Falco's Reign - Part 81

It was indeed a very happy reunion with Cailida. Miranda was of course glad to see her cousin again and Falco to have his old companion back from the days he pretended to be a young thief called Thialfi. But Cailida was truly overwhelmed when Rodey flew into her arms and hugged her joyously, only moments later followed by Pumori. For the first time in her life, the rough, tough, foul mouthed mercenary was completely lost for words. She had been a part of several outfits and expeditions, but she had never acquired many friends. To be greeted like this now, came as a big surprise. Even her resolve to say goodbye to them and announce she would be returning to Tarquinia, suddenly crumbled to dust and was forgotten almost immediately. She felt so moved that, to her embarrassment, a few tears appeared in her eyes. However, she quickly rescued the situation by locking Rodey by the neck under her right arm and Pumori under her left and saying, quasi serious:
“That’s enough, you suck-ups. I better keep you two subdued for a while, so all this hugging can end!”
But everybody knew she didn’t mean it. After the initial cheerful greeting, Cailida explained briefly that she and Arcala had infiltrated the Caledonian camp, gained Argyle’s confidence and lured him into a lethal trap. She refused to go into any details about how they had done that. Cailida just stated that sacrifices had to be made and that she had considered them worth making. Especially as she had also made a deal with Arcala, which would end the mental bonds the sorceress had placed on her.
The news of Arcala’s disappearance was received with mixed feelings. She had always been a bit scary and sometimes ruthless and Falco had been very angry when he had found out about the secrets of the Academy. But at the same time, she had always been loyal and in her own way, taken good care of the children at the Academy, together with Elvira. That she had left because she was convinced she was no longer welcome, was painful. It became even more painful for Pumori and Rodey, when they were told how Arcala had turned away from her own creation. That she wanted nothing more to do with the wolf warriors or the wolf girl, because she considered them unreliable and basically a failed experiment. Despite what had happened during the capture of Maud, it really saddened and upset them that Arcala thought that way about them.
“Still, despite what she claimed,” Cailida said, “She gave me the keys and magic wards necessary to enter her chambers in the Academy. I went there, before I came here, and everything is still there concerning the creation of your … well, our kind. I also picked up this bracelet. It’s basically the same as yours, Pumori. It helps me to identify people that are suitable to become werewolves like we are. And I immediately put it to some good use.”
She clapped in her hands and yelled: “Show yourselves, kids.”
Two fourteen year old twin girls appeared from behind a curtain. They looked a bit shy and uncertain, and wore nothing but worn rags.
“I found these two on my travels from the Academy to this place. They had not only escaped the Caledonian raid on their village and dodged their patrols, but had also managed in retaliation to trap and kill the Caledonian warrior that had killed their parents. My bracelet indicates they are very compatible with the potion.”
“Oooh!” Pumori said. “That are very good! So far, Pumori not find any good recruits yet! And Cailida-warrior find two at same time! Pumori very proud of Cailida!”
“Mm,” Cailida grinned. “I’m honored, I’m sure.”
“That’s all very well,” Falco interrupted, “and I certainly don’t want to mess up your party, but I want to make it perfectly clear, that nobody is to be given that potion against his or her will. They need to be clearly informed what it means, when they drink it and what the consequences will be. Also,” he said in a lower tone of voice, “you have to be sure, they will be loyal and trustworthy.”
“Falco-lord leave that to Pumori and Cailida-warrior. We find out if good recruits. And Pumori also promise, very solemn and with paw on heart, we never force anybody to drink potion if they not want. Yes! Pumori swears! May tail fall off and hind paws turn into real footsies if ever break word!”
“Okay …,” Falco said. “I guess we can’t ask for a better oath than that. And the same goes for all of you werewolves. In fact, I want this to become part of the rules of your Wolf Order. Make sure every new member knows that.”
“No problem,” Cailida said. “And on the subject of volunteers wanting to drink the potion … ehm … Darcia insisted on taking it.”
“Darcia?” Rodey exclaimed. “But she wasn’t compatible, was she?”
“No, but then, neither was I,” Cailida replied. “And Ewan took an overdose as well. And we both survived. I think, if the subject really wants it and is strong enough, it can be done without harm.”
“Still, I think it’s too soon to start experimenting with that brew,” Falco said. “I’m sorry for Darcia, but …”
“Ehm … she already took it, Falco,” Cailida confessed. “I couldn’t help it! She asked if she could see the flasks I brought from the Academy and … well, she emptied one.”
“Fenrir’s Fangs! And how is she now?”
“Look for yourself,” Cailida said and led them all to a small, second tent which was connected to her tent by a small canvas corridor. There, she pulled a blanket away from the ground and revealed a rather small, lithe, furry creature. She had a fluffy tail and a rather reddish fur, making her actually look more like a fox than a wolf. She was fast asleep.
“I haven’t been able to wake her yet, nor has she changed back in her human form. But she’s breathing strongly and her heartbeat is firm and steady. I think, once she wakes up, she’ll be alright,” Cailida said.
“Let’s hope so,” Falco replied. Miranda nodded in agreement.
Pumori excitedly pushed herself passed Cailida and Falco and kneeled next to the sleeping Darcia.
“Ooooh!” she exclaimed. “Darcia are so cutesies! Look at fluffy tail! And fur! Pumori like very much! Pumori stay and watch over Darcia?”
“Sure,” Falco replied. “Just one more thing, Pumori. Ruadi.”
“What about Ruadi?” Pumori asked.
“She fought very bravely at the stronghold. Don’t you think she deserves a little reward for that? I know she’s your slave by sacred rites, but just consider if you couldn’t give her a nice furry wolf loincloth or something.”
“Aww!” Pumori sighed. “Why are that necessary? Pumori knows!” she suddenly said. “Why not make extra rule for werewolves: everybody walk in nudies all the time, except for armor! Then Ruadi feel okay!”
“No way!” Rodey quickly said.
“I second that no way,” Cailida stated.
“You is all softies,” Pumori said, a bit annoyed. “Alright, Falco-lord. Pumori will think about Ruadi.”
“Thanks,” Falco smiled.

When he walked back to his own tent after their little Cailida party, Falco turned to lord Ronvald and said:
“Uncle Siggy, I suppose you are keeping an eye on those ambassadors you mentioned before, the ones coming from the royal court?”
“Yes, Falco.”
“Intercept them. Bring them to a nearby fortified manor that belongs to me. Give them all the comforts they need, but don’t let them travel any further. Even if they demand it. I suppose it is not unlikely some of them will actually want to travel on to the Caledonian army. Under no circumstances allow that to happen. Promise them I shall visit them very soon.”
“It shall be done.”
“Oh, and ask Olaf to pay me a visit. I have a little job for him.”

Duncan watched his nephew, the young Erskine, who was now jarl of Caledonia, although there had been no official coronation. The nineteen year old was pacing up and down the tent. The duke was worried about him. Argyle had always stressed the military training of the lad, making him quite a good warrior, but he had failed to see the need to also include him in the political decision making process. Argyle have always been wary of sharing power. ‘There will be time enough for that later’, he had always said. And now, Argyle was gone. There was no more time and the young man was ill prepared for this situation. Duncan just hoped Erskine would realize this himself and do the right thing; seek advice.
“Everybody out!” Erskine suddenly ordered. “Except for Duke Duncan.” He waited until the rest of his war council had left before he continued. “Uncle,” the young jarl said, “I … I don’t know what to do. Father is gone. I know he would never have lifted the siege of Grimkeep or given up on the war, but … I just don’t know… Uncle Duncan, you have a lot more experience than I do. Can’t you tell me … I mean, can you advise me on what I should do?”
Duncan felt immensely relieved when he heard that question. He gave his nephew a little encouraging smile and began:
“You basically have three options, nephew. One, risk one more battle with our combined armies in the open field. That is an honorable, but very dangerous action. The Vestfjorian army is a lot bigger than ours by now, even with our besieging force added to the main army. That won’t do us much good anyway, as you can bet lord Skallagrim will leave the city and attack us in the rear. One advantage we do have at the moment: lord Adler doesn’t seem to be with his army. I’m not sure why, but my scouts have not seem him during the entire time his army was chasing us through the Skallagrim Domain. So, if we do fight, he will probably not leading the enemy army.”
“Okay, that would be good,” Erskine said. “What’s the second option?”
“Retreat to the Pict Mountains. Do to them as they did to us at the start of the war. Defend the passes and stop them there. Winter is near. We only have to hold out a few months. And don’t forget, the Pict Mountains are almost entirely Caledonian territory. So, in theory we should be able to cause them even much more trouble than they did to us. However …”
“Yes?”
“There are three main mountain passes. Two, we can certainly still reach. The third … the most western one … will be problematic. I doubt we will get there before the Vestfjorians do. Even worse, the Black Prince’s absence could very well be explained this way as well. He may not be here, because he’s occupying the western mountain pass. If we can’t occupy all three passes, we’re basically screwed and he will push through to Caledonia. Of course, we can ask the mountain clans to try and stop him, but most of their warriors already joined us, so …”
“But why didn’t we leave garrisons in those passes?” Erskine desperately asked.
“Yes … I suggested that to your father, but he didn’t see the need, as Falco’s army was going to be destroyed in the field by Erin or Caledonian forces anyway …”
“What’s the third option?” Erskine asked.
“Negotiate. End the war.”
“You think jarl Falco will be willing to talk? After all that happened in the Skallagrim Domain? After Coronado’s rampage?”
“I don’t know. But we can always ask.”
“Yeah …” Erskine said, dropping in a chair and pouring himself a cup of mead. “What can we expect if he is willing to talk?”
“We won’t get out of this without paying a price,” Duncan said. “Compensation for the damages, hostages maybe, territorial loss, yearly tributes … It’s all possible. It will be up to us to try and keep his demands reasonable.”
“Hostages … One of my younger brothers or sisters? Maybe several?”
“That is very likely.”
“Would he treat them well?”
“Jarl Falco so far has been a gentle ruler. His father was much rougher, but even he treated me correctly when I was his prisoner.”
“But the rumors about Maud’s treatment …”
“Nobody knows what happened there for sure, except for those that were present. I think in time we will get to know the truth. However, I believe the Black Prince is an honorable man. He will not abuse hostages.”
“Talking about relatives and hostages … have you heard anything about Saraid, uncle?”
Duncan’s face suddenly got a pained expression.
“No,” he replied. “Not a single word since the Battle of Leartown.”
“I’m sure she’s alright, Uncle. You’ll see. She’s hiding somewhere and she’ll show up as soon as things are safe again.”
“Let’s hope so. However, this is not our main concern. You need to make a decision. You can’t delay any longer.”
Erskine sighed and walked to the entrance of his tent. He leaned against one of the poles and stared outside, over the small city of tents and the land beyond that. Somewhere behind those low hills in the distance was the Vestfjorian army. He couldn’t face them again in open battle. He just knew he couldn’t. That only left the second or third option.
“Uncle, will you be my army general?” the young man asked.
“Of course. For as long as you need me to be.”
“Thanks. I think we should … What’s that?”
“What?”
“Over there! On that hill, way in the distance? Are those horses?”
Erskine grabbed a spyglass from a nearby small table and looked through it.
“What?! An army?!” Duncan hissed, jumping from his seat. “Did our scouts fuck up again? Shall I sound the alert?”  
“No, no, it’s not that. It’s just a small group of horsemen. One is coming this way … And I think your intel on Falco’s absence is wrong. Unless somebody else in his army is riding a griffin as well.”
“Can I have a look?” Duncan asked. He took the spyglass from his nephew and stared through it. “Well, it seems the question of whether Falco would want to negotiate just has been answered. The man riding towards us, is a woman. His champion, I bet. And she’s carrying a banner of truce.”


One hour later, a Caledonian delegation, comprising among others, Duncan and Erskine, rode towards the same low hill the Vestfjorian delegation was waiting for them. The Caledonians rode up the hill, stopped over fifty meters from their counterparts and dismounted. Falco, and his group did the same. Erskine, Duncan and a captain from the Black Watch started to walk towards them, while Falco, Miranda, Sigismund and a very intimidating Olaf, dressed in typical Viku armor, approached the Caledonians. Halfway between the two groups, they met and greeted each other. Duncan and Erskine stared at the Viku warrior for a moment, wondering what his presence meant.
“Jarl Erskine, Duke Duncan,” Falco said. “We meet again. It’s been a while. Since I asked you to help us in dealing with the bandits of Coronado, I believe.”
“Yes, that must be about it. I wish that meeting could have gone differently,” Duncan replied.
“I can imagine. Especially as that same Coronado grabbed your daughter in the Battle of Leartown and abducted her to his stronghold.”
“What?!” Erskine exclaimed. “He has my cousin?”
“That’s what I was afraid of,” Duncan sighed. “Gods! My girl in the hands of that bastard…”
“Not quite,” Falco said, gesturing to his people behind him. One of them, who had been wearing a hood, threw off the garment and waved at them.
“Saraid!” Duncan yelled. “Thank the gods.” He joyously waved back at her. “How did you find her?” he asked Falco.
“I did what should have been done more than a year ago,” Falco replied. “Coronado is dead and his stronghold is mine. Saraid was with him, but I think she will tell you she was not harmed. Not by Coronado and not by me. Except perhaps her pride a little.”
“I thank you for bringing back my daughter,” Duncan said. “I will not forget this.”
“Let’s hope she can soon stay with her family for good,” Falco said. “But I suppose that will depend on this meeting. I want this war done and over with.”
“I have no desire to continue it either,” Erskine said. “But whether it will end, will depend on your terms, and the answer to one question.”
Duncan looked a bit alarmed at his nephew, but before he could say anything, Falco already replied.
“What question?”
“Did you order the assassination of my father?”
Falco answered without even a moment’s hesitation.
“No, I did not.”
“Would you swear an oath to that?”
“An oath? You are quite demanding, jarl Erskine. But I have no objections. I swear I did not order Argyle’s death. I’m not in the habit of sending out assassins. I just seem to receive them a lot. Is that sufficient as an answer?”
“Yes,” Erskine said, a little hesitant. “It is.”
“Good. Then let’s find a way out this war, so we can send our soldiers home,” Falco stated.
“As my nephew said, that will depend on your conditions …” Duncan replied.
“Oh, there have to be conditions, Duke Duncan,” Falco said. “Do you really think I can let you off with a slap on the wrist, after what has happened here in Skallagrim’s Domain? I rode through the raided villages. I saw the dead hanging from the trees. I found the violated girls in Coronado’s stronghold. The people of Brugar informed me about the executions in front of their walls.”
“That was Coronado. And I stopped his shameful behavior,” Duncan interrupted, starting to feel a bit anxious about Falco’s demands. Erskine was clearly having some fears of his own. “And don’t forget, contrary to Maud, that we still have a considerable army left. And we have a rather formidable defensive wall in the form of the Pict Mountains, in case we have to continue the war.”
“Coronado was part of the Caledonian army and therefore his actions are Caledonian actions. And as for the Pict Mountains …” Falco smiled and glanced briefly at Olaf, who was looking very menacing and impressive in his Viku attire. “I’m sure that I can find a way around that particular obstacle.”
Erskine and Duncan once more looked worried at Olaf. How much of this threat was real? Duncan knew Falco was a formidable opponent and certainly didn’t think along conventional paths. But could he really have made a deal with some Viku chieftain? Could he have hired their services to ferry his army on Viku warships into the Dragon Sea and attack Caledonia’s coastline, thereby completely ignoring the mountains? It wasn’t impossible, but it could be a trick as well.
“If you continue the war, you will leave me no choice but to conquer and occupy all of Caledonia,” Falco continued. “I don’t wish for that to happen, just like I didn’t wish for that to happen with Erin. We, Midgardians have better things to do than waste warriors in pointless warfare among ourselves and occupy each other realms. But it is also inevitable that you have to pay a price for what has happened. If I let you off easy, not only my own people would hang me from the nearest tree, but I would be telling the world you can attack my realm at your leisure as there are no consequences to a possible defeat. No, gentlemen. If you want peace, you will have to accept the price I ask for it.”
“Lord Falco,” Duncan said, “I think, at the moment, you could double your people’s taxes and they would still love you instead of hanging you from a tree.”
“That’s right,” Erskine nodded. “You must have tons of credit with your people right now. Enough to allow for conditions that I can accept.”
“And why would he waste that credit on you?” Sigismund asked. “This is the second time in fifteen years you try to invade Vestfjor. And this time, you even dragged Erin along.”
“That was my father,” Erskine finally said. “I am jarl now. This is a chance to make a new start between our peoples. But it will be very difficult to do that, if you impose very heavy conditions on us. The Caledonians are a proud people. If your terms are too heavy, even if I would accept them, they would resent them for a very long time, which means the tensions between our realms would continue. Not to mention they would resent me for accepting them and make it almost impossible for me to sail a different course.  I don’t want the continuation of this war, but if you intend on sending me home in total humiliation, I’m not sure that I and my men wouldn’t prefer war over peace.”
Sigismund and Falco exchanged a quick glance. That was exactly what they had wanted to hear. Erskine, the new jarl, wanting to make a new start. It was no guaranty, but it was hopeful.
“I have no desire to send you home in total humiliation, jarl Erskine. And I too would like a new start. Ignoring the ignominious acts of this war for a moment, I have always respected and even admired the Caledonians for their free spirit, their courage and their in your face attitude. It gave me no pleasure to have to kill so many of your brave warriors on the battlefield. I would rather have them standing by my side, when the need arises.”
Duncan looked at his nephew for a moment, turned back to Falco and said:
“Does this mean there is a possibility of making an honorable peace?”
“A new jarl’s reign should not start with humiliation,” Falco replied. “You will not know this yet, Duke Duncan, but a couple of days ago, I concluded not only a peace treaty but an alliance with jarl Maud. She’s on her way home this very instant, with my aid, to put down a rebellion at home. I think she would have described the peace I offered as honorable. We can use this agreement as a blueprint for ours, although there will have to be some changes. An alliance may be a bit too soon, considering what happened, but we can call it a treaty of mutual assistance, or something like that, and later formalize it into an actual alliance.”
Falco continued to explain what the terms of the peace treaty with Erin entailed. The return of their soldiers, except for the few that were identified as having committed atrocities against the villagers, ransom to be paid for the nobles and a suitable compensation for all the damage they caused in Skallagrim’s Domain. Contrary to the Erin agreement, this would also include territorial concessions. And of course Falco assured that he would not interfere in Caledonian matters, but that he expected that they would speak with one voice in international affairs. In exchange he also promised, if the destruction of a rather large part of the Caledonian fishing fleet caused a shortage in food for the coming winter, he would send aid at no cost.
“What hostages would you require?” Duncan asked, glancing at his daughter.
“If Argyle had still been in charge, I would have asked for several of his children and lady Saraid as hostages. But as it is, I think we can suspend with that. I trust you, lord Duncan. I may not have said it earlier, but I know what you did at the siege of Brugar to stop the atrocities. And besides, how can I take the daughter from a man who once gave me a piggy back ride,” Falco said, smiling for the first time. “I would however suggest we set up an exchange of our young nobles, so they can get to know each other better and form friendships. Say, for the duration of a summer or something. We can work out the details later.”
“I think we could reach an agreement on that point,” Duncan smiled. “What do you think, Erskine?”
“I don’t think that will be a problem,” Erskine nodded. “But before we can come to a peace treaty, we still have the matter of the territorial concessions. How big would these be?”
“This can be discussed in more detail in the coming days, but I would say that the entire border has to move north, several days travel into the Pict Mountains. This may sound harsh, but that area is sparsely populated, so although it may be painful for you, it is not unacceptable. More important, it is suitable compensation for lord Skallagrim’s efforts in this war and a symbol to my people that invasions and brutal destruction don’t go unpunished. It will also make it much more difficult for marauding bandits to use the mountains as a base of operations against Vestfjor. In that context, I also want Coronado’s stronghold.”
“Why that particular fortress?” Erskine asked.
“It seems to be at the center of a whole network of smaller paths, maybe unsuitable for an entire army, but very well suited for gangs of pillagers. I want to control it so we don’t get another Coronado in there.”
“I would like to confer with my uncle, before I decide,” Erskine said.
“Of course. But don’t make it last too long. I cannot tolerate Grimkeep to remain under siege for even a day longer.”

Erskine and Duncan walked back to their people. Falco remained where he was. Miranda looked at him and asked:
“Do you think they bought your ‘Olaf’ trick?”
“It has sowed doubt in their minds,” Falco replied, still not very friendly towards his champion. “That in itself may already be enough to make the ‘let’s defend the mountain passes’ stratagem a lot less enticing,”  
“Glad I could help,” Olaf said. “It was actually rather fun. Of course, the important question is, will they accept your conditions?”
Falco shrugged.
“I’m optimistic,” Sigismund nodded. “Duncan is no fool and Erskine seems a much quieter, restrained individual than his father was. I think they will squabble a bit over the land they have to surrender, but will agree otherwise.”

Less than half an hour later, Duncan and Erskine returned.
“Lord Falco,” Duncan said, “after having consulted with his nobles, it is jarl Erskine’s decision that your terms are acceptable. Although we do reserve the right to negotiate concerning the exact size of your territorial demands.”
Falco smiled.