Chapter 1

Cross Country.

“Roll ‘em up. Roll ‘em up. Get this Campsite packed up, we move out before the sunrise.” Captain Arkhas barked, as he climbed the back of his black stallion, Roufos. He strapped his spear to the side of his saddle and packed his belongings into his bag, which was tied to the back. He withdrew his sapphire brooch, which had the 7 sided star of Akural imbedded in silver on it. He turned it over and read the message his wife had engraved into it on their wedding day.

“Dearest, though you slay our enemies and protect our borders, though you travel the kingdoms, and meet other people, remember what you leave behind. Remember me”

He smiled gently, and a peaceful state came across his rugged and scarred face. He fingered the jewel for a while, then wrapped it in a white cloth and hid it beneath his chain mail armour. He looked up and round at his regiment, the 24th infantry, or commonly called the “Ravens” They were ? Leagues away from point Peigralle, the eastern most port in Taroul. They were on route to the Bridge of Bregal, the most strongly defended passage from north to south Estar-Mari. There mission was to avenge the deaths of the farmers the bandits of Marsh wood had slaughtered. The king himself had assigned Arkhas to this campaign.

“Sir, The scouts are back, the road is clear. It is a straight shot to the Bridge of Akural.” A young footman, Morvai, stated.

“Thank you Morvai son of Erifias. Looks like its time then.” Arkhas replied. He took one last look back at the ocean. He had always loved the sea, since he was a little boy growing up on a fishing cottage near the west of the Peninsula. He took a deep breath and stood up in his saddle, shouting, “All right men. We move, now.”

•

“Well now, lookie-here. It’s the bronzers” Laughed a pikeman, seeing the border scouts of Bregal coming to meet them.

“That is unacceptable, soldier,” Arkhas lectured “The armies of Bregal have kept our fair land of Taroul safe from many enemies in the past. If it was not for the brave men of Bregal, we would have been destroyed long ago.”

“I agree, though it is not the Bregal men which interest me,” Said another, pointing at the group ahead “Tis the Women.”

There, at the head of the scouts stood a tall blonde haired woman, clad in honorary bronze armour of the Bregal high courts. She wore a long, green cape and had an axe hanging from her belt, lined in gold. Her company wore simple bronze chain mail with leather overgarments and had long green capes too. They each had a bow protruding from their quivers, even though the warriors of Bregal were known for terrible skills in archery. However each scout had a long axe or spear. One tall man stood proud with the flag of Bregal strapped to his back. He also wore a horn around his neck. This meant he had to be ranked high, for the horns of Bregal were renowned for being the greatest in all the land. The largest and greatest of which was the Horn of Akural, seated at the tower of Akural (tower of the southern stars).

“Friends form the west, we greet you” the woman leader as the Ravens crossed the Bridge of Akural, “I am Esvarrah, the King’s Daughter. We humbly welcome you to Bregal. My party has been assigned to guide you to Lodgington, our grandest stronghold. There you shall rest.”

The Bregal Countryside differed very little to that of the land in Taroul, at first. It was mostly low laying plains and flat grass lands, with the occasional stream or hill. However as the party moved further into Bregal, the land became significantly greener. The grass grew tall, and sometimes difficult to move through. When at last they reached a road winding through the grass, a tall blonde man, (Blonde being a common trait amongst Bregal people), was waiting for them. He spoke in the Bregal native tongue to Esvarrah, and she turned to Arkhas, “I must leave now, on other matters. This is Arien, he is brave and strong, and will lead you to my father. I bid you Fair Journey.”

Arien led them to Lodgington via the road they had found. As they reached their destination the sound of waves lapping at a shore was heard, although they saw no water. After a while the sound of sea birds, but it was still a while before they came into sight of the source. It looked like a vast ocean, in fact, many of the Taroulsian army thought it was indeed. Only Arkhas had been past the Great Lakes before. The lakes of Bregal were, in fact, many leagues from the actual ocean, and were connected only by a large gushing river, that wound between the three large lakes. The river crossed itself in one place, and it was here that Lodgington stood. It was a large combination of wooden logs and docks strapped together. Only a few small portions were actually over land, the rest stood over the gushing waters, giving the town the title “river home”. And in the centre of this wooden masterpiece stood the River Hall, as it was known, where the King, Barlow the II, ruled.

Arien took them through the large front gate and across several bridges. They were instant celebrities with the Lodgington citizens, who were very fond of their allies from the west. When they finally reached the River Hall Arien left them in the care of the River Hall’s guards. They also wore horns around their neck, symbolising high rank. Finally Arkhas was admitted, with some of his seconds. The hall inside was a vibrant mix of gold and wood. The pillars in the centre were lined by flowing gold patters, and the wood seemed especially lively and strong. They went through another set of doors and were me by King Barlow the II. He was seated on a tall gold and bronze chair, and wore a bronze crown, with a large topaz shining on it.

“Welcome, welcome, friends from the west. You have been expected, but do not worry, for you are not late. I see my scouts served you well.” The King warmly greeted. He wore a large smile, although it did not hide his scarred and aged face. He had probably seen about as much action as Arkhas had, although most people in Estar-Mari had too. Arkhas bowed low and his soldiers followed suite.

“My lord, I am Arkhas, son of Arshan. Thank you kindly for this honour my lord,” Arkhas politely said, “We do not intend to bother you long.”

“Never, we are more than happy to have you as our guests. And we intend to keep you here as long as time allows it. After all it is not fitting to enter a battle in poor shape, and the plains of Staikam have become dangerous of late. But of this there is plenty of time to talk later, please let my guards escort you to your beds. For now you shall rest, and later we will feast.” The King finished.

© B.D. Woodford, 2008