Jessica Jackson
Stories
5
Chapters
1,060
Words
656.8 K
Comments
0
Reading
2 d, 6 h
-
The Dragons of Wyrmpeak Middanhal When morning came, it was the day of the prince’s burial. The procession began in the Hall of the Honoured Dead. A simple bier had been constructed to carry the prince’s body; four kingthanes, one in each corner, lifted him up. Berimund, their captain, walked in front and led the group. The rest of the thanes were placed in a circle; as the procession moved up and outside the Citadel, they formed a defensive line around the body of the slain. Just behind the bier…
-
Bated Breath Middanhal A period of mourning was announced, involving two days of prayer and offerings. On the second day, Rilday, the prince would be buried. It was early on the first day of mourning, Laugday, when the jarl of Theodstan sought entry to the knight marshal’s study. Sir Roderic, with the dual power as marshal and dragonlord of Adalrik, received him. “Jarl Theodoric, I recognise you,” Roderic said, “though I do not think we have ever been introduced.” “We have not,” the jarl…
-
Sigvard's Blood Middanhal The northern courtyard of the Citadel had its share of activity in the wake of the mustering. Carts with weapons, arrows, tents, and much more were being prepared for the next departure to the Order encampment at Lake Myr. Newly conscripted soldiers were being drilled, and there was a line of hopefuls in front of a desk manned by the servants of the Master of the Citadel. “Next,” the scribe called out, and Nicholas stepped forward with bow staff in one hand, bag in the…
-
But the Raven Will Fly Roads of Southern Adalrik While the lord marshal was moving towards Hæthiod, the prince Sigmund was sitting in his carriage with Baldric, the court jester. They were on the roads leading to Valcaster, though they had not yet entered the province of Vale. They were travelling on the Kingsroad, part of the large network of roads that connected the major cities of Adalmearc and was named thus because its principal purpose was to allow the swift marching of the high king’s…
-
Men May Ride Middanhal The first bell of the day had barely rung to announce sunrise when a span of horses were harnessed to a carriage in the southern courtyard of the Citadel. Beyond that, forty horses were also saddled and their riders congregating. Each rider was armed and armoured, wearing a surcoat with a golden dragon that proclaimed them as the kingthanes. They were considered the best warriors in the land, some of noble and some of common birth, and rivalled only by the fearsome Templar knights.…
-
The Bonds That Bind Us Middanhal The jarl of Theodstan was taking breakfast in his quarters, not long after first bell, when a servant entered from the corridor. It was Holwine, whose attire showed signs of travel. “You were gone long,” Theodoric said briefly. “Followed our man outside the city. He wasn’t meeting anyone though,” Holwine reported. “He seemed to be leaving for good, going south. I followed him for days, approaching Ingmond’s lands. I think he may have left the realm, he…
-
The Long Watch The Langstan Not long after the Adalthing had assembled in Middanhal and while Ælfwine and Egil were reaching the northern parts of Heohlond, a pair of soldiers were patrolling the eastern Langstan between two watchtowers. This mighty line of fortifications began at the Eylonde Sea in the west and ran along the entire southern border of the realms of the Adalmearc until it reached Hæthiod in the east. Here, the wall ran north until it reached the Weolcan Mountains, thus protecting all of…
-
Ælfwine Northern Heohlond Having disposed of his cloak, Ælfwine did likewise with the blindfold; his other hand drew his sword. Another arrow came out of the fog and struck his leather armour, which Ælfwine ignored. With his heavy cloak gone, his thin frame could be seen in the pale light that managed to penetrate the mist, the same light that illuminated his gleaming blade. Two of the muggers came charging forward while Ælfwine stood calmly awaiting them; as they reached him, he evaded their short…
-
A Highland Tale Roads of Heohlond Beyond the northern gate of Middanhal lay a wide road, branching out in many directions; on the day that the jarl of Theodstan arrived in Middanhal to participate in the upcoming Adalthing, Ælfwine and Egil travelled in the other direction. They followed the easterly branch, going against the stream of people on solstice pilgrimage. Their journey passed mostly eventless at first. On occasion, they might ride on a cart with a farmer or trader going north, though they…
-
The Voice of the Adalthing Middanhal On the morning following the summer solstice, Kate knocked once again on the library door while carrying a bowl of porridge. She waited briefly but had no answer. In the end, she opened the door regardless and stepped inside. She found Quill sleeping across a table with a large book open in front of him. “Master Quill?” she said quietly, but nothing happened. She placed the bowl on the table and stood staring at him until she finally took hold of his shoulder and…
- Previous 1 … 97 98 99 … 106 Next