The Wintershall Tales

The next few days were exhausting.  While the Archesians remained grateful to Fortitude for their liberation from the hated Han, this did not stop them plotting endlessly and jostling for positions of power in the new regime. 

Fortitude’s occupation of the Archesian royal palace placed him physically in the place that most Archesians identified as the centre of all power.  Almost unconsciously, and out of long habit of bringing problems and decision to the palace, surviving nobles and officials began to defer to Fortitude.  Despite this, there was considerable resentment about his perceived usurpation of power and the palace became full of intrigues, gossip and plotting.

Once again, however, circumstance greatly aided Fortitude.  The Han destruction of the Archesian army had greatly reduced the power base available to the surviving nobles.  Most of the Kingdom’s more influential nobles had been personally leading their troops against the Han when the bomb had exploded and their titles and estates in Archesia had therefore passed to younger family members.  Most of these were inexperienced and were fully occupied with taking control of their own estates. These new lords also lacked the confidence and the relationships to organise and present a unified face against Fortitude.

This all combined to make Fortitude’s first few days as de facto leader of Archesia that much easier.  Though he still encountered opposition from various hostile lordlings and self-important officials, he overcame them with relative ease.  He had the only army in Archesia and its composition, of Dierdra worshippers, goblins, giants, wolves, ogres and trolls dissuaded many people who might have otherwise been tempted to oppose him.  The new goddess Merrin had also very publicly anointed Fortitude as the Beastlord and her high priest.  She had made it very clear she was going to stand by him and bring a very sudden and messy fate to those who displeased him. 

On top of all this, Fortitude had his companions looking out for him.  In their own ways they each assisted Fortitude in asserting authority over a range of wayward and vocal opponents.  Sang’s quiet confidence and penetrating gaze unsettled many would-be opponents.  William’s impossible speed and inhuman demeanour frightened others, while Aidan’s thuggish tendencies, combined with a fondness for maiming and knifing those who annoyed him, controlled still others. 

Dunstan and Marcus took charge of all matters concerning the Kingdom’s administration and finances.  A number of urgent appropriations were levied against guilds, estates and temples that showed less than enthusiastic support for the new regime.  On the second day, they confiscated two palaces in Saxonburg on the pretext that payment of a debt of two silver farthings was a day late.  Though Fortitude subsequently reviewed and reversed these decisions, overt opposition disappeared overnight among the wealthy and well-propertied nobles.

Celia and Nan politicked ceaselessly for Fortitude, Kyril and themselves.  They readily developed networks among the long stream of sycophants who recognised the inevitability of Fortitude’s accession.  They learned quickly who had influence and who did not.  More than one uncooperative noble found himself sent to report on grain production in Southern Archesia or to count mills along the border.  Others, however, learned quickly that there were hundreds of petty titles, stipends and official positions going to those who supported the new regime.  Fortitude approved more than fifty such appointments and preferments over those days.  Day by day, the list of supporters grew.

While Celia and Nan focussed on petty intrigues and building a network of supporters, Carolus worked on ensuring the succession went Fortitude’s way.  When a royal line ended, it was the job of a royal council of ten high nobles and churchmen to nominate five possible successors.  It was then the job of a grand assembly of all the high nobles, churchmen and guildsmen to choose one of the five and to award them the title of King.

Seven of the ten positions on the royal council were empty thanks to the Han gate bomb.  Carolus carried out comprehensive interviews with candidates for the vacant positions.  One high churchman disappeared during these interviews and two elder sons of ducal estates were never seen again.  At the end of the first week, Carolus brought a list of recommended candidates to Fortitude for ratification and the royal council was convened a day later.

The royal council was a splendid and archaic affair.  The ten nobles and churchmen were locked in a building for as long as it took them to come back with their short-list.  The first list contained five names.  Fortitude’s name was at the top along with four other highly respected scions of some of Archesia’s oldest and most venerated families.

The royal council was then postponed for two days when two members died of heart attacks before the list could be ratified. 

The second meeting was shorter.  The list came back with five more names.  As before, Fortitude’s name was at the top of the list along with those of four other nobles.  This time, the four other nobles were a little less notable.  One was a drooling imbecile in his eighties and close to death.  Another was in debtor’s prison.  The third had not been seen in more than a decade and was believed dead.  The fourth was a man who had made a fortune raising sheep and had purchased a title by marrying the daughter of an impoverished lord.  His name was a byword for social climbing in the royal court. 

Fortitude frowned at this last name and wondered if someone was trying to make a point.  Nevertheless, he signed the list as Carolus requested.

With this duty done, Carolus allowed the surviving royal councillors to return safely to their homes and duties.  He then had a royal proclamation issued calling for a grand assembly one week hence. 

***

Aidan spent those days drinking, carousing and generally unwinding with his three little goblin friends.  He was aware of the great things going on all around him and of the fact that he did not really have any meaningful role to play in them.

He was still astonished by Fortitude’s elevation to the thrones of Archesia and Gavin and his acceptance by Merrin as a high priest.  For the first time, he began to envy and admire the way Celia, Nan and William had a common cause.  They worked well together and were bound and driven by their service to Fortitude and Kyril.

On the day after the royal council, Aidan decided he wanted to be a part of this new world.  He went to his room, closed the door and awkwardly knelt down to pray. 

“Say Merrin,” he called.  “Ahh, Merrin are you there?”

There was a long pause, and then Merrin’s voice sounded in his head.  “Hello Aidan,” she said.  “My, what a little mind you’ve got.  gee it’s dark in here.”

Aidan sniffed awkwardly.  “Yeah well it’s about that…” he began.  “I was just wondering…” He paused and frowned.  “Now that Fortitude’s a high priest and all, I was just wondering if you needed a paladin?”

There was a long silence during which time Aidan felt Merrin studying him.  “Well,” she said doubtfully.  “You would certainly bring chaos to the world, but would you really bring madness?”

“Well I dunno,” Aidan replied.  “I could try.”

Merrin did not sound convinced.  “So how do you feel about unleasing eldrich horrors and scouring your enemies with things that the eyes and mind cannot quite comprehend.”

Aidan suddenly got the feeling that his whim was a bad idea.  “Umm, yeah, I see what you’re saying,” he said.  “Maybe not then.”

“Good idea,” Merrin replied. 

Aidan shrugged apologetically.  “I really just wanted some good armour if truth be known,” he said.

“Oh?” said Merrin.  “I can do that, if that’s all you want,” she said.

“Ooooh, could you,” Aidan begged.  “I’d be ever so grateful.”

There was a long pause.  “There,” Merrin announced with considerable satisfaction.  “All done.”  A second later her presence was gone.

Aidan got awkwardly up off his knees and went over to his armour.  The red paint had gone and the armour was now a throbbing, twisting set of black polished surfaces.  The image on the front had been replaced by a curiously three-dimensional and extraordinarily realistic claw thumbing an oddly shaped nose.

Aidan studied it with awed approval.  “Oh wow,” he exclaimed approvingly as he twisted the breastplate from side to side.  “No matter what angle you look at it from, the rude gesture turns to follow you.” 

Aidan chortled in delight and went to show it to his little goblin friends.

***

Over these weeks Fortitude developed confidence and assurance in his new role.  Archesia was an unfamiliar realm with literally thousands of unknown officials and nobles, yet he managed to navigate a way through them by using common sense and good judgement.  He quickly assessed the myriad of men and women working for him and identified those who put duty and integrity before self-promotion. 

By working closely with Celia and Carolus, he did his best to appoint good people to key positions and then give them considerable autonomy and discretion in how they carried out their duty.  He was disappointed a few times, but mostly people responded well to this style.  The administration of the Kingdom began to flourish and Fortitude began to understand the complex inter-relationships between the different parts of his new realm.

He asked questions, pored over documents till late at night and sat through interminable briefings.  He sought advice before making decisions and avoided making serious mistakes by encouraging his advisors to speak honestly and to debate decisions in front of him. 

Slowly but surely, he came to feel more comfortable in his new duties.  He began rebuilding the Archesian army and took a personal pride in his first major proclamation – the offer of freedom for all slaves and serfs who agreed to serve in his new Royal Reserve.

The nobility generally regarded this as appalling liberalism but, by this time, had learned not to publicly disagree with Fortitude on matters that he labelled – ‘righting wrongs’.

Fortitude also raised eyebrows by meeting with the citizens of Saxonburg in the palace.  Groups of tradespeople, crafters and freemen visited every day in groups of five and ten.  They poured out their troubles and hopes to Fortitude who listened carefully and tried to understand this new people he was now responsible for. 

Their issues were not at all dissimilar from those he had grown up with in Wintershall and he was able to communicate with them on most matters with a familiarity that clearly astonished and impressed them.

He made other proclamations over those days.  He placed an upper limit on the services and taxes that could be levied against any person and subsidised the price of grain so that no one might go without bread.

Marcus grumbled and groaned at this largesse and wrangled additional concessions from Fortitude for generating state revenue to ensure that each of these new social reforms could be afforded.

While managing affairs in Archesia, Fortitude travelled through to Gavin almost daily to meet with Martyn Darkling and to assist him in assuming control over the Theocracy. 

Martyn was clearly invigorated by his new duties.  Though he had never lived outside the Dierdrakin lands previously, he took the same approach to his responsibilities as Fortitude and applied intelligence, common sense and intuition to bringing a new order to the Theocracy of Gavin.   

It was thirteen days after the fall of Gavin that Martyn took Fortitude to his chambers overlooking the city and, without preamble, began to discuss the future of the Dierdrakin. 

“You know,” Martyn began.  “When you asked me to take charge here you claimed that all religions were tolerated here.  I didn’t believe you, but now…”  He paused and shook his head wonderingly.  “It’s true; the worship of Dierdra is tolerated and encouraged.”

“Ahh really?” Fortitude replied sagely.

“Yes, I have met priests of the goddess and have visited the temple.  It is located openly between the temples of Illana and the Austereich god, Grimm.”  He shook his head.  “It is a fine building and is true to our Lady’s precepts.”

“Indeed?” Fortitude replied.

“Yes, the people of Gavin pride themselves on tolerating – nay encouraging all religions and beliefs.”

“Except, apparently worship of Merrin,” Fortitude pointed out.  “They did try to attack her.”

“Perhaps,” Martyn replied.  “I think they more feared what she would do to their society.  Had she not been replacing Zaahl, then I suspect they would simply have accepted her ascension and begun construction of yet another temple.  As it is, Merrin is now accepted everywhere and I have not heard anything being said against her.”

“Probably a good thing,” Fortitude allowed.  “Bad things happen to those who mouth off against Merrin.”

Both men laughed at this, but soon Martyn grew serious again.  “So tell me Fortitude.  If the reports are correct, the upcoming royal assembly is likely to offer you the Archesian throne.”

“Yes,” Fortitude replied.  He felt a sudden knot of tension again.

Martyn regarded him carefully.  “And Merrin has asked you to rule Gavin in her name?”

Fortitude inclined his head.  “Yes.”

Martyn took a deep breath before continuing.  “You asked me before if my people would shift to Archesia with you.  I stand by my answer; we will not live there.  We have nothing in common with those people and at some time in future I am sure they would persecute us.  The Theocracy of Gavin, however, is another story.  There is land here and tolerance.  We would be able to build new communities and grow to spread the lady’s word.”

“Yes you would,” said Fortitude simply.  “And I’d value having you here.”  He paused.  “If you are willing I would have you continue to serve me as High Councillor of Archesia in my name.”

Martyn studied Fortitude carefully.  “You honour me and I am grateful beyond words for your trust.  I’ll need to talk to my people in Winterslow,” he said.  “It’ll take time to convince them and many will resist.  However, the world will not leave us alone in Bayonnar.  We cannot hide there any longer.”  He shook his head.  “We must shift for our own survival and to take advantage of the protection that you can offer our people.”

Fortitude leaned over and clasped Martyn’s shoulder.  “Of all my allies, I trust you most.  I need you as much as you need me – this’ll be a partnership.  Tell your people that.”

“I will,” Martyn assured him.

“The only additional condition your people must accept is the ending of the sacrifices.”

Martyn nodded.  “I was uneasy with that condition,” he admitted.  “But now I have seen and met with worshippers of Dierdra here in Gavin, I see now that sacrifice of our people is not necessary if we can live in a strong realm and can be sure of support from others against those who disagree with us.  Gavin is clearly that place.”

Martyn and Fortitude shook hands solemnly.  Martyn promised to convey Fortitude’s words to the Council of Seven within the week.  In turn, Fortitude declared that he would seek out Merrin and ensure that she would keep the gateways open if the Dierdrakin did agree to relocate to the Theocracy.