A Journey Begins

Between her different classes, Kori's days were full, but she still made time in the evenings to visit the castle's impressive library. She had written at length to Madeleine extolling it, although on reflection she now hoped that her guardian would not take it the wrong way. Their cottage could never even have begun to house the smallest fraction of the tomes and Madeleine had feared that Kori would prefer the castle.

Household budgeting class for girls of the lesser nobility took place last thing in the afternoon. After it had finished, Kori walked down the corridor with Megan of the Flatlands.

"Learning to budget a household is sooo dull," Megan complained. "Figures are dreary."

"But isn't it interesting, learning the annual budgets for different types of household?" asked Kori earnestly. "Now we know that the Royal annual income is usually five thousand gold pieces."

Megan rolled her eyes. "I care not what the Royal budget is. But you actually have exciting things to look forward to. Like being in Siegfried's escort. Lucky thing."

Kori grinned. She had already daydreamed about it. "Well yes, I'll be guarding him. I really hope the werewolves don't make an appearance."

"If you kill a werewolf when you guard him, would he marry you as a reward?"

"Megan! Don't be ridiculous. He'd never marry me, he's betrothed to my sister." But Kori wasn't entirely sure how she felt about that, so she changed the subject. "Want to come to the library with me?"

"No thank you, I've had enough of books and parchment this afternoon."

00O00

After greeting Leisel enthusiastically, Kori searched the shelves for books on heroes and heroines who had defeated demons and great evil-doers. She selected one and then laid it on a table.

She opened the book at the section on recent events and read an account of how a heroine named Karla, originally from the Dark Forest, had defeated a cult of evil-doers who came from another world in the multiverse – the blighted world of Obsidia. The cult called themselves the Dread Disciples and Carcescu, their leader, had been drawn to Granat because the banishment of a fire demon had caused certain magical resonances. Carcescu had been a mere man to start out with, but he sucked out a great part of the demon's elemental power, becoming a demonic force in his own right and able to summon three of his foul followers, Disciple Mortis, Disciple Fear and Disciple Phobia, to Granat. But brave Karla had defeated them all, although she had had supernatural help.

Kori reviewed what she knew. Lesser demons had started out as mortals, but had become heavy with sin and physically warped by magic. Greater demons were ethereal beings with elemental powers. The wolf demon was a greater demon, but it was working through mortal henchmen. With further study, she would give herself a better chance of defeating the greater demon like her father had wanted her to.

She heard Gerd enter the library. His footfalls and the sound of his breathing were distinctive to her ears. She looked up and smiled at him, mindful of the fact that one should not make any noise that ordinary people can hear when in a library.

Gerd was mindful of that too. He came over to sit beside her before whispering as softly as he could; "reading something interesting, I expect, Kori?"

Kori leaned her face close to his to whisper very softly. "Very. How's the arm, dear Gerd?"

"All better, thank you." He glanced at the page she was reading about Karla's victory over Carcescu. "Ach! Our local legend. You are researching for a project?"

"No, it's just… she's so brave."

Kori had made a pinkie/greenie promise with her sister that the mission their father had left for her would be their secret and she could not go back on it. She believed she had to keep it between herself and Erika, even if it meant she could not be entirely honest with the prince.

00O00

Kori was coming along fast at novice fencing level, but Rudolph had expressed a desire to accelerate her training and made time to coach her one on one.

As Linksor had noted, Kori's reflexes were unnaturally fast, but never having had training before her arrival at the castle, her technique was that of any rookie.

Rudolph had the idea that they should practice techniques with willow canes, just aiming to tap one another on the chest or head. Kori was fully ambidextrous, so they decided that she should practice with two canes in preparation for wielding two weapons. But even though Rudolph could only wield the one cane, Kori still lost every round. "Your blocking technique is unbeatable uncle," she said, shaking her head.

"Try to copy how I do it, Kori," he suggested.

Kori gazed at him intently as he made the blocking motions, striving to remember every detail. The next round she duplicated his right handed motion with both her hands and deflected his willow switch. Quickly she struck at his chest with both her switches, but he deflected her. She pressed her advantage and with lightning swiftness struck out at his chest again, twice. He had been defending his head, but he brought his switch round in a wide sweep, narrowly deflecting both of hers.

"That is an improvement," said her uncle approvingly. "Now at least you can defend yourself. And you will certainly need to. There have been wolf attacks in the surrounding regions already and accounts of evil magic. People have been mauled and killed too. The Wolf Cultists are behind it."

Kori felt sick. "Can't they be found and stopped?"

"The only way to defeat them is to find and defeat their leader - the Arch-Lycanthrope. Only then can do we have a chance of banishing the Wolf Demon. Those are two very difficult obstacles to overcome."

Kori's resolve to fulfill the mission her father had left her burned even brighter.

00O00

The night before the journey, the sisters were in Erika's bedroom and Kori was uneasy.

"Erika, I've been thinking… I've read how werewolves have strange powers. They can sometimes inflict lycanthropy on untainted people. What if the cultists' victims attack us?" She bit her lip. "They don't deserve any of this."

Erika put her arms around her. Kori liked it when she answered in that way and leaned against her, smelling the comforting scent of her silky hair. "Less thinking! Now… the question is what will happen if werewolves attack? We all have our duty and uncle and the Regent are in charge of strategy. They have to decide what to do if we're attacked."

"So they'll know the right thing to do?"

"Don't you trust our uncle's judgement, Kori? He knew that a young green girl was worthy of acceptance here, even before she defeated a werewolf."

"Of course I trust him." Kori felt somewhat more at ease.

Erika gently stroked her sister's back. Her presence was so soothing… She murmured in Kori's ear. "I trust you to look after me whatever the wolf demon throws at us. In the end our father did know you were special… and that Rudolph is right. We cannot do without you. I know I can't."

Feeling a rush of affection for her sister, Kori kissed Erika's cheek. "I love you. You're right of course."

00O00

The next morning the Royal party assembled in the courtyard and rode out into the gentle green countryside of Gruenwald. It was a fine November morning and the air was chill and crisp. Kori proudly rode on horseback next to Rudolph. She was clad in tight fitting leather armour and was equipped with both her Runeknife and a silver edged sword. She was now a part of the armed horseback guard that surrounded the ornately carved Royal carriages. Erika was in one such carriage and Prince Siegfried in another. Kori grinned at her sister who smiled back.

Kori wore the ornate necklace of silver leaves and garnets that her uncle had given her. The guardsmen all wore what appeared to be crude silver collars. The collars had not been made by an expert silversmith, but they should be functional.

Rudolph addressed the party. "Now as I told you, werewolves cannot abide the touch of silver. That is why I instructed you all to wear silver items. Have you all done as I told you?"

Siegfried wore a haughty look that Kori thought suited his finely sculpted features so well... "I fear nothing. I need no silver."

Rudolph quickly smothered an expression of irritation. "I've brought extra collars. You can wear one."

Siegfried shook his head. "I'm the future King. I'm not afraid and you can't tell me what to do."

"Indeed your highness?" Rudolph frowned, his black brows bristling. "I'm head of this expedition and responsible for your well-being. If you won't cooperate, there can be no expedition."

Siegfried balled his shapely white hands into fists. "I say we ride on."

Rudolph addressed Gerd who sat next to Siegfried and who now looked uncomfortable. "Your cousin is very tiresome. Everyone mount up! We're heading back to the castle."

Gerd intervened. "Put on the wretched collar and try not to ruin everything," he said in a rough voice. If anything happened to you, father would hold us all responsible. If you won't do it for yourself, can't you do it for the young Ladies present? There's some honour in being gracious to them."

Siegfried glared, his blue-green eyes glinting, but he said nothing,

"Give me the collar," said Gerd tersely and Rudolph handed it over. It was a plain, thick silver band, hinged in the middle. "Now put it on."

"I'm not wearing that piece of junk," said Siegfried through clenched teeth, "it's a slave chain and I am your future ruler. If I must wear silver then so be it, but only the finest will do."

Kori knew what she must do. She slipped off her fine necklace from around her throat. "Your highness, please would you accept the loan of my necklace? I would count it an honour."

Gerd turned on her impatiently. "You shouldn't have to-"

But Siegfried interrupted. "I gladly accept the loan. I do it to honour the Lady Korina."

Kori was suffused with relief and exultation. Siegfried would wear her necklace and return it, with the scent of his body! He even dismounted from the carriage and allowed her to fasten the chain of silver leaves about his neck, stooping a little so she could fasten the clasp under the fall of his red hair. When he straightened, he bowed slightly.

"My thanks, kind lady."

How magical his blue-green eyes were, like perfect opals. Kori beamed back at him, all of a flutter.

Gerd compressed his lips and handed Kori the collar which she fastened around her own neck. She gave Gerd a happy smile and he shook his head and grinned slightly in response.

Kori stole a glance at her sister who smiled her oblique smile in return.

Rudolph was wearing a most sardonic expression. "Well with Siegfried's permission, we'll consider that settled."

00O00

"Keep those ears sharp, Kori," Rudolph advised as they rode along. The woods were thick on both sides of the wide road.

"Absolutely uncle. Anything that sounds out of the ordinary anywhere near, I'll know it." Kori could hear the twittering of the birds and the sound of small animals in the woods, mingling with the clattering of the horses hooves and chatter of the guardsmen. The sun shone bright overhead although the air was cool. A fresh breeze blew against Kori's face and she closed her eyes for a second, savouring the moment.

"I'm proud of the way you calmed Siegfried. But I fear he'll be more of a nuisance than the rest of the party put together."

Kori blinked. "One should not be unkind when talking about the future King. Besides, he was courteous to me."

"He is to be King, dear niece. He must learn to keep his wilful impetuousness in check, even if he does have a temper. He's not trying."

Kori thought of Siegfried's beautiful face that showed such strength, his fiery hair, his muscular young form and iridescent green blue eyes. He had accepted her necklace to do her an honour! She should speak up for him. "I'm certain he'll make a great King."

"Well he is young yet. There is time to learn."

The different guardsmen rode at different paces, some overtaking others. Kori and Rudolph kept riding close together while different guardsmen rode in line with them. Kori called a greeting to Ralph when he rode in line with them.

"Well met, Lady Korina." He inclined his head. He was acting stiffly formal now.

Rudolph observed them shrewdly. "You know each other?"

"The Lady Korina was very kind to me, My Lord," said Ralph, inclining his head to Rudolph. "She patched me up once when I suffered an injury in sword practice."

Kori beamed at him. "It was my pleasure. So! We're now in the Royal Guard together. All for one and one for all. Isn't it an honour that the Regent trusts us this much?"

Ralph gave her a small smile in return, his green eyes twinkling. "Indeed, My Lady. Although you know best just how dangerous the werewolves are."

"We're relying on Kori to give us advance warning," said Rudolph cheerily. "Be ready for a fight at her say so, my boy."

Ralph nodded. "I'm ready to fight bravely, my Lord."

00O00

When evening came they arrived in a great clearing and Rudolph decided that it was time to set up an encampment. Erika and the Princes had specially appointed caravans in the center of the clearing and Rudolph and Kori camped with the guards, near the outskirts close to the trees. As the only female guard, Kori got a very small tent of her own, which she set up next to Rudolph's. She looked around to see if anyone else needed help with their tent, but as no one did she sat by the fire with her uncle and some of the guardsmen where they had a meal of roasted pheasant. It smelled so good and so did the smell of a wood fire on a wintry evening. Some of the men sang snatches of camp fire songs and Kori would have liked to join in, but she was self-conscious about her singing voice. She knew how piercing it sounded; worse than her normal speaking voice. When she had eaten enough she leaned against her uncle, happy in his company while he proceeded to finish an entire bird.

"There's a good meal," said Rudolph when he had finished. "Hunger is the spiciest seasoning."

When it was time for her to sleep, Kori kissed Rudolph on the cheek and wished all the men good night. She slipped into her tent and checked over all her belongings. She had brought a supply of Madeleine's special fire powder with her for use against the terrible cultists and was making sure she kept it close at all times. She tried to settle on the hard, cold floor of the clearing. She wrapped the sleeping blankets around her tight. This was not the luxury of the castle, but she knew her duty. She listened to the reassuring sound of her uncle snoring and the rhythmic breathing of the men in the other tents. As she slipped off to sleep, she thought of Siegfried.