Chapter 50

“An impressive blessing indeed,” Lady Ginoe commented softly as the rest of the family looked at Darras in amazement.

“Our son will make our goddess proud?” Jertin asked nervously, holding a shocked-looking Rienne’s hand.

“He will, though ask no more. Just enjoy the surprises and treat him simply as your son,” Darras replied.

“Aye, I doubt our goddess will approve of a conceited brat,” Jertin chuckled.

“The cot is a gift from the forest folk,” Darras added. “They also intend to watch, with interest, Aljer’s progress through life.”

“He won’t become a threat to the Kingdom?” Romelle asked, looking worried.

“Far from it,” Darras replied. “Rachtelin will soon be heading into a golden age and become one of the mightiest Realms in this land.”

“And that no doubt is why you won’t tell us much if anything more,” Lady Bisan chuckled. “Such things are best watched without knowing.”

“Very much so, Lady Bisan,” Darras agreed. “Not even I know all Erren has planned, merely some of the broad strokes, as it were.”

‘I keep you informed as best I can, ’ Erren giggled.

“This is a gift from Erren and myself,” Darras added, handing over a beautifully stitched soft toy shaped as a horse. “Hopefully he’ll enjoy it as he grows.”

“Thank you,” Rienne replied with a beaming smile.

“Did Count Alros get to see his grandson before he left?” Darras asked the family.

“He did,” Lady Ginoe confirmed. “Will he be safe out there?” she asked, looking worried.

“For the moment there is little activity,” Darras replied. “The walls are being struck by siege engines and the Elves or mounted archers constantly pepper them with arrow storms. This is but a ruse to keep them occupied whilst the Dwarves dig a tunnel under the walls.”

“Tis an opportunity for the Count to see how our combined regiments cope,” Jertin added.

“Is Rigilo still out there?” Darras asked.

“Nay, he returned and visited his father the King, then set off to the Miront demesne to court lady Callani,” Jertin replied.

“Keeps him out the way of the King’s Council too,” Romelle chuckled.

“True enough. They treat him as a love-smitten young fool who likes to play ‘soldier’.”

“That short sightedness will be their downfall,” Darras informed them. “It also keeps them from attempting to deal with the real threat to their power.”

“Aye. Gravely at least saw how effective our Prince was ... though failed to survive a foolish charge,” Jertin nodded.

“Was this deliberate on the Prince’s part,” a narrow-eyed Lady Bisan asked.

“I believe so,” Jertin replied thoughtfully. “Though not because the Prince saw him as a threat, but to still his carping criticisms of our combined Regiments.”

“I see,” Bisan nodded thoughtfully. “Let us hope our Prince does not begin to see it as a way to remove those he dislikes.”

“I doubt he will,” Darras replied. “I also believe that Lady Callani will act, if necessary, to rein him in, if she thinks it’s warranted.”

“Aye, she visited Rienne not so long ago. That girl has a sensible head on her shoulders.”

“It’s why I like her,” Rienne giggled.

“As did I,” Ginoe confessed. “Alros also took a liking to her and permitted her to attend the various discussions on the relocation of our second Regiment to go to Thenarron.”

“I’m told she was quite forthright on the logistics of the move?” Jertin queried.

“That she was,” Romelle confirmed. “Upset a few of my father’s retainers initially, but the sense of her suggestions did shine through.”

“She certainly can be a force of nature,” Rienne giggled.

At this point a servant entered and informed the group that a party from Coolos was approaching.

It was the following day that Rienne was finally given permission to leave her bed and move about, though was under strict instructions not to exhaust herself. This was the signal that the preparations for the naming-day ceremony could commence and a buzz of anticipation seemed to permeate the keep as various servants, under guidance from the ladies-in-waiting, prepared a feast and decorated the main dining room. Guests had come from all over the Kingdom, several of whom were known to Darras and he enjoyed reacquainting himself with them.

“We did invite my brother, the Duke,” Lady Ginoe admitted to Darras as they enjoyed a conversation in one of the many nooks of the keep along with Romelle, his wife Truvie, Bisan, Rienne and Jertin as well as Lady Liliba and her husband.

“I take it he has come up with a pressing reason to avoid coming?” Darras enquired with a slight smile.

“Yes, apparently pressing matters of state to do with the King’s Council and the necessities of running a war in far off Thenarron,” Ginoe replied in wry tones.

“If they were involved, I never got to hear of it,” Jertin chuckled. “They appeared not to be bothering Prince Rigilo with them either.”

“Oh, I suspect we all know why,” Ginoe commented. “A subtle snub, plus a disdain to return to where he was humiliated.”

“Knowing Darras was likely to be here,” Bisan added.

“Have you heard anything of Fosloss?” Darras asked.

“My foolish brother has found him a sinecure with the Ways and Means Office of the King,” Ginoe replied. “It provides a wage and very little to do to collect it.”

“Ways and Means?” Darras asked.

“Those who ensure the roads of the kingdom are of a reasonable condition,” Jertin replied. “They are expected to travel them and arrange repairs if necessary, though to be honest, most don’t and the various nobles of the land see to it, some better than others.”

“They ensure the road tolls get paid,” Romelle chuckled.

“Ah, a tax collector,” Darras nodded.

“In a sense, though they never get anywhere near the money, they just get paid to be in charge.”

“My brother actually looks after the roads in this demesne,” Bisan added. “If he relied upon the crown to do it the roads would be in an awful state.”

“They do appear to be in very good condition,” Darras commented.

“It’s rarely mentioned and never admitted to by the King’s Council, but most of the roads were constructed by the Elven Empire of Harranis,” Romelle explained.

“Ah...” Darras chuckled.

“Indeed so,” Jertin nodded with a smile. “Old prejudices die hard in some quarters, though having met Elves now, I cannot see the sense in it.”

“So, how goes your mission from our goddess, Darras?” Rienne asked.

“It goes well, though we still do not fully know the extent of the dark lord’s machinations,” Darras admitted.

“Yes, it was troubling to find that Crusal may be somewhat under his sway as they have the mightiest fleet upon the seas.”

“I doubt they’d trouble Rachtelin, but it will likely be I’ll be travelling there to see what’s going on,” Darras replied.

“Ah, you’ll be visiting fabled Golsten?” Truvie asked.

“Yes,” Darras nodded. “Though as yet I know little of the place, only that Crusal is a Kingdom there.”

“None of us know much more,” Jertin added. “They trade, but only through various guilds and also have a reputation for piracy.”

“I take it there’s no proof?”

“Certainly no survivors, though they do deny it is them doing it.”

“It may not be official,” Darras nodded.

“Likely so,” Jertin agreed. “Still, if you do go, visit us again and tell us what you found.”

“I will indeed my friend.”

Other than enjoying himself immensely there was little else of note that affected Darras and he was soon back with Erren planning his next mission.

“So, you just want me to have a nose around Crusal and see what I can find?” Darras asked as Erren informed him of the dos and don’ts.

“Yes, though you’ll need to be careful as you’ll stick out like a sore thumb, even dressed as they do,” Erren replied.

“Why’s that?” a puzzled Darras asked.

“Their skin hues and facial features are similar to the folk of the Rembark Empire on your previous world.”

“Ah ... yes, I will stand out somewhat,” Darras chuckled. “I’m not that pale.”

“That you will, so avoid being spotted somewhere where you aren’t meant to be and be careful questioning folk as they will automatically assume you are a spy or informant.”

“Guess I just hang out in taverns and listen in ... unless I spot a shadow,” Darras nodded.

“That and sell your products in the various markets. They have a love of Dwarven jewellery, though not the fine items now coming into vogue in Rachtelin,” Erren explained.

“Ah, big and showy then?”

“Men and women,” Erren confirmed.

“Any particular quirks to avoid?”

“Not really. Men and women are equals in their society, though they take marriage fidelity seriously in the working class, not so much in the upper levels, though again it’s more a case of don’t get caught.”

“I can easily avoid that temptation,” Darras chuckled, looking directly at Erren.

“No doubt,” Erren laughed gaily.

Darras stepped through the gateway into Dremmech, the main commercial city of Crusal, though not its capital, which was known as Hilliam, and was only accessed with permission, a permission Erren did not feel was necessary for Darras to have, at least not until he had a better idea about their society.

“Your business?” a wizened old man requested as he eyed Darras up and down.

“Trade within the city. I have Dwarven trinkets I believe that will sell well,” Darras replied.

“Very well. Entry fee is ten coppers ... by Elven weight. Remain within the commerce districts, elsewhere and you are likely to be arrested for spying or as an adulterer.”

“Somewhat harsh,” Darras chuckled.

“Those are our rules, foreigner. Simply obey them and go about your business,” the man stated flatly in unamused tones.

“Indeed I shall,” Darras acquiesced, knowing that he’d get no more information there and so paid the fee and left, pulling a hand-cart behind him.

‘Best market is down near the harbour. You’ll likely pick up some gossip there too, ’ Erren informed him.

“Seems somewhat ... hostile,” Darras murmured, noting the stares he was getting.

‘Crusal was conquered and held down for over a century by Asul until they broke free. Unfortunately your features are similar to an Asulian, ’ Erren explained.