The Kingdom of Liticea: The War in the Westland

Chapter One: A Long Kept Secret

"I will not have them in my House!" 

Grapevine Hall was in a state of confusion and fear after the attempted seizure of the Hall's nobles and its guests. A total of about fifty sellswords were believed to have been a part of it. Most of them were captured, thanks to a young boy who was more loyal to Nakbar Nazeen than Aqorro Norsier. However, many of the more prejudice men in the hall and the army felt that the two sides were one and the same.

"Nakbar and his men saved several members of your own family from being seized, Lord Bryn," spoke Rengle Fallaner. Dayve Bryn, the new Lord of Grapevine came to his office and demanded that he remove the Userians from his lands, but Rengle was not about to let men who had fought and bled with him be thrown out into the woods to freeze to death. 

"He brought them here. I ought to hang the lot of them. Damn, no good sand rats are a plague everywhere they go!" Dayve slammed his small fist down on the table. 

"Without him, none of us would likely be standing here! Without them, we would'nt have held off the Morcars as long as we did and Olsen Ryd would be knocking at your door. A few troublesome Userians are the least of your problems, Lord Dayve." 

"Troublesome? They tried to kidnap my cousin, my mother..."

"And they tried to kidnap my son!" Rengle snapped at him, and Dayve recoiled like a pup about to be whipped. 

"Oh, Dayve you look utterly ridiculous right now," spoke Abigail, his mother and dowager of Grapevine, "Why don't you run along and play with your swords."

"Mother!" his cheeks flushed red with embarrassment, "I'm the Lord of this Hall!"

"You're fifteen. You're no lord yet. Why don't you go and let the grown men talk?"

"I will not be treated as a child!" his pitch got higher as he became more irritated. Sir Argus could not help but give a laugh under his breath. 

"Then stop acting like one. You should be grateful that Mr. Nazeen was willing to stand against his own for us."

"They're not leaving. And that is final," Rengle spoke. Dayve tried to speak, but Rengle's glare and his Mother's berating shut him up. 

"We have more important things to worry about. I want this Hall and this town fortified. There are thousands of Morcars pouring through Talonwood and they will reach us before long."

"Why are you giving orders?" Dayve spoke once more.

"Because he's the man with the army, Master Dayve," Argus spoke, taking pleasure in making the little lord shut his mouth. 

"Are you sure it's a good idea to stay here, Lord Rengle?" Abigail asked, "Should we not head south towards Muscavra?"

"Eventually. But my men are still tired and need rest, and besides," he turned his gaze to Dayve, "I'm sure Lord Bryn is not ready to give up his Hall yet. 

Dayve stormed out. His mother rolled her eyes, gave a small bow to Rengle and followed.

"Sir Argus, I've not seen Jergan this morning. Do you know where he is?"

"I'm afraid not, my Lord. Sir Jergan has kept to himself since... that night," they both eyed each other nervously just thinking what he did to his would-be captors.

"Please go find him. i wish to speak with him.'

"Yes, my Lord," Argus left and Rengle thought about what he was going to speak to his son about. A great many things, he thought. 

Since that night, Jergan has kept to himself. It did not take long for the word to spread to the rest of the army that the son of their commander was a sorcerer. Not only that, but he used his magic to viciously burn three men alive. All in front of poor Katherine Bryn. Now no one will go near him. Not Katherine, not Locke, nor any of his friends from Ruska. He might as well have the pox.