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The clouds gathered on the horizon as the rumbles of a storm approaching filled the vast emptiness of the castle. Joshua pulled the drapes back to the large window in his suite that opened to the east and took in the sight of the storm as it slowly blocked out the sun. The lavish surroundings of King Daryth's castle surrounded him in an almost surreal beauty. The light dimming with the storm, but still revealing the touches of gold and onyx on the massive pillars in the four corners of the room.
A large clock ticked off the time in precise increments as Joshua lifted a glass of Valerian wine to his lips. But all of this was of little meaning to him, he thought slightly amused. What it must mean to be so high-born that luxeries such as this were taken for granted.
His thoughts gradually shifted to what had been sacrificed for things like this to become reality. Reality. That was what he had to face. A lighting bolt streaked across the sky as he turned from the first gusts of cold wind that pushed its way into the castle. A desiscion had to be made. A definative, prescise descion that would affect the lives of thousands of Valerians. His gaze turned to the parchment on the table. The piece of paper that had revealed so much and set so many wheels into motion. Word had arrived just this morning that The bandits of Thelos were advancing on the realm. It seemed that they had finally found unity under a single leader. Joshua chuckled lightly. The thought of the bandits unifying was a humorous and a terrifying thought all at the same time. They had been at war with themselves for so many centuries, to have that hate turned AND focused on Valeria meant only one thing for the Peaceful nation. War.
That one word, with the ability to cause the most sensible of men to pause, could destroy the course of any nation once set upon its steely course. Families would be destroyed. Lives would be lost. Soldiers would die. Children would grow up scarred for life...... Gods, the children. If only he could spare them for his life, the choice would be so simple. His thoughts turned to his love Destia and his daughter Skyler Marie. If only he could give Skyler the peace that Daryth had given his lands for so long. But he knew it impossible.
Selfishness grated his soul as he thought of the news he'd have to deliver to Lady Destia. He had to lead the army this night from the castle. The bandits would never expect his assualt to come during the minstrations of the storm gods. But he knew the battle would be long and hard. Not only would he have to defeat the bandits that now were upon Valerian soil, he would have to fight into the heartland of Thelos and reclaim the city that dared to raise its blades and ride its disease infested mares against his people.
His people. The nation Daryth commanded him to protect would not stand for their atrocities. They must pay for all the rape and pillaging of a once proud nation, that had already occurred.
A sensation of wetness slid across his hand as a knock rapped at the door. Joshua looked down to see the wine glass crushed in his fingers and his blood dripping to the floor, intertwining with the glass shards.
'My Lord!' Prince Bauhuas exclaimed as he stepped into the chambers noting the broken glass that Joshua held.
'It's nothing but a scratch' Joshua muttered as he flung the shards from his hand and wrapped it in a sash to still the bleeding.
'Have you word of our troops Bauhaus?' He asked glancing back out at the black clouds looming about five measures from the castle.
Bauhuas nodded his affimation, 'They are all readied My lord. When do you ride.? 'Tonight.' The high prince replied succinctly as he strode over to the parchment and rolled it up.
Prince Bauhaus gasped in astonishment at the news.
'But my lord! T-the storm season is upon us! Surely you dont plan to attack in... in that!' and he threw his arm to point at the gathering skies outside the window.
Joshua arched his eyebrow only and took a seat at his desk and smiled at the young prince. He'll make a good leader once I'm gone he thought to himself, but lord if he'll only trust me for once I'd buy him a round of whiskey that'd knock him off his feet.
Joshua smiled at the thought. But caution of the Princes words were well taken. The muds of the flats this time of year was all hells on his finely bred stallions. Trained they were, but even they would have trouble negotiating the terrain to Thelos.
'You needn't worry my friend' Joshua smiled at the confused Prince. 'As you yourself have just demonstrated, it will be what they LEAST expect of us. And we both know how i like surprises!', he grinned through a knowing glance. Bauhuas looked at Joshua momentarily and grinned in return. He handn't forgotten the tricks that his prince had used against Roakal. Not near a season passed that the story wasn't repeated at some haunt with cheery drinking and flasks of ale passed about.
'Besides, Im anxious to meet up with King Daryth's forces in the fields. He's not ten Measures from here keeping post alongs the Formilia mountains. I'm sure his troops need the relief.'
Prince Bauhuas nodded his affirmation at the mention of King Daryth.
'My lord!' A squire exclaimed as he came blurting into the chambers. Joshua looked up and leveled his gaze at Roadkill.
The squire paused and blushed crimson as he realized his crime. Barging into the High Princes chambers was hardly polite manners. But since he was already here he might as well make the best of it.
'My lord, he gasped breathlessly, you must come quick, the horses are barely controllable, The Dragon Riders have returned for the nothern front and their beasts are quite hungry!'
Bauhuas frowned his dissapproval. 'God's curse on them damned beasts!' I Told Lysis they were not worth the trouble of taming!'.
At that he spun around and marched out of the room muttering epitaphs that would make most sailors blush. All aimed at his dear friend.
Joshua smirked and withheld a chuckle as Roadkill followed his prince out the door making incessant demands that he do something immediatly. And he almost lost it when he heard Buahuas howl 'God's son! Just SHUT UP!' a door slammed and muffled any more of the interchange.
God's, the sufferings of the Highborn.
Joshua's thoughts again turned to King Lysis.
A noble man he was. Barely obtaining his Kingdom at 24 years of age and yet the love and hearts of his people was already won. Loyalty was the only word that summed up that mans prowess in his politics. He never forgot who he stood for and what he was.
'I learned that the hard way' Joshua muttered to himself.
It took lady Destia to remind him he was only a Prince, and with a single stroke she had made all that was complicated simple again. Simply put, she made his dreams possible. How that auburn-haired firecat had done that he had no clue. But because of it his devotion and thoughts of her warmed his heart now.. even at the most difficult of times.
Joshua stood from his desk and went to his blade. Carefully he removed the great sword from its holders above his bed. So still for so long. It was really sad that he had to pick it up to fight again. But fight he must. He had promised Lysis that he and Daryth would free his castle from the siege that the bandits had secured not 3 days ago.
Meet up with Daryth and forge on to new kings castle. Arcing his troops like a scythe across the plain to the east of the castle and send in lighting raids from all directions to create the controlled chaos he needed to decapitate the main of their forces. Confuse them and herd them like sheep into the range of Lysis' archers. That ought to be enough to make the young lad think he owes me more than one case of his finest malts! The plan was flawless seeing as many of the enemy scouts would be too busy seeking shelter too think that the Valerians would be fool enough to think about attacking them in the oncoming storms.
Joshua grinned. Ulf was Brilliant. His battle commander at arms was truly a genius in innovation and design. He would have fun implementing his battle plans. He also knew he would upset his young lord at arms when he told him that he would have to return to the castle to keep charge of the battle occuring at the northern front. Proclamations of needing to protect the high prince would fill his lungs, but in the end he would realize Joshua's true plans for him. For future Princes were far from being dumb. Their Ladies might think them asses, but only a truly witful man could tame the high-borns of these lands!.
Joshua sheathed his sword and started for the door. The storms outside now rocked the castle walls. It was time to leave. He must find Destia. He needed one last word with her. As always, it all returned to her. His love. His life. High Prince Joshua knew what she meant to him and him to her. Since that night in the garden....... Sweet memories to hold, sweet memories that a warrior needs to keep from being preverted by wars' ugliness.
He found her in the great library reading her books, as always. Her fascination with learning had always amazed him. She would spend hours upon hours in this great hall and never even think of food or nourishment. It was as if the books themselves fed her.
He smiled at the sight of her figure. Sitting so gracefully in the light of the candle next her. The fall of her hair framing her soft beautiful face. Gods she is beautiful he muttered to himself, starting her in surprise. 'My lord' She gasped as she turned and recognized his image framing the doorway. She muffled a cry as her eyes wandered to the sword that now hung proudly at his side. She was smart, he thought. She knows where I am headed.
'My gentle lady, the time has come that I must go into battle.' Destia rose to her feet and crossed the room to stand before her Prince. 'Joshua......... how... what... ' She quelled the sentence for she knew that the prince must do, what the prince must do. If not for himself, then for his people. But moreover for his family.
Joshua swept her gentle hair back from her eyes. There was so much in to say but so little time.
'DADDY, DADDY! Joshua turned to see his daughter storming thru the hall, a worried page right on her toes trying to contain her energy!
Kalmis looked up at his graces and blushed, 'Im sorry my Lord, I have been hardly able to calm her since the start of the storm.'
Joshua smiled at the young lord, soon to become a very influental Sage. 'I see Tara has set you apart from your work once again so that you can keep watch on the nurseries' Joshua quipped teasingly.
Kalmis smirked and nodded knowing full well that the smirk was more than enough relayed his ladies orders were to be obeyed lest the fire gods scorch him into oblivion. 'Its ok Kalmis we will take her from your care.' Destia smiled softly as Skyler hid behind her father's frame.
'He's a big meanie!' She exclamed as he grinned at her and ruffled her hair. 'Yes my lady.' And with a swift bow he was gone as quick as he had appeared. Joshua picked up his daughter and gave her a big kiss on the cheek.
'Skyler, promise the high prince that you will behave in his absense.' Joshua said to her in a fatherly tone.
She nodded her aquiescance and wrapped her arms around his neck. Joshua looked again at his lady who was watching them. Love in her eyes. This might be the last time we are toghther she thought sadly trying to brave the fear welling in her heart. She wanted to find words, but could only say the three words that had sealed their hearts so long ago. 'I love you my lord, please return with haste.' And with that she pulled herself into Joshua's loving arms. Not letting him see the tears but knowing he knew they were there and he'd be the only man ever to know her heart so completely.
'Your graces. Now is the time.' Ulf announced as he strode upon the scene. Realizing his intrusion he smiled and waited respectfully in the hall as Joshua bid his lady farewell.
The castle courtyard was silent as the sounds of horses and steel made their way to the main gates. Ulf at the lead of the party and un
refuted commander of the group motioned to the men working the bridge. A mechancial grinding filled the air as the gates swung open and the bridge lowered to the ground. And the troops, in perfect formation filed out of the castle walls.
'May the Gods of the lands bless our endeavor' Joshua thought as he rode out in front of the party and reeled his horse around to face his troops. The troops stopped, looking at their High Prince, awaiting his command. 'TO LYSIS' CASTLE WE RIDE!' bellowed the High Prince, 'AND MAY THE GODS HAVE MERCY ON ANY WHO TRY TO STOP US!'
A cry of war filled the air as Joshua's stallion spun and the troops rallied behind him.
As Lady Destia and Prince Bauhaus watched the High Prince lead the party into the driving rain, shivers embraced them for they both knew the Prince would not return until the battle was over.
Not until Valeria's peace had been secured.