Year 163 – Summer – Quartus Mensis –39th day
Avem, Town of House Valmai, land of the Vale
In the largest valley of the Oluja river was located the fifth largest town of the Union. Born of two bridges as a trading post, Avem became known for its access to the hard oaks of the Velika Forest north of the valley. Ruled by House Valmai, the Vale had, by decree of Bona-Fide, jurisdiction over the Tree-Fall Village, Rust-Fell Mine, Oluja Borough, and the Fresh-Bay Village.
In the middle of the Vale, the Oluja River was split in half, surrounding a large isle on which the town of Avem sat. Aside from the main castle, large wooden walls hugged the isle. Hundreds of houses occupied the town, and a hundred more homesteads were located around the river shore. North of the river, in a land-locked parcel vast of about a mile, was the dock, the militia’s training ground, two workshops, and a lumber mill. In front of both bridges, a large fort made of wood had been built, and two large palisades had been assembled in an arc surrounding both the land-locked parcels to the north and the south of Avem. A few tens of acres of farmlands were covering the northern shore, and hundreds more were covering the southern fertile lands of the Vale.
Vatra exited the forest and joined the road. She was hungry and tired. Her last provision had been consumed in the morning. Following the cleared path, she saw the town from afar as the falling sun brightened the sky. Ahead of her, peasants were clearing the northern farmland by the hundreds. Many more were disassembling the homesteads outside the northern wall.
This view . . . Finally . . .
An hour passed before she arrived near the northern gate. Two guards sat on their chairs and played with dice on an old wooden table at the entrance. They didn’t seem to care about the girl until she reached them.
Guard 1 –“Woah there, stranger. Stop moving.”
The two guards blocked the entrance.
Guard 2 –“Hey! She looks just like Fan!”
Guard 1 –“Where’s your master, slave?”
Vatra –“I’m no slave! I’m just as free as you!”
Guard 2 –“Woah, she can talk like us.”
Guard 1 –“Well, her master must have taught her well.”
Vatra –“I’m no slave! I’m a blacksmith. I am the apprentice of Harald of Tree-Fall Village.”
Guard 1 –“Who’s that?”
Guard 2 –“I think I know him.”
Guard 1 –“You know him? You don’t know the blacksmiths of Avem, but you know him?”
Guard 2 –“Well . . . no . . . but I’ve heard of him. He made like 40 wheels last year.”
Vatra –“I made half of those wheels.”
The two guards frowned at her, and one of them laughed.
Vatra –“See? You remember? I was with him when we brought the wheels here.”
Guard 2 –“She really thinks we are stupid.”
Vatra –“It’s not a lie! It’s the truth!”
Guard 1 –“If you’re his apprentice, why isn’t he there?”
Vatra –“He died . . . They all died. The Kalator killed everyone. I’m the only survivor. I came here to seek help, not to be accused of some misdeed I haven’t committed.”
Guard 2 –“Hold on, hold on! You said the Kalator?”
Guard 1 –“It’s barely been three days since the refugees from Rust-Fell Mine arrived.”
Guard 2 –“It would mean they attacked both Tree-Fall and Rust-Fell at the same time.”
Guard 1 –“That’s bad news. We must tell Lord Valmai. Girl, what’s your name?
Vatra –“I’m Vatra, and I’m not a slave!”
Guard 1 –“For now, I’ll believe you. Follow me. We’ll give you something to eat.”
Guard 2 –“Don’t try to run away from our game of Prika.”
Guard 1 –“As if I’d let you win that easily. I’ll inform Marco, and I’ll be back right away.”
Vatra followed him in silence. Many residents were working and seemed worn out. A quarter-hour later, they walked through the bridge and arrived at the little fort connected to the northern drawbridge. The guard relayed the information to his superior before returning to his post. The lieutenant surveyed Vatra from her feet to her face and extended his hand.
Lieutenant –“Welcome to Avem. I’m Marco. So, you’re not a slave, I take it?”
Vatra –“No.”
Lieutenant Marco–“It’s fine; I believe you. Henryk told me you’re called Vatra. Is that correct?”
Vatra –“Yeah.”
Lieutenant Marco –“Alright, follow me, I’ll lead you to the inn where you’ll be able to eat.”
Inside the fort, a dark alley led to the drawbridge. The wood was old, yet still in good shape. Once they entered the town, Vatra’s sight changed. The town was filthy and crowded. From across the land between the Frey and the Vale, survivors had come to seek refuge. The town felt more like a pit of despair than the ray of hope she was seeking. Guards patrolled the road as if they were already under siege. Some were from House Valmai and others from House Krain of the Frey.
On the main street, a big stew was being rationed to the citizens. Waiting in line were kids, the wounded, and elders. The refugees were everywhere, yet a dark silence shrouded the air. The lieutenant led Vatra to the inn, where he yelled to the innkeeper from across the window.
Lieutenant Marco –“WE GOT ONE MORE REFUGEE!”
Marco –“Alright, you can go inside. Adam, the innkeeper, will give you a proper meal. After that one, you’ll have to do the line like the others. We are all rationed to pass through the winter. I’m sorry for our poor hospitality. Rest well, little girl.”
The guard left for the castle in the middle of town. Vatra was still looking at the mess lying around before entering the inn.
How many of them are they? Did the Kalator raid them all?
Adam–“Don’t be afraid; you’re safe here! You can come!”
Vatra returned to reality and approached Adam.
Vatra –“Sorry, I was stunned by the crowd . . .”
Adam–“Oh, a slave.”
Vatra –“No. I’m not!”
Adam–“Oh, really? I’m sorry, then; it’s just cause I’ve got one who looks like you.”
Vatra –“Or so I’ve heard. I suppose she’s called Fan?”
Adam–“Oh, so you know her?”
Vatra –“Not really.”
Adam–“She’s working right now, but I’m sure she’d love meeting someone like her. I mean, you’re not a slave, but you know, you’re from the East.”
Vatra –“Is that so . . .”
Adam–“Anyway, you’re in luck cause no other refugees came today. You’ll have the whole inn for yourself. Well, aside from the drunk man over here, but don’t worry. He’s not a bad guy.”
The man –“I’m not drunk yet!”
Vatra turned her head and saw the old man. He looked like a giant. Even while sitting on a bench, he was taller than her. He had a disturbing hole instead of his left eye, which was embellished by a scar running from the bottom of his jaw all the way to the top of his head, passing through his missing eye. The man only had a couple of teeth remaining, and two of his left fingers were missing. Despite enduring many violent battles, he was smiling.
Is he senile or something?
Vatra sat at a table far from the man and waited before the innkeeper placed what looked like stew in front of her.
Potato, potato, and potato . . .
The tall man –“Ahh, c’mon Adam! I can smell it from here. That’s the exact meal you’re giving to the refugees. Isn’t she supposed to have a better one since it’s her first meal in town?”
Adam–“There are more potatoes than in the regular batch. Besides, I can’t waste meat on common folk anymore. We need it for the fighters like you, Morgan. Order from the lord!”
Vatra –“Again, those who can’t fight have the few remains of their needs taken away . . .”
Adam –“Those potatoes are a gift you didn’t have to fight for.”
Vatra –“And what about the taxes we paid to House Valmai? What happened to the protection we were entitled to?”
Adam –“I’m sorry for the people of Tree-Fall Village, the Frey, and the Rust-Fell Mine. But I follow orders, and if we want to still have these lands once this rebellion is over, we’ll need soldiers. Men are willing to risk their lives for us so that those like you and me won’t have to fight.”
Vatra –“So if I fight, I’ll get to eat meat?”
The innkeeper giggled until he realised she was serious.
Adam –“I’m talking about the soldiers of the House Valmai and the House Krain. Anyway, unless I’m misunderstanding, you’re here in our town eating our food and being held under our protection, so I wouldn’t complain too much if I were in your place.”
Vatra –“Complain? I’m asking to join the rank of those who will fight for this town.”
Adam –“Why would you risk your life when you don’t have to?”
Vatra –“Because if I don’t fend for what I care for, then it will be taken away again and again and again by the hands of thieves claiming the name of their gods or their ancestors or whatever nonsensical lies to justify taking away the few things I hold dear.”
Adam –“I understand your sorrow.”
Vatra –“You think? They stepped on the face of the man who freed me from slavery and raised me. He could have used me like cattle, yet he chose to raise me like his daughter. I couldn’t even give him a burial for the gods to allow him into the afterworld. He will lie in the obscurity like a dead rat, rotting away until a swarm of insects feasts on his corpse. If you think I lack the determination to avenge him and the many kind souls of Tree-Fall, you’re dead wrong. You might be a coward, but I ain’t one. Now, tell me, how do I become a Valmai’s soldier or one from that other house you mentioned?”
The tall man –“You need to enter the militia first, and after six months of training, if you’re good enough, you can enter the Valmai’s army under the Eagle of Vale. Want to do it?”
Vatra –“Six months? The Kalator razed and burned Tree-Fall! They killed my family, and they’ll be there within three to five days, if not less.”
The tall man –“Even if it’s true, we don’t want soldiers who aren’t trained to fight. It would be a hindrance.”
Vatra –“I can fight! I’ve trained for a decade, and I want to kill these bastards more than any of you! I want to fight back. I won’t let the Kalator tarnish their names and get away with it. I’ve run away too many times already. This time, I’ll fight back!”
The tall man –“I can bring you to the Eagle. If you show him what you’ve got, he might accept you. It would be less boring than listening to Adam’s nonsense!”
Adam –“Do as you please, Morgan.”
Morgan –“So, what do you say?”
Vatra –“I would be honoured. When are we leaving?”
Morgan –“Once you finish your plate, I’ll bring you there.”
Vatra quickly finished her meal. When Morgan stood up, he appeared even more gigantic than what he had previously looked like.
What is that monster? He’s like seven feet tall.
Morgan walked to the doorway and lowered his head to pass under the frame before heading to the castle. Vatra followed in silence.
Morgan –“There’s a war council at the moment, but don’t worry. If you let me talk, they’ll listen.”
Vatra –“Are you a general?”
Morgan –“Let’s say I’ve earned a certain reputation that won’t leave them indifferent.”
Both entered through the castle gate and arrived at the town hall where a war council was currently being held.
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