History of Mardon Castle - 12B
Thursday, December 31, 2009 (12:40:13)

Posted by TerishD

History of Mardon Castle
Chapter Twelve
Part 2

...
“Now, Neathix, I don’t believe that. Still, I guess that I can tell my wife to give her basket to your husband to give to my son.”

“That would help appearances, Axiste. Thank you.”

He looked up into the lady’s eyes as he said, “Don’t worry about Betemma. He is doing very well.”

“I heard that your son was hurt.”

“Boys will be boys.” Seeing the lady laugh had Axiste answer a little more honestly. “There is danger in our land, but Nevixt and Betemma are being careful. We aren’t going to war, Neathix. We are only digging up the past.”


It is not suspense if you don't know what could happen, so I tell you.


History of Mardon Castle
Chapter Twelve
Part 2

Axiste spoke clearly to the men around him. While they gathered due to hearing a high wage being offered, he wanted them to understand the work involved. If they complained, he wanted it to be about troubles of the day and not directed at the one that convinced them to take on the work.

As he took down certain names, Axiste noticed the men move to allow the presence of a lady. His first thought was that he did not want to hire a lady. When he lifted his gaze, he however smiled upon recognizing her.

“Neathix, I believe that my wife and I will be having dinner at your place.”

“Yes, Axiste, and my husband plans to join you on your return to assure the health of those that work on the castle. I however want to send something personally to my son, so I came to give it to you now to assure that you went home and placed it with your items for the return trip.”

He took the wicker basket wrapped by a leather skin to protect the contents should it fall as he said, “I will make certain that Betemma gets it, and that he knows it came from his mother.”

“Yes. If I had Yatinct bring it, he might take credit for it.”

“Now, Neathix, I don’t believe that. Still, I guess that I can tell my wife to give her basket to your husband to give to my son.”

“That would help appearances, Axiste. Thank you.”

He looked up into the lady’s eyes as he said, “Don’t worry about Betemma. He is doing very well.”

“I heard that your son was hurt.”

“Boys will be boys.” Seeing the lady laugh had Axiste answer a little more honestly. “There is danger in our land, but Nevixt and Betemma are being careful. We aren’t going to war, Neathix. We are only digging up the past.”

“That past has dominated our lives for the last many centuries, Axiste. It will not relinquish control without a fight.”

Axiste thought back upon the prophecy that the dragon had related as he said, “I am telling the men to bring their weapons.” He pointed to a group of humans as he added, “There are soldiers to protect us. Their presence is not due a prospect for war, but due to the land where the old castle is has returned to being wild.”

Neathix forced a smile to her face as she said, “Let me return to preparing the meal for this evening. I look forward to speaking to you further.”

One kevalla moved up to ask, “Lord Axiste, those swords cannot protect us against ghosts.”

Axiste did not want to show disrespect to the man, but he could not prevent his voice from giving a tone of disbelief. “Ghosts?”

“Yes, Lord Axiste. The reason the old castle was abandoned was not because it was sinking, but because of the ghosts.”

Kaervel had told Axiste to listen for rumors among his people concerning the old castle. He thus paused to allow the man to speak. He however went quiet, which forced Axiste to consider how to get him to say more. All that he could think of was the report from another group of humans.

“Viscount Tasbirn is attempting to capture the ghost of Telelum.”

“What I hear of Telelum, Lord Axiste, is of him helping those in trouble. Around the castle are ghosts that don’t help any.”

The others had moved in close to hear the conversation. Axiste did not mind losing a few men to their fear of the job situation. Being out in the marsh had its dangers, and the work of digging in the mud presented its own troubles. If one of those enticed by the good pay thought the money would come without a price, Axiste wanted them to leave now. He thus worked to develop the topic of conversation.

“Thussox, we have found evidence that the castle sank slowly. Kaervel says that it only sank one foot per decade. That means the humans could have worked to stay in the castle. It would look silly for our viscount to rule from a castle now deep in the mud, but we have put up with worse in the last many centuries.”

The one that had started the conversation quickly returned, “Yes, Lord Axiste. It was due to the ghosts that the humans left the castle.”

“Well, we have not seen any ghosts. Truthfully, our mages would not be frightened by them, but would seek to get them to talk. There is a lot that is unknown about the curse upon our land.”

“It would help if we had a cleric with us. I heard you say that you would spend the evening dining with Keir Yatinct.”

Axiste responded not exactly certain where the conversation would go, but not wanting to make any promises that he felt could not be fulfilled. “He is a friend, and his oldest son is a friend of my oldest son. His son works with my son to provide meat for those working.”

Thussox had the voice of hope as he said, “So, he could be enticed to come with us to watch over his boy.”

Axiste felt that he had already said that he would be coming, so instead worked to pull out other thoughts. “Would you leave your own people without any support?”

A new distant voice rang out, “Most of Mardon suffers the hardships of the curse without divine aid.”

All turned to see a different set of humans than the soldiers standing nearby. Axiste did not know the speaker, although the colors on his clothes and those around him helped to identify him. He displayed no fear of being around strange kevalla. He casually marched forward with his men while calmly asking a question of one at his side.

“Keir Essond, would you mind spending some time with these men?”

The one that responded did not have the colors of the other humans in his clothing. He however did have icons of the god Havennix showing prominently. That deity was not one that most considered proper for normal worship. Havennix supported personal causes, which most considered those acts of disrepute that would be condemned by others. The man however responded in a manner stating his desire to be part of a group.

“I had thought, Baron Inelgo, that we would be going out to the excavation together.”

“It is your decision to make, either now or later.”

The man that strode up to Axiste stood almost six feet tall. While the kevalla stood taller, the human had a physique that most felt could challenge them in single combat. He came up while studying the features of those that had gathered, and with a confident expression he sent out a hand towards Axiste while speaking a greeting.

“I don’t believe that we have ever met. I am Baron Inelgo, the ruler of Chaucet. I believe that you are Lord Axiste.”

A hand went out to shake as the elder kevalla replied, “Yes, I am Lord Axiste. My community is slightly east of here, but those that have authority here I consider to be friends.”

“Well, I went to Tasbirn’s castle to give a report, and heard of our viscount chasing ghosts while Kaervel dug up the ancient castle. The viscountess spoke of the maps supplied to Tasbirn by Russon, while mentioning that Kaervel got his maps from the kevalla. She also spoke of the kevalla possibly being able to supply further information. I thus thought to come on out and visit those that I seldom trouble.”

A number around Axiste told the human that his presence was not any trouble. They knew of his land that protected the southern passage into Mardon. As it was the only easily accessible path for those that lived beyond the borders, most stated their understanding that the baron stayed busy around his home. He admitted that he did stay busy, but spoke of his own concern for the land he worked to protect.

“The mountains do not seem troubled by the curse, so my home has been secured. Sometimes we however wonder if we will one day look out over the lake of Mardon, or the bay of Mardon.”

The kevalla named Thussox said in return, “Neither would help the pirates.”

“What?”

“The curse was made by a pirate to force the ruler of Mardon to give sanctuary to pirates. The curse was to prevent the nobles of Mardon from being able to protect the routes into their kingdom.”

“Is that a fact?”

The one that had been speaking boldly returned, “It is not simply a tale that we speak to our children.”

Another kevalla spoke to support the words. “There is the ghost ship.”

The baron quickly spoke to clarify that piece of information. “You are speaking about Lake Nemistry?”

“Yes. Those that hunt around the lake hear the sound of catapults launching rocks that come tearing through the canopy of trees. Should you search however, no rock will be found and the trees are undisturbed. I was beneath such a clamor one night, but was not harmed by so much as a twig falling upon me.”

“So, there is nothing to fear upon the lake.”

“Those that bring boats out on the water often speak of needing to swim to shore.”

The baron moved to the center of the group as he said, “Men! Kevalla! I did not go to the recent war. I travel as much as I can, but seldom through my own kingdom. My duties tie me to my home, or cause me to travel to lands beyond Mardon to orchestrate treaties and support trade. My own history, and those I read in the journals of my ancestors, speak of numerous wars. Never has a group returned like those from our last war. I have heard of the horrors they faced, but never have I seen a group so committed to removing the hardships of our own land. You are right to support them. I have come to see for myself the extent of what is being done. Let me say that if Kaervel, for any reason, cannot pay your wage, that I will assure that Viscount Tasbirn can make your pay.” He paused to smile, then said with a softer voice, “Not that I think Kaervel could not. I saw the wagons of treasure that our veterans returned with, but I just want you to know that what is being done has more support than you might realize.”

One kevalla had the conviction to ask, “What of the ghosts?”

The baron locked eyes with the man, then allowed his gaze to wander to others as he replied, “What of them? You think that there are no ghosts in Mardon? We have threats of all types in our land. I faced a number of threats to my life in coming out here.” He turned to indicate the squad of those wearing his colors as he added, “We handled each threat.” He then moved his hand to indicate the soldiers nearby, which were more in number. “I believe these men are capable of doing their job. I don’t believe Lord Axiste is requesting your aid in combat, but to work.”

Axiste quickly spoke his support for those words. “That is true! I have told you to bring weapons, but that is simply because you will be taken out beyond the protection of normal communities. Let those who are paid to fight earn their pay, and you do your job to earn yours.”

The kevalla nodded as they began to disperse, so Axiste felt able to speak to the baron in a more relaxed manner. “It is still strange to see you so far from your home.”

“Well, what I said is true. I also agree with our viscountess that there should be more interaction between our two peoples. I was supposed to speak to the people of her apology for not coming herself, as she is growing heavy with child.”

“Lord Thelex rules this community. Have you spoken with him yet?”

“I was heading to his house when I overheard you, Lord Axiste. I have never met him either, so could use an introduction. I heard you say that you consider those here to be your friends.”

Axiste indicated a direction to travel as he said, “I will need to excuse myself after speaking for a short time, as I promised to spend the evening with Keir Yatinct.”

“I am still glad to have met you, Lord Axiste. Those around the viscount’s castle and other places in our kingdom speak well of you. You don’t seem to make it to my barony however.”

“I have duties just like you.”

The man nodded, but then his voice dropped in pitch as his face took on a serious countenance. “Do you believe that this scheme to remove the curse upon our land will work?”

“I tend to agree with Kaervel that those that lived before us are at fault for not at least trying. From what I have seen, we will be able to provide guidance to those that follow us.”

“But do you feel that our advice will be to be nice to pirates?”

Axiste made certain that his voice displayed strength as he answered, “No.”

The baron smiled as he returned, “We have always been a strong land.”


Movement to Lake Nemistry begins.