Eryk stared up at the portrait of his mother hanging in
the parlour. He’d barely known her
before she died giving birth to what should have been a younger brother or
sister, but fate cruelly took them away that day. Being the youngest of three brothers, he always
felt excluded. Even though Ori was
closer to him in age, Eryk never really connected in the same way that Ori and
his eldest brother Andor did.
Eryk sighed and took a seat in the plush chair by the
fire. The air had a crisp snap to it as
winter approached and Andor insisted that the castle hearths were to be stoked
at all times. Eryk just wanted to relax
and be alone with his thoughts, but knew that any minute, someone would enter
the parlour looking for him.
Eryk found it ironic; he loved to be alone with his
thoughts, but hated the lonely feeling that resided in his soul. He hoped that feeling would soon disappear
when his father returned from Unamia with his bride to be. He thought that with a bride, he would no
longer feel like a fifth wheel around his brothers and their spouses. Andor
has respect and Ori skill with a sword.
What do I have? Eryk slumped
deeper into the chair, dreading the moment he would be disturbed. He closed his eyes and a voice startled him
from behind. Stilman…
“You’re presence is requested on the west field.”
Eryk slowly turned to face the castle steward,
Stilman. He stood with his hands tucked
into the sleeves of his robe, thin grey hair draping his shoulders. He had been steward as long as Eryk could
remember, though Eryk never developed a fondness for Stilman as Andor had.
“I’ll be there shortly.”
Eryk said and waved Stilman away.
He waited for Stilman to shuffle from the parlour before stirring from
his chair. He thought about staying by
the warm fire, but Andor had a temper if he was kept waiting. Eryk strolled through the castle and picked
up a wooden sword from the armoury before heading outside.
II
The sword descended with a thunderous blow.
“You call that a strike?
Mother used to spank me harder than that.” Ori said as he easily deflected Eryk’s attack
with a quick pivot. Eryk knew Ori was
the most gifted swordsman of the three; but if he landed a quick strike, Ori
would lose focus and let his temper cloud his judgment. Eryk would then be able to use his brother’s
rage to his advantage.
Andor assessed his brother’s from the sidelines before joining the
fray. He jumped in and aimed a wild slash
at Ori with his wooden practice sword, but Ori stepped aside. “So it’s two on one is it?” Ori wiped his black hair form his eyes. “I must say, I don’t like your odds.”
The battle raged on with Eryk and Andor raining strike after strike
at their brother, but he parried all with ease and countered effortlessly,
striking Andor on the hand and slapping Eryk in the arse with the flat of the
blade.
Eryk shook his head and rubbed his behind. He
thinks he’s so clever.
Andor smiled as he shook the sting from his hand. “Eryk, how about you go one on one with Ori
for a moment?”
“You goin’ dastard on me, Andy? Eryk’s no challenge by himself.”
“Really?” Eryk
spat as he spun and ducked, aiming a low cut at Ori’s knee. Ori lifted his foot allowing the blade to pass
underneath. Eryk switched hands and
continued his spin with an upward slash.
The tip of the wooden blade scratched Ori’s stubbly chin even though he
tossed his head back to dodge the hit.
Eryk’s spin left him exposed and he felt his brother’s heavy boot on his
back. The ground rushed towards him and
soon he was pulling blades of grass from his teeth.
Ori stood over him.
“Nice try,” he felt his chin and was surprised to see blood on his
hand. “Hmm, closer than I thought.”
Andor laughed.
“He almost knocked your head off, Ori.
If his sword was an inch longer you’d have an ass for a face.”
“He already does,” groaned Eryk. Andor reached out a hand then helped Eryk to
his feet.
“You’re getting
better, Eryk, but I’m still the best.”
Ori said and Eryk wanted to wipe the smug smile from his face.
Eryk frowned.
“Father says I’m near as good.”
“He just doesn’t want to hurt your feelings.” Ori clapped his younger brother on the back
and Andor grinned behind them. “Pity
he’s away; now he’ll never know how close you came.”
“Careful, Ori.
Arrogance will be your downfall.
One day, Eryk may well be better than both of us.” Andor’s tone was serious and for a moment,
Eryk almost believe him. “You guys up
for a quick run?”
Eryk nodded. Finally, something I’m good at.
Andor began to unbutton his surcoat and kicked off his
boots. “Let’s say, first one to catch a
squirrel gets to ask any favour of his brothers.” He then pulled off the rest of his cloths
and stood naked before his brothers in the cool autumn air. “Sound fair?”
Ori groaned, but ideas were already flowing through
Eryk’s head.
Eryk watched as his eldest brother’s skin began to melt
away. Andor suppressed a scream that
turned to a growl as he was forced to all fours; a silvery coat of fur beginning
to cover his body. It was streaked with
a long red stripe and sprinkled with dark spots. Andor’s hands grew and his fingernails curved
into sharp black claws while thick whiskers sprouted from his face. His ears sharpened to a point and a tail
emerged from his buttocks. Soon, his
eyes were dark golden pits circled with flecks of red. Eryk watched as his brother- now a giant
lynx- stretched and then disappeared into the forest.
Ori was next to shift into a lynx. His fur was darker than Andor’s and displayed
large brown spots and a black stripe along his back. His bright green eyes turned towards Eryk
before darting after Andor.
You may be a
better swordsman, but I’m a better hunter.
Eryk unbuckled his belt and removed his
surcoat and breeches. He felt his skin
glide away and his muscles tighten. His
teeth grew sharp and his senses heightened.
He could hear his brother’s footsteps in the distance and smell their
scent. Drool formed in his mouth at the
thought of tearing into a fresh, meaty squirrel, so he followed his brothers
into the West Wood. The leaves had
turned brown and blanketed the forest floor.
It was the perfect time of season to hunt squirrels. They would be scurrying about hiding acorns
and other food for the winter.
Eryk ran into the forest, but stopped suddenly to sniff
the air, picking up the familiar scent of squirrel. He could hear Andor slowly stalking his prey,
and see Ori chasing a rodent with wild abandon.
He’s great with a sword, but if
left alone in the woods, he’d starve. Eryk
turned his attention back to his oldest brother. Andor’s
patience is what makes him a great hunter and one day he’ll make a fine lord.
Andor was acting lord while their father, Lord Yon, was
away. He was fair and just, always
treating Ori and Eryk as equals even though they came from a different
mother. Andor, at thirty-one, was
thirteen years older than Eryk and a decade older than Ori. He was a proven swordsman and an accomplished
hunter, but his real strength was his leadership. Lord Yon never hid the fact that Andor was
his favourite, but Andor always spoke highly of his brothers, often passing on
the praise he earned.
A faint taste of blood ran through Eryk’s mouth as he
closed in on the scent. His ears perked
to listen, trying hard to drown out Ori’s wild chase. He spotted his prey ahead, the squirrel
still unaware of his presence. He then
crouched in the leaves and patiently waited.
The squirrel came closer and Eryk held his tail low out of sight. Finally it came within striking distance and
Eryk pounced. It heard him at the last
second and tried to scurry away, but was too slow. Eryk had a nail deep into its tail, pinning
it to the ground. With his other paw, he
stomped on it; he heard a crunch, and the struggling stopped. He sniffed the squirrel and then picked it up
with his teeth, holding it proudly in his mouth. He whined loud to let his brothers know he’d
made a kill, and then bolted from the woods with the dead squirrel dangling from
his mouth. He dropped the squirrel and
stood over it with pride, waiting for his brothers to emerge from the
forest. Andor came first and it looked
like he was smiling. Eryk knew Andor was
proud of him and wondered what was taking Ori.
Finally, Ori slowly exited the trees with his head hanging. He walked right past Eryk and shifted back to
human form then redressed.
Eryk padded over to his cloths; squirrel in mouth, and
dropped it at Ori’s feet.
“I don’t want your damn squirrel. You won, it’s yours.” He gave Eryk a gentle pat on the head. Eryk’s nostrils tightened as he caught a stench
on the wind. Father’s horse. He quickly
shifted and relayed the news to his brothers.
“The scent’s coming from the west? That’s strange. Father always uses the Fang Gate.” Ori looked to his older brother.
“We should greet him.”
Andor said and the others agreed.
He turned to Eryk. “This is a big
day for you. A wife is a blessing.”
Eryk knew Andor
was right. “I just wish father would’ve
let me go with him to pick out my bride.
I hope she’s not hideous.”
“He wouldn’t even let me go with him to Unamia, Eryk.”
Andor said.
Eryk had been curious about that; Andor usually went
everywhere with Lord Yon.
“Don’t worry, little brother, Treeclaw women are
renowned for their… beauty.” Ori could
barely finish his sentence before breaking into hysterics. Andor joined in, but Eryk didn’t find it
amusing.
Andor wiped a tear from his eye. “It’s a noble thing you do, Eryk, finally
uniting House Layne and Treeclaw. Your
children will have the blood of the lynx and bat, but let’s just hope they get
your looks.” He chuckled again and Ori
was hunched over from laughing so hard.
Eryk just shook his head. When
the laughter died, Andor placed a hand on Eryk’s shoulder. “Come, let us greet father and meet your
bride to be.” He turned to Ori and
pointed. “And you. No more japes about Eryk’s bride. She’s a Layne now, and will be treated as
such. Understood?”
The smile faded from Ori’s face and he nodded.
By the time they passed through the Tail Gate, a crowd
had begun to gather. Eryk could see the
head of his father’s great destrier, but didn’t see his father. “Where’re his guards?”
Andor seemed wary as well. “I don’t know.”
The crowd parted as the three men approached. Their light blue surcoats were adorned with
the black lynx; sigil of House Layne, and each was nearly a head taller than
any in the crowd. When they reached the
horse, they saw that it was not their father that guided it, but a young woman.
“What’s the meaning of this? Who are you and where’s Lord Yon?” Andor’s voice boomed over the murmuring
crowd.
The girl appeared shy and frightened, but held her
calm. “I’m Anna, daughter of Megor of
Annulya,” she said. “I would like to
speak with the Lord of Cipher.”
Ori interrupted.
“I should have you hanged. It’s a
capital offence to touch a Lord’s horse.
Where did you get it?”
“It was grazing in a field near our farm. I saw the sigil on
the horse’s blanket and recognized the lynx of House Layne. There was no one for miles, so I took the
horse and cared for it. It was my
father’s idea to return it to its rightful owners, so I came here.”
“You expect us to believe you found a Lord’s horse
grazing near your farm?” Demanded Ori.
Something didn’t feel right, but Eryk knew where this
was heading and didn’t want to see the girl get hurt.
“Ori,” Eryk started.
“She’s done a noble deed in returning father’s horse. She could’ve saved herself the journey and
we’d have had no news of father.” He
turned to Anna. “Would you join us for
dinner and tell us your tale?” He
glanced towards Andor to judge his expression.
It was a mixture of surprise and disgust. “Consider it a favour.”
Andor clenched his teeth, but didn’t deny Eryk. “She will dine with us then.” He squinted at the dust covered girl. “Ori, return father’s horse to the stables
and see it’s well tended.” He turned to
Eryk. “And you… show our guest to the
guest tower. Have a servant prepare a
hot bath and supply her with a clean dress.”
They both nodded and Eryk could feel the piercing stares
from his brothers.
Andor turned away.
“Alright citizens, as you were.”
He motioned for the smallfolk to return to their work as Eryk beckoned
Anna to follow.
She followed closely, regarding warily the stares from
the townspeople. “Don’t worry about
them, they’re harmless.” Eryk said as he
led her through the Tail Gate and into the white stone courtyard. Vines climbed the inside of the surrounding
walls and were neatly trimmed as they neared the top. Further ahead, in the south west corner below
the turret, stood the barracks; a vast hall that could house up to a hundred
men. Eryk nodded to the men milling
around as he passed by and took note of the looks Anna received from a few of
them.
Eryk did not speak to Anna; not because he didn’t’ want
to, but because he didn’t know what to say.
She’s quite lovely… for a
peasant. Soon they reached the
entrance to the Rotunda at the front of the castle. Large Blackwood doors stood open with
sentries at attention on either side.
Eryk ushered Anna inside.
Anna’s eyes immediately went to the tapestries adorning
the walls. “They’re beautiful.” she said
as she gazed at each one.
Eryk loved the tapestries and knew the history behind
each one. “They depict former lords of
House Layne, stretching as far back as the first lynx, Lothar the Great who
founded Cipher nearly two thousand years ago.”
Eryk felt a surge of pride as he pointed to a tapestry where a man stood
with the head of a snarling lynx, brandishing a sword.
Anna shuddered when she saw Lothar’s glowing red
eyes. A simple “Oh,” was all she
managed.
Stairs on both sides of the rotunda led to a second
floor where a Blackwood throne sat under a banner with the light blue lynx of
House Layne, emblazoned on a field of solid black. Eryk led her through the Rotunda into a vast
hallway carpeted with thick gray rugs that cushioned each step. Light from the wall candles reflected in
mirrors and caromed along the stone walls, creating haunting shadows that
seemed to stalk them as they marched down the winding hallways.
“The guest tower is just past the library. I’ll see you in then send a servant.”
“Gratitude. I
wasn’t sure what kind of welcome to expect.”
She frowned. “You’re the least frightening
of your brothers.”
Eryk didn’t know whether to take that as a compliment or
not. “I’m glad you returned father’s
horse.” he said as they passed through the cluttered library. Dusty books lined the shelves as they reached
to the ceiling and the stale smell of old parchment always reminded Eryk of his
history lessons with Stilman and Ori.
Eryk shuddered at the thought of them.
The door to the guest tower opened to an unlit staircase
that wound to the top of the turret.
“It’s been some time since we’ve had guests and it gets a bit dark in
here, so watch your step.” He held out
his hand and Anna grasped it tight.
“That’s alright.”
She smiled.
Eryk smiled back.
At the top of the steps, the tower opened into a single
round room. A rounded bed draped in
shiny blue linen was centered between two large wardrobes. Numerous black pillows were scattered about
the bed; each embroidered with the lynx of House Layne. A large wash basin was situated next to a
privy, and there was a small table under a window that looked east over the
Catamount.
“I hope the room is to your liking.”
Anna’s eyes widened.
“It’s larger than my house.”
“Then you must have a small house.”
Anna frowned.
“Uh, I’ll send a servant with hot water.” Eryk then took his leave, carefully
descending the twisting stairs and cursing his loose tongue. He passed through the library and headed to
the Servants quarters located close to his chamber and found Jensen within
reading a book from the library. For a servant, he seems to have a lot of
free time. “Your services are
required in the guest tower. There’s a
young lady up there that requires hot water to bathe.” Jensen quickly closed his book, bowed to Eryk
and went to fetch the water.
Eryk grunted and then went to his chamber to prepare for
supper.
III
The long table in the dining room seemed nearly empty as
only six dined. Andor introduced his
wife Lenadia to Anna and Ori introduced Aemy.
Aemy had come all the way from Wennit and was a close cousin of the
current lord, William White. Lenadia,
however, was from Cipher. Her father was
a wealthy merchant and it took some finagling to get Lord Yon to accept her as
Andor’s bride. Her beauty was renowned and
Andor was not going to let her slip through his fingers.
They ate in silence, the tension looming like a storm
cloud. Soon Andor began his
interrogation, as Eryk knew he would.
“Tell us, Anna.
Why did your father send you all this way by yourself? Why didn’t he make the journey?”
Anna put her hand to her mouth and cleared her
throat. “He was preparing for the
journey when we were attacked… by a pack of vicious… monsters.” Tears began to form and she went silent. The others were left hanging.
Lenadia and Aemy gasped.
“Monsters? What
are you talking about?” Eryk asked.
Anna took a breath.
“I watched… as they tore my father apart.” Her voice trembled.
Andor was unmoved by her story. “Yet you escaped?”
Anna looked up, tears streaking her face. “I climbed on the horse and ran as far and as
fast as I could, but they followed for a time.
When I reached the top of Hallow Hill, I saw dozens of them below,
massacring the town.” She wept into her
hands.
The table was silent.
Eryk watched his brothers who appeared confused.
Anna regained a
little composure, but stuttered her words.
“His… sacrifice gave me… enough time to escape.” She exhaled.
“He died protecting me.”
“And what has Lord Treeclaw done about these…
monsters?” Andor asked.
Anna shrugged. “I
don’t know. I came straight here.” She looked at the food on her plate. “I’m afraid I’ve lost my appetite. May I be excused?”
Eryk quickly interjected. “You’re safe here. Besides, you haven’t had dessert yet.”
Anna nodded and fiddled with the leg of lamb on her
plate, but didn’t eat it. When the
honeyed bread came, Anna took a small nibble then pushed it away. “Apologies,” she got up from her chair and
quickly dashed from the hall. Andor
casually nodded at a servant to follow her.
Eryk couldn’t help but feel responsible, even though he
knew there was nothing he could do.
Once Anna was gone, Ori broke his silence. “She’s hiding something.”
“I think she’s telling the truth.” Eryk raised his voice.
“And how would you know?
Were you there? Did you see these
vicious monsters?” Ori stood.
“Don’t be so quick to trust others, Eryk. Trust kills just as well as swords.” He took a gulp of wine then slammed the
silver chalice on the table and stormed off, beckoning Aemy to follow.
“Ori, get back here.”
Andor’s deep voice echoed off the stone walls. “We still need to decide what to do.”
“I’ll tell you what we should do, Andy. We should send her away or lock her in the
dungeon. She’s trouble, I know it.” Bellowed Ori.
“Perhaps that’s not such a bad idea.” Andor said and Eryk’s heart skipped a
beat. He was about to plead with his
brother, but was silenced by a hand.
“Ori, I want you to go to Unamia.
Find out anything you can about father’s whereabouts and these
monsters. And take Anna with you. It’s the least we can do.”
“Send me.” Eryk
began. “Allow me to prove my worth.”
“I agree, send Eryk,” said Ori, “I’m not babysitter.”
Andor rose from his seat. “No.
It must be you. You’re more
experienced and you’re likely to encounter trouble. Take six men with you.”
“What do I do with her once we get there?” Ori asked.
“Take her before the lord and let her plead with him to
do something about these monsters. If
her tale is true, he will want to defend his land.” Andor sat back down and placed
his palms flat on the table. “Father was
last seen at the Treefort. He spoke of
no business in Annulya, so how did Anna come by his horse?”
Ori stroked his beard and smirked. “Someone
is hiding something.”
“Ask Lord Titus what he makes of this and then send a
raven with your conclusions.”
Ori bowed and left the hall with a wide smile. Andor turned to Eryk, who felt a little
dejected… again.
“I’m sorry, Eryk.
I know you’re eager to prove yourself.
And don’t take me for a blind man; I see the passion in your eyes when
you look at Anna, but you know it could never be.” Andor’s golden eyes were stern. “Relay a message to her; that she’s to be
escorted to Unamia by Ori in two days time.”
“As you wish.”
Eryk turned to leave, but Andor wasn’t finished with him.
“With father gone, I’m acting Lord; and one day, you
might find yourself in my position. I
feel father would have made the same decision I have.”
Eryk bowed and exited, turning his brother’s words over
in his mind, thinking how if he were Lord, he’d do things quite differently.
No comments:
Post a Comment