Chapter: 2
(Emil Selewyn pov)
"When you know nothing what is there to do, but find answers" This was one of many sayings my lord father used to say to me, before he died anyway. But every moment I'm lost in the talks of lords, I miss my father's sayings even more; he always knew what to say to rile me up. He always knew the answers.
I was lost as I sat in the largest tent of the whole camp, the fire in the middle being the only thing my eyes saw and the only thing my ears heard. The crackling of the orange hearth. It's like a blaze of mountains. As time went on in a blur, my eyes drifted to the mouths that moved and the eyes of worry; in those very same eyes, I could see my own reflection. I was surrounded by darkness and shadow, and my lips showed my own worry.
Worry? Why am I worried, what am I to be afraid of? Starving? Dying in this cold, I've lived through worse but most of all I was worried about the—numbness. It wasn't the first time I felt numb, living in the cold not having tasted even a crumb of bread, for days. Lucas made sure of that. Lucas that name…every time I say it I feel…afraid?
I can feel my hands instinctively clench into a fist as the crackles of the flame still burn. Lucas. Lucas…Lu-
"Emil"
The calling of my name took me out of my trance as I looked up to see who called me. I can sense all the Avarainian lords' eyes on me staring into my very soul. My gaze darted to each and every one of them.
"Yes," I said, my voice holding no emotion, as I identified the one who called me Sir Gwyn Lavon, his beard already white as snow and his hair with spots of his brown at the very top of his head, Age showing on his face as he looked at me.
"Lord Selewyn," no one called me that, no one but he continued "we have to do something we can't just rot in these strange lands." Sir Gwyn said as his face showed urgency as he looked at every lord present, all of them nodding their heads at his words.
"Aye your right," I said my voice showing a hint of emotion and a smile tinged my face "but the scouts found nothing not even a fucking person, what are we to do?" My face contorted with anger, the images of the battle on those bloody hills and now this, is this the curse of this sword? I thought to myself as my grip grew tighter on the midnight hilt. Ever since I got this damnable sword, things have gone wrong for me. I grimaced to myself even more.
Sir Gwyn met my gaze, his bronze eyes, full of determination as his expression hardened, and then lord Gerard Estel cut in. "My lords, if I can suggest something, as you all know my house and my family's legacy are tied to the sea. My men know how to build ships, we can fish the river and the ocean." Lord Gerard stated calmly.
Sir Gwyn nodded in agreement as he looked at me "As well as I, Lord Selewyn, my grandfather was…the fishing type when I was a young lad he used to take me with him and he taught me everything there is about the sea and its dwellers." Sir Gwynn's hands lay on his hips, his sword sheathed in elegant golden leather, and his bronze armor was lined with gold. My ears peaked at Damian's mumbling "that must've been centuries ago." as he chuckled at his own jest..
Soon my attention returned. I slumped on the wooden chair as my back ached. I let out a sigh and the numbness I felt retreated as I rubbed my face. "I suppose so, does anyone else have any other suggestions?" I asked my voice to return to normal and my emotions returned.
Lord Johan Calagar stood from his seat, his pale skin brightened by the red of his tunic matching his house color and the cuffs on the wrist was tighter, and his loose black pants gave him an aristocratic look. House Calagar's red eyes were an enchanting sight as his dark chocolate hair shaped his face, his youthful appearance apparent.
"My lords, I assume the surrounding lands near the river must have many animals to hunt, Also the soil is fertile to grow crops if not for the cold that is," Johan said sheepishly at the end, his red eyes scanning the looks of the many lords.
He's a smart boy and a talented fighter, if not for that Johan's father Hano would've never permitted his son to ever leave Callagon he would've been with his father managing Callagons Bay. Maybe it would've been better if he were with his lord father.
I watched the boy sit back down with a small smile playing on his lips. I stood without another word of any other lord as I clenched my jaw. "I suggest we make a settlement on the river's mouth," I said as I slowly turned to look at the lords. Seeing their nods of approval I continued, "We will plan the settlement we mean to create but first we will need to distribute the supplies through our men and start collecting wood for the ships, and stone from the mountains our scouts reported up north."
Damian smiled at me as he stood as well "I agree, does anyone have a problem with Emil's plan?" Damian asked, and a man sneered as he stood.
"I have a problem with it!" The whole tent went quiet as lord Morris Lamber interrupted with his gruff tone. "Why are we listening to this up jumped lord?!" He narrowed his eyes at me, as he sneered.
This man never really liked me for some reason unknown to me. My mouth opened as I was about to say something back but I was beaten by Damian, who was angry. I could say that for a certain. "You say this as if he didn't save our prince, or win the battle of the bloody hills? So are these accomplishments mean nothing to you?!" Damian shouted.
The tent muttered as I could see lords manfret, Buckler, and Talison, were staring daggers at lord morris. The Lamber stood down muttering some words that were unheard as he then lowered his head and the whole tent finally fell silent once again.
"If that is all my lords, I shall head off to relay orders," Johan said as he stood and his red tunic swaying in the wind as he left the camp. The rest of the lords and knights followed behind after nodding their heads towards me.
1 week later
I thought about the past week as my feet were on the table that was constructed from wood that was transported from up north as well as stone. I stood from my seat grabbing a piece of parchment as I walked out of the tent to the frigid air that bit into my skin.
Seeing the men work, these very same men wept for the loss of their family for they understood well this wasn't their home. The Nobles not so much for reasons I don't understand, I could still remember the smile and the weird things the young Johan said to me.
(Flashback)
I stood in front of Johan. He sat on his chair, his head knocked back and his chocolate hair hanging loose. His red eyes watched me with curiosity, as he then lifted his head and gave me a small smile.
"Welcome to my humble abode, lord Emil," Johan said softly, as he then began fixing his hair. "Yes, I am welcomed" I stood silent as I then abruptly spoke "Johan" I began "how are you…Really, I know the pain of not being able to see your father your mother…"
Johan turned his head looking at the sword mantled against his bed "I am well," he said as his piercing red eyes turned back to me. "Tell me, have you ever heard of the sayings of Hummel the black?" He began "When the darkness takes hold and death follows, when the light recedes leaving only shadow where life itself is void there will come the light bringer to fight against the darkness." Johan gave a wide smile as he finished.
My eyebrows instinctively raised as I did not know why he had even told me this, my hand grasped Johan's shoulder as I whispered "Why tell me this?" Johan turned and walked back his hands behind his back clenched together. "Why? Well for starters have you ever asked yourself why someone who loved the shadow mages, betrayed his own family, began a war, and took hold of Storm Island? The real question is why did Hummel the black say this if he loved the darkness?"
My mouth opened but no words came and Johan continued "There is a missing part at the end where he says himself that darkness shall recede and perish for the greater good. It's troubling me to know why he said that but I guess it's lost in time." Johan finished with a chuckle while he flapped his hands. "Forgive me for my rant. It's been stuck in my head ever since I left my home." He gave me a smile which I responded to with a nod "well it's good to see you well I must go now," I left without any other word.
(End flashback)
My mind snapped back to reality, and my gaze watched as the men constructed the boats and the frame of the keep was being laid out next to the river. This is the very same outline from the piece of parchment in my hand. To create a drawbridge to meet the other side of the river and let ships trade upstream.
I walked on the newly paved road to add structure to the place and to make it easier for goods to come. The keep was being made with good progress, in a year's time it should be done. The carpenters and masons were a good addition since some of the army worked in this trade.
I walked and the men stopped what they were doing and watched me then bowed their head while others gave smiles. I found it to be amusing to say the very least I wasn't the king nor even a high lord. Moreover, I'm not even the lord of my own house, I was just the spare, which my brother reminded me a lot. My house wasn't even a strong house, we warrant even Avarainian but Nenethyrian. That was a sore subject for me.
I pushed it deeper into my mind ignoring it. I continued walking. Soon the sounds of horse hoofs and the wheels of carriages caught my attention. They were loaded full of rock and wood. This was a good thing we needed supplies to start a settlement here and this is needed for the keep and the homes we mean to create.
My hand slowly touched midnight, the longsword was on my hip, I gripped its handle; it's the only thing my father left me. Sometimes I spite it but it was my father's gift. I will keep it close to me for its the only memory of him.
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Hello author here hope you enjoy this chapter this took like a week and I don't know why. I just been so out of it but trust me I will keep writing and maybe tommorow the next chapter come out. Alr see you.