((Pardon the bad formatting, not sure what's up with that but I will try to figure it out. This will be a multi-part storyline. We will see how it goes.))
((Pardon the bad formatting, not sure what's up with that but I will try to figure it out. This will be a multi-part storyline. We will see how it goes.))
“Yes but the constant infighting limits their usefulness to the continent as a whole. Have you seen the hideous quality of dresses that come out of the southlands? No one lives long enough to create anything of quality.” Alice noted pointedly.
Kered chuckled again, browsing through the missives from across the continent, “Oh well, are you in need of another dress Alice? Perhaps one of the dozens of your inane suitors might take a greater interest.”
“Tsst. Those cretins have no chance with me. Luna would not allow me to live long if I married into some hovel and my gifts were wasted. As different as they are, the two Celestial Ladies are alike in that their belief that souls should not be wasted.” Alice stood and moved over into the next room, the aromatic smells wafting from Kered’s stores tempting her hunger. Within minutes, the priestess had gotten a cauldron of stew over a freshly made fire and gracefully stood, dusting the bark from her hands. “You know brother, you never have taken me into the depths of your little hideout here. What is it you are hiding down here? Bodies, perhaps?”
“Why yes…yes that’s exactly what I’m hiding down here Alice. Bodies. Bodies upon bodies. So many bodies I could have my own life sized marionette show. It’s quite entertaining, you should see what I can do with the Miller’s corpse once I get his joints loosened up…bum knee that one.”
Alice scoffed and shook her head, returning to her seat and settling down while Kered continued his work. The chapel was closed today and she rarely spent her free time elsewhere.
-
Weeks later found Alice waiting just inside the massive battlements for her brother, apparently Kered had been ordered by the Duke to review the vassal counties and ensure their wellbeing. She chuckled as she recalled his recently acquired nickname, she intended to ridicule him mercilessly when he returned.
No sooner had she thought it, then the horn above her signaled the opening of the gates and the entrance of her brother, clad in his traveling cloaks and laden with supplies across two horses trailing behind him.
“Welcome home, brother! Or should I say Nimble Knight?” Alice simpered as well as one of the insipid ladies in the capital, drawing a sardonic look from Kered who removed his mask and dismounted.
“Thank you Priestess, it is good to be home. Luna has been good to you these-“ Kered was cut off by the rumbling of the great mammoth-tusk horn atop the citadel’s pinnacle. Both Alice and Kered jerked their heads up toward the horn as more alerts blasted out from every side of the castle.
“Gatemen! Get them closed NOW!” Kered grabbed a guard rushing past him and turned him toward the citadel, “Go to my father, inform him of the attack and let him know that I will be along presently. Inform him that I have ordered you to personal see to the safety of Lady Elaine. Do not leave her side until this is all over. Now!”
Alice instantly returned to the wild huntress this Duchy was known for and began looking around, preparing to fight. Kered reached for a laden pack from one of the horses before turning Alice around and gently pushing her off the main road.
‘Kered what’s going on?”
“I don’t know, but I didn’t see any threats that warrant the Great Horn. Let’s get up on the walls and find out. I’m telling you now, whatever the threat, my objective is to get you to safe…ty…” Kered trailed off as they hurried onto the walls and looked out over a host spread from tree line to tree line.
“Kered…you didn’t see that?” Alice stood rooted in place, stunned by the sheer size of the army. War horns sounded throughout the host, thrumming a challenge to the town. This was not a friendly force but one intent on invasion.