A Knight's Lilies

“Crisis in the North: Skirmish Near Dracen, Refugees Flee South - The League Condemns Growing Violence

Emergency Council: Berenia Leads League in Seeking Diplomatic Resolution.”

-  Headline of Bereni Watcher Special Publication: Eyes on the North Series 2

The air was heavy and salty, the suffocating marsh fog giving way to an eerie sense of pressure that emanated from the city of Melisgrad itself. Vulen had shown them one of the druidic paths through the bog, shortening what was a half day journey to barely a few hours. With their singular enchanted lantern that the Treesinger had also filched for them, they were able to pass by unscathed. Whatever rotting monstrosities wandering in the fog lingered just far enough in the shadows to remain a silhouette in the distance.

Yet despite passing the bog, leaving the pained groans of whatever monsters scuttling in the shadows behind them, there was still a growing sense of tension that filtered into the group. Sophie most of all could feel the subtle shifts in the world around them, the sudden wave of pressure that reminded her of the breathless void. Her body grew itchy and uneasy at the new sensation, a palpable sense of dread building up within her as she held onto Annalise a little more tightly.

Even when they finally passed the boggy marsh onto dry land, the feelings only intensified from there. The distant howls grew closer, the morning darker than even the night, the sky seemed to gather for a coming storm. For a moment Annalise had halted their mount, glancing back at Sophie with a worried look on her face. Sophie met her gaze and immediately understood, it’s like back in Eichafen.

To their right Aryana trembled in face of the oppressive atmosphere, though whether it was from feeling the fear or just inexperience in horse riding, Sophie did not know. Mila meanwhile only seemed to deepen her scowl, but still spent the time to keep the horse steady despite her riding partner's jittering.

Her stomach dropped when they finally grew close enough to see the city. The city was entirely too dark. Despite the massive tiered stone walls that surrounded it, hiding most of the buildings from sight, there was a distinctive lack of man made light. No lamps, torches, or even sentries carrying little lanterns atop the walls, just an absence of light save for a very dim ethereal blue from the castle tower.

Their worries coalesced when Mila stoically noted that it was past the dawn, that the sun was supposed to be up but nowhere to be found. The trio at least shared a knowing glance between them, they had felt this at Eichafen, this darkness that now permeated the land. They needed to be ready for whatever was to come. But Sophie felt something more, she could feel the tingling of fate, the threads that held her to the tower, whatever all this is, it's down to the crystal.

They had then stopped for the day, a half day’s journey done, only another hour or two to the city itself. But by Mila’s estimates, it would serve them better to be well rested, though no one was quite sure how they could gain any reprieve under the growing darkness. Still, there was an unsaid question in the air, for they all could feel that something had gone wrong. However, even the inquisitor did not want to acknowledge it, and Sophie understood why. The feelings of dread had only intensified the closer they got, and if they were to put their feelings into words, it felt like an invitation for all hells to break loose.

The most eerie part for her was seeing the city gates. Massive, heavy structures, sealed shut under the king’s orders and now stood like immobile sentries, barring passage for all. What sent a cold shiver down her spine however, was not the gates themselves or the strange clouds that swirled high above, battering the city. What frightened her the most was the lack of petitioners or merchants banging at the gates, begging to be let in, or even any signs of human activity on the walls. This was the capital city, not just some backwater. For there to be an absence of people, she knew something had gone wrong.

An hour? Two? Maybe even more passed under the blackened sky when Sophie sighted something strange over the horizon. A column of what appeared to be torches, cast long shadows inside a dusty cloud of large proportions. Hurriedly, she moved to rouse the other three from their sleep.

She had offered to take first watch in their little campsite, the strange intrusive pressure hanging overhead making her uneasy, not helping the soreness she felt from her recent wound. The night had proven uninteresting at least, only the occasional howls and growls of the creatures from the bogs, and maybe a screech or monstrous roar from the city. She wondered for a moment if, when they entered, it would be like the hellscape she was trapped in during her time in the void. The scenes of smoke and fire, of death and damnation still fresh in her memories. That is, until she saw the torches in the distance.

“By Morea’s arse, what is it, Sophie?” Annalise grumbled, the ranger’s eyes still firmly clenched shut, “Night terrors again?” She followed up by flailing her arm dismissively.

“Something’s coming, lot’s of somethings. Torches.” Sophie whispered, giving the ranger a supportive pat.

At that the ranger bolted upright, her groggy expression falling away as she instinctively reached for her quiver and bow before getting Sophie to help her stand upright.

“Crutch.”

“Here.”

“Mmm,” Annalise grunted, “Which way?”

“Uhhh, south by southeast? Along the far road heading towards the capital.”

“Saint damned hells, alright. Go wake the others. I’ll shout if I need anything.”

The two shared a nod, a familiar sense of deja vu striking Sophie for only a moment or two before she scrambled to wake the other two. They shared their own tent, Aryana curled up like a ball in the corner and Mila sleeping in her underwear, a sight that still baffled Sophie at how exposed she seemed. But her doubts were quickly answered when she stepped foot into the room, the inquisitor seemingly leaping to life before meeting Sophie’s gaze with a scowl.

“Trouble?” Mila muttered.

A nod, if more terrified than she should be of her companion.

“Wake her and take the tents down, we might need to move quickly.” Mila ordered.

Without another word, Mila slipped on her armour; leather chest piece, tunic, belt, scabbard and all in record speed. What might have taken Sophie minutes was done almost as long as it had taken her to rouse Aryana from her slumber. The redhead crawled away for a second before she realized what was happening, her panicked eyes reminded Sophie of herself and she offered a small head pat that was graciously accepted by the trembling girl.

“Don’t worry too much, should be nothing. For now I need you with me to dismantle the tents and supplies okay? We might have trouble soon.” Sophie spoke gently, earning a judgemental huff from Mila.

“Mmm.” Aryana mumbled back.

They set about to work as quickly as they could. Mila wandered over to get the horses prepped whilst Annalise kept a lookout. Aryana helped Sophie take down their camp, removing the tent stakes and carefully packing up their supplies. For her part, Sophie felt as if she was forgetting something, like something important was missing but couldn’t put a finger on it. It irritated her so much that she barely paid attention when Annalise had informed them of incoming riders. Only a few worried prods from her new companion managed to bring her back to reality.

“S-sophie?”

“Huh? Yeah, yeah I’m here. What is it?”

“Umm nothing…I was just making sure you’re okay. Uh…I…I don’t know much about you guys but…if there’s anything y-you want me to help with, just let me know.” Aryana nervously stammered out.

Sophie giggled, flashing her a small smile before proceeding to give her a gentle pat on the shoulder. “Will do.”

Sophie took the moment to scan the horizon, town on one side and column on the other, a few mounted figures fast approaching.

“Go help Mila load everything onto the horses, alright?”

“Umm…okay!” The redhead exclaimed, fidgeting with her braid for a few more moments before dashing away.

She watched the redhead almost stumble carrying the packs of stuff and wondered just how she could be so inexperienced with traveling. Has she actually traveled anywhere before? Vulen did say the tribe might’ve kept her locked up. Damn, that’d be rough, though I also stayed at the estate, but that was on my own accord….right? She frowned at the thought, angry that her encounter with the entity had made her doubt her own life choices, but it so convincingly laid a whole new world in front of me, who’s to say it isn’t doing it now to test me? More importantly, if she is some spirit chosen, is someone testing her?

“...Sophie!” Annalise’s bark snapped her away from her head again.

“Guh! Sorry, what?”

“Company. Keep your head straight for now, yeah?”

“Yeah, sorry. I just can’t help but feel like we’ve done this before.”

Annalise snorted before rolling her eyes, “What? City goes to shit and we’re somehow in the middle of it?”

“Mmhmm.”

“Let’s not make a habit out of it shall we?” The ranger scoffed.

Sophie chuckled ,and despite the situation the two flashed each other a grim smile. Together they looked towards the oncoming riders, Sophie’s hand tensing on the hilt of her blade whilst Annalise drew the bowstring just a little tighter. May the High Goddess bless us this day.

The civil war of Melton it seemed had escalated far beyond common comprehension. King Edward’s royal army suffered an upsetting defeat that sent them regrouping near the Southern Fiefs within the domain of Grand Duke Skyes. It was there that a beastmen revolt had surprised the royal troops, though even generous estimates put the chances of the revolt in the single digits. Their delay was all that was necessary. Taking advantage, Prince Alvin had sent his men to seize the capital in a blitz, at least if the riders were to be believed.

Sophie had been beyond tense when a squadron of moderately armoured riders approached them, their sabers and lances rattling menacingly with each step. To say that both sides were suspicious of each other would’ve been an understatement. Tense words were shared when they finally met, Annalise on the verge of letting loose an arrow, the scouts ready to ride them down in response. Only when Mila arrived atop her mount in her inquisitorial gear did the riders relax.

From there the exchange of words was still somewhat frosty, though more receptive as the scouts realized this was nothing more than a church affiliated adventuring party, at least that was how Annalise had helped Mila portray them as. In turn the scouts asked the party for the situation of the city, assuming them to have just traveled from it only to be met with disappointment when the Frostwinds were mentioned. As if to emphasize her point, Mila had Aryana come out of hiding wearing what Sophie could only describe as a chaotic mess on legs. A dyed black leather tabard adorned with stars hung over her chest, her own clothes replaced by the inquisitor’s more formal dark grey tunic and pants only highlighting her unhealthy paleness all the more. A true church tamed barbarian in the eyes of the riders.

After that, the scouts shared a few words with the inquisitor before riding for the city, with one key exception being them ordering the party to wait for the vanguard force to arrive. So it was that the four of them relaxed slightly, a little upset at having so hastily taken down the camp but relieved that no fight for survival was happening quite yet.

Aryana had seemed almost overly eager at being dressed up to be a warrior, being allowed the inquisitor’s spare sword had meant she seemed to constantly want to pull it out and slash at the air. Knowing that it was part excitement and part transference of nervousness, Sophie eventually walked up and tried to show the redhead some stances, earning the girl’s admiring gaze. This then provoked the chain reaction of Annalise and Mila sniggering, the inquisitor raising a curious eyebrow and Sophie got the message, you’re the one doing the teaching? You can barely fight.

Embarrassed, perhaps a little provoked, Sophie had moved to demonstrate her abilities when the vanguard finally showed up. To Mila and Sophie’s surprise, at the head was a heavily armoured knight, almost unrecognizable save for the fact his visor was up, allowing them to meet Thegn Carodin’s gaze. For their part the knight seemed just as surprised to see them but simply waved for his men to continue along.

“The maid and the inquisitor, huh? I assume this is your…backup.” He huffed dismissively.

Mila scowled but did not speak, instead flicking a glance at Sophie who could only internally sigh.

“Yeah, that’s us.” Sophie acknowledged.

An awkward silence ensued and the two parties just stared for a moment until Carodin beckoned for another scout, whispering into his ear before sending him riding back. Perhaps seeing Annalise’s arched brow, the knight grunted.

“Don’t go anywhere, the prince will want to speak with you.” Carodin announced coldly.

“What for? We haven’t done anything.”

“Tsh, poor lad still wants to thank you for your aid, whatever that means.” He scoffed.

Sophie grimaced but understood his sentiments. After all, even she assumed that the whole incident was behind her.

Thankfully, it only a few dozen minutes passed before a flurry of horses charged ahead of the column. Dozens of heavily armoured riders, clad in mail that clattered loudly into the morning, striped blue and purple flags on their back bearing symbols of the lion, began surrounding the party. Another odd handful of foot troops, likely elite house guards or knights, caught up to establish a perimeter throughout the brush, and only then did three main riders finally approach the group. One was clad in pristine steel armour, his pauldrons showing off a brilliant hawk; a robed figure clad in dirty brown clothes, a druid; and the prince himself, dressed in a humble gambeson and chest plate.

His eyes lit up with excitement at the sight of the party and he spread his arms open in a welcoming manner, much to the dismay of the hawk knight.

“Ah! My savior and her compatriots! A pleasure seeing you here, though one only hopes we met in better circumstances.” He gestured at his troops, “Alas, time is not always on our side but no matter that. How does thou fare? And to find you near the capital! What a strange coincidence!”

Sophie swore she heard a dissatisfied sigh echo from the hawk knight and, before she could answer the prince, the knight interrupted.

“Forgive his majesty. He has little regard for…more tactful formalities.” The knight exclaimed exasperatedly and Sophie finally put a name to his voice, that’s right, the Duke.

“My lords, if you don’t mind. I’ll continue onwards with the forward scouts.” Thegn Carodin quickly interjected.

“Of course, of course, my apologies for holding you up.” Prince Alvin flashed the knight a friendly smile.

Uncertain how to appropriately respond, the knight merely nodded before stirring his mount forward, his figure disappearing over the knoll and towards the city alongside the other scouts.

“Your majesty, must we really spend time here? No offense to you of course, inquisitor, maid. But greetings can come after we secure the city.” Haukr pleaded.

“My fair Duke, you worry about naught. The city is just up ahead and there seems to be little or no garrison outside the walls either. Earl Warden Owain will be more than capable of handling it. Or do you believe his abilities are lacking?” The prince stroked his chin, casting an accusatory glance at the Duke who quickly backed off.

“Of course not my liege. But this could still be a potential battlefield.”

“Your man’s right, you know.” Annalise chimed in to everyone’s surprise, her voice steady if still a little groggy, “Something's definitely wrong with your city and if it’s not the king’s army…”

“Then it could be something worse.” The Duke finished, glaring at the girl for daring to interrupt. But Annalsie only shrugged, much to the Duke’s chagrin, “And who might you be? Miss…”

“Annalise, ranger, actual registered adventurer.”

The last words dug at Sophie like a spear through the heart, she visibly winced and shrunk between her shoulders.

“Right. Miss Annalise, ranger.” The Duke spoke as if he was trying to decide how pleasant or foul the thought of acknowledging a mere adventurer felt like, “If you wouldn’t mind appraising us of your presence here?”

“Your scouts should’ve told you as much, we’re headed for the port, got a boat to catch.” Annalise maintained her indifference, “But well…city’s a bit too quiet.” She dropped her voice and glanced at Mila, the inquisitor nodding in response.

“See my lord, we must focus on taking the city first, then everyone can speak without worries.” Haukr quickly spoke up.

“You are too hasty, Urien, it is especially so that in dark times like these we must spend the time to appreciate the little things.” Prince Alvin chided, “Though in this instance I suppose you are correct. Whatever lingers over the capitol leaves me ill at ease.” His expression grew more somber.

“My lord…”

“It is nothing, go then, if you so desire. I should already have Owain and his men marching alongside the east wall. You can take charge of the southern levies, go rendezvous with Baron Carodin and the vanguard when you’ve assembled your men. I shall join you both shortly.”

“Of course your majesty.” Duke Haukr bowed, casting one last dismissive glance at Sophie’s group.

A small contingent of the guards left with him though a sizable portion still remained. To Sophie’s dismay the druid had been among those who remained, his gaze hidden beneath his hood, quiet and unmoving. The Prince finally sighed, his shoulders heavy with the burdens of rebellion and turned his attention back to the maid.

“But that's another matter entirely. Forgive me, my lady.” He dipped his head, “I hope you fare well though given these trying times.”

Sophie bowed instinctively in return, earning herself a chuckle from the Prince.

“A quite Carradorian gesture but it is appreciated nonetheless.” The Prince warmly smiled, “But alas, war waits for no one, less of all for the cause of preserving the peace. Perhaps by the morrow you’ll see everything back to normal.” He waited for her to nod before continuing, “There is small hill, about an hour back, a bump in the landscape really, I suggest you camp there instead. The area around here…” He left the words hanging, but the approaching troops already let the group know everything that needed to be said. This could be part of the battlefield, Sophie shuddered from the thought.

“We thank you for the suggestion…Prince.” Annalise said with a strained grin, “We shall heed it with all due haste.”

“See that you do miss…Anna?” The Prince paused, his eyes examining the ranger, “I sense a great deal of tales belonging to you fair lady. On a better day perhaps, one hopes to learn more of your adventures.”

“On a better day.” The ranger dryly echoed.

“Well then, our time here grows short and I have still yet to thank you for freeing us from those deranged cultists.” Prince Alvin turned to Sophie, “Please, consider this an invitation for your adventuring party. When the fighting is done, do come visit the palace.”

Sophie was caught off guard, to be invited to visit a palace by a Prince?! Part of her wished Eva was here, for now all she could do was bow in appreciation once more. Annalise tutted and prodded her with the crutch, drawing her attention to the ranger. She tilted her head curiously, staring at her friend until she could read the words she silently spoke, say thank you.

Embarrassed at forgetting such simple etiquette, Sophie bowed even lower, “We thank you for the kindness, your majesty.”

“Please, arise, no need to bow to me. Your deeds alone earn my respect.” He flashed a subtle wink before turning towards his guards, “Come now gentlemen, Petrus. We have tarried long enough, Melisgrad awaits!” The price spurred his mount forward, provoking a small neigh before he rode off with the rest of the knights and footmen following. His purple cape fluttered behind him, the rest of the column following sending up a plume of gravel dust that made them look like the hero Aurelia and her knights.

The druid, Petrus, had been the last to go, his horse trotting forward casually without a care in the world. Though as he passed her, he leaned over and Sophie found sickly yellow eyes staring down at her, “Beware the mallvach, only misfortune awaits.” He hissed. Before even a word could be said in response, he lowered his hand on his horse’s mane, a green glow enveloping his palms before his mount suddenly sped up and galloped away, ruining the good mood built by the Prince.

Unintentionally, she found herself looking towards the object of the druid’s concern, the mallvach, and met Aryana’s slightly hesitant gaze, the girl likely confused about what had just transpired. When she met Sophie’s gaze, she waved before cocking her head sideways, as if asking what? Sophie flashed a quick smile and shrugged before turning back away. Guilt grew from the doubt lingered within her, why are the tribes and the druids so worried about a random red haired girl? A question that she could find no answer to. However, coupled with the grim sight of the city, the darkened skies, the war and the eeriness of it all,, she felt a little unnerved at how apocalyptic the situation was starting to look like. Reluctantly she entertained the horrid possibility, what if the druids were right?