Vidkun Trost:Endings and Beginnings

Vidkun felt the sweat roll down his back as tired muscles continued to complain. The travois was used to being in it's position now. A full day of cross field and the occasional uphill climb had pushed it to settle well into the makeshift belt Vidkun had made.

"That was a neat bit of talking." Klynn said from the front of the line, shaking his head. "Never would have thought them Kauls would have bought it. 'The master's son is drunk' and 'Please don't wake him, he's not been with a woman for a while and might not see you're a man' That was funny."

Matik grunted. "They will likely remember us, should we head go back to Shanis." He looked at Vidkun's head. The other option would be to look at the body trailing the nobleman. "Klynn, time to change places."

"We are almost there." Vidkun's voice quietly proclaimed.

"That's right...hey..." Matik stopped and looked at Klynn before talking again. "Who told you where the meeting place was? It's just a pile of rocks in the middle of nowhere." He didn't add that they weren't completely sure about a lunatic nobleman dragging a dead body for leagues.

"The land tells me." Vidkun grinned. "Well, where we are says a lot. We are headed to Gareth Tell. A few centuries ago it was more than just a pile of rocks. The Tells were not only border watches but places where many men were trained and small cities often grew up around them. Gareth Tell is well within Shanis controlled land, when the king ruled. Now herself stays ensconced in a tower and seems to have little to do with anything outside it. My cousin directed you here because he knew I would understand the destination once we were away from the city."

"You men he planned on stiffing us?" Klynn raised and eyebrow. "Didn't seem the type."

"No, your arrangements will be well taken care of. Hoefe's man will pay you as agreed, assuming you have met all parts of the bargain."

"We have, that's a fact." Matik said. He looked at the body. "Some more than was explained, too."

"Half a day and your work will be done." Vidkun said. "The roads to the Tells are seldom used as many are haunted, or cursed. Or both."

"You mean supposedly haunted, right?" Klynn asked, his smile a bit tight.

"Interesting question." Vidkun shrugged. "We will know tonight. How does that sit with you?"

Matik unconsciously reached for his sword. "Well enough. But I will be gone in the morning."

"Well enough." Vidkun said. "I have enjoyed your willingness to indulge a crazed noble. If I could pay you more, I would. However, it seems as if much of my funds are elsewhere."

As they continued on the wild fields were occasionally broken by the remains of stone buildings. Few stones were crowned with another and trees grew tall where families once lived. The desolation had been from a different age.

"Stop." Vidkun said. "Let me go in front."

"Why?" Matik started. "Did you see something?"

"Of course not. My wife is a hunter. If I could see her then she would not be that good, would she?"

"Besides..." His voice trailed off. "The land does call me. Somehow."

Vidkun shrugged and moved forward with his load. His muscles had given up complaining and just barely agreed to work. Each breath brought but mild relief from the tired.

"In days of old lords and their ladies would enter the main gate of the tell on foot." He walked slowly along the once broad path. "Being afoot honored the lord of the Tell, who in turn saw to the needs of his guests. The bonds of trust and honor were strong in those days."

They walked among the strewn rocks. The occasional building outline could be seen, highlighted by game trails. Vidkun pointed to a slight rise, no more than a man's height. "There."

Matik and Klynn looked at each other. They had promised not to divulge the meeting location. How did the crazed nobleman know?

As they looked back, both froze. There were over a dozen plainsmen pointing bows at their group. None of them looked familiar.

"You trespass." One of the plainsmen stepped forward.

"No, I do not." Vidkun slowly released the straps supporting the travois and limped to stand in front of the speaker. "I am Vidkun, Lord Trost. I have entered Gareth Tell as the law proscribes. The hospitality of the land and the lord are due me." A rock dislodged off to their right as Vidkun recited the ancient greeting.

"I...the..." The leader stumbled for the words to say. "Welcome! Men, pick up that load and move it inside."

"No." Vidkun held up his hand. "That burden is mine alone, Lord Gareth. Yet if you could provide food we would appreciate it. And if you could provide wood for a pyre, I would be deeply grateful."

"My name is Jules, these are my men." The leader glanced at the body. "A fallen comrade?"

"One who fell because of my hubris, Lord Gareth. Thus my burden to bear until he can be given the funeral rites of his people."

"As I said, my name is Jules. No need to.."

"No." Vidkun help up his hand. "If you are the lord of this Tell then you are Lord Gareth." He smiled. "It is a nice title, but keep in mind the responsibilities. They are many."

Jules looked around for a moment, and then straightened his back. "As you wish, Lord Trost. I and my men will see to your needs."

"Someone approaches." a guard said quietly. The pyre had burned down quickly because of the dry wood. There were small rivulets through the ash on Vidkun's face as he stood by the pyre.

He watched them quickly and quietly prepare. Some moved away from the camp fire while just enough stayed to make the group look real.

"Hello to the camp." A male voice called out.

"Come, and welcome." Jules replied as his hand rested near his sword. The bond was removed.

Vidkun recognized Hoefe's livery as the man rode in. He was a guard, well equipped, and well armed. "I am Harald, of Shanis." he said as he dismounted. "I seek a friend of a friend."

"I am...Lord Gareth." Jules replied.

"And I am whom you seek." Vidkun added, stepping forward. "Vidkun, Lord Trost."

Harald bowed to Vidkun first, and then after a moments hesitation bowed towards Jules. "You are well, my lord?" He looked at Vidkun.

"Yes. I was told you might travel with another?"

Harald relaxed. "Yes, my lord." He looked towards Jules. "If you would permit me?" Stepping away he whistled loudly.

Another rider came in, trailing a pack horse and some how managing to lead a fully equipped war horse as well. The war horse stamped it's hooves and snorted at the plainsmen.

Vidkun clicked his tounge and the war horse moved forward, nuzzling him. "Good to see you, old friend. Have they fed you well?"

"Will I get that much attention, Lord Trost?" The second rider dismounted and pulled back her hood to reveal her features. "It seems some nobles have strange tastes."

"Perhaps we should talk about that later, Lady Trost?" Vidkun's voice broke a little.

As they embraced, Valeria slid his hand to her belly. "Yes, my lord, perhaps we should."