Cardonaccum, The beauty of a thistle. Options

[Grits]

“I’m sorry that I can’t offer you hospitality to match yours.”

No salt room for Cora, then.

I love the mention of Odwalt’s blue tattoos. I wonder if they are connected to the game notion of magically protective Nordic Woad. That’s how I always think of it when I see blue face paint or tattoos in the games.

[Captain Hammer]

There's a reason the saying goes "The Truth hurts."

Count me as another of those that likes Odwalt, but there's somebody else that interests me. A cloaked man of strange and significant power that seemed to study Cora before retreating into the shadows.

I smell some Heresy.

So, the terms are set, the treaty is signed, the officers have been told by their general that they'll be working with the new Lord of Cardonaccum, and it's now time to meet the prisoners.

Odwalt's keen-minded sense of self-preservation showing itself got a bit of a chuckle from me as I read this. A shame that he had to bring up Wallace's death as they're going to meet what's left of Laird's men.

[haute ecole rider]

@SubRosa: Thanks for the nod to Destri's negotiations! I toyed with the idea of having a sweet roll there, but decided that this meeting was not as portentous as the Sweetroll Negotiations were! Yes, the coffee had to fill that role (pun very much intended!). GIven that there is little love lost between Lady Cora and her father, yes, it makes sense that she would use her mother's clan name. I'm glad you liked the Xerox magic here! Maybe that makes up for the absence of the Sweet Roll?

@ghastley: Yes, Thistlethorn is an excellent reminder of the weight of the responsibility on Lady Cora's shoulders. I'm glad you picked up on that little line.

@Acadian: It's not really illogical that some of Nirn's energy comes up to Lady Cora through the body of a horse. After all, animals are born of Nirn (the land ones, anyway). However, in mythology, horses are creatures of the ocean in many cultures, so it would make sense that Lady Cora would avoid riding a horse in order to keep as much of Nirn's strength as she can for what she still has to face.

@Grits: I'm not sure if Odwalt's blue tattoos are connected to the Nordic Woad power. It would make sense, though, that they are related! In that case, Odwalt would not want to lose those tats!

@BamBam: I enjoyed writing Odwalt, too. We won't see much more of him, as he is one of General Talos's senior commanders and therefore goes where the Dragonborn goes.

@All: That unnamed, mysterious, cloaked figure is a direct tribute to Destri's Interregnum. Those of you who are familiar with this unfinished epic (Destri, are you reading this? *nudge*) will recall who the cloaked, mysterious figure that always remains in the shadows is.

The story so far: Lady Cora and General Talos have signed their treaty. Lady Cora met some of Talos's commanders. One of them, Odwalt, is assigned to escort Lady Cora to the remnants of Sir Laird's retinue and his surviving family.

**************************
Chapter Sixteen

“The family is in here,” Odwalt stepped between the two guards and pulled back the flap of the tent. The same size as the others, it was set next to a crude stockade.

I paused in the entrance to scan the interior. No groundcloth. I entered and found myself confronted by a young boy, his fists pummeling my body. I managed to catch his wrists and push him back from me slightly. “Easy, Konrad,” I said. “I came to see if you and your mother are all right.”

“No!” Laird’s youngest son twisted in my grip. The middle son, Tevan, grabbed the eight-year-old and yanked him backwards. He squared his shoulders and faced me, his chin lifted in defiance. At thirteen he already stood just a few hairs taller than me.

“What do you care, Witch?” he demanded. I heard Laird’s imperiousness in his tone. “After you kicked us out into the cold?”

“Tevan,” a quiet voice reached us from the rear of the tent. I looked back to see Konrad holding his mother back. “Mind your manners. She is still the Lady of Cardonaccum.”

Reluctantly Tevan stood aside as Edine moved forward. The light from the brazier in the center of the tent highlighted her gaunt visage as she lifted her hands over the glowing coals. “I’m sorry we have to meet like this, milady.”

“I’m sorry, too,” I answered. “Lord Wallace t- trusted Sir Laird deeply. I r- regret that your husband would not let me do so as well.”

We regarded each other for several long breaths. The boys’ anger and resentment was palpable within the confines of the tent. Finally I took a deep breath. “I have been worried about you and the boys ever s- since I found out Sir Laird had departed with you. H- have any of you been hurt in the fighting?”

“Only minor scrapes and bruises,” Edine answered slowly, her voice breaking. “I was unseated when my horse bolted, and the boys put up quite the fight.”

“I don’t doubt for a moment th- that they did,” I said softly. “I would expect no less of the s- sons of the fine warrior Sir Laird was.” Edine closed her eyes and swayed slightly. Tevan reached for her elbow, but she gently shook him off. “I came to speak to you, Edine.” I continued after a moment. “I don’t want you to think I’ve been ungrateful for your c- company these past years, nor for your advice and friendship. It is because of that friendship I am here.”

“Are we still friends?” Edine’s voice was softer. “My husband aspired for Lord Wallace’s seat against his wishes. He may not have betrayed you, but he certainly betrayed his lord. How can you forgive him that?”

“What Laird did has no reflection on you, or your sons,” I answered. “He made his own decisions, chose h- his own path. No one told him to pursue the course he did.” I sighed. “What I’m really here for - “ my voice trailed off as I ran out of the words I needed to express my own thoughts.

“You want Cirsium back?” Tevan snapped from beyond his mother’s shoulder. “You’ll have to fight the entire Legion for it. Why don’t you just go to that General Talos and spread your legs for him? Maybe he’ll -”

The slap cracked through the tent. Edine glared at her son, spots of color stark on her pale cheeks, her lips compressed into a tight line. “How dare you speak to Lady Cora like this!” Some of her old spirit returned as she matched stares with him. “I should turn you over to her for execution in your father’s stead!”

“She threw Father out like a used up whore!” Tevan shouted back, his left cheek showing the print of her hand.

“She did no such thing!” Edine shot back. “It was your father’s choice to leave! As Arkay is my witness, it is my husband who was in the wrong -“ Her voice caught and she covered her face with her hands, turning away from Tevan.

“Mother,” he pleaded, touching her shoulders. “Please don’t cry.”

“Edine,” I said softly, taking a step closer to her. Part of me ached to take her in my arms and share her grief at the loss of her husband. For all his flaws, I knew Edine had loved Sir Laird deeply. “Edine,” I tried again. “I know what you’re experiencing -“

“No, you don’t!” Edine spat at me. “Your husband was honorable and fair, everything mine was not! The man you loved didn’t betray his liege lord!” She dissolved into sobbing.

I closed my eyes and turned my face away. “But I know what it is like t- to lose the man you’ve loved for so many years,” I said quietly. Unable to bear the sight of her standing there so forlornly, I rounded the brazier and enfolded her in my arms. Tevan glared at me but did not interfere when Edine grasped desperately at me.

After several long moments, her arms fell away, and Edine stepped away from me. She wiped at her face. “Forgive me, milady” she sniffled. “I’m not as strong as you.” She caught the startled look in my face. “You were so brave when they brought Lord Wallace back. You didn’t fall all to pieces like Larena did. You confronted General Talos in the courtyard and stood up to him. You weren’t afraid of him -“

“But I was,” I shook my head. “Still am. What he’s capable of, it frightens the daylights out of me.” I took a deep breath. “It is for th- that reason I’m here.” I looked from her to her sons. “Now that Sir Laird is dead, you are without protection.” I looked down and took her hands. “With half your h- husband’s men gone, your life and that of your sons are in danger. But it doesn’t h- have to be that way.”

“What do you mean?” Edine stared at me.

“I made truce with General Talos,” I said simply. “It was his c- condition for letting me speak to you and to your husband’s surviving men. Just because you are Sir Laird’s wife does not mean you are of the same mind as he was c- concerning my taking Lord Wallace’s seat.”

Edine backed away from me and moved to sit on the cot beside Konrad, who watched me with wide eyes. Tevan held his ground and faced me squarely. He drew breath, apparently for another tirade. But Edine stopped him with a simple “Tevan.”

“General Talos is making preparations for withdrawal,” I continued. “He will not s- stay here any longer than he must. That means Sir Laird’s manor will be accessible once again. Would you c- consider returning there and running it on behalf of Cardonaccum, as Sir Laird did for so many years?”

Tevan’s eyes widened as he glanced from me to his mother. Her face was as incredulous as his. “And my sons?” It was just a whisper from her lips.

“If they will swear fealty to me as th- the rightful Lord of Cardonaccum,” I said, “they can take their place in the vanguard when they are old enough. Furthermore, if Tevan should prove himself r- reliable, he can stand to inherit Little Oak when he comes of age.” I shook my head. “No sense punishing children for the s- sins of their fathers.”

Edine regarded me for several long breaths. Then she looked down at Konrad next to her. I took a step back. “I’ll need to speak to Sir Laird’s s- surviving men,” I said. “I’ll give you a little time to discuss it between yourselves.” This time I met Tevan’s gaze. “Like Lord Wallace, I don’t forgive betrayal, so once you make your decision, there’s no going back on it without c- consequence.” Without waiting for an acknowledgement, I spun on my heel and left the tent.

Odwalt turned from the nearby forge when I stepped out into the weak sunlight. He set the whetstone down and sheathed his sword with a question in his eyes. I met his gaze. “I’d like to speak to Laird’s men, please.”

“This way, Lady,” the tall Nord gestured for me to follow him. We wove our way through the tents toward the stockade gate. Four legionaries waited outside it, along with their watch commander. The younger man turned as Odwalt approached. “The men have been briefed, sir. They’re ready.”

I frowned at his words. Ready for what? Apparently Odwalt anticipated my suspicion for he turned to me.

“Sir Laird’s men may not react very well to the news of the truce,” he said. “I have your safety to think of in there.”

“I don’t need an escort -“ I protested, but Odwalt shook his head curtly.

“It’s a precaution, that’s all. If the men behave themselves, nothing will go wrong.”

“Those are famous last words, sir,” I warned him. He bowed, then nodded to the commander.

The gates swung open, and the four legionaries ran into the stockade. They made no sound other than the clattering of their plate armor, but still the prisoners within scrambled to get out of their way. I followed Odwalt and his commander into the muddy enclosure and moved past them to stand in the center of the rough prison. Two walls supported lean-to roofs, with rushes piled upon the mud. Several of the men lay beneath the shelters, bandages and blood stains and bent limbs indicating injuries. Another ten stood between the legionaries and their wounded comrades, watching them warily. One of them stepped forward and faced me. I recognized him as Cedric, one of Laird’s most trusted lieutenants.

“What are you doing here?” he demanded. “Come to gloat over Sir Laird’s failure?”

“Gloating over death of good men is th- the last thing I want to do,” I answered. “I know you followed Sir Laird out of Cardonaccum, after I warned him of the consequences of such an action. Unless you chose to follow the s- same path he did, I fail to see why you should pay for his choices as well. Do you believe he did the right thing?”

Cedric, his face worn and haggard from a night in the cold, regarded me defiantly. Muttering passed between the men behind him. “He followed no Witch, and neither will we!”

A few of the others cheered his words, though their voices lacked heart. The rest merely muttered some more. I met Cedric’s gaze again. “Do you speak for everyone here? Or only for yourself?”

He drew himself up and opened his mouth to speak, but shouting and grumblings from several of the prisoners stopped his retort. Instead, he clenched his jaw and stared at me with hatred in his eyes. I stepped away from him and cast my gaze around the enclosure again, looking each man in the eye. Most of them looked away from me, but a few more gave me the same defiant glare as Cedric. “You,” I pointed at the nearest of them. “Do you feel the same way as Cedric?”

“”Blivion yes!” the man snarled. “No Witch should rule Cardonaccum!”

“Then go make your stand with Cedric,” I said quietly. “Any one else care to join th- them?”

Three others slogged through the thick mud to join Cedric and his supporter. I turned to glance back at Odwalt. He gave me the most imperceptible nod. Good. He’s taken note of these five. I turned back to the remaining men. “Any more?”

“We have no leader, milady,” a pained voice reached me from the far side of the stockade. “Why does it matter what we think?”

I gathered my skirts and made my way through the cold muck toward the voice. Beneath the lean-to at the opposite wall, a man fought off the restraining hands of two of his comrades as he tried to sit up. Dark stains bloomed across the bandage covering his abdomen. Fresh blood gleamed against the dried marks. I knelt down beside him and laid my hand on the edge of the dressing. I met his gaze. “May I?”

“You’ve no magicka, what can you do milady?” he grumbled, but nodded his permission. I lifted the edge of the bandage carefully and studied the deep gash beneath. Through the muscle. He should stay prone. Else it will fester.

“What is your name, soldier?” I laid the bandage carefully back into place and looked into his face. Like Cedric, he was worn and haggard, and very pale. I touched his skin. Cold and clammy.

“Tomsen, milady,” he answered. “I served Sir Laird for more’n twenty years.”

“Tomsen, would you serve me?” I asked him. “Would you come and s- support me as Lord of Cardonaccum? Or do you share Cedric’s opinions about me?”

“How can I serve anyone?” Tomsen answered bitterly. “I’m no good anymore, milady.”

“Once you’ve healed,” I replied, “even if you can’t fight anymore, you c- can still train the young ones. And if Edine accepts my offer, she’ll h- have need of good men to protect Little Oak.”

“You’ll accept me, even though I followed Sir Laird?” Disbelief warred with hope in Tomsen’s face.

“Did you follow him because you chose the s- same path he did?” I countered. “Or did you follow him because you were sworn to his s- service? There’s a difference there, as far as I’m concerned.” I pointed at the five sullen men standing in the center of the compound. “They chose Sir Laird’s path. There’s consequences for that. Likewise, those of you,” I looked around at the gathered men, “who followed Sir Laird yesterday because of your oaths, you have a choice today. Choose to join Cedric and his friends th- there because you won’t swear fealty to a Witch, or choose to follow me and come back home.”

“D’ye mean it, milady?” one of the other wounded men laying three bedrolls away leaned onto his elbow to see me better. I looked up to meet his gaze.

“Even if Edine declines, I s- still have need of men who know Little Oak and who can hold it for me.” I looked back at Tomsen. “As I see it, better you than s- some legionaries I don’t know or trust.”

“What?” Tomsen exclaimed. “Legionaries in Little Oak?”

“I made truce with General T- Talos.” I said. “It was the only way I could get to see you. Part of that truce is that a c- century of his Legion stay here and augment my fighting force. And the only way that works is if all of C- Cardonaccum supports the truce.” I sighed. “If you don’t come back with me, I will have no choice but to t- turn Little Oak over to them.”

“And if we come back with you, and swear fealty to you, what of them?”

I shrugged. “Then they’ll have to quarter at th- the donjon with Robert’s men.” I smiled ironically. “To be honest, I’d rather have th- them where Robert and I can keep an eye on them.”

“If Sir Laird’s wife comes back, shall we serve her?”

“You’d be responsible for her safety and welfare, as well as t- training her sons to take their place in the vanguard when they’re old enough.”

Tomsen laid his head back on the bedroll, his eyes on the rough rafters above us. The other man a few beds away looked down at the rushes. The other men murmured among themselves. Tomsen’s sigh drew my gaze back to him. “I’ll not speak for the others, but I’ll come with you, milady. I’ll follow you to the ends of Nirn and carry out your orders without question. So help me Arkay.”

Several of the wounded echoed his oath, as did the remaining whole men standing by us. I reached down to Tomsen’s right hand and gripped it firmly. “As Lord of Cardonaccum, I will stand behind you and s- see to it you have what you need. So help me Arkay.” I looked around at the gathered men. “Are you with Tomsen?”

“Aye!” they chorused. They slammed their fists to their chests and bowed their heads to me. “Lady Cora!”

“Then remain here. I need to go make th- the necessary arrangements.” I moved to rise, and one of Tomsen’s comrades reached a callused hand down to me. I accepted his offer and gained my feet with his assistance. “Have patience. I will get you out of th- this miserable place as quickly as I can.”

“Yes, milady,” several of the men bowed to me as I made my way back to the stockade gate. My stride faltered when I looked up to see Talos standing beside Odwalt.

[Acadian]

Lady Cora acquitted herself wonderfully during both of these tricky encounters.

Segment one (womenz and childrenz tent). I was relieved to see Edine’s mindset. If Edine returns to Little Oak, Cora will need to keep a close eye on those two boys to see whether their father’s bitterness festers or dissipates with time and guidance from their mother. Although Edine sounds up to the task of schooling her boys, the real influence will need to be provided by the example of better men and knights than Sir Laird. And Cora has some in her service. Hopefully she can recruit a few more from Laird’s imprisoned warriors during her next stop.

*pauses for a cup of coffee with spiced pumpkin pie flavored cream *

Segment two (makeshift prison compound). The fact that Cora was able to find the right words to coax many of Laird’s men to her flag was real testimony to how much there is to her, and how well she has grown into her role. So, Talos was watching. . . . I expect he cannot help but be impressed by the gentle and wise leadership displayed by Lady Cora during this exchange with Laird’s men.

[ghastley]

I must confess to a bit of confusion, based on the way you describe the boys. You state that Tevan is "The middle son" but later you're suggesting he might inherit Little Oak. I don't recall if the elder lad fell with his father or not, but if he had, would Cora still regard Tevan as the "middle" one?

It would appear that Laird had been poisoning the relationship between his people and Wallace's for some time. I'm curious to find out what happens to those Cora doesn't take back with her.

[SubRosa]

I expected about his much from the two sons. Looks like both are cut from the same cloth as the father. Edine however seems hopeful. She at least understands that is was her husband who precipitated matters, not Cora. There is a funny symmetry here. Just as Lady Cora has been forced to make an alliance with her former husband's enemy, so too is Edine. I am sure she will take Cora's offer. What other choice does she really have? In the long run however, it looks like the two boys will be a problem.

Cedric is it? I wonder if he is an entertainer? Looks like not!

Tomsen sounds familiar. One of the characters in Das Boot was Captain Thomsen, and his name was pronounced with the 'h' silent. He looks like a good prospect, if he lives.

Lady Cora handled Sir Laird's men well. I especially liked how she used the legionaries quartering at Little Oak as a point to help persuade them to come over to her side. Being defeated is bad enough, but knowing that the enemy who beat you will be living in your old house is just rubbing salt in the wound. Unless of course they are going somewhere else...




nits:
“What I’m really here for - “
Looks like your closing quotation mark is an innie rather than an outie. That is why I use straight quotes all the time. They are the same coming or going.

[Grits]

“Did you follow him because you chose the s- same path he did?” I countered. “Or did you follow him because you were sworn to his s- service? There’s a difference there, as far as I’m concerned.”

I liked this distinction very much. Allies who keep their word above their judgment might be more reliable than ones whose opinions might change.

And Talos is watching. Good, I hope he is impressed.

[Captain Hammer]

So, Edine knows the type of man that she married and widowed her. That shows promise and hope for her surviving boys.

I find myself sympathizing with Tevan, but that's mostly on account of recent experience, and yet I still found his words insufferable. Much as I don't think physical discipline is a useful tool, the lad needed that smack upside the head, and probably another.

The divisions of Laird's men-at-arms was a nice touch, and Cora's question about whether they followed out of duty or out of agreement struck me as typical of her: find the truth of the matter and the solution presents itself. It looks as though she'll have the majority of the men she needs.

Glad to know I was right about Mr. Shadowy.

And, oh, great, he's here. (See, see, I made it an entire post without saying it.)

[haute ecole rider]

@Acadian: One of the things I wanted to do with Laird's family was show them as individuals with their own personalities, their own prejudices, their own priorities. I kept seeing Edine as this strong woman who has long served in a submissive role as wife to a domineering Lord. Now that she is a widow, this is her chance to show the stuff she is really made of. On the one hand Laird was a good leader and a good fighter, on the other his notions and ideas of the roles of women and children (and Witches) are reflective of the culture he grew up in, a culture that is undergoing tremendous changes at this point in time. Compared to the other races, I think Bretons would have the richest, most complex culture and traditions due to the mixture of Aldmeri, Nord and even Dwemer customs with a little bit of Yokuda thrown in to leaven the combination. As the Aldmeri Dominion fades into history and the Bretons hold back Hammerfell and Skyrim from their borders, I see them drawing upon the best of all of these races and weaving them into a tapestry that is an amazing construction of their own.

@ghastley: If you go back to Chapter 14, you'll see that General Talos informed Lady Cora of the eldest son's death at his father's side. As I saw that family, it was the most logical outcome - the eldest son would not let his father bear the brunt of the attack by himself, especially as said son is old enough to fight (and probably eager to do so - I think I had him as fourteen in my cast of characters). As the eldest surviving son, Tevan now stands to inherit Little Oak when he comes of age. I hope that clears things up for you?

@SubRosa: Tevan may have to unlearn some things, but I think Edine is just the perfect person to accomplish that task. As she loved her husband, she was fully aware of his faults and will be extra motivated to ensure Tevan doesn't meet the same fate. Eventually the Little Oak men who choose to return with Lady Cora will return to Little Oak with Edine. At the moment, however, they will return to Cardonaccum to heal first.

@Grits: You are right about Lady Cora's logic behind her question to the men - she realizes that loyalty to an ideal may be stronger than loyalty to a mere mortal. Keeping one's word, no matter how unfortunate it may be, makes such a person more trustworthy as you know what to expect from that person. Yes, General Talos is watching, indeed!

@BamBam: Wow, two posts without the rabid fanboyism that usually accompanies General Talos? That's impressive self-control! Yes, I was sympathizing with Tevan too, but agree that Edine is the perfect person to give him that Gibbs slap!

The story so far: Lady Cora spoke to Edine and provided her with options she did not know she had. Then Lady Cora met with Laird's surviving men and given them an ultimatum of sorts. She has one more task to perform before returning to Cardonaccum. We get to see a little bit more of Odwalt in this chapter . . .

******************************
Chapter Seventeen

To avoid the General’s gaze, I paused and inspected the enclosure one last time. I’m missing someone. Onchu. Where is he?

Odwalt stepped forward, his boots squelching in the mud. “Is there a problem, Lady?”

“I haven’t s- seen Onchu,” I studied the men again.

“The priest?” Talos apparently knew the name. He turned to look at the big Nord.

“There was no priest among the prisoners,” Odwalt shook his head. “At least, no priestly robes anyway.”

“He’s not here,” I turned back to Odwalt. “What happened to the men th- that died yesterday in the fighting?”

“They’re in the rear,” Odwalt answered. “We found a small farm and used its courtyard for them.”

I hid my grimace. “Please take me there. I need t- to find Onchu.”

“It’s no place for a -“ Odwalt began, but Talos shifted restlessly.

“Take her there. Let her see the bodies.” He turned and stalked out of the stockade.

“Yes, sir,” Odwalt spoke to his departing back. He turned back to me. “Have you eaten yet?”

“I’m not hungry,” I answered automatically, then stopped myself. Of course. This is best done on an empty stomach. “I’ll be fine,” I assured him.

A short time later I doubted my own assurance. In spite of the cold weather, the stench that hung heavy over the small steading caused my stomach to heave. I lifted my cloak over my nose and fought to keep the bile down. Odwalt waited until I recovered to some degree, then nodded to the burial detail.

“We’ve only begun separating our dead from those belonging to Laird,” he turned to me. “I suppose you’ll want to recover the knight’s body?”

“If only for h- his family’s sake. His oldest s- son, too.” I managed to speak without gagging.

He led me to a corner of the courtyard, where a few bodies lay stretched out. “These were the most finely dressed,” he said.

I dug my toes into the mud of the farm’s courtyard and made myself look closely at their faces. The tallest one was so badly battered I could only recognize him by the flaxen mane he boasted. “Yes, this one is Sir Laird,” I said. “He was carrying a shield with a red th- thistle on it -?” My gaze moved back to Odwalt.

He nodded toward the main house. “We put their arms in there,” he said. “I recognized that one as the one Lord Wallace carried into battle.” His eyes moved back to me. “We just identified it last night. I haven’t had the chance to ask the General about it.”

I turned back to the bodies. Next to Laird lay a younger form with the same flaxen hair, this one braided in the Nord style. “And this one is C- Connor, his son.”

“Very well, Lady,” Odwalt waved one of the burial detail over. The man had the air of some authority, and I surmised that he must be in command of this grisly task. “Brynhyfr, see to it that these two are set apart from the others,” Odwalt ordered, indicating Laird and Connor. “We may need to return them to Cardonaccum.”

“Yes, sir,” Brynhyfr nodded with the briefest of glances at me. As he set men to the task, I studied the remaining two bodies. They were of Laird’s senior command, one the captain of his manor thistlemen and the other the commander of his fighting force. Still no Onchu. I moved to the other bodies.

“It’s still messy, Lady,” Brynhyfr stepped after me. I turned back to look at him over my shoulder.

“I need to see all th- the bodies,” I answered. “Laird’s and Legion both.”

Odwalt moved to Brynhyfr’s side. “Are you looking for anyone in particular?”

“Onchu, th- the priest of Arkay who rode out with Sir Laird,” I answered. Odwalt glanced at Brynhyfr.

“There’s no one in priestly robes here,” Brynhyfr’s blue eyes on me were wary.

I turned to face the men. “And you’ve never heard of a quarry escaping detection by t- taking on the accoutrements of the enemy?”

“Sir,” this came from one of the detail carrying Connor’s body. He had paused at my words. “We did find priestly robes on the field, but no priest. And the knight’s baggage was broken into. We have no idea what may be missing.”

“Good man, Jony,” Brynhyfr nodded at the man. “Carry on, then.” The gaze he turned back to me held new respect. “Very well, Lady, we’ll check them all.” He gestured to the far side of the courtyard, where neat rows of bodies lay. “Let’s begin there and get out of the way of these men.”

“Thank you, sir,” I gathered my skirts and squelched through the mud after him.

Bracketed by the two big Nords, I worked through the bodies, examining each face and form. Few had the priest’s pudgy body, and none had his face. After a final look around, I shook my head, bemused. Where is that damned priest? Did he run off during the heat of the battle? If he did, it wouldn’t surprise me. He never had the courage to face up to any one he considered stronger or superior to himself.

I looked up at Odwalt, who watched me patiently. I shook my head. He turned to Brynhyfr. “Let’s go through the remaining bodies,” he said. “I’m sorry to get in the way of your men, but obviously it’s important to the Lady to locate this priest.”

“I don’t want to s- slow your detail down,” I turned to Brynhyfr. “The man I am looking for, if he dropped about t- two stone in the heat of battle, would pass for a soldier. Otherwise, there are not many bodies like h- his here.”

Brynhyfr’s brows rose. “Likes the good life, eh?” He turned back to the burial detail still working on the stacked bodies and cupped his hands around his mouth. “Men!” His breath drifted in the late autumn chill as his charges paused in their work and looked in his direction. “If you find any fat pigs in there, bring them to the Lady!” A wave of chuckles drifted across the courtyard as the men nodded their acknowledgements and returned to work. Brynhyfr turned back to me. “Sorry for speaking of your dead friend like that, Lady.”

“He’s not my friend,” I answered. “And I’m beginning to doubt h- he’s dead. I think he just didn’t s- stay around long enough to impale himself on a Legion blade.”

“Well, now that you’ve narrowed the search down for us,” Brynhyfr glanced at Odwalt, “why don’t you wait outside? There’s a grain shed where you can be out of the wind. We’ll bring any fat ones we find to you.”

“How much longer, do you think?” Odwalt asked his subordinate.

Brynhyfr shrugged. “About another hour or so, the way these men are working.”

Odwalt squinted at the sun, then turned and spoke to one of his aides. The man acknowledged his command and left the courtyard. Odwalt turned to meet my gaze. “Shall we take Brynhyfr’s advice, Lady?”

It had been a long morning. I sighed and nodded. Odwalt led me out of the farmstead. As Brynhyfr had said, there was a small three-sided shed set off to one side of the nearby grain field, its cribs full of grain from the recent harvest. Within its shelter, Odwalt brushed the chaff from the upper surface of a roughly-sawn stump used for chopping wood. He motioned for me to use it as a stool.

To my surprise, Odwalt did not waste time seeking a seat for himself, but crouched down among the scattered stalks that covered the ground within the shed. He didn’t speak, and I had too much to think about, so silence joined our small company.

Before long, his aide returned bearing a laden basket. He set it down between Odwalt and me and murmured something to the commander. Odwalt nodded and reached for the container. Beneath its rough-spun flax cover, he retrieved a wheel of flatbread and handed it to me. “Eat something,” he said. “I doubt you had anything since you left Cardonaccum, Lady. Besides, I’m hungry.”

My stomach confirmed his guess, and I accepted the flatbread with some hesitation. Odwalt reached back into the basket and pulled out a wedge of white cheese. After wiping his dagger on the napkin, he cut off a piece of it and passed it to me. I watched as he assembled a sandwich of sorts by rolling his own flatbread around another slice of the cheese. As he bit into his meal, I looked down at the ingredients in my hands. After a moment, I mimicked his technique and began eating.

Odwalt finished his sandwich first and licked his fingers. While I brushed the crumbs from my lap, he fished out an apple and held it to me. I regarded the red and green globe, then accepted it. He bit into his with gusto, and silence fled the crunching of the apples as I joined him in the enjoyment of the fall harvest.

“T’was a barefoot Witch in the village where I grew up,” Odwalt regarded the thin core in his hand. I looked up from my apple, only half-eaten so far. Avoiding my gaze, he tossed his core out the shed. “Never could understand how she could bear the snow and cold without something on her feet.”

I hid my smile at his comment, obviously aimed at me. Don’t tell him why. “Never reveal your vulnerabilities to the enemy.” Wallace’s words echoed in my mind. But if Odwalt is familiar with barefoot Witches, he must know why. “Did you ever ask her why s- she went barefoot even in the winter?”

Odwalt didn’t meet my gaze. Instead, he found a pitcher inside the basket and busied himself with filling the two cups with it. Milk, I noted as he handed one to me. He drank his down in a single draught and turned his face back outside. “Nope. Too scared of her.”

“Why?”

“Huh,” Odwalt shrugged. “She’d look at you funny, and next thing you know, you’re pissing blood and broken glass, or crapping rocks the size of these apples.” He shot me a glance as I spluttered into my milk.

“And you’re not afraid I’d do the s- same to you?”

Odwalt drew out another apple and bit into it. “I was a tyke then,” he answered. “I left home when I was twelve, never saw her again.” He turned back to the view beyond the shed. “‘Sides, you don’t seem as mean-spirited as she was, Lady.”

I finished my apple thoughtfully. Because of my stammer? Or because I’m easily the smallest person in this entire camp except for Konrad? But he hasn’t exactly been disrespectful of me, just cool. Or is it because of General Talos’s orders?

“Sir?” Brynhyfr’s voice stopped my thoughts. He stepped within the shade of the shed. “We only found two bodies that could be considered fat,” he said, saluting Odwalt. “I’ve placed them near the entrance so the Lady doesn’t have to go back inside.”

I leaned down and set my empty cup back inside the basket. “Thank you for your kindness, s- sir,” I stood and shook out my skirts. Odwalt rose to his feet smoothly despite his large-boned build and met my gaze. “I’ll go take a look at them now. I s- still need to return to Edine for her decision.”

Brynhyfr was as good as his word. I did not have to enter that foul courtyard to examine the two corpses. “No, neither of them is Onchu,” I sighed. So he is on the loose somewhere. Will he survive? Or will he be killed by something due to his lack of wilderness experience? If he survives, will he come back to cause me more grief?

“Very well,” Odwalt nodded at Brynhyfr. “You may finish up here.” He peered through the open gate. “Good work, men!”

“Sir!” They answered with a clatter of salutes and barely a hitch in their activity.

This post has been edited by haute ecole rider: Oct 21 2013, 06:21 PM

[jack cloudy]

What's there to say that hasn't already been said? I'll just raise a few thoughts that occurred to me while reading.


Talos' men don't want her within striking distance of their leader while carrying a big sword. I like bits of common sense like that. Too often have I read stories where the swords and spiky armours and belts of human skulls (all covered in blood) are apparently invisible to everyone until its fight-time. Of course they let her keep hers in the end but the distrust is still there.


Talos and Cora dispense with most of the political nonsense during negotiations. None of that 'I know that he knows that I know, but let's pretend I don't' stuff. Of course, it helps that the framework of the truce had already been established in their previous meetings.


Laird's sons follow their late father in opinions. That makes sense to me. Laird has had a literal lifetime to spoonfeef them his version of events on everything and he seems like the man who would punish any (even verbal) disagreement from his wife. Combine that with them being sons of Cardonaccum's elite, and I doubt there would have been many who daredsay to their face that valorous Sir Laird might be wrong about something. And those that did, well obviously they are simple-minded fools under the barefoot witch's spell so ignore them.


Cora says that the sins of the father should not reflect on his children. Given her backstory, it is something she said as much for herself as for Laird's offspring.


She basically repeats this argument to his troops later on, but with more appropiate words for that target group.



Ironically, the guy i'd pegged as the least threat once he got out of the castle is still at large while the greater threat and his heir are dead.

[Acadian]

A gruesome task indeed. I almost smiled at the potential image of pudgy and bloody Pillsbury dead inside a Legion uniform. . . but alas, the wormy doughboy has escaped it seems. His robes on the field of battle provided the perfect blend of both clarity and mystery surrounding his disappearance.

And it seems we've located the stolen shield of Cardonaccum as well!

‘I hid my smile at his comment, obviously aimed at me. Don’t tell him why. “Never reveal your vulnerabilities to the enemy.” Wallace’s words echoed in my mind. But if Odwalt is familiar with barefoot Witches, he must know why. “Did you ever ask her why s- she went barefoot even in the winter?” - - What a wonderful touch of ‘Wallace’ here, as well as a sharp reminder of how Cora has grown into her role – which now includes requisite precautions for self-preservation and constant care in choosing her words.


Nits? Both of these are dialogue, so if they are written as you intended the characters to speak, please ignore my comments -

“There were no priest among the prisoners,” - - Odwald oddly chose to mix plural and singular (‘were no priest’), but since most of his dialogue is grammatically okay, I wonder if you meant for him instead say ‘was no priest’ or perhaps ‘were no priests’.

“We’ve only begun separating our dead from those of the knight’s,” he turned to me. “I suppose you’ll want to recover the knight’s body?” - - Since ‘those of the knight’s’ applies possession twice, would not ‘knight’ or ‘Sir Laird’ be correct? The advantage here might go to ‘Sir Laird’ to add both clarity and avoid using ‘knight’ twice in close proximity.

[SubRosa]

We did find priestly robes on the field, but no priest.
Uh oh, looks like Onchu slipped away like an eel. I expect we will see him return to cause trouble, once Talos and the Legion are gone.

“If you find any fat pigs in there, bring them to the Lady!”
This had me laughing! Imperial Hoggers!

“Never reveal your vulnerabilities to the enemy.”
Good advice. This way she retains an air of mystery.

Well that was a fun tromp through the corpses with Odwalt and Brynhyfr. It was a disgusting task, but at least the company was good. General Talos' army seems distinctly Nordic now what the Battle of Sancre Tor is over. Dragon of the North and all that. Which leads me to believe that the guy in the cloak was actually Ysmir, not Zurin.

This post has been edited by SubRosa: Oct 21 2013, 08:52 PM

[Captain Hammer]

So the sack of suede slipped out and saved his skin, eh? We knew there had to be something going wrong with this trip.

The details about uneasy stomachs and dealing with the dead was a nice touch. Never pleasant, that, unless you've got enough torches burning about to deal with the worst of it.

As for the control of my rabid-fanboyism, I should point out that all you've really done is inoculate me from being consumed by wild fantasies of what we'll get to see from Talos in this story. Mr. Shadow's appearance and your confirmation of his identity means that the Talos you're righting is a political, military, and societal genius. An awesome guy, to be sure, but not one that will be shown shouting down the gates or clearing stormy skies on his own, and most definitively not 'Fus Ro Dah'-ing some hapless assassin off a cliff as a practical demonstration of his more powerful, inner self.

Talos Stormcrown is a man.

Ysmir Strundu'ul, Dovahsebrom is something else entirely.

This post has been edited by Captain Hammer: Oct 22 2013, 09:41 PM

[Grits]

“Sir,” this came from one of the detail carrying Connor’s body. He had paused at my words. “We did find priestly robes on the field, but no priest. And the knight’s baggage was broken into. We have no idea what may be missing.”

So Onchu slipped away. Neat that Cora had already anticipated he might be disguised in Legion gear.

The meal and conversation shared with Odwalt was my favorite part. I like the way he didn’t ask what he was asking.

[haute ecole rider]

@Cloudy: Glad to see that you are still reading. It's good to hear your input on things. Not to give too much away, but of the three baddies (Laird, Broc and Onchu), Laird is the least of them.

@Acadian: Thank you very much for the nits - they have been corrected according to your sure guidance. I really loved the interaction between Cora and Odwalt here - he is wary of her and of the "hold" she seems to have over Talos, especially given her reputation as a Witch, yet he is somewhat familiar with Witches and she doesn't quite fit the mold. I would say he doesn't yet know what to make of her, and is correspondingly careful in his interactions with her.

@SubRosa: I've always been somewhat confused by what is Nord and what is Colovian - Cuhlecain is described as a Colovian king, but Falkreath, his small kingdom, is described as a city in southwestern Cyrodiil. I've come to the conclusion that the difference between Colovians and Nords are a matter of degree, and that the borders of Skyrim fluctuated greatly over the eons. You may be right about the cloaked figure from earlier!

@BamBam: I wouldn't be so quick to write off General Talos as a man - after all, he has the Dragonblood in him!

@Grits: Yes, I loved writing that scene between Lady Cora and Odwalt - I can almost see the struggle between the courteous gentleman and the rough Northern warrior here. Who wins? Ultimately I have to hand it to him to find the delicate balance between the two sides of his nature. I've always pictured him as being raised in the true Nord ways, and taught by a very tough mother to respect women, not treat them as chattel. Perhaps his father died when he was young and left his mother alone to deal with a large passel of kids?

The story so far: Lady Cora has spoken with both Edine, Sir Laird's wife, and his men. Her search for Onchu has proven fruitless. Now she must head to Cardonaccum and announce the treaty to the folk awaiting her return.

************************
Chapter Eighteen

Edine insisted on riding in the first cart with some of the wounded men, including Tomsen. “They are my responsibility as much as they are yours, milady,” she said to me as she clambered stiffly into the wagon. Konrad paused a moment, then climbed in after her, scrunching down in one corner.

Tevan moved to take the ox’s lead from the battered soldier. He glanced at me, then looked away, rubbing the animal’s neck.

The wounded had been placed in two ox carts, the bullocks found at a nearby farm whose family had fled the oncoming Legion. I made a note to keep these animals safe until the owners returned. They were strong, solid beasts, valuable to the farmers in this rocky country. Around them, the soldiers who had sworn fealty to me waited, their hands empty.

General Talos had refused to return their arms to these men just yet, instead putting the weapons into the charge of Lieutenant Alorius’s men. “Once we have vacated the area,” he had advised me, “Alorius will return the blades to your men. I trust you will emphasize that there will be no attacks on my men by yours.”

“Then give me time to s- speak to my folk,” I had said. General Talos had agreed, and now Lieutenant Alorius’s century waited just out of sight around a bend in the road, about five miles away.

Titus brought a chestnut mare up. The horse flicked her ears at me, then tossed her head. “You may ride this horse, Lady,” he offered the reins to me. “She is my distance mount - she is calm and has a comfortable pace.”

I rubbed my right hand down the mare’s long nose, neatly bisected by a long, narrow stripe from a oval star between her wide-set eyes. “I truly appreciate the k- kindness, sir,” I replied. “But I’d prefer to walk.”

“That shield is heavy to carry for long, Lady,” Titus indicated Cirsium, now leaning against my left hip. “And you’d be walking uphill.” He showed me the hook on the saddle cantle that accepted the handstrap of a shield. “She can carry it for you.”

“Not only that,” General Talos appeared at my side, “If your men see you riding a Legion horse, they’ll be less likely to shoot at my Lieutenant. I like him very much and would like him back in one piece, eventually.” He picked Cirsium up and attached it to the saddle.

I had to admit Talos was right. Still I eyed the mare, reluctant to sit her. Talos regarded me for a moment more, then leaned down to me. “Are you afraid of horses, Lady?”

“No,” I shook my head. How to explain?

“I’m certain you’ll be fine for the short time you’ll be sitting on her back, Lady,” he whispered. “She’ll carry you safely back to your donjon before you have a chance to fall ill.” He stepped back and met my gaze neutrally.

He knows entirely too much about me. Again I stroked the mare’s nose. “What is her name?” I asked Titus.

“Rosehill,” he answered. “Born and bred in the Colovian highlands, so she’s sure-footed on this rocky terrain.”

Talos knew I would accept the offer of the mare before I even drew breath to answer. He picked me up by my waist and swung me lightly onto Rosehill’s back. I bit back a yelp as his strong hands helped me find my balance in the saddle. Rosehill lowered her head at a touch from Titus, allowing Talos to guide my right leg over the pommel to the opposite side. He reached for the near stirrup, but I pressed my heel against Rosehill’s round side. Obediently the mare stepped sideways from Talos, pivoting around Titus.

“No stirrups, please, General,” I said, reaching down until my left hand found the stirrup leather. I jerked it up and draped it across Rosehill’s neck in front of the saddle. Talos and Titus watched in some amazement as I did the same with the other side. “I’m much more c- comfortable without them,” I added, shifting my seat and adjusting my skirts around my knees. “I usually just ride bareback.”

“Well, why didn’t you say so!” Talos half-exclaimed with a smile. His face transformed and became much less forbidding than his usual neutral expression. “Alorius would have left the saddle in the baggage train!”

“Then how could I carry the shield, General?” I countered. “It would just pull me r- right off the horse!”

Talos chuckled suddenly. “Point taken, Lady.” As suddenly as the sun disappearing behind a passing cloud, his face grew stern again. “Take this,” he handed me a rolled cloth. I looked at it. Red and black. Legion colors? His hazel eyes met mine when I looked up. “It’s one of our small standards. When things concerning the truce are settled with your folk, have this flown from your eastern gate tower. This will be the signal for Alorius’s men to approach Cardonaccum peacefully. We will also start our withdrawal at the same time.” His face grew dark. “But if you run into trouble, fly it from the western tower, and we’ll come armed.”

“It will be flown from the eastern tower,” I promised. “Th- thank you, General.”

He adjusted Thistlethorn at my back so it didn’t pull so much on my left shoulder. Then he gripped my knee. “Do you remember what you said to me this morning when Lucius brought you to my compound?” After a moment’s thought, I nodded. “You’ve always had my respect, Lord Cardonaccum.” He stepped back. “Travel safely.”

Titus flipped the reins over Rosehill’s head and handed them to me. He gave the mare a final pat and moved aside. “I will wait for your signal, Lady,” he said. Rosehill swung her head and nudged my right knee with her delicate muzzle.

“I will see you later, sir,” I gathered up Rosehill’s reins and twisted around in the saddle to look back at my pitiful train. Edine met my gaze and nodded. Ready. “Let’s go, Rosehill,” I whispered to the mare. At the slightest squeeze from my heels she started off at a sedate pace. I heard Tevan girrup the ox. Almost immediately the creaking of the oxcarts followed.

After a couple of strides, I decided to trust Rosehill and released the reins, letting them rest on her neck so that they swung loosely from her mouth. She did not hesitate but continued with her long, slow stride. Titus is right, she has an easy pace. I ran my hand down her crest, and she flicked one ear back at me but did not falter. Her sturdy body swung easily from side to side beneath me, and she followed the road unerringly.

Somehow Rosehill understood that the oxen would not travel very fast, and she matched her pace to theirs. I made certain to sit quietly on her back, and she made certain to move quietly under me. Her ears flicked busily back and forth and to the sides of the trail, but she showed no unease of her surroundings at all.

The sun was already gone from the western slope of the dean when we reached the last climb to the gates of Cardonaccum. After I checked on the train to ensure there were no stragglers, I looked ahead at the towers. Dark figures with steel glinting golden orange in the late afternoon sun lined the parapets above the gates. I thought I recognized Robert’s golden mane in the center and waved. He waved back, then turned aside. Faint shouts preceded the creaking of the drawbridge over the moat. It drowned out the sound of the falling water from the overflow gap beside the road.

Rosehill lifted her head and stopped as the drawbridge dropped into position. Four of the thistlemen ran out, their weapons drawn.

“Put your weapons up,” I said quietly. “Help get these people inside.” I kneed Rosehill to one side to make way for the carts. Robert strode out to meet me.

“I see you have Cirsium back,” he spoke quietly when he reached Rosehill’s shoulder. “And on a Legion horse, no less. I take it your mission was successful?”

“Yes,” I said as the first wagon rattled by. “Some of Laird’s men are wounded and need immediate c- care. Please have Siné tend to Tomsen r- right away.”

“How bad are the casualties?” Like the good soldier he was, Robert was already counting the walking and the wounded as the men moved past. “Half of Laird’s force?”

“Half of them died in the battle,” I answered. “Five of the s- survivors refused to follow me, so they’re still with Talos. Edine and her two youngest sons will r- return to Little Oak when the men have fully recovered.”

“Talos and the Legion?” Robert rose his brows at me.

I handed him the rolled standard. “Safeguard this, Robert,” I said. “I will explain once everyone’s inside.”

He tucked the cloth beneath his cloak without comment and turned back to the castle, calling orders to the thistlemen still within. After the last of the former prisoners passed me, I nudged Rosehill forward. She fell in behind the others and walked across the drawbridge without hesitation.

She’s used to the noise of bridges, I thought to myself with a smile. No wonder Titus likes riding her on the long marches. Soon we were within the bailey, and the drawbridge was being drawn up behind us. One of the younger thistlemen - Calum - took Rosehill’s reins. I looked aside to see Enrick waiting to assist me down. Throwing my left leg over the high pommel of the saddle was a little difficult, but the captain steadied me with a hand on my hip until I was ready to dismount. Unlike Wallace’s restless Nightshade, Rosehill stood quietly as I placed my hands on Enrick’s wide shoulders and slid off the saddle.

Once my bare feet were on firm ground, Enrick took his hands away from my waist and stepped back. “We’re glad to see you back safe, milady,” his dark expression belied his neutral tone.

“I’m glad t- to be back,” I laid a hand on Rosehill’s rump and walked around behind her. Enrick followed me and removed Cirsium from the saddle. I smiled at Calum. “Her name is Rosehill, and s- she’s on loan. Please make certain she is well c- cared for. I don’t want her owner to have any c- complaints when I give her back.”

“Yes, milady,” Calum responded. “I’ll make certain of it meself!” He smooched at the mare, and she followed him calmly toward the stables.

Enrick regarded the activity in the courtyard. “I take it these men are what’s left of Laird’s contingent?”

“Most of them,” I answered. “Five of them r- refused to swear fealty to me, so I left them in General T- Talos’s care.”

He snorted. “I’m certain we all know what kind of care they’ll get.” He looked back at me. “What will happen now?”

“I need to speak with Sir Rodric, Sir Broc, R- Robert, Captain Padriac and you,” I answered. “Then I will need to address the folk of C- Cardonaccum.”

“Where do you want us to meet you?” Enrick asked.

“Is Sir Rodric walking yet?” I asked.

“With a crutch, yes,” he answered. “No stairs yet, though.”

“Let’s meet in Lord Wallace’s study, then,” I decided. “Give me about half an hour or s- so.”

“Very well, milady,” Enrick saluted me. “I will notify Robert and Captain Padriac. Robert can speak with the knights.” He turned and walked away.

I moved to where Tevan and Konrad assisted Edine from the cart. Tomsen and the others had already been removed and carried to the hospital set up in the barracks. I spotted Siné already on her way there. Thank Arkay for Robert.

Larena ran down the wide steps from the donjon. “Edine!” she called. “Milady! You’re safe!” She bobbed to me before throwing her arms around Edine. “Oh, I feared so much for you when I found out Sir Laird had taken you out of here!” Edine hugged her back for a moment, tears springing in her eyes again.

“Larena,” I said quietly. “Could you please take Edine and the boys back to the r- rooms they had before? Make certain they have something h- hot to eat and drink. And get them out of th- those dirty clothes. Have Jannet arrange baths for them.”

“Yes, milady,” Larena took Edine’s arm through hers and began to lead her away. Edine hesitated and glanced at me.

“Go on,” I said. “You’ve had a difficult t- time. Now let Larena spoil you. Tomorrow’s soon enough to worry about Little Oak.”

Her arm still linked through Larena’s, Edine managed a half-curtsy to me. Konrad fell in behind her, his feet dragging in exhaustion. Tevan watched them go, then turned to me.

“Milady,” he looked down at his feet, “I - I apologize for the mean things I said to you before.”

“It’s natural to think one’s father is always right,” I said sadly. “Believe me when I tell you I know full well what it’s like t- to learn your father is made from clay, after all.”

Tevan bowed. “I’ll never repay the harm my father has done to you.”

“You are not allowed to r- repent for your father’s actions,” I hardened my voice. “He is the only one who can, and he’s dead. Water over the edge,” I pointed in the direction of the moat where the shimmering fluid fell away into the dean below. “You and I, we have t- tomorrow and the future to focus on. If you can give me what your father gave Lord Wallace so many years, I’m c- content with that.”

“Just tell me when to start!” Tevan straightened up his shoulders.

“You’ve had a hard day yesterday, and an even harder night,” I answered. “For now, go with your mother and rest. I’ll speak to you again t- tomorrow.”

[i]A/N: thought you might like a couple more images to enjoy. Rosehill in this story is a real horse - my first horse, Devan Rosehill. She was a Morgan who came to me at the age of 13. I was owned by her for the next eighteen years, and learned so much from her. Everything about Alorius's Rosehill is directly from mine. Rose passed away in 2009 and I still miss her, especially with this gorgeous fall weather.

And here is my sketch of General Talos.

This post has been edited by haute ecole rider: Oct 29 2013, 03:55 PM

[Acadian]

“Not only that,” General Talos appeared at my side, “If your men see you riding a Legion horse, they’ll be less likely to shoot at my Lieutenant. I like him very much and would like him back in one piece, eventually.” He picked Cirsium up and attached it to the saddle.’ - - I’m liking Talos more with every appearance he makes.

“It will be flown from the eastern tower,” I promised. “Th- thank you, General.” - - Oooh, I like everything that went into this whole little bit about flying the Legion standard.

I’m so glad Lady Cora consented to ride Rosehill. Between the Legion mare and shield/sword of Cardonaccum, she and her train of riding wounded made for a powerful picture as they returned home to their castle. To me, it all enforced how much she really is Lord Cardonaccum – returning from her first ‘campaign’.

What a nicely done (and comforting exchange) between Cora and Tevan. Welcome news indeed!

Loved the wonderful picture of the real Rosehill! Having known the real Superian, I can identify with how comforting it is that when you put her in print it, in a way, immortalizes her. Thanks for sharing.

Nit: “Tomorrow’s soon enough to worry about Little Oaks.” - - Since you have consistently referred to Edine’s home as Little Oak in this episode and previously, I suspect the ‘s’ is an oversight?

[SubRosa]

"I made a note to keep these animals safe until the owners returned. They were strong, solid beasts, valuable to the farmers in this rocky country."
This little, throwaway observation was a nice subtle piece of character building in Cora. On one hand it speaks to the simple harsh reality of life in Highlands of Scotland High Rock, and on the other it shows Cora living up to her responsibilities of not only leading her hold, but doing so fairly. Many leaders would have simply taken the bullocks as their own with no thought of their owners.

“If your men see you riding a Legion horse, they’ll be less likely to shoot at my Lieutenant. I like him very much and would like him back in one piece, eventually.”
And this says much the same about General Talos.

“I usually just ride bareback.”
Now it is my turn to not mention any dirty innuendos. Nope, not a one.

Very clever plan to use the legion banners. Once more we see Talos thinking ahead.

And so nice to meet the Real Rosehill. Not to mention the slightly real Talos.

[Grits]

I was happy to see Edine stepping up to responsibility right away. Cora is a great role model.

The exchange between Talos and Cora about riding was subtle and delightful. And she usually rides bareback?

Her arm still linked through Larena’s, Edine managed a half-curtsy to me. Konrad fell in behind her, his feet dragging in exhaustion. Tevan watched them go, then turned to me.

What a relief for the family to be back in the fold. Tevan’s words bode well for his future.

How fun to meet the real Rosehill, and I loved your sketch of General Talos! He reminds me of Karl Urban. It’s great to imagine him now in the story the way you see him.

[Captain Hammer]

So Talos loans Lady Cora a horse, a standard, and a duress signal.

Smart.

I'm interested to see how the rest of Cardonaccum will take the news that they are now the allies of the Legions. It looks as though Cora's doing everything to prepare for this, including having Cirsium back. Good to have a horse for carrying such a thing.

I'm still waiting for the other shoe to drop. Which I suppose is either me trying to meta-read this story, or just the simple fact that your pacing is thoroughly measured and executed and only leaves me wanting more. Either way, I'm sitting eager for the next installment.

It's a nice touch to include the photo of your old horse, and your sketches of Talos and Odwalt were a welcome sight.

And for the record, I'm not writing off a man. I'm actually doing quite the opposite, writing off the legend and myth and leaving the man. I guess that's writing off the Deity-Walking-Nirn status as well, but hey, toe-may-toe, toe-mah-toe.

[jack cloudy]

Unlike everyone else, it took me a while to get what Talos' remark regarding the horse meant. Then I realized that if the legion man was riding and Cora was walking, she could be seen as a hostage. With all the arrowy results.


I gave the situation with Onchu some more thought and have come to the conclusion that his threat is more a matter of timing than scale. Yes, mister 'I'm so virile' and Laird could claim Cardonaccum right there and then. The priest however, once he gets to a nice big city, can drum up a crusade.


I also see that Talos even after victory isn't going to just assume things will work out. The contingency with the flag says alot about him and frankly, I can't disagree with his caution. Until Cora is the official lord of Cardonaccum both outside and inside, then he can rest easily. Till then, he keeps his swords sharp and his bows strung.

Speaking of Talos, he looks different than I imagined. Still an awesome sketch though. Is that a scar on the righside of his mouth, or just shading?