Previous part – Nethersfar – 2 – Sword and Destiny.
And so, it was in the very early morning when it was still dark and there was little noise about, that Springle and Dracomeer set out from the hovel, Springle took no last look back at the place and as he said, had no intention of ever returning. Springle was plated in his bulky gold armour and carrying his mysterious sword hidden away in a long sheath to his left, his shield hung on his back. Dracomeer’s robes seemed to have changed colour, from the deep purple that they were into a silvery white, perhaps in a way to camouflage in the ice and snow of the Icey Peaks if needed, the hair on his head including his facial hair had also become a bluish-hued white.
They trudged through the muddy streets of the gutter, which is what the poor area of the royal capital was called and eventually on to cobbled streets where there was more finer accommodation built from wood and some also built from stone, a few markets, taverns and places of craft were also about but none of them yet open, a few candles flickered in the windows of a couple homes, but apart from that there was no visible signs of activity anywhere and very little noise apart from their own feet on the cobbles and the clinking and clunking of Springle’s armour.
The further they moved through this cobbled area the more and more homes were built from stone rather than wood and the larger the accommodations became, many stables with whinnying and shuffling horses also started to appear and some other small yards that contained chickens, and a few sheep and cows here and there, but the presence of such farm animals lessoned as they move into the wealthiest areas of the city, as these people would own fields and farmland further out where they would keep their animals instead, although many still had fancy stables in the city for quick access to horses.
As they closed in closer to the royal assets located around the center of the city, they begun coming across less and less homes but more and more military establishments such as barracks and stables for warhorses and patrols and various training grounds for troops and archery. Many storages were also about in these establishments that would contain many of the siege weapons of the royals, further in they begun coming across some castles that would be owned by lords and ladies, not exactly royal family but those of rich and powerful families who were strongly loyal to the royals.
In these areas there was more activity, patrolling soldiers or soldiers standing out on guard duty were a common sight and groups of soldiers riding past on horses was often. Many of the fields also had early morning training in session and the clatter of some swords and the clinking of armour could be heard echoing about. Dracomeer eventually pointed in the distance at a massive tower poking above these establishments, “there she is, the fortress of the Golden Fork.”
It was a very large fortress and as its name suggested it was a tower plated in gold, as they got closer there appeared huge fortified walls around the structure, the walls continually jutted in and out as they clasped around the fortress, like little points, the golden tower was known as the handle of the golden fork while the walls were the head of the golden fork, although these walls were not plated in gold.
The walls were heavily manned with soldiers on guard duty walking about the tops with torches in hand and swords at their side, many others stood along the zig-zagging wall armed with crossbows and bow and arrows and there were murder holes further down the walls where soldiers were also armed with these ranged weapons and looking out. An odd moat existed tracing around the wall in the same zig-zagging pattern. The front of the fortress included a flat wall rather than a point that stuck out and was where the bridge would come down over the moat, it was the main fortress entrance. Springle and Dracomeer stopped and faced it, and waited.
“So,” said Springle slightly nervous, “they know we’re coming around about this time, right?”
Dracomeer looked at him stupidly, “well of course they do.”
Soon one of the guardsmen up on the walls called out to them, “who are you?”
“I am Dracomeer the Twisted, a close friend and sometimes advisor of the princess, and this,” he said gesturing to his left, “is the legendary Springle Steel, the Knight of the Hovel and someone that the princess is very interested in meeting.”
It was too dark and far up to see any expressions of the guards, but Springle was pretty sure he could have heard a sharp gasp at his name and title and then some excited talking. The drawbridge was soon lowered and the gate into the fortress was pulled up, they both made their way into the Fortress of the Golden Fork, as the sun now begun to peek up slightly in the distance, causing a slight orange glow to bathe them.
A tall man, although not as tall as Springle, who had blonde wavy locks of hair and who was clad in shiny armour but holding his helmet at his side, and who was wearing a flowing cloak of gold, greeted them as they entered into the outer circle of the fortress, an area where some nobles lived and there were stables and guard posts about and sleeping quarters for the guards and also some taverns, bakeries and markets, and some blacksmith workshops many of which were already open and working, with the clanging of hammers and the rushing sound of red hot metal touching water. Another jagged wall in the distance had an entrance that led further into the fortress ahead.
“Greetings Dracomeer again, and welcome Springle Steel Knight of the Ho-”
“Just call me Springle Steel, no need to add Knight of the Hovel anymore,” Springle quickly interjected.
“Oh, well, very well Springle Steel. You may call me Jerry Fortune of the noble Fortune family. I am the lead man-at-arms of this fortress. I am here to escort you to her royalty Princess Christine, lioness of the Golden Fork. She is ready to receive you in the grand hall of the Golden Fork Handle. If you please,” he said gesturing forward as they then set off.
As they walked towards the wall of the inner circle Springle noted the banner of the fortress up on various points flying in the breezes, a lioness head wearing a diadem flanked by the sun on a field of gold with a large golden fork casting a bright white light over the lioness that glinted off the diadem. Alongside these banners flew the flag of the Kingdom and of which was also the banner of the ruling royal family, who were the Greenleaf’s, their banner were trees growing tall and strong around a green fortress full of vines and of which had a dark green crown hovering over it, all on a field of lighter green with rays of yellow cutting through it. Both of the banners were displayed on the cloak of Jerry Fortune.
Within the inner circle were some more barracks and stables but nothing more. Many soldiers were on patrol and others stood along various entrances into the inner wall and also entrances into the Handle of the Golden Fork tower, which at this close was incredibly tall and very large and shiny, especially now that the rising sun was reflecting off of it. Jerry led them into the tower, inside it had a spiral golden staircase carpeted with red that led all the way up to the very top, giving access to all floors. Jerry explained that the throne room was at the very top of the tower but that the great hall was close to ground level so visitors didn’t have to struggle up so many stairs, most of the guest suites and bedrooms were also located in the lower area of the tower while bedrooms for the royals were higher up, so it took longer for any intruders to reach them, giving higher likelihood of them being stopped first.
Springle wondered where the access to the legendary dungeons would be and if they really did lead into catacombs and the famed royal treasury vaults, but he saw no sign of where any entrance to that would be located as they eventually reached the grand hall on the 3rd floor. Although the outside of the tower was plated in gold and the spiral staircase was gold, all the rest of the rooms Springle went past, and also the grand hall was made of marble, and there were many artifacts on the walls, some statues about and also many decorative pieces on display. The grand hall was lit up by the light spilling in from the windows which were dressed with large red drapes embroidered with gold pattern-work and lace dangling along their edges.
There was a massive table stretching across the middle of the grand hall, made of solid polished oak with polished oak chairs that had red carpeted seats and arm rests. Candles along the table provided further light in the room as well as the various torches held in gold sconces along the walls of the grand hall. The table was dressed with a red cloth and was lined with plates and cutlery, jugs and serving bowls.
“Well, isn’t this grand,” said Springle looking about.
“Yes indeed, and something you could have had.”
“I could have had?”
“Oh yes,” replied Dracomeer nodding, “this was what the King of the time would had offered you after your heroic slaughter of the goblin forces in the jungle. This place was newly constructed back then and is also why you was gifted golden armour to go along with it. You would have been a lord here, but you turned it down.”
Springle was amazed to hear this, but he didn’t have much longer to think on it as a servant walked in and drew their attention by clearing his throat loudly. “My good sirs, wizard and knight, the Princess Christine,” he said bowing down towards the entrance that Springle and Dracomeer had come through.
The Princess entered before them into the grand hall, Dracomeer bowed down to her as she entered and he pulled on Springle’s finger to do the same, which he promptly did, looking down towards the floor. “You may rise,” said a clear and delicate voice.
And before Springle was the young Princess Christine Greenleaf, the lioness of the Golden Fork. She was dressed in slender golden armour fitted to her size and wore a cloak of gold and green that included both the banner of her fortress and of her family. Springle found she had well sculpted features, her eyes were large and green, with a small chin and cheeks and long dark hair that tumbled down her shoulders and cloak, she wore a gold diadem beset with yellow and green jewels. She held out her gloved hand for greeting, Dracomeer bent down to give a light kiss, and Springle, quite awkwardly, followed suit, having to bend down a lot further, of which his height and armour made difficult.
Springle found himself to be extremely nervous for whatever reason, but Dracomeer seemed casually relaxed as if he had done this routine a million times, of which he probably had done. The Princess smiled at them both, “well then, it is good to see you both and very good to meet the legend that is Springle Steel,” she quickly eyed his sheathed sword and then looked back contently upon them both, “there is little time to speak at length and unfortunately no time for a meal before we leave, as time is not on our side. But if you shall seat yourselves over at the table, I will give you quick introductions to the trusted members who shall be accompanying us on this expedition.”
The princess sent away her servant to fetch the other members and then sat down alongside Dracomeer at the table, Springle attempted to sit opposite them but found he was too large to fit into the oak chairs. “Oh, don’t trouble yourself too much, feel free to fetch one of the large chairs beside the windows,” said the Princess.
“Uh, thank you your highness,” he said, bowing his head quick and then fetching one of them, he was able to fit into it just about, but he felt very embarrassed, the princess gave him an amused look but then continued to business. “Right. So, we have agreed that Springle will be the only one to carry the sword at any point during this expedition, as he seems to be the only one to weather its corruption most effectively. But what I would like to know, is your general idea for finding the swords original location.”
“My idea is simple but one of the only ways. On our way there I have great hope that Springle’s memory will be jogged and can figure out a path towards and lead us towards the original location, wherever it may be and whatever it might be. Sure, it sounds like a gamble, and there is no guarantee that Springle will remember where he got it from, but we must remain hopeful.”
The Princess sat up and clasped her gloved hands together, “do we have an alternative plan just in case Springle fails to remember where he got it from?”
A grave face came over Dracomeer, “then I will have to try and destroy it using my own magic, but there is no way to know what would happen if I were to try that. It could have devastating consequences. That’s why I hope if we find where it came from, we might be able to get some clues on the sword, including ways to dispose of it forever.”
Springle could feel the sword pulsating at his left side, as if it knew they were talking about it, but for whatever reason there was an overriding feeling telling him not to mention it, and so he remained silent.
The servant soon returned announcing that the other expedition members were ready to come in, the Princess nodded her approval and in entered five other people. “These are my most trusted individuals, naturally there are the four members of my guard.”
She pointed over to four men clad in silver and gold armour with flowing cloaks of emerald green. “They are the Gold Band, the historic protectors of the royalty of this fortress and as such some of the most trusted occupants of this fortress.”
The Gold Band bowed towards the Princess, Springle and Dracomeer. “And the other individual is my closest and most trusted advisor who also quite handedly happens to be an excellent tracker and terrain guide, he can prevent us from becoming lost by mapping our way in the unknown lands beyond the borders, and also hunt us our food on the way.”
The slender man, who was dressed in thick robes of red ready for the colder conditions, bowed towards them, he had long light brown hair and a middle-aged handsome face, his bow was quite exaggerated with a certain style to it, crossing his feet and holding his hands up as he did it. “Your highness and esteemed guests, I am Guildor Knot” he said, and then stood to the side of the Princess and said, “the horses are ready to ride.”
“Well then,” said Princess Christine standing, “let’s us all be on our way, we can talk more as we ride. Springle I will have you riding on my left, as there are certainly things we need to discuss on the way.”
“Of course, your highness.”
“Just call me princess from now on.”
“Oh, ok. Princess,” replied Springle, sounding almost constipated.
They exited the Handle of the Golden Fork and to a large stable not far from it within the inner-circle of the fortress. It was now much lighter out and the birds were singing their morning songs and more noise could be heard about as more soldiers awoke for their routines. The Princess quickly talked with Jerry Fortune before she mounted her horse, all of the horses were a bright white, but one of them was distinctly larger than the others, much larger.
“That large one shall be yours Springle,” said Guildor, with a big mocking grin on his face.
Springle, despite all the time he had been alive, had very little experience with a horse and so didn’t see this going to well, he proffered his own two legs to any animals. There was further embarrassment as he struggled to get on to the horse, with the Princess having to make two of her guard push him up on to it, then she said, “do not worry Springle, White Thunder is a well-trained horse, she will copy what my horse does and so you do not have to worry much about control, but I can explain some basics to you on the way as we set off, just in case.”
They then set off, Jerry Fortune saw them away out of the inner and then outer circles and then vanished back into the fortress as they moved off into the streets, heading the direction of the Icey Peaks, “so, I hear you are also a good hunter, like Knot,” enquired the Princess to Springle.
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