Heart of a Warrior

Chapter 9: Of Wolves And Ravens

Sir Tristan and Sir Gerald arrived at the walls Ravenstead and were stopped by the guard at the gate.

"Who goes there?" The guard called out.

"We are Huntsmen from Dragonsdale on the hunt for a rogue griffin that has been seen in these parts." Sir Tristan replied.

"A griffin you say? No griffins have been seen here." Said the guard with indifference.

"We only ask to speak with people someone must've seen something."

Sir Gerald watched the discourse with amusement as Sir Tristan struggled to get anywhere with the guard.

"Allow me Sir Tristan." Sir Gerald spoke up. "I am Sir Gerald of Wolfgard, and we are here on official business. I'd advise you to let us in or by the gods I'll have you flogged."

A silence fell over the the three men as Sir Tristan stared on in wide eyed horror. A moment later the guard burst into uproarious laughter.

"Why didn't you say so before?" The guard smiled.

"Because I was enjoying the show. " He replied with a smile glancing at Sir Tristan.

"Welcome to Ravenstead Sir Gerald." The guard put his right hand in a fist, put it up to his chest, and bowed as is customary in Mistfall.

Sir Gerald did the same and smiled. They steered their horses into the stable, and Sir Gerald looked over at Sir Tristan. "In these parts they done have the same manners and chivalry like in Dragonhold. Here they respect a man who is bold enough to stand up for himself. That guard was having fun with you because you asked permission instead of telling him what you were doing."

Sir Tristan looked puzzled for moment. "So I have to be mean to everyone?" He asked.

"You need not be mean lad. You just have to know what you want and speak your mind."

...

Sir Arden and Lennox could see the gates of Wolfgard within an hour of passing the crossroads. The towering walls loomed over the travelers like a beautiful, yet menacing monster. It's towers cast haunting shadows over the road, like rectangular phantoms in the night. The city's castle, nicknamed the Grey Palace, could be seen just peeking over the walls, it's splendor unmatched by any other castle in the north. Just past the walls on the ocean waves, ships could be seen sailing out north.

"They're likely sailing to Dornoway or Kaluit." Sir Arden said to Lennox. "You thought the Cordonian forest was dangerous, never go to Dornoway. The whole island is covered with monsters and no one is allowed past the city walls."

"Isn't Kaluit an island of sorcerers?" Lennox asked, seeming genuinely curious.

"They say it's an island of shapeshifters. Selkies they're called, and they turn into seals and spend as much time in the ocean as on land." Sir Arden smiled. "But they also say that our world makes a circle around the sun. So I wouldn't believe everything you hear kid."

They shared a laugh and continued their journey up to the city gates. The gate's portcullis was fashioned into a rune, so that when the sun hit it just right, the shadow cast the rune upon the path.