Chapter 68: Solstice Gifts
Solstice Gifts
Tothmor
Some ten days after departure, the Order army returned to Tothmor, having left a small force behind to guard Polisals along with those most severely wounded that they might heal and return to the army in their own time. Thus, it was with severely diminished numbers they entered the streets of Tothmor, and the cold weather kept many indoors; still, they returned with victory and news of liberation, and joy was finally returning to the city of circles. There were exceptions; some with dour disposition looked at the few Order soldiers and wondered what would happen once the ounders woke from their winter slumber and retaliated.
With their fewer numbers, what remained of the army could be quarteredfortably in the first circle, so the entirety marched up the mountain to enter the pce district. On the steps into the keep, Brand was met by William. You are looking hale, the lieutenant smiled, and on your feet.
I congratte you on your victory, William replied, grasping the other knights arm. All of you, he raised his voice, allowing the soldiers to hear. You have fought well and brought peace to the oppressed. Hthiod owes you a debt. He spoke quietly again, directed only at Brand. Let us talk inside.
They entered the keep, walking up the tower to reach the marshals chamber that William upied. The smell of blood and sweat was gone, reced by crisp winter air. Sitting on a chair was Baldwin, oiling his own and his lords weapons. My lord, the squire eximed, standing up. Wee back!
Keep at your work, Brand replied cordially with a wave of his hand, and the boy sat down again. The lieutenant went to the map of the Realms on the nearby table, indicating northern Hthiod with his finger. Another step taken.
Your stratagems have proven their worth, William granted. I notice the cost was steep, however.
There are four hundred men in Polisals still, Brand exined. At least half of them will join us eventually.
We are still hard pressed for men, not to mention arms and armour. I will make further attempts at recruitment, but we cannot expect to reach much beyond our original two thousands, the captain dered.
It will have to do, his lieutenant argued. We should not move until the Raven Days have passed, which gives us more than two months to replenish our force.
Unless the ounders are already marching against us. Both their eyes fell upon Lakon in southern Hthiod. They have the numbers to challenge us, and the risk of being besieged, being imprisoned in this city is as great as ever.
I trust that our rapid advances will make them cautious, Brand said confidently. They are more likely to await reinforcements and face us with greater numbers.
That seems spective, William argued. We know too little to estimate their intentions and actions.
Weck for knowledge in general, conceded hispanion. We will need to send scouts across the wall eventually. We need to be forewarned if more ounders are arriving from the Reach.
Agreed. The Hthian knight paused briefly. I have never heard of any of my people entering that ce. Death and dust is all that awaits you, they always said.
The ounders are men, nothing more. The Reach may be hostile to us, but nothing worse than what we are dealing with in Hthiod, Brand imed self-assured. We should resume interrogations of our prisoners, however, with an aim towards understanding the home of these ounders. Where are their cities? What size armies do they field beyond what we have faced?
Who is their king? The question came from Baldwin, making both knights suddenly turn their heads towards him. Someone must be ordering the ounders to invade us. I would like to know who is putting us through all of this.
Brands mouth curled upwards. I as well. The implication of mirth disappeared from his face. There is nothing more dangerous than not knowing the enemy you fight.
We saw that at Sikyon, William muttered darkly. I have never before seen so many ranks of bowmen, fighting as infantry when needed. I could never have imagined it. Their arrows darkened the sky.
We will not make such mistakes again. Gods willing, when springes we march upon Lakon and finish this campaign, Brand swore.
Tonight, however, it is the eve of solstice. A good meal is prepared for our conquering heroes, William informed his lieutenant. Tonight, we celebrate. Agreeing with this sentiment, the other two present in the room followed the captain to the dining hall in the pce.
~~~~
The Realms of Adalmearc celebrated winter solstice in different ways, but regardless of location, it involved food and drink; in peaceful years, Hthiod was no different. With the current war and the recent siege, however, provisions allowing celebrations in Tothmor were limited, and the inhabitants spent the evening in the style of the northernnds with small gatherings at home. Many also went to the temples of the third circle.
Having suffered disproportionately to anyone else, the priests and priestesses had not made much progress in restoring their shrines. Not a single whiterobe remained in Tothmor. The other orders had cleansed the temple to Hamaring of the defilement that had taken ce, but otherwise left it bare for when new whiterobes might arrive from Heohlond. Until then, any worshippers prayed in an empty space, surrounded only by bare walls.
Even with men and women of the cloth present, the other temples did not fare much better. The hitherto lush gardens of the greenrobes had been torn up, their sacred tree been felled and used for firewood, and the earth had been heavily salted to make it little more than a desert. It would take years if not decades of careful tending before the soil might sustain growth again. The same had been done to the herb garden at the temple of Idisea. Their stores of healing supplies had already been spent due to the siege, but books and parchments for teaching the healing arts had been destroyed.
So the story continued for each of the temples. The bull pen at Egnil had been burned and the bronze bull statue smashed to pieces along with the gilded drinking horns; in their zeal, the ounders had not even spared the barrels of beer brewed by the priests, nor imbibed them, but simply toppled them to let the drink spill in its entirety.
The defilement was worst at the temple for Rihimil, as if the ounder priestess had particrly enjoyed causing sacrilege in this ce. Blood from human sacrifices was everywhere, seeped into the floor and walls. While the bells of the other temples had been left alone, the ounders had gone to the trouble of cutting them down here and destroying them as well.
To the faithful in Tothmor, their ces of worship were barely recognisable. It was not merely awe of the divine that kept the behaviour of the supplicants subdued this solstice.
When ukos visited to the temple of Hamaring, he left a handful of silver marks upon its bare altar; even if there were no priests to ept the sacrifice, others followed the former de to pay tribute. The gods would still be watching, now more than ever, as some expressed it. Going outside, ukos crossed the gate square. It was already evening, but on solstice eve, the district gates remained open all night. Although fuel was scarce, torches were lit here and there, lighting the main streets. Staying in the circle of temples, ukos steps steered him towards the establishment known as The Pork and Pepper.
Few people were in themon room, giving ukos plenty of options where to sit. He nodded to the tavern keeper, who greeted him with familiarity.
Ale and food, the warrior exined. Soon enough, a tankard of drink was ced in front of him along with a bowl containing a stew that was mostly water with some leek rings floating near the top and chunks of questionable meat. ukos looked at it with little enthusiasm, but dug out a couple of marks nheless. There were plenty more in his coin purse; after the battle of Polisals, Brand had been generous.
Grateful, the owner scooped the coins up and left ukos to eat and drink. He filled the spoon and had a taste. With slight dismay on his face, he took a sip of the ale, though that did not alleviate his disheartened expression. With a faint sigh, he grabbed the spoon again.
Enjoying your dinner? The question was spoken with scorn and made ukos look up. Speaking to him was Nikos, one of his formerpatriots.
It is not bad, ukos imed. Good to see you in one piece, he added tentatively.
Is it? sneered the other man. You certainly didnte looking when you had the chance.
ukos put the spoon down. I thought you were all dead. I heard about Philemon and Andreas and figured it was the same story for anyone else.
Aye, same here. I thought the ckboot bastards got the rest and only I survived, Nikos exined, anger slowly rising in his voice. Imagine my surprise when I am told an old friend of mine is walking around, alive, dressed in good clothes, throwing silver around at the temple. He looked towards the food on ukos table. Your purse seems to be full.
If youre hungry, I can buy you something to eat
I dont want anything from you, knowing where that silver came from, Nikos spat. You wont buy forgiveness from me as easily as you bought it at the temple.
ukos eyes narrowed. What are you saying?
Its bleeding obvious. We walk into a trap. Dayster, here you are, fine clothes and eagles in your purse, eating and drinking. You des, Nikos spoke with disgust. Let the king die, abandon the queen, sell us ordinary folk out like the traitorous
This time it was Nikos who was interrupted; ukos fist hit him on the chin and sent him straight on his back. Standing up so quickly that his chair fell to the ground, the former de loomed over the other man. Ive killed more ounders than a spineless toad like you could lick your tongue at. You care so much about stew and silver, you can have it. With the rest of the tavern watching in stunned silence and his target lying paralysed in fear, ukos emptied the bowls content on top of Nikos and threw a silver piece onto his chest. Then he grabbed his mug of ale, drank it in one draft, and walked with heavy strides out the door. Behind him, Nikos picked up the silver piece and wiped the stew from it.
~~~~
The fifth circle had its share of watering holes, though finding any that still had anything in store was nigh impossible. Such was also the case at Guys tavern.
I have nothing to serve you, the owner called out from the kitchen as he could hear someone entering.
Just a ce to sleep will do, came the answer.
I suppose that can be arranged, Guy granted, entering hismon room. Godfrey! Of course,e in,e in! He closed the distance between them and stood a little apprehensive before the traveller, giving him a pat on the shoulder. You are back and alive! After you left, I wondered many times how you fared.
I fared a long distance and back again, Godfrey smiled wearily. You and your son?
We are both well, thank you.
Good. Godfrey nodded a little. I sometimes worries if I should have told you to flee the city, regardless of the risk
We survived. Nothing to worry about anymore. I havent forgotten what you did for my boy, either. A tinge of gratitude entered Guys voice.
In that case, I shall rely on your memory to ask for a bed. I am tired of sleeping in walls, Godfrey exined with a wry smile.
I never quite understand you, but a bed, I can provide, Guy promised. And you are just in time to join our solstice meal.
No need, no need. You must be hard pressed as it is.
It would not be right to have a guest in my house who does not share our meal this night, Guy argued.
Well, if you insist, I ept gratefully, Godfrey decided.
Keep your gratitude until you taste it, Guyughed and led his guest into the kitchen, where his son was already filling an extra te.
~~~~
The following day, activities resumed as normal. The returning soldiers were added to the garrison and put on watch duty, freeing up the recruits for further training. The open spaces between the pce and the Order keep in the first circle were put to this use, practising formations. Brand was also present, watching the soldiers train, though the actual instructions were yelled by men-at-arms acting as overseers. The first lieutenants gaze was idle, his mind elsewhere.
A knight approached, nked by two Order soldiers. These men told me you wished to speak, he dered. By his tone of voice and expression, it was obvious he did not care for being summoned this way.
You did not heed the signal given in battle, Sir Vilmund, Brand spoke coldly, only looking at the knight as he pronounced his name.
What? Vilmunds eyes narrowed.
My bannerman sounded the horn to no effect. He rode into battle to inform you, yet still you did not retreat as Imanded, Brand exined with the frost almost palpable in his voice.
I neither heard nor received anymand to retreat, the knight imed, his tone matching Brands. We were scattering the enemy, he defended himself, it was the heat of battle.
My bannerman swore he reached you and told you, yet you did not pull your men back to reinforce the left nk. The usation in the lieutenants words were clear.
Then he lies.
I have no reason to believe he does.
The word of amon soldier means nothingpared to the word of a knight, Vilmund argued.
It does to me.
What does it matter? he sneered. Victory was achieved, and your own actions on the nk made you the champion of these men you hold in such high regard. He shot a disdainful nce at the soldiers by his side.
It matters, Brand raised his voice, because your failure to obey could have cost us that victory. Regardless of the oue, you failed in your duty.
I will not be lectured about the duties of a knight from someone hardly old enough to wear the spurs, Vilmund fumed, turning to leave.
Sir Vilmund, Brand called out, now speaking loud enough that all nearby could hear, you did not perform your duty as is expected of any warrior of the Order. You will be punished.
The knight turned back, incensed. How dare you! How dare you impugn my honour! I demand satisfaction!
You demand nothing! Brand roared. I am yourmander, and you have no right to challenge me for the sake of honour! He nodded to the soldiers standing by. Seize him and strip him to be flogged!
Vilmunds protestations became unintelligible screams as several men grabbed his limbs, forcing him to the ground on his stomach. He continued to squirm and resist, giving them some difficulty, but they were enough to keep him subdued while also removing his surcoat, chain shirt, and the tunic underneath until only his cotton shirt remained.
They pulled him up again andshed him to nearby poles that were normally used for training. Another soldier appeared with a whip in hand.
You cannot do this! cried Vilmund. I am a knight!
Which only makes your crime worse, Brand dered. He nodded to the soldier, who dealt out tenshes, each causing a rift in the shirt and drawing blood. The spectacle was witnessed by the men in silence. At the first hit, the knight called out in pain; he was mute for the remaining nine.
When the whipping was done, the soldiers released Vilmund. He staggered for a moment but regained his footing. Ay brother approached with salve and bandages; with a sneer, the knight pushed past him and disappeared into his quarters inside the pce.
~~~~
The council chamber of the pce, where once the oundermander had conducted his business, was now used by Brand when needed. Sitting in the chair that had seated a queen and an ounder before him, the lieutenant was dictating a letter to the young scribe by his side. After victory had been achieved, the army of the Order marched upon Polisals. The ounder garrison surrendered, opening the gates of the city. Three hundred were captured in addition to those taken prisoner after the battle. All of northern Hthiod is now freed of the ounder scourge.
Furiously, Egils quill scribbled over the paper.
That is all, Brand dered, pressing his fingers against the bridge of his nose. Have it sent to the quartermaster at the Citadel. Make a second version containing the same, except you leave out all numbers concerning our army, dead, wounded and so forth. Have that one sent to the town criers in Middanhal to share the news of our victory with the citizens.
Yes, milord.
The lieutenant rose to his feet and left the room without further words. Returning to his chamber, hey down on his bed, still wearing armour and surcoat, and closed his eyes.