Sellsword Ch. 03

Sir Reynold nodded, and bowed before leaving the hall.

Robert looked at me.

"Drink with me."

"Ma'lord, I am honored but—"

Before I could finished Robert had a flagon of wine in hand, and gestured it to me.

"Drink with me, your Lord commands it."

I nodded, and moved to Sir Reynolt's evacuated chair as Robert poured me a goblet of wine.

"I risk open war with the South, and I do not even have the true, and full support of one of my own Lords. Lord Brackon may use this situation, to stir things up down in the Capital and capitalize on the prospect of him taking control of Oakwood and becoming the new Warden here in the North."

Robert took a big mouthful of his wine and sighed.

"You can still say no, and I will leave for the far North. You'll not risk anything, if I do that."

I offered to Robert, one last time.

"Don't be stupid, my father would be turning in his grave if I chose to turn you away, and not offer you my protection. I could not sit at the God and Goddesses side, knowing I turned over my one and true best friend to be hung or beheaded for doing something right, in the name of real justice."

I nodded.

"So Lord Brackon, can't we put him in his place perhaps?"

I asked.

"What can I do? I sanctioned his attack on Lord Bricon's forces for the slight he made against Lord Brackon, killing several of his troops in a skirmish. As Warden of the North, I authorized his vengeance on House Bricon. Castle Clairemont is his by proxy, as he took it in conquest and so too is Fort Toras. That now gives House Brackon two easily defensible locations, to attack my forces from and threaten the North's stability as a whole. That's not counting Castle Southwood, which is his House's ancestral seat of power. Now that is three bases, to send his forces from and he only has between two and three thousand troops less than me. You know war Koran, sometimes the side with the smaller army can sometimes win the battlefield from the larger force. I can't commit to battle against him, with those odds weighing on me. It all depends on where I fight him, how I fight him, and the loyalty of my Lords here."

Robert's passionate argument over with, he drank again.

"Do you question the loyalty of your own lower, loyal Houses here in your own region?"

I asked him, turning the goblet in my hands.

Robert sighed, placing his goblet down on the table.

"I do not know Koran, I hear whispers of alliances being made between some and House Brackon. I have also heard of promises by Lord Brackon of more lands to those who side with him, against me. All whispers of course, and impossible to prove as truth. And should I win in battle against House Brackon, what then? Do I put their hold-fasts, and Castle Southwood to the flame, what punishment is suitable for such treachery? My father only ever took the lives of those who swore outright to avenge their slights against our House, but when you do not know if those children will grow up to take up a sword against you can you truly sentence them to death on an assumption? The Southern Houses, and the King would watch on to see if I am weak in punishing those culpable of treason. They would call me weak, if I did not kill the children of Lord Brackon as penance for their father's treason."

"You could take his children as Wards, as a warning to those left of House Brackon. The young would grow up here in Oakwood, watched over of course, but not killed."

Robert paused at that, and looked at me intensively.

"Wards? That could work, my father took Sir Kirrin's son John as his Ward nearly thirty years ago, and he never took up the sword to avenge his father against him. He did grow up here, even as a child I was there when he left Oakwood to reclaim his father's House, and father allowed him to do so as he was no longer a Ward to us anymore."

"Since then House Derrinhall has been a loyal vassal to House Icefold, he's sired children, and he's never attempted to attack House Icefold since."

I added, from my own knowledge of the matter.

"House Brackon isn't like Derrinhall, they do hold grudges against those who have slighted them, even us. They've never forgotten that they were passed over for the title of Warden, since the Terrarian Civil-War. That was a long time ago, and yet they still yearn for our title."

"A different time, a different King. They did not aid the Crown, so King Merrar overlooked them for the position given to your House, Robert."

Robert knew his history, he was a warrior, but he did read and knew Terraria's history well.

"Lord Brackon has several children, all over the age of eighteen seasons. Who would I even consider taking as Wards, once the conflict is over?"

Robert questioned.

"Take the women, and his eldest son. Heir to Southwood, show Brackon you can be merciful, before you must take his head for treason."

Robert sighed once more, his big chest heaving as he breathed.

"How do I declare war on his House, when I do not have proof of his treason or plots?"

"Invite him to a seasonal pledge of allegiance, your loyal Houses will see it as a precaution to be taken since Brackon has conquered quite a lot of the North. They'll see it as you just being cautious, if he insults your invitation it's your right to question his loyalty as his Liege Lord, Robert."

Seasonal pledges of allegiance usually happened after a conflict, when a Liege Lord feared another House beneath them had aspirations to conquer their Liege Lord's House. It is what spurred the Terrarian Civil-War to even happen, when King Merrar feared the power of The Warden of The South, House Lorondsey after conquering their resistant Houses in the South.

When Lord Lorondsey refused to attend the seasonal pledge of allegiance to the Crown, a festival of an event King Merrar rallied his forces, but of course some within the Royal Family wished to take the Throne from Merrar and install his sister Jacqueline on the throne, Civil-War broke out within the monarchy. House Lorondsey had pledged their allegiance to Princess Jacqueline and was the reason for refusing to bend the knee to the King.

During the Terrarian Civil-War many lives were lost, King Merrar called his banners from the North but House Brackon did not take up arms in time, as House Icefold did and because of this the King gave the lands of the North, and title of Warden to Icefold over Brackon.

House Lorondsey was destroyed, their ancestral home was burnt to the ground, and the King executed Lord Lorondsey's children, effectively destroying the House and putting an end to their line.

King Merrar was merciful on his sister Jacqueline, claiming outside forces coerced her into such a position, she was not to blame. He let her live, and still be a Princess of the crown, and never took any of her daughters as Wards since he was their uncle.

I hoped inviting Lord Brackon to a seasonal pledge of allegiance would warn him to bend the knee to his Liege Lord, and stop his aspirations to take Oakwood and install themselves as Wardens to the North, avoiding bloodshed and war altogether.

"I will send a courier with the invitation, if he refuses it and does not attend it does give me reason to question his loyalty. Hopefully this war will end before it even starts."

Robert said, agreeing with my proposal.

We drank for another hour, and spoke and discussed old memories of battle alongside each other before I retired to my chambers to sleep off the wine I had drank.

Two Weeks Later, Castle Oakwood

Two weeks had passed since Robert had sent his invitation to Lord Brackon to attend Oakwood for his pledge of allegiance, and sadly no response was given. All of the noble Houses of both the North and the South were paying attention, and they all agreed House Brackon had insulted their Liege Lord in not attending the pledge.

A Council of war was called by Robert, for his Lords to attend to discuss war on House Brackon, if it's Lord did not bend the knee when they marched on Castle Southwood.

But Robert was fast, upon Sir Reynolt and my own instructions he called upon the King to decide on such a matter, and King Terrin sided with us in this conflict.

As expected Robert's loyal Lords showed up, more than he had expected even those he had suspected of siding with House Brackon.

Lord Brackon only had two Houses siding with him, who had not attended the war Council as they were expected to.

They were declared traitors to the Crown, and to The Warden of The North. Robert would decide on what to do with them himself.

I was even invited to the Council under the guise of a Willem Goront, a sell-sword who was a native to the North of Terraria but had been far East fighting with mercenaries, and Robert was seeking my advice on matters.

We all sat together, as Sir Reynolt was sat next to Robert and me at his other side as all of us were dressed in battle-wear, including chain-mail and armor as we listened to Robert.

"House Brackon, and its Lord are now traitors to the crown, for the crime of treason Lord Brackon will be beheaded. However his children, as will the children of the two Houses that sided with him, shall be taken as Wards. The Wards of House Brackon will be brought here to Oakwood, and will serve as my Wards. The rest will be divided among you all, as Wards. But no harm will come to them, they are your responsibility. If you choose to harm them, you will be answering to me and my broadsword. Believe me, I carry out my punishments personally. I will swing the sword, on any of you who disobey my direct orders. If any of you do, you will be frozen in Ice and Snow, never to sit at our God and Goddesses sides. Is that understood, ma'lords?"

Robert asked the entire table, of over a dozen Lords in attendance.

Every Lord in attendance agreed in unison with their voices, and Robert nodded in approval.

"Good, now to battle plans and preparation. House Brackon has three staging bases for their forces. Castle Clairemont to the East, Fort Toras fifty leagues south of there, and to the West their ancestral home of Southwood. Fort Toras and Clairemont have only been recently taken, so they will have most of their forces stationed there since the war with House Bricon has come to a close. We must take Toras and Clairemont first, according to reports only a handful of guards hold Southwood. As said, if anyone surrenders they'll be taken captive except those in battle fighting for Lord Brackon who with their Lords, will be executed on the spot. Lord Terrester?"

Lord Terrester, a portly man with greying hair and beard looked up in his chainmail and armour to Robert.

"Yes ma'lord."

"You will lead the force to take Clairemont, you will have the brunt of our forces since it is well defended. According to scouts Lord Brackon is not there, so try to take as many as you can captive unless you're in battle."

"Thank you for this honor, ma'lord."

Lord Terrester said smiling under his beard, having been given such an honor.

Robert nodded silently, and turned to the table once more.

"Lord Tolston?"

A younger man, in his early thirties looked up from a thick ginger beard to Robert.

"You will be leading our forces against Fort Toras. You have proven yourself at that skirmish in the hills against the Orkley raiders, I am sure you are more than capable of this task."

Lord Tolston, younger than most still nodded and thanked Robert for another such honor.

"Finally no word on Lord Brackon being at Fort Toras, which means he is residing at Castle Southwood. I will be leading the force there myself, not much resistance is expected and it is more than likely to be the easiest target of the three. If he is there judgement will passed onto him, and he will be executed there by my own hand. Communicate by courier, notifying me of your progress. Lord Tolston and Terrester will choose which of you Lords will be riding with them, anyone left will ride with me."

Robert dismissed the Lords assembled, and they all began to talk with one another leaving the table. Only I and Lord Reynolt stayed with Robert. As the guards closed the Oak door behind the Lords who had left, we were alone to speak.

"I did not expect Lord Brackon to refuse your invitation to Oakwood for his pledge."

I said simply.

Robert nodded, drinking from his goblet of wine.

"I didn't think he would be so foolish to do that, he knows if you refuse a pledge of allegiance to your Liege Lord, almost every House in the North sides with the Warden. Those two low Houses who are still siding with him, must have been sold on his promises."

"Of lands and titles, I assume ma'lord."

Sir Reynolt said.

"Yeah, those things can change allegiances very quickly. Self-promotion can be a tricky cunt to bypass."

We all laughed at Robert's comment.

"We far outnumber House Brackon and his combined forces with those two Houses that sided with him. This war will be over in a matter of a week or more."

I said to comfort him.

"Well we at least have the support of the South, no Royal army marching for my head without letting them know of what is going on up here. King Terrin wants this matter settled before he comes to Oakwood at the end of this season for his yearly visit to the North."

"The King visits the North?"

I asked surprised.

"Every year, to avoid another Civil-War most likely. Every year he visits Oakwood, House Icefold. Wardens of the North, and we cater to him for a week or two. He goes hunting, and such and he enjoys the comforts of the North. But it's clearly to make sure everything is peaceful, no war or civil unrest in any of his kingdoms. The North is by far the largest of all of the kingdoms that make up Terraria. He's not stupid, play favorably to the largest of all of his kingdoms but also watch us for any problems he may want to deal with. Since the Civil-War, every Terrarian King has visited the North. Surprising since we were not the ones who turned on the throne, during the war. It was a Southern noble House that did, but we are the largest kingdom so we are watched the most of all."

So by the end of the summer season, the King wanted this conflict over and done with. With the forces Robert had amassed, House Brackon would take just a week or more to destroy, so the King needn't have worried.

"What do you wish of me, ma'lord?"

I asked.

Robert turned to me smiling.

"You'll ride with me for Southwood, and together we'll take the castle like we did in the past together. Reynolt you will stay and assume your role as Castellan to Oakwood in my stead, until we return. Be ready to receive guests when we return, we'll be returning with Wards from House Brackon I hope."

Sir Reynold bowed.

"Of course ma'lord."

I turned to Robert who stood in his chain-mail and armor, with his sword at his belt ready for battle.

"Ma'lord, may I say goodbye to Serass. Before we leave?"

Robert smiled.

"You have an hour, be ready and horsed to leave by then Koran."

I nodded.

"Thank you, ma'lord."

Robert marched off to ready his own horse, and say goodbye to his wife Lady Catelyn.

I strode out of the hall for Serass's quarters, that Lady Catelyn personally put aside for her and gave her the position of her hand maiden. I thanked Lady Catelyn for giving the girl such an honor.

Outside her quarters, I knocked on the Oak door.

"Serass, may I come in?"

No answer, and so I pushed open the door.

Inside Serass was sitting on the bed, crying.

"What is wrong Serass?"

I asked her walking over to her.

She turned to me, looking as beautiful as the day I had first found her.

"You're going away to war."

So she knew what was happening.

"I am going with Robert yes, to take Castle Southwood from House Brackon."

"You will die!"

Serass screamed at me.

"Serass I've survived more conflicts and wars, than I care to count."

Serass didn't seem convinced.

"It only takes one stray arrow or bolt, and you could die Koran. You are my only family now, my family spurred me when they discovered I was damaged goods because of Karis. You're the only person who ever took me as I was, and never attempted to take advantage of me when you found me. I cannot lose you Koran."

She stood and wrapped her arms around me pulling us both close into a warm embrace.

"Serass, I am coming back to you I swear it."

Serass was crying, her beautiful eyes glistening with tears.

I noticed now she was wearing a beautiful Northern blue dress, given to her by Lady Catelyn and her red flaming hair was braided flowing down her back as she held me. She was beautiful, and intoxicating as her scent entered my nose from her hair. She smelt of roses, washed in a bath of them I assumed.

"Serass-."

"Don't go Koran, please."

At that she looked up at me, and kissed me on my lips in a long passionate kiss.

"Stay, with me where it's warm, and moist for us both."

She slid her hand around the chain-mail I wore, and beneath it grabbed my bulge through my breaches.

"Stay."

Was all she said as she nuzzled my neck with her cheeks, and began to undo my breaches. Slowly her warm hands pulled down my breaches until my manhood was sticking out like a spear between us both and began to stroke it.

"Take off your dress, Serass."

Serass stroked my cock, as she slid the shoulder straps of dress off letting it fall to the stone floor, exposing her young supple breasts.

"Fuck me Koran, please."

Serass was only wearing the light blue cotton stockings, and her womanhood was exposed.

"Take it into your mouth Serass."

Slowly she slid down my chest onto her knees, and took my manhood and placed its bulbous head to her lips, and slid it into her mouth and began to suck on it.

The only noises in the hollow room was her slurping, and sucking on my manhood as I stood over her.

I began to take hold of her red hair, and use it to pull her up and down my cock as she sucked on it.

Serass choked, and gagged on my cock but I did not want to hurt her - I wanted to possess her for myself.

Soon enough I lifted her beautiful body into my arms, and laid her on the wolf skin bed she had, and she spread her legs invitingly as I kicked off my breaches.

I got onto the bed with her, between her legs and pressed my manhood to her womanhood and slid inside her.

Serass emitted a moan, and sigh of pleasure as I filled her.

For the next ten minutes we fucked, made love whatever word you want to use we did it.

I played, and sucked on her breasts as I slid in and out of her.

Time passed us, but all that mattered was her and me on this bed together.

Eventually I groaned, and exploded inside her spilling my seed into her and slowly retreated onto my knees on the bed.

My seed oozed out of her womanhood soaking the wolf skins she lay upon.

"Koran, don't go please."

She gasped, begging me.

"Serass, I will be back within a week I swear to you."

I pulled her to sit on the bed, and we held one another.

"I don't believe you. You will leave me here, and leave for the North where you'll marry another Clan woman, and be happy. I'll be here, forever a handmaiden to a Lady."

I kissed her again.

"Never, you're the one I intend to marry Serass."

I said simply, smiling as she looked up at me and smiled herself.

"You really mean that Koran?"

She asked excitedly.

"Of course I do, when I return I will take you to the old ancient holy stone outside Oakwood, I will make my oath to you and marry you there. Wait for me Serass, I will return within a week, and make you mine, and me yours in front of the God and Goddess."

Serass smiled, wrapping her arms around me and planted kisses all over my face and neck as we both laughed.

I knew I only had some time left with her, until I needed to meet Robert in the courtyard to ride for Southwood.