The Raptor Queen

XX - Pearl Farmers

Vermundur

I must give credit to Nikolaos, he was born with his father's intellect. It's apparent he put a great of thought into this foray of tax collection. I may be of the opinion that he exhibits some markedly wretched character flaws, but let it never be said that I thought him dim. He chose his knight escort well and surprised us all with new mounts. These "horses", as best as can be described, he had purchased on the outward march and were made to be ready for our use on this leg of our return. They were wonderful steeds, less bulky than the Brontos, faster and more agile but still bore an armored and weaponized rider with ease. I bade farewell to Brick in my mind, and approved of the sitting monarch arranging this trial before making a formal transition. As it is, we have enough to sit the twenty knights in our party, with the remaining few riders upon the Brontos to carry supplies and essentials for our journey. Nikolaos rides his Piger, of course. We depart well before the column rises for reasons that are my Liege's alone. Ah, the life of a military man!

Grassland with intermittent forest comprises the mainstay of our route, small villages give way to towns and some of those growing to small cities as well! Colonos has grown so much since the times of King Asvaldur. We only stop for water, meals and rest, and little enough of each. Word travels quickly through the civilized land and soon each village turns out to cheer the king and his escort. Often they throw flowers, sometimes offering small gifts or begging to join the entourage. Local young men and boys fall into line behind our supply train, wearing bits of old plate and dented helms, hoping against hope to become great knights one day. They carry shields and notched swords and dreams of honor. So be it, I think, for of more meager beginnings have great valor been born. My own beginnings, to be honest. It's then that my mount shies to the edge of the road and I notice Nikolaos suddenly beside me on his beast. I calm her and address his grace, "Seems they aren't accustomed to Pigers just yet, your Grace!"

"Nor should they ever be Vermund! A healthy respect for danger is a valuable trait in a mount, is it not?" he responds.

"A valuable trait in any creature, my Liege!" I'm not certain if he intends to intimidate me, or was truly speaking of the mount, but he should know I recognize the effort. We ride in silence for a bit until he addresses me once more.

"Must we always be adversaries Vermund? There was once a time I sought your counsel, perhaps we could bridge that gap once more and I could come to you when need be." He questions.

I marveled at the stealth of the Piger, listening to my own steeds footfalls against the felidae's  silent paws. Wait, what did he just say?!

"It seems I have a thorny problem looming ahead, first knight, and I thought to ask your opinion. Given that you come from humble roots, and that you are a family man. Surely I can't lay claim to either! Tell me about this kind woman who came to marry you and bear you children, surely you were handsome at some point?" Nikolaos' smiles in jest. Youth fades quickly, if only he knew.

I admit this is a side of him I haven't seen before. First to state that my opinion may be of value to him, and second to enquire of my personal life? Of course I would prefer that we had a relationship like that, like Stavros and I used to have, but that's a stretch. In any case, "My lord, my wife, Margaret is truly a kind and loving woman. She had a sense of humor that would make even the likes of you blush, your grace."

"Sounds like my kind of lady," he chuckles, "That explains your lack of humor, first knight." He flashes a smile my direction, those perfect white teeth so much like his brothers. His jokes may not always be comical, but they do seem to always have a bit of truth in them. Little does he know that indeed Margaret was the funny one between us. "And your child? Or is it children? I could picture you with quite a few."