Alexandria Terramanz

Cough! I coughed into my hand to get everyone’s attention. “Now that Oberon is awake Sir Foltest, Valeria and I will present ourselves to the guards. I’m sure my sister Ludivine informed them of our arrival beforehand so it should not take long.”

Sir Foltest and Valeria nodded, and I opened the carriage door stepping out with Sir Foltest and Valeria following closely behind. We made our way past various carriages, caravans, and people getting to the gate. I looked around me and noticed a large number of guards and knights inspecting the caravans and carriages.

Looks like Margrave Allard is being stricter on who he is allowing to go in. Not surprising considering the tension with the Orion Kingdom he is most likely cautious of spies or perhaps people from the Orion Kingdom that had the same crazy idea as us and wanted to kidnap him.

We stood behind a line of people who were arguing and making cases to be allowed in faster.

“My troupe and I are the best performers in the Kingdom our play will no doubt impress Princess Ludivine.”

“We heard that Margrave Allard was raising an army and we are here to offer our services. We are not so expensive, and we come with our own fine weapons and armor.”

Mercenaries?

“I am but a trader of furs and silk I am no threat please let me in I cannot stand waiting for so long I am losing money as we speak.”

I heard Valeria sigh with impatience. “I do not wish to wait who knows how long to be allowed in. Sir Foltest, Alexandria you two are recognizable and as you said are being expected. So, let’s just go to the front of the line and tell the guards that we have arrived.

It would be unfair to the others who have been waiting but she is right we cannot afford to just wait.

Sir Foltest turned to address me. “I agree with Valeria. My Lady let us just go to the front.”

I nodded. “Very well, follow me.” We made the people ahead of us move, pushing and pulling others aside as we made our way to the front some were of course angry but one look at Sir Foltest made them rethink any complaints. We made our way to the front where guards and knights took notice of us.

“It's Princess Alexandria and Sir Foltest!” A knight in burgundy plated armor quickly approached us. “We have been expecting you, we will clear the way for your carriage. Margrave Allard and Lady Ludivine are expecting you in the fortress.”

“You have my thanks Sir. We will make our way there immediately.” I said turning back. The people in line must have heard what the knight said as everyone quickly got out of our way letting us through without complaint. We quickly found our way back to our carriage and Valeria opened the door where we saw Brigette slightly blushing as Oberon looked contemplatively at a piece of paper in his hand.”

“I fear that you did not quite accurately draw my likeness.” Oberon looked up smiling. “I am far more handsome in this portrait than in reality, but I am flattered and will gladly accept your gift.”

Brigette was working on her sketch during our trip here. Occasionally sneaking glances at Oberon's face. She must have been confident in it if she decided to give her sketch of Oberon to the man himself.

“We will be let in immediately and make out way to the fortress,” I said getting in with the others then lightly poked Brigette’s cheek. “How brave of you to do this in front of Valeria,” I whispered to her teasingly.

She said nothing merely glaring at me and blushing further. Making it difficult to suppress my laughter.

“That’s good to hear I was beginning to feel quite suffocated in here,” Oberon said handing the sketch to Valeria who was looking back and forth to him and the sketch.

“As the biggest person here, I feel that I am the one who should make that complaint so I will and agree with your words Oberon.” Sir Foltest said knocking on our carriage giving the signal to our driver.

Our carriage began to move and just like the knight said our way was cleared and we were allowed in without any inconvenience. I took the opportunity to look outside and was greeted by performers in the streets. Tents set up with what looked like actors trying on costumes and makeup. Common folk clapping in appreciation to some performances. As we got closer to the fortress I saw men and women in all sorts of weapons and armor mingling with each other and occasionally trading blows with one another.

I shook my head in amazement. Mercenaries, playwrights, and their troupes what a strange combination of people that Leonis has attracted.

“Valeria, what are your thought on the mercenaries we have seen so far?” Sir Foltest asked Valeria. On the way here I told Sir Foltest and Brigette what I had learned about Oberon and Valeria, and they even offered up more information on their own so perhaps they had opened themselves up to us a bit more.

Valeria neatly folded the sketch and gave it back to Oberon who pocketed it in a small pouch at his waist. “Some look decent enough. As a general rule with mercenaries, you can gauge their experience with how worn out and damaged their weapons and armor are. The more worn out and damaged they are the more likely it is that they are more experienced. Some might have a smith with them to repair their equipment, but mercenaries know that showing their experience through their equipment is the best way to get hired so they only repair what is needed.”

Sir Foltest nodded in agreement and looked like he was about to speak again but Brigette spoke first.

“Are there any mercenaries here that you recognize Valeria?” Brigette asked.

That’s a good question but then again Valeria said that the mercenary band she was a part of fought in the lands beyond the sea so she may not know anyone here.

Valeria shrugged. “Not any that I have seen, but who knows maybe someone I’m familiar with will pop up.”

“For Margrave Allard to hire so many mercenaries he must be worried about an attack,” I said then took a look at the fortress we were approaching.

“Perhaps, but they also serve to discourage the Orion Kingdom from attacking. They will have spies here reporting on the activity here of that I have no doubt, and the larger the army here is the more the Orion Kingdom will hesitate either to gather a larger army themselves or to not attack at all.” Oberon replied.

Sir Foltest sighed. “Even if they don’t attack they will be planning something to show their strength during the negotiation as well.”

“Whatever they are planning I do not believe it will be something as bold as what we are about to do,” I said grinning.

We all shared smiles and enjoyed the short ride to the fortress in companionable silence.

“Hello everyone, you were faster getting here than I expected.” The woman who would be leading the mission Lady Sirena said with a small group of men surrounding her in the entrance.

“Lady Sirena it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance,” I said adjusting Oberon's backpack, so the crossbow didn’t poke me.

“Pleased to make your acquaintance Lady Sirena,” Brigette said with a small bow.

“Indeed, I meant to acquaint myself with you back in Sagittae, but I didn’t have the opportunity to do so. It is rare for me to meet someone almost as tall as me and for that person to be a woman.” Sir Foltest grinned. He had a backpack of his own on as well and his greatsword was resting on his shoulder as usual.”

She chuckled slightly. “It’s a pleasure to meet you all as well and I am glad I impress Sir Foltest. I have never met someone taller than me either, but I expected the “Giant of Sagitta” to be as tall or taller than me.

Perhaps because I am so used to Sir Foltest I did not take note of Lady Sirena’s height, but she is tall. I barely reach her chest!

“Bahahaha, Were I 10 years younger I would have a mind to court you Lady Sirena our children would be double giants.”

I blushed slightly in embarrassment and so did Brigette who gave Sir Foltest a light slap on his arm which was a bad idea since she winced in pain immediately. The men with Lady Sirena also coughed in embarrassment and looked away.

Lady Sirena chuckled louder. “I do not mind older men so perhaps the opportunity is not lost.”

“As fun as it is to watch the two of you flirt we should immediately go meet with Margrave Allard,” Oberon said with amusement, Valeria behind him pushing his wheelchair.

Lady Sirena nodded with a grin. “Indeed. Follow me I will lead you all to the strategy room.”

We followed her as she led us deeper into the fortress until we arrived in front of a double-doored room. She instructed her men to stay outside and guard and then opened the door.

We entered behind her, and I studied the room. Maps, sketches of people, and location were pinned on the wall, and in the middle of the room, a large table was placed with a bigger map laid out on it. Two men were examining the map one was no doubt Margrave Allard who was a well-built older man with slicked-back silver-lined black hair. He was scratching his square jaw and talking with the man next to him. He was bronze-skinned and looked about the same age as Margrave Allard his face looked similar to Lady Sirena’s so they may be related. Behind them, I saw the twins who were talking with my sister Ludivine. She saw me and gave me a small smile. Two other men who were sitting on chairs when we entered had jumped up to stand when they saw Lady Sirena.

“Our guests have arrived.” Lady Sirena said in her soft but firm voice.

Everyone in the room turned to stare at us as we approached.

“Oh!” Oberon exclaimed. I turned to look at him and saw that he was staring with surprise at the bronze-skinned man who had a slight smile on his face.

Do they know each other?

I cleared my throat. “Greeting Margrave Allard, I’m sure Lady Sirena and my sister Ludivine already informed you about who we are and our purpose here?”

Margrave Allard nodded. “Indeed they have Lady Alexandria.” He turned to look at Brigette. “The stewardess Lady Brigette” He looked up to Sir Foltest impressed. “Sir Foltest no doubt.” Finally, he looked at Oberon and Valeria. “The former Oberon Flamberge and his attendant Valeria.” He gestured at the bronze-skinned man next to him and the two men who stood up to introduce them.

“My right-hand man and Lady Sirena’s father, Sir Castor.” Sir Castor gave us a small bow.

“The two men from the Leonis scouting team, Olivier and Clement.” They also gave us a small bow.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you all, now let's get started,” I said approaching the table my companions closely behind.

As we took a seat on the chairs Sir Castor spoke.

“It’s nice to see you again Oberon. Do you remember me?” He said in a similar soft voice as his daughter. Lady Sirena looked surprised so perhaps she did not know that they were acquainted.

So, they do know each other.

Valeria had moved a chair aside and pushed Oberon's wheelchair in its place, she did not sit down but decided to stand behind Oberon. Oberon smiled somewhat awkwardly.

“How could I forget the person who gave me my first loss.” Oberon bowed. “Sir Castor, I want to apologize for treating you so rudely at the time. I was immature and did not deal with losing well.”

Sir Foltest snorted in amusement. “That’s putting it lightly.” Then he began to examine Sir Castor.

Sir Castor laughed softly. “You were little more than a child I did not hold it against you. I was saddened when I heard about what happened to you, but I am glad that you seem to have overcome it and found a different path for yourself.”

Oberon straightened himself. “We should talk more at a later time. I would like to know how you ended up in your position. But for now, I think we should discuss the mission at hand.”

Sir castor smiled and nodded.

Margrave Allard addressed us. “This mission is not without risk and when Lady Sirena told me about it I was reluctant to allow it, yet I see the brilliance in it. I do not doubt that Duke Christopher knows that I am raising an army and that I am planning either to defend from an attack or to attack myself. With the festival celebrating his son’s engagement approaching and his assumption on what my move is he will not expect something as mad as being kidnapped.”

“Do you believe Duke Christopher has spies in Leonis to make such an assumption?” I asked.

He seemed to fall into thought. “Yes. When Lady Sirena questioned the man from the Orion scouting team he said that there was a drop-off point in the border region where he and his team would pick up their notes. The notes we found on the Orion scouting team were too detailed and explained too much of what was going on in Leonis to be taken from a distance. We have yet to find the spies so perhaps they have left or are still here and sending their findings to the Orion Kingdom some other way.”

Perhaps I will spend my time here trying to root out the spies. Not that I have any experience in doing so but it’s worth a try.

“What can you tell us about the strength of the Orion Kingdom?” Oberon asked.

Margrave Allard and Sir Castor exchanged glances. “In my time here in Leonis we have had a few skirmishes with the Orion Kingdom. Nothing so serious as to start a war just some disputes over some land in the border region.” Sir Castor furrowed his brow. “I did not think that their forces were any stronger than ours, yet there were times where I landed and witnessed blows from others that should have killed any normal man, but the Orion men kept fighting. My spear Pierced a man between the joints of his plate, but he did not react even though I knew it would have killed. When we fought they were near silent no shouting in pain, excitement, relief, even when they were dying they said nothing. We were suspicious and admittedly a bit frightened, so we examined their corpses and found nothing of note they had tongues to speak, the same organs in the right places as we did, they were normal men and women.” He finished softly as if speaking to himself.

Margrave Allard took over and began explaining what he knew. “I have been Margrave of Leonis since I was 23 years old so nearly 25 years now and I lived here my whole life inheriting the position from my father. In that time, I have faced off with the Orion Kingdom more times than I could count, and I can tell you that this is a new development. When I faced off with them before they were like any other men, they shouted with emotion when they fought, they encouraged and supported each other, and they died when they should have. Something happened in the last 10 years in the Orion Kingdom that caused such a change to their men.”

Men that don’t speak or die when they should, what could it mean?

I felt my spine shiver and took note of my companions’ reactions. Sir Foltest next to me on my right was stroking his beard in thought but he looked worried. Brigette next to him looked scared but curious. I turned to my left looking at Oberon and Valeria and saw that Oberon looked Grim and even Valeria was slightly frowning.

“Are you all familiar with the forbidden arts of the unexplored lands,” Oberon said in seriousness.

A folktale! Why bring it up?

Margrave Allard and Sir Castor looked at Oberon in surprise. “I know what you are thinking Oberon we talked about it as well, but we cannot attribute this to folktale and myth. There is no proof that such things existed or even if anyone or anything lives in the unexplored lands.” Margrave Allard said though he sounded like he doubted what he was saying.

Oberon shook his head. “History is not always accurate, and we do not know much about the unexplored lands. Our neighbors the Orion Kingdom however are closer to the unexplored lands, and it is known that some of their people sometimes make a journey to the unexplored lands only to never return. Have you not asked yourself why the unexplored lands remain unexplored even after all this time? Surely the Orion Kingdom would want to claim such vast land for themselves, yet they never have. Why?'

He raises good points but to attribute that to folktales made to scare children is ridiculous. It is most likely that the Orion Kingdom never bothered with the unexplored lands because it is not suited for farming or perhaps the terrain is not suitable to live in. There are plenty of logical reasons why the lands remain unexplored.

I said that to myself and yet I cannot help recalling some of the stories old man Wes used to tell us about the unexplored lands. “Creatures beyond human imagination and no matter of weapons were able to harm them.” It is not quite the same as what Margrave Allard and Sir Castor described but it is eerily similar.

Sir Castor gave Oberon a shaky smile. “It’s nice to be imaginative but the likely answer that we came up with was, that they used some sort of drug that numbs pain and feelings to make them better fighters. The medicinal field is rather young, and we don’t know what all the numerous combinations of plants and herbs can produce. The Orion Kingdom may have stumbled upon such a drug in the recent years and have been putting it to use.”

Oberon nodded but he did not look convinced and he looked up to Valeria, again communicating with their eyes as they often did.

A drug! Yes, that sounds more likely.

“Do you still have some of those corpses you spoke about examining?” Brigette asked suddenly.

We all turned to stare at her.

She looked slightly flustered but spoke. “I am no physician and know nothing about medicine, but I often assisted our physician In Aquilae castle when she examined bodies to try and find the cause of death or to simply learn more about the human body. I learned quite a bit from her, and my memory is excellent, so I remember a lot. I may not find anything strange about the corpses, but I want to at least take a look at them.”

I had forgotten about some of Brigette’s stranger interests or perhaps deliberately ignored them.

Sir Castor shook his head. “We have not encountered those types of soldiers from the Orion Kingdom in quite some time.”

Brigette sighed disappointedly. “I probably wouldn’t have found anything anyway.”

Margrave Allard cleared his throat. “I feel like we went off-topic so let's refocus on the mission. Lady Sirena this is our best map on the border region that you helped create. Inform your team on the quickest way to get to the crack you discovered without being discovered by patrols or another scouting team. Then we will discuss how to best draw out Duke Christopher.

Lady Sirena walked up to the map and began examining it along with Olivier and Clemente from her original scouting team.

This talk about silent and hard-to-kill soldiers has me feeling a bit anxious perhaps a bath will clear my head. Ludivine told me that the fortress has a public bath so perhaps I’ll ask her to join me alongside Brigette and maybe Valeria and Lady Sirena. That sounds like a good plan.