Bothvar

Sylvi 1

Sylvi and Nanook rode through the city gates, guards pointed loaded crossbows at them as they passed toward the cathedral.

"Was it such a smart idea, brother?" Sylvia asked in a hoarse whisper.

"If we came in with our men, they'd kill us all, without question." Nanook replied.

"I mean leaving Ragnar in charge of the siege. He's a literary man not a strategist like Torvald."

"It's been a week since we left him and you ask me this now?"

"I asked you last night!" Sylvi rose her voice very slightly, but still retained the whisper. "And the night before that and the night before that!

"Did you? I don't remember."

"Bacraut*!"                                                                                                                                    *Bacraut : Asshole

Their small argument distracted them, it seemed to be only a few seconds before the looming doors of the cathedral were in front of them. Sylvi looked at her brother with a desperate look, he returned that look with an uneasy smile as he clambered down from his horse. Sylvi did the same and noticed the guards giving her perverted looks. She had an axe hidden in her tunic but she dare not show it, no matter how offended she is by the stares. Nanook noticed the man staring and met his gaze. No words were spoken between the two, but Nanook's sheer size intimidated the man. In silence the cathedral doors were opened by an old man in pure white clothing, bearing a christian cross in the centre of his robes. Nanook and Sylvi both stepped in at the same time, spotting the silhouette of king Quillan at the far end. Nanook rushed forward and made an improper bow to the small king. Sylvi did not even bother. Quillan looked young, for someone who Sylvi recognised from Fenrer's stories. Though the description still matched to Fenrer's. Quillan was short with blonde hair and a fresh face, his right cheek was scarred from something Agenor had done to him in secrecy. Quillan flashed an unpleasant and discomforting smile at the two and gestured for them to sit.

"So, you are the children of Fenrer Gormsson?" Quillan's voice was ragged and tattered from speaking too much. "Apologies for the hoarseness of my voice, I had to ensure the security of my people when your soldiers arrived unannounced."

"You were not expecting us?" Nanook asked.

"Oh no, I expected you, just not so soon. I thought you would have taken the Emperor first and found out Olaf wasn't there before coming." Quillan's voice broke off at intervals. He cleared his throat. "But now I here that your brother has besieged the castle. Mighty brave of you."

"Enough of these petty discussions, fox king, where is Olaf?" Sylvi interrupted impatiently.

"He's here, in my dungeons. He is safe from harm, I assure you." Quillan cleared his throat once more.

"We wish to negotiate terms of Olaf's freedom and peace between Notos and the Guard." Nanook hesitated after Quillan's throat clearing.

"I would like nothing better. I have arranged a treaty that states you, your men and Olaf's men are to leave the Guard-" Quillan coughed and cleared his throat again. "to leave the Guard and refrain from returning for a year. Breaking this treaty is seen as dishonourable, shameful and in the case of a treaty broken, the other nations will also declare war upon you."

"Who are the other nations that have signed?" Nanook asked. "I believe if we are signing this then we have a right to know."

"King Rodrik of Alfa, Raphael of Sotos and Aethelwulf of Tyrus have already agreed to these terms, Sotos is our ally, Alfa yours, with Tyrus being a neutral party, making it fair for both sides." Quillan struggled through the last words.