Lore of Eternal Shadow: The Fugitive King

Chapter Thirty-Two

Cleaning up the battle and coordinating forces elsewhere in the Varian League took up more time than Jannick expected. The next few days had passed in a blur, information was given in a chaotic cloud and the grieving for the fallen forces was too much to mentally handle. Jannick pondered if this was what it was like in the days after the Pyrolith Manor was sacked... though he was certain this was worse.

Things quieted down as the dead were sorted out and the information coming in became more reliable. Sigfred summoned his little brother to Touse Hall. Jannick greeted Alyssa and Salgan, Lauren was still recovering from her wound. Sigfred stood at a long table usually meant for dining in the main hall with an elven woman at his side. "Serena," greeted Jannick, "When did you get here?"

"Just now," Serena replied, "I'm glad you're still in one piece, Jannick."

"Likewise," Jannick noted her light metal armor, bright but unpolished, and the yew bow over her shoulder, "You've been fighting too?"

"Commanding my father's manor guard, yes," she answered, moving some of her long raven hair out of her face, "We had a rough time even as scouts... Nobody's happier than me that Siggy-Bear broke the invasion!" She hugged Sigfred and pecked him on the cheek.

Jannick snorted, "Siggy-Bear?!"

Sigfred felt his cheeks flush under his brick-red beard, "Honey, you're embarrassing me."

"Hang on a second," stated Alyssa.

"They're married," Jannick explained.

"You're married!?" Alyssa cried.

"It was almost two years ago now," Sigfred answered, "Not long after my parents were killed..."

"Well, that's what I get for being away for four years," Alyssa lamented. It made sense; Sigfred had told her he was interested in someone else. Serena was obviously that someone else, "Glad to meet you, Lady Pyrolith."

"Call me Serena, if you please," the two shook hands, "I've heard a lot about you, Alyssa." Jannick studied Alyssa absently. She had been distant since the fighting ended.

"So," Salgan began, "Is the invasion really over?"

Sigfred nodded, "We were right, most of the demons were in Touse. There's some resistance in outlying areas, but the back of the invasion has been broken." Jannick's mind lingered on the man he couldn't save. He shook his head; dwelling on it would only continue to damage him.

Sigfred smiled at Salgan, "We couldn't have done it without Galgaroth's help. If you are ever in need, the Varian League will help any way we can."

"Zicone will appreciate it," Jannick said, "Now all that remains for the four of us is to find the piece of the Ring of the Dead."

"You said it was deep in the Northerlands?" asked Sigfred.

"In the northwest," Salgan answered. He put a small map down, one he copied from Zanrai's journal, and compared it with the larger map of the Varian League. "Looks like some remote country."

Jannick nodded, "We'll have to traverse a dozen mountain ranges through colder and colder territory. I've spent a lot of time out there; inhospitable is a nice way to describe it. I hope you like snow and venison for dinner every night."

"We'll pack some preserves," Salgan quipped, "You know, to starve off the scurvy."

"So you're just going to go up there all alone with no backup," Sigfred summarized.

"It's not impossible if you know what you're doing," Jannick said, "Sending even a battalion up there would actually be harder than a small team."

"I wasn't thinking a big army."