Private All the King's Horses [Thurion]

[Alva Heavenshield]

Alva took in a breath of fresh air – the chill would have stung a normal girl's lungs, but not hers.

It was another fine morning on Midvinter. And Alva was happy to be home. She'd spent some time on Commenor and Kashyyyk, learning more about the ways of the Jedi. The teen had even trained with Master Sykes, an old friend of the Heavenshield family. While she had used a saber (without losing any limbs), she wasn't sure if it was meant for her or not. For the time, she was simply content to just be. The future was out there waiting; as far as Alva was concerned, it could wait a little longer.

She slowed her steed to a brisk trot and gave the side of the stallion's neck a pat. Today she'd chosen a swift black horse, one that her father had warned her not to ride until he'd been properly broken. Of course, she'd willfully left home despite the words of caution – but the stallion was perfect. Alva was convinced that her father just did not understand this horse and its temperament. Yes, he'd raised horses for a very long time now, but she'd grown up with them.

Besides, she wasn't going all that far.

The guards at the keep recognized her as the granddaughter of the King, so they pushed the gates open to let her through. Once inside, she rode to the stables to tether her horse. Alva dismounted and readjusted her woolen cloak, which was trimmed with fur and clasped with a lion-shaped brooch. Her eyes shifted towards the keep, but her feet started moving towards the horse stalls and arena. She surveyed the fine royal steeds; each one looked fit and well kept.

How she missed riding with Grandpa, but he was king now. She couldn't imagine the work that went into ruling, but she knew that he was quite capable. A smile grew on her lips as she reached her fingers into one of the stalls and received a small nudge from the horse within.

Thurion Heavenshield​

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

"The Vinterbound are getting bolder by the day," spoke Alastor, Jarl of Defence, as the discussion grew more heated. "While they've yet to launch a full-scale raid on one of the villages, more and more are seen crossing the Lhûn at night. I recommend that we increase patrols along the river to drive off any undead intruders--"

"The Vinterbound," interjected the Jarl of Resources, Barm, emphasizing the name of the undead, "have not proven themselves a threat since their siege of Tháinbroek decades ago. We do not have the supplies to spare; we are still reeling from the fall of the capital. Our vast food storages were burnt to the ground overnight — enough grain, fish and meats to feed the majority of our people for several winters, all gone. We need to build up our reserves again before we can divert supplies for any military operation."

"And what if we ignore this growing threat, what then? What about when the bones of villagers are placed upon our doorstep--"

"Jarls, please," the King spoke, silencing the debate. All eyes turned to him as he stood from his humble throne. "I agree with Jarl Barm. We shouldn't waste precious resources on increased troop movements when our people have barely enough to survive the coming winter. However, Jarl Alastor, neither will we allow this growing presence to go unchecked. I shall go investigate for myself and report my findings to this council."

His gaze shifted towards the door as he smiled at the familiar presence approaching the keep.

"Gentlemen, this matter is settled. If you'll forgive me, I have a granddaughter to dote on." The Council of Jarls was dismissed, and the High King managed to maintain his noble composure just enough for the last man to exit the hall before all of a sudden he gathered his fur cloak from the back of his throne and rush outside to greet Alva Heavenshield .

"Excuse me," he called out to her over by the stables as he approached. "Haven't seen my granddaughter, by any chance? Goes by name Alva, tiny little thing, loves horses." He sidled up to her, placing his bag on the ground. "Couldn't possibly be the beautiful young woman standing before me, could it?"

He eagerly awaited the pounce.

 

[Alva Heavenshield]

Alva felt her grandfather's presence before she heard his voice or saw him. She was, of course, not as skilled in the ways of the force yet – but she'd grown to know the feeling of familiar people. As always, with grandpa there was a feeling of strength mixed with warmth and kindness. She glanced over her shoulder as he called to her.

“Grandpa...” she said, trying hard to hide the blush that was quickly forming on her face.

Though she was confident most times, she didn't know quite what to do with compliments. Alva, for her part, felt like an awkward age – not a child, but not quite an adult, either. She was tall, but thinner than most Valkyri girls her age. However, around grandpa she could always just be herself. And so, a bright smile did appear on her face as she moved to greet him with a big hug.

“It's good to see you,” she said. It always was.

Alva's eyes tracked back towards the keep as she released her embrace, she could scarcely make out some of the council members milling about by the gate. She looked up at Thurion, “is... everything going well?”

Of course, memories still lingered in her mind of battle – right here at home. And though the thought of protecting her home made her frightened... it made her brave, too.

Thurion Heavenshield​

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

"Aw, my dear child," he held her tightly within his embrace, caressing the back of her head and her beautiful brown locks, just like her mother's. He could always count on his grandchildren to cheer him up and keep his spirits up, just by being around him. He'd always been able to put his own worries aside whenever in the company of children, his own or otherwise. He just loved caring for them.

Alva wasn't a child anymore, though. She'd partaken in the battle against the Crone a few years back and witnessed firsthand the brutality of war. That's bound to change anyone's perception of the world they inhabit, a child doubly so.

It was the blessing of all parents and grandparents however, to be able to look past the march of time, and see only the little lives they'd brought into being.

As the embrace ended he cupped her cheeks and leaned down to place a kiss upon her forehead. She then expressed a measure of concern at the appearance of the jarls leaving for the day, and Thurion turned momentarily to watch them exit the gate. His own expression hardened somewhat.

"Worse than I'd hoped, better than I'd feared," he confessed, leaning against the nearest horse pen.

"The loss of Tháinbroek caused more devastation than anyone could have guessed. We didn't just lose the ancient capital, but also the vast food reserves stored within. In the past, the High King had the power to resupply any settlements lacking in food, but we don't have than luxury now. It'll take years of good harvests to build up our stores."

He could only hope to keep his people fed in the coming winter.

"The lack of supplies also limits our ability to patrol the roads, as any troops on the move would require a steady flow of rations. As it happens, there are reports of potential trouble brewing up north, along the river Lhûn. Rather than send a full regiment of soldiers to check it out, I thought I'd send just two riders."

Fetching his saddle from the racks lined up along the wall, he made ready to prepare his white steed.

"Think you're up for it?"

Alva Heavenshield ​

 

[Alva Heavenshield]

Alva took a few steps towards the horse pen that Thurion leaned on, but her eyes were still towards the gates. She watched as the jarls made their way out, their expressions inscrutable to most – but there was palpable worry. She returned her blue eyes to her grandfather, listening as he explained the current situation.

Of course, she'd known that the loss of Tháinbroek had made an impact; but she hadn't realized it would be so lasting. Alva's mind hadn't even ventured to food reserves, and she felt a prick of guilt. Her own table was always full, she hadn't thought about others suffering with far less.

However, her brows arched when Thurion mentioned sending just two riders out on patrol.

“Really?” she asked, but the question was answered with certainty as her grandfather began to prepare his steed. “I'd like to do my part to help; I'm up for anything.” Alva nodded, hoping she really was. Her own horse was ready to go, having had a chance to dip into the troughs for a drink of water and a quick nibble of hay.

“I'll need a sword or saber,” she said, looking up at Thurion. And then, her expression turned thoughtful. “Which do you prefer?” Alva canted her head to the side, curious. She'd only just started to get the hang of using a saber.

Thurion Heavenshield​

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

Once the saddle was placed and he'd tightened the girth, he was all set to go. He'd already packed them some food for the journey north, he expected they would only be gone for a couple days at most, weather permitting.

"I know you are," he smiled proudly at his granddaughter, caressing her cheek. So young but still so eager to help out. A true Heavenshield, like her mother.

"With luck, we won't be needing weapons at all. However..." Thurion reached between the saddlebags strapped onto his horse and pulled out a hidden shortsword and the scabbard it rested in. For emergencies, in case he's ever disarmed. "This should do well by you for the time being. Not as big and bulky as a longsword, and doesn't take nearly as much time to master. Treat it with respect, all the same."

The King would of course bring his own sword, the very same elven blade he'd used to defeated the Crone.

"It's not a slashing weapon, like a lightsaber. Stick them with the pointy end," he gave some last-minute advice before taking his white steed by the reins and leading it outside. There he put his left foot in the stirrup and pulled himself into the saddle, fidgeting a bit with his cloak until he sat comfortably. He looked back at Alva Heavenshield as she too got up on her horse.

"Ready, Alva?"

Once she'd given the go-ahead, Thurion urged his stallion through the keep gate until they were out on the streets, and would continue along said street until they reached the first and second gatehouse facing north-east, as there were an inner and an outer wall surrounding the city of Heavenheim; he outermost being erected following the loss of Tháinbroek and thousands of refugees sought a new home in the west. Rather than try and fit them inside what already was, they instead expanded the city limits. New housing was constructed, and thus it was Heavenheim that held the title of largest city on the planet.

As they rode side by side through the streets, Thurion reached for his granddaughter's gloved hand to place a kiss upon it.

"This is it, once we're through those gates it'll be just you and me for miles of open countryside."

 

[Alva Heavenshield]

Alva smiled, too. And she hoped that luck would be on their side this day. But just in case, she'd keep her Grandfather's short sword close at hand. She held the weapon for a moment, nodding solemnly as Thurion Heavenshield said to treat the sword with respect. Indeed she would; for it might just be the difference between life and death.

Her smile grew wider at his advice about which end of the sword to use. “I can do that,” she said with a chuckle and mounted her steed. “Yes,” she answered. “I'm ready."

With a light touch of her heels to her horse's side, she set off just behind her grandfather. Though, after but a moment, she was riding at his side as they passed through the gate and made their way out onto the streets. Alva took in the sights of the city – home. All around them, people were going about their day. It was quite a lively place.

She glanced sidelong at her grandfather and smiled again.

“It'll be nice to have some time to catch up,” she said with a nod. Alva adored her family – her grandfather chief among them. For a short time, Alva was quiet as she gazed about the splendor of the countryside. She was most comfortable this way, on horseback and in the wild. But, her eyes soon found Thurion once more.

“How did you know you wanted to be a Jedi?” Alva canted her head to the side as she looked at him. She knew about his history here on Midvinter, he was well storied... but she knew little about his time with the Silver Jedi. “What was it like for you back then,” she asked, and then clarified: “When you were leading the Silver Order?”

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

Leaving the city of Heavenheim behind for the open outdoors, the unbridled countryside lay before them as they followed the road north, keeping an easy pace for the time being. Still well within the city limits, they rode past several small patrols making the usual rounds to ward off predators and safeguard travelers as they appeared. Horse-drawn carriages carrying goods to trade were a common sight, for this was now the trading hub of all Midvinter. From the city's port district merchant vessels set sail to every corner of the world, effectively supplying every port settlement along the way.

"We will follow the highway north for a while further before we come to a crossroads. From there we will brave the wilderness."

Riding alongside one another, Alva asked Grandfather a question that gave him pause. He took a moment to formulate an answer.

"One might say the way of the Jedi found me," he began, disregarding the grissly details preceding his joining the order. "I was in my twenties by the time I joined the Silver Jedi. I had already earned my knighthood by then and proven my worth in battle on several occasions. The Galactic Republic was falling apart, beset on all sides by enemies and corrupted from within. Scores of Jedi left the old order in search of a new calling. The Silvers was one such group."

"The first Grand Master," he continued, "her name was Iella E'ron. She and a handful of close colleagues founded the order on the world of Voss, where the Force was already worshipped by the locals. It was she who bestowed unto me the title of Jedi Master." A fond memory, of when she bid him kneel and accept a seat on the council.

"She died not long after. I spoke at her funeral, and was chosen as her successor. With your grandmother at my side we set out to make our corner of the galaxy a better place, free of slavery and tyranny. We didn't have the vast resources the order enjoys today so we went about liberating one world at a time. We took the fight to the Sith, seized their ancient seats of power at the sieges of Dromund Kaas and Korriban. We drove out the scum and villainy and established a lasting peace."

His expression turned from fond remembrance to that of mourning.

"But then the Vinterbound marched their undead army south to lay siege to Tháinbroek. We fought bitterly. In the end, my father passed away in my arms and the crown was passed down to my brother Thyrian. I knew then that my true place was not among the stars, but here with my people. I had already given my youth to the order, served far longer than any other Grand Master before or since. My heart simply was not in it anymore, and I feared my tenure had already taken a great enough toll on my family. So we retired and settled down here on the western shores, where today there stands a city."

Thurion looked over his shoulder to make out the fluttering banners of Heavenheim before being obscured by trees.

"Your mother served as Grand Master at one point, you know. Until she too chose to join us and start a family of her own. I delivered you myself, just as I have all my children and grandchildren."

A matter of pride to the aging partriarch, to be the first to hold his descendants in his arms.

"Seems like yesterday you could fit in the palm of my hand, little bird," he smiled at her.

Alva Heavenshield ​

 

[Alva Heavenshield]

The din of the city was growing fainter with each graceful stride of their steeds. And Alva listened to her grandfather's answer, blue eyes round and watching him intently out of the corner of her gaze. The Jedi had found him, he said. Inwardly, Alva pondered this statement; it was something her mother had said before, too. 'Grandpa – and the force – found me,' she'd say. But Alva herself had been born into it, in a way, she supposed.

Names like the Galactic Republic were familiar, but she found the concept hard to grasp, especially given that she'd seen so little of the galaxy. Midvinter, Commenor, and Kashyyyk once. Her own pocket of the galaxy was small, and she wasn't sure if that was good or bad.

She noted the fondness with which her grandfather spoke of Iella E'ron. And her expression turned solemn when the Master's funeral had been mentioned. It was obvious that the woman had been an inspiration to him. But a smile formed on Alva's lips at the mention of her grandmother, and she made a mental note to pay her a visit next time. After all, it had been far too long.

Alva had seen portraits of her grandfather at the Silver Rest before, so it was easy to imagine him as Grandmaster of the order. And there was a hologram of him that used to be on Voss, a welcome message... her mother had salvaged it before they'd left. He was a natural leader, but she understood the heaviness in his heart at leaving his post there. Alva knew, though, that he'd moved on to much greater things – the King of Midvinter.

“I know she did,” Alva said with a smile, finding it odd to think of her mother as Grandmaster. It wasn't as easy to imagine as Thurion in the role. She saw her mother with a parental aura, not that of a leader. But being a mother came rather naturally to her, Alva thought... maybe she was just like a mom to everyone back then, she could certainly see that. “She doesn't talk about it much, though.”

Sayings like 'Ancient history' or 'bygones' or 'it's the past' were generally employed by her mother.

Alva glanced down at her saddle when the topic changed to her as a baby, and she may have mumbled a bashful, “Grandpa....” But it was true that his face was one of the first in her memory.

“I don't know what to do,” she blurted out suddenly, words that had been waiting to come out for some time, but held at bay until now. “I don't feel like a Jedi,” she began to try to put the feeling into words. “But I do feel... a calling – or something – to serve the light.” She shrugged. “But I don't know how.”

Thurion Heavenshield

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

Ah yes, the oh-so-elusive calling. How many times did he meet people both strange and familiar, young and old, who felt they knew not how best to serve one cause or another. His oldest friend Connor Harrison had doubted himself all his life, whether his actions were just or correct. It was a mystery Thurion chose not to burden himself with, knowing there could be no one answer.

"I certainly do not feel like a king," Grandpa replied, drawing a comparison. "But a king I am nonetheless. Or if not, I wish everyone I meet would stop calling me such because it's honestly quite confusing."

He chuckled at Alva's reaction.

"Think about it. I don't know what a king does or how they're supposed to act any more than the average person. All I have to go on is my observations of those that came before me, in this case my dear departed brother and father, but I also try to be myself in any given situation. Who else would I be? I am Thurion, who happens to be king."

Looking up to the skies, he squinted at the bright sun, making a mental note of its descent.

"You have this pre-conceived notion of what a Jedi should be, but you forget to take yourself into account. You are Alva of House Heavenshield, who happens to be a Jedi. Be Alva above all else, and you'll have everything you'll ever need no matter the path you end up treading. Always strive to be someone rather than something. The rest will follow."

Lifting his gaze once more, the then turned to his grandchild.

"We'll need to up the pace if we're gonna reach the Lhûn by nightfall. Travelling by night is ill-advised, given our destination. Race ya to the crossroads?"

Alva Heavenshield ​

 

[Alva Heavenshield]

Alva canted her head to the side slightly, taking in her grandfather's wise words. She hadn't thought about it like that before; he certainly did seem to fit the role of king, but hearing him say that he didn't feel like one took her aback. Maybe she was trying too hard to fit into some kind of Jedi mold, something she had conjured in her own mind.

Be Alva above all else...

His words would stick with her, and she took them to heart. “Thanks,” she said, smiling. For now, she would have to take this word, the rest would follow. But it was now time to turn her attention to the matter at hand. Indeed she knew that traveling in darkness was dangerous, especially away from the city. “You're on!” Her smile grew as she rose up in her stirrups and urged her horse onward at a swift pace.

The wind whipped through her chestnut hair, and Alva felt light – like she could rise up into the crisp Midvinter air. She'd raced her grandfather before and he always rode skillfully – but she normally beat him. Part of her had to wonder if he let her win on purpose. The dust kicked up behind her as she nudged the horse with her heels once more. Alva's blue gaze held steady to the horizon, she might have simply kept riding had it not been for the crossroads.

“I win!” she called, grinning. Alva kept the pace even now, but allowed her steed a chance to catch his breath. “What kind of trouble is brewing at the Lhûn?” Alva asked, silently preparing herself for what was to come.

Thurion Heavenshield

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

She'd been quicker to accept his challenge than expected, blasting off at a gallop at a moment's notice. She was the Queen of All Ponies after all, so who was he to even dare consider beating her in matters of horsemanship! For Grandpa though, it was worth the temporary loss of face if it meant putting a smile on her face. It also meant they would reach their destination before sundown, which was preferrable.

"Bah, you're just lighter in the saddle is all," he feigned wounded pride once caught up with her at the finish line.

Having reached the crossroads where the highway split into two; the main road turned left and would later offer the choice between the Northmark and the central Heartlands, and a smaller, barely trodden path that veered off into the woods, beyond which lay the River Lhûn.

From here on out Thurion would be keeping his guard up, and his expression turned grim as focus was put on the mission at hand.

"You recall the stories about the Vinterbound, Alva? Fallen warriors forgotten by the gods would rise again as rotten corpses, neither living nor dead, and prey upon their own kinsmen. For many centuries the Vinterbound plagued the northern parts of Midvinter, and at times would amass large enough numbers to march on the south. One such time they even marched on Tháinbroek, long ago. That day marked the end of my father's reign and the ascension of Thyrian the Uniter."

He glanced over at his granddaughter. "So you see, the stories are very much true."

Back to scanning the treeline for any shambling corpses.

"But the Vinterbound horde was never truly destroyed, merely scattered and leaderless. Many times have I had to squash mounting pressure to send troops to wipe their kind off the face of the earth, because I believe them to be as much part of Midvinter as any one of us. Hell, they used to be us once."

Raised a Jedi, he could not bring himself to commit genocide on an entire people that, for all intents and purposes, made up an entirely new race of semi-sentient lifeforms. Unless left with no other choice, he refused to sanction the forming of war parties to go hunt them down, which earned him little favour with the local warmongers.

"Those reports I mentioned before we set out? Stray bands of Vinterbound have been reported sighted south of the Lhûn, which, if true, would be the farthest south they've journeyed since Tháinbroek. Our task is to confirm the validity of these rumours as well as investigate the cause of their crossing the river."

As they followed the narrow path through the woods, his head turned to study her up and down where she sat in her saddle.

"Keep your pointy end close," he cautioned. "Trust in the Force."

Alva Heavenshield ​

 

[Alva Heavenshield]

Alva's laughter rang in the air as her grandfather caught up to her at the crossroads. But the lightness in her eyes would turn solemn a few moments later, when the weight of the situation began to settle. Indeed she did recall the stories; tales spoken in chilly whispers. She remembered, too, the versions told by Valkyri children in attempt to frighten each other (it usually worked). These creatures existed solely in spoken word and the dark shadows of imagination... until now. “They're true?” She grew paler with realization.

Nevertheless, she sat tall in her saddle and put on a brave face.

The Vinterbound had always been something to be afraid of, Alva thought. But as she listened to her grandfather's words, she was given pause – did they truly have a place here on Midvinter? Their blood was the same, no matter how cold it had grown. There was conflict in Alva's mind; the stories of the Vinterbound were gruesome...

“What do they want?” she wondered aloud, knowing that the question was also on his mind. She heeded her grandfather's warning and unsheathed her blade to keep at the ready. Alva steadied herself and drew a deep breath, allowing the flow of the force to calm her mind and sharpen her focus. The darkness seemed to fall upon them as they entered the sheltered canopy of the woods. Every tiny movement made her head turn: a branch in the breeze, a leaf falling, shadows – real or imaginary – shifting.

“Will they attack us on sight? Or only if provoked?” She asked, her voice low. Alva didn't know enough to form a plan of her own. She felt her horse tense, and she did, too.

Thurion Heavenshield

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

He could sense Alva's trepidation, a tenseness in her voice. Of course she was afraid; any sane person would be in their shoes. Thurion had faced them before and knew their capabilities, yet even he felt a chill coming up his spine as darkness began to fall over the seemingly lifeless woods. No singing of birds or chirping of forest critters had graced their ear for some time now. There was a palpable air of (un)death hanging like a heavy cloud over this place, one he had not encountered since that day Tháinbroek came under attack.

The day he lost his father.

The distinct snap of a branch had him halt his horse's advance, and quickly gestured for Alva to do the same.

"Stop," he spoke in hushed tone while scanning the treelines on both sides of the narrow path they trod. More clusmy snapping of branches followed, clearly not by one and the same creature. Thurion's hand rested upon the pommel of his sword.

The clattering of sundered metal and grinding of naked bone revealed their presence long before their shambling forms appeared on either side, still clad in the same rusted pieces of armour clinging to their wretched existence as when they were alive. Some carried broken spears, others carried incomplete swords, shattered shields, or chipped axes. Some appeared so ancient that their skin had all but rotten off their bones, barely held together.

Still, these were a far cry from the ravenous horde he'd fought in his younger years. They appeared even more lost and disoriented, and not nearly as aggressive. With his grandchild present, Thurion was not prepared to risk anything. As the group drew closer on all sides the King drew his sword from its scabbard and held it aloft.

"Back! All of you, back!" The blade of Anarion shone like the sun itself, casting its rays upon the undead and forcing them to return to the darkness of the woods. "You trespass upon these lands of the living. Leave now and no harm will come to you. Persist and you will be destroyed."

The Vinterbound pack turn and shambled back into the darkness, repelled by the sudden rays of light emitted by the Sunlight Blade, until all was silent again. Taking a moment to gather themselves, he reached out to Alva Heavenshield and comforted her.

"You're alright, kiddo. It's alright now." He kissed her forehead.

"Vinterbound have no love of daylight, hence why they only revealed themselves now that the sun has settled. They know we're here now. They will either know to leave us alone, or they'll return in far greater number. Either way, it's too late to go back the way we came. We should push on to find a place to make camp before we lose what daylight we have left."

 

[Alva Heavenshield]

Alva's head turned at the sound of a branch snapping. For her, it almost seemed to echo. She heeded her grandfather's quiet tone. Breath held in, she joined him in searching the treeline with her eyes. Her hand was still poised near enough to her sword that she could have drawn at a moment's notice... had it not been for the unearthly cacophony that came from the forest around them.

Her eyes went wide.

They appeared from the shadows. Their hollowed forms animated in unnatural motion, driven by just what... she could not guess. It was well understood that they'd been warriors in life – and remained, in what was left of it. Alva's head was on a swivel, watching as the dark creatures closed in on them from all sides. With a shaking hand she drew her short sword. But it was her grandfather's steady presence and shining blade that kept them at bay. For a moment, she could simply look in awe – even if it was somewhat panicked awe.

As the Vinterbound retreated, Alva finally let out the breath being held captive in her lungs.

She nodded to her grandfather to signal that she was okay. “I-I'm fine,” she said, as if to reassure her self as well. Her first encounter with the Vinterbound wouldn't be soon forgotten, and part of her felt anxious about the task at hand. As the two of them pressed on, she kept her fingers wrapped securely around the hilt of her weapon. And she urged her steed on with gentle persuasion, though she could feel the nerves of the beast. If she stayed calm, the horse would, too.

The trail snaked its way through the forest, and Alva thought the trail might disappear completely – but grandfather knew the way. Darkness was quickly descending upon them, and there was an undeniable chill, felt even to her Valkyri bones. However, it wasn't quite the cold... Alva turned to her grandfather as the path opened into a small clearing. “I should be the one protecting you,” she said suddenly, the thought only just occurring to her. “Midvinter needs its king.”

Thurion Heavenshield

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

Once the coast was clear, the pair of riders continued on a bit further to reach the clearing, one of only a handful camping spots in the dense forest. Just as he was about to get off his horse, he overheard the words uttered by his grandchild. A look her way as he paused, then proceeded with his original intent of dismounting.

As his booted feet hit the snow, Thurion took his steed by the reins and stepped over to Alva before she had a chance to dismount herself. He looked up at her, sitting with slumped shoulders in her saddle. He said nothing at first, his brows furrowed as if stern, yet his eyes expressed naught but sorrow and regret.

"Come here, sweet snowflake," he then reached for her, gently pulling her down from her horse until she stood within his embrace. "Midvinter does need its king," he told Alva softly as he caressed the back of her head. "And its king needs his grandchild's joyful smile, else he will surely falter in his duty."

While holding her he gave her a quick rubbing of her back to keep warm, for what relief the sun provided during the day was now lost to them.

"Feed and water the horses. I'll get us a fire started," he then said with a smile, kissing her forehead before they parted.

Before long night was upon them. Huddling around the fire at its center, Thurion studied the circle of lit torches surrounding their camp. It was a known fact that Vinterbound were afraid of fire, and so this circle of flames was to ensure they would not be paid further visits by the roaming bands of undead.

Wrapped in warm furs and sheltered from the chill wind, Grandpa kept a steady arm around Alva as they nibbled on some light supper in the form of beef jerky.

"I've missed this," he said. "I've not been able to take your grandmother out on trips like this for some time. Minus the skulking undead, mind you. But I do miss life on the road sometimes. Nothing like a good adventure to learn about the nature of the world, of people, and of yourself. This is living, not being stuck behind or a desk or atop a throne all day long. I expected a simple life after Coci and I retired and settled down; that Thyrian would succeed our father and she and I could tend a farm somewhere for the rest of our lives."

He smiled, though the sorrow in his eyes would give him away. Dancing flames always made him think of his dear departed brother.

"Wasn't to be..."

Alva Heavenshield ​

 

[Alva Heavenshield]

Alva gave into her grandfather's embrace – for now, just thinking of him as Grandpa and not the king. She offered a smile and watched for a moment as he saw to getting a fire started. Turning, she gave her horse an affectionate pat on the neck and combed some of his mane away from his eyes. Dipping into one of the saddlebags, she produced a handful of oats for each horse – they'd earned a treat after the ride. Once the horses were content, she joined Thurion Heavenshield by the fire.

She blinked and stopped chewing her bite of jerky when Grandpa spoke.

Yes, that's right... he had a life before becoming a king – or a grandfather for that matter. It was just like she'd never really thought about what her mom was like before being a mom. To Alva, Valae had just always been mom. She'd forgotten that both her mother and grandfather had once been grandmasters of the Silver Jedi.

And... it sounded odd to hear grandma being called Coci.

"You wanted a farm?" she asked, once she'd finally swallowed her food. For some reason, the image of her grandfather on the throne seemed so... fitting. He was the brave king that Midvinter needed – he was the very image of the Valkyri. But there was also a pang of sadness that surprised her. He didn't get to do what he wanted to in life – not that being king wasn't fulfilling. She supposed that duty was quite a lot to bear.

"Maybe I should come to court more often," Alva said. "Someone has to keep you from working too hard." An attempt at lightening the mood. She didn't like to think of grandpa feeling sad or regretful. "But someday... you could still have a farm, couldn't you? Won't Uncle Theo be crowned king someday?" She asked in a hopeful tone... not really thinking of the circumstances that would make Theo a king. It wasn't something she wanted to think about, after all. Ever.

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

"You wanted a farm?"

Grandpa nodded quietly, gaze still locked onto the flames of their campfire. He thought about it often; what life could have been like for him and Coci by now had they not been called upon to serve the nation they called home. In a way it remained a dream of his, that they could one day leave everything behind and spend their remaining days in peace. Their children were all grown up with duties of their own, some with children of their own. They would do just fine.

But now he feared it was much too late for such wishful thinking. His wife did not possess the long life of the Valkyri, and they were both in their sixties...

"Maybe I should come to court more often, someone has to keep you from working too hard."

"Hm?" He was pulled back to the present by the voice of his grandchild. That notion alone, that she would come visit him at work more often, was more than enough to have a smile make its return to his lips. She followed it up with wonderful, childlike thinking that one he could retire and live that dream of his. It would not be too out of the norm for an elderly ruler to abdicate the throne in favour of a younger, healthier heir, but that day was yet far off. Still, he would not deny Alva her hope for her grandfather.

"Someday," he confirmed, for her words were true in that one way or another, inevitably, Théodred would ascend the throne. All his children were capable in their own right, but Théo had the experience and, for lack of a better term, the right lineage for kingship. He was born of royal blood, and was the most conversant in what it meant to wield power that directly affected people's lives. It was a position he himself had fought against getting put in decades ago when his own father had looked to his sons for an heir, and one he had dearly wished his own sons would not be burdened with.

But, the father had asked, and the son had acquiesced.

Wrapping his arm around her tightly, he rested her head upon his shoulder. "Aw, Alva... I am glad you're with me this night, sweetheart. To chase away the darkness from my thoughts."

For a while longer they would stay to watch the flames dance upon the logs, keeping each other company until fatigue overtook them. He would hold her close, allowing the heat from their bodies help sustain them throughout the cold night. Before her eyes closed, he would whisper to her:

"Close your eyes, child. The undead will not cross the circle of fire, but I shall stay up a little longer. Tomorrow we'll locate the cause of these troubles. Sleep..."

Once she'd drifted off, Thurion would add: "Dream of that quiet farm for me."

Alva Heavenshield

 

[Alva Heavenshield]

"I'm glad, too." Alva let her eyes close for a moment, resting there with her head upon her grandfather's shoulder. She listened to the crackle of the fire and, for a moment, it was like being at home – warmth from the hearth, her father's strength, and her mother's soft presence. Alva felt both in her grandfather's presence as well.

Her blue eyes would snap open once – upon remembering where she was, so close to the swarms of undead in the woods. But her grandfather's reassurance put her mind and nerves at ease. Alva gave him a tired smile, and soon nodded off.

That night, her dreams took her many places... but there were always horses. Even, there was a mighty horse with wings that took to the sky. The sight alone filled Alva with hope. And when she found her eyes open and scanning the darkness, she was able to ease herself back to sleep. Their fire burned, keeping them within the safety of its light.

As morning came to greet them, Alva woke. She drew in a breath of cold air, finding it oddly refreshing. Grandpa would be up soon, no doubt. So, Alva stood gently and walked to the horses to bid them a good morning. Once their two steeds were fed, she gave each of them a pat and made sure they were ready to continue their journey. But as she did so, she couldn't help but notice the worry in their eyes. This place made them uneasy.

"Me too," she whispered. "Me too."

But with any luck, they'd be able to get to the bottom of this issue today.

Thurion Heavenshield

 

[Dáinn Stormcaller]

"So you should," a gravelly, snarling voice would suddenly speak up seemingly out of nowhere.

As Alva turned, she would find a dark creature lurking on the fringes of the smoldering remains of yesternight's torches, clothed in a frayed and tattered hooded cloak masking its features. Its back appeared crooked and its shoulders slumped, as if bent and twisted out of shape. For now it lingered at a distance, observing the girl as it revealed itself.

"Alas, that the young are ever to suffer for the sins of their forebears," it seemed to almost lament, taking notice of Alva's youthful features from afar.

"Go on then," the hooded creature spoke next, as it extended its leg and crossed the threshold, stepping inside the circle of burnt-out firewood. One shambling step at a time, it closed in on Alva and the pair of horses, who grew increasingly startled by its very presence. "Draw your sword. Call for help. It matters little to me."

The rattling of bones accompanied its every step, adding to the disheveled nature of the menacing creature. As it drew near, a hideous grimace of rotting teeth framed by what resembled facial hair could be made out underneath its hood. A few fingers of its tattered leather gloves were missing, exposing digits of white bone and pale flesh.

"Know that there are things that must be spoken of, and I am here to speak them."

Regardless of whether the girl were to draw her sword or call out for help, it did not halt the shambling creature's deliberate march towards her. One meandering step at a time.

Alva Heavenshield