The war of the twelve realms - Book 1 - Of squires and scholars

Chapter 3 - Arnel

Chapter 3 – Arnel

Sir Arvas was looking over his map, planning the next move. “It doesn’t make sense. All previous information has told us that the remains of Sir Quentin’s force retreated into this area, but Fyn says that there’s no sign of them.” He shook his head, “We’ve checked all the areas except this and found nothing; how can one hundred armed men and fifty armed horse just vanish?”

“Perhaps they simply returned to the fields, sir. At the crossroads Quentin’s unit was broken and cut down by the Redcrest forces, the same as all of the Lanarck forces. They have nowhere to run but back to their castles, except we hold Sir Quentin’s Lord’s castle.” replied Venerant Hollin.

“True enough, but Sir Quentin Armstay has always been a stubborn brute, and if he were to yield to me, of all people, I should be the most surprised man in all of the twelve kingdoms for the rest of my life. He has hated me since I beat him in a tourney for the daughter of our own Lord Fullarch’s sister almost twenty years ago, and I certainly believe that the only reason he sided with the Lanarcks is because he hates me so.”

“That may be so, but even a proud fool like Quentin has to know when he is defeated. He has one hundred and fifty men, and we have almost twice that number in this party alone. It is unlikely that he is planning an attack.”

The two were interrupted by a familiar tap on the canvas, “It’s Fyn. May I enter?”

“Certainly,” called Sir Arvas. Fyn entered and bowed to the two men.

“Sir Arvas, Venerant Hollin, Tryssen recently went out of control in the yards. He attacked Utad Fyras and nearly caused lasting damage, despite having only a wooden sword and being so young. It was all I could do to pull him away without being hit myself.”

“What did Utad do to Tryssen?” Hollin asked.

“He stuck a hard blow to the lad’s stomach and nearly finished with a head strike. I told him of his folly and he apologised, but Trys attacked shortly afterwards and he hit Fyras in his manhood.”

Sir Arvas smiled thinly and Venerant Hollin permitted a small chuckle, but soon returned to the matter at hand. “I

think that Utad has been disciplined by young Trys, but who shall discipline Trys, and how?”  asked Arvas.

“Does Trys need disciplining? He did no more than what most seven year olds do in anger, and caused no lasting damage beyond a bruising. The boy is faultless, I think, and should continue his training as normal unless you wish to punish him the only way he’ll understand; the way of his own people.” said Hollin.

 “And what way would this be, pray tell?” Fyn asked.

“In Kaval, if a child attacks an older or senior person, they are starved and deprived of sleep for twenty four hours, but expected to continue with normal duties. So soon after his previous ordeal, from which he is just now recovering, would possibly put his mental and physical health at risk, and make him lose all trust in us.” replied Hollin, with absolute conviction in his voice.

“No, that will not do. But neither can the boy go unpunished. To allow that would be to risk the dissent of Utad and the future insolence of Tryssen. I would suggest telling the lad about the laws here, and also that he shall be punished if he breaks the laws. A mild punishment for this first offence will do though; perhaps missing his breakfast or having to join a watch.” Mused Arvas.

“Aye,” said Fyn, “The lad needs to learn the values of watching, and it’ll contribute to his training. He’s doing well in that, I might add, although he needs to learn discipline if he’s ever going to get a higher rank than reserve footman. If I may be so bold, sir, it may be as well that you take him as your page in a few days’ time so he learns discipline, obedience and also how to care for arms and armour.”

“Maybe, in a few days or a few weeks. I want to have an assessment of the boy and judge him for myself; a test, if you will. I want you to test the boy to the limit of his capability in martial skill, obedience and temperament. Venerant Hollin, you shall test his ability to learn and listen, and also his skills in reading maps and doing mathematics: administrative tasks.

“Report back to me each day and do not let Trys know that he is being tested. If he asks why his work is harder, say that it is because you are treating him like a man instead of a boy. Am I understood?” 

“Yes, sir” replied Fyn and Hollin.

“Good. Fyn, you may leave us. Resume your duties and check on the boy. We must not let the newcomer tear us from our primary duty, which is finding and destroying the forces of the traitor Sir Quentin Armstay.” Sir Arvas concluded.

When Fyn had left, Arvas turned to Venerant Hollin, “The boy could be troublesome. As Fyn told us of Tryssen’s madness, I feared that we had a berserker on our hands. If he goes untrained, he could be a dangerous man to all sides. If trained, he could be a dangerous ally or a deadly enemy if he turns his cloak. I must see if he has it in him to be loyal. As a Kavallan, I doubt it.”

“That is a possibility, but it is equally likely that the lad was releasing the stresses of the last few days on a man that was unfortunate enough to wake it and let him expel it. Perhaps it is more fortunate for us that his anger and pain was not allowed to simmer. He shows promise as a scholar as well as a swordsman; he has picked up the language faster than I would have thought, although he has yet to read or write or do mathematics in our way.” replied Hollin.

“Well, over the next week he must learn to read, write and calculate to a base level at least. In the meantime, I suggest we send rangers to the Dragon’s Eye and try to root out the caves in the cliffs along the beach front. It’s the one place we haven’t looked, so Quentin is almost certainly hiding somewhere there. I’m sending Grein Turrillan with twenty archers and thirty light infantry, to observe and report in the event that Quentin is found. Five horses are to go with them so they can send messengers back if anything happens. Agreed?”

“Is Grein a good choice? He’s impetuous and headstrong, perhaps not the best choice for a covert mission.” Hollin questioned.

“He’s well liked among the men, and a good leader. I’ll give him strict orders not to engage unless engaged and his loyalty will make him obey. He still wishes to prove that even a bastard has honour.”

“Well enough then. I see no other problems, and I can feel a certain call of nature.” Venerant Hollin bowed and left the tent, setting off in the direction of the privy.