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The Talismans of Aerdrim
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<blockquote data-quote="havenstone" data-source="post: 4711278" data-attributes="member: 61094"><p><strong>Guardwatch</strong></p><p></p><p><strong>AFTER THREE MONTHS</strong> on the road, the host finally arrives at its destination, Senallin’s most southeasterly outpost. The great castle of Guardwatch is built on a broad, flat outcrop of stone above a small river. Its mighty walls and hidden spring have allowed it to withstand countless sieges by the barbarians (and occasional attacks from the northeast, during the rare occasions when the merchant guilds of Velnar have fallen out with the Five Families). Normally, three hundred men at arms would be stationed here. Today, the dusty vale to the north of the river is a solid expanse of tents, and the smell of smoke, sweat, and horses is everywhere. Human voices merge into a dull roar that can be heard from miles away, as though the ocean had extended itself into the plains. The armies of Velnar, Kedris, and Caragon arrived days ago. With the addition of Senallin and Aradur, there are ten thousand warriors here, poised to descend on Arawai. The camp followers and merchants are innumerable.</p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="font-size: 10px">Kyla’s cheer has been fading as their time on the road has been drawing to a close; Gareth has been surprised and upset by her ever more frequent silences and black moods. Now as they ride through the outer camp, she stiffens at the sound of insults she thought she’d left behind: “Arawai whore! What do you think you’re doing here?” When she realizes they aren’t addressed to her, she spurs her horse through a knot of people and finds an exhausted-looking Arawai woman brandishing a long flint in one hand and cradling a thickly swaddled bundle in the other. Four grubby Caragonds are circling her, bludgeons and knives at the ready.</span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="font-size: 10px">Kyla’s steel daggers fly into her hands. “Get away from her. She’s no risk to anyone.” Gareth and Adgar reach her side moments later, swords drawn. The thugs decide they don’t like the odds and shrink back into the crowd, muttering about barbarian-loving Senallines. Kyla pulls the Arawai woman up onto her horse and they rejoin the d’Loriad knights.</span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="font-size: 10px">The woman speaks in Arawai; then, when Kyla doesn’t respond, whispers, “Thank you, sister,” in Northron.</span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="font-size: 10px">“Who are you, and what are you doing here?” Kyla says stiffly in her strongly accented Arawai.</span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="font-size: 10px">“I am Tevrala, sister of T’harai, clan-chief of the Red Kestrel.”</span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="font-size: 10px">“The speaker for the tribes?” Kyla queries incredulously, remembering the proud Arawai who had ridden to Lynar to <a href="http://www.enworld.org/forum/4547760-post42.html" target="_blank">threaten the Patriarchs</a>. “If you are spying here, woman, we’re both dead.”</span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="font-size: 10px">“I am no spy,” Tevrala replies wearily. She unwraps the bundle to show a sleeping newborn with the translucent skin and colorless hair of an albino. “Two days ago I was cast out among the <em>kherasi</em> for breaking the tribe-bond by bearing a child whose father was not Arawai. My brother could not stand against the will of the elders on this, when so much else is changing.”</span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="font-size: 10px">Kyla’s brow furrows. “How were they sure... was your child’s father really not Arawai?” Albinos are born among the plains tribes, as anywhere else.</span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="font-size: 10px">Tevrala laughs softly. “He certainly was not. I told them.” She falls silent, and Kyla doesn’t press her. Then she cranes her head back to look at Kyla and speaks almost inaudibly. “I am cast out for my son’s sake. But for you, sister – the door is open for you to return, if you choose. The Great Peace is in effect, and all are welcome. Our war-chieftain, T’airan of the Notched Talon, is a believer in the Third Gift. He leads us, and much has changed.”</span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="font-size: 10px">Kyla’s jaw clenches. She doesn’t understand half of what Tevrala just said, but it throws another twist into her already painful tangle of allegiances. “You should get down here. I can’t bring you into the castle.” She points curtly to <a href="http://www.enworld.org/forum/4420793-post27.html" target="_blank">Kendall and Kay Perigord</a>’s wagon. “Those merchants should be willing to shelter you and your son, if you tell them you are known to Kyla.”</span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="font-size: 10px">“Thank you, sister,” Tevrala repeats, sliding off of Kyla’s horse. “May Keyashai and Rawa give you a clear mind in these dark times.” Kyla rides on without acknowledging either Tevrala’s blessing or Gareth’s quizzical glance.</span></span></p><p> </p><p><strong>THE NOBILITY OF</strong> Senallin ride into the massive keep of Guardwatch, which has been cleared to house them along with the highest generals and lords from the allied nations and a large contingent of priests. As they ride in, Meeshak notes to his dismay that the welcoming party includes two dozen forbidding-looking clerics wearing the iron needle. Astacius the Sistechern – whom Meeshak has been studiously avoiding since their encounter at the <a href="http://www.enworld.org/forum/4440912-post36.html" target="_blank">Grand Ball</a> in Lynar – walks forward to join his brethren, his flinty face very nearly smiling in satisfaction.</p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="font-size: 10px">The Senalline generals meet their counterparts from the other nations, and head into the high tower to confer for two days before marching out to Arawai. Morgant and Erivas, the d’Syrnon knights, speak briefly with their squires Ash and Ontaya about what the generals will be discussing. “Both sides know the battlefield already,” Erivas says. “The fight will be on the sacred plain of the Arawai, a days’ march from here. The Arawai usually don’t gather for an all-out battle, but if you make any incursion onto their sacred burial ground, every tribe in the endless plains will show up to try to push you off. Eight years ago, a Velnaryn general named Zeresc discovered it by accident, and barely managed to retreat with his life. Ten thousand men should be enough to break whatever they throw at us.”</span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="font-size: 10px">“More than enough, I would have thought, sir,” Ontaya says. “Even allowing for a reserve force to protect Guardwatch. How many barbarians can there be?”</span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="font-size: 10px">“We don’t really know. There are rumors that some of them have broken their taboo against steel, which might make them harder to fight. But something else is afoot on our side, too,” Morgant says in an undertone. “Sarquin d’Loriad added a scheme which will use some two thousand men. I mention it only because I know both of you can keep your mouths shut – and because we will likely be part of it. We should know for sure in two days.”</span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><strong>MEANWHILE, AT ATRIX'S </strong></span><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'">request, Kay and Carwyn find his younger brother <a href="http://www.enworld.org/forum/4371182-post21.html" target="_blank">Jonathan</a> at Guardwatch and bring him out to the mercenary camp. Carwyn feels an immediate fondness for the serious young Jon d’Loriad – a younger version of Atrix who’s desperately trying to be responsible and dignified. When the brothers are reunited, Jon’s composure is shattered by delight and relief. “Atrix!”</span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="font-size: 10px">“Hello, little brother,” Atrix says, beaming as they embrace. “Keep it down, they don’t know me by that name around here.” He relates the whole story of <a href="http://www.enworld.org/forum/4517926-post41.html" target="_blank">his duel with Avric</a>.</span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="font-size: 10px">“I had hoped it would sound less irresponsible with a little more time and distance,” Kay whispers to Carwyn.</span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="font-size: 10px">Jon still looks stunned. “And Father, Mother, they still don’t know?”</span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="font-size: 10px">“Well, I thought I’d wait until the war’s done to get word to them,” Atrix says diffidently. “Gives me enough time to think of how exactly to explain it all to Father...”</span></span></p><p> </p><p><span style="font-family: 'Verdana'"><span style="font-size: 10px">“Yes, I certainly agree that you’ll want to be selective in how you do that,” says Jon, shaking his head.</span></span></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="havenstone, post: 4711278, member: 61094"] [b]Guardwatch[/b] [B]AFTER THREE MONTHS[/B] on the road, the host finally arrives at its destination, Senallin’s most southeasterly outpost. The great castle of Guardwatch is built on a broad, flat outcrop of stone above a small river. Its mighty walls and hidden spring have allowed it to withstand countless sieges by the barbarians (and occasional attacks from the northeast, during the rare occasions when the merchant guilds of Velnar have fallen out with the Five Families). Normally, three hundred men at arms would be stationed here. Today, the dusty vale to the north of the river is a solid expanse of tents, and the smell of smoke, sweat, and horses is everywhere. Human voices merge into a dull roar that can be heard from miles away, as though the ocean had extended itself into the plains. The armies of Velnar, Kedris, and Caragon arrived days ago. With the addition of Senallin and Aradur, there are ten thousand warriors here, poised to descend on Arawai. The camp followers and merchants are innumerable. [FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]Kyla’s cheer has been fading as their time on the road has been drawing to a close; Gareth has been surprised and upset by her ever more frequent silences and black moods. Now as they ride through the outer camp, she stiffens at the sound of insults she thought she’d left behind: “Arawai whore! What do you think you’re doing here?” When she realizes they aren’t addressed to her, she spurs her horse through a knot of people and finds an exhausted-looking Arawai woman brandishing a long flint in one hand and cradling a thickly swaddled bundle in the other. Four grubby Caragonds are circling her, bludgeons and knives at the ready.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]Kyla’s steel daggers fly into her hands. “Get away from her. She’s no risk to anyone.” Gareth and Adgar reach her side moments later, swords drawn. The thugs decide they don’t like the odds and shrink back into the crowd, muttering about barbarian-loving Senallines. Kyla pulls the Arawai woman up onto her horse and they rejoin the d’Loriad knights.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]The woman speaks in Arawai; then, when Kyla doesn’t respond, whispers, “Thank you, sister,” in Northron.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]“Who are you, and what are you doing here?” Kyla says stiffly in her strongly accented Arawai.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]“I am Tevrala, sister of T’harai, clan-chief of the Red Kestrel.”[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]“The speaker for the tribes?” Kyla queries incredulously, remembering the proud Arawai who had ridden to Lynar to [URL="http://www.enworld.org/forum/4547760-post42.html"]threaten the Patriarchs[/URL]. “If you are spying here, woman, we’re both dead.”[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]“I am no spy,” Tevrala replies wearily. She unwraps the bundle to show a sleeping newborn with the translucent skin and colorless hair of an albino. “Two days ago I was cast out among the [I]kherasi[/I] for breaking the tribe-bond by bearing a child whose father was not Arawai. My brother could not stand against the will of the elders on this, when so much else is changing.”[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]Kyla’s brow furrows. “How were they sure... was your child’s father really not Arawai?” Albinos are born among the plains tribes, as anywhere else.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]Tevrala laughs softly. “He certainly was not. I told them.” She falls silent, and Kyla doesn’t press her. Then she cranes her head back to look at Kyla and speaks almost inaudibly. “I am cast out for my son’s sake. But for you, sister – the door is open for you to return, if you choose. The Great Peace is in effect, and all are welcome. Our war-chieftain, T’airan of the Notched Talon, is a believer in the Third Gift. He leads us, and much has changed.”[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]Kyla’s jaw clenches. She doesn’t understand half of what Tevrala just said, but it throws another twist into her already painful tangle of allegiances. “You should get down here. I can’t bring you into the castle.” She points curtly to [URL="http://www.enworld.org/forum/4420793-post27.html"]Kendall and Kay Perigord[/URL]’s wagon. “Those merchants should be willing to shelter you and your son, if you tell them you are known to Kyla.”[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]“Thank you, sister,” Tevrala repeats, sliding off of Kyla’s horse. “May Keyashai and Rawa give you a clear mind in these dark times.” Kyla rides on without acknowledging either Tevrala’s blessing or Gareth’s quizzical glance.[/SIZE][/FONT] [B]THE NOBILITY OF[/B] Senallin ride into the massive keep of Guardwatch, which has been cleared to house them along with the highest generals and lords from the allied nations and a large contingent of priests. As they ride in, Meeshak notes to his dismay that the welcoming party includes two dozen forbidding-looking clerics wearing the iron needle. Astacius the Sistechern – whom Meeshak has been studiously avoiding since their encounter at the [URL="http://www.enworld.org/forum/4440912-post36.html"]Grand Ball[/URL] in Lynar – walks forward to join his brethren, his flinty face very nearly smiling in satisfaction. [FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]The Senalline generals meet their counterparts from the other nations, and head into the high tower to confer for two days before marching out to Arawai. Morgant and Erivas, the d’Syrnon knights, speak briefly with their squires Ash and Ontaya about what the generals will be discussing. “Both sides know the battlefield already,” Erivas says. “The fight will be on the sacred plain of the Arawai, a days’ march from here. The Arawai usually don’t gather for an all-out battle, but if you make any incursion onto their sacred burial ground, every tribe in the endless plains will show up to try to push you off. Eight years ago, a Velnaryn general named Zeresc discovered it by accident, and barely managed to retreat with his life. Ten thousand men should be enough to break whatever they throw at us.”[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]“More than enough, I would have thought, sir,” Ontaya says. “Even allowing for a reserve force to protect Guardwatch. How many barbarians can there be?”[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]“We don’t really know. There are rumors that some of them have broken their taboo against steel, which might make them harder to fight. But something else is afoot on our side, too,” Morgant says in an undertone. “Sarquin d’Loriad added a scheme which will use some two thousand men. I mention it only because I know both of you can keep your mouths shut – and because we will likely be part of it. We should know for sure in two days.”[/SIZE][/FONT] [SIZE=2][FONT=Verdana][B]MEANWHILE, AT ATRIX'S [/B][/FONT][FONT=Verdana]request, Kay and Carwyn find his younger brother [URL="http://www.enworld.org/forum/4371182-post21.html"]Jonathan[/URL] at Guardwatch and bring him out to the mercenary camp. Carwyn feels an immediate fondness for the serious young Jon d’Loriad – a younger version of Atrix who’s desperately trying to be responsible and dignified. When the brothers are reunited, Jon’s composure is shattered by delight and relief. “Atrix!”[/FONT][/SIZE] [FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]“Hello, little brother,” Atrix says, beaming as they embrace. “Keep it down, they don’t know me by that name around here.” He relates the whole story of [URL="http://www.enworld.org/forum/4517926-post41.html"]his duel with Avric[/URL].[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]“I had hoped it would sound less irresponsible with a little more time and distance,” Kay whispers to Carwyn.[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]Jon still looks stunned. “And Father, Mother, they still don’t know?”[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]“Well, I thought I’d wait until the war’s done to get word to them,” Atrix says diffidently. “Gives me enough time to think of how exactly to explain it all to Father...”[/SIZE][/FONT] [FONT=Verdana][SIZE=2]“Yes, I certainly agree that you’ll want to be selective in how you do that,” says Jon, shaking his head.[/SIZE][/FONT] [/QUOTE]
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