Ghost of Whisper Creek

Krita led her ‘bunnies’ down one of the two roads that led from Kronnborg. Despite the arrangement between houses, neither Varless nor rodsvard felt any particular need for a road running between Kronnborg and Jord’s Pyre, as such the only designed exits from Kronnborg were towards Sharkhead Port to the South, and one could head east towards Faydell. The small village that Megwan had described appeared in front of Krita, as they took their horses slowly towards it the Northern woman nodded towards the town. “Home?” she asked gently.

Megwan shook her head, “Once perhaps, my father and mother might even still be there, but home is by your side be it on the road or in the protection of Kronnborg, my Lady. At least until I prove myself capable of my own command.”

“Ambitious,” Krita said with a smile, “I like that. How will the Fayes respond to a hundred armed soldiers marching towards the town?”

Megwan laughed, “Depends on if they are guilty of something. If they think you’re after them they’ll hide in their Manor tails tucked between their legs. If they think you’re passing through they’ll meet you with open arms, only to tell you that they can’t possibly put you up and you’re better off continuing to Linmead. ‘Mead is more profitable than grains and vegetables. You’ll find better roofs and provisions there.’” Megwan gave a smile as she saw a ragged horse approaching, “If they are unsure what your intentions are they will send out the Constable,” she said with a nod.

The man on the horse stopped before Krita, “Good day m’Lady,” he said with a nod that took the place of a bow while on horseback. “I am Belven Chorster, Sheriff of Faydell. How can I help you?”

“Water for my men and horses, and an escort to see Tranan?” Krita looked over to Megwan who gave a quick nod unnoticed by the Sheriff, “Faye for information,” she finished with a smirk that dared him to speak back.

Either he feared Faye and possibly losing his job more than her, or he was more brave than appeared, “M’Lady, I am the law for this village, any information you desire I can give. I assure you that Tranan Faye knows nothing that I don’t as well.”

Krita continued to smile, “That may well be so, but I’d like to look your employer in the eyes to make sure he knows what will happen if he lies to me. I don’t threaten dogs.”

Belven nodded and turned his horse towards the city. He stopped when he finally noticed Krita’s attendant, “Megwan?” he questioned as he stared in shock. “Your parents came to me about a year ago claiming you ran away.”

Megwan glared at the sheriff and nodded, “They had the right of it. I don’t have it in me to be a farmer, or worse yet marry a farmer and birth farmers while I take care of their needs. I was twelve behind where I should have been, and who was going to teach me to fight? You Sheriff? I doubt it. So I took off to Kronnborg, the Northmen don’t shelter their women, let them fight the same as men, I was even luckier than the other girls, Lady Krita herself found me and started my training right.”

Chorster nodded, “A better choice, you could have left a note however, once you were gone there wouldn’t have been much your parents could do to bring you back. And they would have known you weren’t dead out there in the woods. As well as allowing girls to fight, I’ve heard the Rodsvards aren’t very fond of giving things back, so I won’t even ask you to return to your parents.”

This statement got a glare from Krita, “She’s her own girl, free to do what she wishes. That’s why she is to stay with me.” The Lady looked over to the young woman on the horse beside her, “While you’re in the town it wouldn’t hurt to let them know you are alive, and being treated well.”

Megwan nodded, “Yes my Lady,” she responded then looked to the Sheriff, “Same place I assume. I’ve heard nothing changes around here.”

Belven nodded, “Same place, but some things do change Megwan, you’ve another young brother.”

Megwan nodded and turned her eyes to Krita with a nod and a smile, “Looks like I got out just in time then. Six children were quite enough, I’d probably be raising this new brat, Mama’s getting a bit old for chasing around babies, and the others keep her busy I’m sure. Sheriff Chorster will know where to find me should you finish before me my Lady.”

Krita nodded to Megwan and watched the girl’s horse trot off into the town. She then turned to the sheriff and nodded, “Lead on Sheriff.” On their way into town Sheriff Chorster stopped at the first farm and informed a man there to see to Krita’s men and make sure they were taken care of. He then led on into the town. From far off Krita had made out which building was Faye Manor, she did not need the Sheriff to escort her, but she wanted him there as well to see his reaction to the answers Faye gave.

Tranan Faye saw Krita in the Grand Hall of his Manor. It wasn’t much even compared with the shambles of a hall that Castle Kronnborg claimed, or the home that the Northmen were forced to leave beyond Ra’vain’s borders. That castle was strong and secure, but it was not built to host feasts of nobles or be a fanciful wish of a Lady. It was a good defensive foothold, and a feeding spot for lots of hungry warriors. This Faye’s Manor was nothing more than a large wooden hut and the Grand Hall nothing more than a big table with dirt floors and wooden walls.

Krita looked over this Tranan Faye, a shivering weasel looking after his own hide and pockets. “About a month ago my Uncle brought men through this village on his way to treat with Lord Hubor in Visby. Two weeks later he returned the same way, with far fewer men. You wouldn’t happen to know what happened to his men would you?”

“Ambushed?” Tranan said Krita glared at him nastily, but a brief look made it obvious he wasn’t trying to test her patience.

“He serious?” she asked the sheriff angrily.

“Afraid so,” Chorster answered without much regard for how his ‘employer’ reacted. “He’s not too bright, inherited the business and the money. I take care of most things around here, me and Tranan’s wife. As I said nothing he knows that I don’t.”

“And what of his wife?” Krita questioned with a sharp tone, “Does she keep secrets from you? Or do you share business, coin, secrets, everything?”

Belven glared back at Krita, “Tranan, perhaps you could do me a favor and ask Breata to join us.” Tranan nodded and left the room. Belven stepped closer to Krita and his face softened, “You’re wondering if the next generation of Fayes will take after Tranan or myself?”

Krita laughed, “The thought had occurred. If the wife was looking to live off the coin his family left him she wouldn’t stick her nose into the cart business, she’d let it go under or sell it off and blissfully birthed stupid children. This woman wanted to take over make something for herself, she’s not gonna leave it to the children of the man, no matter how much his family bled for what she’s taken.”

Chorster chuckled, “Thankfully the children take the likeness of Breata, all of them. She has to keep the old man happy, his father told him what to expect of a wife. I imagine one or two of the five might be his.”

Krita nodded. She wasn’t concerned in the least who slept with who in the town, but she needed to know the pecking order. “Perhaps you can answer the question I asked of good Tranan then?”

Krita had her answer as Chorster grinned and responded, “Perhaps we should wait for Breata to join us. On the road I could have given you the information I had and sent you on your way. Now that you’ve been inside the Manor I’m afraid I’ll have to share with the Lady of the house, and she’ll believe it more if she is present for the telling.”

“The telling of what?” a harsh feminine voice called out. Krita’s eyes lifted to the sound and saw the woman approaching, she might have been pretty once, before the stress of business took it’s toll on her. She was now wrinkled and gray, based on her husband’s appearance likely before her time.

“The Lady Rodsvard...” Chorster started motioning towards Krita.

“I know who the woman is, Sheriff, what does she want and why did you bring her here,” Breata chided causing Krita to snicker.

“Information, is what she’s looking for, and she guessed of our arrangement so you need not play your superior game with me any longer.” Belven sniped in reply.

Krita now was laughing at the two in their bickering, she wondered how long they had been at their ‘arrangement’, and if Chorster had been chosen to be Sheriff was earned or convenient. “And what is it m’Lady would like to know?” Breata asked forcefully.

The Sheriff made to answer but Krita stopped the game by raising her hand to stop him. “The Lady is very capable of talking for herself, Sheriff. I was telling your husband before I realized the order of things around here that my Uncle has passed through this town twice in the last month, in opposite directions. The second time his numbers were quite depleted and I was wondering if you had an idea as to why?”

“The Ghost got any of his men that wandered too far from the main host,” Breata stated with a degree of fright in her eyes.

“‘The Ghost’?” Krita questioned, “You aren’t that far removed from civilization that you believe that some mystical being cut down my Uncles men.”

“‘The Ghost of the North Woods’,” Belven answered for Breata, “is the moniker the villagers have given him...them I guess, it’s not just a him. Maybe the Ghost only refers to their leader, I don’t know whoever it is doesn’t usually come this far West and Faydell doesn’t have anything worth pillaging. Your Uncle wasn’t the first victim however.”

“Who else would this outlaw attack?” Krita asked curiously.

“First we heard of the Ghost was from a group of Varless who had taken up residence in Visby,” Breata explained, “They had a couple house guards when they started the voyage, by the time they reached Linmead the guard were dead. They redirected towards Kronnborg, instead of Jord’s Pyre. I told them I would take them home in a cart with the Sheriff for protection. They accepted and paid handsomely.”

“They were not the last?” Krita questioned.

“The rest are all third hand stories,” Belven continued, “a Constable and some followers from Lakeburn sent to investigate the Ghost never returned, rumors of a band from Thornvale that were heading to Linmead to pick up a shipment, never heard from again, scouts from Visby, then there was your uncle’s men. No one seems immune to the Ghost’s wrath.”

Krita wrinkled her nose at the statement, “Only stories and rumors as you say, could be ‘The Ghost’ wants us to think he hampers all travelers. The stories haven’t reached Kronnborg, a smart man would know that such stories of all of Lord Ammon’s subjects being hunted by some Ghost would bring a thousand men down into the woods looking for him. No there are some truths to these rumors, but some lies as well I think. These outlaws have to have a base, or be getting supplies. If they were hitting supply wagons Kronnborg would have heard about it. Either Visby, or one of the villages is harboring and supplying them if I find out it’s Faydell and you lied to me you will pay for it. These are not Rodsvard warriors that march with me. They are men who were born in these parts. We will find this ‘Ghost’ and those who helped him will pay.”

Breata gave a slow nod, Belven bowed deeply, “A thousand Rodsvard warriors would do quite a bit of damage to Faydell m’Lady. You have my word that we harbor no such enemy of his Lordship, and we will send you any word that we might get.”

Krita nodded, “See that you don’t forget. I will be heading to Linmead from here as soon as my troops are ready. If I hear a different story there I’ll be back.” The cart operators swallowed noticeably and nodded their understanding before bowing to Krita as she left.

As Krita stepped out of Faye Manor she saw Megwan waiting with Oblekt. “Family reunion not go well?”

Megwan shrugged, “No m’Lady, though about as expected. How I have to stay for the family. So I can take care of my new brother. I told them to look at me and asked if I looked like a nanny. They got upset and told me it might be best if I leave, so I did.”

Krita frowned and nodded, “Just as well they’ll see when you come back in real armor that you made the right choice. Maybe you could be Sheriff here someday.”

Megwan crinkled her nose at Krita, “I don’t want to be some stupid sheriff of this tiny village I want to command troops like you do m’Lady.”

Krita smiled, “Good because that is what I wish to make you. Go check with the others, tell them I will meet them on the other side of the village. Have Leomorn ride up front with me I want to know all there is to know about Linmead, more than just what they were named after. And tell the other leaders to inform their men we will not be partaking in the spoils of Linmead.”

“Yes m’Lady,” was the simple response as Megwan wheeled her horse and headed to where the men were resting, refreshing and watering their horses. Krita smiled and turned Oblekt in the opposite direction towards the village’s exit on the road that lead to Linmead.