Chronicles of Barowia III

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Chronicles of Barowia II

A decade passes of an uneasy truce. At Scetpremass only the riders of Szalai send a delegation to pledge their allegiance - but the King is too weak to punish both houses that stay absent. Finally the King devices a plan to change the power balance in his favour. He grants the Knights of the Brotherhood their own holding in the Southeast between the rebellious houses where the Cult of the Mother has almost vanished but resistance to the rule of house Barow remains strong.

Farkash Citadel

From a winding path across the hills, or from a boat exiting the river delta, you can spot a milky stone tower glimmering in the morning light. All around it rises a large citadel on a terraced hill, featuring the same light stone and white marble, embraced by stout walls and tall towers. Gated docks overlook the quiet lake. From up close the former splendour vanishes, crumbling walls, some towers toppled and the marble of the citadel cracked. Only the keep stands as tall as before and guards over the empty stalls in the overgrown courtyard.

The Citadel before extensive renovations

In the spring of next year a delegation from Oakfell, a small dwelling to the North, arrives on timber rafts. At the docks they are greeted in her typically reserved fashion by Jitka of Urban, the newly appointed Steward. After short negotiations they agree to sell their timber on Farkash's market in exchange for protection. The woodcutters haven't forgotten the Gilded Knight who adjudicated justice in Oakfell some years ago and keep asking about the bright young lad who had accompanied him then. As a gesture of goodwill Eliska, a skilled carpenter, stays behind to fix the stalls in the bailey and the roofs of the dock. Later that year Timea visits the keep and establishes the trade of timber and fish through the Guild. The first steps of the brotherhood's rule over the domain begins promising. As the year ends the storerooms of the citadel are full of salted fish and produce from fields all over the domain. At Kindlemass everyone meets at the Grand Hall where Zofia of Barow has taken care of the reliquaries house Altenburg had left. A wondrous place even on normal days with numerous niches and alcoves holding the bones of long deceased Seers and illuminated by hundreds of candles. Today though the Hall is filled not only with light but polyphonic chorals giving praise to warmth and friendship.

Kindlemass in the Great Hall

Thanks to Timea and the Merchant Guild, the river route is restored and news of the new holding spread fast. Masons and carpenters start working on the repairs of the old abandoned citadel, as an improvised market is set up and starts drawing commerce from the region around the lake. Heldris follows the works eagerly, although he always passes Winter time in Karpat Fortress, in order to spend as much time as he can with Hedwig and little Annegrit, who is growing into a healthy and curious kid. Jitka of Urban takes on the role of Steward, and attentively overlooks the works on the citadel and the docks. She haggles skillfully on supplies, organises intelligently the work week, and overall manages to run a tight ship. A young Waldochian, Vojtech, joins the court, and spends Spring and Harvest riding through the region to spread word of a new castle and a promising market. The Dove Knight sets himself up in a modest chamber, with a large window overlooking the gentle lake, but slightly away from the teeming docks. He enjoys the stillness of the natural landscape outside, joined by the faint echoes from the market below. He has a wooden library built beside his bed, to hold a little collection of music scrolls. When Hedwig visits, they often spend their time playing some of this music together. With little Annegrit, they visit the aviary on the white marble tower, where the homing pigeons nest. The kid feeds them and learns their names, as she sees them setting off for distant regions, then always coming back home

Lady Inga sheds tears over the troubles of Kranach and the adopted home she grew to love over her time there. Despite the deep wounds of conflict, few in Kranach can hold a grudge against this daughter of Svenrik - and fewer yet would dare voice such a thing where those who cherish her might hear. Notably absent is their travelling companion, the Pigeon Knight, who once called Kranach his home. When Perilake asks Inga to accompany him to Farkash Citadel, yet more tears are shed but so too is the weight of regret. The servants and the court of Kranach pay their respects as Perilake and Inga depart for Farkash.

As Kranach watches their figures from the battlements, they spy a figure clad in a tattered cloak, who joins the couple as they disappear over the horizon towards their new home.

In Farkash, they find joy unburdened by sorrow. They send word to Kranach, asking for the assistance of two rather different courtiers; Sorina, once of Szolok, whose eye and ear for people and their lives will serve her well as Sheriff, the troubles of the region never far from her attention. It is testament to her nature that Istvan of Kranach comes; even the man's fierce distrust of Svenrik cannot hold against her care, and he answers the call for his martial prowess to serve Farkash as Marshal, as it once served Zigmund and Ulrich. His hopes to serve their heir are plain for all to see, but the Pigeon Knight spends scant seasons in Farkash before flying onwards. Sir Perilake and Inga privately believe the admiration of Oakfell and the bitter pride of Istvan to have driven Zoltan onwards as much as his oaths.

A humble marketplace

Lady Inga dedicates herself to the restoration of the marketplace, more often found within its humble grounds than the bright citadel above. With the aid of Jakub the smith, she restores the bas relief of the merchant guild, and the docks are reopened to trade with Timea and beyond. When the woodcutters of Oakfell hear word of the Gilded Knight's holding and send their delegation, she prepares a feast of fish to celebrate their new pact. With each season, Inga nurtures the simple yard of the marketplace in to a hub of commerce and trade, bustling with merchants and produce.

The visits of little Annegrit are beloved by more than her father, though the Gilded Knight often comments on the Dove Knight's newly soaring spirits. Sir Perilake is often seen carrying her atop his shoulders as Lady Inga dotes on her with treats from the sellers of the marketplace. As Farkash stands renewed, the Gilded Knight and his wife welcome their own child; little Avert is often passed from stallholder to traveller to tradesman as Lady Inga works, the quiet bright gaze of his blue eyes bringing peace to all manner of quarrel and dispute.

The Salt Knight rarely enters the marketplace, preferring to spend his time in the keep. He tends to diplomacy with the Crown and its loyalists in House Szalai. Free from the responsibilities of fatherhood, he spends much of his time discussing minutiae of ruling with the Council, or reading Istvan and Jitka's histories of the Realm.

Never unkind, but often solemn, he allows himself the occasional show of pride when Zoltan or Gundhilde visit the citadel. Otherwise, he can often be found in the great hall, lighting candles for the futures that never came to pass.

The Myths awake again

It seemed as if the Myths lay dormant for an Age as the citadel was restored and trade routes were established and the domain prospered … But sometimes a low rumble can be heard deep underground or a lone wanderer finds dire warnings cut into the rock to the life of all Knights. And with every year the Brothers of the Black Fleece become more restless and during the day they have visions of strange spires in the clouds and at night wild dreams of The City as if a burning god passed through them in their sleep leaving ambers behind within their minds and in its glow they see a city like a nexus of a thousand roots that drink in silence.

And so the wheel of time grinds forward once more ...

Chronicles of Barowia I

The scriptorium is a flat building balancing precariously on one of the rocks between the towering spires of Karpat. Motes of dust dance in the light. The chronicler sits at his desk under a stained glass roof light. He stretches his back and sighs before dippings his quill into the ink: 

"In the year the Elf was defeated by the champion of the Realm and the Mist was banished, harvest was the most bountiful in written history and the granaries could not hold all of the crop. All was peaceful that year until ..."

~    *    ~

As conflict between Kranach and Barow grows ever closer, Lady Inga and Sir Perilake depart the castle for her ancestral home in Svenrik. The Gilded Knight's heart is heavy as he orders his squire to follow him, young Zoltan's loyalties divided once more. Yet his renewed oath binds him more than blood. They spend several seasons away from the realm; the news of Sir Ulrich's defeat and the shaming of Kranach brings a dark cloud over all three no matter the distance. Yet there they are married with the blessing of Lady Inga's family, and there is joy and peace even amongst the sorrow.

Away from the politics and blood debt of Barowia, Zoltan regains Perilake's trust, and his thoughts flee the troubles of Kranach. When banditry plagues the villages of Svenrik, the two seek out the Frozen Seer in their home in the glaciers. Guided to the rogue Landskenchts who are behind these raids, the two fall upon them and rout the enemy. When faced with a begging older mercenary clad in faded Kranach livery, Zoltan meets Perilakes gaze and holds his blade from the final blow.

Upon their return to the Frozen Seer, the two glimpse many possible futures in the fractal mirrors of the grotto. Amidst the shards of dark and bloody days that might yet be, and the fragile slithers of hope nestled between them, Zoltan sets aside the injured pride of Kranach. He swears his oaths, placing the realm above the home he once knew and is knighted. As he rises, he is gifted Zuraw; the blade of Kranach, now severed as he is from its home, but sworn to more than endless bloodshed.

As they return to Barowia, Lady Inga and the Gilded Knight are followed by the rider of a grey steed, clad in tattered mail. Sir Zoltan the Pigeon Knight knows no home to call his own, but finds his hearth in the horizon, and calls each hill his throne. And Sir Perilake is proud to call him his brother.

 

Sanctum of the Frozen Seer

After the events during Sceptremass Sir Ulrich resigns as the Envoy of Barow and returns to Kranach Castle. He becomes the new Sheriff after Lady Bianca's death. House Altenburg sends a warband to Barowia to support their allies. Marshall Gunter musters two warbands from the domain. Together they march towards Castle Barow.

At Szalai Keep Lady Lydia, wearing a simple grey tunic at all times now, has taken over most of the official duties from Sir Adalbert. A strange affliction has caused her teeth to fall out and she has become bitter and taciturn. When house Barow called for aid she convinced Sir Adalbert to wait before sending his troops. What if house Karpat uses the opportunity to seize the contested region? What if Barow retreats into the Castle and leaves the war over to our cavalry? They decide to wait for the outcome of the first clash between the two armies and only send aid if the war goes well for the King. And so the Barowian army rides out to meet their enemy alone ...

Horns sound and drums roll as the armies meet south of Castle Barow at an outpost surrounded by trenches. As Kranach's war machine marches towards the tower to seize the first line of defence a dark cloud rises from a nearby forest and circles over the armies. A swarm of small deformed beasts search for a target and descends on a group on the tower holding the banner of Lady Margaret. The Sheriff of Barow is fighting off clawed bees and for a moment she seems to be collapsing under the onslaught of stings and claws but emerges victorious, the last conspiracy of the Beekeepers foiled. While Kranach's warbands are slowly advancing through the trenches Margaret orders the archers to unleash a storm of arrows and those who emerge on the other side are driven back by Barowian spearmen. Many fall and the survivors are routed and flee back south. Soon news of Barow's victory reach Szalai Keep where Lady Lydia curses the gods of war. Sir Adalbert orders a warband to be dispatched.

South of Castle Barow the two armies clash

The Salt Knight and his squire are among the defenders of Castle Barow, heroically striking down the rebels of Kranach, though Anastaz no longer wields Zuraw, having entrusted it into the care of the Gilded Knight for Zoltan's knighting. When the clawed bees attack Margaret of Szalai, Gundhilde abandons her post and rushes to defend her mother. This response is viewed as a sign of cowardice and poor discipline in the aftermath of the battle, and a dejected Gundhilde accompanies Anastaz to the Cured Seer for guidance. They are told to seek the Swollen Seer in a far-off northern land. They discover a village in a windswept valley, shattered by storms. Gundhilde devises a structure to fit into the surrounding hills and change the direction of the winds to prevent future devastations. Going on, they find the cave of the Swollen Seer, a grotesque tumorous mass which has expanded nearly to the volume of the cave. In hushed babblings, the Seer declares Gundhilde fit to be Knighted. Anastaz, who had selected Gundhilde for her loyalty, recognizes her heart as her true strength. As they ride through the woods, a hare takes an interest in Lady Gundhilde. When they return to Barowia, they hear the news of Karpat's siege and Dagmar's death, breaking the Salt Knight's heart. In honor of the fallen Knight, Gundhilde names her companion Dagmar.

Sir Ulrich realizing the futility of his military campaign returns to Swanstone and soon after steps down as Sheriff of Kranach. His political career is over and he turns to the finer things in life. In the grand hall of Castle Barow Sir Adalbert and the King celebrate victory and renew their bond with an exquisite feast. It is only after the ruler of Szalai returns to his keep that he hears about an army marching from Karpat Fortress to seize control of the peat bog. During the skirmish Lady Dagmar, leading a warband without regards for her personal safety, was killed and her honour finally restored. Her body is buried in the tombs of the fortress next to the most revered Knights of Karpat. Sir Adalbert leaves the issue of the contested region with his trusted Steward - who is already plotting her next move ...

On the 1st Kinsday of Bales, as the land turns gold and the Feast of the Stars has just been consumed, kinship is called at Karpat Fortress and a strangely festive mood takes hold of the castle. Garlands of thistle and holly hangs over the walls, and the tunes of psalteries and drums echoes throughout the candlelit hallways. Many people attend the great day of the wedding of the new Marshall of Karpat. In the Great Hall, the mood is cheerful and pleasantries abound, as Heldris and Hedwig exchange vows before the altar, both dressed in fine brocade embroidered with flowery motifs that mimic the spirit of the season. A great feast follows, and a day of good spirits shuns away the brooding mood that had befallen the realm of late.

The next Spring, on Silverday a child is born, and is named Annegrit.