The Silent Hunter Departs

[Dorian Hawkmoon]

He had spoken to the King last eve....advising Him of the missive He had received....it had spoken of a sighting....but little more. He had frowned at the unusual lack of detail contained within, wondering why the wording was so uncharacteristically sparse. There was little doubt in His mind that He would need depart and investigate Himself. So He had made ready to depart....He would travel lightly, yet armed as if for war...what little He required had been sent to the stables to be placed upon Stepper. Some dried meats and bread...water He could find easily enough....His bow and quiver full of arrows. All that remained was to inform His Majesty and obtain His permission to leave.

The Hall was rather lively when He arrived, as there were some few visitors present, as well as a few of Home. He had exchanged a few pleasantries with those present, then approached His Liege. Permission had been granted, and in an unexpected twist, the King had bid Him take Sgt. Lan to accompany Him. At first He had mildly protested, as He was loathe to remove Lan from his duties regarding the Princess. But His Majesty had declared that as She was ill, and bedridden....He Himself would be spending day and night at Her bedside. He had then made His farewells and sought out Lan....easy to locate, he was...as he was at his assigned post. With a few short words, Lan excused himself to make ready for the journey...and the Hunter now sits in His office...ink, quill, and parchment readied as He pens the following documents...

Sgt. Gerben,

I must depart the Castle for perhaps a week....I wish the earthworks t'be given topmost priority. Should it come to pass that indeed the Franks march on Windstorm, I nae wish them t'have a leisurley stroll to the Castle gates. 'Tis a shame that the landscape shall be in tatters, yet the passage must be made as difficult as possible. Ditches, the depth of a mans arm...interspersed randomly and concealed with sod....sharpened stakes decorating the bottoms. Also see if perhaps Sir Robin would have His Rangers devise some snares and deadfalls within the forest. Move the kettles and oil in place upon the battlements, and wood for the fires to heat...My trust lies with ye, M'friend.

Hawkmoon

Dearest Siya,

I have received a missive from one of M'watchers south of Windstorm. There has been a sighting, yet of what I cannae determine. I ride this eve with Sgt. Lan to investigate and seek what I nae know. Thy duty now lies with Windstorm and His Majesty...I have faith in Ye, beloved Daughter...and I know Ye shall perform that duty as a true Knight of Windstorm. I charge Ye also with Sinold's training in My absence....the verra same training I gave t'Ye, I now wish Ye t'pass on t'Him in My absence. I hope t'be gone nae more than a weeks time and will seek Ye straightaway 'pon My arrival Home. Remember always that I love Ye, My Daughter....

With all My love,
Father

Sinold Bragasson,

In My absence, M'Daughter Siya shall oversee Thy training....treat what falls from Her lips as if it fell from M'own...do NAE question Her, nor show Her disrespect, as She is already what Ye one day hope t'be.

Hawkmoon

As He finishes the last of the missives, Lan appears at the door to His office....both men now make ready to leave, the missives given to a page to be delivered to their receipients. They make their way to the courtyard, where their respective mounts now stand ready...each man taking the saddle. He looks to Lan, receiving his customary silent nod.....then looks one last time at His Home. Windstorm will be ready...She will persevere, and prevail.....and He will see to it. Leaning forward in His saddle, He strokes the great stallions neck...then whispers into his ear....

"Time to race the wind.."

And with that, He kicks Steppers flanks and rides hard through the gates, Lan hot on His heels as they ride into the gathering night.

[Sinold Bragasson]

He read gthe missive once...twice... then sighed and tossed it upon his nightstand. He was to take advise and orders from Siya? a woman? Strring out the window, Sinold stood motionless for a long while, looking out into the darkening sky.

Where was Lord Hakmoon going? For how long? Why now, leaving at a time when his expertise was badly needed? Questions upon questions, and fnally the resigned realisation that yes, Sinold would heed the Lord's word and follwo his daughter's orders.

Obedience.

It was one of the hardest excercises he had to master.

[Dream Loxley]

*She had sat in the darkness.....her daughter woke from what must have been nightmares.....troubled sleep as so many were speaking of. Holding her closely, she could only hope to reassure her little one...to speak gentle words of comfort within the blanket of what should have been comforting sleep. A time to rest ones mind....to soothe ones heart from the anguish smothering them all. They sat for a long time...rocking gently together, both tired...exhausted, fighting to stay awake, and yet so wanting and needing to close their eyes.

It was then, as the hushed whispers from the courtyard below became the background music for the dance of several horses hooves upon cobbled stone. She listened.....carefully placing one sleeping child to rest within the safety of her bed.

She stood by the window breathing gently and calmly.....knowing the shape of him.....the way he moved upon his horse.....and Lan..... aye...'twas Lan she saw with him. In an instant the gentle sounds became more urgent as both horses with their mounts made through the gates.....she swallowed then...her mouth had become dry and her breathing harder without even realising.

Where they were destined....and to what end..she knew not as she moved back to her bed. Silently she wished them both well and safe.....but she was afraid...for herself...for her child...for them all. Wrapping herself within a quilt, she stared out over the lands....and felt an emptiness within her....what would become of them all should the fate's nae be so kind.*