Chương 143: Chapter 141 - A Quiet Crossroads

Astra's POV The rippling crack of banners blowing in the wind cut through the quiet murmurs as the villagers gathered whispering amongst themselves. The village of Edmund's Crossing sat at a crossroads a short distance from Theron's Watch, no more than a day or two's travel even with the large group they were escorting, and lay directly in their line of march.

Most of the proclamations to the more widely dispersed villages had been delivered by the outriders so far, but given this one's proximity to the road, Darian had suggested that she was present for the delivery, and Mira had agreed. Her patrol was arrayed in neat lines behind her, Darian's men in formation behind them, and Astra stood in freshly polished armor at their head as the herald, one of Mr. Brewer's men, clambered onto a spare crate and unfurled the parchment in his hands.

The crackling of the thick paper could be heard as the collected citizenry fell silent as they awaited his words, after a short pause the man spoke, projecting his voice out above the crowd." By Order of Lady Astra Emberholdt, daughter of Duke Varren Emberholdt …" Astra silently observed the crowd as the man spoke, the neutral but approachable expression affixed to her face the product of many long hours of practice. She doubted she would ever favor public engagements, but she would see her duty done.

Projecting confidence to the masses and reassuring them of their safety was a duty no less important than clearing a fracture or culling a monster nest. The warm confident tones of her grandfather drifted into her mind from the distant past. Chest out and put some steel in your spine. Don't frown, a frown tells them something is wrong, something is unexpected and you are unprepared, and a good commander is always prepared even when he is not.

They stood in the hallway just before the balcony opening out to the main courtyard of the Hold. Her grandfather knelt beside her, the tall man falling towards her like an avalanche, as he lowered himself to meet the gaze of a young Astra. He swept his hand out towards the window, gesturing to the people gathered in the courtyard below awaiting his proclamation. They are your people, our people, and some day they will look to you for guidance.

It is my fondest wish, my little star, that you would only know peace, but that is not the way of the world. The day will come when the world is dark and full of terrors, ones far beyond their power to stop, and they will look to you to shelter them from the storm. He rose, So stand tall, give them a confident grin, and show them your shoulders are broad enough to carry the weight when they can not.

"... the Fracture has once again been brought under control …" Eyes in the crowd flicked towards the banners above, the ones sporting her family's crest, before flicking back down towards her. She subtly shifted her stance, straightened her spine, throwing her shoulders back, and allowing the hint of a confident grin to slip into her expression.

He was right, just as he always was, and the stooped shoulders that had spread at the approach of the armored column lifted, and the worried glances took on a hint of relief. At the mention of refugees a few people pressed their way to the front of the crowd and began craning their necks to scan the faces of the newly arrived refugees. Her heart sank at the number of worried faces, especially as more and more of them fell as they failed to spot whomever they were searching for.

The herald had reached the end of his speech." … By my word and seal, Lady Astra Emberholdt." Silence fell across the square at the center of the crossroads, only broken by the occasional murmuring as the drifting of a soft breeze across the square delivered the sound of rustling leaves from the treeline, the sound like faint distant applause to her ears. A single voice spoke, as an aging woman stepped forth from the crowd, " … Harry?" A young man broke from the crowd near the caravan, " Momma…

What are you doing here?" As the man rushed across the road to greet his mother, the square exploded into motion, and as the crowds surged together, people threading through the throng looking for missing loved ones, something in her chest eased and the slight grin on her face turned into a real one. She did not spot many reunions, the many disappointed faces hurt, but the few that she did see brought joy to her heart." … Gerry you old git, we thought you were dead!

We were expecting to just find you passed out drunk in a ditch, but when.."" … and your mother wrote to you everyday Mona, when your letters stopped we feared the worst…"" … I know Pa, I got them all when we got back to Whittenburg. I tell you what, that was the last time I will ever take up such a vague job posting… The joy swirling in her heart was met by a swell of affection in her chest.

Astra's eyes followed the sensation until they found her counterpoint sitting on top of one of the patrol wagons, as he smiled in her direction with a nod as Tiamat jumped up and gave her a cheerful wave. She smiled back, and as a bit of her own affection for the pair trickled back down the tether in response he laughed and gave her a wink. She rolled her eyes but turned forwards as he pointed over her shoulder.

A small crowd had gathered wanting to speak with her, they were held at bay by Mr Taylor and Mr Mason until she gestured for them to allow the people through. She was bombarded by a deluge of questions as they all rushed forward at once." My Lady, do you know if my Son is with you?"" Milady, was that flash of light in the sky a week ago from the battle?"" Missus Emberholdt, when will the southern road reopen…"

Astra gave them a confident smile as she held up a hand, " It would be my pleasure to answer all of your questions, but please, one at a time. Goodwife, what is your son's name? I can not guarantee I know him personally, but if not, we do have a list…"

" … I am not sure personally since I never met the miller in Whittenburg, but Baron Grunveldt is compiling a casualty list for dissemination as we speak. It is still a little early, but I expect it should be available to consult at the gatehouse in Theron's Watch by the end of the week. If your daughter or son-in-law were affected they should be on the list, and regular posts should resume around that time as well." Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

Astra gestured towards a nearby table that Corporal Brewer had set up to process requests, the man behind it surrounded by orderly stacks of paper, organized by some mysterious logic that she doubted she would ever understand." Our convoy will be heading to Theron's Watch next. If you would like to leave a message with Mr Brewer we would be more than happy to send it out with the next caravan, House Emberholdt will cover the postage."

The elderly woman smiled and squeezed her hand in thanks, " That is mighty kind of you milady, I think I will. The Ancient's blessing upon your house." Astra favored her with a smile, " Yours as well Goodmother." She watched the final villager go with a faint smile, marveling at the difference a simple setting could make.

When she had to hold court among the peerage like this, a rare occasion given her age and place in the line of succession, she often found herself worn and exhausted afterwards, as if she had fought a protracted brawl finding herself weary and punch drunk at the end. This on the other hand… Well, it was just nice.

Astra suspected the root cause had been the difference in the inquiries she fielded, she had been a little surprised at first, but the genuine care and the simple worries of the villagers had touched her heart in an unexpected way. There had been no jockeying for position or inquiries about market changes, just simple concerns for loved ones, major changes to their daily life, and quelling fears of unfounded dangers. Actually, there was that one rancher that was miffed to find out the vineyard had been demolished…

I guess the Viscount had been teasing a major bluffback purchase from the man. She shrugged, Theron's Watch was a stone's throw away and the man was hardly hurting for trade partners. Either way, the majority of her answers had been simple, the Viscount was dead, we compiled a list of what victims we could identify, the graves were clearly marked, the investigation was ongoing, and so forth.

She wished she could have been more forthright about just how serious the crisis that had been averted had been, but what was a farmer to do about a cult full of suicidal bastards? At least we can warn them to take a little more care, I should send Ms Fletcher to collect the headman… Well that was easy.

One of the odder bylaws in Count Ebonclast's territory was his insistence on badges of office, and the small obsidian token slung around the neck of the man approaching her marked him out as the Headman for the village." Well met Goodman, this is actually rather convenient. I assume you are the Headman, Mr…" The stocky blond man thrust a calloused hand forwards, " Caldwell, milady. And yes I'm the Headman, sorry I didn't want to interrupt or take too much of your time."

Astra waved off his concerns, " Nonsense, I always have time for anyone pledged in service to my house, no matter how distant. Although there is one additional matter I wish to discuss that is not for public dissemination, is there anyone you would like to include?" Headman Caldwell's gaze sharpened at her words, " Aye, just a moment milady." He turned to wave over a couple members of the crowd, and while he did so Atsra tossed a glance towards Darian where he was leaning against a nearby wagon.

At a tip of her head, he gave her a shake of his in return, the placating gesture and faint smile communicated his intent to her as clear as words, I leave this in your capable hands little sister. I guess this is still my first independent command, at least until we reach Emberholdt. Eli and Mira wandered over, Tia following in their wake, and as a man and woman joined them from the crowd Astra nodded towards Mr Mason, " If you please, Mr Mason."

He tapped a fist to his chest in a quick salute before summoning a swirling wind dome at a gesture. It was a mark of how far they had traveled from the Spine, and the proximity of the city of Theron's Watch, that Mason's magic garnered less stares than the young wyvern joining them in conversation. The Headman cleared his throat, and his companions' gazes snapped upwards somewhat sheepishly as he introduced them, " Father Tidewell, our village priest, and Mrs. Farron is the head of our watch.

You mentioned something else milady…" He eyed the dome, cutting them off from the rest of the occupants of the square, " Should I be worried?" Astra shook her head, " No. Nothing so dire. Rather, I will not see innocent travelers accused because fear overtook reason." She took a deep breath, " There is evidence that there were malicious actors in Whittenburg before the monster tide."

She held up a hand at their startled expressions before continuing, " Nothing widespread, and certainly nothing to concern yourself with, but enough that I would recommend caution. Just simple measures that would be relevant if there are any local surges. Speak with the villagers, keep children close to the village, and avoid traveling alone whenever possible. Take extra care of any unknown travelers, and report anything suspicious to the guard at Theron's Watch.""

Especially any reports of travelers disappearing, incidents such as these are to be reported immediately." She leaned forward making direct eye contact with the Headman, " Do not assume they have simply wandered off, understand?" Headman Caldwell nodded, swallowing thickly before answering, " Aye. I understand my Lady, on my honor." She glanced over to his companions. Father Tidewell, " The Wanderer bids us to offer every traveler a warm meal, but he also grants us eyes with which to see.

We will be vigilant, my Lady." Mrs Farron, the head of the watch, just nodded silently. Astra broke into a small smile, " Excellent, sorry to bring down the mood. I am sure your village takes security seriously, but this is a rather serious matter."" Um… On the matter of security." Astra glanced over at the Headman, " Is something the matter?" He grimaced and nodded, " We'll keep a closer eye on strangers, but at the moment my greatest concern has four legs not two."

She cocked her head in curiosity as she gestured for him to continue." There had been a pack of wolves down south towards Whittenburg, strong ones at least middle or high tier 2, but no one had bothered with them since they kept so far into the hills and away from the road. The trouble is, when that explosion happened the other day, it rustled up some of the local wildlife something fierce. That was you all I reckon." At a sharp glance from Mrs Farron he winced, " I'm not saying it's your fault at all my Lady!

Just that whatever happened must have scared the pack and they headed north. The problem is they set up just south of the village. They were fine at first, kept to themselves, didn't bother us or the livestock, but after a few days that changed." He took a deep breath, " The rancher you spoke with earlier lost a couple backs to them, and Old man Sutton is down at least four of his Grazers, worst yet, Goodwife Celine said her youngest had been chased down the road by one of them."

Headman Caldwell glanced at his two companions before turning back to Astra, " We haven't had a chance to send word up the road to ask for help yet, and we were wondering if you could give us a hand?" Mira spoke first, " How many?" The man glanced over at her, " Maybe 8 or 10?" Mira smiled, " Perfect." She turned towards Astra, "By your leave, my Lady, I believe this presents an excellent opportunity for further training."

At her nod, Mira turned back to Headman Caldwell, " If you do not mind us imposing on your village for a night, we'll see to the task at first light." The man glanced back and forth between Mira and Astra, " O-oh okay? Not a problem at all milady." At a gesture from Astra, the wind dome was dispersed and Mira fell in step next to the Headman, hands clasped behind her back, " If you please Goodman, would you tell me more about this pack?"