//------------------------------// // 117 - Veritable Lodgings // Story: Age of Kings // by A bag of plums //------------------------------// As far as palaces went, Emerald thought that Castle Sleipnir was fairly comfortable. Compared to the temperate Canterlot Castle and the hot, dry Masyaf Castle, this wasn’t too bad of an experience. Plenty of wood fires and animal pelts to wrap up in, though Emerald tried not to think about the poor creatures who had been slaughtered to supply the furs.  Emerald had been given a suite near the top of the palace, and there was a window that looked out upon the city of Nidaroats. It had definitely seen better days, Emerald thought as she got dressed and glanced out of the thick glass. There were no more fires, but here and there plumes of smoke rose up from the buildings as a grim reminder of the events prior. Still, it could have been worse. As one of the vikings had said before, nearly all of the buildings in the city were made of stone, not wood or clay, so they wouldn’t be too badly damaged.  After putting on the last of her armor, Emerald left the room and went downstairs to the main hall. By now most of the civilians had returned to their homes or gone to an inn to rest, now that the city was no longer under attack. Emerald emerged in the hall to see several viking warriors walking about, checking on each other and talking in low voices. They saw the spymaster coming and grinned, raising their hands in welcome, a gesture that Emerald awkwardly returned. Nightfall Gleam and Stronghorn were seated at the long table closest to Emerald, so she went over to greet them. “Ah, Emerald Edge the Raven Knight!” Stronghorn said gleefully. “The hero of the battle. We were just talking about you.” “Yes,” Nightfall smiled as she played with a small brown pouch. “The skalds of the city are already writing ballads and singing songs of your heroism. You’ve become quite popular overnight, Em.” Emerald smiled at the two’s enthusiasm, and after exchanging a few more pleasantries, she excused herself to go and check on the others. Jewel Pin stood by one of the banners that lined the hall, seemingly intrigued by the weaving style or something. The seamstress reached out and rubbed the fabric between her fingers and stroked her chin, thinking. Her bag that she had left behind previously was now hitched over her back. She must have retrieved it somehow. “Good morning, Jewel Pin,” Emerald greeted, coming over to stand by the tailor. “What is on your mind?” Jewel Pin didn’t take her eyes off the banner. “Good morning, Emerald. I was just checking the feel and weave of the cloth here compared to what I was used to in Canterlot and what we found in Saddle Arabia. It’s really quite intriguing.” “Is that so?” Emerald said. “How’s that?” “The banners here are woven from a thicker, coarser thread,” Jewel Pin explained. “I suppose it’s because they use animal hair instead of plant fibers to make cloth. But the weaving pattern is mesmerizing; it’s all done in swirls and vine-like patterns. I should like to learn how to make this, if we have time to spare.” Emerald smiled. “It would make for a good way to attract customers, selling clothes woven in the Saddle Arabian and Northern styles.” Jewel Pin turned to Emerald with wonder in her eyes. “You really think so?” Emerald reached out and put her hand on Jewel Pin’s shoulder. “After this whole thing is over, I have every confidence that you will be the most successful seamstress in all the kingdoms. With your experience and skill, nothing will stand in your way.” “After this is over…” Jewel Pin turned back to the banner. “I know that Morn’s deeds are those of wickedness, but I cannot deny that without his acts, I would not have the chance to grow as I have. Perhaps it is a blessing in disguise that we set out on this desperate quest, for if I did not, I would not know half of what I do now.” Emerald’s eyes widened as she listened to the seamstress’s words. She was right, in a way, and Emerald had never thought of it in that light. Until now, she had considered everything that Morn had done to be acts of treason and evil, and their flight from Canterlot to driving out his armies from other kingdoms had been nothing to her but stopping the forces of evil. She had never stopped to think that something good might come out of this.  Emerald’s ruminations were interrupted by a small growling sound from Jewel Pin’s stomach. “Ah ha ha…” the seamstress said nervously. “I believe it’s time I got some breakfast. Why don’t you come with me, Emerald?” The two women left the banner on the wall and made their way to the end of the long table. Spectrum Song, Guard Streak, and Honeygold were seated a little distance away, excitedly chatting about the previous night’s battle. Emerald was glad that neither squire had been seriously hurt in the fighting; only Spectrum had a bandage around her wrist from where a stray crossbow bolt had glanced, and Guard Streak had accidentally scorched his fingers on the fuse of one of the mages’ firebombs, but that was barely a trifle.  Golden Nugget and Apple Bean seemed to still be sleeping, as they were nowhere to be seen in the main hall. Light Speckle was also absent, but Emerald wasn’t too worried about her. She sat down next to Jewel Pin and reached for a strange bundle of fruits that was resting in a bowl. They were bright red and smelled nice, so Emerald picked one up and popped it into her mouth.  To her delight, the berry burst between her teeth in a splash of sweet, runny juice. It almost tasted like a strawberry, but even sweeter. Excitedly, Emerald picked up a second berry and ate it. Next to her, Jewel Pin helped herself to some salted meats and a block of cheese as well as some bread.  As Emerald and Jewel Pin ate, they spotted Parisa Pie come in from through the main doors, looking cold but rather pleased with herself. She took off the furry hat that she had been wearing and shook out her hair. “Look at this!” Parisa skipped over to Emerald with something in her hands. It appeared to be a tray of mugs with a stick poking out of each. Parisa then proceeded to pull one of the sticks in the mugs, the whole thing coming out with a pop. What emerged was a pink cylinder of ice on a stick. “Turns out drinks turn all crunchy in this weather, so I took some fruity drinks and put sticks in them. The cold made them all crystally and hard, and now I can hold and lick the cold fruity drink like candy! Neat, huh?” “That is clever,” Light Speckle emerged from the doorway that led to the sleeping quarters of the castle. She looked well rested, though her hair was a touch messy. “I never thought to use the cold like that. I imagine that such a discovery would be impossible to make back in Saddle Arabia.” Parisa nodded and licked her frozen drink. Her tongue stuck to the chilled surface and she pulled her head back to unstick it. “Anyway, I want to try this with some other liquids! I know! I’ll get some more from the kitchen!” Emerald watched Parisa skip off to the cooking area of the castle and smiled to herself. “Nothing ever dampens that girl’s spirits, does it?” she commented. “I do not think I have ever seen her frown,” Light Speckle said as she sat down across from Emerald and Jewel Pin before picking up a piece of seared fish. This she broke into pieces in her hand to eat slowly. “Hats off to you for your performance in the battle yesterday, Emerald. We might not have won completely, but we have at least bought the capital city a few days’ respite.” “I wish I could have held onto the artifact,” Emerald sighed. “It would have sped up our progress considerably.” Jewel Pin said nothing, her mouth too full of bread and cheese to make any sounds other than that of chewing. She swallowed with gargantuan effort and reached out for a circular hollow kind of cake that was decorated with a ring of white frosting. “Nothing can be done about it now…” Light Speckle shrugged. “We should use this time of stillness to plot our next move, because the enemy certainly will.” “Agreed,” Emerald sighed. “What a campaign this is turning out to be.” Both of them sat there, unsure of what to say next while they listened to Jewel Pin eat. Emerald could not deny that this whole war was beginning to wear on her. She had done her share of fighting while she was a Knight of the Round Table, and before that in Equestria, but even then, none of those battles had been as long and drawn out as this. As spymaster, her goal was usually to sneak in, take out what needed to be take out, and leave the rest to the Empire’s army. This was all so very different. “By the way,” Emerald said, picking another berry from the bowl and examining it in front of her face. “Has anyone seen Sombra or High King Magnus?” “No one has seen the high king leave his quarters since the battle.” Amber Fang was suddenly beside them, eating the hoof of a pig. Emerald was grossed out, but she tried not to show it externally. “I am afraid he is still severely weakened from his intense use of his artifact. King Sombra is with him and his court. I believe they are delving into strategies.” “I should be there.” Emerald stood and grabbed another berry for the walk. “I will see you two later.” The high king’s quarters were above the throne room, accessed by a door on either the left or right side of the large hall. A spiral stairway led up to another door at the end, which Emerald pushed open to reveal a hall that led in three other directions. Fortunately, she could hear a commotion from the path straight ahead and she headed down that path. Two guards stood by two large double doors, but when they saw her coming, they immediately parted and opened the doors for her. Emerald spied Sombra, Stronghorn, Rake and a bunch of other northmen standing around the high king’s bed, where Magnus lay. They saw her coming and some began muttering to each other. “Ah, Emerald, good. You are here.” Sombra walked over to steer her in. “There is some news you should hear. The high king had scouts sent out in the night to find the enemy. Like with Alamule, they have secured themselves a fort.” “Aye. Fort Moongard.” Rake welcomed her over with a wave. “Close to the border of Blackwalk. You’d think Jarl Aktaumr the Little would see this as a threat. We’ve had no word from the other Jarls but Jarl Goat Gruff, as you have already known.” “Fort Moongard is heavily fortified,” Stronghorn continued. “It is atop a hill and its high walls are now guarded by the Unified’s ballistae. Only one scout made it back. Now more than ever, with Hel and most of Nidaroats’ forces gone, we need the aid of the other Holds. The Frozen North will not survive if we do this separately. We must unite as one kingdom to face the enemy at our door.” “Aye,” Rake nodded, holding his horned helm under his arm. “That will be a task in and of itself. All the jarls answer to the high king, of course, but his majesty is in no shape to travel such long distances anytime soon.” “I could do it,” Stronghorn volunteered. “I am the High King Magnus Rein’s thane. They would have to listen to me.” “Stronghorn,” High King Magnus said from his bed. His voice was raspy, but there was strength in his face. “You may be right, but I do not command the jarls by force alone. We must appeal to their duty to protect the Frozen North. And to do that…” Magnus paused to catch his breath. “We need people with experience in dealing with these invaders.” “Not to mention the High King’s symbol of authority has been destroyed,” Rake pointed out. “I don’t know about your kingdoms, King Sombra and Emerald Edge, but here in the Frozen North, symbols carry a lot of weight.” “Oh, I understand completely,” Emerald said with a small huff. “Just like back at Canterlot…” “Do not be too displeased, Emerald,” Sombra patted her on the shoulder. “We as people need symbols to rally around. It is in our nature.” “Tell that to Jarl Stern Counsel of Otterslo.” Stronghorn huffed. “It would take the world to convince him to come to our aid. If you recall, he refused to come to the aid of Flankfold when the Canterlotian army first arrived.” “Maybe it’s best we leave him for last, then,” Rake thought aloud. “Surely if all of the other jarls agree to come, Stern Counsel would look bad if he didn’t join in.” “That is an option,” Sombra agreed with a nod.  “Whatever we decide to do, we have a couple of days to decide on it,” Stronghorn said. “The explosion that destroyed the majority of the Unified army also did a job on the gates. Combined with the enemy assault on them, we can’t get anyone or anything in or out of the city until that rubble is cleared. We have men on it right now, but shifting that much stone will still take time.” “Right…” Emerald rubbed the bridge of her nose, a gesture that she had learned meant that she was frustrated. “That gives me time to learn the intricacies of Northern politics. Wonderful.” With nothing more else to say, the group called the meeting there, all of the members leaving Magnus Rein’s bedroom one by one until only the high king’s physician remained. Emerging back into the main hall, Emerald was surprised to see Posey come in the front doors, shaking snow out of her long pink hair. Gabriel was seated on her shoulder, also dusting snow off his body. The archer had her right arm held out, and perched on it was a large white owl with yellow eyes. “Hello, Emerald,” Posey said, coming up to her friend. “Look who I found while I was doing my morning exercises?” “Is this the one always laughing at us?” Emerald asked jokingly. “Funny thing,” Posey said as she looked at the owl. “I haven’t heard her make a peep. I’m going to call her Owlice.”  She stopped at the end of the table and allowed Gabriel and Owlice to hop onto the wooden surface. There they tore into a roast pheasant that someone had left unattended. Leaving the two birds to their meal, Posey and Emerald sat down a short distance away so that Posey could have some breakfast. The archer chose a slice of bread and buttered it from a nearby pat. “You know, it’s not too bad, this Northern food,” Posey commented after swallowing her mouthful of bread. “Very filling.” She then picked up a slice of roast pork and bit off a piece. “I cannot say I like the cold, though.” “No, I agree with you. It’s all been either too hot or too cold recently,” Emerald picked up another red berry and examined it. “It’s certainly an eye opener, if nothing else.” She popped the berry into her mouth and crushed it with her teeth, releasing the sweet juice inside.  Posey took another bite of her bread. “I don’t mean to sound like a spoilsport, but we really need to deal with Sir Boercival, not to mention the other Knights of the Round Table. There is no question that with every day, Morn’s remaining forces are laying waste to the other kingdoms of the land.” “You’re right, Posey,” Emerald said. “But for the next couple of days, we’ll be stuck in Nidaroats, until the high king’s men manage to shift all the rubble at the main gates.” “We could just use a ladder or dive off the walls,” Posey chuckled. “We are not limited to doors and gates.” “I know, but we should at least formulate a plan before we go dashing off anywhere.” Posey dipped her head in agreement. “We have taken down one of Morn’s generals. That will make him wary of us. There are only so many Knights of the Round Table, and unless he is recruiting more to replace the ones he has already lost, we can be fairly certain that he will not send reinforcements here.” “He did not send any help to Saddle Arabia,” Emerald said. “Exactly. We slew Agramane, and in doing so, we have forced Boercival onto the defensive. Indeed, if we were to slay him also, I think it would be safe to say that the Frozen North would be safe from Morn’s tyranny.” Posey finished this with a sip of breakfast ale. Emerald sat there and considered what she knew about Morn’s campaign, as well as their own. Having trained as a knight for five years alongside Morn, she was relatively certain that she had some inkling of how he thought and how he would go about strategy. One adage that she had learned was not to overextend one’s forces, and that lined up with Morn’s actions thus far. It would be a poor idea to spread his forces out too thin. “Posey,” Emerald began, a thought forming in her head from what Moon Tide had told her before. “Do you think you could have Gabriel have a look at the Kingdom of Prance? I have a gut feeling that Morn might be pushing hard there.” Posey nodded seriously. “I see. I’ll send Gabriel out later. He will be glad to see my mother again, I’m sure. Prance is closer to us than it was in Saddle Arabia, so he should be able to make the journey in a day or two, assuming he isn’t hampered by the snow too much.” “Thank you, Posey,” Emerald breathed a sigh of relief. “I’d like to see how Canterlot is doing too, but it would be selfish of me to risk sending Gabriel deep into enemy territory just to satisfy my own self interests.” “It’s not selfish to worry about your home, Emerald,” Posey patted her friend on the arm. “I too am worried about Canterlot. It was the first place I could call home besides the Everfree Forest,” the archer finished her bread and went for a piece of dried fish. “I thought I was used to being on the run, but never has it been as dangerous as it is now. I look forward to ending this conflict and the land returning to peace.” “Me too, Posey,” Emerald said, her heart seeming a little lighter than it had before. “Me too. But first, we have work to do.”