Chapter 6
Valtteri sat in the corner of the stable’s loft listening to the conversation below with a tired distain.
“Damn Lugus and his peasant work,” sneered Tim, shovelling some rotten hay into the barrow.
“It’s better then being out there,” said Ral who held the barrow that was now full.
“Is it? Things might’ve calmed down. We just need to get back to Finestone.”
“You’d have a better chance knocking off Lugus then making it on the roads.”
“Maybe I will, I can’t take another day of that smug arse.”
“Well, if you are, do it soon,” sighed Ral with barrow as he wheeled it from the stables.
Tim stabbed the shovel into the pile of hay. The straws crackled and snapped as the blade cut into the mound.
“Take that, you bastard.” he cheered
Valtteri sighed from his hiding spot.
For four days now, the men had come to the stables to clear the hay. As they worked they would endless complained about their captain, Lugus. Everyday a new threat, a new way to set the captain straight. And everyday Lugus would enter the stables, bark his orders, and the men would crumble huffing their frustrations to themselves, their voices lost until Lugus left room. Then, taken with a new strength, they would become loud and full of defiance again.
After a week of observing these rats from his loft, Valtteri had decided he’s first decree as king would be to have to take each of them tie them to a post far off in the fields where they to cry their empty words into the hills. A threat he realised sounded very similar to the one’s he had just heard below, with one important difference, Valtteri meant it.
In the days Valtteri had spent hidden in the stables, the men of the trading post had been tested a few times by bandits that prowled the lands, some alone, others in packs. The test always concluded with a few of the local men failing. The old and slow were the first to fall, the young men, though, kept the invaders back with the life they still clung to desperately. Valtteri had also noticed, not only did the young fight back but they were getting better, maybe there was hope for Sayjin’s kingdom after all.
While the days were frustrating, Valtteri was cheered by the fact his mission was going well. The captain had turned out to more a resilient man then Valtteri had thought. When Lugus had discovered his dagger was missing, possibly stolen, he did not start a frantic search for it or accuse his man of treachery. He simply went about his day, the empty dagger sheathe displayed, prominently, on his belt. Valtteri had never seen a Black Snake act with such a level head, being stripped of his rank and laws had done this one a world of good.
The test continued, the next night Valtteri had left the dagger below the back window to his homestead and knocked on the window. The captain opened the shutters to find his blade glinting in the moonlight, he looked out into the alley, before leaving his home and retrieving the dagger from the ground.
Valtteri had left clear tracks that led to a nearby building. The captain followed the footsteps, seemingly out of curiosity, found the house empty, shrugged and returned to his bed.
The next night Valtteri snuck back into captain’s room and took a sword from its sheath then left tracks to another house where he placed the sword. The captain awoke in the morning found the the tracks and retrieved his sword.
The next night he took the helmet leading him to an empty general store.
The next a glove placed in an accountant’s office.
Lugus was always even tempered, in fact, he seemed amused by the wandering items, smiling to himself as he retrieved his missing items. Not once did he give into paranoia, or become fearful at the thought of a stranger easily gaining access to him in the dead of night. The coward may have found a backbone in the plains outside of Hawkescliff.
Valtteri then stopped his tests, he wanted to put some distance between Lugus and himself, tonight he would see how well he had done at convincing Lugus he was not a threat.
From the corner Valtteri listened as the complaints of the Lowmen started again, waiting for night to come.
The night was unusually warm, the first moments of spring had come to the plains. Valtteri expertly dodge between the guards, whose patterns Valtteri had now memorised. The unruly brothers Tor and Failan had snuck off again to gamble, leaving a large gap in the procession. The brothers had almost met their end when they had decided to play the card games in a house Valtteri used as a hiding spot. Fortunately, he was able to close the door without the brothers noticing, who were more interested in their game and the mead they had stolen from the storehouse.
Skirting around the front of the buildings, Valtteri approached Lugus’ door feeling the surge of adrenaline that came over him before every fight. Tonight would reveal if he had wasted the last week and lost his crown or had he been able to gain some kind of acceptance from Lugus.
Valtteri pushed the door open and moved into the space, Lugus lay beneath his blanket snoring heavily. Valtteri took the dagger and helmet and left, leaving the door fully open. Bending over he walked across the ground, letting his hand drag behind him, leaving a visible mark in the dirt of the square. Yosh would be emerging soon from behind the old store to Valtteri’s right.Valtteri placed the helmet next to the fountain, then he moved into the stables leaving the small door ajar and placed the the dagger on the ground, he climbed the ladder up into the loft and waited.
The twilight of dawn came across the horizon and the tired groans of the men could be heard through the small window in the loft. The large doors creaked open, Lugus appeared dressed for his morning duties. He found the dagger laying in the dirt.
“I hope you appreciate the job the boys are doing,” said Lugus, “they’re not the quickest about things, but its better then it was.”
Valtteri stunned for a moment, he thought he was going to be the one to speak first.
“But then, why hurry?” sighed Lugus who sheathed the the blade in his belt, Lugus had brought his sword with him tonight, “we have time, don’t we? A mountain of time.”
“Men waiting,” said Valtteri from the loft still hidden from Lugus.
There was a silence.
“Do you want to join us?” asked Lugus finally, “you seem skilled enough to evade our guards, you may be helpful to our cause.”
“And what is your cause?”
“Survival,” said Lugus with an annoyance in his voice.
“Survival is not a cause.”
“I chose my words poorly,” shrugged Valtteri, “what I meant to say is we need hands to defend to the post. If you’re looking for a place there’s one for you here.”
“Will two hands make difference in the end?”
Lugus grunted.
“I have men to train,” snapped Lugus.
“You have a mountain of time of that,” laughed Valtteri.
“I came to offer you some refuge,” said Lugus angrily, “if you do not want it then move on and leave my possessions be.”
Valtteri walked to edge of loft and looked down at Lugus. The large, imposing figure of Valtteri set Lugus back, instinctively reaching for the hilt of his sword.
“Two hands are not enough, Lugus,” said Valtteri, “and thats why I bring you two hundred.”
“You don’t seem to be very good at counting.”
“That is very true,” laughed Valtteri and jumped from the loft landing a few yards from Lugus.
Valtteri stood himself up and looked in Lugus’ eyes.
“Look at my eyes, Lugus,” smiled Valtteri.
Lugus fixed on Valtteri’s eyes and then unsheathed his sword.
“What do you see?” asked Valtteri unmoved.
“A Demon,” replied Lugus simply.
“Beyond the colour, Lugus, look deeper. Do you see the determination? The will to do what is needed, the power to not just exist but thrive?”
“What do you want?”
“Everything,” smiled Valtteri, “but for now this trading post.”
“Are you here to kill us?”
“What would that accomplish?”
Lugus stood for a moment his eyes moving fast with thought.
“Explain yourself,” said Lugus, finally.
“You cannot defend this place, can you?”
“Of course not, the trading post was built when the Diamond Heart kept the peace. There was no need for walls then.”
“You need more men, to keep watch and others to build the walls you need.”
“Agreed,” grumbled Lugus.
“An army.”
“There are no armies of any worth left.”
“But there will be.”
Lugus scoffed.
“A new kingdom, Lugus, built from what has survived,” declared Valtteri, “and with a kingdom we will have soldiers to fight, engineers to build, executioners for those that would prey on us.”
“You are quiet outlandish, even for a Demon.”
“Is it that outlandish?” asked Valtteri, “as far as I can see it, it is our only option. How long can you keep those boys inline? How long until a band of marauders larger than ten turn their sights on you? How long until the food store are empty?
“If we don’t take back the land and restore peace none of us will last.”
Lugus looked at the Demon, quietly, his eyes flickered slower.
“How?” asked Lugus.
“I am not alone,” explained Valtteri, “my friends are at this moment gathering allies across the plains with the same message.”
“Two hundred hands, you say you have?”
“Two thousand hands, maybe more.”
“And, if we fail.”
“Then to the abyss with all of us as that mountain of time comes crashing down on us all.”
There was silence between the two as Lugus thought and Valtteri waited.
“I did not get your name, Demon.”
“Valtteri.”
“I have thought of such things myself…” his voice trailed off, “you will need to speak to Lawrence, he runs this town. The people listen when he speaks, convince him and you may have the post.”
“Will you stand with me?”
“I’ll get you a hearing,” said Lugus, “that is all. I am only just a hired arm here, an outsider, like yourself. There is a bath, in the house next to mine, water in the well. Get yourself cleaned up, you stink of horse dung.”
Valtteri smiled, his plan was going well. Valtteri doubted Lugus had nerve for his vision, but he had served his purpose. Lawrence was the true power here and the one he needed.
Valtteri gathered water from the well as the Lowmen glared at him, puzzled by his sudden appearance. Lugus had ordered at them to stay back and they had done so.
The water was bitterly cold against his skin as Valtteri’s scrapped away the filth. His clothes still stank of sweat and manure, but he had no time to wash and dry them. He opened the windows and lay the pieces of leather and fabric on the sills, hoping the air would help in some small way.
Valtteri lay on the bed waiting for Lugus to return as the midday sun came and went. The rhythmic sound of the men practicing with wooden weapons came through the open window.
As the man started to disband from their training and the guards changed without Lugus returning. The night came and as the night air set in Valtteri retrieved his clothes and dressed. After a while longer, Lugus appeared at the door with a lantern.
“Come,” said Lugus, “Lawrence will see you now.”
“What did you tell him?” asked Valtteri getting up from the bed.
“That you want to discuss an alliance with him,” replied Lugus.
“Does he know I am a Child?”
“I told him you were a Demon, yes.”
“How did he respond to that?”
“Not well,” said Lugus, “but I told him you could help us defend the town. That is why he has agreed to meet you.”
“I am put a lot of faith in you, Lugus,” said Valtteri finding his boots.
“And I in you. If the people are to find out that I knew you were hiding in the stables for a week and did nothing, I’ll be following you out of town.”
“Why didn’t you tell anyone?”
“I do not know, really. I suppose, I wanted to see where it would all lead.”
“And now we are here.”
“And I am intrigued, I must admit,” nodded Lugus but then added firmly, “the people in the warehouse, they don’t need to hear that their guards failed to protect them. That is all they have left, if they lose it who knows what they would do to you or me.”
“Luck has been on your side.”
“I know.”
“And when it runs out?”
“Keeping headings east, I suppose, the mermaids off Quillo are said to be very inviting,” laughed Lugus.
“I am sure it won’t come to that,” Valtteri joined in the laughter and motioned to the door.
The two crossed the dark square. Valtteri had spent many nights staring at the outline of the warehouse in the moonlight, wondering how many people where crowded within. Some nights he had thought to approach the building and try to peer inside the high windows, but had thought against it, the risk had been too great.
Lugus led Valtteri around the side of the warehouse to a small door. He opened it and revealed a simple room with a long table that could seat twelve men. At the far end sat a wrinkled, pale skinned man with a long grey beard, liver spots covered his bald head, his face worn and tough. He held himself upright, stiff and tall in his chair, his arms resting on the table in front of him, hands clasped. A slender woman with auburn hair and a simple dirty dress sat to his left and a broad man with a round stomach sat to his right, his face hidden by a bright red beard. The Lowmen had turn their chairs slightly angled towards a chair the far end of table.
“Sit here,” instructed Lugus motioning to the chair.
Lugus bowed towards the three.
“Lawrence, Virginia, Yarl, this is the Demon, Lugus.”
“Lugus, tells us you seek an alliance?” asked Virginia as Valtteri found his chair.
“Not an alliance,” said Valtteri smiling, “an invitation to join our new kingdom.”
“A new kingdom?” laughed Yarl, “and where do you get the authority to proclaim such.”
“The authority given to me by those who wish to swear fealty,” said Valtteri, “just as the once King of Douruh ask the same of Lord Pryce.”
“We still swear fealty to Lord and King,” snapped Yarl.
“If your lords still live they do not seem to be riding from Hawkescliff to reward your loyalty.”
Yarl grunted in response.
“I will reward such dying loyalty,” continued Valtteri, “together we can restore the roads and waterways, making them safe again and our people can go back to their lives as they was were.”
“How many swear fealty to you?” asked Virginia.
“A numbers are growing and we would like you join us.”
“This is foolishness,” said Yarl, “you can not walk into this place and proclaim yourself a king.”
“Someone will, and perhaps you will even live to see that day and when they come, they will not come with the words of friendship and aid as I do, they may come with swords for what remains.
“Who do you wait for, Yarl? The Orsil who will throw you in chains and have you work their dead lands, or the Reisu who will simply butcher you over old grudges and take your land and woman as their own. You may be lucky though, and the Sowan will get here first, they won’t kill you or put you cages but they will grind you with taxes and confiscate your goods on a whim as they are known to do.”
“You talk above your station, above all our stations,” snapped Yarl.
“There are no stations, the nobles are dead, Yarl,” yelled Valtteri, “and you must decide now if you want to still be here after the waves of destruction are done battering the land.”
The room fell silent.
 
; “You know that it is coming,” continue Valtteri quietly, “at the moment everyone is still shocked, scared, clinging to what they can of the old world, but after that, oh, then the Midnight Worgs will come to feast.”
“You expect us to believe a Demon will keep the worgs at bay?” laughed Virginia, “your kind have always delighted in our torment.”
“It is true, I myself have found much happiness in the torment of the Lowmen before the Heart left,” said Valtteri, “but the truth is, Virginia, the worgs come for me as they do for all others and I am not ready to be taken, not yet.”
The room went quiet, again.
“Why must you be king?” asked Yarl, “why not me or Virginia?”
“This is not the time to be quibbling over a crown. Once the union is formed and the walls are built we can fight over it then.”
“An ally here and an ally there won’t help us,” said Virginia shaking her head, “the task is monstrous.”
“The task is monstrous, I grant you that, but its nature won’t be changed by ignoring it. Supplies dwindle, more give into despair and become animals. We must start now, before there is nothing left to save.”
“What do you think, Lugus?” asked Yarl.
“I don’t involve myself in politics,” said Lugus bluntly.
Valtteri sat, enjoying the silence, he looked at the three across the table. Virginia was leaning back in her chair, but her eyes betrayed an excitement. Yarl sat forward in his chair, his hard eyes trying to unnerve Valtteri, but his body had become more relaxed then it had first been. The silent Lawrence sat, unmoved. Valtteri caught his eyes, the old man did not look away, but simply kept staring with a soft, studious gaze.
“If you need time, I can give you the night to think upon it,” said Valtteri finally, “but after that I must keep moving. There are others I must spread the word too.”
“Get Solmarn,” said Lawrence with a wave of his hand.
The old man’s voice was painfully rough and soft.
“Yes, Elder,” replied Virginia quietly.
“Who is Solmarn?” asked Valtteri as Virginia exited a door at the back the room.
“A Keeper of the Light,” said Yarl with a wicked grin.
Valtteri was on his feet knocking his chair back.
“Sit down, Valtteri,” said Lugus, “you need to trust me, as I trusted you.”
“You did not think we would meet with a Demon without protection,” said Yarl quietly.
Valtteri pulled a dagger from his belt and placed it on the table.
“A small piece of protection for myself, then?”
Yarl nodded in response and Valtteri picked up his chair and sat back down resting his hand on the hilt of the blade. His mind became alert and quick, his fingers danced nervously along the hilt of the blade.
Never leave Nerys, Valtteri thought quickly, why did you leave Nerys?
The door opened and light spilled in from the next room accompanied by the sound of dozen people mumbling, just beyond.
And then the Keeper appeared, he was old, sixty, maybe seventy years. He walked tall and strong but with a slight limp, his hair were dark swirls of grey and black that tumbled to his shoulders. He wore a white tunic, emblazoned on it was the insignia of the Keepers. Three black towers above a bed of black flames.
Valtteri’s attention was drawn immediately to the grizzly necklace he wore, a chain of deformed, petrified ears, fists of sharp claws, gnarled teeth, warped skulls. Each a trophy obtained from a Child of Linyu that Solmarn had slain.
The pendant though was what took the breath from Valtteri’s body. A simple horn that shimmed gold and green in the torchlight of the room. The horn was not of a Child but taken from a true Demon, the monstrous race that had been driven from this land but still stalked the distant savage continent to south beyond the Stormlands and the Sparkling Isle. Only a man of exceptional talent could survive the journey to that land then return with such a prize.
“Are you afraid, Valtteri?” asked Solmarn as he moved slowly down the long room.
Valtteri sat silently in his chair watching Solmarn approach his fingers rapidly tapping on the handle of the blade in front of him. Valtteri panicked, what use was this blade would be against such a man?
“Good,” said Solmarn with a smile.
Solmarn placed his hand firmly on the back of the chair next to Valtteri and sat. Valtteri stiffen in his seat.
“If it makes you feel more comfortable you may have two,” continued Solmarn with a gentle wave of his hand.
Faster then any could comprehend, a second dagger was on the table, Valtteri hands now resting on both hilts. It required every once of his self control to still his hands and centre his thoughts.
“You sister, Nerys?” Solmarn asked softly, “where is she?”
“Finestone. Looking for more,” Valtteri said quickly he did not have the presence of mind to lie.
“Lugus, do you know what you found here?” asked Solmarn his eyes flicking up at Lugus.
“No, my lord,” said Lugus not meeting his gaze.
“Valtteri, brood of Loranos, one of the most vicious assassins ever to stalk the eastern kingdoms. He once killed a party of eight Keepers single handedly,” explained Solmarn his eyes slowly moving back to Valtteri, “he was untouchable by his kind and ours.
Oh, Lugus, how I wished I had the chance to cross swords with him, he sounded like a challenge worthy of me. But unfortunately me he came to bear fruit. Twins, Nerys and Valtteri. His body was undoubtedly stronger than many, but even he was unable to take strain of bearing two children at once and he was consumed during their birth. Do you remember your father, Valtteri?”
Valtteri sat silently watching the man across from quietly.
“No.”
“You did the Lesser Race’s quite the favour in getting rid of Loranos for us,” he smiled, “Valtteri and Nerys have gone on to make a small name for themselves in the two hundred years since then with minor disturbances here and there but nothing that compared to work of their father. You see, Lugus, a Demon’s fruit tend to fall much further from the tree then ours.”
“Did you come just to insult me, Keeper?” spat Valtteri.
“No, Valtteri, I came to let you know I am here,” said Solmarn slowly leaning with a low, hard voice, “I am here and I know you. I know everything about you.”
Valtteri sat still, his muscle tense ready to pounce at the first sudden motion, but Solmarn sat back in his chair he pulled at his necklace showing a small skull no bigger then thumb.
“Do you know who this belonged to?”
Valtteri looked at the strange trophy.
“No.”
“Did you ever meet Gulagar the Horrible?”
“Yes,” said Valtteri and quick smile flashed on his face and then it vanished, “he was an amusing fellow.”
“A sideshow act with a travelling circus. A Child who had the odd gift which allowed him to vomit up handfuls of tiny skulls. Gulagar would use them as puppets to amuse and disgust the townsfolk across the east. And they loved him, he would always end a performance to wild cheers, children took the skulls as token of their magical night at the circus,” Solmarn looked at the skull with a distant gaze, “still, he had the Demon blood and as a Keeper it was my duty to take his life. An creature who had wronged no one and simply wanted to amuse others.”
Solmarn’s powerful gave flicked back onto Valtteri and he jumped.
“The gods have said many things to many people, Lugus. Many of us listened and are now wondering why we did so,” continued Solmarn his eyes still focused on Valtteri.
The room sat quiet for moment.
“I’m not going to kill you, Valtteri, or your sister in the name of my order like I once would have, but if you so much as harm a single person in this place or I suspect your motives are any other that which you claim, I will not hesitate in hunting you down and claiming another trophy for my necklace,” Solmarn placed his finger on Valtteri’s, “this.”
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There was a silence between the two as Solmarn stared down Valtteri. There was a few moments and Valtteri looked away. Solmarn lifted his finger and stood.
“What say you, Solmarn?” asked Yarl.
“I would be cautious of this one, but not frightened,” explained Solmarn in a cold, calculated voice of a doctor giving a diagnosis, “they’re childish brats, little else. The other is worse, her gift allows her to exploit a Lesser Man’s desires, allowing her to overcome a man’s reason, sometimes to the point of madness. She has driven some weaker souls to suicide and murder, but her power is only as strong as the mind is weak.
“Once you have leave her company or become aware you are being manipulated the effect dissipates and reason restores itself. This one has no gift. Twins are rare in occurrence in the world of the Children, all Loranus’ power went Nerys leaving her brother impotent and weak in comparison to other Children.”
The others did not notice when Valtteri body stiffened at the insult.
“And their plan?” ask Virginia.
“Its time to rebuild, I agree with that and the strength of two Children will be an advantage in the months to come. What is important is that you get the farms working again, food takes time to grow and your stocks will be stretched.”
“Will you stay?” asked Lawrence with his rough voice, “let your strength secure our voice in this pact.”
“I will stay as long as I can, but I am old man like you,” said Solmarn quietly, “there are things I must do before my own end.”
Solmarn bowed to three and then turned to Valtteri.
“I will be watching.”
Solmarn exited leaving the room in silence.
Valtteri’s body relax and his breath returned. He felt sick, deeply and disgustingly sick. Where was Nerys?
“Virginia? Yarl?” asked Lawrence.
“We have been waiting for help and this is what has arrived. It is not ideal, but I think we know it is time to make a stand,” said Virginia.
“I agree,” nodded Yarl.
“I, too,” said Lawrence, “Valtteri, we accept your agreement.”
Valtteri’s head was still slightly spinning.
“Yes, the agreement,” he stuttered as he steadying himself and then added, “we must spread the word, of course, we must rally more men to the kingdom.”
“Isn’t that your task?” asked Yarl.
“It is our task now, we either gather together now or we fail and the word is more easily spread amongst the Lowmen, themselves, my eyes are not trusted as well as yours.”
“This is true,” nodded Virginia.
“You must choose these envoys from your own ranks and send them, the more we have the greater our chances of making this union work,” said Valtteri.
“Understood,” said Virginia.
“Now, a more delicate matter. I must have a lord, one who will swear fealty and rule this place in my absence. The lord must be be able to travel the plains unafraid to meet with me wherever I will be,” said Valtteri, “Yarl, you seem a man eager for promotions and titles.”
“Indeed, I am,” said Yarl, suddenly excited.
“Then let me make you a lord in my new kingdom. You will rule here in my steed above all.”
Lawrence raised his hand and as Yarl went to speak.
“I think we must talk on the matter,” interrupted Lawrence, “we will present you with a lord we consider suitable.”
Valtteri waited for a moment and thought it was not time to push the matter.
“I must have one your choice by dawn,” replied Valtteri, “too much time has already passed us.”
“Agreed,” said Lawrence, “now, if you would excuse us, we would like to discuss this amongst ourselves. You are free to stay in the warehouse tonight, though I would ask you, do not speak of this to anyone. The people will be told when the time is right.”
“Very well,” said Valtteri standing and looking at his subjects, “I believe it is customary to stand when the king does.”
Yarl stood while other to stayed seated, slightly embarrassed Yarl sat again.
“You will have our choice by dawn,” said Lawrence softly.
Valtteri nodded and walked the length of long room to the door past the table. He looked back at Lugus for a moment, who gave him quick nod. Valtteri opened the door.
The cavernous room of the warehouse proper gave off a smell a hundred times worse then the rot in the stables. A horde of people crawled over makeshift beds and squirmed out from under fabrics. Cloth, once used as sails, had been strung up as tents or walls to give the occupants a reprieve from dead stares and tired cries of babes, stained with something yellow and brown. Valtteri looked past the people for the horrid vision of Solmarn, but he was nowhere to be seen.
Valtteri relaxed and pushed through the corridors of fabric. He found an unused corner, sat himself down and viewed his conquest. The faces were vacant, but the hands were still strong.
A drunk woman drop herself down beside him, bottle in hand.
“And who might ya’be?” she slurred with a grin as her hands found his chest.
“I’m your new king,” he replied with a smile.
She cursed and laughed.
“Who talk’ ya inna that?”
“I volunteered.”
“‘ere,” she pushed the bottle on to him, “you’re gunnata need dis.”
Her wretched hair fell beneath his nose causing him to choke, the woman did not seem to notice as her hand slowly moved down his body.
“When zay run out of ta bot’l,” she laughed wickedly, “I goin' out ta top.”
She threw her head back at the high window.
Valtteri took a mouthful from the bottle and the putrid alcohol burnt his mouth and throat as the hand found his crotch.
“Are ya looking for queen, ma’ lord?”
“No,” he replied politely.
“If ya change yar mind, I’m ova ‘ere,” she laughed and squeezed.
The woman giggled to herself and then sighed, releasing her hand. The woman struggled to her feet and started to wander off when she turned her head quickly.
“I ‘ave a sista ta.”
She winked and bared her browning teeth with a grin, before turning away.
Valtteri sat and waited for the dawn to come, watching the Lowmen take a short interested in the large man sitting in the corner before retreating to their beds. The warehouse became dark and the mummers and grunts gave way to snoring and the sound of people wrestling with their nightmares.
The dawn was not coming quick enough and Valtteri had seen what he needed. So, he picked himself up and found the door that led back to town square.
Valtteri looked around the square, the patrol was well into their cycle. He felt a sense of pride as he stepped out into the square in full view of anyone who wished to see and went directly to his stables. Once inside, he hoisted himself back up into the familiar loft and waited out the night.
Outside the small window of the loft, the plains sparkled in the moonlight. It was his now and a surge of triumph flooded his body. He place the bottle of rancid wine to his side and fell asleep.
The dawn woke him and Valtteri left his stables. In the centre of the Valtteri’s Square stood Lugus, a leather bag over one shoulder.
“I thought you weren’t interested in politics,” said Valtteri
“I’m not,” said Lugus, “that is why they chose me. Lawrence stays the voice of authority here. Give me any title you wish, but I am nothing more than a messenger.”
“If that is what you have decided,” shrugged Valtteri, “do you know the manor house of Pryce?”
“I know of it, on the edge of southern woods?”
“Yes, now for the pact to be complete you must lay a wreath of blue flowers at the gate of that house to signify your loyalty. You must find you way alone and with no aid. I will be waiting within for you.”
“As you command, my lord.”
The fresh guard em
erged from the warehouse and out of habit Lugus turned to them.
“Tim, Fal, stables,” he barked.
“I am on watch today,” shoot back Tim.
“They don’t need you on watch, finish the stables.”
“Please, Lugus,” interrupted Valtteri quietly, “I will have you leave at once. You do not need to concern yourself with these trivialities, anymore.”
Lugus shoot Valtteri a hard look then shook his head and shrugged, without another word he walked towards his home.
“Lad,” Valtteri called as he approached Tim, “walk with me, won’t you?”
Tim looked at the large imposing figure in front of him and then nodded, his words lost again.
“Tell me,” started Valtteri as the two crossed the square to the front arch of trading post, “of all the hills on the horizon, which is your favourite?”
Tim rubbed his arm nervously.
“I don’t know what you mean,” Time puzzled.
“Which of the hills is your favourite, lad?” asked Valtteri motioning to the hills that sat beyond the plain that stretch out before them, golden in the dawning light.
“I don’t know,” stuttered Tim, “I don’t have one.”
“Of course you don’t, lad,” smiled Valtteri and took a deep breath of fresh morning air, “I’ll have to choose one for you.”