as many seem to enjoy the taste of human and Halmen flesh. Does that unnerve you?”

  “Not in the slightest, I was rejected by my family, my ancestors, and the Kingdom itself, as far as I’m concerned, they’re no kin of mine. Also, living in the Wastes has given me a different perspective on the tribes and clans that live here, it’s not fair that the inhabitants of the Kingdom have enjoyed so much prosperity, while so many have known nothing but hardship.”

  “Still, some short-term hardship for the Kingdom's inhabitants will be a necessity, as I enact my plan to pick up where I was interrupted so many years ago, in the creation of a just and fair society.” Zarathustra looked thoughtful.

  “You’re the boss, though I don’t think the livestock are going to submit so easily, not with Ghul-Zar’s appetite.”

  “Ghul-Zar will have to make do with what I give him. I can’t have him eating all my future subjects after all.”

  “You know he wanted to eat that Captain.”

  “Perhaps, but I had more fun with the bear baiting, even if she did escape and kill a few Grib before going down. I was almost tempted to let her escape, though still trapped in bear form. When we get to the Kingdom of Lions, Ghul-Zar will have plenty of humans and Halmens to choose from. But here is the real question, does he prefer regular or bite-sized?”

  At this, Ludwig let out a loud groan while Zarathustra just chuckled.

  After Zarathustra’s chuckle, Ludwig got a serious look on his face.

  “Do you think that Mari succeeded in her infiltration mission?”

  “I do not doubt that she succeeded, that little Grib has a lot of talent, far more talent than I have ever seen in a Grib before. If all goes according to plan, the Baikov family and their primary army will be long gone, leaving only untested recruits to defend the portion of Wall Visalia when we attack.”

  “I concur, she most likely succeeded, Gribs, of all breeds, are full of surprises. Back when I was still a nobleman in the Kingdom, we used to look down our noses upon them all. After a few years serving as a mercenary for Ma-Grib warlords, I have come to understand that there is far more to them than we humans give them credit for.”

  “The Grib are a fascinating race; the Grib existence is so short and miserable that they can’t help but take control of the life they’ve been given. I have to say that I respect that. I also respect their ability to find love, even in the most unlikely of places.” Zarathustra turned and smiled at Ludwig, who blushed out of embarrassment.

  “How did you find out about me and Brunhilde?”

  “Brunhilde, I thought the name of your chief acolyte was Borguta.”

  “Bogruta changed it to Brunhilde, she likes it more than her name. Also, I mean no disrespect, but she and I had something planned for this evening.”

  “Of course, don’t let me spoil your fun, I was young and living once, I know all about the passionate fire of romance.” There was a sad smile on Zarathustra’s bony face.

  “Well, if you don’t need me anymore, Brunhilde is waiting for me.”

  “Go to her, cherish these moments of intimacy, you will never realize how valuable they are until you lose them forever.”

  With that, Ludwig hurried off to Brunhilde while Zarathustra stayed on top of his tower to brood.

  Zarathustra’s Library

  Sometime later, the Ma-Grib Warlord Bordek, out of his armor, sat quietly in the library, surrounded by books on strategy, history, and Haelmish poetry. Bordek had taken up the pursuit of the arts, not content to remain a normal brutish warlord. Bordek had been encouraged by both Ludwig and Zarathustra to embrace an artistic pursuit, and he had taken quite well to poetry. The strict rules set well with his ordered martial mindset. Bordek was reading through some Third-Age Haelmish poetry when Cornelia stormed into the library in a huff, disturbing his private time.

  “What’s the matter Cornelia, did Ghul-Zar despoil your room again?”

  “No, Borguta just can’t control her moaning with Ludwig, it’s annoying. Also, Mari isn’t here to keep me company, which is how I normally deal with that ruckus.”

  “Cornelia, you can be honest with me, you’re upset that you’re not the one in there with him right now.” Bordek was nothing if not supportive and a good listener.

  “Ludwig made his choice, I respect that, I just wish he wasn’t so loud about it.”

  “Perhaps you should ask Zarathustra if you can move rooms so you’re not right next to his anymore?”

  “I suppose so, what are you reading tonight?” Cornelia was a lover of poetry herself.

  “Oh, I’m reading the Complete Love Sonnets of Vimtarioma Stardancer.” Bordek held up one of his poems. “I think you’ll find this one to be quite entertaining.”

  Ludwig’s Personal Chamber

  A few hours later, Ludwig lay in bed with what at first appeared to be a human woman, his room cluttered with various vials and alchemical ingredients. Slowly the woman began to change into that of a Ma-Grib, much to her discomfort. As for Ludwig, he had removed his bandages to reveal a man with pale skin, wide-set brown eyes, and shaggy jet-black hair.

  “That lasted two hours this time, up thirty minutes from last time.” Said Ludwig

  “Your formula is getting better with each attempt Ludwig.”

  “Indeed, though it isn’t quite up to the length that I would like.”

  “You could always ask the Master to put a permanent magical change on me.”

  “No, this is something I have to do, I need to push myself to ever greater heights, if I let Zarathustra do all my work, how can I further develop my technique? Don’t worry my dear, sooner or later I will make a potent enough formula to ensure that your change to human is permanent.”

  Smiling, Brunhilde continued to cuddle with him, though she did feel the need to ask him something that had been bothering her. “In front of your family name, is the word Von, what does that mean?” Ludwig looked thoughtful for a moment before answering. “I have no idea, much like the De’s before Peacock family names the families of the Wolf don’t know why we put Von before ours. Our names have been like that dating back to our earliest known records, and I have never been able to figure out the reason. What I have figured out with my research and conversations with Zarathustra, is that the King of Lions did something to his Kingdom, something to us to make us forget the truth of the world. I do not know why or how he did it, only that something happened, something terrible that he wanted everyone to forget to protect his dream. Who knows, maybe I will find out what Von means one of these days, I’m sure it’s something deep and meaningful.”

  Chroniclers Notes

  You may be wondering about the Ever Autumn Forest? In the world of Sabaria there are four primal forests, each tied to one of the four seasons and inhabited by dangerous Fae. Strangely enough, three of the four forests are in the territory that belongs to the Kingdom of Lions. The Ever Autumn Forest is ruled over by the Shadow Queen and her court. They seek to plunge the world into a never-ending nightmare and would make great headway in their objectives if it were not for House MacPherson keeping them in check.

  The Ever Spring Forest is ruled over by the Verdant King and is in the Albatross Isles, overseen by House Florio, who has established a mutually beneficial and symbiotic relationship with the benevolent Verdant King and his Court.

  The Ever Summer Forest is the home of the Hunts King and his Wild Hunt, he is a fickle fae prone to wild mood swings, and House Veligan of the Mustang Duchies does their best to keep him and his hunt under control, sometimes feasting and hunting with him, other times fighting and being hunted by him.

  Finally, there is the Ever Winter Forest ruled over by the Ice Queen in the Land of Ice and Fog. The Ice Queen is the most enigmatic of the fae monarchs, content to let the humans who dwell by her be if they do not intrude on her forest. The one exception to this is during the Winter Solstice when the Ice Queen and her minions stream out of the Ever Winter Forest to steal children away from their neighbors. The fact that the Raiders leave thrall children out instead of their own doesn’t seem to bother her, only that she receives her due.