Later in the afternoon, when the ceremony ended, I entered the courtyard to look for Sir Alester and the others. Some of the nobles left to go homes, Elyana and Gawen was talking with Sir Robert and Sir Mors and then I found Sir Alester with Lord Herbert, grandfather and Brother Harwyn.
”Ah, Arthur, there you are", said Alester, "We were talking about the sparring between you and Gawen”
I shrugged, ”I just simply showed him a few moves Godfrey taught me, Earl Alester", he frowned a little when I called him that, "I know it’s early for you to use the title but, this Shire needs you, and as does your family”
”Elyana and Gawen agrees on that”, says my grandfather.
”What I saw of the town upon my arrival was enough... it is a disaster. The people cannot go on like this", said Alester, "I heard tell that neighboring Earls have taken our people’s lands?”
”What?”, why haven't I heard of this?
”The Earl of Bridgeshire had tried", said Lord Herbert.
”But my son, Humfrey, prevented that”, Duke George Wincestre added.
”Indeed”, Brother Harwyn said with a sad voice, ”The poverty has worsened over the years, despite that Elyana moved heaven and earth to try to get Riverspring out of this mire. When Earl Wigmund became aware of your father’s situation, he tried to take advantage of the opportunity”
”But he have no right to do so", Alester told Harwyn before he turned to my grandfather, "But, I thought Father did not want anything to do with the House of Wincestre?”
”But I still have my duty as the Duke of Westryk", he told Alester, "And you can thank my son, always the diplomat, for stopping a small war from happening”, Wigmund Grante had always been envious of the prosperity of Riverspring, but I didn't think he would go that far?
"There is something else of which we should speak", said Brother Harwyn, "I would have liked to spare you this, Alester...", we listened attentively, "I do not believe your father's death was an accident. There are certain indications that lead me to believe that he was poisoned"
That surprises us all, even Alester, "Are you sure?!", he asked.
"Believe me, Alester, I know this subject. Heartkill is a difficult poison to detect, but it leaves certain traces that cannot be caused by anything else"
"Did Father have any ongoing conflicts which could have prompted someone to murder him?"
"I am not certain... but there are rumors that says your brother, Gawen, poisoned him"
Hearing that shocked us, "What? There's no way he would do something like that!", I said.
”No. But I can think of one possible culprit who would and spread foul rumors about Gawen”, Brother Harwyn replied.
"Tell me who it is!", Alester demanded.
”Valarr. Your father’s bastard son... your half-brother”, as soon as he said that, I could see anger in Alester’s eyes.
”Valarr?!", Alester Sarwyck nearly shouted, "I left Albion hoping never to hear that name again”
”I have never heard that name before", I said, "And I didn't know Earl Raynald had a bastard?”
”He got drunk one night and slept with a servant girl, by accident", Herbert told me, "His late wife forgave him afterwards. Anyway, Valarr is a bastard with a very bad reputation”
”What has changed?" asked Alester, "He was but a simple squire when father banished him from Riverspring”
”Banished?”, I asked.
That's when we noticed Mors Westford next to us, looking like he had heard what we spoke of, "He murdered my wife and daughter", he said with a pained expression.
"What?!", I said.
He looked at Alester, who tells us with pain and sorrow, "Mors and I have been friends for many years, and I've even been on good terms with his wife, Cerenna, and their daughter, Tya. 15 years ago, after the Battle of Stag's Mount, Mors went to report to Duke Wincestre while I rode to his home on his request to look after his family. But instead I found Valarr there, having slitted Cerenna's throat before he raped and murdered Tya, who was only 13 years old. He boasted that he actually enjoyed himself, and that it went better than he thought! I was so disgusted and angry that I would have killed him, if it weren't for the Sarwyck-blood in him. Instead, I gave Valarr a scar across his face, as a reminder and a warning to never return to Riverspring. He swore that I would pay for that, and then left”
Mors continues, "When I came home that night, I found Alester weeping outside the house in front of two freshly made graves. Graves with the names of my family. He told me everything and I had sworn there and then that I would find and kill Valarr, but he left the isle before I could", he looks at Alester, "Why did you leave?"
"I was supposed to protect your family, Mors, but I failed before I even begin to. For years I traveled around Midgard, before I ended up in Liberio and joined the Cult of Deros, where I hoped I would find peace. But, there's no light, or anything that stops the nightmares showing Cerenna and Tya dying in front of my eyes", he looked down in shame and sheds a few tears.
He felt a hand on his shoulder and looked at Mors, who says, "I never blamed you for what happened. It was never your fault", he then gave his brother-in-arms a comforting hug before letting go, "If only I had caught that bastard in Riverspring"
Brother Harwyn continues, ”No matter how much Valarr claimed to work for the prosperity of House Sarwyck, Earl Raynald wouldn't hear any of it from a murderer and a rapist. He cursed him and he chased him away from Riverspring for good. Your half-brother was mad with rage, and left, seeking vengeance.
Apparently, he spent several years in the Patriqas branch of the Cult of Dimera, using education to compensate his low birth. He never rose above initiate, but he learned the art of war and studied the higher mysteries. He was then thrown out of the Cult several years later, for studying the forbidden arts... he’s been a mercenary in Apollonia ever since.
His reputation spread quickly and warmongering ears hear of him. In just a few years, he went from a simple soldier to a captain of his own mercenary-company. He moves in the shadows. Merchants and nobles of southern Midgard fear him”
I was shocked, saddened, disturbed and disgusted of hearing about Valarr, "How do you know all of this?"
"I have old friends in the south, who are also brothers and sisters of the Faith, we corresponded regularly. It is from them that I learned what I know of him"
Alester Sarwyck then says, ”He will never set a foot in Riverspring as long as I live”
”Nor in my Kingdom...”, I added with disgust...
Suddenly Greydon, the officer I met yesterday, came running towards us, ”Brother Harwyn, my lieges, Your Majesty! The people are rebelling! Rioting has broken out throughout the town!”
What?!
”With all this festering discontent, it was only a matter of time before this happened...” said Brother Harwyn, and Sir Alester asked Greydon, ”Tell me, does the Riverspring Guard have the situation under control?”
”For now, they are securing the entrances to the castle", Greydon answered, "Barricades protect us from a direct attack. But the streets are inaccessible to us. We have too few men, the guard is overwhelmed”
”Who is behind this revolt?”, Duke George asked, to which Alester Sarwyck replied, ”I think I know who leads them... I crossed paths with a certain Tyrek when arriving. A rabble-rouser, telling the people to take up arms”
Greydon looked at him, ”Tyrek? I heard some of the guards say that he was getting people worked up in the marketplace”
Lord Herbert asked, ”How did things get out of hand?”
”Well... some of the nobles left the castle after the burial, with their fine clothes and all... whereas the villagers are starving. All this flaunted wealth must have pushed them too far. Everything erupted... the villagers began to attack the nobles, taking them hostage”
”You said that the revolt is being led from the main square?", I asked Greydon, "We must go there immediately”
”Captain Ryman says that it’s impossible", Greydon replied, "Our men are barely managing to keep them at bay at the castle doors. There are not enough of us to attempt an escape”
”Where is Captain Ryman?”, Brother Harwyn asked.
”He is at the doors. He’s the one that ordered the barricades”, Greydon answered.
”Bloody hell...", Brother Harwyn cursed, "If Ryman deals with it, the revolt will end in flames and bloodshed”, that doesn't sound good!
Alester Sarwyck then decides to take action, ”Riverspring has already suffered too much. I must join Ryman. Riverspring needs me. I will not watch our lands fall into ruins without acting”
”I’ll go with you" I said, "I have my duty as King”
”But you will also be a target, King Arthur. You must stay within the walls, where you are safe. Besides, Riverspring is my responsibility”
I just looked at him, "I wasn't asking. I need to learn more about the subjects of my kingdom. Besides, me and my bodyguards have the extra swords you need"
"As do I", added Mors Westford.
Alester sighed before agreeing.
”Very well... but I beg you to be careful. You are a Sarwyck. Act as a liege, Alester, and know that your acts will have consequences”, said Brother Harwyn.
”I will do what must be done”
”I am sure you will”, Harwyn bowed his head.
And then we ran off to the doors...
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