(Draft 1) A Twist of Steel

Chapter 7

The Autumn Isles controlled all passing into Torgain, Rowanok and through the Western sea. They did this by having a gigantic gorge named the Farandor running through the whole country, the only way to cross from Torgain to Rowanok and vice versa was to use one of the nine bridges of Farandor spread out along the gorge. The gorge itself ran into the sea and had enough span for ten ships to sail comfortably beside each other. Dondoras guarded its coast aggressively, denying sailors passage. And further beyond Dondoras was Corsair territory which no-one lived to tell of. so, every sailor wishing to pass had to pay a tariff to sail through Farandor gorge, which made the Autumn Isles an extremely wealthy land with deep connections to other countries. Eight of the bridges of Farandor had their own Liege Lord commanding them. The ninth in the centre was the largest and hosted the monarchs of the Autumn Isles.

Castle Chryseum was a massive edifice of shining white marble, it was built into the bridge itself and had been the home of countless Kings and Queens of the Autumn Isles. It was built with eight magnificent towers. the silent tower was the traditional tower of the king's and queens. The whispering tower was kept empty for guests. The lord's tower hosted the council chambers and lodgings for any lords of the Autumn Isles. The radiant tower was the chambers for the children or heir to the Autumn Isles. The pale tower was the prisoners tower. The moon tower was the armoury, so named because of the way the moon shone on the stone walls at night. The water tower housed the food stores and the largest, the knight's tower contained the dining hall.

King Nuron was currently waiting at the entrance hall of the knight's tower, it contained three floors, the entrance hall, the kitchens and at the top the dining hall. He watched as Lukurn and Silva walked arm-in-arm up the wide, velvet-carpeted stairs to the dining hall. It had been one week since Randor Elwood and his daughter arrived at Castle Chryseum, one week of carefully laid planning masked by polite indifference. Randor and Lukurn had just concluded a three-day hunt in Horoth woods, the fruits of their labour were to be served at the dinner tonight. It had been a casually suggested occasion but one meticulously planned by Nuron and Randor to bring their heirs together. Nuron didn't enjoy manipulating his son but it was for the good of Autumn Isles and anyway, Silva Elwood wasn't a terribly bad trap to be drawn into.

Nuron was currently waiting on the arrival of Lady Frera of Dawnbridge. She had lost her husband to a well-placed arrow from the Cranak corsair uprising thirty years ago and had been one of many suitors that consistently pressed Nuron for his marriage. But however beautiful the bride and however tempting the dowry, Nuron was stubborn over his widower status and refused every offer he had been given. A similarity shared by Randor who had lost his own wife to a forest fire long ago. Nuron composed himself as Lady Frera entered, "My lady, how beautiful you look tonight. That gown outshines the stars themselves." He said graciously, offering his arm. She accepted it with a dazzling smile and proceeded to walk up the lush green carpeted stairs. "My king, I must say, you're much too charming to stay bereaved forever." She gave a flirtatious smile. He smiled also and inclined his head

"It is kind of you to say so my lady," They reached the gilded timber doors, thrown open to receive the diners. Four long tables were spread out in parallel rows, richly decorated coverings held dishes of every sort. The ceiling was a myriad of scripted gold, labradorite and crystal, garnet crusted lanterns threw patterned light across the room. The fifth table at the end of the hall was draped in a shimmering turquoise shroud and hosted Nuron, Randor, Lukurn, Silva and two of the visiting lords. Nuron lowered himself into his wood carved throne at the centre of the table and surveyed the diners with tired, wary eyes. Randor was on his left and Lukurn was on his right as befitting his status as heir. Nuron was glad that Randor was between him and Lady Frera. While Nuron had been a widower for fifty years he grew tired of constantly being on guard to elude the less-than-subtle hints visiting suitors had bombarded him with.