“Yes absolutely, that is the very same thing but it's over different stuff, the motivations are the same. Some fear the losing of something and others desire to have something for themselves.”
Now it became much clearer to her how it all worked, the cities were a far more complicated version of the dog eat dog life of the wilds, they just had pretty objects and far larger desires than the clans. Clans people wanted to live a fair life and so did these people too. Another thought occurred to Raven and she tugged on Wollfen's sleeve,
“Why if they are so unhappy do they not simply leave?” Wollfen smiled at her,
“Don’t you also fear leaving the clans because of the great unknowns out here? Do you not also stay where you are because of that?”
She nodded, yes it was true, she had wanted to leave the clan life for so many years and had only spoken up to Wollfen about it because she felt safe in speaking her mind of it with him.
“You forgot conflict because of anger.” She commented, he chuckled in return,
“That’s one thing that will always be the same.”
Raven was glad when the next morning arrived, this would be the last day here and they could return to the mountains. Once more they found themselves sitting in the waiting hall by the guard house, they had already made their presence known and were waiting to be sent for by Lord Cazzara. After awhile the Lord's adjutant arrived and waved them over,
“Please follow me, the Lord Cazzara will see you now.”
They followed behind as the adjutant led them past the lowered boom and through a stone arch. They entered an inner courtyard that had cobbled stones around the outside with tended gardens in the middle. The attendant walked around the outside edge and they entered an open doorway where two guards stood at attention. Once inside they continued through a large hall with ornate frescoes on either side and they then entered another grand room with even more guards dotted around the outside.
Here was the public throne room and at the far end was the Lord and Ladies thrones which presently were empty. The adjutant hadn’t stopped and continued on his way entering yet another door on the far right side, he gestured for them to wait at the entrance and Wollfen could hear their presence was being announced. The man came back out and addressed the two,
“You may go in now.” He then walked past them and disappeared.
Wollfen and Raven walked into the room and were greeted by Lord Cazzara sitting at a grand desk covered in papers and other miscellany concerned with administration.
“Good morning Wollfen it is good to see you, it has been many a year since our paths last crossed.”
Wollfen stood at a respectful distance and bowed his head in acknowledgment, Raven copied him looking on. She looked at the man noting his gray long hair and clean shaven face. He was an older fellow but still looked good for his years, lean too she saw. The clothes he wore were the most magnificent garb she had ever laid eyes on, they were a mix of red and white cloth with gold and silver filigree. The sword hanging on his belt also spoke of something very ornate as the handle was very beautiful to look at but she didn’t waste any more time studying once Wollfen started to speak,
“Greetings my lord it has been a long time since we last spoke it is true and it is good to find you in good health.” The Lord nodded and allowed Wollfen to continue, “May I introduce Ravenwing of the Nightclan Horungar, she is my partner.”
The Lord turned to Raven and bowed his head to her,
“Greetings my lady, I am pleased to meet you and surprised too, I haven’t ever had a Nightclan person enter the city that I can recollect.” Raven smiled and was also happy to hear how Wollfen had introduced her,
“Thank you, I am not sure what words I should use but I am grateful to be welcome here.”
“So Wollfen what brings you here? I am sure it is not a social call.” Wollfen got right down to it,
“I am here on behalf of Ironside leader of the clan Horungar, he wishes to ask for sanctuary for some of his people.” The Lord looked on in surprise,
“Sanctuary? What has happened? Is there a war?” Wollfen nodded in reply,
“Yes a war of sorts they have been fighting for centuries, but the enemy is changing tactics and in time it will prove to be costly.”
“You certainly have my attention Wollfen,” The Lord motioned for them to be seated as he sat down, “Please fill me in on what's going on.”
Wollfen sat back and started explaining the orc situation especially how it was changing, even relating his own personal experiences with clashes with them over the recent weeks. While the stories themselves did not make for anything alarming the Lord understood the ramifications of what he was hearing.
“What you speak of is serious business,” Lord Cazzara sat quietly in thought for a moment, “You know the Nightclans have been an unrecognized benefit to the northern and north west regions of the Kingdom. Their very existence has meant we have no need of placing troops along those borders against wandering orcs attacking outlying farms or homesteads. So tell me Wollfen when would Ironside want to move people to here?”
“I doubt there would be any need to do so for a couple of years, the issue is not a big one yet, also he feels that only the youngest and weakest would leave anyway, the older generation are too set in their ways.”
The Lord understood what he was hearing and considered the situation from a broad view.
“I will have to give much thought as to what area of the outlands would be best for those type of people, not only the clans but also those Kingdom people that already live there. How many people are we talking about here?” Wollfen considered the question and did some mental calculations,
I would think maybe fifty or sixty people at the most, the clan doesn’t quite number a hundred.”
“Oh that’s not many at all, I would imagine resettling that number of people would not be a problem. If it had been in the hundreds then that would have produced some friction with the locals. Do you suppose the other clans may consider such measures too?”
Wollfen couldn’t be sure but he knew Ironside had been speaking to the other leaders a few days before him and Raven had left for here. He told Cazzara so. The Lord considered some more possibilities,
“What do you think that the total number of all clans people is by your reckoning?” Wollfen had already been considering that and could see the Lord was thinking along the same lines,
“I would put their numbers at between three and three and a half thousand altogether. And in answer to your next question no I do not think you will have an influx of large numbers of clans people into the Kingdoms domain. They are a proud people and many will not give up the lifestyle they live even unto death.”
Lord Cazzara sat quietly for awhile digesting all the information, finally he spoke up giving his decision,
“You may inform Ironside that I will provide safe haven for any number of his clan and that he may stay in contact with me as things develop. Also tell him that the invitation may be made known to the other clans should they also feel the need but that each of the clan leaders will need to negotiate directly with me before any moves are made.
I will put it all in writing for him to make it official.” Wollfen shook his head,
“There is no need my Lord, the clans people do not read or write as it is. He will take your word spoken to me as bond.” The Lord accepted,
“Very well it shall be so, you may speak on my behalf and with my authority then.” Cazzara hesitated then went on, “ I'm thinking it may be wise to start sending scout patrols along the border there to do some reconnoiter of the area to study the orc situation for ourselves. Please let Ironside know that it is not an aggressive move on my part and that he need not fear anything from me, that also goes for the other clan leaders too.” Wollfen bowed his head,
“I shall inform them my lord, you may rest easy knowing I shall do all that I can to fulfill your wishes.” The three of them stood up and bade their farewells.
Raven spoke up after leaving the meeting curious about Wollfen's relationship to the Lord,
“How is it that you know the Lord personally?” He looked across at her and smiled a little,
“It's a long story going back about fifteen years to the time of the Kingdom war with Svalbard across the ocean.” She shrugged and bade him go on,
“I am not going anywhere, tell me about it.”
“Well as you remember the Kingdom had been invaded on a number of fronts, here in the north and down near Oceania. I got involved as a freelance scout helping out where I could. I was part of a four hundred man detachment that was north of here watching the roads coming into Gevalia. We were patrolling along and all was quiet when an enemy detachment of about fifteen hundred men attacked us and within a short time our numbers had been devastated. We lost half of our men in quick time and almost all the officers were killed. The only ones left were junior officers not only in rank but also age too being still in their teens.
The men turned to me knowing I was experienced even though I wasn’t of nobility and held no rank. I managed to get the men out and we escaped into the woods, we then led a hit and run campaign over the next few days that eventually led to the defeat of the enemy army. After that I took off so I wouldn't get any formal recognition but the Lord Cazzara already knew who I was and we have remained friends ever since.”
“Sounds about right, you are always finding yourself in the thick of things.” She was certainly right there.
Raven held onto Wollfen's arm as they left the castle grounds, she was feeling unsettled about many of the things that were discussed and more importantly how she felt about her life and where it was headed. As they walked back to their quarters at the pub Wollfen noticed Raven was unusually quiet but he left it alone for now. He could ask her about it later.
After they were in their room Raven kicked off her boots and sat cross legged on the bed, staring off into space. Wollfen did the same and placed an arm around her. He sat quietly with her, wondering what was going on in her mind and after awhile he decided to speak up,
“What is troubling you my dear?” She looked up at him and he could see the strain in her eyes, what was going on? Finally she spoke, slowly at first but it came out,
“I have been on a wild ride this past week with you and it has been so wonderful, but the more I think about it, the more I miss my people and the lands I know, all that I see around me here is too strange, I feel uncomfortable being here.”
“You feel homesick.” She nodded in reply and went on,
“Yes that and more, it's made me realize just how much I love the life I thought I had tired of, I don’t want to change, I want to go back Wolfy.” He made a noise of understanding and reassured her,
“We will be back soon hon, four or five days and you will be amongst friends again.” She smiled at his words but there was more,
“I also miss Elith too, I know I have been too hard on her, only thing is, I have fallen harder for you too, I love you dearly. I am confused a bit by it all even though I am clearer about where I want to be. I don’t want to lose you or have you leave.”
He sighed, he should have known that leaving behind all she knew would not be easy at all, there was no quick answer and he told her so,
“I don’t pretend to know what to do Raven, but I do love you and we will work this out somehow. Yes something will have to give and I don’t know what that will be but I am sure that when the time comes there will be an answer.”
Raven hugged and kissed him, they lay back and cuddled each in their own thoughts, they had time to work things out.
After they ate lunch their horses were packed with their belongings and supplies for their trip. They moved off out of the city heading back east bidding farewell to the only city Raven would ever set foot in. It had been wonderful visiting but she was so glad they were on their way back to all she knew.
The rest of the afternoon passed quietly and they had enjoyed good conversation talking about all they had seen and done. Both of them felt good for the memories and when evening came they relaxed in front of a small fire in a clearing sometimes looking up at the stars. The idle conversation slowly wound down until Raven fell asleep on Wollfen's chest, he continued to stroke her hair as he looked up into the night sky.
He couldn’t sleep right now, his thoughts crowded his mind. He was thinking of what Raven had said earlier in the day about the two of them. Where was their relationship headed? How could they make it work? They were both nomadic people but Wollfen was not one given to living in one valley doing nothing more than patrolling and hunting. No he wasn’t sure what was going to happen, but he hoped something could be worked out. He had let this woman into his heart and he wasn’t going to give up on her.
He finally fell into a troubled sleep later that night, in a few days they would be back in the encampment of clan Horungar facing new challenges.
Ironside stood before his tent looking around all that he presided over, the place was a mess. Some women were wailing and others were tending to wounded. He was so angry and yet deep down frightened too but he would never admit it. He looked over to where a row of bodies lay and tears of anger started trickling, his hands clenched into fists as the thoughts of what happened filled his mind.
The orcs had hit the encampment at dawn, a raid like they had never experienced before and the shock of the attack had cost many lives. What had happened was incomprehensible, a full one hundred orcs had attacked them as they stirred, many were cut down before they knew what was going on but that hadn’t stopped the rest of the clan from springing into action and fighting like the proud warriors they were. Men and women, even some children all fought with a ferocity that he could be proud of.
But in the aftermath he understood what it meant, there were thirty bodies laid out there, a third of the entire clan cut down. It meant clan Horungar was going through a slow death. All that he knew, all that was precious to him and the people still alive, all of it was coming to an end. He looked around at the orc bodies strewn about the entire encampment, the clan had made a good account of itself slaying all but a dozen of the orcs which had fled into the surrounding hills. It didn’t matter one bit for where those orcs had come from there were plenty more.
Ironside was sure they could continue to win battle after battle for a very long time but he knew the war was already lost. Finally he sank down onto his knees and cried into his hands, there was nothing that could save them .
Some of the clan looked at their leader on his knees watching him shamelessly cry, normally it would have been a huge shock to see such a thing but they all knew, this was the worst thing to have ever happen to the clan.
A scout came trotting up and Ironside pulled himself up,
“Two riders have been spotted at the beginning of the valley from the east, it appears to be Raven and Wollfen.”
Ironside's spirit picked up a little, he hoped they would have good news. Maybe they could salvage something from this mess. It was another twenty minutes before the riders came into view, yes it was them. Many of the clan stood waiting and watching on as the two approached.
Raven riding along beside Wollfen looked ahead seeing the people standing there, something was up and she didn’t like what it might mean, no one looked happy at all. Wollfen also was looking on and a hard look came across his face. As they drew near they started seeing it, the dead orcs all around and then finally the row of dead people. Raven looked on as the shock set in of what she was seeing, her eyes looked to Ironside and she could see he had been crying. She dismounted and hugged him tight holding on as she started crying, then a thought came to her and she pulled away looking around,
“Where's Elith?” No one answered and she tuned back to Ironside, she looked him dead in the eye, “Where is Elith?” He could only shake his head in response.
Wollfen put his arm around her and held on as Ironside turned facing the row of bodies. Raven's eyes traveled along looking and then seeing Elith's body, she cried out a loud wail and almost collapsed, Wollfen holding and supporting her,
“No, no ,no Elith!” She ran over and collapsed onto the dead woman's chest and sobbed, Wollfen watching on helplessly.
He looked to Ironside and could see the man was spent, almost like the life had been sucked out of him.
“I wish I had something to offer.” He didn’t know what else to say, he kept looking around , his mind was numb at what happened, all those poor people.
Wollfen finally had the mind to go sit by Raven as she cried on Elith, he would do what he could to support her. The rest of the clan began moving, busying themselves around the camp. The wounded still needed tending and the stink of the orc bodies had to be dealt with too. Ironside started giving orders, it helped take their mind off the grief.
“Get those orc bodies out of here and pile them in the next clearing across, we will burn them after. Make sure to keep an eye out, everyone is to wear swords at all times. I doubt any orcs will be back but I don’t want anyone taking chances.”
Wollfen rubbed Ravens back slowly while keeping vigil, after about half an hour she finally sat back up, her eyes bloodshot from crying. She turned and held tight squeezing him. Wollfen responded in kind holding her close, finally she pulled away and spoke,
“I need you to support me and do what I wish.” He nodded without hesitation,
“Anything you need.”
She got up walking off and he followed, they found Ironside nearby lifting an orc body onto a wagon, she approached him,
“Ironside?” He turned and bade her go on, “ I want to have a private ceremony for Elith tonight, just Wollfen and me. I want him and only him to help me with everything.”
He didn’t hesitate in giving his approval, it may have been a Nightclan ritual but Wollfen was like family. She thanked him, gave him a hug and they both moved off again. Raven then led Wollfen to a tent that had some skins and taking a couple of those they left again. This time they went into the woods nearby and using her sword she starting cutting down a sapling. While doing that she pointed to another and Wollfen followed suit cutting it down too, they were both about nine foot tall and once cut down Raven trimmed them to size and explained,
“These are the poles for the stretcher we are making for Elith.”
They both toiled away in preparing the stretcher and then used it to carry Elith's body into Raven's tent. They laid her down on the ground and Wollfen stood by waiting for instructions.
“We need to remove the remains of the crossbow bolt from her body.”
Raven didn’t waste any more words than were necessary, she was operating coldly and efficiently. Wollfen was sure that she was numb right now and focusing on the job at hand. She motioned for him to pull on the bolt as she was not able to pull it out. He leaned forward and gripped tightly tugging hard and the offending object pulled free, a little blood seeped from the wound and stained the tunic more.
Elith's body would not start to go into rigor mortis for a couple of more hours but Raven didn’t want to chance it and began removing all of Elith's clothes, she motioned for Wollfen to help and he bent down to the task. After the body was stripped Raven positioned Elith carefully on the stretcher placing her hands over her belly intertwining the fingers. Once that was done Raven cut a piece of animal skin she still had in excess to create a loin cloth and using a strip of leather pushed through some holes on the outer edges, proceeded to tie the skin around Elith's waist. Once that was done Raven motioned for Wollfen to follow back outside and they walked off into the woods once more, she started looking around the base of some trees and explained to him,
“We are looking for feathers, colorful ones we can use to dress Elith up with, look at the base of trees that you see have bird nests.”
He moved off doing as he was told looking around and finding some feathers here and there over the next hour.
Upon returning to the tent Raven sat down by Elith's body cutting some leather strips to tie feathers to her upper arms, she also made a necklace as well. She did the same to Elith's ankles and wrists and when Raven was satisfied she stood up surveying her work. It had been a couple of hours since they had started and now that they were done there wasn’t much to do until evening approached.
“Lets go help with the others disposing of orc bodies, I am sure there is still a lot to clean up.”
Raven nodded in agreement and they went about helping the others. It took their minds off things for awhile keeping themselves busy and they passed on lunch as did the rest of the clan, no one had an appetite today.
As evening approached Raven ducked into another tent where food for the ceremony was being prepared and she grabbed some for both of them, then they retired to the tent and sat down. They were to one side of Elith and Raven placed out three bowls of food, one by Elith and one for each of them. Wollfen watched on waiting, all of a sudden he realized they were starting a ritual, this part he hadn’t seen before.
The two of them faced each other and Raven sat quietly staring for a second, then she began to speak,
“As we eat this final meal together let us remember all that we shared, all the meals we ate and all the water we drank.” She paused and took a morsel of food then a swig of water. Wollfen followed suit. “As we eat this final meal together let us remember the good times we had and happiness we brought each other.”
Again Raven paused, took a morsel of food and another drink.
“As we eat this final meal together, let us remember the hardships too that we endured and overcame.” They ate and drank some more and once more Raven spoke,
“As we eat this final meal together, let us always cherish the memories off all the good and the bad we shared unto death.”
Now they were done and Raven sat staring at Wollfen for a few minutes not moving. He watched back not moving, doing everything as she did.
Finally she stood up and began stripping off her clothes and Wollfen copied her. They stood before each other naked and Raven looked Wollfen up and down before turning and fetching a piece of animal skin. She stood there cutting it to shape with her knife and poking holes in the outer edges. She then fed a strip of leather through the holes and once she was satisfied with her work she proceeded to reach around Wollfen's waist and tie it into position. The loose flap of fur hanging down providing a bit of modesty.
She held the knife out to Wollfen and he understood what was required, after a few minutes he had fashioned a loincloth as well and tied it around her waist. She did the same with the feathers tying them on his ankles and upper arms then finally his wrists. He did this too for her and once more stood back. She motioned for Wollfen to sit on the wooden stool and went over grabbing a bowl of dark liquid, she then sat before him.
“I was not originally of this clan, I came here at a very young age from the clan Berengah in the next valley.” Wollfen nodded, he knew of this, “ The Berengah clan does things slightly differently and they make use of tattoos on their warriors. I wish to put a temporary tattoo on you with this ink for the ceremony to pay homage to my ancestors, will that be okay?” Wollfen nodded without hesitation, it was a small thing and he had no problem with it.
Raven smiled a little, it was the first smile he had seen from her all day. She leaned forward and gave him a soft sensuous kiss before proceeding. Dipping a sharpened stick into the ink Raven began to draw on the left side of his chest, he glanced down watching on, the look of concentration on her face was interesting. After a few minutes he realized she was drawing the head of a howling wolf,
“You are quite good at this, that’s a great rendition you are doing.” She smiled and continued her work, it was about another ten minutes before she was done, the damp ink was shiny. Now she spoke up,
“Kneel on the ground would you?”
Wollfen slipped off the stool and did as he was told, she then kneeled close to him and moved so her bare breast was in line with the wolf's head. She pressed herself against his chest for a moment then pulled away. The ink left a reverse impression beside her nipple just as it was on his chest. She looked up into his eyes,
“Now we are together.”
They kissed deeply before standing up. Raven went to the tent flap and looked outside, it was dark out and she could hear that the ceremonies for the other dead had begun. She threw the flaps back and turned,
“It is time we started, I will take the front and you take the back of the stretcher, I will lead the way.” He nodded and they bent down to their task.
Once outside she took them on a long walk into the woods to the place they had prepared earlier in the day, it was set apart from the other ceremonies as this was to be a private affair. Upon reaching the small clearing they approached the wood pyre and placed Elith's body nearby.
On the ground there was a flask of oil and Raven started pouring it over Elith's chest then rubbing her down, she motioned for Wollfen to do the same. They started from her shoulders and moved slowly down over Elith's breasts to her belly then over her thighs. Moving further down they finished oiling all the way down to her feet. After that they oiled each arm. The last of the oil Raven used to bathe Elith's hair rubbing it in and coating her face. Raven threw the empty flask aside and took a cloth wiping her hands dry and handing it to Wollfen to do the same.
She motioned Wollfen to take up position facing Elith on the other side to her and they both knelt. She began speaking her words, they were different to what Ironside said at the last ceremony as these were of clan Berengah.
“We live we laugh, we live we cry, we fight we live, we fight we die. This is the way of the world and all triumph or fall. Let the gods see that we gave our all and that we pay homage to our passing, as I do this for you may the next do for me.”
Raven bowed her head to Elith and then stood up moving to one end of the stretcher, Wollfen did so too and they lifted Elith's body up and onto the pyre.
There was a burning torch nearby and Raven took it raising it above her head,
“Look! Prepare! I am sending you one worthy of the afterlife! Her name be Elith and she desires your company!”