Chapter Five
Wolf I
Atop the high stone walls of Stallworth Keep walked Gentler Leones, the dark stone-faced grandmaster to the king, Lord of the Rye Wood Garrison, the purple wolf, and his father-in-law, Stanley Aleer, Master of the Treasury and Lord of Warren Keep, the black bear. Along with them walked Damon Stien, an 18-year-old sword prodigy who was part of Gentler’s personal guard.
Stanley had been yammering on to Gentler again about legacy.
“I’m telling you, son, it’s all about what you leave behind,” he said. “Your sons are the only trace of my line left, so please take my advice.”
Gentler did not seem to like talking about the topic. “My lord, we have been over this. I do not think it probable that Sissold Nands will marry his granddaughter to my son. He has turned down all suitors.”
“And for a reason he has! He’s smart; he’s been waiting for the right match to come along. He knows his name dies with her, so he wants to get her in the most beneficial situation possible. And that is with us.”
“She is 20 years old and still a maiden. Do you not think if he planned to wed her to someone that he would have done so already?”
“I’m telling you, son, it’s all about what you leave behind,” he said. “Your sons are the only trace of my line left, so please take my advice.”
Gentler did not seem to like talking about the topic. “My lord, we have been over this. I do not think it probable that Sissold Nands will marry his granddaughter to my son. He has turned down all suitors.”
“And for a reason he has! He’s smart; he’s been waiting for the right match to come along. He knows his name dies with her, so he wants to get her in the most beneficial situation possible. And that is with us.”
“She is 20 years old and still a maiden. Do you not think if he planned to wed her to someone that he would have done so already?”
“No, no, son. He is not going to find a better offer. Marcelo is the heir to the Rye Wood Garrison and your youngest, Bruno, is then in line to take my place at Warren Keep through his mother’s lineage. That will be two Leones ruling side by side. Marry Sissold’s granddaughter Ellen to Marcelo and that is three regions controlled by Leones. All three of our families will be closely tied and they will survive through your name.”
“I don’t want to hear about your plays for power, Stanley. Not now, not while our kingdom bleeds.”
He was referring to the Shadow Fox and the damage that they were doing to the economy in Stallworth. By raiding caravans and taking control of the roads, they had been able to reduce the amount of food coming into the city. People were starving in the streets. The other regions had remained safe, however, so it was the capital’s problem to deal with. Which meant it was Gentler’s problem, as his position of grandmaster dictated he protect the capital.
“Times will get better, son. Bandits don’t last forever.”
“These bandits are different. They’re trying to cripple us, and they are succeeding. How have the crown’s finances looked since attacks started taking place in the city? How much do we spend on security now? In our homes alone?”
“Things are rough now, but we have an idea in place that may save our finances.”
“Ideas are just that. I need concrete ways to fix the problem now. We know almost nothing about our enemy! Yet they cripple us from the shadows.”
“I don’t know much about them, son. I’m sorry. But do not worry. The crown has expended many of its resources already, but we’ve got plenty left too. You will find something, in time.”
“I don’t want to hear about your plays for power, Stanley. Not now, not while our kingdom bleeds.”
He was referring to the Shadow Fox and the damage that they were doing to the economy in Stallworth. By raiding caravans and taking control of the roads, they had been able to reduce the amount of food coming into the city. People were starving in the streets. The other regions had remained safe, however, so it was the capital’s problem to deal with. Which meant it was Gentler’s problem, as his position of grandmaster dictated he protect the capital.
“Times will get better, son. Bandits don’t last forever.”
“These bandits are different. They’re trying to cripple us, and they are succeeding. How have the crown’s finances looked since attacks started taking place in the city? How much do we spend on security now? In our homes alone?”
“Things are rough now, but we have an idea in place that may save our finances.”
“Ideas are just that. I need concrete ways to fix the problem now. We know almost nothing about our enemy! Yet they cripple us from the shadows.”
“I don’t know much about them, son. I’m sorry. But do not worry. The crown has expended many of its resources already, but we’ve got plenty left too. You will find something, in time.”
Stanley left Gentler with his guard, Damon. Gentler seemed annoyed with his father-in-law’s constant matchmaking for his sons. Had he seen his grandson? Marcelo was a plump, clumsy lord serving as squire to the king, though the king wouldn’t even ride with him. He was a glorified serving boy. He would be easy to match because of his potential for power, but still he was not the most desirable husband.
“A day in the life, eh Damon?” Gentler joked with his guard.
“Aye my lord, seems to be a pretty regular thing with Lord Stanley.”
“He means well,” Gentler said to himself. “I just wish he were more concerned with the problems at hand. What if the Shadow Fox start to spread and then it is not just Stallworth that suffers? This is not an enemy you can simply march an army at. We’re at war, and no one knows who the opponent is.”
“I do not know either, my lord, but I can assure you that you are well protected.”
“You’re a good soldier, boy. Come, let us head into the city. I have some business to attend to.”
“A day in the life, eh Damon?” Gentler joked with his guard.
“Aye my lord, seems to be a pretty regular thing with Lord Stanley.”
“He means well,” Gentler said to himself. “I just wish he were more concerned with the problems at hand. What if the Shadow Fox start to spread and then it is not just Stallworth that suffers? This is not an enemy you can simply march an army at. We’re at war, and no one knows who the opponent is.”
“I do not know either, my lord, but I can assure you that you are well protected.”
“You’re a good soldier, boy. Come, let us head into the city. I have some business to attend to.”
They had, like many times before, headed into the slums of Stallworth. Gentler, though appearing a hard man did have a soft spot for the people starving under his watch. As Grandmaster he was responsible for ruling Stallworth while the King dealt with ruling over all of Ruinous as well as handling foreign affairs with Pegasus and the trade city of Merkanth to the south. Gentler showed that he truly cared about these people by visiting them often and giving them what food he could spare. Most of what he brought Damon and he could carry on their person and they would divvy it up mostly to the children, although occasionally a pregnant woman would come their way. The food was scraps that Gentler would save from his meals, as there wasn’t exactly an abundance of food floating around the city thanks to the Shadow Fox.
“Here you go sweetheart.” Gentler smiled handing a little girl with a ripped muddy dress a miniscule clump of cheese.
She glared up at him, dirt covering her cheeks and said “thank you mister” before skipping off.
“That's the last of it” Damon shrugged noticing that they actually had enough food this time to feed the dozen orphans, though usually they had twice that many children looking for feed.
She glared up at him, dirt covering her cheeks and said “thank you mister” before skipping off.
“That's the last of it” Damon shrugged noticing that they actually had enough food this time to feed the dozen orphans, though usually they had twice that many children looking for feed.
“Lot less of them this time” Gentler sighed.
“Maybe they found food elsewhere, or knew we wouldn’t have enough for them all.”
“Yes, maybe they did” Gentler’s expression drooped, he likely knew that the reason there were less children begging for food was because there were less children. “Cute little girl. I always wanted a daughter you know, they’re precious and they stay that way. Daughter’s always love their fathers, their whole life, sons do too but they love them differently.”
“Thinking about taking one of these little squirts home my Lord?” Damon jested.
“Oh my wife would kill me if I did so. She’s already sore at me about not spending time with the two we have. Like it’s my fault that I’m not able to be home with her and Bruno, does she not understand How taxing my position is. My life is dedicated to ruling here, I wish she could be here with me but I wouldn’t be able to trust Marcelo with the responsibility of ruling in the Rye Wood.”
“Maybe they found food elsewhere, or knew we wouldn’t have enough for them all.”
“Yes, maybe they did” Gentler’s expression drooped, he likely knew that the reason there were less children begging for food was because there were less children. “Cute little girl. I always wanted a daughter you know, they’re precious and they stay that way. Daughter’s always love their fathers, their whole life, sons do too but they love them differently.”
“Thinking about taking one of these little squirts home my Lord?” Damon jested.
“Oh my wife would kill me if I did so. She’s already sore at me about not spending time with the two we have. Like it’s my fault that I’m not able to be home with her and Bruno, does she not understand How taxing my position is. My life is dedicated to ruling here, I wish she could be here with me but I wouldn’t be able to trust Marcelo with the responsibility of ruling in the Rye Wood.”
“You're a good father my Lord. You took care of your boy, got him a good position as squire to the King.”
“A position he never once thanked me for. That reminds me, we need to head back, I’ve plans to dine with son this evening. Oh and Damon, thank you for all your help with this. Most of my other guards would think it waste of time to come out to the slums and feed the poor, I appreciate your loyalty.”
“It’s not a problem my Lord. In times like these it’s often the poor who receive the brunt of the hardships. If the rich find food short in supply, then likely the poor won't find it at all. I’m happy to do my part.”
“Good lad.”
“A position he never once thanked me for. That reminds me, we need to head back, I’ve plans to dine with son this evening. Oh and Damon, thank you for all your help with this. Most of my other guards would think it waste of time to come out to the slums and feed the poor, I appreciate your loyalty.”
“It’s not a problem my Lord. In times like these it’s often the poor who receive the brunt of the hardships. If the rich find food short in supply, then likely the poor won't find it at all. I’m happy to do my part.”
“Good lad.”
Arriving at Gentler’s stone tower just outside the keep they found Marcelo already waiting for his father with diner on the table. He was brandished in the same purple armor as Damon and his father with a golden wolf insignia across his breast, only his armor was shiny and new. It didn't even have a scuff . The table was elegantly set for two with a plump foul smoking at the center of the table surrounded by freshly steamed vegetables. Marcelo had gone to great lengths to impress his father. Gentler did not appear impressed.
“Set one more place at the table” the Grandmaster motioned to a servant who stood idly by with a pitcher of wine. The servant rushed to bring Damon a chair and place him a table setting.
“Set one more place at the table” the Grandmaster motioned to a servant who stood idly by with a pitcher of wine. The servant rushed to bring Damon a chair and place him a table setting.
“Father” Marcelo greeted. “How has your work been?”
“Tough. It’s been tough. How was your trip to Isseaos with the King?”
“It was eventful.” his son’s chubby cheeks perked. “They executed a rogue mage and the King found a wonderful tutor for the prince. We returned weeks ago though, I had hoped to see you sooner than this.”
“I’ve been busy, very busy with all this Shadow Fox business. These are trying times in the capital.”
Marcelo sipped his wine and clumsily placed his glass on the table as the servant carved into and dished out three portions of a meal meant for two. “Yes the King has been worried about that to as of late
“Tough. It’s been tough. How was your trip to Isseaos with the King?”
“It was eventful.” his son’s chubby cheeks perked. “They executed a rogue mage and the King found a wonderful tutor for the prince. We returned weeks ago though, I had hoped to see you sooner than this.”
“I’ve been busy, very busy with all this Shadow Fox business. These are trying times in the capital.”
Marcelo sipped his wine and clumsily placed his glass on the table as the servant carved into and dished out three portions of a meal meant for two. “Yes the King has been worried about that to as of late
“And what have you done to help aid him? You are his squire after all.”
“I’ve just been waiting on him when he needs me. I make sure all his meals are properly prepared, that he dines lavishly, and dresses so as well. His majesty holds my opinion of fashion in high regard. He seldom presents himself without my approval.”
“A most high born consultant” his father remarked snidely tapping his fingers to the table.
“Yes, I am hope he will grant me leave a have a ball to take everyone’s mind off the Shadow Fox problem. You would come of course?”
“A ball! You wish to throw a ball while our city starves son? Have you seen the streets? No of course not, had you you would not be so wasteful as you are here tonight. A foul of this proportion should be meant to feed at least half a dozen people, not just us.”
“I’ve just been waiting on him when he needs me. I make sure all his meals are properly prepared, that he dines lavishly, and dresses so as well. His majesty holds my opinion of fashion in high regard. He seldom presents himself without my approval.”
“A most high born consultant” his father remarked snidely tapping his fingers to the table.
“Yes, I am hope he will grant me leave a have a ball to take everyone’s mind off the Shadow Fox problem. You would come of course?”
“A ball! You wish to throw a ball while our city starves son? Have you seen the streets? No of course not, had you you would not be so wasteful as you are here tonight. A foul of this proportion should be meant to feed at least half a dozen people, not just us.”
“My apologies father.” Marcelo groveled “I did not mean to…”
“No apologies son, just learn. I had hoped being squire to the king would teach what it meant to rule but instead you spend your time worrying about balls and fashion…” Gentler had been cutting into the bird on his plate when he began to speak and when he finished had cut clean through the delicate porcelain dish.
“No apologies son, just learn. I had hoped being squire to the king would teach what it meant to rule but instead you spend your time worrying about balls and fashion…” Gentler had been cutting into the bird on his plate when he began to speak and when he finished had cut clean through the delicate porcelain dish.