Flower of Bulann

Chapter 25

Vior found himself trapped within his memories once more, he could remember every detail of them and he knew that these memories were warping his personality.

Again he was with his father, and again the psychopath began to flay a man.

"He betrayed us, my son," his father explained, though why he did so to a baby was beyond Vior. "Such people must be made an example of."

The pitiable mass of flesh and blood, that could once have been called human moaned in a low unending wordless scream. For his father had quickly removed his tongue.

"These are lessons that will stick with you, my son, keep them here," he said, laying a finger gently upon Vior's heart.

The dream slowly faded away and the stinging pain of reality washed over him once more.

The night was oddly cold and Kinna clung to him for warmth under a thick blanket. Vior wiped the sweat from his brow, allowing the touch of Kinna's skin to calm his heart once more.

"What is it, my love?" She asked of him, her left hand caressing his cheek.

"The nightmares I have told you of... I fear they may change me for the worse," he confessed before leaning forward and kissing her forehead.

"I have seen no ill changes in you. And if I had, such things would be remedied, immediately," she replied with a smile that brightened the dark night.

Vior squeezed her body tightly to his bare flesh, still unable to believe she was his.

Morning came in with bird song, Vior finding that he had, for the first time in weeks, slept well.

"Will you meet with my brother again?" Kinna asked him, placing a hand upon his forearm.

"Yes, the scouts put the Liu army only a few days march from our foremost castle," he replied. "But fear not, with our combined might, there will be a swift end to hostilities."

Kinna smiled, though it was a nervous smile. She still had trouble trusting her family. He had himself viewed the alliance with suspicion, but Vior understood the arrangement was beneficial to both clans. If only slightly more to his side.

"Your father did honour me greatly by acknowledging the Faden clan... we should perhaps give him a chance?" Vior said though it came out as a question.

"If you believe his intentions so easily, your head will be on a spike upon a Bulann castle wall within a month. You play the clan game now, husband. Alliances are a means to an end, only by securing a blood oath can you be trusting."
Vior was taken aback at Kinna's harsh words, but she spoke true.

Vior rose and dressed in his robe, waiting for Kinna to retire to her handmaidens' room before inviting in the armourers.

Vior and Kuan rode at the head of their army column, two thousand men followed him, a small garrison remaining with his new retainers and Kinna.

"Can we trust the Hyenta clan to not betray us?" Kuan asked suddenly, raising his half visored helmet to scratch at his empty eye socket.

Vior paused for a moment. "In as far as defeating the Liu... yes. In regards to a lasting peace, I feel my marriage to Kinna is the only thing keeping it so far."

"So, war is inevitable..." Kuan wondered aloud, pulling down his helmet once more.

His brother knew full well it was, the Faden was hated by all clans, it seemed almost laughable that Vior's closest friends would likely one day face him upon the field of battle... where they would tragically die at his hands.

"Though it matters little, brother. We will one day force them to bend the knee to us," Kuan said with a smile.

Vior smiled back, all too aware that this was where his talents lay.

Scouts shouted down from the hilltops and Kuan rode to meet them. He returned a minute later, a large smile across his face.

"The enemy lies two miles south of here, partially concealed in a forest," Kuan relayed to him, Vior immediately formulating his battle strategy.

He created the nearest hilltop to survey the field of battle, the enemy had indeed camped near the forest, but Vior was more interested in where to force the battle.

Where he now stood formed one side of a shallow valley, a sparse thicket growing atop it, the eastern side was shallower in gradient but would require the fording of a river that looped close by it.

"How far out are the Hyenta forces?" Vior demanded of his head scout.

"Still a days march, my lord" the scout replied, sealing his plans.

He wheeled his horse and guided the beast down the slope, Kuan waited for him with bated breath.

"Send our archers to the eastern slope, then take a hundred horse and hide amongst the thicket upon the western slope with them. I will lead the remaining foot troops in the centre," Vior commanded, hoping his brother would trust in him.

Kuan nodded his ascent, before turning to him once more.

"What of the other two hundred horse? and will not my father's men wait until tomorrow morning to attack?"

Vior smiled, a wicked smile, for he had mischief in mind.

"I do believe you are restless, dear brother, and we are the bastard Faden, hated by all."

Kuan smiled, and Vior was sure he had read his mind.

As he formed up his men, Kuan and the remaining two hundred horse skirted the far side of the eastern hill to ford the river half a mile downstream.

The Liu will most certainly attack today, Vior shielded his eyes from the midday sun as Kuan put his plan into action.