Chapter 33: Lord of Imholt (Shenis)

  The fealty and hosting of the halls of Imholt to the new lording couple of Shenis and Caylor Savoy had been most accommodating to the retinue remnant of the Savoy force. It had been 3 months since they initially had taken the fortified trading route. While Shenis had ambition towards defeating Conner Bolden and rallying the other minor houses of the lands, he was not hasty. He understood now, something that he didn't understand all the time back when he first left Jule; that having a strong base and a trusting base are in some ways the best way to combat the enemy. It was as if the time of the campaigns or perhaps the embrace of his wife, whom he knew was not in love with him, but dutiful and devoted and coupled to him, perhaps this was the impetus for the growth in his character.

  The months had seen his party secure the area around the town and reestablish the roadway as a safe path, and an alternative to move into the central plains without having to cross through Runsa and pay taxes to the Bruin, something the Bruin implemented with their new regime of control and decimation of house Cavan. This interested traders, merchants, and travelers seeking to avoid the pangs of war and its politics and they happily took the road previously less travel in pursuit of their wages. Most of this was led by Dalton with the support of the youth from Til, that being Kyler, Ion, and Claire. While Tico the rider was sent around to scout and report as usual.

  Peace was not the rule of the land, and yet in this rocky bluff of a town that previously had much the bad reputation and rulings, the Savoy force felt as though they were home, or perhaps merely gaining insight into the world they would build when the conflict was truly over.

  Shenis, knew though that the time would come any day for their next operation. As he knew from news reports of the war in the north, How the Valtrex, were somehow the only main military challenge to be known to still hold battle against the Bruin. Yes, the word had reached him of Aurora Mert's rebellion and flight, but that was a minor note and she commanded no army. He was unaware of the excursion forces that fell to Scythe on Remnant Isle and in the fields of Archana, as the Bruin sought to keep those failures only known to the highest of ranks in their inner circle. Shenis knew that only a few small things held back the Bruin armies from finishing their mission to control the whole land, or at least all the free land. He knew he needed to make waves and chaos and in his own way keep his banners drawing focus. While he did not want to actually help the Valtrex, he knew the Valtrex had never actually harmed his people or killed his younger brother, and thus, while it gave him no joy, he saw them as an ally in this conflict. However, he kept this thought to himself as many in his group save perhaps Highlight and Dalton would have strong feelings against the red jackals of the north.

  "Highlight, let us train again." The knight nodded, he still served as his right hand and personal aide. He still loved his lordship and this affection that while being inappropriate and unrequited by the lord, was still a thing that made Caylor uneasy about the knight. She watched as they spared and clashed and trained. Shenis struck and moved with purpose, seeking each day to hone his skills better knowing that in his freedom from the duty of rule, he must improve as in previous fights, he knew he was relying too much upon Dalton and the Polar Bear.

  What started as a marriage of duty, to protect those left of her house had grown through the months into something more real. It was not yet an erotic and romantic love, one that the poets would sing of in the annuals of lustful history. Yet, it was greater than a mere duty for Lady Caylor Savoy. She had love in her heart and enjoyed the touch of her husband. As he enjoys the warmth of her body in his bed. He smiles as he looks at his woman, who despite being a regal lady, took to dressing more for work and purpose. Yes, Caylor was fair, in more of a long-legged athletic sense, and she was very proper in speech and manners. However, the thing Shenis took notice of was that while he was clad in his cloak of his heritage and dressed the part of a lord, she outside of key meetings, dinners, and their own wedding was ready to work for the good of her family and the people of Imholt.

  Shenis loved that about Imholt, it wasn't Jule but it was a community of people who while under the Holt were very savage and rough, they worked for one another as if all were family. The stone haulers and craftsmen, and the families who took care of the halls and households, and all the small roles of the town. It felt warm, quite the opposite of when they first arrived.

  "Another round my lord?" Highlight asks as his lance grows heavy and he sees the lord sweating and breathing heavily. Shenis holds up his hand as he leans over to catch his breath.

  "No, no I think that is enough for today, Highlight." He then waddled over to his beloved and kissed her. She was in the middle of preparing several new arrows for her quiver as others had either been worn down or broken from her own practice.

  "Husband, don't over-exert yourself. We will need you when the time comes." She speaks with a smile and a true concern for the lord.

  "You're right, especially since we have not found a priest or any clergy or medically trained around here. Not since Brian's death." Shenis paused as he knew such comments still stung both himself and his wife. That very battle the comment drew memories of robbed him of two trusted friends and her of all her uncles, many cousins, and her own father. He kisses her forehead. She strokes his hand, as neither seeks to wound or be a memory or a mental callback of a sad and bloody day.

  Highlight sought to relieve the tension. "It is sad and frustrating how difficult and diminished the holy arts have become."

  "I guess we never noticed how few the holy order of Kaya has become. As back in Jule we had several priests and many clerics at our chapel. Though, I guess my family has a history of respect and patronage of the worship of Kaya."

  "We never really had any of that around here," Caylor replied. "We have had medicine and a priest visit here and there, but our family has never really worshipped Kaya."

  "Well, the goddess really hasn't had a physical known presence in Wiera since the Deity War, which now many see as mere legend. So I can understand why places like Imholt would have no roots in religion." Highlight smiled as he knew this conversation had turned from the awkwardness of earlier while perhaps addressing a key need.

  "Yes, though having a healer or two would prove most useful. We need to keep our heads on a swivel. As well as for any potential magic users we can hire. As well…we don't have any."

  "Be fair to yourself my love, most of the world has forgotten magic, much like most of the world has forgotten the Naudiz." Caylor was right, sure there were some schools and houses with deep ties to certain studies but like the faith in Kaya, the study of magic had diminished greatly, especially with the cold and the plagues of the prior generation. Magic of the elements, or light, or even darkness, was more a rarity than ever in Wiera.

  "Yet like our friend Issachar, the polar bear Naudiz. There are still those out there and perhaps more than we know. We should keep our ears open and be on the lookout for those who can fill those roles when we take the field again." These comments revealed a strong reason for the caution shown in the recent months by the young lord, the lack of healing had the lord concerned about the mortality of his friends. He had already seen the death of many in his care, the fall of his city, the death of Calle, the death of his brother Hain, and the deaths of Bryan and Burt. These thoughts sobered him, more so with no priest like Bryan in his midst to be a battlefield medic. Caylor and Highlight sensed this, yet they kept their thoughts to themselves as this fear, made Shenis a better ruler.

  "My love you do know that I do know a few things about healing salves, I can serve as a medic." Caylor kindly reminded Shenis trying to give him some confidence in the safety of his retinue.

  "Yes but salves are not healing spells that instantly restore vigor and stop the wound's bleed, thus we still find our people worn down in elongated battle." He thanked Caylor for the reminder but knew a proper healer was still a concern.

  The delay of battle and the settling in the Imholt land did allow Dax to once more perform his professional craft. He found a rundown forge in the town and with the help of Issachar and the others when not on their own tasks he rebuilt the forge and began working on improving the weapons others had and making new ones to replace those not of top-level efficiency in combat, if possible as while Imholt had much stone, they lacked iron, tin, and copper. So each build had to be precise.

  The smith was happy though, as he enjoyed pounding on his anvil, while Misty danced and hung around him, marveling at his accuracy and the rhythm he employed to his craft. Dax was strong and somehow Misty had taken a fancy and a notice to this about him from when she tended to his wounds after the battle in the ballroom.

  Somme took an interest in the dancer as well. He thought that since she reached out to him in the first place perhaps there was room for a special connection between the two. He hunted from time to time to keep meat stores up, but he often tried to have conversations with Misty, even though her replies were always short, curt, and not able to build a deeper conversation.

  "THERE I HAVE THIS READY!" Dax called as Misty danced about near the forge with Somme sitting near her watching her more than anything else. "Misty please." He presented the lovely young woman a dagger much sleeker and sharper than the one she held in the ballroom.

  "Is this for me Dax?" Misty was wide-eyed and surprised and also very happy. More so at the presentation of a personal gift made by Dax than at the gift itself. "This is so light!"

  "It will also be easy for you to conceal and quickly draw if you accompany us into combat going forward," Dax replied.

  "COMBAT! Misty isn't going into combat!" Somme protested the idea, he saw her as someone to love and protect and put on a shelf like a prized possession, but not a person who was capable and able to help in active fights.

  "I do plan on fighting Somme!" Misty spoke up for herself thanking and hugging the smith. "Look I am not a fighter, but I can and will help, I owe you guys that much from what happened the night you guys came here. Also, I can hold supplies, help scout, and yes I can attack! I did kill lord Holt remember!"

  "With a backstab!" Somme said.

  "It still counts! I can and will be an asset Somme." Somme explained that he didn't like the idea but that he would ask that she stay at the rear in conflict and that he would watch over her. "I don't need a babysitter archer!" She slapped him and then stormed off.

  "Wow what is her issue, Dax, I just want to love and protect her. She is so beautiful and worth protection."

  "Yeah, she is beautiful, but she has the desire to help, and that is a big part of why she is more than just easy on the eyes but truly breathtaking."

  "You don't get it though, what if she gets hurt!"

  "Burt was big and mighty, taller and stronger than I am. And he got hurt. It is just war. And lord Shenis needs us all to play our part. Besides she'll keep our spirits high in the trials of battle." Dax put a hand on the shoulder of the archer. He could tell his friend had feelings for the dancer, but he also knew where the desires of the dancer actually fell. Something the archer was blind to.

  The night came with a normal scene, or what had become normal. With all going to their places, the retinue of Shenis took up many of the prior Holt family rooms in the main keep, while they turned the barracks into a mansion for the widows and children, not that they lacked for needed items or comfort, just to give them space from each other. Dalton and Issachar ran to the inn for a drink, while Claire and Ion went for a romantic walk. Shenis and Caylor retired to be together, while Highlight slept outside their door as a guard. All was serene, predictable, and fun. Yet this was the last night of this routine.

  With the sunlight came a galloping noise from the lowland below on the eastern side. The rider Tico had returned with interesting news based on the pace of his steed. He rode right to the keep and stormed in as the sun's rays came up.

  "Lord Shenis, I have news!" He called out as he entered. The Lord and lady of the keep had recently awoken and were dressed in their lounging clothing for the early hours as the sounds of the rider greeted them.

  "TICO! Good to lay Eyes!" Shenis was thrilled to see his scout and embraced him as he then escorted the traveler who looked once more parched and hungry from the journey to the breakfast table as some fruit and pork were brought out for the lot. "What news have you?"

  "Conner Bolden and his forces have bypassed Mitre, as they seem more interested in choking the entire region by heading their mass toward the coast, Costal Wharf trading hub to be exact."

  "Well this does mean that the central plains areas will be less defended and possibly open to give us a chance to attack on outposts and dent his numbers, but the army will still exist and when it returns it will decimate and reclaim anything we take," Shenis said as he paraded a grape in his hand before taking a bite of the juicy morsel of fruit.

  "Yes, but I rode out that direction and a force with Valtrex flags is already near the trading post."

  "A Valtrex force? But I thought from our last corresponding birds that Valtrex was engaged near Lake Ike with a different army of Bruin that also featured a large Naudiz component. How can this be?" Shenis stood up puzzled by the news.

  "That battle I think is still happening, or at least it was a few days ago from a person I spoke with near Riserstead. However, this Valtrex force is being led by Meagan Fulcrum."

  "Will she and her force prevail?" Shenis looked more excited. He honestly couldn't care if the Valtrex army would win or lose but merely was thrilled to hear that perhaps finally he could see a serious blow to the number of soldiers in Conner Bolden's army. A task that had proved so far to be rather difficult without heavy risks for all.

  "I have heard from some travelers and merchants some rumor to give me hope for the red jackals vs the golden bears, but I cannot vouch on the situation further."

  "You have given me great news Tico, eat up!" Shenis pointed toward the food and the rider thanked his lord as he began shoveling food with ravenous haste into his mouth. "Highlight assemble the party, we won't take what meager sum the people here have left from the defense but we must use this as a chance to root out their presence at Runsa, weaken their troop count, and thus remove the direct supply routes permanently from Conner."

  "Do you think it wise? Conner by the last count still has a military larger than the population of many towns combined under his command. Can we really weaken him enough?" Highlight questioned with deep concern both for the safety of the lord and the legacy of the House Savoy and their future.

  "We need to keep pressuring them Highlight. We have enjoyed peace and respite here, but the truth is that if our efforts wane and we grow lax and do nothing then the Bolden family wins and the Bruin become the longstanding lords, perhaps even the king of greater Wiera. The Valtrex to my knowledge are the only large force in open rebellion against them at the moment. If we do nothing then the embers of resistance die, and the other houses will all bend the knee, as many a simple country lords literally safeguarding over a family farm have done. They aren't in towns and cities with people and manpower absent from their family tree. Highlight if we do nothing but build up and take stock here, then we are giving the land and full control to the Bruin, but we are also allowing any others who stand against them to suffer their full focused effort."

  The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  "Sir….My lord…..I….I understand I think. I will gather our party." Highlight bowed and dismissed himself to gather up the usual suspects for their next round of combat. "I just hope Runsa isn't going to turn into another Riserstead…..I guess it already has." He mutters to himself as he goes about finding everyone.

  Caylor enters and sits next to her husband. "My love, I cannot wait to prove my worth to your cause on the field."

  "I know you want to be in camp with me. But I have fears and concerns about this Caylor." He strokes her hair and kisses her forehead gently.

  "If the situation is ever too dire….or if I learn of a change in me." She says while rubbing her stomach. "I'll come home to serve as regent. But I will not let you run across the realm risking all for the good of others without what little support house Holt can offer. Especially since my kin have already caused so much trouble." She has a tear forming in her eye while speaking the words. Shenis wipes the tear away as he kisses his wife. He is thankful and feels perhaps a greater love than duty truly is blossoming between them. As he cares for her, more than just as a wife, or a claim upon Imholt, or even just as a person to provide an heir. She is….his partner.

  "If you are half the archer as you are a devoted lover, then Conner Bolden will fall shortly." They both smile as they then turn their attention to breakfast to be shared with a still ravenous Tico. Runsa was to be their target once again. This time, however, Shenis knew that all the Cavan house was gone and only those present were enemies and those serving the golden bear.

  The fealty and hosting of the halls of Imholt to the new lording couple of Shenis and Caylor Savoy had been most accommodating to the retinue remnant of the Savoy force. It had been 3 months since they initially had taken the fortified trading route. While Shenis had ambition towards defeating Conner Bolden and rallying the other minor houses of the lands, he was not hasty. He understood now, something that he didn't understand all the time back when he first left Jule; that having a strong base and a trusting base are in some ways the best way to combat the enemy. It was as if the time of the campaigns or perhaps the embrace of his wife, whom he knew was not in love with him, but dutiful and devoted and coupled to him, perhaps this was the impetus for the growth in his character.

  The months had seen his party secure the area around the town and reestablish the roadway as a safe path, and an alternative to move into the central plains without having to cross through Runsa and pay taxes to the Bruin, something the Bruin implemented with their new regime of control and decimation of house Cavan. This interested traders, merchants, and travelers seeking to avoid the pangs of war and its politics and they happily took the road previously less travel in pursuit of their wages. Most of this was led by Dalton with the support of the youth from Til, that being Kyler, Ion, and Claire. While Tico the rider was sent around to scout and report as usual.

  Peace was not the rule of the land, and yet in this rocky bluff of a town that previously had much the bad reputation and rulings, the Savoy force felt as though they were home, or perhaps merely gaining insight into the world they would build when the conflict was truly over.

  Shenis, knew though that the time would come any day for their next operation. As he knew from news reports of the war in the north, How the Valtrex, were somehow the only main military challenge to be known to still hold battle against the Bruin. Yes, the word had reached him of Aurora Mert's rebellion and flight, but that was a minor note and she commanded no army. He was unaware of the excursion forces that fell to Scythe on Remnant Isle and in the fields of Archana, as the Bruin sought to keep those failures only known to the highest of ranks in their inner circle. Shenis knew that only a few small things held back the Bruin armies from finishing their mission to control the whole land, or at least all the free land. He knew he needed to make waves and chaos and in his own way keep his banners drawing focus. While he did not want to actually help the Valtrex, he knew the Valtrex had never actually harmed his people or killed his younger brother, and thus, while it gave him no joy, he saw them as an ally in this conflict. However, he kept this thought to himself as many in his group save perhaps Highlight and Dalton would have strong feelings against the red jackals of the north.

  "Highlight, let us train again." The knight nodded, he still served as his right hand and personal aide. He still loved his lordship and this affection that while being inappropriate and unrequited by the lord, was still a thing that made Caylor uneasy about the knight. She watched as they spared and clashed and trained. Shenis struck and moved with purpose, seeking each day to hone his skills better knowing that in his freedom from the duty of rule, he must improve as in previous fights, he knew he was relying too much upon Dalton and the Polar Bear.

  What started as a marriage of duty, to protect those left of her house had grown through the months into something more real. It was not yet an erotic and romantic love, one that the poets would sing of in the annuals of lustful history. Yet, it was greater than a mere duty for Lady Caylor Savoy. She had love in her heart and enjoyed the touch of her husband. As he enjoys the warmth of her body in his bed. He smiles as he looks at his woman, who despite being a regal lady, took to dressing more for work and purpose. Yes, Caylor was fair, in more of a long-legged athletic sense, and she was very proper in speech and manners. However, the thing Shenis took notice of was that while he was clad in his cloak of his heritage and dressed the part of a lord, she outside of key meetings, dinners, and their own wedding was ready to work for the good of her family and the people of Imholt.

  Shenis loved that about Imholt, it wasn't Jule but it was a community of people who while under the Holt were very savage and rough, they worked for one another as if all were family. The stone haulers and craftsmen, and the families who took care of the halls and households, and all the small roles of the town. It felt warm, quite the opposite of when they first arrived.

  "Another round my lord?" Highlight asks as his lance grows heavy and he sees the lord sweating and breathing heavily. Shenis holds up his hand as he leans over to catch his breath.

  "No, no I think that is enough for today, Highlight." He then waddled over to his beloved and kissed her. She was in the middle of preparing several new arrows for her quiver as others had either been worn down or broken from her own practice.

  "Husband, don't over-exert yourself. We will need you when the time comes." She speaks with a smile and a true concern for the lord.

  "You're right, especially since we have not found a priest or any clergy or medically trained around here. Not since Brian's death." Shenis paused as he knew such comments still stung both himself and his wife. That very battle the comment drew memories of robbed him of two trusted friends and her of all her uncles, many cousins, and her own father. He kisses her forehead. She strokes his hand, as neither seeks to wound or be a memory or a mental callback of a sad and bloody day.

  Highlight sought to relieve the tension. "It is sad and frustrating how difficult and diminished the holy arts have become."

  "I guess we never noticed how few the holy order of Kaya has become. As back in Jule we had several priests and many clerics at our chapel. Though, I guess my family has a history of respect and patronage of the worship of Kaya."

  "We never really had any of that around here," Caylor replied. "We have had medicine and a priest visit here and there, but our family has never really worshipped Kaya."

  "Well, the goddess really hasn't had a physical known presence in Wiera since the Deity War, which now many see as mere legend. So I can understand why places like Imholt would have no roots in religion." Highlight smiled as he knew this conversation had turned from the awkwardness of earlier while perhaps addressing a key need.

  "Yes, though having a healer or two would prove most useful. We need to keep our heads on a swivel. As well as for any potential magic users we can hire. As well…we don't have any."

  "Be fair to yourself my love, most of the world has forgotten magic, much like most of the world has forgotten the Naudiz." Caylor was right, sure there were some schools and houses with deep ties to certain studies but like the faith in Kaya, the study of magic had diminished greatly, especially with the cold and the plagues of the prior generation. Magic of the elements, or light, or even darkness, was more a rarity than ever in Wiera.

  "Yet like our friend Issachar, the polar bear Naudiz. There are still those out there and perhaps more than we know. We should keep our ears open and be on the lookout for those who can fill those roles when we take the field again." These comments revealed a strong reason for the caution shown in the recent months by the young lord, the lack of healing had the lord concerned about the mortality of his friends. He had already seen the death of many in his care, the fall of his city, the death of Calle, the death of his brother Hain, and the deaths of Bryan and Burt. These thoughts sobered him, more so with no priest like Bryan in his midst to be a battlefield medic. Caylor and Highlight sensed this, yet they kept their thoughts to themselves as this fear, made Shenis a better ruler.

  "My love you do know that I do know a few things about healing salves, I can serve as a medic." Caylor kindly reminded Shenis trying to give him some confidence in the safety of his retinue.

  "Yes but salves are not healing spells that instantly restore vigor and stop the wound's bleed, thus we still find our people worn down in elongated battle." He thanked Caylor for the reminder but knew a proper healer was still a concern.

  The delay of battle and the settling in the Imholt land did allow Dax to once more perform his professional craft. He found a rundown forge in the town and with the help of Issachar and the others when not on their own tasks he rebuilt the forge and began working on improving the weapons others had and making new ones to replace those not of top-level efficiency in combat, if possible as while Imholt had much stone, they lacked iron, tin, and copper. So each build had to be precise.

  The smith was happy though, as he enjoyed pounding on his anvil, while Misty danced and hung around him, marveling at his accuracy and the rhythm he employed to his craft. Dax was strong and somehow Misty had taken a fancy and a notice to this about him from when she tended to his wounds after the battle in the ballroom.

  Somme took an interest in the dancer as well. He thought that since she reached out to him in the first place perhaps there was room for a special connection between the two. He hunted from time to time to keep meat stores up, but he often tried to have conversations with Misty, even though her replies were always short, curt, and not able to build a deeper conversation.

  "THERE I HAVE THIS READY!" Dax called as Misty danced about near the forge with Somme sitting near her watching her more than anything else. "Misty please." He presented the lovely young woman a dagger much sleeker and sharper than the one she held in the ballroom.

  "Is this for me Dax?" Misty was wide-eyed and surprised and also very happy. More so at the presentation of a personal gift made by Dax than at the gift itself. "This is so light!"

  "It will also be easy for you to conceal and quickly draw if you accompany us into combat going forward," Dax replied.

  "COMBAT! Misty isn't going into combat!" Somme protested the idea, he saw her as someone to love and protect and put on a shelf like a prized possession, but not a person who was capable and able to help in active fights.

  "I do plan on fighting Somme!" Misty spoke up for herself thanking and hugging the smith. "Look I am not a fighter, but I can and will help, I owe you guys that much from what happened the night you guys came here. Also, I can hold supplies, help scout, and yes I can attack! I did kill lord Holt remember!"

  "With a backstab!" Somme said.

  "It still counts! I can and will be an asset Somme." Somme explained that he didn't like the idea but that he would ask that she stay at the rear in conflict and that he would watch over her. "I don't need a babysitter archer!" She slapped him and then stormed off.

  "Wow what is her issue, Dax, I just want to love and protect her. She is so beautiful and worth protection."

  "Yeah, she is beautiful, but she has the desire to help, and that is a big part of why she is more than just easy on the eyes but truly breathtaking."

  "You don't get it though, what if she gets hurt!"

  "Burt was big and mighty, taller and stronger than I am. And he got hurt. It is just war. And lord Shenis needs us all to play our part. Besides she'll keep our spirits high in the trials of battle." Dax put a hand on the shoulder of the archer. He could tell his friend had feelings for the dancer, but he also knew where the desires of the dancer actually fell. Something the archer was blind to.

  The night came with a normal scene, or what had become normal. With all going to their places, the retinue of Shenis took up many of the prior Holt family rooms in the main keep, while they turned the barracks into a mansion for the widows and children, not that they lacked for needed items or comfort, just to give them space from each other. Dalton and Issachar ran to the inn for a drink, while Claire and Ion went for a romantic walk. Shenis and Caylor retired to be together, while Highlight slept outside their door as a guard. All was serene, predictable, and fun. Yet this was the last night of this routine.

  With the sunlight came a galloping noise from the lowland below on the eastern side. The rider Tico had returned with interesting news based on the pace of his steed. He rode right to the keep and stormed in as the sun's rays came up.

  "Lord Shenis, I have news!" He called out as he entered. The Lord and lady of the keep had recently awoken and were dressed in their lounging clothing for the early hours as the sounds of the rider greeted them.

  "TICO! Good to lay Eyes!" Shenis was thrilled to see his scout and embraced him as he then escorted the traveler who looked once more parched and hungry from the journey to the breakfast table as some fruit and pork were brought out for the lot. "What news have you?"

  "Conner Bolden and his forces have bypassed Mitre, as they seem more interested in choking the entire region by heading their mass toward the coast, Costal Wharf trading hub to be exact."

  "Well this does mean that the central plains areas will be less defended and possibly open to give us a chance to attack on outposts and dent his numbers, but the army will still exist and when it returns it will decimate and reclaim anything we take," Shenis said as he paraded a grape in his hand before taking a bite of the juicy morsel of fruit.

  "Yes, but I rode out that direction and a force with Valtrex flags is already near the trading post."

  "A Valtrex force? But I thought from our last corresponding birds that Valtrex was engaged near Lake Ike with a different army of Bruin that also featured a large Naudiz component. How can this be?" Shenis stood up puzzled by the news.

  "That battle I think is still happening, or at least it was a few days ago from a person I spoke with near Riserstead. However, this Valtrex force is being led by Meagan Fulcrum."

  "Will she and her force prevail?" Shenis looked more excited. He honestly couldn't care if the Valtrex army would win or lose but merely was thrilled to hear that perhaps finally he could see a serious blow to the number of soldiers in Conner Bolden's army. A task that had proved so far to be rather difficult without heavy risks for all.

  "I have heard from some travelers and merchants some rumor to give me hope for the red jackals vs the golden bears, but I cannot vouch on the situation further."

  "You have given me great news Tico, eat up!" Shenis pointed toward the food and the rider thanked his lord as he began shoveling food with ravenous haste into his mouth. "Highlight assemble the party, we won't take what meager sum the people here have left from the defense but we must use this as a chance to root out their presence at Runsa, weaken their troop count, and thus remove the direct supply routes permanently from Conner."

  "Do you think it wise? Conner by the last count still has a military larger than the population of many towns combined under his command. Can we really weaken him enough?" Highlight questioned with deep concern both for the safety of the lord and the legacy of the House Savoy and their future.

  "We need to keep pressuring them Highlight. We have enjoyed peace and respite here, but the truth is that if our efforts wane and we grow lax and do nothing then the Bolden family wins and the Bruin become the longstanding lords, perhaps even the king of greater Wiera. The Valtrex to my knowledge are the only large force in open rebellion against them at the moment. If we do nothing then the embers of resistance die, and the other houses will all bend the knee, as many a simple country lords literally safeguarding over a family farm have done. They aren't in towns and cities with people and manpower absent from their family tree. Highlight if we do nothing but build up and take stock here, then we are giving the land and full control to the Bruin, but we are also allowing any others who stand against them to suffer their full focused effort."

  "Sir….My lord…..I….I understand I think. I will gather our party." Highlight bowed and dismissed himself to gather up the usual suspects for their next round of combat. "I just hope Runsa isn't going to turn into another Riserstead…..I guess it already has." He mutters to himself as he goes about finding everyone.

  Caylor enters and sits next to her husband. "My love, I cannot wait to prove my worth to your cause on the field."

  "I know you want to be in camp with me. But I have fears and concerns about this Caylor." He strokes her hair and kisses her forehead gently.

  "If the situation is ever too dire….or if I learn of a change in me." She says while rubbing her stomach. "I'll come home to serve as regent. But I will not let you run across the realm risking all for the good of others without what little support house Holt can offer. Especially since my kin have already caused so much trouble." She has a tear forming in her eye while speaking the words. Shenis wipes the tear away as he kisses his wife. He is thankful and feels perhaps a greater love than duty truly is blossoming between them. As he cares for her, more than just as a wife, or a claim upon Imholt, or even just as a person to provide an heir. She is….his partner.

  "If you are half the archer as you are a devoted lover, then Conner Bolden will fall shortly." They both smile as they then turn their attention to breakfast to be shared with a still ravenous Tico. Runsa was to be their target once again. This time, however, Shenis knew that all the Cavan house was gone and only those present were enemies and those serving the golden bear.