The Blood of Honour

Planning and Preparing

Lady Amora stood at the top of the tower and watched the yellow flag of the Rivera flutter against the cold hungry wind.

"Balthazar," she called. "How fare our people?"

"Food's running out M'Lady!" said Balthazar, "everyone is restless, and they say there is no war, why are they being held captive?"

A flash of worry passed over Lady Amora's calm face.

"War is coming Balthazar, no matter what the people think. Cederic is dead, Sera has gone to challenge Lord Cruez and your Master left us with almost no battle plan. This is the best we can do to save our people."

Balthazar sighed.

"We might have our first snow in the history of this land this year," he said. "If this war comes home..."

He fell quiet suddenly, his head bowed in apprehension of the uncertain future.

Lady Amora turned and looked at the man who had been her and her husband's most faithful companion since Lord Rivera was a young battle commander.

Old age was beginning to show in his greying wisps of hair and tired anxious face. The man had seen more wars than any one else and when the lords would be out over the mountains burning their rage, it was good Balthazar who had taken care of the countrymen as well as protected the castle.

"We can do nothing but wait," said Balthazar suddenly standing upright. "There aren't many troops left, but we will arrange what we have and we will wait. Fear not M'Lady."

He left suddenly, not wanting to prolong the moment of doubt he had shown.

Lady Amora stood in the forlorn cold wind and in her heart she suddenly wished Sera and Cederic had never loved each other. But she knew then that love knew no rules, and even though history had seen many wars fought for love, did that really put love at fault? She doubted that things were that easy and she feared things were moving way faster than she could conceive.

Is this a war for love? What do you think?
Peace
~R