Lords, Gods, and Nomads

Fred said nothing but eyed his Leige, looking for any sign, any hint.

"Your explanations seem quite reasonable," continued the King. "Our good Duke Mollari needed some discipline. Although it was more a matter for my household knights, I cannot say that I am completely disagreeable with your effort. You finished the Dragon and--"

Fred was wondering when and if word of King Emry's older brother would surface. Yet he also wondered if this was the right place, a room full of the King's household knights -his Troupes Divina- as well as men who had proved their loyalty to Fred.

"--and then you were temporarily taken captive of our foolish, foolish young Duke."

Fred's heart pittered as it patted, still no sign. Was the King playing with him? Of course not! How could he know that his brother escaped that dragon's den of iniquity? but still...

"You show yourself a goodly knight by keeping your head and rousting this scoundrel," said the KingLeige. "But war within my lands is a nasty business. Trescent is now without an overseer, Lord Frederigo of Suffex. How can I fix this? Whom shall I name the new Duke? Do you have it in you to forsake your father's lands and take on these? Do you have it in you to run them in my name?" ~~yes, keep busy here while I can keep my eye on you... this was no simple coup, to imprison you now may keep me from ever getting to know who else aided you, but letting you on here will only serve as a leash and a noose~~

~~Lord of these people in your name?!?~~ thought Fred ruefully. ~~in yours no, but in your brother's...~~

"And yet, I had it in my mind to give these lands over to the command of good Sir Toby..." ~~let the man think he is only one of a handful of contenders... knights do so love the competition!~~

~~by the gods~~ thought Fred. ~~how I wish I could tell Toby of Prince Cedrik's travails! Then he too would join me in this plan to take you off the royal throne. And yet... where is the Prince now???~~

The figure sat upon a steed as it snorted. The figure was that of a man, an older man yet full of vigour, one who wore a wide-brimmed conical hat and a cloak the color of the earth. He had watched the Ki'shii take the Prince, he had watched the Shadow creature follow. They had not seen him, so it was ordained. He would watch, he would pull a little here, push a little there; it was his way. Lightning flashed in the clear sky above the Plain of Toulaine, and then the Rider was gone.

Niessen sat upon his chair and looked at Gwyn. She had brought the stranger, she deserved the blame. They could neither leave the stranger nor take him; they were bound by ancient ways. "How long till his body heals?"

"Six of seven days," she answered.

"Too many for us," he said. "What of the wind and the sun and the great bulls that roam westward... shall they wait these six of seven days?"

Gwyn winced at the accusation. Her's was not comfort this day; out of compassion she had brought an outsider into their world. They were bound to serve him until he healed, yet they needed to leave with the herds of wild beasts, and yet to take him was unheard of...

"We can..." she began

"Yes?"

"We can make him one of us."

1. follow the nomads as they decide where to go, what to do next...
2. follow the courtly intrigue of Allaria...
3. follow Velus within the Vale...
4. follow the whitecloaks, back in the desolation of Penn

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