Tale of Four

Looking out from atop the walls of the Inbetween, Issac took a deep breath and reached into the pouch on his waist. In his hand, he held a white gem that had numerous runes carved onto it. ’Link. Peer through. Gather. Release.’ Holding it up, he covered one eye with his gauntleted hand and placed the crystal on his other eye. Brushing his thumb over the gather rune on the back, the power of the world was absorbed into it, connecting to something far in the sky.

He had sent numerous scouts out already, but they were all bait. There was one trick he had, a legacy that was kept secret in his family. It was an old artefact created for his family when they were still kings of the Hills, a device known as the Sky Eye, a small wooden bird fitted with a rune that could follow a set path and return, connected to another crystal.

He had been lucky Anton had already ended the rebellion of House Grove, having used diplomacy before they could muster an army properly, and with it he had a clear defensive line he could hold from. Pulling the crystal from his eye and lowering his other hand, he turned to Jacob Grove, the son who favoured Anton’s claim and sided with him over his father, his place as Lord.

"Five thousand," Issac said with a deep voice.

"Are you sure, my Lord?" Jacob said with respect, looking at Issac. Even if he was older, he didn’t dare disrespect Isaac. Not because of his position as Great Lord of the Hills, but becuase of who he was. He was a proven warrior and had led armies before, having yet to lose, even if it was in minor conflicts acorss his own land.

"Roughly. Maybe more or less, but not by much." Issac said, his eyes dancing like a blazing inferno. "They must cross the river still, but from the looks of it they are setting up a defensive position until they can be reinforced." Issac clicked his tongue. He had only two thousand men. Many he had brought with him returned home to defend the hills after Hyman fell, and he couldn’t help but get angry thinking about it.

He had been promised one thing by Hyman. The defence of the Waterway, and in turn his home. It would allow him to focus elsewhere, and yet in his first battle, he lost. Although he managed to slay Lord Carter, it was only a minor victory in the end, reports telling of the Dester rallying behind Lord Carter’s son, calling him the Vengful Son, whereas the Valley forces had completely collapsed and retreated home to bunker in and wait.

"What are your orders?" Jacob asked, and Issac fell into thought once again. Placing the crystal on his eye again, he watched the enemy continuing their slow march. Deep in thought, he looked for anything and nodded. Pulling the crystal back, he smiled.

"We bait them. The Artlands have never been warriors. Lure them in across the river and once they have crossed, drag them deeper into the lands. They will see we lack the numbers, compared to them." Jacob couldn’t help but feel uneasy about the tactic, knowing it was his land that would be ravaged by the fighting. Issac saw it and gave him a calm, reassuring smile.

"Do not worry yourself, Lord Grove. We have the advantage. We wear them down and trap them here. I shall send word to the King. He has the majority of the forces across the Clearstream. If he can send even a thousand to help, we could encircle the enemy." Jacob wanted to counter but stopped and sighed, nodding.

"I understand. All I ask is that my land not be hurt too much, My Lord. Many of the people are already fearful of the war, and if their harvest is destroyed, that fear could turn to anger."

"I know what angry smallfolk means, Lord Grove. I do not need an enemy within. Begin evacuating villages closer to the river to safer locations. Pull their harvest to where it can be protected. When the enemy is dealt with, we march for the Artlands and allow them to return." Issac thought for a moment. "How much grain do you have in reserve?"

"Why?"

"Give it to the people. Buy their loyalty."

"My Lord, that is my grain. I need it to keep-" Issac shot him a sharp look.

"Feed your people now when they are scared, and they will remember. Reserves are made for times like this, not to be sat on like a dragon’s hoard, to keep prices high. If gold is your worry, sell it at the normal price, not the upcharged prices we know you sell it at. That way you can at least make your money back." Isaac coldly said. Jacob clicked his tongue and begrudgingly nodded.

"As you wish."

"Good. I’ll prepare the forces. We will move at daybreak."

----------------

Mabel sat, staring ahead at Ser Carl Keep, hatefully meeting his eyes. Every few seconds, she would thrash around trying to undo the binding on her wrists, eventually stopping when Ser Keep showed he might act to stop her.

"Are you proud of yourself, Ser?" Mabel asked with scorn. Ser Keep didn’t react to it, looking out the window of their carriage. "Harming your Princess, forcing her to do what she does not want to do."

"Princes, please understand. I have orders"

"Why should I?" Mabel replied, "Did my father sign off on this?" Ser Keep’s body tensed, and Mabel quickly realised, "He didn’t. This was all Elias."

"He sent word to the King before he ordered me. I am a Kingsguard, Princess. My duty is to the King, and when he says the Prince Regent’s command is his own, I must abide. That is my oath."

"Your oath also includes protecting the Royal Family." Mabel snapped, "I am that royalty."

"Princess, do you think I am proud of what I am doing?" Ser Keep asked, "I do it becuase of my oath, but also becuase this is war. Your duty is to marry, as was my sister’s."

"Do not dare spout what my duty is. I am the King’s daughter. Should he order me to marry, I can understand, but my brother, he promised-"

"It doesn’t matter. He has a responsibility that overshadows any promises made. I have known you since you were a child, Princess. I know this is harsh, and I know you will hate me for the rest of your life, but you must understand that I have a duty." Ser Keep leaned foward, his gaze hurting and conflicted. "My duty is to obey the king and protect the Royal Family. I cannot break these oaths."

"Then why..."

"Obey the king and protect the Royal Family." Ser Keep said slowly, hoping Mabel would hear the deeper meaning. Mabel stared at him for a while before her eyes widened.

"Are you serious?" Mabel said in shock, finally realising what he was getting at.

"I cannot stop the marriage; that is not within my power unless the King orders it, but should your husband do soemthing that harms you, I have full authority to intervene." Ser Keep interlocked his fingers. "I wasn’t there when your father held the Silent Hills; I wished I was, but I had other duties. My loyalty to the King is absolute, as it is to his children. My life is yours, and the princes’. Understand I cannot betray either of you without hating myself and that your safety is my top priority." Ser Keep took a deep breath. "What do you think I would prioritise? Your orders or your wellbeing."

"I do not know anymore. After all, you forced me to come here, even when it meant hurting me. You bind me even when I wish to be free." Ser Keep lowered his head and shook.

"I won’t beg for forgiveness, for there is none, but you must understand I had to do what I did." Mabel scoffed.

"I will not let myself lie with another man; I do not choose myself. But the laws of marriage claim that I belong to my husband once we have said our vows. You force me to marry, and what am I now? Princess or the wife of a bastard."

"That is the law for most of the relam." Ser Keep quietly said, "I can’t say I am clear on how things differ in each region, but within the Valley, it is different. The Fools Dance was made because of a story of a man duelling the woman he loved to marry her. Do you know how that story ended?" Mabel shook her head. "The man couldn’t strike the woman he loved, and lost the duel. Yet they still married. Not becuase he chose it, but because she did. She called him a stupid fool and said he could have simply asked. Hence the Fools’ Dance."

Mabel lowered her head, "So in the Valleys, women do not belong to their husbands?"

"Most do, but that is the woman’s choice. Should a woman decide her husband is unfit, he must prove why he is worthy. It is a formal affair led not by priests but by community leadership, be it a village elder or the Lord of the land. This is the standard of the Valley. I do not believe in the same laws of marriage as the realm and therefore cannot be held to its standard." Ser Keep leaned foward, "Need I say more?"

"No." Mabel smirked, "Do this for me and I may forgive you. But understand I will never trust you again, Ser."

"I do not ask for it, because I know I have broken it already. Do not trust me, but do trust I will uphold my oath and ensure you live, Princess. Nothing more." Mabel nodded and leaned back, resting her head on the soft cushion. Looking out the window, she couldn’t help but wish to be out there.

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